Things to do in Ayrshire during the 152nd Open
The 152nd Open at Royal Troon
The Open, a highlight of the golfing calendar and the oldest golfing tournament in the world, returns to Royal Troon this year for its 152nd edition.
Scotland gave golf to the world around 6 centuries ago, and as such, visitors and locals alike are spoiled for choice with championship courses located in almost every corner of the country. The 2024 Open will be the 10th edition of the championship that Royal Troon has hosted, on its spectacular course that challenges even the very best golfers in the world.
Troon is a beautiful seaside town, with plenty to do and see other than the fantastic golf courses available. Venture further out into Ayrshire and you will find the county has a lot to offer. From some of the freshest seafood thanks to the countless miles of shoreline, historic castles, to the birthplace of Scotland’s very own bard, Robert Burns.
Below, we’ve highlighted some of our ultimate things to do, and our favourite places in the area that you could explore whilst visiting Ayrshire and Troon for the 152nd Open Championship.
Culzean Castle
Pronounced a bit differently to how you might think (Cull-ane), Culzean Castle is one of the most ornate and stunning castles in Scotland, with magnificent sculpted grounds surrounding it. The castle sits on the Ayrshire coast near the town of Maidens and has been around since the 18th century, serving as the former home to the Marquess of Ailsa. Originally designed by Robert Adam, the castle screams opulence and was originally designed to flaunt the wealth and status of its original inhabitant.
Today, the castle forms part of the Culzean Country Estate, with over 40 buildings and acres of land to explore, including a swan pond and deer park. Visitors are able to explore areas of the castle, the grounds, and even take a walk down to the miles of beach below the castle.
Isle of Arran
Whilst playing at Royal Troon, take a glance across the water and you will be met with the magnificent view of the Isle of Arran. Luckily, it couldn’t be easier to reach the island from Troon’s location in Ayrshire.
Caledonian MacBrayne operate several ferry journeys, accommodating both foot passengers and vehicles, per day to the island from both Troon and Ardrossan, located around 45 minutes north of Troon by train and 30 minutes by car. After a crossing of just under an hour from either of these ports, you will arrive in the island’s capital of Brodick which you can use as a base to explore some of the Isle of Arran’s highlights like Brodick Castle or the scenic bay of Lamlash.
Golf
As you enjoy the Open, you may be tempted to play a few holes yourself. The course at Royal Troon might be otherwise occupied, but there are plenty of other excellent courses throughout Ayrshire for you to enjoy.
Travelling south, you will find the renowned Trump Turnberry which offers unparalleled views out towards the Atlantic Ocean, with the Ailsa Craig dotted in the middle of the horizon. Interestingly, the small island Ailsa Craig is made of granite, and around 60% of curling stones in circulation during the noughties were made from granite originating from the island.
Around the area of Troon you will also find the Dundonald Links golf course if you head north towards Irvine, or Rowallan Castle Golf Course heading northeast towards Kilmarnock.
Electric Brae
Not only home to fantastic golf and beautiful scenery, Ayrshire is also home to its very own optical illusion.
The Electric Brae, or Croy Brae, is a stretch of road about halfway between Ayr and Turnberry. A free-running vehicle stopped on this road will appear to be drawn upward by an unknown force. By optical illusion, it appears as if the car is moving uphill, when infact, it’s moving downhill. This effect is known as a gravity hill and there a few found around the world.
During World War 2, President Eisenhower stayed in the penthouse flat at Culzean Castle, which was left to him when the owners of the castle at the time gave ownership of it to the National Trust, and often took his visitors to see the phenomenon.
Robert Burns’ Birthplace Museum
Ayrshire is the home of one of Scotland’s greatest exports: Robert Burns. Born in Alloway in 1759 on January 25th, the day on which we still celebrate his life and works every year with plenty of haggis, whisky, and usually a ceilidh.
Today, fans of the bard can visit his birthplace, which has been turned into a museum that commemorates his life, the perfect place to learn all about one of Scotland’s heroes. In the cottage, you can see thousands of artefacts from his life including original manuscripts and even follow in the footsteps of one of his most famous characters - Tam O’Shanter, crossing over the Brig O’Doon. You can even sample some of the famous Scottish dish haggis, neeps, and tatties in the café at the museum.
Sample the Local Food
Ayrshire is home to some of the best food in Scotland. From Ayrshire bacon, to some of the freshest seafood taken from the ocean surrounding the area. Restaurants such as Scotts on the harbour and the Piersland Hotel, located just across the road from Royal Troon golf course serve up delicious and fresh Scottish fare.
Also located on Troon harbour is The Wee Hurrie, a fish and chip shop, or chippy as they are known here in Scotland. Should July bring warm weather and plenty of sun, you might want to enjoy some of the freshest fish such as monkfish, hake, or the classic haddock, on a walk along Troon beach, taking in the spectacular Ayrshire scenery.
Largs
Troon is a perfect seaside town, with beaches, local shops, delicious food, and of course magnificent views. However, head around 45 minutes north by car or an hour by train, and you’ll arrive in Largs.
Much like Troon, it is a picturesque town which wouldn’t look out of place on a postcard, famed for its ice cream parlours, shops, and Victorian promenade. It also serves as the connection to the Isle of Cumbrae, a favourite amongst walkers and cyclists who go to explore the small island. Largs is also an often-visited spot for sailors, with the marina there being the largest in Scotland.
Dundonald Castle
First built in the 14th century, the fortified ruin of Dundonald Castle sits on a hill above the small village of Dundonald. Originally home to Robert II, the grandson of Robert the Bruce, this castle was the original seat of the royal Stewart dynasty, which Robert II started. Over time, the castle changed hands to many different families, but maintained its position overlooking the village.
Before the current castle, former castles existed on the site, however there is currently no trace of these. Visitors can explore the remains of the castle including the Great Hall, and learn all about the history of one of Scotland’s lesser-known castles.
Whether you are looking to visit Troon and the stunning scenery of Ayrshire on a bespoke private tour, or simply need transport to Royal Troon golf course to watch the exciting competition, Balmoral Executive Travel are able to help. Ayrshire has countless places to visit not listed above, and our itinerary planners would be able to assist you with curating a tour of exactly what you want to see. Whether you want to explore more castles and historical sites in the area, or want to get a few holes in on many of the other excellent golf courses.
As well as this, we are able to offer direct transfers to and from Troon from anywhere in Scotland including Glasgow Airport and Edinburgh Airport, all on our luxury Mercedes vehicles.
To enquire about how we could meet your travel needs for the 152nd Open, please don’t hesitate to contact us using the form on the website, or by contacting our expert team directly by email at info@balmoralexecutivetravel.com, or my phone at +44 (0) 131 374 1180.