The River Ayr (pronounced like air, Uisge Àir in Gaelic), longest river in what was the old county of Ayrshire of Scotland, is approximately 65 km (40 mi) in length. It originates at Glenbuck Loch in East Ayrshire on the border of Lanarkshire and winds its way through East and South Ayrshire to the town of Ayr, where it empties into the Firth of Clyde of the Atlantic Ocean. On its way, the river passes through the villages of Muirkirk, Sorn, Catrine, Failford, Stair and Annbank, as well as passing the location of (the now ruined) Ayr Castle. The river has a catchment area of 574 km2 (222 sq mi).
Principal tributaries include the Greenock Water, Lugar Water, Water of Fail and Water of Coyle. Major land uses within the catchment area are agriculture, forestry, mining, leisure and recreation and urban development, the largest settlements being Ayr, Cumnock, Catrine, Ochiltree, Muirkirk and Sorn.
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