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Daily Record
09-07-2025
- Daily Record
Scotland's 'worst seaside town' that is actually perfect for summer holiday
The resort has everything you could want from a staycation spot. Scotland's coastline is home to many idyllic seaside towns. When the sun is shining and the mercury rises, nothing can compare to a day by the seaside. Everybody will have their own favourite coastal spot in the country, and when it comes to a day out you can't go wrong with any of them. However, one seaside town in Scotland was recently named the worst in the country. As previously reported by the Daily Record, Which? shared a report of the best and worst seaside towns across the UK based on feedback from holidaymakers. Placing at the bottom of the list for Scotland was Ayr in South Ayrshire. According to the consumer watchdog, Ayr received an overall 'destination score' of just 51 per cent. The resort town also scored three out of five for its scenery and "peace and quiet" and just two out of five for its attractions. However, despite ranking bottom for Scotland on the report from Which?, Ayr is actually a great place to visit. With the weather set to heat up over the coming days, the seaside resort is perfect for a day out or staycation. The most iconic and well-known destination in Ayr is Ayr Beach, which is only a short walk from the centre of town. The bay is popular amongst locals and day-trippers alike for its beautiful views and family-friendly amenities. Ayr Beach has previously been awarded a Seaside Award from Keep Scotland Beautiful, which honour clean and sustainable beaches. It is a great place for a picnic or for little ones to build a sandcastle, with incredible views out over to Ailsa Craig and the Isle of Arran to enjoy. Although Ayr's scenery received an average rating of three out of five from Which?, Ayr Beach has received rave reviews from visitors on Google. The bay has an overall rating of 4.5 out of five based on 1,599 reviews. One recent traveller shared: "Ayr Beach isn't just a stretch of sand, it's an experience, and honestly, one of the best parts of my trip to the UK. It strikes this beautiful balance between peaceful calm and playful energy that makes it special from the moment you arrive. "As soon as you step onto the beach, the atmosphere hits you. There's something about the fresh sea air, mixed with that cool, sometimes pretty brisk, breeze that instantly refreshes you." Elsewhere, there is lots to see around Ayr other than its beach. Despite the town receiving a rating of two stars for its attractions, there is fun for the whole family to be had. Little ones in particular will get a kick out of a visit to Pirate Pete's Family Entertainment Centre, which is adjacent to Ayr Beach. The attraction offers indoor soft play, mini golf, laser games, and more. Meanwhile, a great place to head in Ayr when the sun is shining is the historic Low Green. A popular visitor attraction going all the way back to the Victorian era, it consists of a picturesque stretch of grass that hosts many events throughout the year. Ayr is also home to a variety of popular cafés and restaurants where you can enjoy a sit-down meal. Among the top eateries around town are gastropub The Fox and Willow, stylish bar and restaurant The Tree House, and family-friendly café bistro The Secret Garden. In terms of accommodation, popular choices include the Fairfield House Hotel, the Mercure Ayr Hotel, and the Western House Hotel. Elsewhere, just out of Ayr is the Craig Tara Caravan Holiday Park that features caravans, lodges, and apartments. If you are looking for a coastal resort in Scotland to head for a day out this summer, don't let one report put you off Ayr. From its fabulous beach to its various tasty food spots, it has everything you could want from a staycation destination.
