View source for Ayr

{{other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox UK place
| official_name                    = Ayr
| type                             = [[Administrative centre]] and [[town]]
| scots_name                       = Ayr<ref>{{cite web | url=https://d3lmsxlb5aor5x.cloudfront.net/library/document/Map_of_Scotland_in_Scots-Guide_and_gazetteer.pdf | title=Map of Scotland in Scots - Guide and gazetteer}}</ref>
| gaelic_name                      = Inbhir Àir<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ainmean-aite.org/database.asp?intent=details&id=506/|title=StackPath|website=www.ainmean-aite.org|access-date=15 June 2011|archive-date=28 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928084147/http://www.ainmean-aite.org/database.asp?intent=details&id=506/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

<!-- Image -->
| static_image                     = {{multiple image
| border                   = infobox
| total_width              = 280
| image_style              = border:1;
| perrow                   = 1/2/2/2
| image1                   = NS3322 - Ayr Town Centre, South Ayrshire.jpg
| caption1                     = Skyline of Ayr town centre 
| image2                   = The Town Hall on New Bridge Street (geograph 6442696) (cropped).jpg
| caption2                     = [[Ayr Town Hall]]
| image3                   = Ornate Fountain - geograph.org.uk - 428040.jpg
| caption3                     = Pavilion building and Place De Saint-Germain-en-Laye fountain
| image4                   = Burns Cottage, Alloway 428032.jpg
| caption4                     = [[Burns Cottage]]
| image5                   = Wellington Square Gardens, Ayr - geograph.org.uk - 1417295.jpg
| caption5                     = Wellington Square Gardens
}}
| static_image_caption             = '''Coat of Arms'''
| static_image_width               = 250px
| static_image_2_name              = File:Ayr Coat of Arms.svg
| static_image_2_width             = 130px
| static_image_2_caption           = Coat of arms of Ayr

<!-- Population -->
| population                       = {{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Ayr}}
| population_ref                   = ({{Scottish settlement population citation|year}})<ref name="popstats">{{Scottish settlement population citation}}</ref>
| statistic1                       = {{Scottish settlement population|name|POP=Ayr}} ({{Scottish settlement population citation|year}})<ref name="popstats" />
| statistic_title1                 = [[List of towns and cities in Scotland by population#Settlements|Settlement]]

<!-- Geography -->
| os_grid_reference                = NS 33853 21445
| country                          = Scotland
| coordinates                      = {{coord|55.458|-4.629|region:GB-SAY_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_map_caption             = Location within Scotland
| pushpin_map                     = UK Scotland
| edinburgh_distance_mi            = 66
| london_distance_mi               = 330

<!-- Governance -->
| unitary_scotland                 = [[South Ayrshire]]
| lieutenancy_scotland             = [[Ayrshire and Arran]]
| constituency_westminster         = [[Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock (UK Parliament constituency)|Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock]]
| constituency_scottish_parliament = [[Ayr (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Ayr]]
| councillors                      = 
| post_town                        = AYR
| postcode_district                = KA6-KA8
| postcode_area                    = KA
| dial_code                        = 01292
| hide_services                    = yes
}}

'''Ayr''' ({{IPAc-en|ɛər}} {{respell|AIR}}; {{langx|sco|Ayr}}; {{langx|gd|Inbhir Àir}}, meaning "confluence of the [[River Ayr|River Àir]]"),<ref>{{cite web |title=Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba (AÀA) – Gaelic Place-names of Scotland |url=https://www.ainmean-aite.scot/# |website=www.ainmean-aite.scot |access-date=28 January 2025}}</ref> is a town situated on the southwest coast of Scotland. A former [[royal burgh]], today it is the [[administrative centre]] of [[South Ayrshire Council]], and the historic [[Shires of Scotland|county town]] of [[Ayrshire]]. With a population of 46,982, Ayr is the [[List of towns and cities in Scotland by population|15th largest settlement in Scotland]] and second largest town in Ayrshire by population. The town is contiguous with the smaller town of [[Prestwick]] to the north. Ayr submitted unsuccessful bids for [[City status in the United Kingdom|city status]] in 2000<ref>{{cite web |title=Inverness awarded city status |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/1076125.stm |website=BBC |access-date=1 April 2024 |date=18 December 2000}}</ref> and 2002,<ref>{{cite web |title=Five new cities creates row |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/1872577.stm |website=BBC |access-date=1 April 2024 |date=14 March 2002}}</ref> and as part of the wider [[South Ayrshire]] area in 2022.<ref>{{cite web |title=Council Approve South Ayrshire City Status Bid |url=https://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/article/35850/Council-Approve-South-Ayrshire-City-Status-Bid |website=South Ayrshire Council |access-date=1 April 2024 |language=en}}</ref> 

Ayr was established as a Royal Burgh in 1205 and is the county town of Ayrshire. It served as Ayrshire's central marketplace and harbour throughout the [[medieval period]]<ref name=Defoe>{{cite web|url=https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/travellers/Defoe/37#pn_53 |title=Letter Xii: Containing a Description of the South-western Part of Scotland; Including the City of Glasgow |access-date=2016-02-17 |url-status = live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309224218/http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/travellers/Defoe/37 |archive-date=9 March 2016 |df=dmy }}</ref> and was a port during the [[early modern period]].<ref name=Defoe/> On the southern bank of the [[River Ayr]] sit the ramparts of a [[citadel]] constructed by [[Oliver Cromwell]]'s men during the mid-17th century. Towards the south of the town is the birthplace of Scottish poet [[Robert Burns]] in the suburb of [[Alloway]]. Ayr has been a popular tourist resort since the [[Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr Railway|expansion]] of the [[Rail transport|railway]] in 1840 owing to the town's fine beach and its links to golfing and Robert Burns.

Ayr is one of the largest retail centres in the south of Scotland and in 2014 was recognised by the [[Royal Society for Public Health]] as the second healthiest town centre in the United Kingdom. Ayr has hosted the [[Scottish Grand National]] horseracing steeplechase annually since 1965 and the [[Scottish International Airshow]] annually since 2014. The town also accommodates the headquarters of the ''[[Ayr Advertiser]]'' and ''[[Ayrshire Post]]'' newspapers.

==Etymology==
The name ''Ayr'' can be traced back to a pre-Celtic word meaning "watercourse" or "strong river".<ref name=PictorialHistory>{{cite book|title=Pictorial History of Ayr|last=Love|first=Dane|publisher=Alloway Publishing Ltd|location=Darvel|date=1995}}</ref> This name was used before the establishment of the [[Julian calendar]] in reference to the [[River Ayr]]. The town was formerly known as "Inverair" or "Inverayr", meaning "mouth of the [[river Ayr]]"; this was later abbreviated to "Air", now spelled "Ayr". The full name remains in the [[Scottish Gaelic]] name for Ayr – ''Inbhir Àir''.<ref>{{cite book|title=Place-names of Scotland|last=Taylor|first=Iain|publisher=Birlinn Ltd|location=Edinburgh|date=2011}}</ref>

==History==
===Establishment and early settlement===

The areas surrounding modern day Ayr were known to have been occupied by [[Mesolithic]] [[Hunter-gatherer|hunter-gatherers]] more than 5,000 years ago. There is also a [[Neolithic]] standing stone at the end of Stonefield Park in [[Doonfoot]], which is believed to have been upended as a place of sun worship by [[Stone Age]] people.<ref name=PictorialHistory/> In 1197, [[William the Lion|King William the Lion]] ordered that a new castle be built between the River Ayr and the [[River Doon]]. It is believed that the castle was a wooden structure built around [[Montgomerieston|Montgomerie Terrace]]. Ayr was later established as a royal burgh and market town on 21 May 1205 by King William the Lion.<ref name=LocalHistories>{{cite web|url=https://www.localhistories.org/ayr.html |title=A Brief History of Ayr, Scotland |access-date=2011-10-11 |url-status = live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315080526/http://localhistories.org/ayr.html |archive-date=15 March 2016 |df=dmy }}</ref><ref name=nlssurvey>{{Cite web|url=https://maps.nls.uk/townplans/background/ayr.html|title=Ayr - Ordnance Survey large scale Scottish town plans, 1847-1895 - National Library of Scotland|website=maps.nls.uk}}</ref> At its establishment, the burgh encompassed a single street (The Sandgate) and the Church of St John. By 1225 the town reached as far as Carrick Street and Mill Street along the south side of the River Ayr. The town grew quickly to become the main seaport, marketplace and administrative centre for [[Ayrshire]].<ref name=PictorialHistory/>

The King gifted fishing rights to the burgh for the River Ayr and the River Doon in 1236. In the following year, a timber bridge was built across the River Ayr, linking the town to the north side of the River. Since 1261, annual fairs were held in the town. At this time the town had a recorded population of 1,500 and served as a major port on the west coast. The town was unsuccessfully attacked by Norwegian forces in 1263 and invaded and occupied by [[Kingdom of England|English]] forces from 1296 until 1312 as part of the [[Scottish Wars of Independence]].<ref name=LocalHistories/> In 1298 the original castle at Ayr was destroyed by [[Robert the Bruce|Robert The Bruce's]] forces.<ref name=nlssurvey/> On 26 April 1315, a [[Parliament of Scotland]] was held in Ayr by Robert The Bruce at St. John's Tower by the sea.<ref name=PictorialHistory/><ref name=Scotswars>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotwars.com/Ayr_citadel.htm |title=The Protectorate Citadel Of Ayr |publisher=Scots Wars |access-date=14 November 2014 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141128175925/http://www.scotwars.com/Ayr_citadel.htm |archive-date=28 November 2014 }}</ref> As a Royal Burgh, Ayr was afforded various privileges relating to trade, tolls and fishing rights, which allowed the town to out-compete the neighbouring free burgh of Newton-on-Ayr which was established in the 14th century and situated on the north side of the River Ayr.<ref name=PictorialHistory/><ref name=OS1909>{{cite book|title=Old Ordnance Survey Maps: Ayr 1909|last=MacLean|first=Jean|publisher=Alan Godfrey Maps|location=Edinburgh|date=1999}}</ref>

===Early modern period===
[[File:New Bridge of Ayr, South Ayrshire. John Faed RSA. 1855.jpg|thumb|left|180px|New Bridge of Ayr, 1855]]
Ayr was continuously hit by a number of [[plague (disease)|plague]]s from 1545 to 1647,<ref name=LocalHistories/> resulting in the town's port being quarantined and plague victims being removed from the town on pain of death. [[Mary, Queen of Scots]] visited the town in 1552 and 1563.<ref name=PictorialHistory/> Ayr remained a significant port throughout the 16th century, exporting goods such as fish, hide and wool and importing salt and wine.<ref name=LocalHistories/>

