A youth-led filmmaking group based in North Ayrshire is preparing to begin work on its next short film, following the success of a recent production that reached audiences across Scotland. The group, Next Take, recently completed Piece of Mind, a short film shot at locations across the country, including the walled garden at Eglinton Country Park . The project was written and delivered by young filmmakers including Max McGregor, Archie Nelson and BAFTA award-winner Daniel Ker

North Ayrshire Council has published an interim progress report on action that has been planned to help reduce flood risk. The Interim Progress Report on the 2nd Ayrshire Local Flood Risk Management Plan focuses on options to minimise the impact of flooding across Ayrshire, Arran and Great Cumbrae between 2022 and 2028. Under the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009, 12 Local Plan Districts across the country are responsible for assessing and managing flood risk. Ayrshir

Students from Auchenharvie Academy  have been given an insight into the world of aircraft engineering during a visit to Prestwick Airport, hosted by Ryanair Engineering , delivered locally by Prestwick Aircraft Maintenance Ltd . The visit included a guided tour of the hangar facilities alongside an introductory presentation outlining day-to-day operations, career pathways and the skills required to work in the aviation maintenance sector. Pupils were able to see aircraft engi

The 2026-27 Budget will support a stronger NHS, with a record £22.5 billion for health and social care, expand cost of living support and invest in Scotland’s infrastructure. Image - ScotGov Published alongside the latest multi-year Scottish Spending Review, Infrastructure Strategy and Infrastructure Delivery Pipeline, the draft Budget invests almost £68 billion including direct support for families and household budgets. The 2026-27 Budget includes:  a cost of living package

Trump Turnberry is set to host its annual recruitment day next month, offering a wide range of career opportunities across its hospitality operations. The event will take place on Wednesday, 18 February, running from 10am to 6pm, and will be held in the resort’s Donald J Trump Ballroom. The recruitment day is aimed at individuals interested in starting or progressing a career within the hospitality industry, with opportunities available across multiple departments. Visitors a

A Scottish hospitality and leisure group will be swinging open the doors to a new Ayrshire coast hotel spa on Tuesday 17 th  February, following a major £3million development at The Waterside Hotel.   Owned and operated by SimpsInns, the new sea-view spa at The Waterside Hotel in West Kilbride is set to become one of Scotland’s most exciting leisure and tourism developments for 2026, with bookings now open.   Once complete in February, Si! Spa at The Waterside will be home to

The generosity of the Ayrshire public has helped raise thousands of pounds for local causes, with £6,600 donated to charity through the Tree of Remembrance initiative in Ayr town centre. Organised by Ayr Rotary Club , the Tree of Remembrance was located on Ayr High Street throughout December, providing residents and visitors with an opportunity to remember loved ones while supporting vital community services. Funds collected over the festive period have been shared between th

A Scottish hospitality and leisure group will be swinging open the doors to a new Ayrshire coast hotel spa on Tuesday 17 th February, following a major £3million development at The Waterside Hotel.   Owned and operated by SimpsInns, the new sea-view spa at The Waterside Hotel in West Kilbride is set to become one of Scotland’s most exciting leisure and tourism developments for 2026, with bookings now open.   Once complete in February, Si! Spa at The Waterside will be home to

East Ayrshire Council can confirm that The Robert Burns Academy and SLC, Hillside School, Lochnorris Primary and SLC, and Cherry Trees ECC will reopen on Monday 12 January. Pipers Café will remain closed for the foreseeable future. Multi-service meetings have been held daily throughout the week, and engineers and a number of contractors have been onsite throughout addressing issues that have arisen since Sunday 4 January. This will continue over the weekend to ensure that any

Four properties on Barnweil Drive, Hurlford have been completely renovated by Housing Services on behalf of the East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership (EAHSCP). In April 2025, Cabinet agreed to investment of £152,600 from the Council’s Innovation Fund to renovate four properties that will provide adult supported accommodation. Barnweil Drive is one of nine housing hubs across East Ayrshire, which are based on a shared support and responder model. This means that ind

