A man has been taken to hospital following a serious assault in Ayr on Friday evening. Police Scotland confirmed officers were called around 6.20pm on Friday, 12 December, 2025, to a report of a serious assault on Content Street, Ayr. Emergency services attended the scene and the man was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for treatment. The incident prompted a significant police presence in the area, with nearby roads sealed off, the underpass leading to Ayr tow

Aviation Editor Doug Maclean At a gala night at the Park Plaza Westminster hotel last night Prestwick was crowned UK Air Freight Business of the Year. It is a fabulous recognition for several years of hard work by Nico Le Roux and his small but incredibly good team. The turnaround is remarkable. A whole new business has been created. Traditionally it was exciting to see a new service start at one a week. We have gone from Scotland never having a dedicated freight service to C

Communities first plan approved as North Ayrshire reports progress on learning and development A council plan aimed at strengthening communities through adult learning, youth work and capacity building has been approved, with North Ayrshire Council reporting progress on key outcomes across the area. The Strategic Community Learning and Development (CLD) Plan Annual Report for 2024-25 was presented to Cabinet, outlining progress under the current three-year plan covering 2024

NHS Ayrshire & Arran is starting to allow more flexible visiting in our hospitals after a recent period where only essential visits were supported. Jennifer Wilson, Nurse Director, said: “We want to sincerely thank patients and their families for their understanding and support during this time. Having these visiting restrictions has helped us protect vulnerable patients and manage infection risks. “While we are seeing a small reduction in flu cases within our hospitals, infe

Seamill Hydro unveils plans for new Technogym-powered health club Ayrshire’s Seamill Hydro has released the first images of its new purpose-built Technogym-powered gym and mixed-fitness facility, which is set to become one of Scotland’s leading independent health clubs. In what is being described as a Scottish first, the fitness facility will be the first in the country to feature Technogym’s new Sand Stone Collection. The Italian design-led range of high-performance cardio a

Construction of the Ayrshire Innovation Park (AIP), at Moorfield in Kilmarnock, is officially underway and officials gathered in Kilmarnock to celebrate the start of this £48.8m Ayrshire Growth Deal project. The Ayrshire Innovation Park is the latest Growth Deal project to break ground in East Ayrshire, and it is set to transform the local economy into the next decade and beyond with job creation and business growth opportunities. With a total acreage of almost 32 acres, the

Great news breaking tonight. The “Spirit” aerospace jobs at Prestwick are secure. New name over the door of the main factory will be Prestwick Aerosystems. Doug Maclean Aviation Editor, 8th December 2025 Double good news for Prestwick and Scottish industry today as details released from Airbus in Amsterdam said that Airbus “has closed the transaction with Spirit AeroSystems for the acquisition of industrial assets dedicated to its commercial aircraft programmes.” Picture Airb

Police are appealing for witnesses after two people were struck by a car that failed to stop in Ardrossan. Photo: Google Maps The incident happened around 6pm on Thursday 4 December on Sorbie Road, near Ardrossan Academy, when the pair were crossing at the pedestrian traffic lights. They were hit by a red car, which then drove off. Officers are urging anyone with information or dashcam footage to come forward. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Police in North Ayrshire are

A killer who carried out a violent attack on a young Troon man has been jailed for life. Image: Police Scotland James Thomson, 35, was found guilty of murdering 22-year-old Callum Pollock after a trial at the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday, 30 October 2025. He was back in court on Friday, 5 December, when a judge at the High Court in Edinburgh ordered he serve at least 19 years behind bars before he can be considered for release. The horror unfolded late on Saturday, 6 Jul

Aviation Editor Doug Maclean.   At an inspirational event held at the historic Honourable Artillery Company in central London the Kilmarnock students bonded as a team and worked together to design, build and fly a drone with very practical applications.   The theme for this year’s challenge, ‘Local Heroes’, invited students to design quadcopters that addressed the real needs of their communities, demonstrating how Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths (STEM)innovation can d

