Compass Pier, Ayr Harbour

Compass Pier is located at Ayr Harbour and is part of a series of structures that include Ratton Quays, which were rebuilt in 1713 and between 1724 and 1730, with later alterations. The Wet Dock was constructed by J I McDerment in 1873, while the Slip Dock was built by John Strain in 1883. A lighthouse designed by Robert Paton was added in 1841, with a cottage addition made around 1863.

The North, South, and Compass Piers are made of curved, coursed, and squared stone, with the Compass Pier being much smaller. The internal construction of these piers is not visible. The North Breakwater is a rectangular-plan structure located at the entrance of the harbour.

The harbour walls consist of mass concrete quays with granite copings on either side of the River Ayr, extending to New Bridge. The Griffin Dock features a near rectangular-plan wet dock.

There are two cast iron lighthouses, built around 1880, located at the terminus of the South Pier and at the entrance to Griffin Dock. The South Pier lighthouse is white, with an abbreviated cylindrical tower, a triangular-pane lantern, and later angled iron stays. The Griffin Dock lighthouse is red and white, featuring a concrete base, a railed stair, a tapering conical tower, a triangular-pane lantern, and a steep conical roof. Additionally, there is a four-stage lighthouse built in 1841 by Paton, located south of Griffin Dock. This lighthouse has a coursed sandstone tapering circular tower, a corbelled and railed parapet, a domed circular lantern, and a square-pane light. An attached cottage, built around 1850, is made of sandstone (partly squared) and has a grey slate roof, stone skew, coped stack, and a circular chimney can.