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Taste Ayrshire is an initiative that has been set up to publicise the quality of Ayrshire food and produce. Take a look at their website www.tasteayrshire.co.uk and see a great selection of eating places.

Stay in a quality B&B and the owners will be able to recommend the best local eating places.

© Alister Firth reproduced with permission of Carrick, Ayrshire.

Many visitors come to Ayrshire to enjoy the great outdoors. There are so many lovely walks, with the Ayrshire Coastal Path stretching over 100 miles from Glenapp to Skelmorlie.

It is not just the scenery that walkers appreciate, it is also the diverse wildlife along the rivers and shores.

Many of the ABBA B&Bs offer a service of taking your luggage on to the next B&B. Please ask when you make your booking.

And now Dumfries House, near Cumnock, is attracting visitors in their thousands, to see this fantastic country mansion, with its unique collection of Chippendale furniture.

And of course Robert Burns has many connections throughout Ayrshire, with the jewel being the Museum in Alloway.

Add to that the craft town of West Kilbride, Dean Castle and the Dick Institute in Kilmarnock and you can see there is plenty to do in Ayrshire

Several B&Bs have joined the Ayrshire B&B Association recently, appreciating the benefits of collaboration.

• receive more bookings
• free listing on website
• sharing of best practice
• powerful lobbying group
• attend Chamber of Commerce events free

For more information contact Helen Malcolm relax@ayrbandb.co.uk

A stunning Festival of Flight is set to celebrate the history of aviation at Prestwick.

Organisers plan to make a dramatic air show the highlight of the 10-day event,. And a range of other attractions, including a film festival at the Gaiety, could also form part of the programme.

Curators Angela Wrapson and George Kerevan say they hope to revive the region’s passion for its rich aviation history. Angela revealed: “Prestwick is a name that is synonymous around the world with flight. “When you look back through its timeline, so many important things have happened here. “So an event like this could have international significance for Ayrshire and far beyond.”

Organisers hope to run a number of fringe events, with an aviation-themed fashion show and a comic and book festival among the plans.

Website just launched

Ayrshire & Arran Tourism Team in partnership with VisitScotland are hosting a Tourism Gathering to explore how the industry can best work together to drive tourism growth in Ayrshire & Arran.

The event will allow businesses in East, North and South Ayrshire the chance to boost their business through improved networking, collaboration and marketing opportunities in the tourism sector and for Ayrshire & Arran as a destination.

The Event is free and will take place at Menzies Hotel, Irvine on Tuesday 30 April 2013 between 10am and 4:30pm.

During the day there will be presentations on the Ayrshire & Arran Tourism Strategy and insights into the Ayrshire & Arran visitor. Delegates will have the opportunity to participate in a range of workshops which will explore watersports, working with the media, online communication and developing themed itineraries.

Moira Birtwistle, Chair of Tourism Leadership Group stated: “This Tourism Gathering offers an excellent networking opportunity to engage with our industry partners in collectively exploring the key actions designed by the Ayrshire and Arran Tourism Team and supported by the Tourism Leadership Group, to assist in the positioning of Ayrshire & Arran as a premier destination of choice.”

Businesses can register online now at: http://aatourismconference.eventbrite.com/. Registration closes on at 12 noon on Friday 26 April 2013.

Many people choose a hotel rather than a B&B, because they have an impression of B&Bs from their childhood. Things have changed! You don’t have to queue up for the only toilet in the place; you don’t wait on the gong ringing before going for breakfast; and there are no rickety old beds.

5 Great Reasons to stay in a B&B

1. Value for money – you will pay less in a B&B for what is often greater comfort
2. Friendly staff – as B&Bs are run by the owners, they will ensure you are well looked after
3. Local Knowledge – the owners know the area. They will help you with things to do
4. Comfort – this is the owners’ home. Standards need to be high to compete
5. Fully equipped – most B&Bs offer free wifi, flat screen TVs and tea & coffee in the rooms

So if you have never tried a B&B, now is a great time. Save yourself some money, and be surprised just how good B&Bs are these days. Choose from a wide range in Ayrshire at www.ayrshirebandb.com

This year’s trail includes 36 artists living and working throughout Ayrshire. Visitors are offered free access to all venues. More details

And by staying in a B&B, you can have all the comforts without paying a fortune. Check out availability in Ayrshire