Ayr played a pivotal role in the [[Plantation of Ulster]] throughout the 17th century, in which a significant number of British people settled in present-day Northern Ireland. The town provided the largest share of colonists from Great Britain, with many colonists from Ayr joining the [[Earl of Eglinton]], [[Hugh Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery|Hugh Montgomery]]'s, plant in the [[Ards Peninsula]] (particularly around [[Newtownards]]), and others going on to settle around [[Belfast]].<ref>{{cite book|title=The Plantation of Ulster|last=Bardon|first=Jonathan|publisher=Gill Books|location=Dublin|date=2012}}</ref> In 1652, the town was used as a base and fortress for some of [[Oliver Cromwell|Oliver Cromwell's]] men. They established a large fortress along the mouth of the River Ayr and erected walls around the area just south of the River's mouth – most of these walls remain present to this day. St John's Tower, which sat around the centre of the fortress, was originally part of a large church yet this was knocked down during the construction of the fort with the tower being used for military practice; it is now protected by "Friends Of Saint Johns Tower" (FROST) residents in the "[[Montgomerieston|Ayr Fort Area]]" which sits atop the former site of the citadel.<ref name=Scotswars/> In 1654, a replacement church for St John's, the [[Auld Kirk of Ayr]] was completed.<ref name="Trove1">{{Historic Environment Scotland|cat=A |num=LB21653 |desc=Kirk Port, Auld Kirk of Ayr, Church of Scotland |access-date=14 July 2025}}</ref>

The lands occupied by the fort were granted to the Earl of Eglinton, [[Alexander Montgomerie, 9th Earl of Eglinton|Alexander Montgomerie]], in 1663, who established the separate Burgh of Regality named [[Montgomerieston]] around the fort, which was eventually absorbed into the Burgh of Ayr. The separate village of [[Alloway]] to the south-east of Ayr was also annexed by the town in 1691, despite numerous petitions against this to Edinburgh from residents of the village.<ref name=PictorialHistory/> Although the importation of French wine continued to be Ayr's most important trade during the 17th century, the port was one of the first in Scotland to establish regular trade links with the English colonies in the Americas. This commenced during the 1640s when the English Civil War disrupted established colonial trading arrangements, and during the Cromwellian occupation there was free trade between Scotland and the English colonies. Following the 1660 Restoration of the monarchy, the [[Navigation Acts]] excluded Scottish ships from this trade apart from a few exceptional cases. Several English merchants had settled in Ayr during the Cromwellian occupation, and they collaborated with local merchants in circumventing the Navigation Acts by disguising Ayr ships as English vessels. Tobacco, sugar and indigo were imported, and salted fish, meat, clothing and indentured servants were exported.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Early Transatlantic Trade of Ayr |last1=Barclay |first1=Tom|last2=Graham |first2=Eric J. |publisher=Ayrshire Archaeological and Natural History Society |year=2005 |isbn=0-9542253-3-3 |location=Trowbridge}}</ref>

Deposits of coal were found and mined in Newton during the 17th century, resulting in the town becoming a base for the industry, with coal being exported abroad from its harbour.<ref name=OS1909/> At this time, Ayr's population is estimated to have been at around 2,000.<ref name=LocalHistories/> By the late 17th century and early 18th century, Ayr was widely regarded as a town in decline,<ref name=PictorialHistory/><ref>[https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/descriptions/73160 'Descriptive Gazetteer Entry for Ayr']</ref> with [[Daniel Defoe]] remarking in ''[[A tour thro' the whole island of Great Britain]]'' "The capital of this country is Air, a sea-port, and as they tell us, was formerly a large city, had a good harbour, and a great trade: I must acknowledge to you, that tho' I believe it never was a city, yet it has certainly been a good town, and much bigger than it is now: At present like an old beauty, it shews the ruins of a good face; but is also apparently not only decay'd and declin'd, but decaying and declining every day, and from being the fifth town in Scotland, as the townsmen say, is now like a place so saken; the reason of its decay, is, the decay of its trade, so true is it, that commerce is the life of nations, of cities towns, harbours, and of the whole prosperity of a country: What the reason of the decay of trade here was, or when it first began to decay, is hard to determine; nor are the people free to tell, and, perhaps, do not know themselves. There is a good river here, and a handsome stone bridge of four arches."

===Treaty of Union{{anchor|Ayr Harbour Act 1772}}===
{{main|Treaty of Union 1707}}
[[File:Ayr Market Cross engraving by William Miller after D O Hill.jpg|thumb|left|Ayr Market Cross in 1810]]
{{Infobox UK legislation
| short_title           = Ayr Harbour Act 1772
| type                  = Act
| parliament            = Parliament of Great Britain
| long_title            = An act for deepening, cleaning, scouring, preserving, and maintaining, the harbour of Ayr; for enlarging and improving the quays and piers; for erecting docks, breasts, jettees, and piers; and for regulating ships, lighters, and other vessels, trading into and going out of the said harbour; and for other purposes therein mentioned.
| year                  = 1772
| citation              = [[12 Geo. 3]]. c. 22
| territorial_extent    = [[Great Britain]]
| royal_assent          = 16 April 1772
| commencement          = 21 January 1772{{efn|Start of session.}}
| repeal_date           = 
| repealing_legislation = 
| related_legislation   = 
| status                = Current
| original_text         = https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=D78uAAAAIAAJ&pg=RA1-PA31
| collapsed             = yes
}}

The formation of the [[Kingdom of Great Britain]] through the [[Acts of Union 1707]] was initially harmful to Ayr, due to the importance to its economy of the wine trade with France. The terms of the English [[Methuen Treaty]] of 1703, which favoured the importation of Portuguese and Spanish wines and was accompanied by punitive duties on French wines, were extended to Scotland.<ref>{{cite book |title=The History of Ayr: Royal Burgh and County Town |last=Strawhorn |first=John |publisher=John Donald Publishers |year=1989 |isbn=0-85976-281-5 |location=Edinburgh |pages=94}}</ref> However, the Union provided Ayr with significant trading opportunities with [[British Empire|Britain's colonies around the world]] and resulted in improvements to the town's infrastructure, with Ayr's textile, wool, linen and shoemaking industries thriving as a result.<ref name=LocalHistories/> A small lighthouse was constructed on the River Ayr in 1712, followed by a quay in 1713. Repairs to the town's Harbour and High Tolbooth took place between 1724 and 1726, with funding provided by the [[Convention of Royal Burghs]]. Street lighting was installed around the town centre in 1747.<ref name=PictorialHistory/> A sugar refinery at the harbour was in operation during the 1770s.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://southayrshirehistory.wordpress.com/2013/08/05/enterprise-and-refinement-james-hunter-and-the-ayr-sugar-house/ |title=Enterprise and Refinement: James Hunter and the Ayr Sugar House |date=5 August 2013 |website=South Ayrshire History Blog }}</ref>

The grounds of Alloway were sold in 1754 to help pay off Ayr burgh's public debts, resulting in the establishment of the Belleisle and Rozelle estates to the south of the town, which are now public parks. Rozelle was acquired by Robert Hamilton, who named his estate after one of his plantations in [[Jamaica]]. In 1760, Wallacetown was formed to the east of Newton by the Wallaces of Craigie House. Ayr Racecourse was established in 1777. The "New Brig" of Ayr was constructed in 1785–88 and rebuilt in 1877 after severe flooding.<ref name=PictorialHistory/> In 1792 and 1817, Parliament passed acts to deepen and maintain Ayr's Harbour.<ref name=nlssurvey/> During this period Ayr's population was estimated to be around 4,000.<ref name=LocalHistories/>

A permanent military presence was established in the town with the completion of [[Churchill Barracks|Ayr Barracks]] (later known as Churchill Barracks) on the citadel site in 1795.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotsatwar.co.uk/AZ/barracks.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706092709/http://scotsatwar.co.uk/AZ/barracks.htm |url-status = dead|archive-date=6 July 2008 |title=Barracks in Scotland |publisher=Scots at War |access-date=14 November 2014 }}</ref> [[Ayr Town Hall]] was designed by [[Thomas Hamilton (architect)|Thomas Hamilton]] and completed in 1832.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB21692|desc= 21 and 29 New Bridge Street and 1-9 (odd nos) High Street, Town Buildings |cat=A|access-date=17 March 2021}}</ref>

===Population growth===
[[File:Ayr, Alloway Street.jpg|thumb|left|Alloway Street in Ayr, c. 1904]] 

In 1801, the parish of Ayr had a recorded population of just under 5,500, with the adjoining burgh of Newton to the north having a population of just under 1,700 people. By 1826 Ayr's streets were lit by gas and by 1842 Ayr had a water supply, with sewers being dug soon after.<ref name=LocalHistories/> Ayr was connected to [[Glasgow]], and thus the rest of Great Britain, by rail in 1839, with the first service operating in August 1840 to [[Ayr railway station (1839–1857)|a terminus on North Harbour Street]]. This led to a significant expansion in Ayr's tourist industry due to its attractive, sandy beach and links to Robert Burns. In 1857 a line was built from [[Dalmellington]] to export iron from Waterside and a new station was built to replace the old station called "[[Ayr railway station|Ayr Townhead Station]]". In 1877 a line was built between Newton and Mauchline for the export of coal.<ref name=PictorialHistory/> By 1851 Ayr's population was 21,000<ref name=LocalHistories/> and by 1855 between 60,000 and 70,000 tonnes of coal were being exported to Ireland from Ayr's Harbour each year, with imports of hide and tallow coming into the harbour from [[South America]] and beef, butter, barley, yarn and linen being imported into the harbour from Ireland. In 1854, 84,330 tonnes of goods were exported from the town and 36,760 tonnes were imported into the town. Other prominent industries in Ayr at this time included fishing, tanning and shoemaking, with several sawmills, woollen mills and carpet weavers located in the town as well. Timber and tobacco were also traded between Ayr's Harbour and North America.<ref name=HistoricAyr>{{cite book|title=Historic Ayr: A guide for visitors|last=Reid|first=David|publisher=The Ayrshire Archaeological and Nautral History Society in association with Kyle and Carrick Civic Society|location=Rotherham|date=April 1998}}</ref>

