South Ayrshire is a unitary authority in southwestern Scotland. Topographically, much of South Ayrshire is relatively low-lying and fertile, giving way in the east and southeast to uplands. The island of Ailsa Craig, a bird sanctuary, lies off the coast of Girvan.

Ayr, a seaside resort, is the main market town and administrative centre. Apart from Maybole, the significant population centres are on the coast. These are Girvan, a seaside town and fishing port; Prestwick, the site of an international airport; and Troon, a resort with a noted golf course. Alloway, just outside Ayr, is the birthplace of Robert Burns (1759-1796). Tourism is important to the local economy, as is farming, with around 70 per cent of the land in agricultural use.