Troon

Troon
Name	Troon
Caption	Troon Harbour and the Royal Troon clubhouse
Population	14,950
Population ref	(2020)
Country	Scotland
Official name	Troon
Gaelic name	An Truthail
Scots name	The Truin
Os grid reference	NS325305
Coordinates	55.543, -4.664
Unitary scotland	South Ayrshire
Lieutenancy scotland	Ayrshire and Arran
Constituency westminster	Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock
Constituency scottish parliament	Ayr
Post town	TROON
Postcode district	KA10
Postcode area	KA
Dial code	01292
Static image caption	Troon Harbour and the Royal Troon clubhouse

Troon. A coastal town on the west coast of Scotland, within the council area of South Ayrshire. It is renowned globally as a premier golf destination, being the home of the historic Royal Troon golf club which has hosted The Open Championship on multiple occasions. The town's development has been shaped by its maritime heritage, its strategic position on the Firth of Clyde, and its evolution into a popular residential and leisure resort.

History

The area's early history is marked by its connections to the Lords of the Isles and the Stewart family, with nearby Dundonald Castle serving as a royal residence. The modern settlement began to develop significantly in the early 19th century with the construction of a new harbour by the Duke of Portland, which transformed it into a major port for the export of Ayrshire coal. This maritime expansion was bolstered by the arrival of the Glasgow and South Western Railway in the 1840s, facilitating both industrial growth and the beginnings of tourism. During the Second World War, the harbour and surrounding areas played a crucial role, with the United States Navy establishing a base and the town being involved in preparations for the Normandy landings.

Geography

Situated on a rocky promontory on the north side of Ayr Bay, the town overlooks the Isle of Arran and the Mull of Kintyre across the Firth of Clyde. Its coastline features both sandy beaches, such as the expansive South Beach, and rugged rocky shores. The local geology is notable, with the town giving its name to the "Troon Trachyte", a distinctive volcanic rock quarried locally and used in buildings like Glasgow Cathedral. The area forms part of the wider Garnock Valley and is bordered by the settlements of Prestwick to the north and Barassie to the south.

Economy

Historically centred on shipbuilding, marine engineering, and port activities, the local economy has diversified considerably. While the Port of Troon remains active for freight and ferry services to Larne in Northern Ireland, tourism and leisure are now dominant, driven overwhelmingly by golf. The presence of Royal Troon, alongside other courses like Darley and Fullarton, supports a substantial hospitality and service sector. The town also functions as a commuter base for the commercial centres of Glasgow and Ayr, with light industry and retail concentrated in areas like the Muirhead estate.

Transport

The town is served by Troon railway station on the Ayrshire Coast Line, providing regular connections to Ayr, Kilmarnock, and Glasgow Central station. Major road access is via the A77 road and the A78 road, linking to the M77 motorway network. Troon Harbour provides ferry services operated by P&O Ferries to Larne. For air travel, the town is adjacent to Glasgow Prestwick Airport, which has historically handled freight and passenger flights.

Sport

The town is synonymous with the sport of golf. Royal Troon is one of the host courses in the Open Championship rotation, having first hosted the major in 1923 and most recently in 2016, where Henrik Stenson won a memorable duel with Phil Mickelson. The club's famous "Postage Stamp" hole on the Old Course is renowned worldwide. Beyond golf, the town supports Troon Football Club, which plays in the West of Scotland Football League, and has facilities for sailing, tennis, and bowls, with the Marine Hotel being a traditional base for sporting visitors.

Notable people

Notable residents have included the pioneering marine engineer and shipbuilder William Denny, co-founder of the Denny shipbuilding dynasty in Dumbarton. In sports, multiple major winning golfer and former Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie was born and raised here. The town was also the birthplace of the renowned mathematician and physicist Sir William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin, who made fundamental contributions to thermodynamics and for whom the kelvin unit is named. More recently, footballer and Scotland international Alan Rough hailed from the town.

Category:Towns in South Ayrshire Category:Ports and harbours in Scotland Category:Open Championship venues