While Filey was nearing completion, the Admiralty requested Billy Butlin to establish another camp on the South Coast. However, this initiative was abandoned when the entire North Coast of France came under German control. Instead, they instructed him to construct two additional camps, one in North Wales and the other on Scotland's west coast. The location selected for the Scottish camp was Ayr, situated four miles south of the town on 85 acres of gently sloping terrain that was part of the Heads of Ayr coastline.
Similar to Pwllheli, the camp's design was significantly shaped by the aspiration to convert the site into a holiday camp after the war. Construction began in 1940, and it opened the following year as HMS Scotia, serving as a Navy training camp throughout the war. After the war was over the Navy began moving out and the camp was eventually transferred into Butlin's ownership in 1946. After some hurried construction and repairs the site opened the following year as a holiday camp. Upon opening it could accommodate close to 2000 guests but this was eventually increased to over 5000.
