Has anyone been to Ayr Airshow?

Escalateandcreate · 2023-09-07T05:23:22+00:00

If so, how was the day, well afternoon as I see it starts at 12. I am booking parking at the racecourse. Is it a walking around kind of day with lots to see when the planes aren’t up or is it a blanket and picnic, sit down when you find a space type day. The weather so far looks promising. I’m just not sure what to expect.

Leftphalange100 · 07/09/2023 06:56

I went a few years ago- there were rides for the kids if you are taking any, and some stalls to have a wander round. Food carts etc. But I would say it's a blanket and coffee flask type of day in between displays

Original poster

Escalateandcreate · 08/09/2023 06:34

Thank you for that. Blankets and camping chairs are ready.

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Brightredtulips · 08/09/2023 06:51

Some people take tents. Definitely blanket and picnic. Its a great day out. I have my fingers crossed for the weather, its been so good this week. Friday night is also good...fireworks coming out of planes!

Original poster

Escalateandcreate · 08/09/2023 06:55

Brightredtulips · 08/09/2023 06:51

Some people take tents. Definitely blanket and picnic. Its a great day out. I have my fingers crossed for the weather, its been so good this week. Friday night is also good...fireworks coming out of planes!

Thanks we are going tomorrow. Going to leave early as we are in Fife and head over to try and get a reasonable spot to sit for the day. DH and the kids and wander off and come back. I’m in a moon boot so will take things a wee bit easier.

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Chanelno1 · 08/09/2023 07:08

I was down walking the dog the other night. There are shows, beer tents, food stalls, other stalls selling items, big wheel. Games on the beach. Weather looks decent for it. Traffic will be incredibly busy. It won't be the exact same as previous years as they were ran by the Scottish International Air show, the one this year is run by the council. There are less planes this year.

Chanelno1 · 08/09/2023 07:10

I would take a picnic though. Food will be overpriced. Unless you wander up to the town for food.

Original poster

Escalateandcreate · 08/09/2023 07:40

Chanelno1 · 08/09/2023 07:10

I would take a picnic though. Food will be overpriced. Unless you wander up to the town for food.

Thanks. That’s the plan. At least for lunch we will take something. We can eat from a stall later in the day before the drive home.

Going to park at the race course I think. Is it a long walk to the beach?

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Chanelno1 · 08/09/2023 07:53

If its the racecourse at Whitletts Road then yes it's a fair walk to the beach but Im sure there's shuttle buses going from some of the car parks. If its the old racecourse then no, it's only a 5/10 minute walk.
If it was me I would set up on the grass between the Ayr India restaurant and the main area where the shows are, there's public toilets at the back of the restaurant that won't be as busy as the portaloos on the low green and a wee cafe in front of the restaurant that sells ice cream.

Original poster

Escalateandcreate · 08/09/2023 07:53

I was looking at parking at the race course but it seems quite a bit out. I see they do a park and ride but I really don’t want to rely on a bus to get us back to the car when it ends. It’s too far to walk with a moon boot so I think I’ll opt for the belle isle car park instead. It only seems to be 20 minutes to walk.

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Chanelno1 · 08/09/2023 08:05

Yes Bellisle isn't too far. There are also lots of stagecoach buses go past the racecourse from the bus station. The bus station isn't far from the beach. Not sure how busy they will be though.

Original poster

Escalateandcreate · 08/09/2023 08:56

Chanelno1 · 08/09/2023 07:53

If its the racecourse at Whitletts Road then yes it's a fair walk to the beach but Im sure there's shuttle buses going from some of the car parks. If its the old racecourse then no, it's only a 5/10 minute walk.
If it was me I would set up on the grass between the Ayr India restaurant and the main area where the shows are, there's public toilets at the back of the restaurant that won't be as busy as the portaloos on the low green and a wee cafe in front of the restaurant that sells ice cream.

Thank you. Will definitely look out for that area. I presume it’s easy to see and find?

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Chanelno1 · 08/09/2023 10:11

Yes, if you're coming from Bellisle you should walk towards the Ayr India when you're walking towards the beach. It's right on the beach front.
If you're going up into the town later, it's the other side of the green from Ayr India. So walk diagonally through the festival area and up past the golden disc amusements.
Hope you all have a lovely day. If I see a lady with a moon boot I will say hello!

Original poster

Escalateandcreate · 09/09/2023 10:43

We are here. On the grass between the big wheel and Ayr India. Waiting on the cloud clearing.

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Chanelno1 · 09/09/2023 23:08

We had a good day, hope you did too. I hope you managed to get out the carpark ok, it was a complete shambles, some folk stuck for over 3 hours in the dark.

Original poster

Escalateandcreate · 10/09/2023 07:01

We parked at the race course in the end and it took 4 outs to get home. That was from packing up when the red arrows finished. We were lucky as the parking guy at the race course let us park at the front because I’m in a moon boot. I think we’d still be there if we were further in.

It was a lovely day but the traffic v people and the toilets were a disaster. I am not sure if the council didn’t expect as many people to turn up. It needs much, much better planning if they do this next year.

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Chanelno1 · 10/09/2023 14:44

Glad you weren't stuck, traffic management was a total shit show. My brother lives nearby and we were lucky we could park there and walk.
We are back today after dropping my son off, busy but nothing like yesterday, no toilet queues! A god send for me as I have a medical condition.
Apparently there was thousands more people than anticipated but yes, hopefully they will plan better for next year or many won't be back.