Recently I undertook a journey across Scotland, staying at some of the country's best bed and breakfasts along the way. I put together my own itinerary and it was pretty amazing if I do say so myself!

This is the first of four blog posts covering each destination I stayed at, starting in Ayr, a seaside town just 30 minutes south from Glasgow. You can use each blog post as a stand alone guide for visiting the featured location or follow the series of blog posts to recreate my Scottish road trip if you have more time.

Either way, I know you won't be disappointed so let's head to my first suggested stop in Ayr...

I spent 2 nights at Ayrs & Graces bed and breakfast, located by Alloway, home to many Robert Burns attractions and a short drive from the scenic Ayrshire coast. Check out my recommended itineraries below to discover some of the best things to do in and around Ayr.

Ayrs & Graces is situated in a quiet elevated plot conveniently close to the town of Ayr which maximises the surrounding views of green fields and grazing sheep. As I pulled in to the drive I was greeted by the surprising sight of owner Paul's collection of luxury cars (his day job is a 747 captain) and if you ask very nicely he might even let you sit in his Ferrari. This was the first clue I wasn't staying at your average B&B!

I think it is fair to say that owners Paul and Rhona are not your average hosts either, and for me, their sunny personalities and positive enthusiasm for life was infectious. I honestly left with more of a bounce in my step than when I arrived and feel like I've made new friends for life.

Their accommodation is bright and modern with guest room names themed around local poet Robert Burns. I stayed in the Brig O'Doon Suite, named after the iconic local landmark featured in the poem Tam O'Shanter which is less than a mile away from the B&B.

My room felt very homely with a padded window seat, TV, hospitality tray and even a wee dram of whisky for anyone wanting a nightcap, but with such a comfortable bed, I didn't need any extra help to enjoy a sound night's sleep. The en-suite bathroom was spacious with quality toiletries and a fluffy bathrobe, perfect for relaxing with my feet up after a busy day exploring.

If you prefer to spend some time getting to know your hosts and fellow guests, an open plan lounge area with striking artwork and panoramic windows allows you to do just that.

Its not all about the inside space though, Rhona and Paul have developed some gorgeous places to soak up the countryside views including a decked terrace, a cosy summer house, and their latest addition, a fabulous garden dome with 360 degree vistas so you can sit outdoors no matter what the weather is doing.

Rhona has a background in catering which is a real asset when you're running a B&B and she is the star of the kitchen. My cooked breakfast was perfection and I didn't have to compromise on choices as my gluten free diet was well catered for. Looking out at the greenery while I sipped my coffee was a real tonic to start the day.

Breakfast at Ayrs & Graces is a very sociable affair, with Rhona and Paul on hand to give you advice about what to do and where to go - they gave me a great tip about the cafe in Turnberry Lighthouse which I had no idea existed. They even offered to give me a lift to the restaurant I had booked in Ayr for my dinner that evening and it is this type of personal service that makes Scotland's best bed and breakfasts stand out from the rest.

Not only is Ayrs & Graces a member of Scotland's Best B&Bs, it is also one of only a few bed and breakfasts in Scotland to be awarded a 5 star gold. 

I had a brilliant time staying with Rhona and Paul, they were the perfect hosts and I wouldn't hesitate to book with them again in the future. 

​OPTION 1 - AYRSHIRE COAST
​BEST FOR - BEACHES, CASTLES AND PICTURESQUE HARBOURS

This route takes you on the scenic road along the Ayrshire coast, littered with historic castles, quaint fishing harbours and beautiful beaches.

I should say right from the start that this article only covers a suggested itinerary for Ayrshire and Arran, there are countless other attractions and activities to choose from as this part of Scotland has so much to offer. I could write a whole blog post on things to do in Arran alone (and still not list everything) never mind the numerous blog posts I could write about places to visit in Ayrshire.

So bear in mind that this is only one suggested itinerary but I think it is quite special because not only does it include a great sample of the variety of activities available in the region, it is also allows time to slow down a bit and enjoy a more relaxing break. At the end you should be returning home feeling refreshed and restored rather than in need of another holiday to recover - I've been there many a time!

Finally, it also includes visits to many small and independent businesses, which means you are supporting the local community and economy which is something we should all be making an effort to do in an attempt to travel more sustainably.

This is an itinerary I completed myself so I know it is completely possible within the timeframe - use it as a step by step guide or use it is as inspiration for putting together your own trip. Either way, I'm sure you will have a fabulous time exploring this special part of Scotland.

Ayrshire is a region on the west coast of Scotland just south of Glasgow. Think sandy beaches, seaside towns and clifftop castles that tower over the water and you might understand why this area has been a popular holiday resort for Glaswegians looking to escape the city for generations. However, Ayrshire is also bursting with history, has multiple country parks to explore, was the home of Robert Burns and witnessed the battle that concluded Viking rule in Scotland. It has multiple stories to tell and many reasons to visit.

The island of Arran lies off the Ayrshire coast, just an hour away by ferry, and is often dubbed 'Scotland in miniature' because of its  obvious Highland and Lowland geological division. It is the largest and best known island in the Firth of Clyde, with its rugged peaks a constant companion across the water as you drive along the coastal roads of Ayrshire. Famed for its scenery, and local produce, significant historical sites like the standing stones at Machrie Moor are another big draw.

