The diverse region of North Ayrshire offers busy towns, peaceful villages, river valleys and stunning coastlines. As well as some mainland in the south west of Scotland, the council encompasses the Isle of Arran and the Cumbrae Isles. The county is well-connected by road and by rail, with Edinburgh just 90 minutes away by train, and is near both Prestwick and Glasgow international airports. Much work and funding has gone into upgrading roads and building new schools in recent years, and there is a good choice of housing in different styles and price ranges. North Ayrshire’s marinas, national watersport centre, and golf courses are major attractions, as is the strong cultural heritage that dates back to Burns.