Editing Ayr (section)

===Modern history===
[[File:NS3322 - New Plaza at Ayr (2).jpg|thumb|right|The new plaza development in the town centre contains the new Cutty Sark Centre]] 

817 men from Ayr died during the [[First World War]]. A memorial was unveiled at Wellington Square in 1924 dedicated to those who died, with other memorials being put up at Alloway Village Hall and Whitletts Cross.<ref name=PictorialHistory/>

Ayr's growing population following the war resulted in significant [[Slum clearance in the United Kingdom|slum clearance]] and redevelopment around the town centre, with the development of new housing estates on the periphery of the town. The lands surrounding Woodfield House were acquired by the council in 1919 to build [[Public housing in the United Kingdom|council housing]] on, with the first residents moving in 1921. Further local government reform in 1930 brought the burgh of Ayr within the area controlled by Ayrshire County Council, but classed as a [[large burgh]], which allowed the town to continue to run many local services itself.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government (Scotland) Act 1929|year=1929|chapter=25|access-date=23 December 2022}}</ref> The burgh boundaries were expanded in 1935 to include Alloway, Castlehill, [[Doonfoot]] and Whitletts.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Ayr Burgh Extension &c. Order Confirmation Act 1935|year=1935|chapter=55|accessdate=30 December 2022}}</ref> In the 1930s, council estates were also developed at Lochside and Heathfield. The mining villages of Dalmilling and Whitletts were also cleared and developed into sizeable council estates.<ref name=PictorialHistory/>

Following the [[Second World War]], more council housing was developed in Ayr at [[Kincaidston]], with the Wallacetown and Whitletts estates being expanded. Suburban housing was also developed at Alloway, Doonfoot and Holmston, and many disused industrial buildings throughout the town were redeveloped into flats.<ref name=PictorialHistory/>

In 2000, as part of the Millennium celebrations, Ayr submitted an unsuccessful bid for city status, losing to [[Inverness]], and again submitted an unsuccessful bid two years later in 2002 as part of the [[Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II]], losing to [[Stirling]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Five new cities creates row |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/1872577.stm |website=BBC |access-date=1 April 2024 |date=14 March 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Inverness awarded city status |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/1076125.stm |website=BBC |access-date=1 April 2024 |date=18 December 2000}}</ref> In 2021, [[South Ayrshire Council]] announced a South Ayrshire wider bid, which would include Ayr. This bid was part of the granting of city status to towns to honour the [[Queen's Platinum Jubilee]] in 2022.<ref>{{cite web |title=Council Approve South Ayrshire City Status Bid |url=https://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/article/35850/Council-Approve-South-Ayrshire-City-Status-Bid |website=South Ayrshire Council |access-date=1 April 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Again, the bid was unsuccessful, with the region losing to [[Dunfermline]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Dunfermline awarded city status as part of Platinum Jubilee celebrations |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/dunfermline-alister-jack-platinum-jubilee-fife-wrexham-b2083305.html |website=The Independent |access-date=1 April 2024 |language=en |date=19 May 2022}}</ref> 

In 2019, GUARD Archaeology team led by Iraia Arabaolaza uncovered a marching camp dating to the 1st century AD, used by Roman legions during the invasion of Roman General Agricola. According to Arabaolaza, the fire pits were split 30 meters apart into two parallel lines. The findings also included clay-domed ovens and 26 fire pits dated to between 77- 86 AD and 90 AD loaded with burn and [[charcoal]] contents. Archaeologists suggested that this site had been chosen as a strategic location for the Roman conquest of Ayrshire.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Archaeologists find remains of the Roman invasion of Ayrshire|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17663920.archaeologists-find-remains-roman-invasion-ayrshire/|access-date=2020-09-13|website=HeraldScotland|date=24 May 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-05-24|title=New evidence uncovered for Roman conquest of Scotland|url=https://www.heritagedaily.com/2019/05/new-evidence-uncovered-for-roman-conquest-of-scotland/123820|access-date=2020-09-13|website=HeritageDaily - Archaeology News|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Lost Roman marching camp sheds new light on invasion of Scotland|url=https://www.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/lost-roman-marching-camp-sheds-new-light-invasion-scotland-1416571|access-date=2020-09-13|website=www.scotsman.com|date=28 May 2019 |language=en}}</ref>