It is surprisingly easy to combine a chilled-out trip to both Ayrshire and Arran, and as I did, maybe even throw in another island for good measure because you can never visit too many Scottish islands! If this sounds appealing, here is how to put together a trip covering some of the highlights of the region.

A short detour from the coastal road leads to the town centre of West Kilbride, a cornucopia of creativity. It is actually Scotland's first accredited Craft Town thanks to nine artist studios that are open to the public, and a range of independent shops and businesses selling local products.

The studios are generally open Thursday to Sunday but many of the makers have their work on sale at The Barony Centre which is open most days. I love picking up unique handmade souvenirs on my travels so that is where I headed first for a bit of shopping and came away with two beautiful glass candle holders in ocean colours, perfect for my coastal decor theme at home.

I spent the rest of the morning browsing around the independent shops in the high street and was drawn to the eclectic display of antiques and local goods at Modes Vintage. The owner Lisa was lovely and welcoming and I couldn't resist the smell of the Misty Isle Mercantile candle range made in West Kilbride and added a 'Scottish Highlands' scented candle to my purchases.

Before leaving I popped back to The Barony Centre for a coffee and managed to resist (just!) picking up a few more souvenirs as there were so many lovely pieces to choose from. West Kilbride is well worth the short deviation to watch artists at work and find a locally made memento of your trip or a unique gift.

Just over 20 minutes south of West Kilbride is the coastal town of Irvine which is home to the Scottish Maritime Museum. I have passed this attraction by on so many occasions but not this time, I set aside the whole afternoon to fully appreciate everything this museum has to offer.

There are several different sites that make up the Irvine attraction and I started out at Puffers Café on the harbour front for lunch before joining a guided tour of a restored ship worker's tenement flat dating back to the early 20th century. It was fascinating to find out about the home life of local shipbuilders and their families, now part of a bygone era in the town. I should mention that these tours are currently on hold but are due to be back up and running again soon.
The main museum building is constructed from a salvaged former shipyard in Glasgow and is a work of art in itself. The sprawling space is filled with exhibits that tell the story of Scotland's maritime past, present and future. From boats to engines and even collections of tools, there is a lot to see and despite spending a couple of hours there, I still didn't have time to take it all in.

There are more boats and exhibits outside and a separate shed where you can see a working engine in action. I'm glad I finally made the time to visit but I may have to factor in a return trip for everything that I missed!

Just about every coastal town in Ayrshire has a beach worth visiting but I opted to spend my evening on the sand at Seamill because it was handily next to my accommodation at The Waterside Hotel. It is also only a short distance from West Kilbride town centre so you can easily combine a visit to both.

With a gentle sea breeze, stunning views to Arran, the rhythmic lap of waves and soundtrack of bird calls, it was everything I needed to help me feel restored and that is what this trip was about after all. 

Not all Scottish islands require a long ferry journey or stressful planning, Cumbrae, off the coast of Ayrshire, is one of the easiest to visit thanks to the frequent ferry service and 10 minute crossing time. The island is also compact and easy to travel around making it is an easy addition to any Ayrshire itinerary.

Until recently, the seaside town of Largs would not have been a Scottish destination I would have associated with hill-walking.  Ice-cream, yes, scenic hiking, not so much.  However, I am happy to admit when I am wrong and wanted to share with you a fairly easy hill walk that I discovered which gets top marks for effort to reward ratio in my opinion.
Castle Hill has the best view of the Firth of Clyde that I've come across and a short detour at the start to visit a prehistoric tomb makes this a worthwhile adventure to add to your Largs itinerary.
The walk up Castle Hill is accessed via Douglas Park, a short stroll from the town centre, and when I visited the play-park opposite was full of gorgeous pink cherry blossoms.  I couldn't resist standing beneath the floral coated branches while the fragile petals rained down in the wind.

The start of the Castle Hill walk is well signposted once you reach the park but I suggest you follow the path to visit the Haylie Chambered Tomb first.  
Discovered in 1772 by James Wilson of Haylie, the remains of 5 bodies were found within. Sadly today all you are likely to find within is rubbish and the tomb does seem pretty unloved considering it is such a fascinating piece of local prehistoric history.  However, its unexpected location in a little clearing behind some houses is worth a look.

I took a well worn short cut from the chambered tomb up to the official path for the Castle Hill viewpoint but you can take the path back to the signposted route at the start if you prefer.  This is really a walk of two halves as the first stretch is along a path surrounded by patchy grass and scrubby undergrowth and isn't that picturesque.  It is also quite steep going in places and I certainly felt my calf muscles working harder than usual.
However, keep checking behind you as the view opens up across the Firth of Clyde and you will get all the encouragement you need to keep going.  There are also some benches where you can enjoy the view if you need a little breather.

In Scotland you are surrounded by history wherever you travel in the country and for every popular historical attraction there are dozens of others that remain under the tourist radar. Many of these sites have just as much, if not more, historical significance but receive much less attention for various reasons.
Nestled tightly between a housing estate and the Main Street of the North Ayrshire town of Kilwinning is the unexpected gem of Kilwinning Abbey.