The Burgh of Ayr Act 1873 resulted in Newton and Wallacetown being absorbed into the Burgh of Ayr.<ref name=PictorialHistory/><ref name=OS1909/> Newton's more industrial character has left the town today divided into two distinct areas, with areas south of the River Ayr incorporating a mixture of affluent Victorian residential suburbs and modern suburban developments, in contrast to more deprived and industrial areas to the north of the river.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://simd.scot/2016/ |title='Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation 2016' |access-date=21 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502195514/http://simd.scot/2016/ |archive-date=2 May 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>  When elected [[county council]]s were created in 1890 under the [[Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889]], the burgh of Ayr was deemed capable of running its own affairs and so was excluded from the jurisdiction of Ayrshire County Council, although the county council chose to meet at [[County Buildings, Ayr|County Buildings]] in the town.<ref>[[Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889]], sections 8 and 105</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Notes on local and current topics |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=30 December 2022 |work=Irvine Herald |date=24 January 1890 |page=4}}</ref> The Carnegie Library was opened in Ayr on 2 September 1893. By the turn of the century, Ayr's population was around 31,000 people.<ref name=LocalHistories/> The [[Burns Statue Square drill hall, Ayr|Burns Statue Square drill hall]] was completed in 1901<ref name=blb>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/200405997-1-7-burns-statue-square-ayr-ayr#.WUcM6GjysdU|title=1–7 Burns Statue Square, Ayr|publisher=British listed buildings|access-date=19 June 2017}}</ref> and the [[Wellington Square drill hall, Ayr|Wellington Square drill hall]] was probably completed shortly after that.<ref name=built>{{cite web|url=https://www.scotlandsfirstworldwar.org/media/8285/built_heritage_ww1_29nov2013compressed.pdf|title=The Built Heritage of the First World War in Scotland|publisher= Historic Scotland & RCAHMS|first=Dr Gordon J |last=Barclay|date=1 September 2013|page=56}}</ref>

On 26 September 1901, a tram service was opened between Prestwick Cross in Prestwick and St Leonards in Ayr. This was expanded south the following year to Alloway, and east in 1913 to the Racecourse at Whitletts. The tram service was eventually shut due to expensive repair costs, with the last tram running on [[New Year's Eve]] in 1931.<ref name=PictorialHistory/>

===Modern history===
[[File:NS3322 - New Plaza at Ayr (2).jpg|thumb|right|The new plaza development in the town centre contains the new Cutty Sark Centre]] 

817 men from Ayr died during the [[First World War]]. A memorial was unveiled at Wellington Square in 1924 dedicated to those who died, with other memorials being put up at Alloway Village Hall and Whitletts Cross.<ref name=PictorialHistory/>

Ayr's growing population following the war resulted in significant [[Slum clearance in the United Kingdom|slum clearance]] and redevelopment around the town centre, with the development of new housing estates on the periphery of the town. The lands surrounding Woodfield House were acquired by the council in 1919 to build [[Public housing in the United Kingdom|council housing]] on, with the first residents moving in 1921. Further local government reform in 1930 brought the burgh of Ayr within the area controlled by Ayrshire County Council, but classed as a [[large burgh]], which allowed the town to continue to run many local services itself.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government (Scotland) Act 1929|year=1929|chapter=25|access-date=23 December 2022}}</ref> The burgh boundaries were expanded in 1935 to include Alloway, Castlehill, [[Doonfoot]] and Whitletts.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Ayr Burgh Extension &c. Order Confirmation Act 1935|year=1935|chapter=55|accessdate=30 December 2022}}</ref> In the 1930s, council estates were also developed at Lochside and Heathfield. The mining villages of Dalmilling and Whitletts were also cleared and developed into sizeable council estates.<ref name=PictorialHistory/>

Following the [[Second World War]], more council housing was developed in Ayr at [[Kincaidston]], with the Wallacetown and Whitletts estates being expanded. Suburban housing was also developed at Alloway, Doonfoot and Holmston, and many disused industrial buildings throughout the town were redeveloped into flats.<ref name=PictorialHistory/>

In 2000, as part of the Millennium celebrations, Ayr submitted an unsuccessful bid for city status, losing to [[Inverness]], and again submitted an unsuccessful bid two years later in 2002 as part of the [[Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II]], losing to [[Stirling]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Five new cities creates row |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/1872577.stm |website=BBC |access-date=1 April 2024 |date=14 March 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Inverness awarded city status |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/1076125.stm |website=BBC |access-date=1 April 2024 |date=18 December 2000}}</ref> In 2021, [[South Ayrshire Council]] announced a South Ayrshire wider bid, which would include Ayr. This bid was part of the granting of city status to towns to honour the [[Queen's Platinum Jubilee]] in 2022.<ref>{{cite web |title=Council Approve South Ayrshire City Status Bid |url=https://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/article/35850/Council-Approve-South-Ayrshire-City-Status-Bid |website=South Ayrshire Council |access-date=1 April 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Again, the bid was unsuccessful, with the region losing to [[Dunfermline]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Dunfermline awarded city status as part of Platinum Jubilee celebrations |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/dunfermline-alister-jack-platinum-jubilee-fife-wrexham-b2083305.html |website=The Independent |access-date=1 April 2024 |language=en |date=19 May 2022}}</ref> 

In 2019, GUARD Archaeology team led by Iraia Arabaolaza uncovered a marching camp dating to the 1st century AD, used by Roman legions during the invasion of Roman General Agricola. According to Arabaolaza, the fire pits were split 30 meters apart into two parallel lines. The findings also included clay-domed ovens and 26 fire pits dated to between 77- 86 AD and 90 AD loaded with burn and [[charcoal]] contents. Archaeologists suggested that this site had been chosen as a strategic location for the Roman conquest of Ayrshire.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Archaeologists find remains of the Roman invasion of Ayrshire|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17663920.archaeologists-find-remains-roman-invasion-ayrshire/|access-date=2020-09-13|website=HeraldScotland|date=24 May 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-05-24|title=New evidence uncovered for Roman conquest of Scotland|url=https://www.heritagedaily.com/2019/05/new-evidence-uncovered-for-roman-conquest-of-scotland/123820|access-date=2020-09-13|website=HeritageDaily - Archaeology News|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Lost Roman marching camp sheds new light on invasion of Scotland|url=https://www.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/lost-roman-marching-camp-sheds-new-light-invasion-scotland-1416571|access-date=2020-09-13|website=www.scotsman.com|date=28 May 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

==Governance==
===Parliamentary representation===
{{Further|Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock (UK Parliament constituency)}} {{Further|Ayr (Scottish Parliament constituency)}}

{{multiple image
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 | total_width = 320
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 | image1 = Official portrait of Elaine Stewart MP crop 2.jpg
 | alt1 = Elaine Stewart 
 | caption1 = [[Elaine Stewart (politician)|Elaine Stewart]] has been the MP for Ayr since 2024

 | image2 = Siobhian Brown MSP.jpg
 | alt2 = Siobhian Brown 
 | caption2 = [[Siobhian Brown]] has been the MSP for Ayr since 2021 
}}

Ayr was represented by a Conservative MP continuously for a period of 91 years – from [[1906 United Kingdom general election|1906]] (as part of the [[Ayr Burghs (UK Parliament constituency)|Ayr Burghs]] constituency) until [[1997 United Kingdom general election|1997]], followed by Labour from 1997 to 2015, and the Scottish National Party from 2015 to 2017. The town forms part of the [[Ayr (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Ayr]] constituency in the [[Scottish Parliament]], which was the first Conservative constituency seat in the Parliament, but has been represented by [[Scottish National Party]] (SNP) MSP [[Siobhian Brown]] since the [[2021 Scottish Parliament election]]. In the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|UK Parliament]], Ayr is situated within the [[Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock (UK Parliament constituency)|Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock]] constituency which was represented by Conservative MP [[Bill Grant (politician)|Bill Grant]] from the [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017 general election]], until he was unseated in the [[2019 United Kingdom general election|2019 general election]] by [[Allan Dorans]] of the Scottish National Party.

Ayr forms part of the UK parliamentary [[constituency]] of [[Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock (UK Parliament constituency)|Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock]]. This constituency includes [[Carrick, Scotland|Carrick]] and [[Coylton]] in South Ayrshire in addition to Doon Valley, [[Cumnock]] and [[New Cumnock]] in southern [[East Ayrshire]].<ref>[http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130403024100/http%3A//www.bcomm%2Dscotland.independent.gov.uk/includes/downloadfile.asp?file%3D/maps/westminster/2005/ayr_carrick_and_cumnock.pdf 'Boundary Commission for Scotland UK Parliament 2005 onwards Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock county constituency']</ref> The seat was held by [[Scottish Conservative Party|Conservative]] [[Bill Grant (politician)|Bill Grant]] from 2017 until [[2019 United Kingdom general election|2019]] when [[Allan Dorans]] gained the seat for the Scottish National Party. The [[Central Ayrshire (UK Parliament constituency)|Central Ayrshire]] constituency runs north of the Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock constituency. It takes in the towns of Irvine, Kilwinning, Prestwick, Troon and rural Kyle, running into Annbank. It also incorporates the Woodfield area of Newton-on-Ayr and is represented by [[Scottish National Party|SNP]] MP [[Philippa Whitford]].<ref>[http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20121003180143/http%3A//bcomm%2Dscotland.independent.gov.uk/includes/downloadfile.asp?file%3D/maps/westminster/2005/central_ayrshire.pdf 'Boundary Commission for Scotland UK Parliament 2005 onwards Central Ayrshire county constituency']</ref>

In previous elections Ayr was represented in Westminster as part of the [[Ayr (UK Parliament constituency)|Ayr]] parliamentary constituency, the boundaries of which included elements of Prestwick, [[Troon]] and rural South Ayrshire. The seat was abolished in [[2005 United Kingdom general election|2005]] to be replaced by the Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock and Central Ayrshire constituencies which were subsequently represented by MP's belonging to [[Scottish Labour Party|Labour]], and later, the SNP. From the seat's creation in [[1950 United Kingdom general election|1950]] until the [[1997 United Kingdom general election|1997 general election]] Ayr was continually represented by MP's from the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]]. [[George Younger, 4th Viscount Younger of Leckie|George Younger]] served as Member of Parliament for the constituency for most of this period – serving as MP for Ayr from [[1964 United Kingdom general election|1964]] to [[1992 United Kingdom general election|1992]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2003/jan/27/guardianobituaries.obituaries|title=Lord Younger|newspaper=Guardian|date=27 January 2003 |access-date=8 August 2015 |last1=Roth |first1=Andrew }}</ref> In 1997 the boundaries of the constituency were altered in a move which saw the Conservative areas of Alloway, Doonfoot and Masonhill alongside parts of Kincaidston and Forehill being transferred to the neighbouring [[Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (UK Parliament constituency)|Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley]] constituency, benefiting the Labour Party.<ref>[http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130403010443/http://www.bcomm-scotland.independent.gov.uk/includes/downloadfile.asp?file=/maps/westminster/1997/ayr.pdf 'Fourth Review of UK Parliament Constituencies (1997–2005) Ayr county constituency']</ref> Prior to this Ayr formed part of the [[Ayr Burghs (UK Parliament constituency)|Ayr Burghs]] constituency which combined various towns along the Ayrshire coast such as [[Irvine, North Ayrshire|Irvine]], [[Troon]], [[Prestwick]], [[Ardrossan]] and [[Saltcoats]]: this seat was held by the Conservatives from 1906 until the constituency's abolishment in 1950, making Ayr the longest seat to be held by the Conservatives in Scotland at over 100 years.

