PLENTY OF PUBS IN THIS POST (BUT SOME HAVE GONE)

I'll be honest, this part of Scotland isn't great if you're a real ale person. Stevenston sticks firmly to that rule, but was interesting from a transport perspective. The station was once served by DMUs and had proper signalling.

A1 and AA Buses were plentiful at Stevenston.

One of the A1 constituents had a depot in Stevenston, where this ex Severns of Dunscroft Leyland/Roe was to be found.

We now take a short cut, across the bay, to the town of Troon, famous for golf. Let's start at the railway station.

Here's some more modern views, in 1979, before electrification. The station building was recently (2021) destroyed by fire.

Modern EMUs now run most services.

Troon once had a loco shed, down by the harbour, seen in 1936.

Troon south beach and Esplanade (Creative Commons License).

And so to the first of today's pubs, the Harbour Bar.

Not far away, the Anchorage Hotel.

The Ardneil Hotel, which is now shut.

Oh dear! Whatpub suggests that the Bruce's Well is long term closed as well. Perchance it sleepeth?

Oh no! Macintyres is also permanently closed, so says Mr. Google.

Thankfully, McKay's is still in business, on the road out of town.

Further along the road is the depot of Dodd's Coaches, then part of AA Buses. They once had a grand collection of vehicles.

Dodd's of Troon is still in business, though no longer running stage carriage services. Ths Guy/Burlingham coach was retained as a heritage vehice.

Just to the north of Troon is Barassie, where the single line towards Kimarnock diverges. The Stranraer boat train used to take this route.

We now head inland, to the village of Loans. Here was a pub called the Bruce Inn, since renamed the Old Loans Inn.

From Loans there are good views over Troon.

Somewhat to the south is Prestwick Airport. A photo in my collection, photographer not known. Please let me know if you can add further details.

Prestwick itself is served by trains heading for Ayr.

Sorry, another closed (and demolished) hostelry, the Parkstone Hotel.

Thankfully, the Golf Inn is still trading.

That's it for this post, more of Ayrshire in the next one. Meanwhile, follow the route here.