IN most seaside resorts, a room with a view means a window looking out

to sea. In Troon, the views referred to in estate agents particulars

often mean sight of a golf course, in particular Royal Troon, one of the

hosts to The Open.

The name comes from 'troone', meaning nose, which refers to the craggy

hook of land thrusting into the sea, with a lighthouse on the end.

The town, five miles south of Irvine, was once Ayrshire's third port

and a centre of shipbuilding and ship-breaking. Now it is famous for its

two miles of beaches and five excellent golf courses.

As well as the private clubs of Royal Troon, and Portland, there are

three municipal courses at Fullarton, Lochgreen and Darley. A lot of the

housing in Troon either faces or backs on to a golf course.

As a resort town, Troon has crazy golf, tennis, trampolining, and a

fine concert hall. At the edge of town on the Fullarton Estate there are

walks, picnic areas and splendid spring displays of snowdrops and

daffodils

The Troon Marina is very popular with yachting enthusiasts and

anglers. Sailing is available all year, and there is small dinghy

sailing at Prestwick, which is close by. For the more adventurous

outdoor sports enthusiast there is windsurfing at the South Beach.

You can join a local leisure club at the Marine Highland Hotel, which

has a steam room, sauna, squash courts, swimming pool and games room.

There is an excellent new municipal swimming pool in the town.

For young and old, Troon is easy to get about, being fairly flat, and

there's a good selection of privatelyowned shops to walk to. There are

also thriving community churches, including St Ninians Episcopal with

its oak doors embellished by Robert Thompson with a carved mouse.

While many people choose to retire to Troon, others choose to relocate

in the town because of the schooling. Marr College is a good State

school and there is the choice of private schooling nearby at Belmont

House, Drumlea House and Wellington School.

Glasgow is 40 minutes away by train from Troon Station, and while it

takes a relatively short time to commute to the south of Glasgow by road

- 30 minutes to Newton Mearns - the journey time to the city centre can

be doubled at peak times. Hugh Robertson, Scottish chairman of the

National Association of Estate Agents says: 'The M77 extension will

enhance the property market in Troon, Ayr and Prestwick, as the main

bugbear has been the length of time it takes from Newton Mearns to the

city centre - the same as from Troon to Newton Mearns.'

There is no poor or undesirable area in Troon, having a quiet

small-town atmosphere, and the 'best' area is the Southwoods, with its

large mansions in their own grounds. South Beach, where many properties

have sea views, and Ottoline Drive are also sought-after. Many of the

homes in these areas fetch more than #200,000, and sometimes attract

American buyers.

There is new-build by Wimpey, Lynch and soon Mactaggart and Mickel

about two mile sfrom the town centre. Prices start around #45,000 for a

terraced house..

In the town centre and to the south of the town the properties are

more traditional.

Irene Graham, proprietrix of I D Graham, who has been selling property

in the town for over 25 years, says: 'Troon is always a busy market, and

wasn't badly hit by the recession. Prices are realistic, from #27,000

for a small flat to #500,000 for a large mansion.

'The town attracts people who are retiring, and those who work in

outlying areas. We also have a community of commuters.'

Jane Begg, negotiator at Slater Hogg & Howison, says: 'Troon is a much

more attractive place to raise a family, or retire to, than one of the

more industrial towns nearby, such as Kilwinning, Irvine and Kilmarnock,

and its property costs a little more .'

Maureen Eaglesham, sales negotiator at

J C Roxburgh, says: 'At the moment, the market is very good and there

are no rough areas. Our largest mailing list is for Fullarton Crescent

with properties at #70,000-#100,000.

'We also find that new homes like those by Lynch at Logan Drive on the

Marr Estate sell very quickly at prices from #49,000.

Peter Gillespie, regional manager at SEAL, adds: 'In summing up the

Troon market, the right house, at the right price, in the right

location, will always sell well.'