North Ayrshire

A first trip to North Ayrshire usually starts with a decision: stay on the mainland coast or head over on the ferry to Arran. Either way, the area gives you a working mix of seaside towns, farmland and hills running down to the Firth of Clyde, with Arran's peaks visible across the water on a clear day. It's the kind of place where a day might be split between a walk along the shore, a wander round a castle garden, and finding somewhere decent for dinner afterwards.

Cafe at Kelburn sits within Kelburn Castle's grounds, and it's a natural stop if you're spending a day exploring the estate's gardens and glen walks, one of the more obvious first-visit outings in the area. Beyond that, the coastal towns themselves are worth a slow wander, and the crossing to Arran, whether as a day trip or the main event, is one of the reasons people come here in the first place.

For those who prefer to bring their own accommodation or hire a static, North Ayrshire's caravan parks make the most of the coastal setting. Skelmorlie Mains Caravan Park, Sea View Caravan Park and Sandbraes Holiday Park all take advantage of sea views along the mainland coast, while Lochranza C&C on Arran itself puts you right at the northern end of the island, handy for hillwalking and wildlife-watching. Crosbie Towers and Middleton's Caravan & Camping Park round out the options for anyone touring by tent or campervan.