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Scottish Sun
8 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
‘Scotland's worst seaside resort' revealed as locals blast ‘ghost town' full of empty shops that's ‘only getting worse'
'People would come from everywhere to shop here or go to the beach. There's nothing to come for now' RESIDENTS of 'Scotland's worst seaside town' say life there is like "living in a ghost town Armageddon". Ayr, on Scotland's picturesque west coast, was voted the country's worst town by the sea and 10th worst across the UK. Advertisement 7 Ayr has been voted Scotland's 'worst seaside town' Credit: John Kirkby 7 Locals blasted the 'ghost town' full of empty shops Credit: John Kirkby 7 The rating came despite a soft sand beach with striking views over to Arran Credit: Alamy Despite striking views over to Arran, Ailsa Craig and beyond and a soft sandy beach that stretches for miles, Ayr was given a measly three stars for scenery, peace and quiet. The survey quizzed more than 3,800 Which? members asking them to rate their experiences at various coastal towns across the UK. Advertisement Despite its scenic location, good rail links, and being a prime spot for birdwatching and fishing from the harbour, Ayr came out the worst rated in Scotland. And surprisingly, the people who call Ayr home, say they find it hard to disagree. Life-long Ayr residents say the once-booming seaside town's fortunes have dwindled dramatically over the last few decades. Best pals Margaret Whyte, 61 and Mary Higgins, 57, say the town centre is at the heart of Ayr's failing fortunes. Margaret said: "It's like a ghost town, like Armageddon. So many shops lie empty, the place is run down. I'm not one bit surprised it's been voted the worst in Scotland. It probably is." Advertisement Top 20 Seaside Towns According to Which? Bamburgh Beer Portmeirion St David's Sidmouth Tynemouth Dungeness Tenby Aldeburgh Wells-Next-The-Sea Whitby Lynmouth Nairn Saint Andrews St Mawes Swanage Broadstairs Bude Lyme Regis Robin Hood's Bay Mary added: "It's terrible. It's depressing when you think of how Ayr used to be. People would come from everywhere to shop here or go to the beach. There's nothing to come for now." With a mere two stars given to Ayr for its tourist attractions, it's easy to see where they're coming from. Despite this, the town attracts thousands of visitors every year when it hosts the famous International Ayr Show with approximately 240,000 people visiting over the weekend. But people in Ayr say lack of year-round investment in the town centre means aside from Ayr Show weekend, no one has any reason to come to town. 7 .John and Margaret Green say Ayr is "not what it used to be" Credit: John Kirkby Advertisement John Green, 65, said: "Ayr's not what it used to be. There's nothing here, especially the main street. There's too many empty shops, but that's not unique to Ayr, it's the same everywhere." Margaret Green, 64, said: "When you compare Ayr to the likes of Hamilton which is a similar kind of place, it's quite different. Hamilton is still great with lots going on but Ayr just seems to get worse and worse. The beach is lovely, but the town centre lets it down." Elizabeth Blane, 59, was visiting from Australia and says she sees the heavy decline of her home town whenever she visits. 7 Elizabeth Blane says the town has "gone downhill" over the years Credit: John Kirkby She said: "I'm from Ayr but I've lived in Australia for 17 years and I'm back just now for a visit and I can see some big changes. It's gone downhill over the years. Advertisement "The amount of shops that are closed now. There's nothing but charity shops. It's sad because it used to be a great wee town." But it's not all doom and gloom. There are worse places, say some. 7 Carole Hunter says there are too many empty units Credit: John Kirkby Carole Hunter, 61, said: "I don't think Ayr is the worst because the beach is there and it's beautiful, but the town centre makes it seem like the worst in Scotland. "Considering it's the borough town for Ayrshire, basically the capital, the town centre should not be so bad. It's awful, especially when you compare it to Troon and Prestwick which have lovely high streets. All Ayr seems to have is abandoned buildings." Advertisement Married couple Bobby and Eileen Kelly say they still come through to Ayr from their home in neighbouring town Newmilns, for one very specific reason. 7 Bobby and Aileen Kelly reckon there should be more investment into the town Credit: John Kirkby Bobby, 70, said: "We are from Newmilns and we used to come through to Ayr for the shops but there's barely anything here now. We still come for Slaters. But having said that there's worse places. Ayr is not as bad as some." Eileen Kelly, 71, said: "What's happening to Ayr now is there is a huge divide between the people who have money and the people who have none. "There doesn't seem to be a lot invested in the town either." Advertisement In the Which? survey each town was scored out of 100, based on criteria like the quality of the beaches, scenery, food and drink, accommodation, tourist attractions and value for money. Results were also based on visitor overall satisfaction and how likely