Ayr was established as a Royal Burgh in 1205, serving as Ayrshire's central marketplace and harbour throughout the Medieval Period. In 1652, the town was used as a base and fortress for some of Oliver Cromwell's men. The Tam O' Shanter Inn is celebrated as the place where Robert Burns famous fictional hero Tam o’ Shanter and his drouthy cronies met prior to Tam’s famous ride from the witches. The poem describes Tam’s homeward journey, after a long evening at the Inn, and the terrible visions he witnesses. Riding his grey mare, Meg, Tam comes across a coven of witches, warlocks and the Devil himself at the ruined church of Kirk Alloway. Knowing that witches can’t cross water, he heads for the Brig o’ Doon. Unfortunately, though Tam does escape, one of the witches grabs Meg’s tail and pulls it off, and Burns ends his tale with this warning for drinkers. Ayr Racecourse is a well known racecourse in Scotland and hosts both National Hunt and flat racing. It has the largest capacity in Scotland for horse racing, During the 19th and 20th Centuries, Ayr became a popular holiday resort. This was due to its fine sandy beach and the construction of the rail link to Glasgow which was completed in 1840. Of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to visit one day All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
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