Start your visit to Girvan off right with a visit to our volunteer-run Tourist Information Point and Craft Shop which is situated in the Town House, 25 Knockcuchan Street (opposite RNLI)

The Tourist Information is open from 29th March 2024 until 29th September 2024 between 11am – 3pm

Outdoor Swimming for Wellbeing
STA qualified coach
Swim Guide
Loch, River & Sea
SW Scotland

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Orchard Gardens is a beautiful quiet space in Girvan, bursting with colourful blooms in the summer. A pond covered with lilypads and plenty of seating makes for a lovely little hideaway in the town.

The entrance is located on The Avenue.

Family entertainment and gaming centre in Girvan.

Dogs welcome
Fun for all the family

The Biking Explorers offer a range of professionally guided bike tours for all abilities. Whether you are just starting on a bike or a veteran cyclist looking to explore the Girvan area as part of a cycling holiday, The Biking Explorers can help make that biking adventure a reality. Tours can be adapted for family-friendly easy cycle routes, full-blown all-day epics out in the wilderness or bikepacking adventures in the biosphere.

South Ayrshire is well-known for its stunning golf courses, and Girvan Golf Course is included in that illustrious list. Designed by James Braid, Girvan Golf Course is a popular links and parkland course with stunning views to Ailsa Craig and Arran over the water. It’s just over 5,000 yards which leaves you plenty of time to visit Girvan town afterwards. For more information, visit: www.girvangolf.com.

Are you looking for somewhere to go fishing in Girvan, South Ayrshire, Scotland? The River Girvan Angling Club offers salmon and wild trout fishing on approx. 1 mile of the river Girvan and rainbow trout fishing at the stocked Glendrissaig Reservoir near the town. You can become a member, or buy a day ticket. More information is available at https://www.facebook.com/p/River-Girvan-Angling-Club-100065238633105/

Located near the promenade a Girvan Beach, Biosphere Bikes is a not-for-proft social enterprise working with local groups to bring accessible and inclusive cycling activities to Girvan and surrounding communities. Visitors can explore and appreciate the hidden places across South Carrick that are less accessible by car and enjoy the beautiful landscapes, local culture, and wonderful heritage whilst reducing environmental impact by using a bike instead of a car. Biosphere Bikes also has beach wheelchairs, ensuring the beach is accessible to all. Find them at: www.biospherebikes.com

Knockcushan Gardens and Aviary is a quiet oasis hidden behind The Town House on Knockcushan Street. Full of colourful seasonal blooms, there are plenty of benches to sit on and enjoy the tranquility.

A memorial pillar marks the historic hillock of Knockushion or ‘The Hill of Justice’, the seat of the High Courts of the ancient jurisdiction of Carrick. King Robert the Bruce, Earl of Carrick, even held court here.

Stumpy Jail, was built in 1827. It has survived 2 World Wars and is still standing as a tribute to the craftsmanship of its Victorian Builders and racing on to its 200th Birthday and is still at the centre and heart of Girvan’s Community. Inside, there are 4 floors of exhibits for the public to view free of charge, but unfortunately there are no lifts within the tower and the original stone stairs are steep and old. Special visits for groups of tourists, community groups, and schools for educational tours can be made by special arrangement and at no cost. Stumpy Jail is looked after by the Girvan & District Attractions Committee.

Girvan Harbour has, for centuries, been a thriving fishing port, and our modern harbour represents much of that original charm. There are 35 modern berths for a range of vessels and the facilities and services have recently been enhanced and developed to a high standard, establishing a vibrant, sustainable and welcoming harbour for commerce, leisure and the wider community of Girvan, South Carrick and South Ayrshire.

Girvan Youth Trust operate the Boating Pond during the summer season from June until August, including the September Holiday weekend. You can find out more about the Boating Pond by contacting the Youth Trust.

The Quay Zone is situated at Girvan’s Harbour, overlooking the sea. You can enjoy the pool, gym or studio, or pop into the Cafe and Play Zone for a little rest! You can find out more information by visiting their website.  Unfortunately, due to storm damage, the Quay Zone is closed until further notice.

Girvan is the gateway to the world-famous Ailsa Craig! The history of this volcanic rock which is also a bird sanctuary stretches back centuries, and includes acting as a refuge for persecuted Roman Catholics during the Reformation in the 16th and 17th centuries, being a smugglers’ paradise with the perfect hiding spots for contraband, and a long history of quarrying. The granite from Ailsa Craig is used in olympic-class curling stones today, and is only allowed to be harvested and manufactured by Kays of Scotland in Mauchline, Ayrshire.
Why not take a tour with the MVF Glorious and see the island up close? Visit their website for more details and booking information.

One of Ayrshire’s main beaches, the sandy Girvan beach offers traditional seaside activities such as amusements and a boating lake. The beach is conveniently located nearby Girvan’s amenities with its shops, cafes and a children’s play area.
Sit on the shore and admire the wonderful views towards Ailsa Craig, the Isle of Arran and the Mull of Kintyre. Watch the boats using the harbour, and you may even spot a visiting seal.

The McKechnie Institute opened in 1889 thanks to the bequest of local businessman Thomas McKechnie. Its architectural style is Scottish Baronial with some Renaissance detailing.
The McKechnie Institute remains a popular community venue to this day, showing exhibitions of items from the McKechnie and wider South Ayrshire collections, plus a variety of local themed and incoming exhibitions. Also, the McKechnie is the venue for many local group meetings, Councillor surgeries, art classes and much more.