Days out in and from Ayrshire and Galloway... we make the connections! SAYLSA minibus In an area 60 miles in length and connected by the scenic Stranraer to Ayr railway line, there are a host of attractions and activities to be pursued to cater for all tastes. However, not all visitor attractions are easily accessed once you arrive at the nearest station. Now, SAYLSA are able to provide a link to some of the more inaccessible places such as Bladnoch Distillery, Crossraguel Abbey, Galloway Forest Park, and The Mull of Galloway and easier access to Culzean Castle. Using this facility will cut your carbon emissions too and thus, help the environment!   See below for details of our excursions and to book your place!

Galloway Forest Park (Glentrool) - Tour A Alight at Barrhill station. This tour takes you to Galloway Forest Park which is situated partly in Ayrshire and partly in Galloway. The area includes Southern Scotland's highest peak, theMerrick, 2359ft (719m) and Bruce's Stone which commemorates the Battle of Glentrool in 1307 and some stunning scenery around Loch Trool.  It is like visiting the Highlands but in the Lowlands.  There are five walks offering a range of challenges from a simple forest walk to the Merrick climb that start at the Glentrool Car Park. The Glentrool Visitors Centre is open from April through to October and offers a range of snacks and souvenirs. Outward: Depart Glasgow Central 0830 (change at Ayr), Ayr 0934 arrive Barrhill 1019. Minibus departs approx 1025 arrive Glentrool 1050. Return: Depart Glentrool 1440 arrive Barrhill station 1507. Train departs 1517 arrive Ayr 1604 Glasgow Central (change at Ayr) 1709.

Loch Trool, Wigtownshire   To book, simply click on the link below and select the date of the tour and ticket type then add to basket button to pay online. To book click here

Bladnoch Distillery or Whithorn - Tour B Alight at Barrhill station. This tour takes you to the home of whisky production at Scotland's most southerly distillery. Situated just outside Wigtown on the banks of the River Bladnoch, it was founded nearly 200 years ago and was bought by its present owners in 1995. It is now famed for its single malt. Our minibus will collect you from Barrhill station and take you through part of the Galloway Forest to Newton Stewart and on to the distillery at Bladnoch where you can have a guided tour of the distillery and sample a wee dram. Adjacent to the distillery is the Bladnoch Inn which serves a range of meals. Alternatively, you can visit Whithorn, the home of Scottish Christianity, which dates back to the 5th century and the arrival of St. Ninian. In the town is the Whithorn Story Visitor Centre and the medieval cathedral and crypts. Outward: Depart Glasgow Central 0830 (change at Ayr), Ayr 0934 arrive Barrhill 1019. Minibus departs approx 1025 arrive Bladnoch 1130 and Whithorn 1155. Return: Depart Whithorn 1330, Bladnoch Distillery 1400 arrive Barrhill station 1507. Train departs 1517 arrive Ayr 1604 Glasgow Central (change at Ayr) 1709. To book, simply click on the link below and select the date of the tour and ticket type then add to basket button to pay online. To book click here

Bladnoch Distillery, Wigtown

Crossraguel Abbey - Tour C Alight at Maybole station. This tour takes you two miles south of Maybole to the remains of this abbey, which was founded by Duncan of Carrick, heir to the Earl of Carrick in 1215. He invited monks of the Cluniac order from Paisley Abbey to build this new daughter house of Cluny and it survived as an ecclesiastic institution until 1569. It is one of the best preserved abbeys in Scotland, with remains of the church, cloister, chapter house and domestic premises still visible. Run by Historic Scotland, it is open from April to the end of September. Tour continues to Soutar Johnies and Culzean Castle, then a coastal drive to Girvan. Return train from Girvan station. Culzean Castle - Tour C Set in 200 acres of Country Park, this castle - built in the late 16th century for Thomas Kennedy - was reconstructed 200 years later by Robert Adam. It was the former home of the Marquess of Ailsa and was acquired by the National Trust in 1945. When the castle passed out of Kennedy ownership, it was stipulated that the apartment at the top of the castle be given to General Dwight Eisenhower in recognition of his role as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe during the Second World War. The General visited Culzean Castle four times, including once while President of the United States. Tour continues with a coastal drive to Girvan. Return train from Girvan station. Outward: Depart Glasgow Central 0830 (change at Ayr), Ayr 0934 arrive Maybole 0945. Minibus departs approx 0950 arrive Crossraguel 0955, Soutar Johnie's 1100 and Culzean Castle 1210.  From Stranraer depart 1005 arrive Maybole 1119. Return: Depart Crossraguel 1055, Soutar Johnie's 1150, Culzean Castle 1505 arrive Girvan station 1525. Train departs 1536 arrive Ayr 1604 Glasgow Central (change at Ayr) 1709.  For Stranraer depart Girvan 1757 arrive Stranraer 1852. To book, simply click on the link below and select the date of the tour and ticket type then add to basket button to pay online. To book click here

