More details to follow on 16 August.

The conference will take placeat the Ayr Racecourse (map) in Ayr, a coastal town on the west of Scotland, famed for its golf courses (20mins from Royal Troon golf course), traditional Scottish landscapes and sandy beaches. September is a lovely month for this part of Scotland. It is also home to the legacy of the famous Scottish poet Robert Burns. For tourist information see here.

Further information on accommodation is posted here. You might note that the Ayr Gold Cup festival begins some days after the conference. This is a festival surrounding the racecourse and the town is transformed during this time.

Travelling to Ayr //

Paisley and Glasgow are just under an hour away by train on the west coast lines. The A77/M77 northbound links Ayr to Paisley and Glasgow in just under an hour. Southbound the destination is Stranraer, where there are regular ferry crossings to Northern Ireland. Seacat crossings also leave from nearby Troon. Frequent public bus and rail services operate from Glasgow and the south-west, as well as further afield, to Ayr.

The closest airport (10mins) to the University Campus is Glasgow-Prestwick International Airport, which is well-serviced by Ryanair.

The next-closest (40mins) airport is Glasgow International Airport, which has a rail-link that will take you down to Ayr.

Further travel details here

Maps (in PDF) //

Map of Ayr Town, including position of Campus

Map of Ayr Campus
(for those in campus accommodation)

About Ayr //

The bustling town of Ayr has a population of 50,000, and is located just 40 minutes from the centre of Glasgow by road or rail. Rising interest in University of Paisley provision offered in Ayr, has seen a dramatic growth in student numbers at the campus swelling the student population to over 2,500. The town has become increasingly student focused, offering a wide variety of venues for socialising and entertainment. The University campus is located just 10 minutes’ walk from the centre of town, in 20 acres of parkland bordering the River Ayr. Degree and postgraduate level studies are available in a variety of areas including: Business; Education; Health, Nursing and Midwifery; and Media, Language and Music. The campus is fully equipped with some of the Scottish Higher Education sector's finest media, broadcasting and recording facilities, and has its own digital radio station, a students' union and student residences. The Ayrshire Management Centre, which specialises in management and leadership training, is also located on the campus. Ayr town has a thriving collection of shops, including major retailers and specialist shops, offering shoppers quality fashion, first-rate food and much more. Plans are under way for new development, which will expand the existing shopping centre to include more high street brands and a national department store. A lively town, Ayr offers plenty of hotspots for the socialite. There are a multitude of inexpensive, traditional and modern bars, some with live music and DJs. Alternatively, the town has a selection of night clubs to choose from which cater for all music tastes. As well as an array of excellent cafes, restaurants and shops, food lovers can buy fresh local produce at the fortnightly farmers' market.

Ayrshire & Arran //

Ayrshire is packed full of Scottish history, visitor attractions, cultural and leisure pursuits. The area has a host of museums and arts venues and the town of Ayr itself has three busy theatres. Surrounding the bustling town of Ayr, the landscape varies from rolling hills, dramatic coastlines, parkland, moors and dense forests to long, sandy beaches. The geography of the Ayrshire and Arran region offers ideal terrain for mountain bikers, road cyclists, walkers and climbers alike. Sailing and water sports are also popular activities. For extreme sport enthusiasts nearby Troon beach offers ideal conditions for windsurfing, or you can try your hand at kiteboarding, the most recent trend to hit Ayr beach. The area has an enviable international reputation for its excellent golf courses, in particular Turnberry, Royal Troon and Old Prestwick (the first course in the world to host the Open Championship). Other activities in the area for the outdoor lover include quad biking, horse riding and trekking, skateboarding, football, rugby, hockey and tennis.