In the [[Scottish Parliament]], the [[Ayr (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Ayr constituency]] was represented from 2000 to 2021 by Conservative MSP [[John Scott (MSP)|John Scott]] until he was defeated at the [[2021 Scottish Parliament election|2021 election]] by the SNP's [[Siobhian Brown]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Ayr - Scottish Parliament constituency |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2021/scotland/constituencies/S16000084 |access-date=9 May 2021 |work=BBC News |date=7 May 2021}}</ref> It was the first constituency in the Scottish Parliament to elect a Conservative MSP. The constituency also includes the towns of Prestwick and Troon.

Ayr is also represented at Holyrood by the seven MSPs for the [[South Scotland (Scottish Parliament electoral region)|South Scotland electoral region]].

===South Ayrshire Council===
[[File:County Buildings, South Ayrshire HQ, Ayr.jpg|thumb|right|Ayr is the administrative centre of South Ayrshire Council, with [[County Buildings, Ayr|County Buildings]] serving as the headquarters for the council]]
{{Further|2022 South Ayrshire Council election}}
Ayr is represented by 11 elected [[councillors]] on [[South Ayrshire|South Ayrshire Council]], of which five belong to the [[Scottish Conservatives]], four belong to the [[Scottish National Party]] and two belong to [[Scottish Labour]]. Below are a list of councillors elected to serve Ayr, sorted by ward:

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
|- style="background-color:#E9E9E9; border-bottom: 2px solid gray;"
!width="180"|Ward
!width="180"|Councillors
!colspan=2 width="120"|Party
|-
|rowspan=4|[[Ayr North (ward)|Ayr North]]
|Laura Brennan-Whitefield
|bgcolor="{{party color|Scottish National Party}}" width="5"|
|[[Scottish National Party]]
|-
|Douglas Campbell
|bgcolor="{{party color|Scottish National Party}}" width="5"|
|[[Scottish National Party]]
|-
|Ian Davis
|bgcolor="{{party color|Scottish Conservative Party}}" width="5"|
|[[Scottish Conservative Party]]
|-
|Ian Cavana
|bgcolor="{{party color|Scottish Labour Party}}" width="5"|
|[[Scottish Labour Party]]
|-
|rowspan=3|[[Ayr East (ward)|Ayr East]]
|Mary Kilpatrick
|bgcolor="{{party color|Scottish Conservative Party}}" width="5"|
|[[Scottish Conservative Party]]
|-
|Chris Cullen
|bgcolor="{{party color|Scottish National Party}}" width="5"|
|[[Scottish National Party]]
|-
|-
|Brian McGinley
|bgcolor="{{party color|Scottish Labour Party}}" width="5"|
|[[Scottish Labour Party]]
|-
|rowspan=4|[[Ayr West (ward)|Ayr West]]
|Martin Dowey
|bgcolor="{{party color|Scottish Conservative Party}}" width="5"|
|[[Scottish Conservative Party]]
|-
|Lee Lyons
|bgcolor="{{party color|Scottish Conservative Party}}" width="5"|
|[[Scottish Conservative Party]]
|-
|Bob Shields
|bgcolor="{{party color|Independent}}" width="5"|
|[[Independent politician|Independent]]
|-
|George Weir
|bgcolor="{{party color|Scottish National Party}}" width="5"|
|[[Scottish National Party]]
|-
|}

=== Provost of the Royal Burgh of Ayr ===

As a former [[Royal Burgh]], Ayr had a [[Lord Provost|Provost]] as chief magistrate of the burgh council and the earliest recorded Provost is Nicholas de Fynvyk. The title of provost was retained by [[Kyle and Carrick|Kyle and Carrick District Council]] and South Ayrshire Council for their civic heads.<ref name=provost>{{cite web|title=Provosts of Ayr|url=http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/councillors/provost/provosts-of-ayr.aspx|publisher=South Ayrshire Council|access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref> The role of provost is now [[apolitical]] and carries a number of duties including chairing meetings of the council, acting as civic head representing South Ayrshire Council, promotion of South Ayrshire Council and networking with various organisations such as local businesses.<ref name=provost2>{{cite web|title=Provost|url=http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/councillors/provost/|publisher=South Ayrshire Council|access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref>

A chain and robes are worn by the provost while undertaking their ceremonial duties. The Provost's chain was donated in June 1897 by James McLennan who was a Glasgow wine and spirit merchant who was born in Coylton and lived in Ayr. The official provost's robes have been provided by the council since 11 June 1923. In addition, South Ayrshire Council erects lamp posts with the Royal Burgh [[coat of arms]] emblazoned on the diffusers outside the official resident of the provost – this has been undertaken since 1854.<ref name="provost"/>

Each newly elected provost enters their name into a [[Bible]] at the "Kirkin 'O The Council" service at Ayr Auld Kirk after each council election. The Bible in which the names are entered was acquired by the Kirk during the Provostship of Hugh Miller (1841–1855).<ref name="provost"/> The names of the provosts entered into the Bible are as follows:

{{collapse top|title=Lists of Provosts of Ayr and South Ayrshire Council}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ '''List of Ayr provosts'''<ref name="provost"/>
|-
! Term !! Provost
|-
| 1841–1855 || Hugh Miller
|-
| 1855–1861 || Primrose William Kennedy
|-
| 1861–1864 || Andrew Paterson
|-
| 1864–1873 || John MacNeillie
|-
| 1873–1876 || Robert Goudie
|-
| 1876–1882 || Thomas Steele
|-
| 1882–1888 || William Kilpatrick
|-
| 1888–1891 || James Murray Ferguson
|-
| 1891–1894 || Robert Shankland
|-
| 1894–1897 || Hugh Douglas Willock
|-
| 1897–1903 || Thomas Templeton
|-
| 1903–1909 || William Allan
|-
| 1909–1912 || James Shaw Hunter
|-
| 1912–1918 || John Mitchell
|-
| 1918–1922 || I M Mathie-Morton
|-
| 1922–1924 || Donald McDonald
|-
| 1924–1927 || James Robertson Gould
|-
| 1927–1930 || John S Stewart
|-
| 1930–1933 || Thomas Wilson
|-
| 1933–1936 || Thomas Galloway
|-
| 1936–1940 || James Wills
|-
| 1940–1943 || Robert Bowman
|-
| 1943–1949 || Thomas Murray
|-
| 1949–1952 || James Smith
|-
| 1952–1955 || Adam Hart
|-
| 1955–1958 || William Anderson
|-
| 1958–1961 || William Sidney Lanham
|-
| 1961–1964 || William Cowan
|-
| 1964–1967 || Charles O'Halloran
|-
| 1967–1970 || Alexander S Handyside
|-
| 1970–1973 || Donald McLean
|-
| 1973–1975 || Campbell Howie
|-
| 1975–1978 || Alexander Paton
|-
| 1978–1980 || Charles O'Halloran
|-
| 1980–1984 || James Boyle
|-
| 1984–1988 || Gibson T Macdonald
|-
| 1988–1992 || Daniel MacNeill
|-
| 1992–1996 || Gibson T Macdonald
|-
| 1996–1998 || Robert Campbell
|-
| 1998–2003 || Elizabeth A Foulkes
|-
| 2003–2006 || Gordon S McKenzie
|-
| 2006–2012 || Winifred D Sloan
|-
| 2012–present || Helen Moonie
|}
{{collapse bottom}}

The current provost is Labour councillor Helen Moonie.<ref name="provost"/>
List of Provosts of Ayr from 1560 to 1692, See Annals of Ayr in the olden time, 1560–1692, By John Pagan. Ayr: Alex Fergusson, 18 High Street, 1897.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/stream/annalsofayrinold00pagauoft#page/n7/mode/2up|title=Annals of Ayr in the olden time, 1560–1692|first= John |last=Pagan|location=Ayr|publisher= Alex Fergusson|year=1897}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:A day out in Ayr (41686696834).jpg|thumb|right|Ayr is located in southwest Scotland, situated on the [[Firth of Clyde]] and subsequently the [[North Atlantic Ocean]]]] 

===Location===

Ayr is a coastal town which lies on the mouth of the [[River Ayr]] which flows into the larger [[Firth of Clyde]] estuary. From the coast, the [[Isle of Arran]] can be seen, and on a very clear day, the northern tip of [[Northern Ireland]] is also visible. Ayr is located within the region of [[Strathclyde]], and forms part of the historic county of [[Ayrshire]]. Today, it is the largest town and administrative centre of [[South Ayrshire]]. Much of the land in and around Ayr is flat and low lying surface, used for rearing dairy cattle. Towards the south of Ayr, however, the land is higher than most areas in the county of Ayrshire, an example of this being the Brown Carrick Hill which is situated due south of [[Doonfoot]]. Ayr lies approximately {{convert|35|mi|km|round=5}} southwest of [[Glasgow]].

The [[urban area]] which encompasses Ayr is defined by the [[General Register Office for Scotland]] as the adjoining localities of Ayr and Prestwick − this is the 12th largest urban area in Scotland.

