East Ayrshire Council - 39 Attractions You Must Visit

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About East Ayrshire Council

East Ayrshire is one of the 32 unitary council areas into which Scotland has been divided since 1996. It covers a large area that extends from Kilmarnock, Stewarton, Newmilns and Darvel in the north to Loch Doon and the edge of the Galloway Forest Park in the south.

Types of Attractions in East Ayrshire Council

Activities Around

List of Attractions in East Ayrshire Council

Airds moss

Airds moss

Outdoors- Other

Airds Moss is the largest unafforested blanket bog in the South Strathclyde region and is situated within the Muirkirk Uplands between the towns of Cumnock and Muirkirk in East Ayrshire. The entire site is 8km in length and 2.5 km wide. Airds Moss is known in the history of Scotland as the site of the Battle of Airds Moss. The area qualifies as a Special Protection Area because it contains breeding and wintering hen harrier, merlin, peregrine falcon, short-eared owl and European golden plover.

Auchencloigh Castle

Auchencloigh Castle

Iconic Buildings

Old Ruins

Auchincloigh Castle is a ruined fortification near the Burnton Burn, lying within the feudal lands of the Craufurd Clan, situated in the Parish of Ochiltree, East Ayrshire, Scotland. The monument consists of the remains of a medieval tower house situated 100m E of Auchencloigh Farm.The fragmentary remains consist of several massive sections of lime- bonded whinstone rubble walling. The building appears to have been rectangular and of considerable strength

Auchinleck Castle

Auchinleck Castle was a castle built on a rocky promontory on the eastern bank of the Lugar Water, East Ayrshire. The remains of the castle are designated a scheduled ancient monument.

Auchinleck House

Auchinleck House

Iconic Buildings

Old Ruins

A finest example of an eighteenth century country villa to survive in Scotland. Once diarist James Boswell’s family seat, this grand 18th-century country house has its own grounds, river, ice-house and grotto. The large dining room and its elaborate plasterwork makes any meal special while the library lends itself to conversation and contemplation, just as it did for James Boswell and Dr Johnson.

Ballochmyle Viaduct

Ballochmyle Viaduct

Man-made Structures- Other

Ballochmyle Viaduct is perhaps Britain's most outstanding masonry arch viaduct, and has one of the world's largest masonry arches. It was built 1846-8 for the Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr Rly. A splendid 7-arch viaduct with a central span of 181 ft. The viaduct was listed in April 1971 and became a Category A listed structure in January 1989. It was designated a "Historic Civil Engineering Landmark" by the Institution of Civil Engineers.

Barony A Frame

Barony A Frame

Man-made Structures- Other

Old Ruins

The Barony A Frame is a preserved headgear in East Ayrshire, Scotland, located 2 kilometres west of Auchinleck. It was built in 1954 as part of the modernisation of the Barony Colliery, which had been opened in 1907. It is the last remaining example of its type in Britain, and was restored in 2007 by the Barony A Frame Trust. Over £1 million was spent refurbishing the structure, including funding from Historic Scotland and the Heritage Lottery Fund. The A-frame was reopened by Prince Charles, th

Barr Castle

Barr Castle

Iconic Buildings

Old Ruins

Barr Castle, built in the early 16th century, is a simple rectangle on plan, measuring about 35 1/2ft E-W by 26ft transversely and rises to four storeys beneath the parapet with a garret above. It passed into the hands of the Hamiltons of Ferguslie at the end of the 16th century. They retained the castle until the late 18th century, when they sold and abandoned it for a new mansion. The castle is protected as a scheduled monument.

Belston Loch

Belston Loch

Lake/ River/ Ponds

Belston Loch, also recorded as Dromsmodda Loch is a small freshwater loch in the East Ayrshire Council Area, near Sinclairston, 2 miles south-east of Drongan, lying in a glacial Kettle Hole. Parish of Ochiltree, Scotland. The area has seen extensive coal mining activity with an open cast mine and collieries at Drumsmodden, Polquhairn, Old Polquhairn, Auchlin, etc.

