Around 60 Primary 7 pupils from Ayr Grammar Primary School visited County Buildings on Wednesday 26 November to learn more about their topic, democracy.   The young people have been learning about the Scottish Parliament and recently held elections for their own Pupil Parliament.   The visit allowed the pupils to experience County Hall and meet some of the school’s local Ward Members, Councillor Bob Shields and Councillor George Weir; Provost Iain Campbell;, Director of Educa

Recognition of the skill and dedication of decades of staff and companies on the Prestwick Aerodrome site since it was founded by Group Captain David McIntyre in 1935   Aviation Editor Doug Maclean 28 th November 2025.   I was very privileged to watch a piece of aviation history a few days ago when Spirit Senior Vice President Scott McLarty and General Manager John Gillbanks were presented with the rare Heritage Award by the President of the Prestwick Branch of the Royal Aer

The annual TomFest25 charity concert has delivered another outstanding result for the Ayrshire Kids Xmas Toy Appeal, raising a total of £5,024.58 and drawing a capacity crowd to Mauchline for a night filled with music and community spirit. Supported once again by local employer Land Energy, the sold-out event welcomed more than 250 attendees. The programme featured six live acts, a burlesque chair dance group, and a standout performance by the 70-strong Ayrshire Rock Choir, c

Farmlay welcomed North East MSPs and councillors to Cockmuir Farm outside Strichen last Friday 21 st November as part of Quality Meat Scotland’s (QMS) ‘Meating Our Potential’ campaign, which encourages Scotland’s beef farmers to add just two more cows to their herd each year to help ensure the supply of beef meets the ongoing buoyant consumer demand. The visit offered the attendees – many of whom were visiting a working farm for the first time – insight into how Scotland’s i

Business as usual as airport wings its way to another profitable year.   Aviation Editor Doug Maclean - 27 th November 2025   Prestwick airport is shortly to report it’s annual accounts to the Scottish Parliament. Last year the airport reported a historic 5 th year in profit. It is very likely that the accounts for this year will report a 6 th year of profit and possibly exceed the £3.2 million operating profit recorded last year.   Image - Eddie Wallace It is against that

South Ayrshire Council has appointed Kier as the main contractor for the design and construction of a new Girvan Primary School and Early Years Campus - a landmark £33m investment in the region’s educational facilities. Located on the existing Wesley Road site, the new campus will be the first purpose-built facility in Girvan Primary School’s history. The two-storey building will feature modern classrooms, flexible breakout spaces, a dining area, and a sports hall equipped wi

Anyone who needs a bike in time for Christmas is encouraged to contact North Ayrshire Council’s Employability service. The team at Equal Specialist Employability Support (SES) runs a successful bike upcycling project in summer, and it has proved to be a real hit with residents across the area. The popular initiative sees unwanted bikes being donated, serviced, cleaned up and offered for free to members of the community who cannot afford to buy their own. The Equal programme i

Heathfield Primary School recently received a positive inspection report from Education Scotland.   Image - Miller Homes In June 2025, inspectors from Education Scotland visited the school where they talked to parents, carers and children and worked closely with the head teacher and staff.   The inspection praised the school for its positive relationships between staff and pupils and noted that children are proud of their school and engage well with their learning. The head t

The independent firm, which has more than a century of experience and operates 11 practices across Scotland, was named Marketing Practice of the Year for its group-wide achievements and Contact Lens Practice of the Year for its Ayr branch. The awards highlight the team’s commitment to high-quality clinical care, specialist expertise and strong community engagement. Hosted in Glasgow by Vision Scotland and The Scottish Optical Conference, the inaugural Scottish Optometry Award

Doug Maclean - Aviation Editor. 22nd November 2025. 4 additional flights each week start today with Air China. The new service comes from Chengdhu in central China with a stop over in Stockholm, Sweden. Image - Eddie Wallace When Ayrshire Daily News reported live from Prestwick airport in the middle of a cold February night I described the occasion as a very special night and the start of something really exciting. We saw the arrival of the first ever commercial freight fligh

