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Destination South Ayrshire
Destination South Ayrshire
Destination South Ayrshire
Silhouettes characters and background of Ayr

Shadows of the Past...Ayr's Myths, Legends and History

Shadows of the Past…Ayr’s Myths, Legends and History is a self-led journey where you will experience Ayr and Alloway like never before! Listen to our audio trail to learn all about the wonderful and at times gruesome past of Ayr’s rich history and characters. Discover fascinating tales of heritage, macabre, and legend and explore the landscapes and myths that inspired Robert Burns.

Myths? Legends? or History? That’s for you to decide! 

Visitor information:

  • Family-friendly walking trail
  • Open all year
  • Free to participate
  • Can be enjoyed in any order, as one complete tour or in smaller sections
  • Please check the weather forecast before visiting, and wear suitable clothing and footwear if walking the trails
  • All map locations are on paved areas, and are obstacle free
  • Getting here by bus or by train

How does it work?

There are lots of different ways to enjoy the Shadows of the Past trail:

Trail Locations:

  1. Loudoun Hall: Mary Queen of Scots visit to the West Coast
  2. Loudoun Hall: The Folk Scene
  3. Loudoun Hall: The Burning
  4. Ayr Auld Brig: The Banishment Barrier
  5. Ayr Auld Brig: The Ashes of Witches
  6. Ayr Auld Brig: The Legend of the Lowe Sisters
  7. High Street: Maggie Osborne is a Witch
  8. Fish Cross: Muckle Nanny
  9. Newmarket Street: Uniforms from Turnbulls
  10. The Grain Exchange: Trade Through the Ages
  11. Ayr Auld Kirk: Grand Designs – Time Travel Special
  12. Ayr Auld Kirk: One Dark Night
  13. Ayr Auld Kirk: The Proposition
  14. Wallace Tower: A Woman’s Fateful Knight
  15. Tam o’ Shanter Inn: The Barman and the Tourist
  16. Burns Statue Square: Burns the Fermer
  17. Burns Statue Square: Burn the Lover
  18. Burns Statue Square: Burns the Exciseman
  19. Alloway Auld Kirk: The Muckle Cauldron
  20. Robert Burns Birthplace Museum: Burns Surprising Facts
  21. Burns Monument gardens: Burns WorldWide (The gardens are open 10am-4.30pm daily.)
  22. Brig o’ Doon: The Artist

Locations Map

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