Ayrshire

I am not a frequent visitor to Ayrshire although I like the area. It has a good climate and gentle rolling countryside, plus of course the seaside.

Glenbuck

Glenbuck in East Ayrshire is just over the border with South Lanarkshire in a hilly area. It is the birthplace of Bill Shankley, football legend in 1913. Photos taken 17th April 2022

Glenbuck was a former mining village at its peak around 1900 but by 1933, many of the large scale mines had closed. The last drift mine closed in 1991 by which time most of the village had been abandoned. Open cast nining started in the area in 1985 and was discontinued in 2013 following the demise of Scottish Coal. The scarred landscape has been partially restored. The story of Glenbuck is told in the Glenbuck Heritage Village using information boards and designated areas on the location of former buildings.

Bill Shankly Memorial, Glenbuck Heritage Village on the location of the Shankly family house.

Glenbuck Cherrypickers Memorial, Glenbuck Heritage Village.

Not only Bill Shankly but other skilled footballers came from the village. The team called the Glenbuck Cherrypickers became one of the most prominent teams in junior football. Over 50 went on to play for the senior teams in the top leagues in Scotland and England. Seven players were chosen to play at international level for Scotland.

Coal hutches - memorial to miners of Glenbuck at Glenbuck Heritage Village.

The remains of Spireslack Viaduct

This carried the Caledonian Railway's line from Coalburn and Bankhead to Galawhistle Pit and on to Muirkirk. This section was only for coal traffic. The viaduct was dismantled following the first world war.

Glenbuck Loch, adjacent to the A70, is the source for the River Ayr

Cottage near Glenbuck Loch

The sign shows the River Ayr Way, a path from Glenbuck Loch to the sea at Ayr mainly following a disused railway line. The total length is 44 miles.

Ayr

The following photographs of Ayr were taken on the 24th August 2016, when my wife and I had a brief holiday in Ayr to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We enjoyed a most spectacular sunset.

Ayr Beach

Sunset at Ayr Beach

Afterglow at Ayr Beach

Barns Street, Ayr from Mercure Hotel

Wellington Square, Ayr

The Pavilion, Ayr - now Pirate Pete's.

Ayr Docks.

Alloway

Alloway is now a southern suburb of Ayr. It is the birthplace of Robert Burns, housing Burn's Cottage where he was born, a modern Burns Museum, the Burns Monument and Gardens and Brig O' Doon (the Old Bridge of Doon).

Brig O' Doon House Hotel. Date: 19/09/2010

Brig O' Doon from main road bridge. Date: 19/09/2010

Back of Brig O' Doon House Hotel and Burns Monument photographed from approach to Brig O' Doon. Date: 25/08/2016

Burns Monument. Date: 19/09/2010

Bust of Robert Burns in Monument Gardens. Date: 19/09/2010

Dalmellington

Dalmellington is a market town in East Ayrshire on the River Doon. Photos 24th August 2016.

The centre of Dalmellington

The Doon Valley Museum, Dalmellington. This closed permanently on 28th January 2017 and the building was transferred to community ownership.

Dalmellington Inn

Culzean Castle

THese photographs were taken on the 19th May 2006.

Avenue of trees at Culzean Castle

Dunure

Photos taken on 19th Sept 2010

Dunure Castle with Ailsa Craig in the distance.

Dunure Harbour and Dunure Inn

Girvan

Photos taken on 19th Sept 2010

Girvan Harbour

Fishing nets Girvan Harbour

Monument to the crew of the Russian Cruiser 'VARYAG' at Lendalfoot, south of Girvan. The ship, after an interesting history in the first World War, finally came to an end while being towed from Liverpool to Germany to be scrapped and sunk in the Firth of Clyde. This monument was unveiled in 2007 by Russian dignitaries.

Maidens

Photos taken on 19th Sept 2010

Maidens Harbour

Wrecked boat in Maidens Harbour

Today's catch