Top Ayr Culture in 2026

On this self-guided walking tour, you'll scrape back the layers to reveal this once-fortified Scottish town's underbelly. Experience the magic of GPS playback on this immersive stroll through historical Ayr. Hear from Kris, a resident of Ayr since birth, and trace the history of Ayr from a fortress 800 years ago to a county town, royal burgh, garrison, and the administrative centre of Scotland today. The Ayr you see today is a bustling shopping centre, but if you scrape back just a few layers, you'll discover reminders of years gone by. On this walking tour, you'll travel back in time to explore some of the town's amazing architecture and murky underbelly. Along the way, you'll hear stories about the town's past and the people that shaped it. You'll learn about the ingenious method devised to thwart body snatchers in the 1800s and the betrayal and torture of Cornelius Anderson. There's much more than meets the eye on these quaint streets, so get stuck and see what you can find!