North Ayrshire Council has approved its Budget for 2026/27 after a meeting of Elected Members. This was recognised as a particularly challenging budget to set as the Council had to deal with a major funding gap, particularly related to health and social care services. Following a series of votes, elected members agreed to raise Council Tax by 8.5 per cent from April. This is comparable with other Council Tax increases already approved in Scotland and reflects the determinatio

Nick Page, Chief Executive of Scotland's new national awarding body, Qualifications Scotland and Chief Examiner Donna Stewart visited SL33 in Kilmarnock recently to find out more about the service the team provide. Welcomed by Director of Education and Skills, Linda McAulay-Griffiths and Chief Executive Eddie Fraser - Nick and Donna met with Margorie Harvie, Skills and Learning Employability Manager, Ian Burgoyne, Assistant Director of Education and Skills, and the wider team

Scotland’s ultimate new spa break destination has opened its doors to visitors on the Ayrshire coast, just 40 minutes south of Glasgow.   Boasting commanding sea views over the Firth of Clyde towards the Isle of Arran, the family-run Waterside Hotel at West Kilbride has unveiled its stunning new sea-view spa and restaurant this week following a major £3 million development.   Owned and operated by SimpsInns, The Waterside Hotel & Spa is now home to one of the most exciting le

An Ayrshire aviation company is in the running for a national award after clearing apprentices for take-off, turning homegrown talent into world-class engineers whose skills are fuelling growth and safeguarding the sector. An Ayrshire aviation company is in the running for a national award after clearing apprentices for take-off, turning homegrown talent into world-class engineers whose skills are fuelling growth and safeguarding the sector.  Ryanair Engineering delivered by

A recent meeting at Full Council informed members that new firework laws have been introduced, and East Ayrshire Council will oversee the process for considering and designating Firework Control Zones. The  Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022  gives councils a new discretionary power to introduce Firework Control Zones. A Firework Control Zone is a designated area within a local authority area in which it is a criminal offence for a member of the public to

The trial of 20mph speed limits on all local roads in Mauchline and New Cumnock is set to begin soon. The local schemes, being implemented by Ayrshire Roads Alliance (ARA), complement work that has almost been completed by Transport Scotland in partnership with ARA across the trunk road network to reduce the speed limit to 20mph. The speed limit reduction is due to start on local roads in New Cumnock on 6 March and Mauchline on 13 March, the same dates that the A76 schemes go

A small group of Ukrainians and Scots walked together through Ayr to lay a wreath at the war memorial in Wellington Square yesterday evening. The billowing blue and yellow Ukrainian flags were led in procession by a Scottish Saltire. Ukrainians and Scots walked together in the procession organised by Professor Nataliia Grevtseva, Professor of the Department of Hotel and Restaurant Business and Food Technologies in the city of Kharkiv, north-east Ukraine. Professor Grevtseva

Ayr Care Home Celebrates Scottish Rally Championship Star A Doonfoot care home was host to a special award ceremony this month to celebrate resident, Roy Campbell, a prominent figure in the Scottish Rally Championship (SRC). A former Navigator in the SRC, Roy (AKA Jack) was presented with a trophy from the Ecosse J1000 Challenge for his unwavering dedication to the Junior Championship, as well as the Becksport People's Champion Award along with his driving partner, Andy Kelly

An 82-year-old lifelong Rangers fan has found new ‘family’ in the welcoming arms of a rival club’s charity after losing his wife and battling cancer.   Wilson Tudor jokes that he’s now living with “mixed loyalties” after finding vital support at the award-winning The Killie Community, the charitable arm of Kilmarnock FC.   His journey to the charity, which supports people of all ages across Ayrshire, came after a period of profound loss. In December 2020, during the height of

The Waverly has started her winter refit programme at the James Watt Dock in Greenock. This is part of a programme of restoration and repair that will see more than £500,000 spent on her this year. She will sail regularly from Largs in 2026 and is also expected make some sailings from Ayr and Troon during the this summer’s Clyde Sailing season from 26th June to 30th August. Details of the summer sailing programme will be released mid-March. Bookings will be possible at that t

