1.

Royal Troon Golf Course - (5 minutes away)
Troon, AYRSHIRE

Founded in 1878 by a few enthusiasts Troon Golf Club soon outgrew its purely local reputation. The Old Course today presents a stern golfing examination and in particular the inward half of Royal Troon is widely accepted as the most demanding of any Course on the Championship rota.

> http://www.royaltroon.co.uk

2.

Loudoun Castle Theme Park - (15 minutes away)
Galston, AYRSHIRE

With the magnificent and imposing ruins of Loudoun Castle as a stunning backdrop, the Theme Park is unique, with a safe and clean environment where there are New Rides and entertainment in 2005, to suit all ages.

Loudoun Castle Theme Park, Galston, Ayrshire, KA4 8PE. |
Tel: (01563) 822296 | Fax: (01563) 822408

> http://www.loudouncastle.co.uk/

3.

Largs - Historic Seaside Town - (30 minutes away)
Largs, AYRSHIRE

Largs is a hugely popular sea-side town in Ayrshire on Scotland's beautiful west coast. The Jazz Festival, Brisbane Queen Festival and Viking Festival are annual favourites, and Largs held the Mod in 2002. The Paddle Steamer Waverley sails the Clyde and the Kyles of Bute to Tighnabruaich and Tarbert, to Brodick or Rothesay and Dunoon from Easter to September. Calmac run frequent ferries to Millport, the cycling and Country and Western Festival island. Tourism, sailing, watersports, fishing and farming are main industries, with IBM and Hunterston, many commuters who travel to Glasgow and beyond, and expatriates working and living abroad. There are two golf courses, putting, bowls, play parks, fishing, diving, swimming pool, football parks and a splendid 10 pin bowling alley. Largs has the Inverclyde national sports training centre, with sail training centres here and all around Scotland's Riviera, on the sunny Firth of Clyde coast.

> http://www.largsonline.co.uk/

4.

Glasgow - (30 minutes away)

Glasgow is one of Europe's top destinations for short breaks and holidays - and no wonder! Easily reached by air, road or rail, here are five good reasons to visit Glasgow:

• Shopping - Glasgow is the UK's best for boutiques, stylish shops and cosmopolitan cafes and restaurants. Rated the UK's best shopping centre, outside of London
  
  
• Museums and galleries - From dinosaurs to Dali, there are 13 to visit in Glasgow - and entry is FREE!
  
  
• Parks and outdoors - the choice is endless - in fact Glasgow has more than 70 parks and more green space per square mile than any other city in Europe
  
  
• Buildings and architecture - Glasgow has some of the finest Victorian architecture around. Marvel at the imposing city centre mansions and don't forget to check out buildings designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, including the world-famous Glasgow School of Art

> http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/

5.

Culzean Castle - Scottish Castle & Country Park - (30 minutes away)
South of Ayr, AYRSHIRE

Like a storybook castle, this fantastic example of Robert Adam's genius stands dramatically on a cliff with superb views across the sea to the mountains of the Island of Arran.

Between 1777 and 1792 Adam converted an old fortified towercastle for David Kennedy, the 10th Earl of Cassillis, creating at Culzean (pronounced " Cullane ") probably the finest Georgian castle in Scotland. Its Circular Saloon and Oval Staircase are acknowledged as Adam's final masterpiece.

> http://www.culzeancastle.net/