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Ardrossan is a port in Ayrshire in Scotland. It's the largest of the "Three Towns" conurbation of Greater Ardrossan, which also includes Saltcoats and Stevenston. The town has few sights and amenities, and the only reason to visit is to catch the ferry to the Isle of Arran.
While nearby towns such as Largs and Troon developed as beach resorts in the Victorian era, the Three Towns have always been industrial. Trades included salt extraction, shipping, quarrying and mining, and in the early 20th C Stevenston was important for the production of military and commercial explosives. Little of these now remain and various regeneration projects are in hand.
From Glasgow, follow M8 west. Just past Glasgow Airport, exit at Jcn 29 onto A737, following signs for Irvine. With a light vehicle (and with a caravan or RV is okay), at Dalry take the signposted shortcut onto B780. (With fields and hills all around, it'll feel like you're many miles from the coast. But then you glimpse a line of wind turbines, as if an enormous aircraft was taxiing on the far side of the ridge; finally the sea and harbour come into view.) Otherwise stay on A737 to join A78 further south.
From England, take M6 then A75 to Dumfries, then A76 to Kilmarnock, then A71 west to join A78.
All approaches eventually follow A78, which bypasses Ardrossan, so ferry traffic loops round to the north of town then approaches the harbour along Eglinton road. (Don't follow what looks like a shortcut along A738 unless Stevenston or Saltcoats is your destination, you don't want to be part of the congestion on this road.) The final turn onto Glasgow St towards the harbour comes up with little warning, so when you reach the sign to the ferry, turn promptly.
There's long stay parking next to the ferry terminal, plus an Asda supermarket - stock up on fuel and supplies before crossing to Arran.
Stagecoach bus X36 runs from Glasgow Buchanan Street every couple of hours daily, taking 90 min, with a bus at midnight, 3 am then 7 am. You can also reach Ardrossan just as quickly by taking the X34 (for Beith and Irvine), and changing at Kilwinning for Bus 11, which is the frequent Kilmarnock-Ardrossan service. A third option is to take the X77 (for Ayr) and change at Prestwick for Bus 585.
The latter bus, Stagecoach bus 585 or Clyde Coaster, runs between Ayr and Prestwick Airport in the south, through Saltcoats and Ardrossan, and on to Largs (for Great Cumbrae), Weymss Bay (for Isle of Bute) and Greenock. It runs every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday and every 2 hours on Sunday.
Trains run to Ardrossan from Glasgow Central every 30 mins Mon-Sat, hourly on Sunday, taking 40 mins. Trains run via Paisley Gilmour Street (closest station to Glasgow Airport), Dalry, Kilwinning (change for Ayr and Prestwick Airport), Stevenston and Saltcoats to the main railway station 1 Ardrossan South Beach. Alternate trains then either continue north to Largs (ferry port for Great Cumbrae) or take the short branch line to Ardrossan Town and Ardrossan Harbour, which is next to the ferry terminal. These Harbour trains are timed to connect with ferries to Arran.
So the combined townships in effect have five railway stations: they're all just platform halts with no facilities. Ardrossan South Beach and the Harbour are a mile apart, so if you're coming here to catch the Arran ferry and have only light luggage, it may be quicker to take the "wrong" train and walk the last stretch, than wait 30 mins for the "right" train. The last train to & from Glasgow is after 23:00, long after the ferries have stopped running. If your train is delayed and you risk missing your ferry, make your plight known to the conductor, and the ferry may be held. Combined rail + ferry tickets are available.
From 2 Ardrossan Harbour Caledonian MacBrayne ("Calmac") ferries ply to Brodick on the Isle of Arran, taking 55 mins. In summer they run Mon-Sat every 90 mins, Sunday every 2-3 hours. There are fewer in the "shoulder" seasons of April and October, and in winter there are only 4 or 5 ferries per day. Return fares are £31 for a car, plus £8 for the driver and each adult passenger, children 5-15 £4. For ferry practicalities see Arran page and Calmac website.
There are also facilities here for private boats. Clyde Marina (VHF Channel 80) has mooring, dry berthing, cleaning, marine diesel & marine fuel.
A mile from the harbour is Horse Isle, an RSPB reserve, with a 19th stone tower to act as a day-mark. The island is a mixed blessing to Ardrossan - it shelters the harbour, but the navigation channel is very close and there have been several wreckings.
Glasgow Airport (GLA IATA) is 8 mi (13 km) west of central Glasgow on the M8. Dozens of airlines fly to destinations in the British Isles, Europe, North America and the Middle East. The closest railway station to the airport is Paisley Gilmour Street Station, which is about 2.5 km (1.6 mi) away. From there you can take a train to Ardrossan. See the Glasgow page for details on how get from the airport to the train station.
Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK IATA) is much closer to Ardrossan but has very few flights. Ryanair is the only passenger airline. It flies to a variety of holiday destinations, principally in Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal. The Clyde Coaster Bus 585 (Stagecoach West Scotland) runs every 30 min (every 2 hours Sundays) between PIK and Ardrossan, taking 45 min. The airport has a train station from which you can get to Ardrossan, with a change at Kilwinning station required. The total train journey time is between 30-45 min.
Walking is probably all that is required to see the town, it is not huge and above the High Road/Parkhouse Road there is little of interest to tourists.
There are plenty of local buses should walking be impossible e.g. due to the often atrocious weather.
There are few shops in Ardrossan. Glasgow Street and Princes Street have basic shops and the ASDA superstore.
There are many shops in Saltcoats' town centre. Most are found on Hamilton Street, Chapelwell Street, Dockhead Street and Countess Street.
Saltcoats has a huge number of places to eat.
Dalry six miles north along B714 has Braidwoods, a Michelin-starred restaurant, you need to book at least a month ahead. Open W-Sa 12:00-13:30 & 19:00-21:00, Su 12:00-13:30; May-Aug also Tu 19:00-21:00.
There are a few establishments in which to remedy a dry throat in Ardrossan.
Saltcoats has a plethora of drinking establishments, mostly situated around Hamilton Street and Dockhead Street in the town centre.
Free internet access at the Ardrossan Library where there are pleasant, foreigner-tolerant librarians.
The Harbour where a free wifi internet connection is set up.
There are several public phone booths in the centre of town.
Several postboxes around town and a Post Office in neighbouring Saltcoats.
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