South Ayrshire

South Ayrshire was created in 1996 under the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994, which replaced Scotland's previous local government structure of upper-tier regions and lower-tier districts with unitary council areas providing all local government services. South Ayrshire covered the same area as the abolished Kyle and Carrick district, and also took over the functions of the abolished Strathclyde Regional Council within the area.[2] The area's name references its location within the historic county of Ayrshire, which had been abolished for local government purposes in 1975 when Kyle and Carrick district and Strathclyde region had been created.[3]

In 2021, South Ayrshire submitted a bid for city status as part of the 2022 Platinum Jubilee Celebrations. The bid was based on the area's rich history and links to royalty, and received backing from organisations and businesses including Ayrshire College and Scottish Enterprise.[4] The bid was ultimately unsuccessful, with eight other settlements across the UK, overseas territories and crown dependencies being awarded city status, including Scottish town Dunfermline.[5]

South Ayrshire coastline on the Firth of Clyde.

South Ayrshire coastline showing Ailsa Craig in the background.

Geographically, South Ayrshire is located on the western coast of Scotland, sharing borders with neighbouring local authorities East Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway and North Ayrshire. The climate in South Ayrshire, typical of that in western Scotland, is milder than that of eastern Scotland due to the stronger maritime influence, as the prevailing winds blow from the sea into South Ayrshire, which is located primarily on the western coast of Scotland. The warm Gulf Stream also has a strong influence on western Scotland. With winds mainly blowing from the sea the annual mean temperatures are in the range 9.5 to 9.9 °C (49.1 to 49.8 °F) in coastal areas of South Ayrshire such as Ayr and Troon.

The sea reaches its lowest temperature in February or early March so that on average February is the coldest month in some coastal parts of South Ayrshire along with the Rhins of Galloway, Kintyre and the Hebrides. In February the mean daily minimum temperature varies from about 2 °C in most of the islands, 1 to 2 °C along most of the Solway Firth and lowland inland areas, but less than −1 °C in parts of the Southern Uplands and central Highlands. Inland, where the influence of the sea is less, January is the coldest month with mean daily minimum temperatures generally between −3 and 0 °C.[6]

The number of hours of natural sunshine in South Ayrshire is controlled by the length of day and by cloudiness. In general, December is the dullest month and May or June the sunniest. Sunshine duration decreases with increasing altitude, increasing latitude and distance from the coast. Local topography also exerts a strong influence and in the winter deep glens and north-facing slopes can be in shade for long periods. Industrial pollution and smoke haze can also reduce sunshine amounts, but the decline in heavy industry in the Ayrshire area, primarily in Ayr in South Ayrshire along with Kilmarnock in East Ayrshire, has resulted in an increase in sunshine duration particularly in the winter months.[6]

Average annual rainfall totals range from less than 1,000 mm (39 in) in the upper Clyde valley and along the coasts of Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway to on average over 3,500 mm (140 in) over the higher parts of the west Highlands, approaching the maximum values found in the UK (over 4,000 millimetres or 160 inches further north).[6]

Ayr

Troon

Prestwick

Girvan

Maybole

Dundonald

Coylton

Mossblown

Tarbolton

Symington

North Ayrshire

East Ayrshire

Dumfries and Galloway

The largest settlements in South Ayrshire.

Ayr is the largest settlement within South Ayrshire in terms of both area and population.

Troon, after Ayr, is one of South Ayrshire's largest settlements in terms of population and a major tourist attraction, attracting visitors to its beaches and golf courses.

South Ayrshire's population is mostly concentrated around the adjoining coastal towns of Ayr, Prestwick and Troon located to the north-west of the council, which represents 68% of the council's total population according to data derived from the 2011 census, with a combined population of 76,846. Other areas of significance include the towns of Maybole and Girvan which are located to the south of the council area in the district of Carrick.

