The Ranch Holiday Park

The Ranch is situated right in the heart of the Burns' Country (Burns mother was born in Maybole) and is surrounded by the Carrick & Galloway hills. Nearby are the beautiful sandy beaches of Maybole Shore and Croy Bay, plus that wonderful freak of nature, where the laws of gravity are turned upside down, the Electric Brae (Brae is the local dialect for steep hill or slope). See water run uphill! The whole South Ayrshire area is dotted with ancient castles and fortifications, and many large estates renowned for their gardens, a number of which are open to the public.

The Ranch is a ten minute walk from Maybole train station which gives access to Ayr (10 miles/15 min) and Glasgow (40 miles/1 hour).

Major Tourist Attractions

Burns National Heritage Park (7 miles)

No trip to Ayrshire would be complete without a visit to the Burns Heritage park. Visit our National Bard's cottage and see the places he wrote of in his poems and songs including the Brig O'Doon and the Kirk, Alloway. Adjacent attractions include Burns Cottage & Museam, the Tam O'Shanter Experience, Kirk Alloway and more. See www.robertburns.org for more information.

Culzean Castle & Country Park (2 miles)

Culzean is the major property in the National Trust for Scotland's portfolio and it is just a 5 minute drive from The Ranch. The romantic 18th century castle sits on a cliff above the Firth of Clyde and the 500 acre grounds offer full days out for the family. You can tour the Castle or explore the many walks in the grounds. See www.nts.org.uk for further information.

Dean Castle Country Park (22 miles)

Dean Castle was originally a defensive tower constructed in the 14th century and was extended to include a palace for the Boyds of Kilmarnock. Features of the Castle include a small collection of tapestries and the Charles Van Raalte collection of rare musical instruments. The Castle Park provides woodland paths, a children's playground and a ranger service. For general enquiries call (01563) 522 702.

Souter Johnnie's Cottage (4 miles)

Burns' poem Tam O'Shanter makes reference to 'Souter Johnnie', a character inspired by Burns' cronie (friend) John Davidson, the real-life shoemaker from Kirkoswald. The thatched house in which he lived and worked is 10 minutes drive from The Ranch and contains many examples of the tools used by a village shoemaker of the time. Further details available by calling (01655) 760 603.

Golf

Ayrshire wouldn't be Ayrshire though if we couldn't offer you a game of golf, and there can be no finer base for the keen holiday golfer than The Ranch. The area abounds in golf courses, of all types and sizes, from the most exotic of venues such as the top class Ailsa and Arran courses at Turnberry, where the British Open is regularly held, to the local municipal course in Maybole. There are enough courses within a twenty mile radius to allow the really keen golfer to play two different courses every day for a week. For more information on see Golf in Ayrshire

Other Attractions

There are many more nearby visitor attractions including Galloway Forest Park with its forest drives and walks, conservation villages, cycling routes, theatres and cinemas. Those who wish to dine out will find within a 10 mile radius there is a vast range of restaurants and hotels which cater for all tastes providing a large variety of cuisine. For more information see Walking and Cycling in Ayrshire or Fishing in Ayrshire

Local Tourist Attractions

Major Tourist Attractions

Burns National Heritage Park (7 miles)

Culzean Castle & Country Park (2 miles)

Dean Castle Country Park (22 miles)

Souter Johnnie's Cottage (4 miles)

Golf

Other Attractions

The entrance to the Club House at Turnberry Golf Course

Culzean Castle as seen from the footbridge access