Ayr Guildry, an association of local business people which itself dates back to 1325, is organising Ayr 800, a 12 month long calendar of events celebrating the 800th anniversary of Ayr throughout 2005.

“William by the grace of God, King of Scots, to the bishops, abbots, earls, barons, judges, sheriffs, bailie, officials and all honest men and of his whole land, clerical and lay, greetings!

Let those present and to come, know that I have made a burgh at my new castle upon Ayr and have granted to that same burgh and to my burgesses dwelling in it, all the libertiesand all the free customs which my other burghs and my burgesses dwelling in them have throughout my kingdom.”