The Macdonald Legacy
Background
For many years, Ayr Rugby Club was lucky to have the support of Dawn Construction, owned by local businessman Alan Macdonald. In 2018, Alan sold the company and looked forward to a well-earned retirement and spending more time with his family.
Sadly, just two years later, Alan’s only son, Barry Macdonald, passed away suddenly at the age of 54 while travelling home from a holiday. The news came as a huge shock to everyone who knew him. Wanting to do something special in Barry’s memory, Alan decided to create a legacy fund to celebrate his son’s life and give something back to the Ayr community.
What is The Macdonald Legacy?
Ayr Rugby Club has always been one of Scotland’s most successful clubs — with strong teams, great community events, and a busy social calendar. But over the years, the cost of running and maintaining our old facilities became a real challenge. We didn’t have the funds to keep things running smoothly and make the improvements we needed.
At one stage, the club even looked at the idea of selling the land at Millbrae for housing development. The proposal would have seen 48 new homes built right in the heart of Burns Country, along with a new access road that would have cut through the gardens of the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum.
Not everyone agreed this was the right direction for the club’s future. That’s when Club Chairman Brian Williamson launched a campaign to save Millbrae and protect it for generations to come.
The campaign caught the attention of Alan Macdonald, who, in January 2021, generously offered £3 million to help redevelop Millbrae for sport and community use. And with that, The Macdonald Legacy was born.
Since then, Alan and Brian have worked closely together to bring this incredible vision to life for the people of Ayr.
The Development
The Macdonald Legacy is an ambitious project that’s being carried out in three main phases, each designed to transform Millbrae and secure the future of Ayr Rugby Club for generations to come.
Phases 1 and 2 are now complete, with exciting progress already visible around the grounds. Phase 3 will bring the final pieces of the project together, creating modern facilities for players, members, and the wider community.
What was Phase 1?
Before the work began, getting in and out of Millbrae wasn’t easy. The old access was narrow, busy on matchdays, and could be tricky for both cars and pedestrians to use safely.
Phase 1 focused on fixing that by building a new access road for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles, along with new car parking facilities. These improvements have made it much easier and safer for everyone to reach the club, whether they’re coming to play, watch, or just visit.
What was Phase 2?
Phase 2 focused on building a brand-new all-weather, multi-sport 3G pitch, along with floodlighting, access paths, and structural improvements around the site. The grass pitch also received new floodlights, improving conditions for evening training and matches.
The new 3G pitch sits next to the existing grass pitch, giving the club the flexibility to host even more rugby and community sport throughout the year. Both Phase 1 and 2 were completed together and officially opened at a grand event in February 2025.
Since then, Ayr Rugby Club has seen a real resurgence in activity — the easier access and top-quality playing surfaces have brought more players, teams, and visitors through the gates. The 3G pitch can be hired for rugby, football, and other sports, offering a first-class facility for the whole Ayr community.
What is Phase 3? (starting Spring 2026)
After months of work by the project team, Phase 3 has now received planning approval from South Ayrshire Council, and Ayr Rugby Club has been awarded funding from SportScotland to help bring this final stage to life.
Following the successful completion of Phases 1 and 2 earlier this year, which brought a new access road and all-weather 3G pitch, the club has already seen a resurgence in activity. Phase 3 will see the construction of a large new building featuring a state-of-the-art strength and conditioning gym, a golf simulator, and a new club shop.
The development will also include significant upgrades to the stand. The old long bench seating will be replaced with individual seats in our club colours, and people will have the chance to put their name on a seat, becoming a part of the Macdonald Legacy.
These improvements are designed to support the development of our playing members, particularly in the youth section, while providing excellent new facilities for our growing membership and the wider Ayr community. Work on Phase 3 is expected to start as soon as practical, with completion anticipated by summer 2026.
Dam Park
The work at Millbrae isn’t the only way the Macdonald Legacy is helping the club grow. In September 2023, the funding also allowed Ayr Rugby Club to purchase Dam Park Stadium from South Ayrshire Council.
Owning Dam Park gives the club more opportunities to run training sessions, host matches and events, and support the local community. The stadium can also be hired out for sports and other activities, helping the club act as a real hub for sport and community life in Ayr.
Community
The Millbrae development is about community and has been made possible by the largesse of the Macdonald family. If you would like to get involved or donate, please email us at trustees@ayrrugbyclub.co.uk
How do I get involved?
We’re reaching out to our members, sponsors, and anyone with a connection to Millbrae to help with our fundraising initiatives. By getting involved, you can create your own legacy and be part of this exciting sporting and community development.
There are several ways to support the project:
Dedicate a Brick
Within the next 12 months, we will construct a new Performance and Community Gym, designed for strength and conditioning as well as cardiovascular training. By “buying a brick” for £150, you can help fund the construction and have your name or message displayed in the gym foyer, leaving a permanent mark on this fantastic facility.
Dedicate a Tree
Tree planting is an important part of sustainable development, helping absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. By planting a tree with a £250 personalised plaque, you can mark a special occasion such as a birth, birthday, marriage, or anniversary — or create a fitting tribute in memory of a loved one. The first release will be along the northern boundary of the 1st XV pitch, between Millbrae and Alloway Church Hall/Burns Centre.
Dedicate a Seat in the Stand
We’re reimagining the viewing experience over the 1st XV pitch. The stand will be refurbished with new stadium-style seating, improved aesthetics, more steps for access, dugouts, and an accessible area for wheelchairs and prams. By donating £500, you can have a personalised plaque on a seat, in your own name, in memory of someone special, or to mark an important occasion.
Dedicate a Bench
Millbrae holds special memories for many people — a place for excitement, fun, and reflection. We are making 10 memorial bench locations available on the north side of the 1st XV pitch, facing the stand. Each bench is hand-fabricated in galvanised steel, coated in acrylic paint, and comes with a 25-year guarantee. By donating £1,500, you can have a personalised plaque on a bench, leaving a lasting tribute at Millbrae.
Where Your Money Will Go
100% of all money raised through the Legacy Fundraiser initiatives will be ring-fenced for Phase 3 of the Millbrae redevelopment.
Soon, we will begin refurbishing the changing rooms and reinventing the viewing experience over the 1st XV pitch. Work will include a landscape design for the extended beer garden, with safety fencing, seating, wooden gazebos, and a playpark for young children.
Subject to planning permission, construction of the new Performance and Community Gym will begin in 2026. Along with the 3G pitch and upgraded changing facilities, this will make Millbrae one of the best sporting facilities in the area. Attention will then turn to clubhouse facilities, function suite, and kitchen improvements, with more details to follow.
Ayr Rugby Football Club is a registered charity (SC051905), and your donation will be eligible for Gift Aid.