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Town, sea port and former burgh in Scotland
Photo: wfmillar, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Ardrossan is a port in Ayrshire on the Clyde coast of Scotland. It's part of the "Three Towns" conurbation of Greater Ardrossan, which also includes Saltcoats and Stevenston. The town has few sights and amenities, and the main reason to visit is to catch the ferry to the Isle of Arran.
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The castle was once ransacked by William Wallace and his followers and remained an important outpost until Oliver Cromwell took control of it, had it dismantled and sent the stone to build a new castle in Ayr. So it's just a stone stump, but prominently located on the hill above town centre. The ruins have become unsafe and are fenced off; either duck through a hole in the fence or just admire the exterior and views across the Firth to Arran.
Fine church built in 1908. Note the stain-glass windows and the small carvings around the entrances and within. It's Church of Scotland, with regular services.
Local history exhibits in a former church.
Activities include swimming in the Olympic-sized pool and ice skating. North Ayrshire Wild ice hockey team play here Sept-March in the Scottish National League, the second tier.
This is not a wise choice for the under 60s.
Multiplex overlooking Saltcoats harbour.
Ten pin bowling.
Traditional Italian fish and chips shop, cafe and ice cream parlour. They also offer a sit down service, an extensive selection of desserts, and newspapers.
Reliable fish & chips takeaway.
Small friendly restaurant with usual Indian menu. Does takeaway.
Good Italian, a tad pricey but worth it. Let them know if you prefer a well-fired pizza, they usually cook soft. They have another branch in Ayr.
Coffee and snacks.
Coffee and meals, can serve gluten-free.
Bakery with breads, rolls, sandwiches, cakes. They serve sit-in meals with all-day breakfast.
Friendly wee place.
Castlehill Vaults
Pub with games. Free Wi-Fi, beer garden, dog friendly, TV sport.
JD Wetherspoon pub with food.
Pub with food by amusement arcade.
3-star hotel with 5 rooms next to Ardrossan South Beach railway station. With bar meals and restaurant.
Comfy dog-friendly guesthouse on the main road through town.
By bus
Stagecoach Bus X36 runs from Glasgow Buchanan station every couple of hours daily, taking 90 min, with a bus at midnight, 3AM then 7AM.
By train
Trains run from Glasgow Central every 30 min M-Sa, hourly on Sunday, taking 40 min via Paisley Gilmour Street (for Glasgow Airport), Dalry, Kilwinning (for Irvine, Prestwick Airport, Ayr and…
By boat
Ardrossan Harbour has Calmac ferries to Brodick on the Isle of Arran, taking 55 min. Apr-Oct they sail M-Sa 7AM-7PM every 90 min, Su every 2-3 hours; Nov-Mar there are only 4 or 5 per day.
By plane
Glasgow Airport (GLA) is 8 miles west of central Glasgow on the M8. Dozens of airlines fly to destinations in the British Isles, Europe, North America and the Middle East.
Walking will get you around town. The train and Bus 585 (above) connect Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston.
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Prestwick, South Ayrshire · International · PIK
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