Port of Troon is owned and operated by the biggest British ports group, Associated British Ports. Troon Yacht Haven is a 300-berth marina offering a wide range of modern facilities for berth-holders and visiting yachtsmen.
Port of Troon is owned and operated by the biggest British ports group, Associated British Ports. Troon Yacht Haven is a 300-berth marina offering a wide range of modern facilities for berth-holders and visiting yachtsmen.
Troon, twinned with town of Villeneuve- sur-Lot in France, is a little town synonymous with the game of golf. It is home to the Royal Troon Golf Club, host of the 133rd Open Golf Championship in July 2004. Troon is a busy Scottish sporting venue as it also has a successful basketball team, the Troon Tornadoes, who won the men’s senior Scottish Cup in 2003, and an athletic club, the Troon Tortoises. The Scotland football team uses Troon as its base before international matches. Football legend Pele has walked the streets of Troon. He was in the town when Brazil used Troon as a base in 1966, before playing a friendly with Scotland and moving down to England for the World Cup finals.
Troon History. The name “Troon” comes from the Celtic word “trwyn” , which means “headland” or “point”. The old part of Troon town was built on the rocky nose that extends from the sandy bays to the North and South.
In the early 19th century the Duke of Portland added docks to the natural harbour of Troon. Several years later a horse drawn railway was set up from the port to the Duke of Portland’s coal mines around Kilmarnock. This secured Troon’s position as one of the top ten coal ports in Britain by the 19th century. Ship breaking boomed in the 1950s and 1960s. The shipyard, Ailsa-Troon Yard, was opened in the town of Troon in 1860 and, although it stopped building ships in 2000, it is still prominent in Troon’s skyline. Coal traffic to and from Troon gradually declined and the town became more important as a passenger ferry port.
Troon Attractions and Activities. The view from the approach to Troon, looking out over the volcanic beauty of Ailsa Rock, is spectacular. Troon town is wrapped around a scenic piece of the Scotland’s south west coats. Troon is a centre for leisure sailing in the Firth of Clyde and also a small seaside resort featuring a couple of wide beaches, the North Sand and the South Sand.
The origins of golf in Troon date back to the establishment of the Royal Troon Golf Club in 1878. Originally a five-hole course, it was extended to become an 18-hole golf course in 1886 and first held the Open Championship in 1923. The rest, as they say, is history.
A pleasant walk is possible around the square formed by Portland, Church, Academy and Ayr Streets. An amusement arcade opposite Portland Street, home to a number of local businesses, offers fun for all the family. Academy Street is known for its cottages, many of which were part of the old town of the 19th century. A visit to the Parish Church of Scotland in Ayr Street is recommended while a short walk away is Templehill, so called after a summerhouse built at the top of the hill by Colonel Fullerton. Beautiful views over the marina can be enjoyed from the Templehill.
Troon Shopping and Dining. Troon has many small privately-owned shops offering friendly personal service. Many are popular with visitors, including the Pandora shop at the Cross, which offers an interesting range of gifts and ornaments. A Framing Artist shop in Ayr Street is well stocked with artist materials and many paintings and prints of local artists and local scenes. Meanwhile, the Framework Gallery on Portland Street offers original artwork and prints.
Although a small town, Troon offers a great choice of dining, from local cuisine to Italian delights in Italia Mia or Cecchini’s, from Chinese food in the Shiok or Golden City restaurants to Indian food in the Maharani Indian Restaurant. Just up from the beach is the Beach Café, Lonsdale Bar and Portland Café. Fresh fish and chips are available from the Marina Café.
Troon Access. Troon is located just north of Ayr and Prestwick and Troon Port can be accessed via the A78. From the North follow the B746 through Barassie, from the East follow the A759 through Loans village and from the South follow the B749. Follow signs for Troon Ferry Port.
