The comments were made at a meeting of East Ayrshire Council, after Ayrshire and Arran Head of Tourism, Jill Cronin, had presented a report which reflected on how the organisation was performing, as well as its plans for improving.

Councillor Barney Menzies said: “We are promoting golf when we have a historic house in the area, in which the future king of our country is involved, which is important not just here but further afield. I do not believe that we are getting value for money from Ayrshire and Arran Tourism.

“Everything seems to be more centred towards South Ayrshire and I am disappointed in that respect. There is not enough credence given to the jewel in the crown that we have in East Ayrshire. I do not know if there is any benefit in having a shared service for tourism.” Ayrshire and Arran Tourism works with the region’s three local authorities to promote culture and heritage sites, as well as a Golf Initiative and becoming involved with Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink, through a localised promotion, called Taste of Ayrshire.

Ms Cronin said that the group was concentrating on marketing and promotion for the whole of Ayrshire as the summer tourist season approaches and will be coming up with a range of proposals to explore this, which they will be presenting to North, South, and East Ayrshire Councils.

She added: “We have had a couple of meetings with the Scottish Food and Drink team and we will be looking at an event in each of the three local authorities and intend talking to Dumfries House to see if they are interested in the event.” Golf will play a major part in attracting visitors to Ayrshire, notwithstanding the protests though, with the arrival of Donald Trump on the golfing scene bringing much potential income and the tourist team want to capitalise on this.

“Our golf initiative will have a comprehensive approach to golf tourism and development and promotion, spanning work across research, regional golf development, business development, online tee-times, and marketing.” On a broader basis the target for 2015-16 is to increase the numbers of visitors coming to Ayrshire and Arran by 10 per cent.