Inside transformation of abandoned £25m Scots Butlin's resort into family favourite modern holiday park
BUT IN
BUT IN Inside transformation of abandoned £25m Scots Butlin's resort into family favourite modern holiday park
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BUTLIN'S has been a long-time favourite for Scottish holidaymakers - with the resorts dating back to the 1930s.
Families across the UK would head to the coast for a break at the popular holiday camps.
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Butlin's Ayr opened to the public in 1946 and families flocked to the resort
Credit: Alamy
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The popular resort boasted the iconic Butlin's chairlifts
Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
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As it grew in popularity, major investment was poured into the site
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
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The Ayr location was then transformed into Craig Tara Holiday Park
Credit: Alamy
And one of the resorts used to be based in Ayr which opened in 1946.
At first, it could host 2,000 holidaymakers before it quickly doubled its capacity.
As it grew in popularity, major investment was poured into the site.
Butlin's opened its first park in 1936 at Skegness, which remains open today. Eight more resorts followed, including one in the Bahamas.
However, many have closed over the years and been taken over by other brands such as Haven, with just three remaining - Skegness, Minehead and Bognor Regis.
Holidaymakers enjoyed swimming, sunbathing, dancing and amusement arcades at the seaside resort.
In the evening, if they hadn't retired to their simple, yet homely chalets, they were treated to entertainment laid out by the famous Red Coats.
The Ayr resort boasted a huge indoor swimming pool, a miniature railway and the iconic Butlin's chairlifts.
Parents could enjoy packed bars which featured entertainment from well loved music acts.
The Recoats even wore kilts at the beginning at the Scottish venue.
Butlin's reveals new £1.8million soft play attraction with three floors of activities
But the Ayr location started to struggle to keep up the high tourism levels as overseas package holidays started to become more affordable.
In 1987, Butlin's, with support from the Scottish Tourist Board, the announced a £25million investment.
It was also renamed Wonderwest World.
The investment was used to build a new water complex, upgraded three star accommodation and a 900-seat food court, Butlin's Memories reports.
In 1999, the resort was then transferred over to Butlin's sister company Haven Holidays.
The Ayr location was then transformed into Craig Tara Holiday Park.
Many of the old attraction disappeared and run-down chalets were knocked down.
Luxury caravans replaced the accommodation and the new site was officially opened by footie legend Kenny Dalglish.
Craig Tara remains a popular tourist hotspot to this day with beachfront lodges and caravans, an Airspace sports hall, Splashaway Bay water complex and restaurants including Burger King and Chopstix.
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Luxury caravans replaced the accommodation at the old Butlin's site
Credit: John Kirkby - The Sun Glasgow
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It boasts a huge water complex and much more
Credit: Haven
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