===Areas of Ayr===
[[File:Belmont Avenue - geograph.org.uk - 588250.jpg|thumb|right|Houses in Belmont Avenue, in the [[Belmont, Ayr|Belmont]] area of the town]]
{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|
* [[Alloway]]:
– Laigh Glengall<br />
– Rozelle
* [[Belmont, Ayr|Belmont]]
* Braehead
* Castlehill
* Craigie
* Dalmilling
* [[Doonfoot]]:
– Bellisle<br />
– Greenan
* [[Forehill]]:
– Glencairn
* [[Montgomerieston|Fort]]
* Hayhill
* [[Heathfield, South Ayrshire|Heathfield]]
* Holmston
* [[Kincaidston]]
* Lochside
* Masonhill
* Newton-On-Ayr:
– Woodfield
* Old Belmont:
– St Leonard's
* [[Seafield, Ayr|Seafield]]
* Wallacetown:
– Hawkhill
* White City
* Whitletts
}}

===Climate===
The nearest official Met Office weather station to Ayr is Auchincruive, about {{convert|3|mi|km|0}} to the north-east of Ayr town centre. The area experiences very cool summers and somewhat mild winters. The air is cooler during the summer due to its proximity to the sea as water has a major cooling effect on summer temperatures. 

During the winter months the reverse happens and the [[sea air]] has a major warming effect on the climate. The area rarely sees extremes, owing to the effects of sea air. Rainfall is generally plentiful throughout the year due to Atlantic weather systems sweeping in from the west. Compared with the rest of Scotland, the area rarely sees much mist and [[fog]] due to the land being relatively flat and low lying, and, with the wind blowing across the flatter land, this generally hinders fog from developing widely. This has made Glasgow Prestwick International Airport particularly well known as one of the less fog-prone airports in Scotland. Snowfall is rare in this part of Scotland because of the mild sea air.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/sites/auchincruive.html |title=averages 1971–2000 |publisher=Met Office |date=19 November 2008 |access-date=9 June 2009}}</ref>

{{Weather box|location = Auchincruive,{{efn|Weather station is located {{convert|2.8|mi|1|abbr=out}} from the Ayr town centre.}} elevation: {{convert|48|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}, 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1960–present
| collapsed    = 
| metric first = y
| single line  = y
| Jan record high C = 13.6
| Feb record high C = 14.8
| Mar record high C = 19.4
| Apr record high C = 23.5
| May record high C = 27.0
| Jun record high C = 29.4
| Jul record high C = 30.0
| Aug record high C = 29.8
| Sep record high C = 24.7
| Oct record high C = 21.0
| Nov record high C = 16.5
| Dec record high C = 14.2
| Jan high C = 7.1
| Feb high C = 7.3
| Mar high C = 9.1
| Apr high C = 11.5
| May high C = 14.9
| Jun high C = 16.9
| Jul high C = 18.5
| Aug high C = 18.3
| Sep high C = 16.1
| Oct high C = 12.9
| Nov high C = 9.6
| Dec high C = 7.3
| year high C = 12.5
| Jan mean C = 4.5
| Feb mean C = 4.6
| Mar mean C = 6.1
| Apr mean C = 7.9
| May mean C = 10.7
| Jun mean C = 13.2
| Jul mean C = 15.0
| Aug mean C = 14.8
| Sep mean C = 12.8
| Oct mean C = 9.9
| Nov mean C = 6.9
| Dec mean C = 4.5
| year mean C = 9.2
| Jan low C = 1.8
| Feb low C = 1.8
| Mar low C = 3.0
| Apr low C = 4.3
| May low C = 6.5
| Jun low C = 9.4
| Jul low C = 11.5
| Aug low C = 11.2
| Sep low C = 9.4
| Oct low C = 6.9
| Nov low C = 4.1
| Dec low C = 1.7
| year low C = 6.0
| Jan record low C = -11.7
| Feb record low C = -12.7
| Mar record low C = -11.1
| Apr record low C = -4.1
| May record low C = -3.0
| Jun record low C = 0.2
| Jul record low C = 2.2
| Aug record low C = 1.7
| Sep record low C = -1.0
| Oct record low C = -5.1
| Nov record low C = -8.3
| Dec record low C = -10.7
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 101.8
| Feb precipitation mm = 74.0
| Mar precipitation mm = 83.9
| Apr precipitation mm = 53.9
| May precipitation mm = 54.0
| Jun precipitation mm = 60.5
| Jul precipitation mm = 73.6
| Aug precipitation mm = 85.7
| Sep precipitation mm = 97.8
| Oct precipitation mm = 116.1
| Nov precipitation mm = 103.6
| Dec precipitation mm = 100.4
| year precipitation mm = 1005.4
| unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 16.5
| Feb precipitation days = 12.6
| Mar precipitation days = 14.4
| Apr precipitation days = 10.9
| May precipitation days = 10.5
| Jun precipitation days = 11.1
| Jul precipitation days = 11.7
| Aug precipitation days = 13.2
| Sep precipitation days = 13.3
| Oct precipitation days = 16.0
| Nov precipitation days = 15.3
| Dec precipitation days = 15.1
| year precipitation days = 160.6
| Jan sun = 44.3
| Feb sun = 68.8
| Mar sun = 98.0
| Apr sun = 143.0
| May sun = 197.2
| Jun sun = 169.9
| Jul sun = 158.6
| Aug sun = 151.6
| Sep sun = 117.9
| Oct sun = 83.4
| Nov sun = 57.2
| Dec sun = 40.7
| year sun = 1330.6
| source 1 = [[Met Office]]<ref name="Met Averages">{{cite web |url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19812010/sites/auchincruive.html|title= Auchincruive 1981–2010 averages |access-date=2 March 2020|publisher=Met Office|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007095847/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19812010/sites/auchincruive.html|archive-date=7 October 2012}}</ref>
| source 2 = [[Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute|KNMI]]<ref>{{cite web| url = https://eca.knmi.nl//download/millennium/millennium.php| title = Indices Data – Auchincruive STAID 1800| access-date = 2 March 2020| publisher = [[KNMI (institute)|KNMI]]| archive-date = 9 July 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180709010608/https://eca.knmi.nl//download/millennium/millennium.php| url-status = dead}}</ref>

}}

==Demographics==

At the [[2001 United Kingdom census]], Ayr had a population of 46,431, a fall of −3.2% on 1991.<ref name="Ayrcensus01"/> Mid-2008 population estimates placed the total resident population at 46,070 making Ayr the 12th largest urban area in Scotland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/theme/population/estimates/special-area/settlements-localities/mid-2008/index.html |title=General Register Office for Scotland Mid-2008 Population Estimates for Localities in Scotland |access-date=21 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110101075852/http://gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/theme/population/estimates/special-area/settlements-localities/mid-2008/index.html |archive-date=1 January 2011 |url-status = dead}}</ref> The 2011 census found that Ayr's population had grown by around 0.9% since the 2001 census – surpassing the total population growth of Ayr and Prestwick, which only grew by 0.63%, falling short of the national population growth of Scotland of +4.61%.

In 2001, nearly 0.36% (167) people in the town could speak [[Scottish Gaelic]] – this fell to 0.34% (161) in 2011. South Ayrshire Council provides no educational support for the language.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/census/2001/sheet003.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805224839/http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/census/2001/sheet003.htm |url-status = dead|archive-date=5 August 2012 |title=Census 2001 |publisher=South-ayrshire.gov.uk |date=6 April 2009 |access-date=9 June 2009 }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|-
![[2021 United Kingdom census|Scotland census 2022]]||Ayr||Scotland<ref>{{Cite web |title=2022 results |url=https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/2022-results/ |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=Scotland's Census |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|Total population||46,182||5,439,842
|-
|Population growth 2011–2022||-1.4%||2.7%
|-
|White||97.16%||92.87%
|-
|Under 16 years old||15.32%||16.39%
|-
|Over 65 years old||25.92%||20.04%
|-
|Christian||41%||39%
|-
|No Religion||51%||51%
|}

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|-
![[2011 United Kingdom census|UK census 2011]]||Ayr||Ayr & Prestwick||Scotland<ref name="Ayrcensus11">{{cite web|url=https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/ods-web/area.html |title=Find out about an area |access-date=29 November 2014 |publisher=The Scottish Government}}</ref>
|-
|Total population||46,849|| 61,750 ||5,295,403
|-
|Population growth 2001–2011||0.90%||0.63%||4.61%
|-
|White||98.6%||98.5%||96%
|-
|Under 16 years old||16%||15.9%||17.3%
|-
|Over 65 years old||21.9%||22.1%||16.8%
|-
|Christian||57.9%||58.7%||56.3%
|-
|No Religion||35%||34%||36.7%
|-
|'British' national identity||28.5%||29.2%||26.7%
|}

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|-
!UK census 2001||Ayr||Ayr & Prestwick||Scotland<ref name="Ayrcensus01">{{cite web |url=http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/census/censushm/scotcen2/reports-and-data/scotcen8.html |title=Scotland's Census Results |access-date=16 August 2011 |publisher=Scotland's Census Results Online (SCROL) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717084245/http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/census/censushm/scotcen2/reports-and-data/scotcen8.html |archive-date=17 July 2011 |url-status = dead|df=dmy-all }}</ref>
|-
|Total population||46,431||61,365||5,062,011
|-
|Population growth 1991–2001||−3.19%||−0.07%||1.3%
|-
|White||95.9%||97.2%||98.8%
|-
|Under 16 years old||17.2%||17.4%||19.2%
|-
|Over 65 years old||20.4%||20.5%||16.0%
|-
|Christian||69.6%||70.1%||65.1%
|-
|No Religion||23.9%||23.8% ||27.6%
|}

===Economy===
{{see|Economy of Scotland}} 
[[File:AYR - panoramio (31).jpg|thumb|right|Ayr town centre and main shopping high street]]

The north side of Ayr Harbour still operates as a commercial port, mainly exporting coal, and extensive railway sidings still lead down from the main railway line near [[Newton-on-Ayr railway station|Newton-on-Ayr station]].

