Culzean Castle. Sitting high on a cliff above the Firth of Clyde, Robert Adam’s Culzean Castle is a beautiful example of 18th century architecture. A special room is dedicated to General Dwight D. Eisenhower who stayed here during World War II.

Burns Heritage Park. See Robert Burns’ cottage, museum and monument.

Electric Brae. Twenty miles south of Ayr on the A7, this is an optical illusion giving one the feeling that the car is backing uphill when it is really going downhill.

Crossraguel Abbey.On the A77 near Turnberry, this is a Cluniac monastery built in 1244 by the Earl of Carrick. Destroyed in the 16th century, there are extensive remains.

Glenluce Abbey. North of Glenluce, these are the remains of a Cistercian abbey founded in 1190 by Roland, Earl of Galloway. The remains occupy a site of great natural beauty. It was visited by Robert the Bruce and James IV.