Troon Chess Club has marked its 50th anniversary with a special evening celebrating the game of chess and encouraging more people across Ayrshire to get involved. Members and visitors came together for a simultaneous exhibition featuring Jonathan Rowson, one of Scotland’s most respected chess players and writers. Rowson, a three-time British Chess Champion, took on a number of players during the event, offering a rare opportunity for local chess enthusiasts to test their skil

Captain Ham Thanked for Bringing Ayrshire Daily News World Cup Coverage to Life in America Ayrshire Daily News has paid tribute to Captain Ham from Ayr after he helped bring the colour, noise and emotion of Scotland’s World Cup journey in America directly to followers back home. Acting as Ayrshire Daily News’ roving reporter during Scotland’s time in the United States, Captain Ham captured the atmosphere of the Tartan Army as thousands of fans travelled across America for wha

Scots bowling Champion family win the British Isles Pairs title in Ayr. Mother and daughter Lyn and Rebecca Houston were crowned British Isles Women’s Pairs Champions this morning. Lyn and Rebecca, who bowl for the Prestwick Bowling Club, won 21-8 against the English duo of Caroline Cullum and Chelsea Spencer. The 2026 British Isles Lawn Bowls Championships and international competitions are being held all this week, in beautiful weather, at the National Centre for Bowling at

Communities across Ayrshire came together in a powerful show of unity and commitment to end violence against women and girls at the inaugural Pan‑Ayrshire White Ribbon Cup, held at Townhead Park, Cumnock last week (10 June). Delivered through a groundbreaking partnership between Police Scotland, White Ribbon Scotland, and Violence Against Women and Girls Partnerships across East, North and South Ayrshire, the event marked a significant step forward in collective action to c

SP Energy Networks has released details of the country's largest early‑morning electricity surges, as millions of fans stayed up to watch the national men’s team’s triumphant return to the FIFA World Cup. Engineers recorded an up to 15% rise in overnight electricity demand during the match, in the central belt and south of Scotland. Equivalent to around 200,000 additional homes coming online at a time that is usually one of the quietest for the network. The biggest spikes we

While football fans across Scotland were celebrating the national team’s opening World Cup match, there was another remarkable Scottish success story unfolding thousands of miles away in Thailand. Ayrshire fighter Craig Marshall has achieved a major milestone in his Muay Thai career by winning on his debut at the prestigious Rajadamnern World Series in Bangkok, one of the sport’s most respected and historic stages. Competing at a venue regarded as a dream destination for figh

FM to attend Haiti match at the invitation of FIFA. The World Cup is an opportunity to showcase what Scotland has to offer as a place to live, work, study, do business and visit, First Minister John Swinney has said. The First Minister will be in Boston to undertake a series of engagements with business leaders and investors, before joining celebrations to mark Scotland’s men's national football team's return to the World Cup, ahead of the match on Saturday. Mr Swinney will a

Ayrshire is gearing up for a sleepless night of football as Scotland prepare to make their long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1998. Image - Scotland National Team Steve Clarke’s side will kick off their World Cup campaign against Haiti at 2am on Sunday morning, marking the end of a 28-year wait for Scotland fans who have dreamed of seeing the national team back on football’s biggest stage. Across Ayrshire, excitement has been building throughou

An inspirational Ayrshire teenager who refused to let cancer define his future has been recognised with one of Scotland’s most prestigious honours. Image - Pride of Scotland Connor Elliot, an 18-year-old Ayr United supporter, has been named the 2026 Pride of Scotland Teenager of Courage, after overcoming a devastating cancer diagnosis and going on to represent Scotland at international level in amputee football. Connor’s remarkable journey began in November 2022 when he was d

From Prestwick to the USA: David Quinn’s New Scotland Anthem Set for Take-Off Many people across Ayrshire will remember David Quinn from his days at Elliott’s in Prestwick, where he built up a loyal following through his DJ skills and larger-than-life personality. Now David is hoping to get Scotland supporters singing with a new football anthem called Scotland Party in the USA. The track was created with lyricist Simon Corbett, who flew to London to work with David on the son

Grassroots football clubs across Ayrshire are being given the chance to star in a national football series as Specsavers launches its search for the next team to feature in the latest season of its popular Best Worst Team programme. The initiative, now entering its fifth season, is looking for a struggling amateur side to receive expert support and guidance from some of the biggest names in football in a bid to transform their fortunes on and off the pitch. The campaign follo

A major programme of free and low-cost sporting activities has been launched across North Ayrshire as part of a nationwide drive to get more young people active. North Ayrshire Council is working in partnership with sportscotland on the £20 million 2026 Summer of Sport initiative, funded by the Scottish Government and facilitated by sportscotland. The programme will give young people aged three to 26 the chance to take part in a wide range of activities throughout the summer

Football fans across Ayrshire are preparing for one of the most unusual nights in recent Scottish sporting history as Scotland’s long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup kicks off against Haiti at 2am on Sunday, June 14. Image - Scotland National Team Facebook Page And while most of the country would normally be fast asleep at that hour, pubs and sports bars across Ayrshire are expected to be packed with supporters determined to turn the middle of the night into a full-blown

North Ayrshire Active Schools marked another major milestone in the lead-up to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026 this week as the North Ayrshire Commonwealth Baton Relay completed its journey from the mainland to Arran. The baton arrived on the island on Thursday 28 May following a successful tour of primary and secondary schools across the North Coast and the council’s six localities. In a memorable moment for pupils and organisers alike, the baton made its crossing aboard

A talented young cricketer from Prestwick has seen her design become Scotland’s brand-new international cricket shirt ahead of the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Thirteen-year-old Millie Chaudhary, a junior member of Prestwick Cricket Club, was revealed as the winner of Cricket Scotland’s nationwide “Design the Shirt” competition after beating hundreds of entries from across the country. Her winning design was officially unveiled on Prestwick Beach as Scotland internatio

A Primary 7 pupil from Dalmilling Primary School has enjoyed a night to remember after being crowned the overall individual winner at a brand-new schools cluster darts competition. Ramsay Canniffe took part in the first-ever competition following a six-week block of darts coaching delivered to pupils by Coach Ryan from Newton Primary School. The initiative proved to be a huge success for Dalmilling Primary, with the school being named overall winners. Ramsay also claimed the

Youngsters attending an inclusive Easter holiday camp in Kilmarnock were treated to a special surprise when three Premiership players dropped in to meet them. Kilmarnock FC stars Robbie Deas, David Watson and Lewis Mayo paid a visit to The Killie Community’s Easter programme, posing for photos, signing autographs and helping create lasting memories for the children and young people taking part. Jordan Allison, head of charity at The Killie Community, said the visit had a huge

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

The squad emerged victorious from a highly competitive tournament involving authority teams from East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, Glasgow and Dundee. South Ayrshire faced Glasgow in the final, securing the title and confirming their status as the top primary school authority football team in Scotland. Image - South Ayrshire Council This latest success marks South Ayrshire's second consecutive Association Sevens Championship win. The team is run by the Ayr & Dist

Neil McCann and Billy Dodds are appointed to manage the men’s first team. They succeed the short period when Stuart Kettlewell managed the struggling SPFL team. Image - Deearchive Both have been appointed on a contract which should see them at Rugby Park until the end of season 2027/28. They are former players and managers in their own right. Neil McCann is one of the most respected TV pundits showing real understanding of tactics. Billy Dodds regularly contributes to BBC Rad