Coast and harbour

Troon’s beach is a sandy beach backed by large dunes. The harbour divides the two beach areas. The Esplanade is ideal for walks and cycle rides; there is also a promenade along the beach with plenty of places to sit. Windsurfing and kitesurfing take place off Troon South Sands. So, alongside the beach and coastal paths, water sports and harbour life are also part of the town’s character.

Troon harbour is now a marina and is popular with sailing enthusiasts. Troon Yacht Haven is on the sheltered waters of the Firth of Clyde and offers 400 berths for boats of various sizes. The boatyard has a 50-tonne crane. Alongside its location between the beach areas, these features give the harbour its own significance in Troon’s maritime character.

Walking and cycling routes

The Troon Town Centre Circular is 5.2 km long and passes sites associated with the history of Ballast Bank and Troon harbour. The Royal Troon Golf Course Walk is a longer route: it covers 7 km and starts at Troon Town Hall. In direct comparison, it is 1.8 km longer than the Town Centre Circular. The routes also differ in their points of interest: one focuses on harbour and local history, while the other starts at the Town Hall.

The Smugglers’ Trail starts at South Beach and passes through Fullarton Woods. This coastal and woodland walk is easy to moderate and takes about two hours. Unlike the two Troon routes given in kilometres, this trail is described by its approximate duration. That gives you a different way to plan when comparing routes for your stay.

Fullarton Woods is a mature native woodland with diverse flora and wildlife. The woodland has a network of paths, and the main paths are easily accessible. These natural features and paths add a distinct woodland element to the coastal sections of the routes.

Local history and golf

Until the early 19th century, Troon was little more than a fishing settlement clustered around the natural harbour behind the headland. The history of the harbour and Ballast Bank is also a theme of the Troon Town Centre Circular. Troon also has an early railway connection: from its beginnings, the Troon railway carried passengers and was the first railway in Scotland.

Royal Troon Golf Course lies at the southern end of Troon’s beach and has hosted the British Open Golf Championship several times. The Women’s British Open Championship was held there in 2020. Another part of local golf history is the Ladies’ Golf Club, Troon, founded in 1882. The multiple championships and the club’s founding year are different points of reference if you are interested in the town’s golf history.

Staying overnight in Troon

Trains run frequently between Ayr and Troon; the journey takes 14 minutes. If you are considering Troon as a place to stay overnight, you can take this connection into account when choosing where to stay. The beach, coastal paths, woodland, harbour and golf history offer different considerations when deciding whether Troon fits your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Kilmarnock, Maybole, Darvel, Burnhouse, Beith, Lagg, Largs, Stewarton

For the wider travel overview: Ayrshire.