Meeting planners seeking a destination to escape to in Scotland for conferences, meetings and events would do well to consider the county of Ayrshire. A beautiful region steeped in heritage with links to renowned figures William Wallace, Robert the Bruce and Robert Burns, Ayrshire provides the ideal getaway location for weddings and corporate events with the picturesque Clyde Coast as a spectacular backdrop. Whether hosting an event in one of the many striking castles in the region, a grand country house hotel or in contemporary luxury, Ayrshire has a venue to suit every corporate event planner’s needs.
Offering the best of both coastal and countryside settings, Ayrshire is an ideal choice for adventurous outdoor teambuilding events and corporate activities on land or water, whilst delegates will certainly appreciate taking part in corporate golf events held at any of the local championship courses.
Prime conference locations include Ayr, Troon and Kilmarnock, and what with being within easy reach of Glasgow, Ayrshire undoubtedly provides delegates with the best of rural, coastal and town attractions. Ayrshire is easily accessible via the M74 and M77, via good rail links at Ayr, Prestwick and Kilmarnock connecting to nearby Glasgow, and via flights into Prestwick or Glasgow airports for international conference delegates. Proximity to Glasgow makes the Ayrshire district highly accessible for all business travellers and therefore an ideal conference destination.
Venues here are varied and diverse, catering for all capacities with ease and style. The region is undoubtedly renowned for its championship golf courses, such as Troon and Turnberry, but also boasts several other first class sporting venues. Football clubs with associated conference andbanqueting suites include Kilmarnock FC and Ayr United FC, whilst the Magnum Leisure Centre incorporates a large theatre meeting space. Alternatively, Ayr Racecourse in combination with the Western House Hotel offers an exceptionally versatile state-of-the-art conference centre set over 4 floors with 11 meeting suites, exhibition space and banqueting facilities, havingmaximum capacity for 1,000 delegates. Civic and cultural venues such as the Concert Hall and Walker Hall, the Palace Theatre and Grand Hall, and Ayr Town Hall and County Buildings offer large conference spaces able to accommodate between 500-900 delegates for corporate events whilst also catering for weddings. Being an area so rich in heritage there are a number of magnificent historic venues to choose from. For instance, Culzean Castle and Blairquhan Castle both offer striking backdrops for conferences, meetings, banqueting and events, whereas Dean Castle Country Park is a hidden gem set in 200 acres, and Glenapp Castle a stunning event venue for exclusive use, perfect for meeting retreats and teambuilding events. Ayrshire hotels range from imposing historic buildings to the height of contemporary luxury and offer equally outstanding conferencing facilities. Those seeking a modern setting will value The Park Hotel, affiliated with Kilmarnock FC’s stadium, banqueting and conference centre, providing capacity for 600 delegates throughout a selection of suites, whereas Hillhouse is an exquisite boutique county house hotel ideal for intimate meetings and corporate retreats for small delegate groups. The Station Hotel offers a dedicated conference and banqueting team with extensive experience in hosting successful events in a centre of town location with good access to Prestwick Airport, whilst the Barcelo Troon Marine Hotel epitomises the Scottish conference experience by providing a striking beach property with breathtaking views overlooking the 18th hole of Royal Troon equipped with 7 flexible meeting rooms plus a banqueting suite able to accommodate up to 200 delegates. Major hotel groups represented in Ayrshire are Barcelo Hotels, Crerar Hotels, Luxury Collection, Menzies Hotels, Mercure, Starwood Hotels and Resorts and Swallow Hotels.