Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Inn at Kippen MODERN SCOTTISH About a 15-minute drive west of
Stirling on the A811, Kippen is a typical country village in the rolling hills north of
Glasgow. The Inn at Kippen is a modernized version of the country tavern and small
hotel. The ground-floor pub and restaurant specializes in Scottish fare with contem-
porary twists. The three overnight rooms are £85 with breakfast.
Fore Rd., Kippen. &   01786/870-500. www.theinnatkippen.co.uk. Main courses £8-£16. AE, MC, V.
Daily noon-2:30pm and 6-9pm.
Mhor SCOTTISH Just up the highway from Creagan House is this outstand-
ing hotel/restaurant (formerly the Monachyle Mhor) serving lunch and dinner in an
18th-century farmhouse. The conservatory dining room is modern and so is the
cooking. Dinner is expensive (albeit worth it), though lunches are less costly. The
adjoining lodge has 11 units with their own bathrooms, starting at around £100,
which includes breakfast.
Off the A84, Balquhidder; turn right at Kingshouse Hotel, and drive 9.5km (6 miles). &   01877/384-
622. http://mhor.net. Fixed-price dinner £46. AE, MC, V. Mid-Feb to Dec daily noon-1:45pm and
7-8:45pm. Closed Jan to mid-Feb.
AYRSHIRE & “BURNS COUNTRY”
Ayrshire and southwest Scotland are probably best known as “Burns Country,” the
region where Scotland's favorite bard, Robert Burns, spent most of his short life from
1759 to 1796. But in addition to the historic sites connected with the famous poet,
the region is one of the best places to golf in all of Scotland, especially on its signa-
ture sandy links-style courses. Given its southwest exposure to the Gulf Stream
influences, this is among the most temperate regions in Scotland. In addition to
year-round golf, there is ample hiking and fishing, while the back roads are ideal for
road cycling.
The royal burgh of Ayr was once the most popular resort on Scotland's west coast.
On the reasonably picturesque Firth of Clyde, it's only some 56km (35 miles) south-
west of Glasgow or about an hour by train or by car. For many years it was a busy
market town—with a more important and indeed larger port than Glasgow's until the
18th century. Today, it offers visitors some 4km (2 1 2 miles) of beach, cruises, fishing,
and golf—as well as the top horse racing in Scotland.
Essentials
GETTING THERE
Trains from Glasgow's Central Station will whisk you to a variety of Ayrshire towns.
The trip to Ayr takes less than 1 hour, and a standard round-trip journey, which must
be made in the same day, costs about £13. Stagecoach Express runs buses about
twice an hour during the week from Glasgow's Buchanan Street bus terminal. Call
Traveline Scotland ( &   0871/200-2233 ) for specific journey times. By car, sim-
ply take the M77 south out of Glasgow, and it will take you straight to Ayr.
VISITOR INFORMATION
The Ayr Tourist Information Centre is at 22 Sandgate, Ayr ( &   01292/678-100;
www.ayrshire-arran.com). It's open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm.
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