Girvan's sights cluster in a small area between Dalrymple Street and the sea, which means you can see all of them on foot in a morning without moving the car. Almost all of it is free.
The walking order
Start at the McKechnie Institute on Dalrymple Street — the free museum and gallery, with the Ailsa Craig exhibition and the fossils. Cross to Stumpy Tower, the 1827 jail, and climb its four floors if it is open.
Walk down through Knockcushan Gardens — the aviary, and the mound where Robert the Bruce is said to have granted the town its charter in 1328 — to the harbour for the boats and the fish quay.
Then along the promenade past the boating pond and play park to Ainslie Park, with the beach alongside and Ailsa Craig on the horizon the whole way.
That is the town, in about two hours at a stroll.
Doing it properly
The town heritage trail covers the same ground with the stories attached — pick up the free leaflet from the Tourist Information Point on Dalrymple Street first, because the waymarkers show you where things are but the leaflet tells you why they matter.
For a view over the lot, Byne Hill climbs from Ainslie Park at the end of the prom — about ninety minutes return, and the best free view in Carrick.
For what is beyond the town, see attractions near Girvan and places near Girvan.
