Our Story

My love for travel began when I was a teenager. The excitement of discovering new places, tasting new foods, and experiencing different cultures left a lasting impression on me – and that passion has never left. I always dreamed of opening my own travel agency, a place where others could be inspired to explore the world just as I had.

In 2009, that dream became a reality. Thorne Travel was born in a tiny shop on Kilwinning’s Main Street. It was just me — a one-woman show with a big vision. I wanted to create a travel agency that made travel inclusive, exciting and personal for everyone, no matter their destination or budget.

What started in that little shop has grown into a multi-award-winning, independent travel agency with branches in Kilwinning, Largs and Prestwick. Along the way, I’ve been lucky to build a talented team of Travel and Cruise Experts who share my passion and commitment to delivering exceptional service.

We now help thousands of people each year plan unforgettable trips, and we specialise in a wide variety of holidays, including:

• Luxury long-haul escapes

• Sun-soaked beach holidays

• Tailor-made multi-centre adventures

• Family holidays

• City breaks

• All-inclusive packages

• Honeymoons and romantic getaways

• Adventure and activity holidays

• Escorted tours

• River cruises and ocean cruises

• UK breaks and coach tours

• Theme park and Disney holidays

• Business and group travel

We’re proud to work with over 600 trusted travel suppliers, which means we can search the whole market to find the very best holiday deals — from five-star luxury to amazing value breaks — for all tastes and budgets. Our independence allows us to tailor each trip around you, with completely unbiased advice and added personal touches that make your holiday truly special.

One of the fastest-growing parts of our business has been cruising. Over the years, cruise holidays have evolved into something for everyone — from ships with waterparks for families, to ultra-luxury escapes offering six-star service and private butlers. As cruise enthusiasts ourselves, we know how valuable it is to speak to someone who really understands the options.

That’s why we created Cruising with Thorne Travel, our dedicated cruise division. In 2017, our Cruise Manager John joined the team and won three prestigious CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) awards in his very first year. Since then, he’s built a specialist team who are passionate about cruising – from exploring new ships to sailing to incredible ports around the world.

Whether it’s a Mediterranean cruise, a river voyage through Europe, or a world cruise of a lifetime, John and the team will guide you every step of the way. They’ll organise everything – flights, transfers, hotel stays, excursions and more — for a seamless and stress-free experience.

We are fully independent and not financially tied to any cruise line or tour operator. This gives us the freedom to offer truly independent advice, exclusive cruise offers, and the best possible value – all backed by full ABTA and ATOL protection for your peace of mind.

So whether you’re jetting off for some beach sunshine, planning a magical family adventure, sailing on a luxury cruise, or ticking off a bucket-list destination, our team is here to make it happen — with expert knowledge, exceptional service, and unbeatable value.

We can’t wait to help you plan your next unforgettable journey.

Warmest wishes,

Shona Thorne
Chief Executive, Thorne Travel