IT'S the final day of our summer fun round-up - and it's time to be beside the seaside ... EMMA CAMERON heads to the coast to find out what's on offer this summer
IT'S the final day of our summer fun round-up - and it's time to be beside the seaside ... EMMA CAMERON heads to the coast to find out what's on offer this summer
AYRAN easy 10-minute walk from the town centre and railway station is Ayr beach - sandy with shallow waters, it's great for kids.
The surrounding areas are fantastic even without the sunshine, with a modern play-park with a wide range of activities including a climbing castle for kids all the way from toddlers to teens. Outside the playpark is an extensive area for ball games and a popular mini-golf course.
Ayr is also home to plenty of wet-weather options:
The Heads of Ayr Farm Park (01292 441210) With indoor and outdoor play areas, an aerial runway, ringo sledging slope, tunnel land and a combine castle, as well as exotic wildlife and delicious snack bar, it's easy to completely lose track of time at this farm attraction.
Open seven days a week 10-5pm, Heads of Ayr Farm Park is right at the Alloway turn-off on the M77 beyond Ayr.
Culzean Castle and Country Park (www.culzeanexperience.org)
A short journey from Ayr lies Culzean Castle and Country Park, often described as the jewel in the crown' of The National Trust of Scotland's properties. Built on a cliff top, the castle has recently been restored and offers beautiful gardens, period furnishings, an adventure playground, and a deer park.
Open daily during, and easily accessible by car on the M77, Stagecoach bus number 60/360 from Ayr goes directly to the park or there are train routes to Maybole station, where you can take the Stagecoach bus straight to the castle.
Robert Burns National Heritage Park (www.burnsheritagepark.com 01292 443 700)
THIS attraction is right at the heart of the delightful Alloway village, a stone's throw from Ayr.
A trip to see the thatched cottage where the world-renowned poet was born is a must. On exiting the museum, it is worth following the Burns Heritage Trail to the Tam O'Shanter experience where you can relax in the tea garden with a strawberry tart while the kids take advantage of the playpark.
The park's Family Fun Day, from 12-5pm on Sunday July 19, means everyone can enjoy a range of activities including shows, a BBQ, face painting, bouncy castle and much more. What's more, it's free.
LARGS
Largs, apart from Nardini's, the prom and the pier, is home to two golf courses, a putting green, bowling green, play parks, a swimming pool, football parks and a great ten pin bowling alley. It also has the Inverclyde National Sports Training centre, which offers sail training centres all around coast of the Firth of Clyde.
With a stony beach area lined by palm trees and a warmer climate thanks to the Gulf Stream, who needs to go abroad.
The surrounding areas also have a lot on offer to suit all tastes including:
Vikingar (01475 689777) This attraction depicts Viking life in Scotland. The Largs Viking Festival takes place every August/September with various events such as tribute bands, parades, sports competitions and a closing fireworks ceremony. Vikingar is open daily 10.30-5.30, adults £3.75, children £2.85 and families £10.50.
Model Boats
Come along and see the Largs Model Boat Club sail their boats every Sunday (weather permitting) at Aubery Pond between 1 and 4pm. Free.
Kelburn Castle & Country Park (01475 568 685 or visit www.kelburnestate.com)
The castle, which dates back to the 13th century, is open to the public in July and August and provides a very impressive background to exotic gardens and many features of historical interest. Kelburn Glen, with its waterfalls and deep gorges, is regarded as one of Scotland's most beautiful woodlands.
There are activities in the Country Park, including an adventure course, pet's corner, indoor playbarn and secret forest. Kids also may be interested in Kelburn's Save the Planet Week from July 12-18.
Kelburn is easy to find. Buses run regularly from Glasgow and Ayr, stopping right at the park's entrance. By car follow the A78 south out of Largs and the castle is just two miles down the road.
TROON
With a vast stretch of sand, view of the The Sleeping Warrior on Arran and enough ice-cream stalls to satisfy even the sweetest tooth, Troon remains a popular spot. On the beach, windsurfers and kite fight to catch the thermals, while nearby, excellent restaurants and chip shops (particularly award-winning chippy, The Wee Hurry, are definitely worth a try.
Prestwick is just a short drive from Troon, and boasts Ayrshire's premier softplay venue, Kid'z Play (01292 475 215).
Situated just minutes from the train station at the beach, it offers hours of softplay and indoor fun for youngsters and is an ideal venue for children's birthday parties.
Open 9.30-7pm seven days a week, costs from £3.50-£4.30.
CUMBRAE
Just over an hour from Glasgow, you can forget your worries and relax with a stroll along Millport beach; enjoy an ice cream on the prom; watch the bird and sea life or marvel at the stunning sunset over Arran.
Greater Cumbrae is Scotland's most accessible island, just a 10-minute ferry crossing from Largs with sailings every 15 minutes in the summer. Add in regular train and bus services from Glasgow and it's very easy to get to.
You can hire a bike - or even a tandem - in Millport and cycle around the island's eight-mile coastline in a couple of hours.
For those interested in history, the island's standing stones provide a link back to the earliest inhabitants of the island.
Other attractions include the Cathedral of the Isles, reputed to be the smallest cathedral in the UK, if not Europe. A visit is highly recommended and the attached accommodation building offers B&B throughout the year. The cathedral also hosts a range of musical events over the summer months.
There are loads of things for kids to get involved in on the island. If the weather is good there is nothing better to do than exploring the rock pools. If it's raining, a trip to the aquarium or museum will keep the little ones happy and dry. Alternatively, you could sign them up for a professionally run sailing courses at Scotland's National Sailing School (01475 530 757) on the island.
BUTE
The beautiful Isle of Bute is only 30 miles from Glasgow and offers all the attractions of a traditional seaside holiday without the tiresome travel arrangements of destinations further afield.
Mount Stuart House and Gardens (www.mountstuart.com), the historic home of Lord Bute, is a major highlight of the island while the annual Bute Highland Games take place in the main town of Rothesay on August 22. The games are a great family day out with Highland dancing, pipe bands, children's entertainment and beer and food tents.
The island is served by two Caledonian MacBrayne ferry links, the main link being from Wemyss Bay (crossing takes 35mins) and is easily accessible by train from Glasgow's Central Station.
HEADING for the beach? Here are our top five best buys for sand, sea and fun in the sun...SUN CREAMDon't be daft - be sun smart!
Stay out of the sun between noon and 3pm; wear a hat, sunglasses and a T-shirt; and cover yourself in a high factor suncream like Green People's Edelweiss Sun Lotion (£15.65 for 200ml).
Available from The NutriCentre (www.nutricentre.com, 0845 602 6744)
BEACH BAGYou need to carry everything - so it might as well all be in this cheerful Oh! I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside Bag. £12.99 from The Contemporary Home (www.tch.net, 02392 469400) BEACH TOWELSoak up the sun on a beautiful beach towel, like this colourful one. £12, from Next (0844 844 8000 www.next.co.uk) BEACH CLOGSLittle black sannies are out - big, bold beach clogs are in! Perfect for stomping in the sand and paddling in the sea, Matalan has a range starting at a top-value £3. (www.matalanonline.co.uk, 0845 330 3330) UV BEACH TENTA pop-up tent, with 50 plus UV protection, air vents and its own carry case - ideal for shading small children from the sun or grabbing a few Zs yourself. It costs £20 from the Early Learning Centre (08453 304030, www.elc.co.uk)