Ayr developed as the central retail hub in the south-west of Scotland after the opening of the town's first department store, Hourstons, in 1896. In the 1970s the opening of stores such as [[Marks and Spencers]] and Ayr's first shopping centre, the Kyle Centre (1988), encouraged an expansion in the local economy. [[Heathfield, South Ayrshire|Heathfield]] Retail park, an out-of-town retail park, opened in 1993 with shops such as [[Halfords]] and [[Homebase]]. Ayr Central Shopping Centre opened in March 2006, housing shops such as [[Debenhams]] and [[H&M]] and under-parking for 500 cars. In December 2014 Threesixty Architecture received planning permission to refurbish the Kyle Centre by reinventing it as a centre of leisure through the creation of a new cinema complex among other new features.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://360architecture.com/blog/2014/12/18/kyle-centre-ayr-planning-submission/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826123738/http://360architecture.com/blog/2014/dec/kyle-centre-ayr-planning-submission/|url-status=dead|title=Kyle Centre submitted for planning|first=Anthony|last=Hubbert|date=18 December 2014|archivedate=26 August 2016}}</ref> As of 2014 [[Royal Society for Public Health]] found Ayr's High Street to be the second healthiest in the United Kingdom behind [[Shrewsbury]], a measure which reflects the presence of health-promoting infrastructure such as health services, community spaces and libraries,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-32058929|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927050305/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-32058929|url-status=dead|title=Preston tops table of UK's 'unhealthiest High Streets'|date=26 March 2015|archivedate=27 September 2016|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=RSPH |title=Health on the High Street 2015 |url=https://www.rsph.org.uk/our-work/campaigns/health-on-the-high-street/2015.html |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=www.rsph.org.uk}}</ref> although by 2018 it was no longer in the top ten.<ref>{{Cite web |last=RSPH |title=Britain's unhealthiest high streets revealed: Northern towns and cities top the rankings for unhealthiest high streets |url=https://www.rsph.org.uk/about-us/news/britain-s-unhealthiest-high-streets-revealed-northern-towns-and-cities-top-the-rankings-for-unhealthiest-high-streets.html |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=www.rsph.org.uk}}</ref> In 2016 research conducted by the Local Data Company suggested that Ayr had among the highest number of shops per head in the United Kingdom at one shop for every 270 people.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/number-shops-per-head-population-9263964|title=Ayr's staggering number of High Street shops per person despite raft of closures|first=Stephen|last=Houston|date=15 November 2016|website=Daily Record}}</ref> In 2010, premium home furnishings company, [[The Designer Rooms]], was established in the town and opened its first showroom within the town.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Designer Rooms - Products, Competitors, Financials, Employees, Headquarters Locations |url=https://www.cbinsights.com/company/the-designer-rooms |website=www.cbinsights.com |access-date=19 July 2024}}</ref>

During the 19th and 20th centuries, Ayr became a popular holiday resort. This was due to its fine sandy beach and the construction of the rail link to Glasgow which was completed in 1840.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lambert |first=Tim |title=A Brief History of Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland |url=https://www.localhistories.org/ayr.html |website=www.localhistories.org |access-date=11 October 2011}}</ref>

[[File:NS3626 - Ryanair & Prestwick Aircraft Maintenance Hangars - Glasgow Prestwick Airport.jpg|thumb|left|Aircraft maintenance hangar of [[Ryanair]] at [[Glasgow Prestwick Airport]]]]

To the north of Ayr is the adjoining town of [[Prestwick]], which is known for its [[golf]] and aviation industries thanks to the presence of [[Glasgow Prestwick Airport]]. The airport is one of the main operational bases and [[focus city]] for budget airline [[Ryanair]], with the airline having an aircraft maintenance hangar at the airport. The airport itself has become a Scottish hub for maintenance, repair and overhaul of aircraft, with key companies operating from bases at the airport including GE Caledonian, [[Spirit AeroSystems]], Collins Aerospace, Ryanair (Prestwick Aircraft Maintenance), [[BAE Systems]], Woodward Aircraft Engine Systems and 
Chevron Technical Services.<ref>{{cite web |title=Maintenance, repair and overhaul |url=https://www.glasgowprestwick.com/business/passenger-aviation/airport-operations-2/maintenance-repair-and-overhaul/ |publisher=Glasgow Prestwick Airport |access-date=28 October 2023}}</ref> Prestwick Spaceport launched a bid in partnership with [[South Ayrshire Council]] to become a [[spaceport]] focusing on small satellite launches, microgravity experiments and crewed missions for human spaceflight.<ref>{{cite web |title=Spaceport |url=https://www.glasgowprestwick.com/business/spaceport/ |publisher=Glasgow Prestwick Airport |access-date=28 October 2023}}</ref> It received funding via the Ayrshire Growth Deal of £80 million, with an additional £18 million from the UK Government and £5 million from the Scottish Government.<ref>{{cite web |title=Spaceport Infrastructure |url=https://www.ayrshiregrowthdeal.co.uk/service/spaceport-infrastructure/ |publisher=Ayrshire Growth Deal |access-date=28 October 2023}}</ref> The spaceport will support carrying small satellites into orbit via horizontal launch, or “air launch”, using aircraft that fly out over the [[Atlantic Ocean]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Spirit AeroSystems, Astraius partner for Prestwick Spaceport launch capabilities |url=https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/spirit-aerosystems-astraius-partner-for-prestwick-spaceport-launch-capabilities-2023-03/ |publisher=Electronics Weekly |access-date=28 October 2023}}</ref>

Only {{convert|5|mi|km|0}} north of Ayr is [[Troon]], a golf and seaside resort which regularly hosts the [[Open Championship]]. Ayr has three golf courses in Bellisle, Seafield and Dalmilling, as well as a private course called St Cuthberts. The area is also known as a seaside resort, with the south of the town housing the [[Heads of Ayr (holiday camp)|Craig Tara]] and [[Haven and British Holidays|Haven]] (formerly [[Butlins]]) holiday parks. The suburban village of Alloway to the south of the town is also well established for its associations with the poet [[Robert Burns]]. Further south, the fishing village of [[Dunure]] takes in a ruined castle which was formerly owned by the [[Clan Kennedy|Kennedy]] family.

In 1973, Ayr hosted the [[Royal National Mòd]].<ref name=SMO>[https://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk/gaidhlig/mod/ List of Mod's places] for each year on [[Sabhal Mòr Ostaig]] website</ref> Ayr has hosted the [[Scottish Grand National]] horse-racing steeplechase annually since 1966<ref name=Racecourse>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ayr-racecourse.co.uk/|title=Home &#124; Ayr Racecourse|website=www.ayr-racecourse.co.uk}}</ref> and the Scottish International Airshow since 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tsia.scot/|title=Home|website=The Scottish International Airshow|access-date=9 October 2022|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009121558/https://www.tsia.scot/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Religion===
{{see|Religion in Scotland|Church of Scotland}} 
The 2022 Scottish Census found that 51% of the population of Ayr stated they had no religion. 28% stated they belonged to the [[Church of Scotland]], 9% the [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic Church]], 4% other Christian denominations and 2% other religions. 6% didn't respond to this optional question.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2022 results |url=https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/2022-results/ |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=Scotland's Census |language=en}}</ref>

Of the Christian denominations present in Ayr the [[Church of Scotland]] is largest with nine churches spread throughout the town, including the [[Auld Kirk of Ayr]]. The [[Roman Catholic Church]] has two churches, St Paul's, [[Belmont, Ayr|Belmont]] and the [[Ayr Cathedral|Cathedral Church of St Margaret]] the successor to [[Good Shepherd Cathedral, Ayr|The Good Shepherd Cathedral]] which has been demolished.<ref name="goodshepherd">{{cite web|last=Edwin|first=Lawrence|title=House of prayer in Ayr set to be 25 houses|url=http://www.ayrshirepost.net/ayrshire-news/local-news-ayrshire/2010/12/10/house-of-prayer-in-ayr-set-to-be-25-houses-102545-27785352/|publisher=Ayrshire Post|access-date=30 December 2012}}</ref>

The [[Scottish Episcopal Church]] is represented by the very substantial Holy Trinity Church in Fullarton Street in the town centre. There is also a [[Free Church of Scotland (since 1900)|Free Church of Scotland]], a [[Baptist Union of Scotland|Baptist Church]] and [[Evangelical church]] in John Street, a [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|Latter-Day Saints Church]] at Orchard Avenue<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/worship-with-us |title=Worship With Us |publisher=Mormon.org |access-date=9 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029164120/http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/worship-with-us |archive-date=29 October 2009 |url-status = live|df=dmy }}</ref> and the Southside Christian Fellowship in Ayr Town Hall.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.southsidechurch.co.uk/|title=Home|website=southsidechurch}}</ref>

===Education===
{{see|Education in Scotland}} 
[[File:Kyle Academy, Ayr - geograph.org.uk - 5649213.jpg|thumb|right|[[Kyle Academy]] opened to pupils in 1979 and serves pupils in the south–east of the town]]
[[File:NS3322 - Ayr Grammar Campus entrance.jpg|thumb|right|Ayr Grammar Primary School and Early Years Centre]]
[[File:New Ayr Academy, 2017.jpg|thumb|right|The new building of [[Ayr Academy]] at University Avenue which opened in August 2017]]

Ayr has two nursery schools:<ref name=nursery>{{cite web|title=Nuersery Schools – Pre Schools in South Ayrshire|url=http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/schools/nursery/|publisher=South Ayrshire Council|access-date=30 December 2012}}</ref>
* Cherry Tree Early Years Centre
* Wallacetown Early Years Centre
There are also several partnership centres and nursery classes held within primary schools within Ayr.<ref name="nursery"/>

Ayr is served by sixteen primary schools:<ref name="primary schools">{{cite web|title=Primary Schools|url=http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/schools/primary/|publisher=South Ayrshire Council|access-date=30 December 2012}}</ref>

{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|
* Alloway Primary School
* Annbank Primary School
* Braehead Primary School
* Dalmilling Primary School
* Doonfoot Primary School
* Forehill Primary School
* Grammar Primary School
* Heathfield Primary School
* Holmston Primary School
* Kincaidston Primary School
* Newton Primary School
* St. John's Primary School ([[denominational]])
* Tarbolton Primary School
}}

Ayr has one school which provides education for those with Additional Support Needs:<ref name=southcraig>{{cite web|title=Southcraig Campus|url=http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/schools/southcraig/|publisher=South Ayrshire Council|access-date=30 December 2012|archive-date=26 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026142500/http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/schools/southcraig/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Southcraig Campus

