Discount Hotels Ayr
Historical interest: Ayr
    
With a street plan dating back to the 1200s and many fine buildings from the
centuries since, Ayr is an attractive town with a real sense of its history.
Originally known as St. John's Town of Ayr or Inverayr, Ayr started life as
the settlement serving a castle built here in 1197 by William I. This was border
country at the time, with Galloway, to the south, only becoming part of Scotland
during Alexander II's reign in 1234.
By 1300 Ayr was Scotland's main west coast port, a role it maintained until
it was overtaken by Glasgow several centuries later. Early coastal trade was
later supplemented by links to Ireland, Europe, and the Americas. By 1777, over
300 ships were using the port each year. At this time Ayr was serving as the
nautical equivalent of the distribution centres. Commodities like tobacco, slate,
earthenware and salt were imported from all over the world and then shipped
to all parts of Scotland's western seaboard. Even today, Ayr retains a large
harbour, to the north of the mouth of the river.
In the 1800s Ayr became a highly fashionable seaside resort, with its long
stretches of beach. Its popularity was initially based on steamer services,
but the real boom came from 1840 when the railway linked Ayr with Glasgow.
Selection of hotels in this region:
Western House Hotel | | Western House Hotel and 15 days parking | | Fairfield House Hotel | | Ramada Jarvis Ayr | | Quality Hotel Ayr | |
Click below for a
full list of hotels and online booking
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