The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland was the venue for the National Concert Band Festival’s Scottish regional festival. Bands were welcomed from all over Scotland and Northern England to perform for the adjudicators Bryan Allen and Heather Nicol. Alongside North Ayrshire Schools’ Senior Concert Band, other bands included: Garnock Valley Community Band, Clyde Wind Ensemble, Stewarton Winds, Durham University Concert Band and Strathclyde University Concert Band. The Garnock Vall

A youth-led group of filmmakers in North Ayrshire are getting ready to direct their next short film. It follows the success of their recent production Piece of Mind filmed in locations across Scotland, including at the walled garden of Eglinton Country Park. Piece of Mind was designed and delivered by young filmmakers of Next Take, these included Max McGregor, Archie Nelson, and BAFTA award-winner Daniel Kerr, supported by Screen Scotland’s Screen Education Fund, North Ayrshi

The incident happened around 4.30pm on Friday, 16 January, 2026, at a shop on Knockinlaw Road, near the junction to Western Road. Nothing was taken. The suspect is described as a man wearing black clothing and a black balaclava. Detective Constable Chris Pringle said: “Thankfully, no-one was injured however staff were left shaken by the incident. “Enquiries are ongoing and we are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident to contact us. “We’d also ask anyone with private