The Scotland coast is one of the best things about Scotland. And castles, of course. But together, a castle and a beach, and well you got yourself something special.

One of our favorite places to take a weekend getaway is to the seaside towns of Troon and Ayr, in Ayrside, on the west coast of Scotland. It is both ridiculously close to Glasgow (only about an hour drive) and ridiculously pretty.

I’m not sure what it is about the ocean and the beach, but it triggers an automatic reset and reflect button in me. It is magic for the kids as well. No matter what the weather is like, and no matter how much they protest before being dragged out of a warm car and into the cold wind (which is the only constant feature of any beach in Scotland), kids can’t help but have fun and it is impossible to peel them away.

The beach is also the ultimate destination treat for a dog, but so is pretty much anywhere.

Here are ten of my favorite images from our recent trip to the beaches near Troon and to Culzean Castle Beach. I can’t wait to go back.