McAllister's Place
Getting Here
Troon is located in Ayrshire on the Scottish South-west coast. About 45 minutes South-west of Glasgow, it is conveniently accessible by air, road, rail, or even by water. The SeaCat ferry terminal is less than half a mile from the flat as is the Troon Marina should you be planning to sail here.
This is a coastal town, so you must expect high winds and driving sea mist at times. Troon gets more than its share of foul, wet weather. The weather all year round is unpredictable at best. Even in summer, plan on dressing in layers, from a tee-shirt to a sweater and waterproof jacket. There is every chance you'll need them all on the same day. Troon is located at 35 degrees North Latitude. That means the days are very short during the winter months and very long during summer. But you don't go to Scotland for the weather, expect the worst and things can only be better.
Getting Here:
By Air: There are 2 major airports serving the West of Scotland, Glasgow Airport (GLA) and Glasgow-Prestwick (PIK).
Glasgow Airport (GLA): http://www.baa.co.uk/main/airports/glasgow Glasgow Airport is located on the southern fringe of Glasgow city and is approximately 45 minutes by car to Troon. Currently, if you are traveling by a major air carrier such as British Airways or Northwest, you will be arriving at Glasgow. To get to Troon either;
- Hire a car and drive; The motorway connection to Troon is modern, convenient, and well marked.
- Take the train: Hire a taxi from the airport to Glasgow Central station (approx 3 Pounds Sterling) then take the train to Troon. Trains run every half hour. Be advised, there is also a "Queen Street" train Station in Glasgow, so make sure you specify Glasgow Central station. Upon arrival at Troon Station either walk or take a taxi to the flat.
Glasgow-Prestwick (PIK): Prestwick Airport is close, only 4 miles from Troon. This is the airport you will arrive at if you are flying with RyanAir Ryanair.com - The Low Fares Airline from within Europe. Again, you have a few options;
- Hire a car; Hertz, Europcar, Avis and Budget have offices in the airport's main lobby.
- Hire a taxi from the front of the terminal direct to the flat, cost will be approximately 9 Pounds Sterling.
- Take the Train: There is a walkway from the airport terminal to a train station. Once aboard the train, Troon is the first stop and the trip will only a minute, so don't get too comfortable. The fare is about 1 Pound per person. Once in Troon, either walk or take a taxi from the train station to the flat. Its about a 15-20 minute walk from the station so it just depends on your mood and the weather.
By Rail: scotrail trains in scotland As discussed above, Troon is easily accessible by rail from within the UK. Glasgow's Central Station is the western Scottish rail hub so you can connect directly with the lines to Troon. On weekdays trains run to Troon every half hour. If you are coming from the North of Scotland, you must transfer from Queen Street Station to Glasgow Central to complete your journey to Troon.
By Road: If you are intending to drive a car or ride a motorbike to Troon, get a good map and choose your route. Be advised, there are very few good roads running East to West in Scotland (or for that matter, in the UK). If you are coming from the M6, then I recommend the A71 through New Lanark and Kilmarnock. There are shorter routes in terms of miles, but trust me, they are all longer in terms of time. The choice depends, of course, on your attitude. For pure Scottish character, I prefer the A70 through New Cumnock but this is a twisted, hazardous road only for the fresh and alert driver or cyclist. If you are coming from the South and you aren't rushed or tired, take the A76 via Dumfries. It winds through lovely forested valleys and over heather-strewn hills the whole way. On the other hand, the narrow roadway can be choked with slow moving tractors and large trucks. Either way you choose...Take your time!
By Sea: Information on Seacat Irish Sea Ferries Troon (Scotland) To Belfast,Belfast City, County Antrim - Ferries Mainline (UK & France) SeaCat Operates daily ferry service between Troon and Belfast, Ireland. Our flat is a mere 5 (well maybe 10) minute stroll from the ferry terminal. I shall include the Troon Marina link for those fortunate enough to be considering sailing their own boat into Troon Harbour. As stated above, we are located only minutes from the Marina so, depending how much gear you're dragging, either walk or book an inexpensive taxi. But if you book the taxi, don't be surprised if the person on the other end of the phone laughs at you.
For Reservations and additional information contact us at: reservations@mcallistersplace.com