Summer is when Girvan is fullest and at its most obviously charming. Daylight lasts until after 10pm in June, the boats run to Ailsa Craig on almost every calm day, the boating pond and putting green are open, Biosphere Bikes is on the prom at weekends, and there is something on most weekends.
The summer calendar
- Early May bank holiday: the Girvan Folk Festival — the biggest weekend of the year, and the one that fills the town.
- Early June: Tattie Fest in the Community Garden, celebrating the Ayrshire Epicure potato, and the Carrick Lowland Gathering in Victory Park — Highland games, pipe bands and stalls, on a Sunday early in the month.
- Late June: Civic Week — a week of community events from the pet show to the Summer Cup football.
- July: the RNLI Harbour Gala — lifeboat displays, stalls and a fun fair at the harbour. The best family day of the year.
- July and August: the Waverley calls at Girvan on a handful of dates, including cruises round Ailsa Craig.
- August: the Ayrshire Coastal Path guided walk programme.
Dates change every year — check events before planning around any of them.
What to book, and when
Ailsa Craig boat trips and accommodation for July and August should be booked early; the folk festival weekend in May needs booking months ahead. Restaurant tables at Wildings and Austins go quickly at weekends.
Summer tips
- The prom and beach face west, so shade is scarce after midday. Bring your own — there is very little natural shelter.
- Low tide in the early evening gives the widest beach and the best light, with the sun going down behind the Craig. Search 'Girvan tide times'.
- Midges are far less of a problem on this breezy coast than in the Highlands, but they exist in the forest at dusk — take repellent if you are going inland for stargazing, though midsummer is the worst time for that anyway since it never gets properly dark.
- Sea temperatures peak in late August, not July — if swimming is the point, come later than you would think.
- Kitchens still stop early, even in August. See dinner.
For the other end of the year, see Girvan in winter.