Ayr is served by four secondary schools:<ref name="secondary schools">{{cite web|title=Secondary Schools in South Ayrshire|url=http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/schools/secondary/|publisher=South Ayrshire Council|access-date=30 December 2012}}</ref>
* [[Ayr Academy]]
* [[Belmont Academy]]
* [[Kyle Academy]]
* [[Queen Margaret Academy]] ([[denominational]])
[[Prestwick Academy]] is located within the neighbouring town of [[Prestwick]] and provides education to pupils who are resident within Ayr but fall within its catchment area.<ref name=catchment>{{cite web|title=Catchment area|url=http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/schools/catchment.aspx|publisher=South Ayrshire Council|access-date=30 December 2012|archive-date=29 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130129043222/http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/schools/catchment.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Mainholm Academy was a former secondary school located within Ayr and was closed due to safety concerns.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/news/2007/publications/mainholmac-closure.doc |title=Mainholm Academy Closure |publisher=South Ayrshire council |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080626141821/http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/news/2007/publications/mainholmac-closure.doc |archive-date=26 June 2008 }}</ref>

Ayr is served by one independent school that provides both primary and secondary education:<ref name=wellington>{{cite web|title=Welcome to Wellington School|url=http://www.wellingtonschool.org/|publisher=Wellington School|access-date=30 December 2012}}</ref><ref name="SAC wellington">{{cite web|title=Independent Schools in South Ayrshire |url=http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/schools/independent/ |publisher=South Ayrshire Council |access-date=30 December 2012 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026115159/http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/schools/independent/ |archive-date=26 October 2012 }}</ref>
* [[Wellington School, Ayr|Wellington School]]

Ayr has four further education establishments:
* [[Ayrshire College]] (previously known as [[Ayr College]] and prior to that, Ayr Technical College)
* [[University of the West of Scotland]] (formerly known as the [[University of Paisley]])
* [[Scotland's Rural College]]
* Adult Learning Centre

===Public services and transport===
[[File:University Hospital, Ayr.jpg|thumb|right|Entrance to [[University Hospital Ayr]], the main general hospital in Ayr]]
The [[NHS Ayrshire and Arran]] Health Board serves South, East and North Ayrshire – a part of Ayrshire and Arran's departmental headquarters is located in Ayr. Ayr is also the regional headquarters of the [[Scottish Ambulance Service]] for south-west Scotland that is located in [[Heathfield, South Ayrshire|Heathfield]], next to the site of the old Heathfield Hospital. Ayr previously had four hospitals: [[Heathfield Hospital]] (originally a fever hospital, but latterly medical and ophthalmic), [[Seafield Children's Hospital]] (a pediatric hospital), [[Ayr County Hospital]] (originally a voluntary hospital, and latterly confined to surgery) and [[Ailsa Hospital]] (a psychiatric hospital). [[University Hospital Ayr]], completed in 1991, replaced all but Ailsa Hospital which is still open.

Currently, three hospitals lie adjacent to Ayr running along the A713 towards Hollybush in East Ayrshire, these are:
* University Hospital Ayr (general hospital with accident and emergency)
* Ailsa Hospital (mental health hospital)
* The Abbey Carrick Glen Hospital (private hospital)

Hollybush House on the outskirts of Ayr is used by a charity for the mental health welfare of ex-members of the [[UK Armed Forces]]. Ayr has two community centres; Heathfield Community Centre and Lochside Community Centre.<ref name="Halls and community centres">{{cite web|title=Hall Bookings|url=http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/council-premises/hall-bookings/|publisher=South Ayrshire Council|access-date=8 September 2013|archive-date=5 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905204147/http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/council-premises/hall-bookings/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Glasgow Prestwick Airport, January 2017.jpg|thumb|right|[[Glasgow Prestwick Airport|Prestwick Airport]] serves the town and Ayrshire, and is located in nearby [[Prestwick]]]]

Ayr is served by several major roads:
* [[A77 road|A77]]&nbsp;– forming the Ayr bypass, part of the trunk route between [[Glasgow]] and [[Stranraer]]. The bypass was built in 1971.
* [[A79 road|A79]]&nbsp;– the former A77 before the bypass was opened, now the main road running through Ayr and linking Ayr with Prestwick and its airport.
* [[A70 road|A70]]&nbsp;– running east from Ayr to [[Cumnock]], [[Lanark]] and [[Edinburgh]].
* [[A713 road|A713]]&nbsp;– running southeast to [[Dalmellington]] and [[Castle Douglas]].
* [[A719 road|A719]]&nbsp;– running northeast to [[Galston, East Ayrshire|Galston]] and southwest along the coast to [[Turnberry (golf course)|Turnberry]].

Eight local bus services operated by [[Stagecoach West Scotland]] serve Ayr and Prestwick. Express coaches to Glasgow Buchanan Street operate every 30–60 minutes. [[Ulsterbus]] operate bus services to [[Belfast]] via Stranraer Ferry service on [[Stena Line]]. The [[Ayr railway station]] has regular services to [[Glasgow Central railway station|Glasgow Central station]], [[Edinburgh Waverley railway station|Edinburgh Waverley]], [[Stranraer railway station|Stranraer]], [[Girvan railway station|Girvan]] and [[Kilmarnock railway station|Kilmarnock]]. All services are operated by [[ScotRail]].

The railway station provides rail and sea connections via [[Stranraer railway station|Stranraer]] for the connecting bus to [[Cairnryan]] for either the [[Stena Line]] ferry service to the [[Port of Belfast]] or the [[P&O Ferries]] service to [[Larne Harbour railway station|Larne Harbour]] connecting with [[Northern Ireland Railways]] via [[Carrickfergus railway station|Carrickfergus]] and [[Jordanstown railway station|Jordanstown]] to [[Lanyon Place railway station|Belfast Lanyon Place]] and [[Belfast Grand Central station|Belfast Grand Central]].  There is also the connection via [[Troon railway station|Troon]] on [[P&O Ferries]] on a seasonal basis to [[Larne Harbour railway station|Larne Harbour]]. The town is served by the [[Glasgow Prestwick International Airport]] just {{convert|2|mi|km|0}} north from Ayr, which offers regional and domestic air services across Europe and the [[British Isles]]. Further destinations are available from [[Glasgow Airport]], which is accessible by train to [[Paisley Gilmour Street railway station|Paisley Gilmour Street]] for the connecting bus to the airport.  In relation to Ayr, Glasgow Airport is {{convert|35|mi|km|0|round=5}} away.

Although the town does not have any ferry services from its harbour, it is in close proximity to ferry services to Northern Ireland. Cairnryan, {{convert|60|mi|km|sigfig=1}} south of Ayr, has up to eight daily departures to [[Belfast]] and up to seven daily departures to [[Larne]].

===Sport===
[[File:NS3422 - Ayr Racecourse.jpg|thumb|left|[[Ayr Racecourse]] opened in 1907, and is home to the annual [[Scottish Grand National]].]]

[[Ayr Racecourse]] is a well-known racecourse in Scotland and hosts both [[National Hunt racing|National Hunt]] and [[flat racing]]. It has the largest capacity in Scotland for horse racing.<ref name=Racecourse/> Notable events include the [[Scottish Grand National]] (April) and Ayr Gold Cup (September) as well as several night meetings. It was recently put up for sale by the owners and included the Western House Hotel as part of the potential sale.

Ayr has two senior [[football (soccer)|football]] clubs. [[Ayr United F.C.|Ayr United]] play at [[Somerset Park]] in the [[Scottish Championship]]. They reached the final of the 2001–02 [[Scottish League Cup]] competition. The club was formed in 1910 with the merger of [[Ayr F.C.]] (who were formed in 1879 by the merger of Ayr Thistle and Ayr Academical football clubs) and [[Ayr Parkhouse F.C.]] [[Whitletts Victoria F.C.|Whitletts Victoria]] are based in the Whitletts area of Ayr and compete in the [[West of Scotland Football League]].

The town has a strong history of ice hockey, but no longer hosts a professional ice hockey team. The most recent professional team were the [[Ayr Scottish Eagles]] who played in the British Superleague between 1996 and 2002 based at the [[Centrum Arena (Prestwick)|Centrum arena]]. Ayr's [[rugby union]] team, [[Ayr RFC]], play at Millbrae and are reigning Scottish Cup Champions and Scottish Premiership Champions 2012/2013, and won the 2008/09 Scottish Hydro Premiership. Ayr RFC has twice competed in the British and Irish cup involving clubs from Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland. A [[rugby league]] team, Ayr Knights ARLFC, play at Auchincruive.

[[File:Ayr United's Somerset Park.jpg|thumb|right|[[Ayr United F.C.]] play home matches at [[Somerset Park]] in the town]]

Ayr Curling Club play at the curling rink in Limekiln Road and Ayr's [[cricket]] team plays in [[Cambusdoon]]. The town's leisure centre, Citadel Leisure Centre opened in 1997 at the mouth of the River Ayr and at the seafront at the South Harbour area. Its facilities include a main hall measuring {{convert|34|x|27|m|abbr=on}}, accommodating various sports including 5-a-side football, basketball, volleyball, netball, indoor hockey, indoor cricket practice, badminton and short tennis. As well as individual sports, sporting events and competitions, the hall has hosted exhibitions, concerts, trade fairs, election counts and awards ceremonies. The Citadel Leisure Centre is home to South Ayrshire Volleyball Club<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.southayrshirevolleyball.org |title=South Ayrshire Volleyball Club |publisher=Southayrshirevolleyball.org |access-date=17 August 2011 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110905031200/http://southayrshirevolleyball.org/ |archive-date=5 September 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> as well as being the town's only public swimming pool and diving pool. The [[Troon Tornadoes]] play their national league matches at the Citadel, despite not being an Ayr team. Additionally, Ayr has a Strathclyde league basketball team, [[Ayr Storm]].

[[Motorcycle speedway|Speedway]] was staged at Dam Park in 1937, when two meetings, organised by Maurice and Roland Stobbart from Cumbria took place, featuring riders who raced in the north of England, at venues such as [[Derwent Park|Workington]] and Hyde Road in Manchester. Ayr has a sandy beach with an [[esplanade]]. This is very popular with joggers and day-trippers.
Whitletts Activity Centre also serves the town of Ayr. It has an 11-a side outdoor soccer pitch and an indoor 5-a-side football pitch. Near Whitletts Activity Centre there is also a 5-a-side football complex called "Pro Soccer".

===Culture and community===
[[File:The Gaiety Theatre - geograph.org.uk - 519876.jpg|thumbnail|right|The Gaiety Theatre]]
Ayr is home to [[Gaiety Theatre, Ayr|the Gaiety Theatre]], built in 1902. The theatre was reconstructed following a fire in 1904, with its façade remodelled in 1935, and further reinstated after a fire in 1955. In 1995, an annexe was constructed, including a new café, box office, dressing rooms and studio space. After a faltering start, which saw several years as a cinema after [[WWI]], the theatre was bought by Ben Popplewell, from Bradford, who already had a track record of success running the Pavilion theatre on Ayr seafront. For fifty years the Popplewell family ran the theatre – latterly as part of the Glasgow Pavilion business.

