Troon

"Troon" probably derives from a Pictish word meaning "rocky headland", and it developed as a port at a time when Glasgow could not. In the early 19th century the Ayrshire coal mining industry was growing - big profits if you could ship the coal out. Troon was therefore built as a planned town and harbour, connected to Kilmarnock by Scotland's first railway. Ship building and other heavy industries were also established here and at other small ports along the Clyde coast. It was only in the 1880s that a deep-water channel was blasted up the Clyde to enable Glasgow to grow and overshadow these earlier ports. But the bonus was a big city population keen to escape at weekends "doon the watter", so Troon evolved into a seaside resort on the "Costa Clyde", the "Glesca Riviera". It still handles freight but no longer has regular ferries, though it sometimes serves as a diversionary port if rough weather closes some other harbour.

Reaching Troon by public transport usually involves travelling via Glasgow.

By plane: The best local airport is Glasgow (GLA IATA), with flights from UK, Europe, and Canada; places beyond (such as the United States) are better served from Manchester MAN and the London airports. From GLA to Troon, travel via central Glasgow. Prestwick Airport (PIK IATA) is much closer but only has budget flights to the Med, so few visitors arrive that way.

By train: Trains run from Glasgow Central every 30 min daily, taking 50 min via Paisley Gilmour Street, Kilwinning and Irvine, and continuing south to Prestwick Airport and town, and Ayr. The last train out of Glasgow is at 11:30PM.

1 Troon railway station re-opened in 2024 after the previous station was destroyed by fire. It has a ticket office and machines, toilets and a waiting room. There is step-free access to both platforms.

Barassie is a platform halt a mile north of Troon where some trains from Glasgow stop. You might use it for the north beach or golf course.

By bus: Citylink 922 runs four times a day from Glasgow Buchanan Station, taking an hour and connecting with the Arran ferry.

Alternatively, from Glasgow take the X77 and change at Prestwick, or the X76 and change at Kilmarnock, or the X44 and change at Irvine; any of these routes will take about 90 min. From Belfast, take the direct bus towards Glasgow and change at Ayr.

Stagecoach Bus 10 runs from Kilmarnock hourly via Dundonald and Muirhead to Troon (55 min) and Barassie.

Bus 14 runs every 45 min from Irvine via Muirhead and Barassie to Troon (35 min) and continues to Prestwick and Ayr. Change at Irvine for the 585, which follows the coast to Ardrossan, West Kilbride and Largs.

The main bus stop is at the angle of West Portland St with South Beach. It's a just a bus shelter.