Crossraguel Abbey, Maybole Culzean Castle

Logan Botanic Gardens & Coastal drive - Tour D Alight at Stranraer station. This tour takes you to part of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh founded in 1670. The gardens feature an exotic paradise of plants from South and Central America, Southern Africa and Australasia rarely seen in the United Kingdom. The gardens present opportunities for enjoying views over the inspiring Tasmanian Glade, standing under the awesome rhubarb-like Gunnera or wander through groves of eucalypts. Digital audio guides are available to enhance your experience of the Garden. Return along the Galloway coast to Girvan station with an afternoon tea-stop en route. Outward: Depart Glasgow Central 0830 (change at Ayr), Ayr 0934 arrive Stranraer 1057. Minibus departs approx 1110 arrive Logan Botanic Garden 1140. Return: Depart Logan Botanic Garden 1450, arrive Tea Rooms 1600 arrive Girvan station 1715. Train departs 1733/1800 arrive Ayr 1808, Glasgow Central (change at Ayr) 1908, Stranraer 1852.

To book, simply click on the link below and select the date of the tour and ticket type then add to basket button to pay online. To book click here

Mull of Galloway & Coastal drive - Tour E Alight at Stranraer station. This tour takes you to Scotland's Lands End, the southernmost point of Scotland and features cliffs over 200ft (60m) high that jut out into the Irish Sea. Standing on top of the cliffs is the lighthouse, built in 1830, with a light 325ft (99m) above sea level. On certain days, it is open to the public and nearby is a museum open daily from April to October. Surrounding the lighthouse is an RSPB nature reserve and close by, the award-winning Gallie Craig Coffee House. Return along the Galloway coast to Girvan station with an afternoon tea-stop en route. Outward: Depart Glasgow Central 0830 (change at Ayr), Ayr 0934 arrive Stranraer 1057. Minibus departs approx 1110 arrive Mull of Galloway 1215. Return: Depart Mull of Galloway 1415, arrive Tea Rooms 1600 arrive Girvan station 1715. Train departs 1733/1800 arrive Ayr 1808, Glasgow Central (change at Ayr) 1908, Stranraer 1852.

The Mull of Galloway To book, simply click on the link below and select the date of the tour and ticket type then add to basket button to pay online. To book click here

Barr and Pinmore Pottery - Tour F Alight at Girvan station. This tour takes you to one of Ayrshire's picture postcard villages and on to our local pottery.   At Barr you will be able to have lunch at the recently re-opened King's Arms Hotel and view the village before a drive on to Pinmore and the Peinn Mor pottery. The pottery owned by Keith and Beryl Dawdry is based in the former village primary school and much of their work is inspired by the world of the ancient Celts and the Gallovidian Pictish heritage of the ancient kingdom of Carrick.   After leaving the pottery we take you back to Girvan along the A714 with spectacular views over the Firth of Clyde and the islands of Ailsa Craig, Arran, and Holy Island with Argyle as the backdrop.   Outward: Depart Glasgow Central 1030 (change at Ayr), Ayr 1131 arrive Girvan 1158. Minibus departs approx 1205 arrive Barr 1230, departs 1350 arrive Pinmore 1410 . Return: Depart Pinmore Pottery 1510, arrive Girvan station 1530. Train departs 1536 arrive Ayr 1604, Glasgow Central (change at Ayr) 1709.

The village of Barr     To book, simply click on the link below and select the date of the tour and ticket type then add to basket button to pay online. To book click here

Prices Glentrool Forest Park (Tour A) - Adult £6, Child £3 Bladnoch Distillery/Whithorn (Tour B) - Adult £12/£15, Child £6/£7.50 Crossraguel Abbey & Culzean Castle (Tour C) - Adult £10, Child £5 Logan Botanic Gardens (Tour D) - Adult £12, Child £6 Mull of Galloway (Tour E) - Adult £15, Child £7.50 Barr village and Pinmore pottery (Tour F) - Adult £9, Child £4.50   Except shoppers and special excursions prices do not include admission fees or rail fares.

