Ayrshire is a region in southwest Scotland and is home to approximately 375,000 people – that's 7% of Scotland's population. It's easy to get to by land, sea and air, and Glasgow is just a short commute away.

There are 29 secondary schools and five colleges of further and higher education in Ayrshire, with many more close by in Central Scotland. Ayrshire's local economy is dominated by aerospace, engineering, food, life sciences and call centres.

Ayr is the largest town in the south of the region. It's a popular seaside resort with long, sandy beaches, three golf courses and Scotland's leading racecourse. The main town in the north of Ayrshire is Irvine, home to an award-winning harbour development and major manufacturing and electronics companies.

Ayr is the largest town in the south of the region. It's a popular seaside resort with long, sandy beaches, three golf courses and Scotland's leading racecourse. The main town in the north of Ayrshire is Irvine, home to an award-winning harbour development and major manufacturing and electronics companies.

With more than 80 miles of beautiful coastline, Ayrshire offers some of the best watersports facilities in Scotland, including many harbours, ports and moorings, the National Sailing Academy and three fantastic marinas.

It's not all watersports in Ayrshire, however. The region is also known as 'the golf coast'. The first Open was played in Ayrshire in 1860 and it has many links, healthland and parkland courses, including world-famous championship courses such as Royal Troon, Turnberry and Old Prestwick.

And finally, go to the town of Ardrossan to catch the regular ferry to the beautiful Isle of Arran or visit Largs which is further up the coast and was voted Scotland's top tourism town.

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