The Kilmarnock FC first-team squad made a heartwarming visit to the children’s wards at University Hospital Crosshouse on Monday to help spread the Christmas spirit. Club captain Brad Lyons led a squad of teammates, spending time with many local babies, children and teenagers who will have to spend the Christmas period in hospital. The visit was not only an opportunity for the young patients to meet their football heroes, but also a chance for the players to connect with staf

Local man, Michael Kirkum, from Kilwinning has made another generous donation to the children’s ward at University Hospital Crosshouse. Michael approached local businesses asking them to make a contribution, and he received a staggering response. Michael delivered the festive gifts, including toys and over 1000 selection boxes, to delighted staff at the ward. The gifts will be distributed to those children who unfortunately have to be in hospital over the festive season. NHS

The Civil Aviation Authority  has confirmed that a series of new rules and regulatory changes affecting drone and model aircraft operators will come into force from 1 January 2026. The updated framework is designed to reflect the rapid growth in drone use across the UK and to improve safety, accountability and public confidence as airspace becomes increasingly busy. Among the most significant changes is the introduction of new class marks and product standards for unmanned ai

Stagecoach South Scotland is celebrating the countdown to Christmas with the launch of its first-ever Golden Ticket Giveaway, offering customers the chance to discover a £10 Love2Shop voucher on selected bus services across Angus, Perth & Kinross, Dundee, Fife, Ayrshire and Lanarkshire. Beginning Monday 22 December, 150 Golden Tickets will be distributed across Stagecoach’s South Scotland, with customers encouraged to “keep their eyes peeled” for festive surprises on board. T

A football-driven intervention programme has improved school attendance and reduced crime involvement across Ayrshire.   The Killie Community’s Pitchin’ In initiative has delivered significant improvements in young people’s engagement with education and reductions in negative behaviours, with results that highlight the scale of the challenge and the power of early intervention.   Across the most recent programme, participating students recorded a 16 per cent improvement in sc

Irvine Royal Academy has become the latest secondary school in Scotland, and first in North Ayrshire, to have achieved the prestigious LGBT Youth Scotland Charter of Education Gold Award. A national award, the LGBT Youth Scotland accreditation - awarded by Glasgow based charity, LGBT Youth Scotland - recognises schools that go above and beyond the basic requirements to support LGBT pupils, staff, parents and carers. Being accredited enables schools to share a positive message

Ayr SNP MSP Siobhian Brown has blasted the UK Labour Government for failing to get a grip of a crisis at the DVSA after it was revealed waiting times of up to six months are likely to last for another year. Image - AA   The UK Labour Government, which has full responsibility for driving tests, previously pledged to cut waiting times down to seven weeks by the end of 2025 with Transport Minister Heidi Alexander declaring, “we’re acting fast to get Britain’s drivers moving” – b

Santa Claus made an early stop in Ayrshire this Christmas with special visits to children and families spending the festive season in hospital. Santa with patient Kyle He visited the Children’s Ward at University Hospital Crosshouse, meeting young patients and their families, before continuing on to the Ayrshire Maternity Unit, including the Neonatal and Maternity Wards. Santa also visited Rainbow House at Ayrshire Central Hospital in Irvine. Extra precautions were taken duri

This December, Miller Homes Scotland West is supporting local communities in Beith, North Ayrshire, through its Community Fund initiative, awarding two local groups with grants. Garnock Valley Pipes and Drums has been awarded £2,000 and Beith Theatre Group has received £1,000.  Photography (L-R) (© Jeff Holmes): Garnock Valley Pipes and Drums has been awarded £2,000 as part of Miller Homes’ Community Fund initiative; Beith Theatre Group has received £1,000 as part of Miller H

Police are appealing for information following a serious crash on South Beach Road in Ardrossan. Around 3.20pm on Thursday, 11 December, 2025, we received a report of a crash involving a MG HS Excite car and a pedestrian. The pedestrian, a 96-year-old man, was taken to hospital where he remains with serious injuries. The driver of the car, a 74-year-old man, was issued with a fixed penalty notice for a road traffic offence. Enquiries are ongoing. Sergeant Gordon Stewart said:

Up to 5 Years in Jail for Dog Theft The Scottish Parliament has passed landmark legislation creating a specific criminal offence for dog theft, marking a significant change in how the crime will be treated under Scots law. MSPs overwhelmingly backed the Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill during Stage 3 proceedings in the Chamber, with the legislation approved by 119 votes to two. The decisive vote completes the Bill’s passage through Holyrood and clears the way for it to become law. T

A 43 year old man has been arrested following the theft of jewellery from two shops in Irvine town centre. Police said the arrest took place around 12.25pm on 16 December 2025 in High Street, Irvine. The man is accused of stealing jewellery valued at approximately £3,700 from two separate premises. The stolen property was recovered by police and returned to both shops. The man has been held in custody and is due to appear at court on 17 December 2025.

Prestwick airport annual account figures have been released. An outstanding 6th year of profit is reported, and we are told it is also being followed with record flight and income increases in 2025. Doug Maclean Aviation Editor. Prestwick’s continuing success has come after it is revealed that the airport was able to invest £10 million of its own money into development which is paying off handsomely. Glasgow Prestwick Airport has put out a statement today saying the airport

By Aviation Editor Doug Maclean. It’s a sight we have never seen before. A China Southern Boeing 777 freighter has just offloaded its 110 tonnes of cargo from Guangzhou, Southern China. The thousands of parcels will be delivered to households all over the UK in the next couple of days. Meanwhile an Air China Boeing 777 lands with another 110 tonnes of presents from Beijing. It arrives direct from China’s capital city where 21 million people live and work. Another Air Chin

Hayes Garden Land garden centre in Symington has been destroyed by a fire in the early hours of Monday 15 December. Photo: Hayes Garden Land Facebook Several Scottish Fire and Rescue Service crews were called to the scene and remain in attendance as efforts continue. The business confirmed the extent of the damage in a statement posted on social media, saying: “We regret to inform you that we will be CLOSED for the foreseeable future - the Garden Centre & Cafe have burned dow

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