Magnificent! Couldn't have asked for a better wedding! My new hubby works in the hospitality…read moreindustry so he's a tough sell. He had nothing but rave reviews. If you're staying in the castle, Ian is perfection! Our entire group of 8 absolutely adored him. The kids said he was 'cool' and he was our go-to man if we had any requests or inquiries.

The perfect family day out. With it being a national trust property the admission prices are a bit…read morespendy, we used Tesco Clubcard voucher exchange to bring the cost down. But even if we had paid £25 (just for the grounds) it would have been money well spent. Having brought the puppy we decided not to bother with paying the extra to go into the castle and to be honest even without the dog we wouldn't have had time to do everything. This place is huge. The grounds are perfection, the coast on one side and woodlands on the other with spectacular ornamental gardens, swan lakes and quirky wee buildings like the ice house, pagoda, etc. As per usual our first stop was for something to eat and we were really impressed with the offering from the courtyard cafe. Firstly that there were outside tables so that we could eat without running the gauntlet of leaving the dog in the car free to munch on the upholstery. There was plenty of family entertainment on offer, watching g throw his food around and suppress squeals of terror in the face of wasp attacks. The food was good, basic but hearty sandwiches, baked potatoes and tasty tray bakes. Smudge adored the newly opened adventure playground and it was the perfect way to finish off a brilliant day out. It also meant that both girls were sufficiently knackered to sleep all the way back home meaning that g and I got a chance to actually exhale and savour a great day out.

Nothing short of perfect. A testament to the rich history that is Scotland. It is so magnificent…read moreboth inside and out that words simply cannot describe the splendour of this castle. The castle overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and on a clear and sunny day like today you can see the Isle of Arran! Aye - a truly magestic place which we will ne'er forget!

Truly one remarkable location…read more I got tired of hearing myself say "wow" over every thing. But it was all I could say. We stayed in a wonderful room overlooking the water. My favorite part is the beach (path is slightly hidden) just to the north. Keep a sharp eye out for washed up jelly fish. But the rocks and shells create a virtual painting of nature. We had high tea, and it was such a living fantasy. Great memories.

This is very interesting to visit - I came upon it by accident when walking around the harbour…read morearea. This ruin is part of the citadel built in the 17th century on the orders of Oliver Cromwell. The round turret overlooking the street and harbour was constructed in the 19th century by John Miller and is known as Miller's Folly. When Miller returned from India he acquired the Citadel and actually lived inside. It's less than a mile from the town and worth seeing if you're interested in history.

St John's Tower is all that remains of a church built around sometime in the late 12 century. It is…read morethe oldest building in Ayr. The tower was an add on around the fifteenth century and has five areas that you can reach by a spiral staircase. (ground floor, bell chamber, and three rooms)This church was dedicated to St John the Baptist, the patron saint of Ayr. The history behind the long life of this tower is very interesting and can be accessed through their website.

A wonderful piece of national heritage that deserves a visit from you. It was saved from complete…read moredisintegration by the intervention of Prince Charles, and deservedly so. In this house there are some unique and priceless pieces of Chippendale furniture and some equally rare Axminster carpets. I also loved the big orrery in the entrance hall; I've never seen one that size before. The restoration has involved a lot of local craftspeople and the house & estate still employs over 200 locals to keep things running, The house tour (you have to book) is fascinating, as they explain not only the history of the place, but tell you about the conservation methods that were used. I particularly like the way they avoid roping off parts of the room to stop you walking on the carpet, but instead have custom-made carpet runners printed with the actual design of the carpet they cover so that the image of the room is not compromised. The estate is vast too, with a hedge maze, arboretum, walled garden and plenty of walks to keep you and the kids occupied for a few hours. The cafe is pretty decent, and the shop has some upmarket tourist items that are a definite cut above the norm - as are the prices, mind. Dumfries House is run by a trust, it's not managed by any national heritage body, so everything you see on the estate is due to their own efforts and the artisanal skills that they are training young folks in. Love it.

I'm so stupid. Why haven't I visited Dumfries House before when it's on the doorstep just 20 mins…read morefrom Ayr and less than an hour from Glasgow. It's free for visitors to park the car and roam this stunning huge estate 365 days a year til dusk. I wrongly thought the house was pretty much all there was to see and now I'm kicking myself for making that mistake. I won't give everything away here. Check out their online presence to find out a little more and if walking is your thing bring some stout shoes. There's a maze, a cafe, an afternoon tea venue at weekends (a must book), a fine dining restaurant and so much more. Oh yes I musn't forget the two playparks, the Robert Adam bridge, the gobsmacking walled rose garden and all manner of cleverly crafted follies. I almost forgot the house full of chippendale and lovingly restored. Go spend the day. That Duke of Rothesay Prince Charles fella is a local hero around these parts for saving Dumfries House at the eleventh hour and opening a seldom seen gem for the public. Highly recommended!

Built in 1833 to replace the previous structure in which Sir William Wallace is said to have been…read moreimprisoned for setting fire to a barn with 500 English soldiers inside. This is a Neo-Gothic clock tower, 113 ft high, with a statue of William Wallace carved in the facade. Interesting to visit and in the High Street so easily accessible.

This 17th Century Tolbooth was once a gaol and a meeting…read moreplace for local people and the magistrate, being also a collection point for customs dues. It stands on a corner beside the busy main road which runs straight through the village. Its walls are 3 feet thick and there are two windows high up in the gable. There is a clock tower and a stone bearing the part of a date, '17'. In 1874, lightning demolished the weather vane and 12 feet of spire, which were replaced at a cost of £84/17/9d. The iron neck ring and chain on the front, known as the Jougs, were last used in 1812 to secure a woman found guilty of stealing, before she was banished from the area! This Tolbooth has been considerably restored over the years and is in fairly good condition for its age. There is a small free car park immediately to one side, where I parked the other day to get out and have a good look at this fascinating old buidling and take photos.

Well worth a visit . Good play park and long walks if you tire of the children's play area.read more