Girvan is within ninety minutes of an astonishing variety of places — two of Scotland's finest castles, the biggest dark sky park in Europe, a sub-tropical garden, an island with a mountain on it, and the poet's birthplace. The trick is to combine them sensibly rather than dash between them.
Each plan below is a realistic day, starting and ending in Girvan, with drive times from the harbour and a wet-weather alternative. They are deliberately unhurried: this is a part of Scotland where the driving is half the pleasure, and where trying to fit in one more thing usually spoils the last one.
Which day to pick
| If you have | Pick |
|---|---|
| Children in the car | The Carrick castle coast — castles, beaches and a farm park |
| A wet forecast | Burns country and Ayr — museums, a cinema and galleries |
| One fine day only | The Galloway forest loop, for the biggest scenery |
| An early start and stamina | Stranraer and the Rhins, ending at Scotland's southern tip |
| Half a day | The wild coast south to Ballantrae |
| No car | Train to Ayr, or south to Stranraer |
Before you set off
Almost everything on these routes is seasonal to some degree. Castle interiors, gardens, lighthouses and forest drives generally run from around Easter to late October, and several close entirely from November. Village pubs and cafés in the inland glens keep short and changeable hours. Check the individual pages, and phone ahead if a particular lunch is the point of the day.
Fuel is worth a thought too: there is none between Barr and Glentrool, none on the Nick of the Balloch, and none between Cairnryan and Stranraer. Fill up in Girvan.