6 million items processed by Royal Mail. What brought them together with Prestwick airport and 3 key airlines to create this bright new business future?   Doug Maclean – Aviation Editor and business writer - 19thFebruary 2026.   As aviation editor for Ayrshire Daily News, I get to attend some interesting events and meet interesting people. As a business writer I get to ask questions about why certain people develop their businesses in ways we can’t quite understand. Recently

At the recent meeting of Full Council, a report was presented on the rent consultation for 2026/27 and 2027/28. Agreement was reached that housing rent would increase by 7% for 2026/27, which is equivalent to an average increase of £6.36 a week; and 7% for 2027/28, which is equivalent to £6.80 a week. An extensive consultation with tenants took place between 1 December and 25 January 2026, and two proposals were presented for each year. For 2026/27 - proposal one was for a re

Its as part of the upcoming launch of Ayrshire360. East Ayrshire Leisure Trust has been evolving and expanding in recent years, and from April 2026 the organisation will move forward under the new Ayrshire360 collective. The change represents more than a rebrand, with organisers describing it as a unified vision focused on creating opportunities across East Ayrshire and strengthening local communities. The ambitious initiative aims to help generate £7 million worth of additio

Demolition of the Arran Mall in Ayr is set to begin on 23 February 2026. The buildings to be demolished include the three-storey concrete office block on Alloway Street and the single storey mall and retail units behind. The works, which will be carried out by Dem-Master Demolition Ltd, will take approximately six months to complete. Secure hoarding will be put in place around the demolition area. The hoarding will maintain existing access from Dalblair Road to neighbouring p

BBC One’s popular fast-paced quiz show The Answer Run is set to return for a third series, with casting now officially open for new contestants. The Answer Run Casting Team BBC One’s fast-paced quiz show The Answer Run is back for a third series – and casting is now open! Producers are looking for quick-thinking, speedy-swiping, competitive pairs ready to take on The Answer Run for a chance to win a cash prize. Whether you’re friends, colleagues, siblings, partners, or any ot

Detectives are appealing for information following a housebreaking in Kilwinning. Between 2.30pm and 6.30pm on Sunday, 8 February, a property was broken into on Dalry Road. A five-figure sum of cash was taken as well as jewellery worth an estimated six-figure sum. Detective Sergeant Tracey Tomkinson said: “Our enquiries are ongoing and I would ask anyone who was in the area around those times and saw anything suspicious to please get in touch with us. “Anyone in the local are

Detectives are appealing for information following a serious assault in South Ayrshire. Around 5.30am on Sunday, 8 February, 2026, a man was riding a bicycle when he was approached by four men and seriously assaulted on Drumley Drive in Mossblown. The 32-year-old man attended at hospital for treatment for serious injuries. The four men were all white, wore dark clothing and spoke with a local accent. Detective Constable Rebecca Scott said: “This was a terrifying incident for

A rare opportunity has arisen to rent a highly regarded business premises in what is widely considered one of Ayr’s strongest and most established independent trading areas. The premises are between Jools and Strictly Bridal in Newmarket Street. Properties of this quality and scale seldom become available in this part of the town centre. The premises has been continuously occupied for many years, a clear reflection of both its practicality and its desirability for a wide rang

North Ayrshire Council has moved quickly to protect public safety and begin the recovery process following the major fire at Irvine’s Forum Centre. With Police Scotland investigating the origin of the blaze, the Council is using its available powers to start demolition works at the severely damaged building so that nearby streets and pathways can be reopened as soon as possible. Demolition contractors are already on site and work is expected to continue over the coming weeks

A new creative space has opened its doors in Newmilns, offering local residents the chance to explore hands-on crafts and artistic experiences while bringing fresh energy to the high street. The Inglenook Studio marks a new chapter for Little Prints Scotland, the bespoke gift business known for personalised family and pet keepsakes. Following a successful period in Mauchline, the business has relocated to a larger premises, allowing for expanded workshops, retail space and cr