i  play: a good place to spend time

The fourth theme is about leisure and play for both visitors and residents alike.

Both sailing and golf are to the fore in the area as exciting and well resourced activities with excellent international standard golf courses and some of the world's best sailing territory nearby.

• A new golf course and international standard hotel, The Ayrshire, is planned on the coast at Irvine. 
• One of the key urban renewal projects at Irvine Bay is  to expand Ardrossan North Shore into one of the biggest marina developments in the UK. 

The beaches along the 14 miles of Irvine Bay coastline are also renowned and the coastal path is a popular option for walkers and cyclists.

As the coastal park develops there will be ever increasing opportunities to enjoy the outdoors in this fabulous area.

Irvine Bay's links with Scotland's maritime heritage are strong. Irvine, at one time the third largest port in Scotland, is now the home of Scotland's Maritime Museum. Ardrossan, an important port in its own right until well into the 1960's is now the ferry terminal for sailings to Arran and a constant stream of holiday makers passes through the town.

Already there are a plenty of things to do in the Irvine Bay area whether you are visiting the area or you live nearby, and the range of options is only going to expand.