Largest settlements by population:

A list of settlements in South Ayrshire may be found below:

Villages and hamlets

Rural landscape in South Ayrshire

• Alloway (Suburb of Ayr)
• Annbank
• Ballantrae
• Barassie (Suburb of Troon)
• Barr
• Barrhill
• Colmonell
• Coodham
• Coylton
• Craigie
• Crosshill
• Dailly
• Dundonald
• Dunure
• Failford[8]
• Joppa (Suburb of Coylton)
• Kirkmichael
• Kirkoswald
• Lendalfoot
• Loans
• Maidens
• Monkton
• Mossblown
• Minishant
• Old Dailly
• Pinmore
• Pinwherry
• Straiton
• Symington
• Tarbolton
• Turnberry

Culzean Castle & Palm Garden, a major tourist attraction in South Ayrshire

• Ailsa Craig
• Bachelor's Club, Tarbolton
• Bargany Gardens
• Blairquhan
• Burns Cottage
• Robert Burns Birthplace Museum (Robert Burns)
• Carrick Forest
• Crossraguel Abbey
• Culzean Castle
• Electric Brae
• Penkill Castle
• Souter Johnnie's Cottage
• Royal Troon Golf Club
• Turnberry Hotel and Golf Course

Spirit AeroSystems at Prestwick Airport

The economy of South Ayrshire, like many other areas, was badly affected during the worldwide financial crisis from 2009–2012. Despite this, total Gross Value Added for South Ayrshire has seen a steady increase over the last 20 years, reaching a peak in 2015 of £2.4 million. South Ayrshire's GVA represents 1.9% of the total Scottish Gross Value Added income which is consistent with the previous 20 years. The largest employment industry in South Ayrshire and Scotland is the public administration, education and health sector. Compared with Scotland, proportionally there are more South Ayrshire residents employed in this sector than Scotland, while there are proportionally fewer employed in banking, finance and insurance sector than Scotland. Despite being a costal area, the smallest employment in South Ayrshire is in the agriculture and fishing sector.[9]

The council and its neighbours of East Ayrshire and North Ayrshire work together on economic growth as the Ayrshire Regional Economic Partnership, with support from the Scottish and UK governments and other private and public sector organisations.[10]

Queen Margaret Academy in Ayr, one of the eight secondary schools in the area

Educational provision in South Ayrshire is offered via eight secondary schools, forty-one primary schools, two special needs schools and five stand-alone Early Years Centres (although some primary schools have Early Years Centres attached).[11][12] In terms of early years provision, there are also a number of private establishments which are operated in conjunction with South Ayrshire Council, rather than managed and operated entirely by the council.[12] Based on figures from the 2016-2017 academic year, within South Ayrshire, there were 6,091 secondary school aged pupils,[13] 7,855 primary school aged pupils[13] and 251 pupils attending special educational needs provision establishments.[13]

South Ayrshire Council
Leadership
Provost	Iain Campbell, Conservative since 19 May 2022
Leader	Martin Dowey, Conservative since 19 May 2022
Chief Executive	Eileen Howat since May 2013[14]
Structure
Seats	28 councillors
Conservative	10 / 28
SNP	9 / 28
Labour	5 / 28
Independents	4 / 28
Elections
Voting system	Single transferable vote
Last election	6 May 2022
Next election	6 May 2027
Meeting place
County Buildings, Wellington Square, Ayr, KA7 1DR
Website
www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk

The council has been under no overall control since 2003, in which time various coalitions and minority administrations have operated. Since the last election in 2022, the council has been led by a Conservative minority administration which took office with support from two independent councillors and abstentions from Labour.[15] The next election is due in 2027.

The council's civic head takes the title of provost. This is a largely ceremonial role, chairing council meetings and acting as the area's first citizen. Although an elected councillor, the provost is expected to be politically impartial.[16] Political leadership is provided by the leader of the council.

Wards

Map of the 2017 wards and election outcome

Since 2017 the area has been divided into eight wards, all electing either three or four councillors:[23]

Ward Number	Ward Name	Location	Seats
1	Troon		4
2	Prestwick		4
3	Ayr North		4
4	Ayr East		3
5	Ayr West		4
6	Kyle		3
7	Maybole, North Carrick and Coylton		3
8	Girvan and South Carrick		3

• Official website
• South Ayrshire at Curlie