The radio station [[West FM]] was based in Ayr until mid-2017 and broadcasts on 96.7FM.<ref>{{cite web|title=Contact us {{!}} 96.7 West FM |url=http://www.westfm.co.uk/contact-us/|publisher=West Sound Radio Limited|access-date=31 December 2012}}</ref> West FM is the main broadcaster in the Ayrshire area. The ''[[Ayrshire Post]]'', serving all parts of Ayrshire, and ''[[Ayr Advertiser]]'', serving the towns of Ayr and Prestwick, newspapers are also based in Ayr.<ref>{{cite web|title=Contact the Ayrshire Post|url=http://www.ayrshirepost.net/comment/contact-ayrshire-post/|publisher=Ayrshire Post|access-date=31 December 2012}}</ref> The Ayr Advertiser is Scotland's oldest weekly newspaper. West FM's move from Ayr marks the first time in 35 years that local radio has not been broadcast from Ayrshire.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Reynolds |first1=Michael |title=Radio silence as broadcaster reveals plan to move out of Ayrshire after 36 years |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/west-fm-announce-plans-leave-10629179 |website=Daily Record |access-date=1 June 2021 |language=en |date=2017-06-15}}</ref>

[[File:Carnegie Library, Ayr - geograph.org.uk - 649356.jpg|thumb|right|Carnegie Library, the main library in Ayr]]
Ayr is served by three libraries plus a mobile library. These are:<ref>{{cite web|title=Libraries in South Ayrshire|url=http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/libraries/branches/|publisher=South Ayrshire Council|access-date=31 December 2012}}</ref>
* Alloway Library (attached to Alloway Primary school)
* Carnegie Library (main library)
* Forehill Library

====Twin towns====
Ayr is twinned with:
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Saint-Germain-en-Laye]], France since 1984.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://jumelagestgermainayr.fr/ |title=Accueil |publisher=Jumelagestgermainayr.fr |access-date=17 August 2011 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330204917/http://jumelagestgermainayr.fr/ |archive-date=30 March 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/town-twinning/ayr.aspx |title=Ayr Town Twinning Association |publisher=South Ayrshire Unitary Authority |access-date=30 December 2012 |archive-date=30 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630075607/http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/town-twinning/ayr.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

====In popular culture====
The [[Barns of Ayr]] features in ''The Scottish Chiefs''.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Porter |first1=Jane |title=The Scottish Chiefs |date=1921 |publisher=Charles Scribner's Sons |location=New York |isbn=9780684193403 |pages=174–182}}</ref>

===Freedom of the Burgh===
The following people and military units have received the [[Freedom of the City|Freedom of the Burgh]] of Ayr.

{{Incomplete list|date=September 2022}}

* [[Winston Churchill|Sir Winston Churchill]]: 1947.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2FYejcBosI|title=Winston Churchill Receives Freedom Of Ayr Aka Pathe Front Page (1947)|last=British Pathé|date=14 September 2022|via=YouTube}}</ref>
* The [[Royal Scots Fusiliers]]: 15 June 1946.<ref>{{cite web |title=ROYAL BURGH OF AYR CONFERMENT OF FREEDOM OF BURGH ON THE ROYAL SCOTS FUSILIERS 15TH JUNE 1946 [Main Title] |url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1060010489 |website=The Imperial War Museum |access-date=14 September 2022}}</ref>

==Notable people==
[[File:PG 1063Burns Naysmithcrop.jpg|thumb|right|190px|[[Robert Burns]], Scotland's national poet, was born in the Alloway area of Ayr.]]
* [[Alex Bell]] (1882–1934), footballer
* [[Samuel Aitken]] (1878–1930), footballer
* Stevie Brown, Muay Thai European champion WKA
* [[Shaykh Abdalqadir as-Sufi]] (1930–2021), born Ian Dallas, [[Sheikh (Sufism)|Shaykh of Instruction]], Islamic leader, author, actor
* [[William D. Brackenridge]] (1810–1893), botanist<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896">
{{cite book
| title = Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607–1896
| publisher = Marquis Who's Who
| year = 1967
}}</ref>
* [[Robert Burns]], (1759–1796), Scotland's national bard, poet and writer of songs; born in Alloway<ref>
{{cite web
|title=Robert Burns Birthplace Museum
|author=National Trust for Scotland
|url=https://www.burnsmuseum.org.uk/
|access-date=6 December 2015
}}</ref>
* [[William Dalrymple (moderator)|William Dalrymple]] (1723–1814), minister and moderator
* [[Noam Dar]] (born 1993), [[professional wrestler]]
* [[Sydney Devine]] (1940–2021), singer
* [[James Morris Gale]] (1830–1903), civil engineer for Glasgow Corporation Water Works
* [[Thomas Garvine]] (1690-1766), physician, traveller to Russia and China, [[Provost (civil)|provost]] of Ayr.  
* [[Gavin Gordon (composer)|Gavin Gordon]] (1901–1970), composer and singer
* [[William Schaw Lindsay]] (1815–1877), British merchant, shipowner, Member of Parliament, military theorist
* [[John Loudon McAdam]] (1756–1836), inventor of Tarmacadam road surface
* [[Sam McCrory (loyalist)|Sam McCrory]] (born 1965), former member of Ulster Defence Association, gay activist
* [[Drew McIntyre]] (born 1985), professional wrestler, first person born in the UK to become the [[WWE Champion]] 
* [[Alan McInally]] (born 1963), footballer, TV pundit
* [[Thomas McIlwraith]] (1835–1900), Premier of Queensland, Australia
* [[Ann McManus]] (1957–2025), screenwriter for [[Waterloo Road (TV series)|''Waterloo Road'']] and other television series<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Bindel |first=Julie |date=28 August 2025 |title=Ann McManus obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/aug/28/ann-mcmanus-obituary |access-date=31 August 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
* [[Ewan McVicar]] (born 1994), DJ
* [[William Maclure]] (1763–1840), geologist, drew 1st geological map of U.S., president of American Geological Society<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896" />
* [[Alexander Mathie-Morton]] (1880–1965), cricketer
* [[Stuart Murdoch (musician)|Stuart Murdoch]] (born 1968), singer-songwriter, [[Belle & Sebastian]]
* [[David Murray (Scottish businessman)|Sir David Murray]] (born 1951), Rangers F.C. chairman
* [[Simon Alexander Neil]] (born 1979), Lead vocalist, guitarist, songwriter for Biffy Clyro
* [[Neil Oliver]] (born 1967), BBC presenter of [[Coast]] and [[A History of Scotland]]
* [[Alan Reid (politician)|Alan Reid]] (born 1954), MP for [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]]
* [[Dominic Rigby]] (born 1970), cricketer
* [[Mike Scott (Scottish musician)|Mike Scott]] (born 1958), lead Singer/Songwriter of [[The Waterboys]]
* [[Robert Shankland]] (1887–1968), awarded [[Victoria Cross]] for his actions at [[Battle of Passchendaele]] 1917
* [[Ronald Stevenson (cricketer)|Ronald Stevenson]] (1938–1999), first-class cricketer

==See also==
*[[Auchincruive Waggonway]]
*[[Craigie Waggonway]]
*[[Newton Loch, South Ayrshire]] – The Newton or Malt Mill and Newton Loch
*[[Wallace's Heel Well]] – A spring running from the imprint in rock of [[William Wallace]]'s heel.

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Close, R (2005) ''Ayr A History & Celebration''
* Kennedy, R&J (1992) ''Old Ayr''
* Love, D (2003) ''Ayr Past and Present''
* Love, D (2000) ''Ayr Stories''
* Love, D (1995) ''Pictorial History of Ayr''
* Reid, D & Andrew K (2001) ''Ayr Remembered''
* Strawhorn, J (1989) ''The History of Ayr: Royal Burgh and County Town''
* Carmichael, D. (2001) ''Ayr United Football Club''
* Young, A & Reid, D. T. (2011) ''Ayr as it was, and as it is now.'' Stenlake Publishing: {{ISBN|9781840335644}}
* {{cite book |last1=Love |first1=Dane |title=Ayrshire: Discovering a county |chapter=Ayr: the central town |date=2003 |publisher=Fort |location=Ayr |isbn=0954446119 |pages=242–259}}

==External links==

{{oscoor gbx|NS 33853 21445}}

{{Commons category|Ayr}}
{{Wikivoyage|Ayr (Scotland)}}
* Engraving of a [http://digital.nls.uk/74582340 view of Ayr] by [[James Fittler]] in the digitised copy of [http://digital.nls.uk/scotia-depicta/ Scotia Depicta, or the antiquities, castles, public buildings, noblemen and gentlemen's seats, cities, towns and picturesque scenery of Scotland] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190613235943/http://digital.nls.uk/scotia-depicta/ |date=13 June 2019 }}, 1804 at [[National Library of Scotland]]
* A collection of [http://maps.nls.uk/towns/index.html#Ayr historic maps of Ayr] from the 1690s onward at National Library of Scotland
* [http://digital.nls.uk/slezer/engraving.cfm?sl=29 Engraving of Ayr in 1693] by [[John Slezer]] at National Library of Scotland

{{Geographic Location
|title = Destinations from Ayr
|Northwest = [[Firth of Clyde]]
|North = [[Prestwick]], [[Troon]]
|Northeast = [[Kilmarnock]], [[Glasgow]]
|West = [[Firth of Clyde]]
|Centre = Ayr
|East = [[Auchinleck]], [[Cumnock]]
|Southwest = [[Maybole]], [[Girvan]], [[Stranraer]]
|South = [[Newton Stewart]]
|Southeast = [[Dalmellington]], [[Castle Douglas]]
}}
{{Associated British Ports}}
{{South Ayrshire}}
{{Portal bar|United Kingdom|Scotland}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ayr}}
[[Category:Ayr| ]]
[[Category:Fishing communities in Scotland]]
[[Category:Large burghs]]
[[Category:Ports and harbours of Scotland]]
[[Category:Royal burghs]]
[[Category:County towns in Scotland]]
[[Category:Towns in South Ayrshire]]
[[Category:Towns with cathedrals in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Firth of Clyde]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Scotland]]
[[Category:Parishes in Ayrshire]]