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Local Attractions Blairquhan Castle, Straiton A beautiful Regency castle, home to the Hunter Blair family
and used as a location in the film The Queen starring Helen Mirren. Limited opening times: Sunday and Monday from
mid June until the end of August and for special events at other times of the year. Click here to visit the Blairquhan website Culzean Castle & Country Park, by Maybole Designed by Robert Adam and in the care of
the National Trust for Scotland this is one of Scotland's most visited castles. During the Summer Season, the
Castle, gardens, Visitor Centre, shops and restaurants are open daily from early April to the end of October (inclusive) each
year.
During the Winter the Visitor Centre Shops and Restaurant are open each Saturday and Sunday (with the exception of the Christmas and New Year period) from 11am until 4pm. There are special events such as Christmas at Culzean when the castle is open - follow the link below to visit the website to find out if there are any events planned during your stay with us. Click here to visit the Culzean Castle website Burns National Heritage Park Situated in Alloway approximately 12 miles away and now under ownership
of the National Trust for Scotland. Building is currently underway of a new museum - Robert Burns Birthplace Museum - which
will house the most important Burns collection in the world. There is an excellent audio visual presentation of Burns'
famous poem in the Tam O' Shanter Experience, you can visit the thatched Burns Cottage, the Auld Kirk and Brig o'Doon.
Click here to visit The Burns National Heritage Park website Ayr Racecourse Enjoy an afternoon or evening at the races. The Racecourse is only 15 miles
from Straiton and home to the Scottish Grand National in April and Ayr Gold Cup on 16th, 17th and 18th September 2010. Throughout
the rest of the year there are races roughly every fortnight. A calendar of race meetings is in the cottage. |
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Heads of Ayr Farm Park There are over 50 different types of animals that children and adults can meet, touch and feed. Other activities include: indoor and outdoor play areas, an aerial runway, thrilling ringo sledging, tunnel land and the combine castle. Open from Easter
to October, 7 days a week, 10am - 5pm Click here to visit Heads of Ayr Farm Park website Dumfries House Open Season is 1 April - 27 September 11am -4pm (closed on Tuesday and Wednesday) Guided Tours of the house will be available each Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday every half hour
commencing at 11am until 3pm You can pre-book your tour online or by telephoning our Ticket Booking Line 01290
551111. Alternatively, if you are not able to pre-book your Guided Tour, this year from Thursday 1st April you can call us
direct on 01290 425959 to check availability on that day and book your tickets before making your journey. Admission
prices for 2010
Click here to visit Dumfries House website Loch Doon A beautiful place to go for a walk, have a picnic, do some fishing, explore the castle
or relax and read a book. It is about 12 miles from Straiton and you can return via the Forest Road for a circular trip. |
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The Black Bull 01655 770240 Just a short srtoll away is the Black Bull which has
great food. It's open every evening and lunchtimes at the weekend. The Buck Coffee
and Crafts Ideal for a light lunch, the Buck has a tasty selection of soups, toasties, sandwiches and scrumptious
cakes. Wildings Restaurant 01655 331401 Located
in the coastal village of Maidens Wildings has lovely views out to sea and across to Arran. It has an excellent menu where
diners can sample fresh fish, seafood and expertly cooked meat dishes alongside modern variations of traditional Scottish
and countryside recipes, accompanied by an excellent wine cellar and malt whiskies. The restaurant features a comfortable
relaxed ambience with modern decor. Currently a 2 course lunch is £12, 3 courses £15. Dinner
is £19 for 2 courses and £23 for 3 courses.
Click here to visit Wildings website House O Hill Hotel 01671 840243 Enjoy a drive down the Newton Stewart
Hill Road, across the heather-clad moorland to House O Hill for a great meal. A sample menu is in the cottage and the new
owners endeavour to source the best of local produce. The hotel is close to Glen Trool which is a great place for a day out
and to work up an appetite: the path up the Merrick (the highest mountain in the Southern Uplands) starts by Loch Trool, there
is a good walk around the Loch itself and Bruce's Stone is located here.Souter Johnnie's, Kirkoswald 01655 760653 The menu is traditionally
Scottish and realistically priced. The bar area serves pub snacks with a great variety of beers and drinks. Live music with
local musicians is greatly appreciated and creates a lively and cosy atmosphere. Along the road is Souter Johnnie’s
cottage which is open May to October and contains artefacts and manuscripts of Burns and is worth a visit after you have enjoyed
a delightful lunch! |