Daily Record
30-06-2025
- Daily Record
Scotland's 'worst seaside town' named according to holidaymakers
It received a score of two out of five for its tourist attractions. Scotland's "worst seaside town" has been named by holidaymakers. The coastal resort ranked worst in the country as part of a new poll conducted by Which?. On Friday, June 27, Which? shared its list of the best and worst seaside towns across the UK. The consumer watchdog polled approximately 4,000 of its members to find out which destinations are the most and least popular. Coming in at the bottom for Scotland is Ayr in South Ayrshire. The resort also ranked 10th worst in the whole of the UK. Ayr received a 'destination score' of 51 per cent from Which?. According to the consumer watchdog, the rating is based on satisfaction with the location and likelihood to recommend to others. Which? also assigned Ayr a score of three out of five stars for its scenery. The most famous landmark in town is Ayr Beach. Ayr Beach has previously received a Seaside Award from Keep Scotland Beautiful. The sandy bay offers spectacular views of Ailsa Craig and the Isle of Arran, and is a popular picnic spot. Near Ayr Beach there is a children's play area and a putting green. Also situated along the seafront is Pirate Pete's Family Entertainment Centre, which features Adventure Play, Laser Quest, and more. The coastal town was also assigned a rating of two out of five stars for its tourist attractions. Despite this, there are numerous attractions around Ayr that are popular with both locals and tourists. Among the top things to do in Ayr is visit Rozelle Estate, which covers a total of 37 hectares. The historic estate is home to an 18th-century mansion house, an art gallery, a tea room, and many picturesque woodland walks. Another popular attraction in Ayr is The Wallace Tower, which is a Gothic structure constructed to commemorate William Wallace. The arms of the Wallace family are emblazoned above the entrance door, while a spiral staircase leads up to a viewing platform. Additionally, Ayr scored three out of five for its "peace and quiet". The town is home to idyllic green spaces such as Craigie Park and Belleisle Park. According to Which?, the average price of a hotel in Ayr is £90. Popular hotels in the town include the Mercure Ayr Hotel, The Arrandale Hotel, and the Abbotsford Hotel. Coming in at the bottom for the whole of the UK according to Which? is Bognor Regis. The town and seaside resort received a destination score of just 36 per cent. On the other hand, as reported by the Daily Record, Nairn was named the best seaside destination in Scotland in the Which? report. It was given a 76 per cent destination score, with perfect ratings of five out of five for its scenery and peace and quiet. To put together the ranking, Which? gathered opinions from its members regarding recent trips to seaside towns in the UK. To determine the overall customer rating, the consumer watchdog asked respondents if they would recommend the town and how happy they were with their holiday—as well as specific aspects of each town such as beaches and scenery. The full list of the UK's best and worst seaside towns can be found on the Which? website.
Edinburgh Live
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Pete Wicks' health condition means Strictly star 'may need eye patch'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Strictly Come Dancing's Pete Wicks has revealed he "might need an eye patch" due to a lifelong health condition. On his Staying Relevant podcast, the star shared that he had a lazy eye as a child. It led to his mum calling him "Pirate Pete" after he was given an eye patch to correct the issue. The former The Only Way is Essex star mentioned that while the patch did fix his eye problem, it seems to be "going for a walk" as he ages. It has prompted Pete to seek medical advice for his issue. Pete explained: "I may have to go back to having an eye patch. I used to be called 'Pirate Pete', it was a f***** nickname because I looked like I'd washed up on a desert island but actually it was my mum who first called me that when I was a kid because I had a lazy eye. "When I used to get tired or whatever...I had an eye patch to try and correct it, and it did. I spent about six months." (Image: ITV) Pete also recalled how his schoolmates would mock his eye patch, admitting that he would "punch the f*** out of them" if they bullied him, reports Surrey Live. He continued: "But, the bad eye is coming back. As I'm getting older, it's starting to go for a little walk now and then. "So, I have to go and see an eye specialist about whether or not we can re-train it, or if I'm going to have to have some sort of surgery." Pete revealed that it was his Hits Radio colleague and friend Olivia Attwood who initially noticed something amiss with his eye. But during a chat on Staying Relevant, co-host Sam Thompson admitted that Olivia wasn't alone in spotting the issue with Pete's eye. He responded: "I think we've all noticed the lazy eye mate, to be honest. You can see around corners." (Image:) Pete has an appointment lined up to have his eye examined soon, remarking: "If I have get the eye patch again, it's not going to be great is it? I almost want to say skip the eye patch and go straight for the surgery." According to the NHS , a lazy eye - known as amblyopia - is when one of the eyes doesn't develop properly. In rare cases, both eyes can be affected. How to check if you have a lazy eye? Symptoms of a lazy eye aren't always obvious, and it's frequently identified during routine eye exams. However, the NHS lists several signs to watch for: shutting one eye or squinting to see clearly misaligned eyes (a squint) difficulty tracking objects or people with your eyes tilting the head when focusing on something experiencing eye fatigue and frequent rubbing headaches challenges with catching or throwing frequent tripping or stumbling excessive blinking Many kids don't realize there's anything wrong with their vision For younger children, a simple test can be done by covering one eye at a time with your hand and observing if they complain when their good eye is covered. Older children might express that they cannot see as well through one eye, according to the NHS. What are the treatments for a lazy eye? The NHS outlines several treatments for a lazy eye, including wearing glasses to correct vision and using an eye patch for a few hours each day. Additional treatments encompass the use of eye drops that temporarily blur vision in the stronger eye. Ideally, treatment should commence while vision is still developing, although surgery may still be required, the NHS advises. If you have any concerns or haven't had an eye test in two years, the NHS recommends speaking to your optician.
