Troon is a seaport town on the west coast of Ayrshire in south-western Scotland.
The town is about eight miles north of Ayr` and three miles north-west of Glasgow Prestwick Airport. Troon has a port with ferry and freight services. Caledonian MacBrayne operates a ferry service from Troon to Brodick on the Isle of Arran.
Archaeological evidence from ancient stone carvings known as Pictish Stones indicates that the area was inhabited during the Pictish period, from the late 3rd century to the 9th century AD.
The modern history of the town is related to its strategic location as a natural port on the Firth of Clyde, which provides access to the Atlantic Ocean.
Troon's development accelerated during the Industrial Revolution, primarily because of its harbour. In 1808, the 3rd Duke of Portland, under powers granted by the Troon Harbour Act of 1808, added docks to the town's natural harbour on the north side of the headland. The harbour opened in 1812 to serve the Kilmarnock and Troon Railway, which terminated in Troon. Troon Harbour played a notable role in the town's development for many years.
The town's development accelerated during the Industrial Revolution, primarily due to coal exports that began in 1811.
Troon Harbour was home to the Ailsa Shipbuilding Company, which built several vessels for international sales, primarily small passenger and merchant vessels. Shipbuilding continued until 2000.
The fishing fleet from Ayr moved to Troon Harbour, revitalizing an abandoned section of the harbour. An approach road was built to connect to a P&O terminal, which operates a service to Ireland.
With the end of coal exports and Troon's shipbuilding industries, the town was forced to diversify its economy further. Its beaches, golf courses, and historic sites attract visitors from around the world, and the town continues to benefit from its tourism sector. The local economy also includes retail, hospitality, and services, which employ residents, and Troon Harbour adds to the town's historical significance.
Troon is home to several buildings that are historically or architecturally significant.
Crosby Castle and the Fullarton estate are near Troon in South Ayrshire. Home to the Fullarton family for several centuries, the Crosbie Castle ruins were eventually used as an ice house after the new Fullarton House mansion was constructed. The mansion was later demolished, and the area now includes a public park and golf course. The castle has been rebuilt at least three times, and the ruins that can be seen today represent the dungeon of the original castle. Stones from Crosbie Castle were used to reconstruct the Fullarton House, now a hotel.
Troon Old Parish Church, built by architect Hippolyte Blanc in 1895, is a red sandstone Neo-Gothic structure. It is part of the Church of Scotland and continues to serve the community.
The Auchenkyle House, built between 1905 and 1907, is a Queen Anne-style house next to its lodge. Although it was built later, it is stylistically similar to the Auchenkyle House.
Troon has five primary schools: Barassie Primary School, Muirhead Primary School, Struthers Primary School, Troon Primary School, and St. Patrick's Primary School. South Ayrshire Council operates one secondary school, Marr College. Additionally, the town is home to several early years centres.
Playing at Portland Park, near the town's centre, Troon Football Club represents the town in the West of Scotland Football League.
Troon has several golf courses, including Royal Troon Golf Club, Troon Links Golf Course, Western Gailes Golf Club, Kilmarnock Barassie Golf Club, and Dundonald Links.
This part of our web guide focuses on Troon, South Ayrshire, Scotland. Local businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, museums, libraries, art galleries, entertainment venues, organisations, attractions, and events are appropriate for this category.
Recommended Resources
The Troon hotel includes a traditional Scottish bar and restaurant, with entertainment also available, from live sporting events to a live DJ. The hotel offers welcoming fires, large sea-view rooms, and a large garden area. The local train station is only a short walk from the hotel, and the airport is a ten-minute drive away. Its rooms are highlighted, including amenities, special offers, concierge services, and menus. Online bookings and contacts are available.
https://www.anchoragehoteltroon.co.uk/
Managed by the South Ayrshire Council, Marr College is a co-educational secondary school in Troon, Scotland. The institution was built and established in 1935 with funds left by Charles Kerr Marr, a Troon native who had an interest in education. In addition to its traditional curriculum, the school offers a School of Rugby, School of Hockey, and School of Handball, and the Marr Rugby Football Club was established as Marr College FP in the 1930s, although currently independent.
http://www.marr.sayr.sch.uk/
Established in 1878, the Royal Troon Golf Club is a links golf course in Troon, Scotland. Originally, the course consisted of only five holes, although it has increased to a total of forty-five holes. The Old Course is one of the host courses for The Open Championship, a major championship on the PGA Tour and European Tour. The history of The Open at Royal Troon, a video on The Club, and an overview of the course are set forth, along with membership information.
https://www.royaltroon.co.uk/
The Salt Lodge at Troon Yacht Haven offers contemporary, comfortable, and flexible accommodation in a coastal setting overlooking the Troon Harbour in the port town of Troon, South Ayrshire, Scotland. Its one- and two-bedroom suites offer flexible, stylish living spaces with a kitchen and dining area, and the option of food and drinks at the adjacent restaurant, Scotts. Its rooms are highlighted, along with its accommodations for groups and tours, dog policies, a blog, and contact data.
https://saltlodgehotel.com/
Located in Troon, South Ayrshire, Scotland, Saint Meddan is part of the Parish of Our Lady of The Assumption in the Diocese of Galloway. The Roman Catholic Church serves the town of Troon, including the surrounding areas of Barassie, Loans, and Dundonald, as well as Saint Patrick's Primary School and Queen Margaret Academy. An introduction to the parish priest and assistant priest is provided, along with Sacrament and service schedules, booking the Church Hall, and contacts.
https://www.rcstmeddans.org.uk/
Saint Patrick's is a Catholic primary school on Academy Street in Troon, South Ayrshire, Scotland, that caters to children from Early Years to Primary 7 (ages 3-12). Its Catholic charter, school handbook, school hours, policies, and reports are published on the website, which includes a profile of the school. The school's meal programme, holidays, complaints procedures, and child protection programmes are featured on the site, along with its curriculum and contacts.
https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/sa/stpatricksps/
Tom Bell is an art gallery in Troon, South Ayrshirel, Scotland. The gallery specialises in 20th Century Scottish Masters, Modern British, Camden Town Group, and International works of art, and offers a range of services, including dealing, consulting, and valuing fine art. The gallery represents a variety of artists, which are featured on its website, along with representations of their work. Gallery artists, Camden Town artists, and contacts for the gallery are provided.
https://www.tombellfineart.com/
Created by the union of Portland, St. Meddan's, and Troon Old Parish churches, the Troon Church of Scotland holds services in all three sanctuaries in the centre of Troon, South Ayshire, Scotland. Times and locations of upcoming services are published in its worship schedule, and are usually live-streamed on YouTube. An overview of the church union is presented, along with an introduction to the church's Sunday worship, special services, and other programmes.
https://troonchurch.org.uk/
Featuring places to stay in Troon, a port town in South Ayrshire, Scotland, the website highlights hotels and other guest lodging facilities in or near the town. Although the specific recommendations might change from time to time, accommodations in local hotels range from en suite rooms to multi-roomed suites with seating, dining, and study areas, including those with on-site restaurants, bars, and event facilities. Hotel owners or managers may submit hotels for possible inclusion.
http://www.troonhotels.co.uk/
