Ayrshire

Ayrshire is a former county in south-west Scotland, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. Its principal towns include Ayr and Kilmarnock.

It became part of the kingdom of Scotland during the 11th century. In 1263, the Scots successfully drove off a group of Norwegian Vikings in a skirmish known as the Battle of Largs.

A notable historic building in Ayrshire is Turnberry Castle, which dates from the 13th century or earlier, and which may have been the birthplace of Robert the Bruce.

The Ayrshire breed of cattle originated here, prior to 1800.

Ayrshire became part of the newly created Strathclyde Region in 1975. When the two-tier system was abandoned, Ayrshire was split into the council regions of East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, and North Ayrshire, although the later also includes the former county of Buteshire.

Glasgow Prestwick International Airport, serving Glasgow, Scotland, is located in Ayrshire.

Some notable people born in Ayrshire

• Sir Thomas Brisbane (1773-1860), British soldier and colonial administrator after whom the city of Brisbane, is named.
• Robert Burns, poet, in Alloway;
• John Dunlop, (1840-1921), British inventor of the pneumatic tire, in Dreghorn.
• Andrew Fisher, (1862-1928), prime minister of Australia;
• John Galt, (1779-1839), author.
• John McAdam, (1756-1836), engineer, responsible for a system of road design;
• Bill Shankly, (1913-1981), one of the most respected football managers in Europe
• William Wallace, one of Scotland's greatest national heroes, in Ellerslie (now Elderslie).