Black Loch, New Cumnock

Black Loch, New Cumnock

Lake/ River/ Ponds

Black Noch is a part of the New Cumnock region of East Ayrshire of Scotland. As common with the other lochs of Ayrshire, this loch too sits on a site of kettle hole created due to glacial activity. This loch is a prized tourist spot owing to its natural abundance. You can also fish in the waters of the loch which is abundant in species of pike, eel and other common fish varieties. Bird lovers will fall in love with the Black Loch as it is home to various rare species of ducks.

Blackcraig Hill

Blackcraig Hill

1 Day Treks

Mountain Peaks

Blackcraig Hill is a popular walk as it is one of the highest hills in Ayrshire at 2,296 feet above sea level, if not the highest. It lies southeast of the town of New Cumnock in Ayrshire. A craggy hill, it is usually climbed from its western side starting at Glen Afton. A nceit trekking destination and also you can spend some time with its beautiful views.

Burns Monument

The Burns Monument Centre is a shared venue among East Ayrshire Leisure, East Ayrshire Council and Ayrshire Archives. The local and family history collections at the Centre are cared for by East Ayrshire Leisure. The collection includes items such as newspapers, maps, historic photographs, books and many other local and family history resources.

Cairn Table

Cairn Table

1 Day Treks

Mountain Peaks

Cairn Table is a hill just south of Muirkirk. On the summit are two large cairns; one is largely intact, but the other was heavily robbed of stone to build a large monument to the people of Muirkirk who fought in the 1914-1918 war. Nearby are sites where agate stones can be found and these were worked into stone tools during the mesolithic period and assorted scrapers and cutters and other simple stone tools have been found in the area. It will be a new experience visiting this area.

Caprington Castle

This is a very majestic structure and was built upon volcanic rock that juts out near the bed of the river and may be considered one of the finest buildings in the district. here are square-headed drip moulds. Corner turrets are square; there is a porte-cochere; the building stands on a terrace, with round corner bastions. The internal hall and staircase have plaster ceilings and other Gothic decoration. The owners possess drawings of the castle prior to the modernisation.

Creoch Loch

Creoch Loch

Lake/ River/ Ponds

A beautiful freshwater loch in the Parish of New Cumnock in the East Ayrshire Council Area between Cumnock and New Cumnock, Scotland. It is located in a glacial kettle hole and is one of three linked lochs. It offers so many leisure activates and also you can spend some beautiful time in the banks of this loch.

Dalcairney Falls

This picturesque waterfall lies off of a minor road near Doon Bridge, around a mile west of Dalmellington. It is a popular spot for both walkers and photographers; during cold weather it can freeze over completely, resulting in a breathtaking scene. Parking is available in Cathcartston where signs for the trail that lead to the waterfall are located.

Dick Institute

A majestic 4 star attraction, which houses the largest museum and gallery spaces in Ayrshire and East Ayrshire’s central library. It has been described by the Glasgow Herald as ‘Scotland’s finest municipal gallery’ through hosting an ambitious range of temporary exhibitions and is regularly the only Scottish venue for significant shows.

Doon Valley Railway

Conquer the unique and historically significant industrial steam and diesel locomotives are restored and can be seen working in an authentic setting. The centre owns a number of standard gauge steam locomotives and diesel locomotives as well as some narrow gauge items and an extensive collection of photographs.

Dumfries House Estate

Dumfries House Estate

Iconic Buildings

Dumfries House is one of Britain's most beautiful stately homes. Set in 2,000 acres of land, this stunning estate and 18th-century house with its unrivalled collection of original furniture has something for everyone. This Estate retains much of the original 18th century landscape design and is open to walkers daily from dawn to dusk. The Main Gates close for cars at 6pm. Visitors can explore the beautiful setting with ancient trees, the Adam Bridge, river walks, a doo’cot and the wildlife.

Map of attractions in East Ayrshire Council

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For more information about East Ayrshire Council, visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Ayrshire