This was my third visit to Ayr. This is a favourite site of mine, perhaps my most favourite. For me, in a motorhome, my ideal site location is to be close to a town, or at least some civilisation in the form of shops, coffee shops and the like; to have a train station to go further afield – and/or buses too, perhaps; it helps if there is good cycling, preferably flat and it should have places of historic, scenic or other interest to visit. This site has all of those and the crowning glory for me is that the local people are so affable and friendly and will always chat if you are so inclined. And it’s by the sea – always a positive.
I very much like the site itself, albeit that everyone knows it is a little tired. It will benefit from some expenditure, and I gather a very significant amount has been earmarked, but, in the meantime, the site is perfectly acceptable and very far from the impression of a decaying shambles that some reviews may have left the reader with. The club need a new lease long enough to justify the investment proposed and I, at least, earnestly hope they secure it. For me it will be a great misfortune if this place had to close, and a loss to Ayr that needs the visitors it brings.
We all see things differently, but I am bemused, even upset, by some of the misleading comments about the site’s location and about the town of Ayr. The site is located by Ayrshire College and the University of the West of Scotland. If anything, this helps to make the surroundings more pleasant. It is not odd. The site is close to a large housing estate, but this is beyond the site – you don’t have to sully your outfit by driving through it – and it impinges not one jot on the site itself. I happily cycled through it more than once. I saw no issues; I wasn’t mugged, there are no tenements, I saw no fights or drunks or people exchanging drugs. I don’t say that never happens, like in any other town, city or estate, but this kind of stereotyping is so unfortunate. I promise potential visitors it should not put you off. It is not an issue, not even remotely.
As for Ayr itself: yes, it needs some investment. Parts are rundown, like many other seaside towns all over the UK. Money is short, the burden on taxpayers and rate payers is already great. If you’re used to affluent rural England or well-to-do towns in prosperous regions, Ayr might be a bit of a culture shock; but it is not a ruin. It has many of the quality High Street shops that other towns have lost. It has some lovely parts to explore. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Moreover, as a base, for visiting elsewhere, whether by bicycle or car or public transport it has lots and lots to offer. And the local people are an absolute delight.
Mick and Christine’s welcome was warm and efficient. Mick is very much the life and soul, and I was glad to get to know him. Together, indeed all four wardens, I am sure, although I did not meet the other couple, made this visit almost perfect.
