Ayr, the county town of Ayrshire, Scotland, on the frith of Clyde, near the mouth of the river Ayr, 30 m. S. W. of Glasgow; pop. in 1871, 17,851. The town is well built, and has commodious public buildings, a large fish market, and several pleasant squares. The Ayr is here crossed by two bridges, celebrated by Burns in one of his best known poems. A good harbor is formed by the mouth of the river, but the town has little commerce, though it was formerly largely engaged in the importation of wine from France. The principal industries are fishing, rope and sail making, and iron founding. Ship building is also carried on to a small extent. - About two miles from Ayr, in what was formerly the parish of Allow ay, is the small cottage in which Burns was born in 1759. A monument has been erected to the poet on a hill not far off.

The Brigs of Ayr.

Robert Burns's Cottage, near Ayr.