South Ayrshire Council

South Ayrshire Council area covers an area of  just over 1200 square kilometres and covers the Southern part of Ayrshire to the boundary with Dumfries and Galloway. South Ayrshire has a population of 122,100, most of which are concentrated in the coastal towns of Ayr, Prestwick and Troon. The current administrative boundaries of South Ayrshire were formed in 1996 from the former Kyle and Carrick district council areas, with Dalmellington being transferred to the newly formed East Ayrshire council area.

South Ayrshire has not only a beautiful coastline, but also upland and forest areas around the Carrick hills to the boundary with Dumfries and Galloway.

South Ayrshire has a number of notable habitats, including 32 areas that have the designation of an Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), covering an area of 4076.3ha. Such sites include Craig Wood and the Girvan to Ballantrae coastal section. Designations also include Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), such as the Lendalfoot Hills complex, and Special Protection Areas (SPA), such as the dramatic Alisa Craig.

Outwith these designations, there are also a number of wildlife sites which are managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, and well as sites of ornithological importance.