Capture ancient castles; sink your toes into sparkling sands; and experience the tranquillity of island life – Ayrshire has no shortage of incredible experiences and the Salt Lodge Hotel in Troon is the perfect base to explore them all by car, boot, or bike. Whether you’re walking, cycling or sailing around Troon, we’ve picked a few of the epic adventures that await you on your next visit to the Salt Lodge. Get packing!

Seek out the summit of Goatfell

The highest point on our wee neighbour the Isle of Arran, Goatfell stands a mighty 2,866 feet (that’s 874 metres for our European friends) and offers spectacular views of the west coast – if you manage to get to the summit! Keep an eye out on your ascent and you might just spot buzzards and golden eagles soaring (not so) high above you.

Capture Culzean Castle

A trip to Culzean might be the closest you’ll ever come to exploring a fairy tale castle and its grounds. The sprawling, soaring cliff-top mansion is filled to the turrets with treasure but it’s the estate that’ll take your breath away – more than 260 hectares planted with conifers and beech, sculpted around miles of sandy coastline dotted with caves, and finished off with a Swan Pond, an ice Lodge, flamboyant formal gardens and fruit-filled glasshouses. It’s a wee wonderland perfect for walking or cycling when you pay a visit to Troon!

Pay tribute to Scotland’s Bard at his birthplace

Robert Burns is Scotland’s National Bard, and his poetry and songs are loved the world over. Whether it’s learning about a wee, sleekit, cowerin’, timerous beastie at school; slurring Auld Lang Syne at Hogmanay; or draining a dram as someone addresses a stuffed sheep’s stomach, chances are you’ve heard at least some of the great man’s work. Discover his genius in the beautiful village of Alloway, see the world’s most important collection of Burns artefacts and works in the interactive museum, and visit the humble cottage where he was born and raised.

Explore the exhibits of The Dick Institute

In no other museum in the world can you meet Brian the lion and Samantha the dinosaur; gaze upon a 400-million-year-old scorpion fossil; and explore major exhibitions from the likes of Quentin Blake. Opened in 1901, The Dick Institute is the largest museum and gallery spaces in Ayrshire and is widely known as one of Scotland’s best museums. Pay it a visit and see why – and be sure to tell Brian we said hello!

Other adventures

Looking for more adventures to undertake on your next trip to Ayrshire? Check out our guides to the incredible golf courses and fantastic food and drink on the doorstep of the Salt Lodge Hotel in Troon!