Ayshire: Ayr, Troon, Arran Island, Galloway Forest Park...

Ayrshire is a county in south-west Scotland. Its principal towns include Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine and it has a population of approximately 366,800.  

In here you have lots of great cities and activities to discover.

 

1. Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park

I advise you to go to the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park just for a walk or merely to do sailing, kayaking, canoeing and raft building on the shallow inland Castle Semple Loch. Also, other activities are offered  such as archery, mountain biking, hill walking, orienteering, navigation and first aid.

 

2. Ayr

You will find in this city a lot of shops and the beach ! As well, just near this city you cannot avoid Culzean Castle and its Country Park. Beautiful landscapes guaranteed. It offers as well attractions including an adventure play park, aviary, deer park, icehouse,orangery, ancient vinery, and so on.

 
Regular summer events, such as battle re-enactments, silver bands, jousting, classic car rallies, open-air concerts, craft fairs, pond dipping and nature walks with the rangers give a constant flow of interesting happenings.

Fares : Culzean Castle & Country Park £15.50. Culzean Country Park only £10.50



 3. Troon

Still in Ayrshire you have lots of golf courses, especially in Troon. This town, known as a golfing hotspot, has seven courses including Royal Troon, which regularly hosts the famous Open Championship.

In here, also, you have a nice beach with beautiful landscapes and the view on Arran Island. You can do kite surfing too !

4. Arran Island

Moreover, you definitely have to go to the Isle of Arran. It is the largest island in the Firth of Clyde and situated near Ayr. It is composed of a lot of hills. The highest of these hills is Goat Fell at 873.5 metres. The largest valley on the island is Glen Iorsa to the west.

By Train ;  there is a direct train service from Glasgow Central to Ardrossan Harbour.

5.50£ return with the railcard. More info: http://www.visitarran.com/

Then, you will take a ferry from Ardrossan Harbour to Brodick. The crossing takes 55 minutes, and it is advisable to book in advance if you are planning to bring a car to the island.

 

5. Other events

If you enjoy sport and adventure, like me, I advise you to take part of the muddy race in Kilmarnock, or in different places in Scotland, it is a great experience and a good fun.

6. Galloway Forest Park

Galloway Forest Park is the largest in Britain, and at night, it is one of the best spots in the UK to stargaze with the naked eye. Thousands of stars and even the Milky Way are all visible without the use of a telescope.

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Unknown 12:50  1 comment

Trip in the Scottish Highlands : from Loch Lomond to Inverness

Today, I want to introduce you a trip I have done a month ago around the Highlands.
The Scottish Highlands are one of the main place to visit if you plan to travel in Scotland. In here, you will find lots of beautiful landscape you cannot avoid.

Firstly, how could you get to the Highlands ?

The easier way is to book a trip with a tour operator. In fact, a lot of companies in Scotland are specialized in tourists tours and offer good services. As far as I am concerned, I chose "Timberbush", but you have also "Scottishtours", "Discoverscotlandtours", Isuk Tours for the students and so on.

The organization will plan all the trip for you. You will be visiting in a bus and the driver which is also a tourist guide will give you many information about the different places you will visit. As well, you will make different stops in the key areas.

The price for this tour is around 35/45£ and lasts a day.

On the other hand, you can decide to travel on your own in renting a car. If you are feeling confident in driving on the left side it can be a good alternative. You can travel as long as you want and choose the places you want to discover. However, it can be more tiring and you will not have a guide to give you information about the places you are visiting and you need to have a good sense of direction.


Then, what can you visit ?

I will describe you the trip I have done with Timberbush.

To begin, we left from Glasgow in direction to Loch Lomond, we made some stops around this lack and in typical town nearby.
Loch Lomond is the biggest lack of Scotland in terms of surface, and honestly I think it is more impressive than Loch Ness. You have a beautiful view of the mountains in the background.

Then, you will make a stop at the Three sisters, in Glencoe mountains. It is a glen of volcanic origins. Its side is marked by a succession of distinct peaks: Buachaille Etive Mòr is followed to the west by Buachaille Etive Beag, then by the Three Sisters, shoulders of the Bidean nam Bian. Glen Coe was originally part of the lands of Clan Donald, though since the ending of the clan structure they have progressively sold off their estates. This place is also know for the famous and sad Donald clan's massacre.

Glencoe is also a skiing resort, I have been in February and is was a good experience. However if you do not know how to do skiing, I do not advice you Scotland for a first experience because the weather changes quickly and the skiing pistes are not really groomed. You can find more information about this resort in clicking this link : http://www.glencoemountain.com/

After having enjoyed these amazing landscapes, you will go to the Loch Ness which is a well known loch in the Scottish Highlands extending for approximately 23 miles (37 km) southwest of Inverness. This lack is best known for alleged sightings of Loch Ness Monster, also called "Nessie". Loch Ness is the second largest Scottish loch by surface area  after Loch Lomond, but due to its great depth, it is the largest by volume.
You have the possibility to be part of a cruise at the departure of Urquhart castle (what a though name!) to enjoy the most your experience.

To continue your trip, you will go to Fort Williams. It is the second largest settlement in the Highlands of Scotland with around 10,000 inhabitants.
It is a centre for hillwalking and climbing due to its proximity to Ben Nevis and many other Munro mountains.
At this place, you will not be far from The Ben Nevis. This one is the highest mountain in the British Isles (standing at 1,344 metres or 4,409 ft above sea level).

Finally, you will arrive in Inverness, it is the capital of the Highlands of Scotland. It is situated at the edge of the North Sea. You will have lots of museums, castles and churches to visit over here.



My next blog will be about Ireland, give me your feedback ! xx

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Unknown 16:36  4 comments