they would be to recommend the place as a holiday destination. While Ayr fared the worst, Nairn in the Highlands, near Inverness, came out on top in Scotland and 13th in the UK. This scenic sandy beach in a remote location is a popular spot for families. Dolphins are often spotted along the coastline and there are plenty of coastal paths in either direction. Advertisement The survey gave it five stars for its scenery and peace and quiet, four stars for its beach, seafront and parking. But it gained only three stars for its tourist attractions. St Andrews beach, near the East Neuk of Fife, followed behind Nairn in 14th place across the UK. The university town scored 76% for its stunning two-miles of sandy beach. Bottom 20 Seaside Towns According to Which? Ilfracombe Littlehampton Mablethorpe Ramsgate Skegness Fishguard Barton-on-Sea Cleethorpes Lowestoft New Brighton Ayr Great Yarmouth Weston-super-Mare Blackpool Burnham-on-Sea Fleetwood Southend-on-Sea Clacton-on-Sea Bangor Bognor Regis The town also received five stars for its food and drink, tourist attractions and scenery, four stars for its beach, seafront, accommodation and shopping. Advertisement Parking and value for money scored low, however, with just two stars each. Bamburgh in Northumberland, England, topped the UK-wide list with an impressive score of 84%. It received five stars for its beach, seafront, scenery and peace and quiet. Other top five locations included Beer, Portmeirion, Saint David's and Sidmouth all scoring in the 80s and high 70s. Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel said: 'While you may have your own favourite destination, as well as the top spots in Devon and Wales, our survey shows there are still plenty of beautiful hidden gems across the UK to explore. Advertisement 'Some seaside resorts offer better value for money than others, so it is worth looking at surrounding areas of popular spots if you are looking for a cheaper overnight stay.'
Wales Online
13 hours ago
- Wales Online
'Shabby' Welsh seaside town is named UK's second worst, and people are angry
'Shabby' Welsh seaside town is named UK's second worst, and people are angry The UK's consumer champions surveyed over 3,800 people about their experiences of UK seaside destinations in the last year. Bangor's harbour (Image: R) Wales is fortunate to have some of the world's most stunning beaches and just this week two of our seaside destinations have been named among the very best in the UK. UK consumer champions Which? surveyed over 3,800 people about their experiences of UK seaside destinations in the last year. They asked those taking part what their views were on a range of things including the quality of the beaches, scenery, food and drink offerings, accommodation, tourist attractions and value for money. In the end, two Welsh locations made it into the best five seaside finds, along with Bamburgh in Northumberland which took the top spot for the fifth year running. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here . Portmeirion in Gwynedd, North Wales' colourful Italian inspired village celebrated for its vibrant architecture achieved a commendable 79% rating. In fourth place on the list was another Welsh gem that won over visitors. St Davids in Pembrokeshire, the UK's smallest city, it also matched Portmeirion's 79% destination score. You can read more what the people had to say about both places here. Article continues below Garth Pier in Bangor (Image: R) The least popular location on the list was Bognor Regis, which in the past has been celebrated as one of the sunniest spots in mainland Britain. It has now languished at the bottom of the holiday destination table with a mere 36% rating, earning just one star across most judged areas. A disappointed visitor described it as "'a run-down seaside town". Trailing just slightly better was Bangor in Gwynedd, which scored a very disappointing 38% where its "shabby" state didn't go unnoticed. However, it has gone up a spot from being last year's 'worst seaside town in the UK'. Yet, amidst criticism, someone commended the area for its "stunning views across the Menai Straits" and considered it an excellent gateway to North Wales and Anglesey. Bangor may lack a traditional beach but boasts a Victorian-era landmark pier, virtually unchanged since Lord Penrhyn inaugurated it in 1896. WalesOnline reporter and Bangor daughter Branwen Jones has been left less than impressed by the news that Bangor is again at the bottom of the Which? table. She said: "I was quietly outraged, firstly because Bangor had been referred to as a 'town' when in fact it's a city, and secondly, that so many people could get it so wrong. Article continues below "You can keep your sandy beaches and your fancy hotels because Bangor has so much more than that. It has a community of people that genuinely care about it, people who have lived and worked on its shores, and will fight to keep its history alive and its future bright. "And as an added bonus, you can find impeccable views of Eryri, the sea and the north-west Welsh coastline. You'll find a city rich with history, a beautiful cathedral, a university built by the people and for the people, and so many amazing people that call it 'adra'."