Rail fares Examples of the cheapest rail fares from Glasgow and Ayr are shown below. Glentrool Forest Park (Tour A), Bladnoch Distillery or Whithorn (Tour B) From Glasgow Central (Adult) purchase a single ticket from Glasgow to Kilwinning at £5.80 AND a Day Tripper Ticket £10.20 (when the train reaches Kilwinning, your Day Tripper ticket becomes valid). If you wish to take up to two children, purchase the appropriate number of single tickets to Kilwinning AND a Day Tripper Ticket which allows you to take up to two children free on the train. Thus, the total rail fare would be £16.00 for one adult, £18.90 for one adult and a child and £21.80 for one adult and two children. Two Adults would cost £29.80 and require two singles and £18.20 Day Tripper tickets. From Ayr, purchase a Day Tripper ticket for £10.20 and you can take up to two children free. Crossraguel Abbey and Culzean Castle (Tour C) From Glasgow Central (Adult), purchase a single ticket from Glasgow to Kilwinning at £5.80 AND a Day Tripper Ticket £10.20 (when the train reaches Kilwinning, your Day Tripper ticket becomes valid). If you wish to take up to two children, purchase the appropriate number of single tickets to Kilwinning AND a Day Tripper Ticket which allows you to take up to two children free on the train. Thus, the total rail fare would be £16.00 for one adult, £18.90 for one adult and a child and £21.80 for one adult and two children. Two Adults would cost £29.80 and require two singles and an £18.20 Day Tripper ticket. From Ayr, purchase an Off Peak Day Return to Girvan for £5.30. If you are taking two children with you, it is cheaper to buy a £10.20 Day Tripper ticket. If there are two Adults with more than two children, then it is cheaper to buy an £18.20 Day Tripper ticket. Logan Botanic Garden and the Mull of Galloway (Tours D and E) From Glasgow Central (Adult), purchase a single ticket to Stranraer for £15.20. On your return from Girvan purchase a single ticket on the train from the conductor for £9.60. From Ayr, purchase an Off Peak Day Return ticket to Stranraer for £17.10. If you are taking up to two children then purchase a Kids go Free! ticket to Stranraer for £17.10. Barr village and Pinmore Pottery (Tour F) From Glasgow Central (Adult), purchase a Day Tripper Ticket £10.20, which allows you to take up to two children free on the train. Two Adults travelling together should purchase the £18.20 Day Tripper ticket. From Ayr, purchase an Off Peak Day Return to Girvan for £5.30. If you are taking two children with you, purchase a Kids go Free! ticket.

Itineraries These are shown above alongside each excursion.

Departure and return times   All tours except Barr village and Pinmore   From Glasgow, Paisley and stations to Irvine, catch the train that leaves Glasgow Central at 0830 and change at Ayr. From Kilmarnock, Troon, Prestwick Town and Ayr stations, catch the Stranraer train that leaves Kilmarnock at 0907, Troon at 0919, Prestwick Town at 0927 and Ayr at 0934.   Barr village and Pinmore Pottery tour   From Glasgow, Paisley and stations to Irvine, catch the train tat leaves Glasgow Central at 1030 and change at Ayr. From Kilmarnock, Troon, Prestwick Town and Ayr stations, catch the Girvan train that leaves Kilmarnock at 1105, Troon at 1118, Prestwick Town at 1119 and Ayr at 1131.    Return times vary according to excursion Glentrool Forest, Bladnoch and Whithorn tours will arrive back in Ayr at 1604 and Glasgow Central (change Ayr) at 1709. Crossraguel and Culzean Castle tours will arrive back in Ayr at 1604 and Glasgow Central (change Ayr) at 1709. Logan Botanic Gardens and the Mull of Galloway tours will arrive back in Ayr at 1808 and Glasgow Central (change Ayr) at 1908. Barr village and Pinmore Pottery tours will arrive back in Ayr at 1604 and Glasgow Central (change Ayr) at 1709.

How to pay Simply select the tour you wish to book, click the add to cart button below and this will take you to our Pay Pal shopping cart. All major credit cards are accepted. You do not need to have a Pay Pal account. Here, you can select how many tickets of each type you wish to purchase. Once we have been notified by Pay Pal, we will contact you. This is why we ask for a telephone number.

Terms and conditions Unless otherwise stated prices do not include rail travel or admission.  Refunds for cancellation less than 72 hours before excursion departure are at SAYLSA's discretion.   We reserve the right to cancel tours but in such an event a full refund will be given.  We cannot accept liability or responsibility for the actions of contractors, their employees or representatives and we reserve the right to replace vehicles, alter planned itineraries, due to weather, road conditions, attraction availabilty or other circumstances.

If you have any issues or for further information, please e-mail saylsa@tiscali.co.uk.

Other Trips and Excursions We will be offering other excursions soon and uploading these to the web. Bookmark this page and check back regularly for fantastic value visits to superb locations.