The Glasgow leg of Scotland’s biggest mass participation walking event is gathering pace, with the earliest wave of the Mighty Stride now officially fully booked. Organisers of the Glasgow Mighty Stride have confirmed that the 8.30am start time at Glasgow Green has sold out, reflecting strong demand from walkers eager to take part in the annual fundraising event. However, thousands of places remain available across later start times, with the 9.00am, 9.30am and 10.00am waves

Five Scottish regions to benefit from a share of a new £140 million UK Government Local Growth Fund. Image - UK Gov Launched today [Thursday 8 January] by Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander, the Local Growth Fund will help drive economic prosperity across Scotland. The five regions’ allocations from the programme over the next three years (26/27 - 28/29) are: Glasgow City: £60.9 million  Edinburgh & South East: £37.8 million Tay Cities: £19.5 million Ayrshire: £11.8 million

Road Policing Officers are appealing for assistance in tracing a vehicle which hit an overpass while travelling southbound on the A77 south of the Bellfield Interchange near Kilmarnock. Around 2.50pm on Wednesday, 7 January, 2026, a vehicle has struck the overpass at Treeswoodhead Road causing rubble and bricks from the bridge to fall onto the carriageways. Police and partners attended the scene, with a full road closure initially put in place. The northbound carriageway reop

The A77 has been closed by police after Concrete started to fall from an overbridge near Treeswood, Kilmarnock. Amey SW Trunk said on Twitter: “A77 S/B Kilmarnock Bypass @ Treeswoodhead Road overbridge. Police currently have the carriageway closed in both directions due to concrete falling from an overbridge. Amey ISU are on site and the Structures crew have been made aware” Long delays are expected with diversion later being implemented.

Killie Community has confirmed it is now operating from The Hub, a former gym facility that has been fully redeveloped into a modern, multi-purpose community space. The transformation has taken place over the past two years and represents a major investment in facilities designed to better support local people. The redevelopment includes a newly fitted kitchen, upgraded bathroom facilities, and the installation of solar panels to improve sustainability and reduce environment

Ayr-based The Good Travel Company  is celebrating a major milestone in 2026 as the independent travel business marks its 15th year in operation, following a period of significant investment and national industry recognition. Founded on a passion for travel and personalised service, the company has grown steadily over the past decade and a half, building a loyal client base across Ayrshire and beyond. Many bookings now come through repeat customers, friends and family, with th

Celebrating Scotland’s first game since 1998. Image - iStock First Minister John Swinney will propose Monday 15 June 2026 is designated a national bank holiday to mark Scotland’s participation in the World Cup for the first time since 1998. This will allow individuals, businesses and other organisations in Scotland to celebrate after the men’s team play their opening game against Haiti in Boston. The First Minister said: “Scotland qualifying for the men’s World Cup was a rema

Doug Maclean - business writer The Scottish Government has confirmed that it is in advanced talks to take Ardrossan Harbour into public ownership. First Minister John Swinney told the Press Association “It’s a very complex process, but I keep a very close eye on the acquisiition of Ardrossan Harbour. It’s necessary because of the Goverment’s long-term commitment to the delivery of ferry services for Arran from Ardrossan.” Image - Visit Scotland Ardrossan has an integrated ra

A New Year’s Day sea dip on the Ayrshire coast has raised more than £1,300 for families affected by motor neurone disease, after three cousins took part in a polar plunge in freezing conditions. Fourteen-year-old Sophia McDonald was joined by Councillor Nairn Angus-McDonald and Aaran McDonald as they ran into the icy sea to support the work of MND Scotland . The challenge formed part of a wider fundraising effort to highlight the impact of MND and the importance of support se

South Ayrshire Council continues to deliver affordable housing, with 147 more homes to be completed or started on site by the end of 25/26. Image - UK Gov The figure comes from the Council's Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP), which outlines affordable housing investment priorities and targets. The SHIP reveals that 258 affordable homes were completed in 2024/25 thanks to large-scale housing developments in Mainholm and Prestwick, and projects delivered by RSL partners.