Daily Record
20 hours ago
- Daily Record
Scotland's "driest town" with stunning beaches named best seaside destination in the country
The former fishing port on the Moray Firth coast has been named one of the country's best seaside destinations A Highland town often hailed as the driest place in Scotland has just been named the country's joint best seaside destination. Nairn, a former fishing port on the Moray Firth coast, topped the Scottish rankings in the annual Which? seaside survey, sharing the spotlight with St Andrews in Fife, the town world-famous as the Home of Golf. Both destinations scored an impressive 76 percent in the poll, placing them among the UK's most loved coastal spots. Ayr was the only other Scottish town to feature, but its modest score of 51 percent was based on limited feedback and fewer rating categories. Located around 17 miles east of Inverness, Nairn has long been a favourite with holidaymakers looking for sea views, sandy beaches and a slower pace of life, Scottish Daily Express reports. With three beaches and a sunny microclimate thanks to the surrounding hills forming a rain shadow, Nairn is often drier and brighter than other towns across Scotland. It's even considered one of the sunniest spots in the country. As well as top marks for scenery and tranquillity, Nairn earned four stars for its beach and seafront, and was praised for the abundance of parking. Its reputation as a family-friendly destination is backed by VisitScotland, which highlights the area's opportunities for walking, cycling and exploring the Highlands. Nature lovers are drawn to nearby Culbin Forest and the Moray Firth, where dolphins, minke whales and seals are often spotted. The town's birdlife is also a big draw. While it may not be able to rival St Andrews' global golfing fame, Nairn holds its own with two championship courses and a proud sporting history. And if the weather does take a turn, visitors can take refuge in one of the town's popular pubs or restaurants, such as CJ's Cafe, Ozzy's Fine Dining, Sun Dancer, Jackos Bar, The Classroom Bistro, Uncle Bob's Bar or The Bandstand Hotel and its beer garden. Just a short drive from the town centre, Cawdor Castle and Nairn Museum add to the area's appeal with history and heritage. This year's Which? survey asked more than 3,800 people to rate their experiences of UK seaside destinations across several categories including beaches, scenery, food and drink, accommodation, attractions and value for money. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Northumberland's Bamburgh once again took the overall UK crown, topping the list for the fifth year in a row with five-star ratings for its beach, seafront, scenery and peaceful atmosphere. Meanwhile, traditional resorts like Blackpool and Southend saw mixed results, and Bognor Regis received the lowest score overall. Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said: 'From beautiful coastlines to peaceful walks and charming traditional bucket and spade resorts, the UK seaside offers something for everyone – whatever the weather. 'While you may have your own favourite destination, as well as the top spots in Devon and Wales, our survey shows there are still plenty of beautiful hidden gems across the UK to explore. Some seaside resorts offer better value for money than others, so it is worth looking at surrounding areas of popular spots if you are looking for a cheaper overnight stay.'
