Ayr Racecourse

MEDIA RACEDAY - WEDNESDAY 21ST MAY TO BOOK NOW, please call us on 0870 850 5666. The Flat season starts at Ayr on Wednesday May 21 with the Media Raceday. The seven race card will see a return to Ayr of jockeys like Paul Hanagan, Greg Fairley, Joe Fanning and Royston Ffrench all regulars over the summer months. For more information about other meetings or to book tickets in advance, visit the website www.ayr-racecourse.co.uk.

Burn' an' a' That Festival 2008

Saturday 17th - Sunday 25th May, the Burns Festival 2008 is set to showcase the best of Scottish Talent and bring the biggest international acts to Ayrshire, the birthplace of Robert Burns. This year's line up includes: STATUS QUO, FROM THE JAM, EDDIE READER, AMY MACDONALD, RED HOT CHILLI PIPERS, FRED MACAULAY, KAREN MATHESON, ALISON MCNEILL, EMILY SMITH, GABERLUNZIE, ESTHER O'CONNOR, KIN and OLD BLIND DOGS. Website burns.visitscotland.com/festival.

Dundonald Music Festival 2008

30th of May - 1st of June, Dundonald Music Festival 2008 a small Ayrshire village with historic attractions and immersed in great music. Appearing artists Dick Gaughan, MAK, Tickle Your Fancy from Dublin, Kin Legacy, Dave Leonard and the Secret Squirrel, Paul McKenna Band. Website www.dundonaldmusicfest.org.uk.

Burns Cottage & Museum

The Burns Museum (Scotland's most famous poet Robert Burns birth place in Alloway) is open from 09.30 - 17.30 April - October and 10.00 - 17.00 November - March. Admission charges are about - adults £3 / children £1.50. For more information, visit the website www.burnsheritagepark.com/.

Tam O Shanter Experience

The Tam O Shanter Experience in Alloway has a large car park, licensed restaurant, gift shop and laser disc technology and theatrical affects that bring Burns best loved tale of Tam O Shanter to life. Opening times 09.30 - 17.30 April - October and 10.00 - 17.00 November - March. An admission charge to the theatre is about £1.50 adults / 75p children. A one-pound token can be purchased from the centre to allow access to the gardens containing the Burns Monument. For more information, visit the website www.burnsheritagepark.com/.

Heads of Ayr Farm Park

The Heads of Ayr Farm Park is situated about two miles south of Ayr off the A719 coastal road. The park has over 50 animals and numerous play areas. There are pony rides, quad bikes and miniature quad bikes for younger kids. Prices for the park are around £3.90 per adult and £3.50 per child. For more information visit the parks website at www.headsofayrpark.co.uk or phone 01292 441 210.

Waverley Paddle Steamer

The Waverley paddle steamer steams out of Ayr, Girvan and Largs to the islands of Ailsa Craig, Cumbrae, Bute and Arran from May until August. View the website for timetables of the Waverley at www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk. Bookings by phone can be made by calling 0845 130 4647.

Loudoun Castle Theme Park

Loudoun Castle Family Theme Park opens 3rd April and runs to 29th September. The park is open every day from 10.00 - 17.00 from 19th May - 31st August and at weekends thereafter. For more information on the park, concession and family prices, visit the website at www.loudouncastle.co.uk. Loudoun Castle is situated 5 miles northeast of Kilmarnock next to the town of Galston.

Ayrshire Arts & Crafts Fair

The Ayrshire Arts & Crafts Fair is held 1 day each month either at Troon Walker Hall or Troon Concert Hall. Items that can be found at the fair include Jewelry, Handbags, Photography, Paintings, Teddy Bears, Wood Turning, Quilting, Greeting Cards, Stained Glass, Pottery, Candles, Soaps and much more. Website www.ayrshirecraftfair.co.uk.

Suggestions for days out view: Ayrshire's Main Attractions

Cinema, Concert & Theatre Links

Below are links to sites that list Films, Theatrical events and Concerts currently running in Ayrshire or will be on show in the following months.

Odeon Cinema Ayr: three screens with a wide variety of films for all ages.

Gaiety Theatre Ayr: one large stage hosting a wide range of theatrical events.

Odeon Cinema Kilmarnock: three screens with a wide range of films for all ages.

Palace Theatre Kilmarnock: one large stage hosting a wide range of theatrical events.

Magnum Leisure Centre Irvine: one large stage hosting a wide range of rock and pop concerts.

Vikingar Leisure Centre & Theatre Largs: one smallish theatre plus a cinema showing the Viking invasion of Largs.

For a substantial list of events throughout 2007, visit the websites:
www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/news/events.

www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/comser/events/listing2.asp.