Top Things to do in Ayrshire
Top 10 Specialty Museums in Ayrshire, Scotland
Discover the best top things to do in Ayrshire, United Kingdom including Wellwood Burns Centre & Museum, Darvel Telephone Museum, Scottish Maritime Museum, Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Dalgarven Mill, The Museum of Ayrshire Country, Burns House Museum, Dick Institute, Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, McKechnie Institute.
Restaurants in Ayrshire
1. Wellwood Burns Centre & Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
Displays relating to Robert Burns and his stay in Irvine - an audio-visual, evocative murals, fascinating objects, books, paintings and manuscripts - all housed in an Edwardian town house, itself impressive. Irvine Burns Club, established by friends of the poet in 1826, manages this nationally-recognised venue. (Scottish charity no. 018485.)
Reviewed By MIB-53 - Larkhall, United Kingdom
Spent a couple of hours here and it is well worth a visit, they have soo much to tell and show. Interactive videos aimed at both old and young and people who want to tell you all about Burns time in Irvine. The people are friendly welcoming and very knowledgeable and are able to pitch the talks whether you are just interested or an aficionado. The items on display from Burns life and more are fabulous and some of the will blow you away. No charge but worth a generous donation in the box on the way out Well well worth a visit just to see his hand written manuscripts.
2. Darvel Telephone Museum
3. Scottish Maritime Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 242 reviews
The Scottish Maritime Museum is based in the west of Scotland,with sites in Irvine and Dumbarton. At these two sites, the Museum holds an important nationally recognised collection, encompassing a variety of historic ships, artefacts, shipbuilding machinery, machine tools, and fascinating personal items.Many of these exhibits can be found inside the Linthouse Building in Irvine, a unique Grade A listed, 19th-century historic building known as the Linthouse Engine Shop 'Cathedral of Engineering and at the Denny Tank in Dumbarton, the world's first commercial ship model experiment tank.
Reviewed By 7hamishh - Ayr, United Kingdom
What a wonderfull museum, what an interesting visit. We spent hours wandering and had a lovely guided tour with Abi. She was informative and we shared stories of living in a tenement. We are from Ayrshire but did not appreciate the history of Irvine harbour. The museum itself had great exhibits, each with good photos and explanations of the role Scotland played in revolutionising world shipping. The atmosphere changed as the evening outside darkened, wonderfull. We will be back. Irvine harbour are itself is so intersesting with bars, cafes and an Arts Centre. The Puffer Cafe was welcoming with a doorman opening the door for us. 5 star day.
4. Robert Burns Birthplace Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,058 reviews
Birthplace of poet Robert Burns.
Reviewed By svenskmum - Glasgow, United Kingdom
although we stay a 45 minute drive away, this was our first visit. This is a National Trust for Scotland property and I must say, very modern, bright, informative and the staff very friendly and helpful. The cafe was excellent, good home made products with prices cheaper than many other cafe in the area. The museum was very interesting with lots to see about our Rabbie. Then of course you can walk over to the Auld Kirk, Rabbie's birthplace, the monument and the Brig O' Doon. (the bridge over the river, not the hotel)you can spend an excellent few hours seeing and more than likely realising that Robert Burns contributed a lot more to our Scottish heritage than we knew. Even on a wet day it is a place to go to. There is also a children's outside play area when the weather is good. Helps the little ones from being too board with culture. The gift shop is well worth a visit. This is certainly a place where we shall visit again soon.
5. Dalgarven Mill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 185 reviews
No longer "Ayrshire's hidden gem" our four stars should tell you we are punching above our weight! Fabulous historic buildings, riverside walks, great freshly prepared food, antiques and an idyllic rural site, set us apart from the ordinary.
Reviewed By TwinkleyToes
We visited today and went straight to the cafe where we had tea and a scone served by Ewan and his Granny. Then went through to the costume museum where we met Bob Ferguson whose family had worked the mill. Got a 'potted' history from him and a map and information. Absolutely well worth a visit, Bob's insight to set up and save the mill as a working museum has to be commended. He was fascinating to listen to. The tribute to his dad's war service, one of the last millers, is quite is quite poignant and special. The tools and equipment brought back memories to this 70s child. We will be back. Thank you
6. The Museum of Ayrshire Country
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By gordonxwalker
This is also known by its location name as Dalgarven Mill. Under that name it has lots of reviews, so look there for more information. Quite simply, this place is a fascinating museum of original clothing, tools, household objects, machinery and more from over the last couple of centuries. It is housed in a working water mill with explanations of how the mill operated. It has a fine tea room/coffee shop with home bakes and light lunches. Space can be very short, so it is worth booking a table if you must eat! Warning though, cash is the only payment accepted. If this place was in a tourist hot spot, then it would doubtless be a must see; the collection would not be out of place in a city. As it is, it is up a single track road with very limited signage, and away from the tourist footfall. I suggest it is well worth a visit. Note that the contents of the mill is but a fraction of the objects that could be displayed, and that the exhibits change regularly. Opposite the mill is Saks and Hart, a country living shop which is very much worth a visit. Plastic is very much accepted here; you may need it as there are many temptations to be had. Again, a store that would not be out of place in Bath, Harrogate or York - of course, as it is, it is up a single track road with NO signage...
7. Burns House Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By macedonboy - Glasgow, United Kingdom
This house is where Burns and his wife Jean rented while making his new farm ready for both of them to move into, The one room they rented has be refurbished to resemble something comparable to the room back in their time. There's not much to see in the room, but the thing that really makes the museum above average is the original manuscripts and objects that belonged to and associated with the couple. Another reason I'm giving this an extra star is that it's very unusual for a museum to focus so much on both Robert Burns and Jean Armour except for perhaps the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. So kudos for that.
8. Dick Institute
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 86 reviews
This place is temporarily closed.
Reviewed By lorneb333 - Ayrshire, United Kingdom
Fabulous building which houses an array of historical artefacts, natural history, art, books and a cafe. A great way to spend a rainy day. Free entry - there’s a donation box for you to contribute if you can. Closed Sundays and Mondays. Went to see main gallery exhibition - check the East Ayrshire Leisure site to see what’s on and when - on loan from the V&A. Was inspired by the work on display in the Young Peoples Gallery which was show casing work from east Ayrshire school pupils. If you head upstairs there’s loads more to see - Burns, Johnny Walker, the Loom Room and (at the moment) interesting pieces of armour from the Dean Castle collection.
9. Robert Burns Birthplace Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By 9kirks - Pennsylvania, United States
I am not familiar with Robert Burns, nor his writings. Yet after seeing his birthplace and touring the museum I have become quite interested in his life. The museum is laid out in a way that piques the interest of the visitor. Also - and I love this as much of his writing is in the Scots Gaelic language - when his writing is listed on a wall or exhibit area, the curators translate many of the words below. Very helpful to one not graced with a great literary background. The kirk in the town of Alloway is beautiful and a short walk from both the museum and the birthplace residence.
10. McKechnie Institute
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By JR1992xoxo - Maybole, United Kingdom
My partner and I just had to check out this museum when we were visiting Girvan. It’s free to enter as well! The top floors were shut off due to Covid, so we only got to tour the bottom floor however it’s still worth checking out. Staff were very friendly and helpful. Interesting stuff in there. Worth a look around. ????