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Scotsman
a day ago
- Scotsman
Scotland's best seaside town has been crowned – and it scored 5 stars for its breathtaking scenery
Thebest seaside town have been named by Which? Sign up to our Scotsman Rural News - A weekly of the Hay's Way tour of Scotland emailed direct to you. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The best and worst seaside towns in Scotland have been named in a new study. The results come after Which? asked its members to rate their experiences at coastal destinations across the UK. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad According to the consumer watchdog, almost 4000 people responded to the survey. Each town was then given a score out of 100, based on criteria like the quality of the beaches, scenery, food and drink offerings, accommodation, tourist attractions and value for money. Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel said: 'From beautiful coastlines to peaceful walks and charming traditional bucket and spade resorts, the UK seaside offers something for everyone - whatever the weather. 'Some seaside resorts offer better value for money than others, so it is worth looking at surrounding areas of popular spots if you are looking for a cheaper overnight stay.' Nairn was awarded five stars for peace and quiet. | Elena Reid Topping the UK-wide list, for the fifth year in a row, is Bamburgh in Northumberland, with an impressive score of 84%. It beat 117 other UK towns and villages to get the highest destination score and top the table. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The other top five locations were Beer, Portmeirion, Saint David's and Sidmouth – each scoring in the 80s and high 70s. Two scenic spots in Scotland made the list, and while Which? says 'there's nothing to choose between them', one just edged it to be crowned as the country's best seaside town. Which? said: 'Nairn's position near the start of the Coast 500 scenic driving route – close to Inverness Airport – is why so many people have visited this Highland jewel. 'But it's worth a visit in its own right. Its four white beaches, backed with dunes, scored four stars in our survey and it garnered five stars for scenery, with the Cublin Forest nearby. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'There's nothing to choose between it and the equally lovely St Andrews for a Scottish seaside break – both get a destination score of 76% – but Nairn also gets five stars for peace and quiet.' At the opposite end of the table was Bognor Regis. It received just one star for its seafront, food and drink, tourist attractions, scenery, shopping, parking, peace and quiet and value for money.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Scotland's best and worst seaside towns revealed as hidden-gem beach takes top spot
Scroll down to find out LIFE'S A BEACH Scotland's best and worst seaside towns revealed as hidden-gem beach takes top spot SCOTLAND'S best and worst seaside towns have been revealed in a new study. More than 3,800 Which? members responded to a survey that asked them to rate their experiences at coastal destinations across the UK. Advertisement 4 St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland Credit: Getty Each town was then given a score out of 100, based on criteria like the quality of the beaches, scenery, food and drink offerings, accommodation, tourist attractions and value for money. Results also factored in overall satisfaction and how likely people are to recommend the city as a holiday destination. Hotel prices are calculated by an average from Bamburgh in Northumberland, England, topped the UK-wide list with an impressive score of 84%. Advertisement It received five stars for its beach, seafront, scenery and peace and quiet. Other top five locations included Beer, Portmeirion, Saint David's and Sidmouth all scoring in the 80s and high 70s. But while two Scottish beaches ranked high, another popular Scots spot was named one of the worst. Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel said: 'From beautiful coastlines to peaceful walks and charming traditional bucket and spade resorts, the UK seaside offers something for everyone - whatever the weather. Advertisement 'While you may have your own favourite destination, as well as the top spots in Devon and Wales, our survey shows there are still plenty of beautiful hidden gems across the UK to explore. 'Some seaside resorts offer better value for money than others, so it is worth looking at surrounding areas of popular spots if you are looking for a cheaper overnight stay.' BEST SEASIDE TOWNS IN SCOTLAND Nairn, Highlands 4 Nairn in the Highlands was voted the best in Scotland Credit: Alamy Nairn in the Highlands, near Inverness, came out on top for Scotland and was ranked 13th best in the UK overall. Advertisement This scenic sandy beach in a remote location is a popular spot for families. Dolphins are often spotted along the coastline and there are plenty of coastal paths in either direction. There's also a stunning nature reserve at Kingsteps in the east and a viewpoint to the west. On the Which? survey, it was given five stars for its scenery and peace and quiet. Advertisement Four stars were granted for its beach, seafront and parking. But its pitfall, with only three stars, was its tourist attractions. Average hotel prices cost a fairly reasonable £119 a night. St Andrews, Fife 4 St Andrews beach in Fife ranked high on the list Credit: Getty Advertisement St Andrews beach, near the East Neuk of Fife, followed behind Nairn in the 14th spot. The Fife university town was also given a score of 76% for its stunning expansive sandy beach. It boasts a two-mile stretch of sand just 15 minutes from the tiown centre. St Andrews was awarded a whopping five stars for its food and drink, tourist attractions and scenery. Advertisement Four stars were given for its beach, seafront, accomodation and shopping. Parking and value for money scored low, however, with just two stars each. WORST SEASIDE TOWNS IN SCOTLAND Ayr, Ayrshire 4 Ayr beach was ranked the worst in Scotland Credit: Tom Farmer Ayr beach was named the worst in Scotland and 10th worst in the UK. Advertisement With views over to Ailsa Craig and the Isle of Arran, the popular seaside town was given just three stars for its scenery and peace and quiet. It's also part of the Sustrans National Cycle Route and a prime spot for birdwatching and fishing at the harbour area. But it ranked in the 30th spot with a destination score of just 51%. A mere two stars were given for its tourist attractions. Advertisement Meanwhile, Bognor Regis received the lowest score in the UK from visitors. It is one of the sunniest places in mainland Britain, yet finished in last place with a destination score of 36 per cent and scored just one star in most categories.
