Ayr, Bay of, an eastward expansion of the Firth of Clyde, opposite the island of Arran. It sweeps into the coast of Ayrshire in a concave form, and has an outline somewhat similar to that of a crescent moon. The chord of it, or the geographical line separating it from the main body of the firth, extends from Farland Head, at the E side of the entrance of the strait between Cumbrae islands and the mainland, 22 miles south-south-eastward to the Head of Ayr or promontory of Brown Carrick Hill, 2 miles WSW of the mouth of the river Doon. The longest line, at right angles with the chord, to the mainland at the month of Irvine Water, is 6½ miles. The extent of shore-line, exclusive of minor curvatures, is 25 miles. The aggregate of foreshore is about 2870 acres. The coast, in a general view, is all low, or but little diversified; and it has indentations of any consequence only at Ardrossan, Saltcoats, and Troon. An islet, called Horse Island, lies near Ardrossan. Another islet, called Lady Isle, lies 2¼ miles SW of Troon; and two rocks or skerries, Lappoch Rock and Meikle Craig, lie respectively 2 miles N by W, and 1½ mile S by E, of Troon. The parishes on the coast are West Kilbride, Ardrossan, Stevenston, Irvine, Dundonald, Monkton, Newton, Ayr, and Maybole. The chief streams flowing into the bay are the Garnock and the Irvine, in the vicinity of Irvine; the Ayr, at Ayr harbour; and the Doon, 2 miles S of Ayr. The scenery of the bay blends on the N with that of Cumbrae and Bute, on the E with that of great part of Ayrshire, on the S with that of Ailsa Craig and the main body of the firth, on the W with Arran and the Argyllshire mountains; and is surpassingly diversified and magnificent.
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