A Day Trip to Ayr
There is something special about stepping onto a ferry in Belfast and finding yourself in Scotland just a few hours later. On this trip, we crossed the Irish Sea aboard the Stena Line service from Belfast to Cairnryan, setting off for a day exploring Ayrshire.
The weather had other ideas. Rain followed us for much of the day, drifting in and out as we travelled through the countryside. Rather than spoiling the experience, it seemed to suit it. The landscapes felt more dramatic, the coast more striking and the cafés and community spaces even more welcoming.
After arriving, we headed to Glenapp Castle to visit friends and spend some time on the estate. While there, we watched one of the hotel’s falconry experiences, seeing birds of prey in action despite the damp conditions. Before leaving, there was time for a hot chocolate that has become something of a highlight in its own right. Rich, warming and expertly made, it was exactly what the weather called for.
From Glenapp, we continued onwards to Ayr and the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway. This year marks 230 years since the death of Scotland’s national bard, Robert Burns, making it an especially fitting time to explore the places most closely associated with his life. More than a museum visit, it was a chance to better understand the writer whose words continue to shape Scottish culture more than two centuries later.
Later, we headed for the coast, taking a walk along the beach beneath Greenan Castle. Low clouds hung over the shoreline and rain swept across the sea, creating a dramatic backdrop for the castle ruins. Even on a wet day, it was one of the most memorable moments of the trip.
One of the most unexpected discoveries came in Ayr town centre. On a quiet stretch of Newmarket Street, we found a collection of community and creative spaces that offered a different side of the town. There was Narture, a social enterprise bringing together food, creativity and community, alongside The Place, home to the Rainbow Project hub, and Folia. Together they have helped create a welcoming environment where artists, makers, local organisations and residents come together. On a rainy afternoon, these spaces felt especially valuable, offering warmth, conversation and a real sense of belonging.
As the afternoon gave way to evening, there was just enough time for one final wander through Ayr before making our way back to Cairnryan for the 7.30pm ferry home. Watching Scotland fade into the distance, it was hard not to reflect on how much the day had packed in. A castle estate, falconry, Scotland’s national bard, a coastal walk and a thriving creative community, all comfortably reached in a single day from Belfast.
Stenaline run day trips to Ayr by ferry and coach throughout the summer season. Go and explore the town and enjoy some beach time and most importantly, relax.
