Ayr has for years been a popular resort on Scotland's west coast, and tourists have been attracted as much by its connections with Robert Burns as by its sandy beaches and golf courses. Just north of Ayr is the more industrial town of Prestwick, famous for its international airport, and further north still is Troon - home to two championship golf courses.
Traditionally one of the more conservative towns in Scotland, Ayr was held by the Tories from 1950 until the 1997 General Election. The Labour landslide of 1997 delivered victory for Labour candidate Sandra Osborne, whose 14.6% majority was the largest recorded in the seat since 1983.
The Scottish Parliament elections in May 1999 witnessed another Labour victory, although this time with the narrowest of margins of 25 votes, after three recounts, over the Tory candidate - former MP for Ayr Phil Gallie.
However Labourís fortunes in Ayr plummeted with the decision of the new Labour MSP, Ian Welsh, to stand down just six months later. The first ever Scottish Parliament by-election was held here on 16 March 2000, and saw the return of Conservative John Scott as the new MSP for the seat, who pushed Labour into third place behind the SNP.