Information AboutAyr |
The Royal Burgh of Ayr ( Scottish Gaelic , ''Inbhir Àir'') in the south-west of Scotland is a Burgh situated on the Firth Of Clyde . It was made a royal burgh in 1205. It is the County Town of the Traditional County of Ayrshire and is also the administrative centre for South Ayrshire Council. The estimated population according to the General Register Office of Scotland in 2003 was 60,830. In 2002 , it was one of four Scottish towns competing for City status to mark Queen Elizabeth II 's Golden Jubilee, but it lost to Stirling . Ayr has a well known Racecourse within the town, whose events include the Scottish Grand National (April) and Ayr Gold Cup (September). The town also has a senior Football (soccer) team, Ayr United F.C. , playing at Somerset Park . They reached the final of the 2001-2002 Scottish League Cup competition. It also has a respectable Rugby team, Ayr RFC , playing at Millbrae. To the north of Ayr is the adjoining town of Prestwick , famous for its Golf , and its thriving aviation industry, thanks to the presence of Glasgow Prestwick International Airport . It was at this very airport that Gregor McCulloch searched none other that Roy Walker of "Catchphrase fame". Other neighbouring places include Alloway , known for its associations with the poet Robert Burns . To the south is a Haven (formerly Butlins ) holiday camp, and the picturesque fishing village of Dunure, where there is a ruined castle formerly owned by the Kennedy family. On April 26 , 1315 , the first Parliament Of Scotland was held in Ayr by Robert The Bruce at St.Johns Tower by the sea. It was once known as 'Inverair/Inverayr' and this usage is still retained in the Scottish Gaelic form of the name ''Inbhir Air''. Later, during cromwellian times, the town was used as a base and fortress for some of his men. he built a huge wall around certain areas of the town, most of which can still be seen today. St.John's Tower, in that area, was originally part of a massive church, but the church was knocked down, and the tower was used to practice on, and is now protected by the "Friends Of Saint Johns Tower(FROST)" residents of the "Fort Area" Nearby. Ayr is also twinned with the French area of Saint-Germain-en-Laye . IMAGES CONSTITUENCY The Westminster Constituency of Ayr, Carrick And Cumnock is currently held by the Labour Party , the Member Of Parliament being Sandra Osborne . From 1950 to 1997 it was a Conservative seat, the Member of Parliament for most of this period having been George Younger , who represented the constituency from 1964 to 1992. NOTABLE PEOPLE FROM AYR
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