The town's meeting place
Since it reopened, Loudoun Hall has played an important part in the social life of Ayr. In October 1968 the trustees leased it to the town council for a peppercorn rent.
It has been the meeting place of countless clubs and societies, among them the Ayr Photographic Society, the Ayr Chess Club, the Ayrshire Archaeological and Natural History Society, and the Kyle and Carrick Civic Society. It has hosted concerts, plays, art shows, artists in residence and weddings, and in the 1960s and 1970s it rang with folk music.
Protected
On 10 January 1980 Loudoun Hall was listed Category A, the highest protection for a historic building in Scotland. Historic Environment Scotland describes it as an outstanding example of Scotland's few surviving pieces of 16th-century burgh architecture.
Care and change
In the 1990s the courtyard was redesigned, and the artist Gordon Young set a lead circle into its paving. In 1997 to 1998 a new stair opened up the upper floor, giving the building more uses. In 2021 to 2022 the Hall was thoroughly cleaned and redecorated.
A quiet spell
The council has not let the Hall since October 2019. Rob Close links this to the upheaval of Covid-19 and the council's wish to improve disabled access. In July 2025 Rob Close wrote that Loudoun Hall "may be on the brink of another chapter in its long history".
A new chapter
In August 2026, WMA Group Ltd became the proud owners of Loudoun Hall, one of Ayr's oldest and most historically significant buildings. Recognising both its remarkable heritage and its untapped potential, WMA Group acquired the property from the Loudoun Hall trustees with a commitment to safeguarding its future.
Our vision is to breathe new life into this extraordinary building, carefully preserving its historic character while creating a welcoming venue for weddings, celebrations, cultural events and community activities.
By giving Loudoun Hall a sustainable new purpose, we hope to ensure that this important part of Ayr's heritage can be enjoyed and appreciated for generations to come.
Sources: Close 2025, Historic Environment Scotland, Gordon Young, WMA Group.