Keeping your loved ones safe - Visiting restrictions across all sites Like many Health Boards across Scotland, NHS Ayrshire & Arran is seeing a sharp rise in viral respiratory infections, including flu. This is placing significant pressure on our hospitals. To protect patients, visitors, and staff, we have made the difficult decision to suspend routine visiting across all hospitals from Thursday 4 December. Only essential visits will be supported. We will review the situation

Buzzworks has confirmed a new corporate sponsorship agreement with the Master Chefs of Great Britain, strengthening the company’s commitment to culinary excellence and the development of the next generation of chefs. The partnership, announced on 4 December, marks a significant step for the hospitality group as it continues to invest in training, skills and opportunities across its expanding portfolio of 22 venues. The Master Chefs of Great Britain, a respected non-profit org

Two men have been found guilty of causing the death of a North Ayrshire mum after racing at speeds of up to 111mph on the A70 near Ayr. Photo: Police Scotland Rory Nimmo, 26, and John Clark, 43, were today convicted at the High Court in Glasgow of causing death by dangerous driving following the fatal collision on 28 October 2022. Nimmo was driving a heavily modified Audi TT with tyres below the legal tread when he lost control during an early-morning race with Clark, who was

Hundreds of roads across North Ayrshire will begin switching to a 20mph speed limit later this month as part of a national effort to improve road safety. Councillor Tony Gurney The change follows the Scottish Government’s National Strategy for 20mph in Urban Areas, noted by Cabinet in June, which supports reducing speeds on suitable village, town and city roads from 30mph to 20mph. Transport Scotland is leading the nationwide rollout. Evidence behind the move highlights that

Ayrshire’s independent travel agency LAH Travel is celebrating national recognition after receiving the Outstanding Achievement Award at the recent Hays Travel Conference. Left to right: Heather Kerr (LAH Manager), Harriet Grainger (Hays IG Manager), Dame Irene Hays and Linda Mackenzie (LAH Travel Consultant) The business, which operates branches in West Kilbride and Kilmarnock, has been part of the Hays Independence Group for almost 22 years. The award acknowledges the agen

Renaldos Ices in Ayr has been crowned Scotland’s Best Gelateria at the Scottish Italian Awards 2025. The family-run business took the top spot ahead of six other finalists in the category. Photo: Renaldos/ Facebook (Public) The team shared their excitement in a post on Facebook, stating: “WE WON BEST GELATERIA IN SCOTLAND!!! We are all so happy! We couldnt have done other without all our lovely customers, staff, families and friends! Thank you every one of you! Now we are off

Six boys have been reported to the relevant authorities following a fire at a disused building on Kilnholm Place in Cumnock. Stock image: Police Emergency services were alerted after the incident broke out around 1.15pm on Wednesday 12 November 2025. Officers carried out enquiries in the area as part of their investigation. Police have thanked everyone who assisted with their appeal and provided information to support the inquiry.

South Ayrshire Council has been awarded £481,000 through the Scottish Government’s Place Based Investment Programme. Photo: Troon Concert & Walker Halls (South Ayrshire Council) Funding will support upgrades at Ayr Town Hall and Troon’s Concert and Walker Halls. New audio, visual and production equipment will bring the venues up to modern standards. The Council expects the improvements to help increase footfall in town centres and provide wider benefits to hospitality and loc

Quite a few people were asking what on earth laded at Prestwick just as it was getting dark ? The answer is 2 Boeing V22 Ospreys belonging to the United States Air Force. Aviation Editor Doug Maclean. They are big, powerful and heavy. The Osprey is 57 feet long and powered by 2 Rolls Royce jet engines. It is described by Boeing as a multirole combat aircraft which utilises tilt rotor technology. Image - Eddie Wallace They can fly like a helicopter or a fixed wing aircraft be

Three woman have been convicted in connection with child cruelty and assaults in the 1970s and 1980s at two homes run by the Sisters of Nazareth in Ayrshire and Midlothian. Image - Anna Henly Eileen McElhinney, aged 78, Carol Buirds, aged 75, and Dorothy Kane, aged 68, were convicted at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Friday, 28 November, 2025. They will be sentenced at a later date. The offences took place between 1972 and 1981 at children’s homes in Lasswade, Midlothian, and in