SAC Learning

Ayr Town is located on the central West Coast of Scotland at the Firth of Clyde one of Scotland’s most picturesque regions and boasts a sweeping sandy beach which provides bathing and leisure activities for locals and tourists. Stunning views across the Firth to the Isle of Arran attract people year round.

The Town

32 miles south-west  of Glasgow City, Ayr  is an area of growth and at the last a census the population was approaching 50,000.

The ‘Auld Toon’ is steeped in history and has associations with Robert the Bruce, William Wallace and, of course, Rabbie Burns. Later it was known for its fishing and shipbuilding industries. Today it is a popular Scottish holiday destination with excellent shopping , nightlife, and a whole range of leisure activities to choose from.

Ayr town centre has a warm, traditional feel with a recently opened shopping centre, alongside an array of traditional storefronts, give it bags of character.

Local Attractions

For anyone who likes to get out and about there is no shortage of places to visit or opportunities for outdoor activities. Ayrshire and its surrounding area has a ready supply of  ancient castles, stunning country parks and gardens, bustling market towns and captivating visitor attractions.

A short ferry ride from Troon will take you over to the Isle of Arran and throughout summer the historic Waverley paddle steamboat takes trips from Ayr harbour to Arran and to other spots around the Firth.

The Isle of Arran is said to be Scotland in miniature A beautiful coastline with pretty villages is complemented by a rugged and mountainous interior in the north and green rolling hills and woodland in the south thus mirroring the variety of landscape seen in the mainland.

South of Ayr are a number of attractions with historic connections and tourist facilities including Culzean Castle and Country Park, Turnberry Castle, Crossraguel Abbey and Johnnie Souter's Cottage.

Sport

For Sport enthusiasts, Ayr Racecourse is a focal point for National racing meets and is used throughout the year for a wide range of social, leisure and sporting activities. The local football team have keen supporters who follow its progress in the league and of course it is not far geographically from the more famous Kilmarnock Football team.

Also nearby, is Troon where the British Open Golf Championship is played.

Travelling to and from

There are regular bus and train links to Glasgow, Edinburgh and around the UK.

Conveniently near the SAC campus there is Prestwick Airport which  provides excellent connections throughout the UK and wider Europe. Some of the UK’s better known budget passenger carriers operate from Prestwick , so cheaper travel in and out of the region is a bonus.