Ayr ( Mouth of the River Ayr) is a town and port situated on the Firth of Clyde in south-west Scotland. With a population of around 46,000, Ayr is the largest settlement in Ayrshire, of which it is the county town, and has held royal burgh status since 1205. Ayr is the administrative centre of the South Ayrshire Subdivisions of Scotland, which is the Unitary authority Local government in Scotland.
To the north of Ayr is the adjoining town of Prestwick, famous for its golf and its aviation industry as home of Glasgow Prestwick International Airport. Other neighbouring settlements include Alloway, known for its associations with the poet Robert Burns.
In 2002, Ayr was one of four Scottish towns competing for city status to mark Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II, losing out to Stirling.
