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.'
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