The register was set up in 1990, aiming to put a spotlight on buildings in the hope that action would be taken to restore them.
However, there are questions over the impact the register has had when it comes to influencing funding and planning decisions.
The review states that even those who support the purpose struggle to find evidence that it has had a key impact in saving historic properties.
The register has been frozen while the review considers the next steps.
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There are currently a total of 132 buildings across Ayrshire on the register – 51 in South Ayrshire, 38 in East Ayrshire and 43 in North Ayrshire.
These include the likes of Millport Town Hall, Ballochmyle Creamery in Mauchline, Glaisnock House in Cumnock, ABC Cinema in Kilmarnock, Belleisle House in [[Ayr]], Dunure Harbour lighthouse, Maybole Castle, Salt Pan Houses in Prestwick, Seafield House in Ardrossan, Harbour Masters Office in Irvine, and Crosbie Towers in West Kilbride.
Just 11 of the 132 are recorded as being under renovation.
But the review made it clear that this was not an accurate picture of the current landscape, with half of Scotland’s at risk listed buildings not properly recorded, including many which are years out of date.
East Ayrshire Council performed better than most when it comes to having those listed buildings that have been demolished registered on the BARR.
However, even this indicates that a third of these are not recorded, while nationally up to half may be missing, even for the most historically important buildings.
The report highlights that the main users of the register are those in the historic environment sector and that only a minority of users were those actively seeking to buy and restore properties.
Communities across Ayrshire have voiced frustration over vacant heritage buildings, from rural cottages to industrial-era halls, languishing without plans or investment.
The report warns that such gaps are widespread.
Across Scotland, only 53 per cent of buildings granted consent for demolition were ever recorded on the register.
That means potentially dozens of historic properties may have been lost without formal recognition or community awareness.
Although the BARR receives nearly 120,000 website visits per year, most are brief, and public use is minimal.
However, those living near decaying buildings often reach out for help – either seeking information or calling for enforcement.
Results of the review survey suggest that there is a positive view of the BARR information.
However, it adds: “There was nevertheless a substantial minority of users who were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the accuracy of the data.
“The interviews showed that concerns focused primarily on the incompleteness of the BARR and had two major components: one is that many entries have not been recently updated; the other is that there are many buildings at risk that are not on the BARR.”
The report offers stark options: either overhaul the BARR to improve its accuracy and usefulness, or consider scrapping it entirely and focusing resources elsewhere.
Historic Environment Scotland has not made a final decision, but the decision will impact [[Ayr]]shire’s built heritage.
