First rule of walking in the countryside: take a map and compass…read more I found this out the hard way when I nearly killed myself and a mate in Glen Coe. (seriously) I'm a bit of a geek when it comes to map reading. I'm pretty good at navigating - after being shown how to do it by an ex-SBS man (seriously) - and will do it for fun. There's really no need to triangulate yourself while walking down Brodick main street... I just enjoy it! Get off my back man! Arran Active has pretty much everything you need for walking and hiking, including boots, waterproofs, kendal mint cake and those little whistles for making people aware of the fact you've made a mess of things...

Well stocked outdoors shop with carefully selected items for high quality and value for money…read morerather than fashion or cheapness. I have not found a mainland or town centre shop that compares to this even the internet cannot beat their stock on price. Everything i have bought from there has lasted me years, i still have them all and they are as new when i bought them. Plus its location at the bottom of Goat Fell means if you have forgotten anything on your way up there Arran Active will save the day.

Matalan is in the building that the old B and Q used to be, along Ayr Road - opposite MGM garden…read morecentre. Due to the size of the store - the amount of stock and choice available in this store is great. This a friendly store, with huge range of goods - absolutely everythign you need for the home and clothes range for every age and style. Great parking - but unaccessible if you dont drive - unless you get the Ayr bus and get off nearer Shortlees and walk the rest.

If you want the best camping and outdoor equiptment this is your place but prepare to pay for it…read more Wll order specific items though if they dont have them in. Have offers on their website but the shop rarely has sales so try on line if you can. Blacks is a well known nation wide store so you know you are getting the best of stuff.

Blacks is a typical outdoor shop but it is a little small.The location is really good as it is set…read morein the centre of ayr town centre. Parking is available in the new shopping centre and blacks is within walking distance of the train sation and buses passes the door frequetly. They have excellent staff with good knowledge regarding all products in the shop and of the outdoors. The service you receive is excellent but honest as they do say what they think would be most sutiable which may not suit the customer. They have a good choice of footware and clothing with varraying prices to suit all budgets. The only downside is the shop seems a little to cramed in with stuff with it being a small shop.

I was in here yesterday checking out the new season's range of clothes. Like so many stores these…read moredays they offer 'Back to School', 'Back to College' and 'Back to Work' styles for all the family. I don't actually come into any of those categories (!) but I did like some of the new jackets and blazers, smart dresses and chunky cardigans on offer at the moment. There is also a good range of shoes and accessories inside including bags, scarves and jewellery. You'll find it in the main pedestrianised shopping street in the town; I can walk to the shops from where I live but the nearest car park to use is probably the one beside Wilkinson, just off the one-way system.

Located just along from the huge Tesco Brantano has a good selection of shoes, slippers, boots and…read moretrainers. It is a large store and has plenty of choice. The shoes are allocated into sizes as well as design so it should be fairly easy to find what you want. The prices vary from fairly expensive well known makes, although they may be last year's stock to one season cheaper styles.

If golf is your game then give Fairways a visit if you need some extra golf balls or tees.From…read morestarter sets for the novice to full sets suitable for the keen amateur or even pro then its all available at this bright and welcoming shop.If you cant find your particular or specific item then they will do their upmost to order it for you.Golf shoes for both women and men golfers alike are also in stock.At times you can always pick up a bargain at sales time.The only thing they cant guarantee is that it will turn you into a golfer fit enough for the Open but at least you can play to your best ability knowing that you've been kitted out from your local onestop golf shop.

The Kyle Centre has always been the go to of Ayr locals if they're looking for quality high street…read morefashions. The centre boasts big, popular chains such as Topshop, River Island and New Look to name but a few, not to mention a food court upstairs and a number of smallwer independent units and a couple of trendy hair salons. Until now The Kyle Centre has been the main high street fashion complex of its kind in Ayr, with the other local shopping malls being slightly smaller in size and housing jewellery and card shops rather than high street brands. However, in the past 18 months a new area of shops near the train station have brought other big high street contenders to Ayr, including a massive card outlet and H&M. With the Kyle Centre being somewhat of a comfort zone for me since it has largely kept its 80s decor and the same shopping stores, it'll be interesting to see how it evolves in the next few years to keep up with its new high street neighbours. For now, it's still important as a house for younger high street trends.

Back to its oriignal appeal with the new refubished look. There are around twenty shops ranging…read morefrom clothing to bargain basement shops. They have added a little coffee shop and stalls not, and often have visiting attractions in the foyer, schoo choirs and photographers being frequent visitors. A new eatery where the food is more convenient than of quality.

Sprockets Cycles has everything you need if you like cycling whether you are 5 or 55. They cater…read morefor all age groups and their bike shop in ayrshire is stocked full of bikes and accessories you'll want to add to your wishlist. One of the amazing things I was instantly drawn to was colour co-ordinated chains. What a brilliant idea, so if your bikes frame is purple or blue, you can co-ordinate with a purple or blue chain. If you live in the vicinity of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire you should drop in and have a look, they even have a garden centre next door so while the missus is picking plants you can browse the cycling goods. With an onsite cafe you can have refreshments before going home to compare your shopping experience.