Police are appealing for information after a 93-year-old man died following a crash in Kilmarnock. Google Maps The incident happened around 2.40pm on Wednesday 19 November 2025 on Fowlds Street and involved a green BMW 525 tds touring and a pedestrian. Emergency services attended and the man was taken to hospital, where he died on Thursday 20 November 2025. The road was closed for investigations and reopened around 9.30pm. Sergeant Brian Simpson of Ayrshire Roads Policing Uni

The new Loudoun Retail Park in Galston has officially opened following a multimillion-pound investment that developers say marks the most significant economic boost for the Irvine Valley in decades. Loudoun Retail Park - left to right - Gareth Downie and Paul McIvor Greggs and Farmfoods are now trading on site, attracting strong footfall since opening last Thursday. Energy company E.ON has also installed eight 300 kW ultra-rapid EV charging bays, described as among the most p

Ayrshire Hospice has expressed heartfelt thanks to Ayrshire Refrigeration for their outstanding generosity after the company installed a new air source heat pump system in the Hospice’s Ayr and Troon shops entirely free of charge. The project was carried out by Adam Snr, Adam and Callum Boyd, whose contribution will play a significant role in supporting the Hospice’s long-term sustainability goals. By upgrading the heating system at both locations, the work will help reduce e

A well-known advocate for disability inclusion in Ayrshire has been ordained as the Church of Scotland’s newest minister. Rev Katrona Templeton, an accomplished embroiderer and a passionate campaigner for accessibility in worship, has begun her new role as an Ordained Local Minister with Ardrossan and Saltcoats Kirkgate Parish Church. Her ordination took place on Tuesday evening at St Marnock’s Church in Kilmarnock, where around 100 family members, friends, ministry training

Winning streak continues for top Ayrshire family business  One of Ayrshire’s leading family-owned firms is celebrating a record-breaking year for industry awards after being crowned ‘Boutique Spa Hotel of the Year’ in London and ‘Family Business of the Year’ in Glasgow in the last week alone.    These two accolades are just the latest additions to a growing list of industry awards achieved by SimpsInns in 2025, including ‘Scotland’s Best Spa & Golf Hotel’ of the year at the S

Girvan Library is celebrating national recognition after its Lend and Mend Hub Initiative was named the winner of the Project Excellence 2025 category at this year’s Scottish Library and Information Council Awards. The award highlights an initiative that has made a meaningful difference to local residents by promoting sustainability, learning and practical support within the community. The Lend and Mend Hub has become a valuable resource, offering tools, equipment, repair adv

Prestwick Leisure Centre has enjoyed a remarkable start following its major refurbishment, with new figures revealing a significant rise in membership, attendance, and overall community engagement since the upgraded facility reopened. South Ayrshire Council confirmed that active fitness memberships are already up by 18% compared to pre-closure levels, while overall attendance for October has increased by 8% on the same month last year. The gym has been one of the busiest area

Ayrshire food brand Tempura is celebrating its fifth anniversary, reflecting on a period of rapid growth that has seen the business expand across the region, created up to 70 jobs and raised significant funds for various charities. Photo Credit: Tempura Cafe/Bar/2go Facebook (Public) In a post shared on social media, the company said: “Today we turn 5… 5 years ago Brandon started this journey with a dream and a Mark. We opened the doors to the Ayr Restaurant on the 16th of No

University Hospital Crosshouse’s Chemotherapy Ward has received a new medical device designed to make treatment more comfortable, thanks to a fundraising effort led by local resident June Murphy. Left to right: Ward staff pictured with Shauni sitting in chair and June far right June launched the appeal to support family friend Shauni Lambie, 30, from Stevenston, who has been receiving treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma at the hospital for more than three years. After witnessing

Ayrshire Maternity Unit has received a donation of £10,785 from Olivia Bentham and her partner Daniel Young to support its bereavement services. Left to right: Senior Charge Midwife Gillian, Olivia and Daniel and Midwife, Rachel Coleman The Irvine couple launched their ‘Giving Back for Bowie’ fundraiser earlier this year in honour of their son, Bowie. Daniel, alongside some family members, completed the Scottish Half Marathon in June, raising £6,150. A charity night held duri