Ayr in the south-west of Scotland is a town situated on the Firth of Clyde. It was a part of the old county of Ayrshire but is now the seat for the area government of South Ayrshire. In 2001, the town had a population of 46,431. 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).
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. 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 Scottish Parliament was held in Ayr by Robert The Bruce. It was once known as 'Inverair/Inverayr' and this usage is still retained in the Scottish Gaelic form of the name Inbhir Air.
Constituency
The Westminster constituency of Ayr 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.
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