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

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

96,000 carers in Scotland to receive payments from today SNP MSP Siobhian Brown has highlighted that carers in South Ayrshire are set to get a welcome boost to their finances ahead of Christmas.   More than 96,000 carers across Scotland will receive the Carer’s Allowance Supplement payment with money being paid into accounts from today (Thursday 4 th December). The Carer's Allowance Supplement is an extra payment of £293.50, currently made twice a year, for people in Scotlan

Renaldos Ices in Ayr has been crowned Scotland’s Best Gelateria at the Scottish Italian Awards 2025. The family-run business took the top spot ahead of six other finalists in the category. Photo: Renaldos/ Facebook (Public) The team shared their excitement in a post on Facebook, stating: “WE WON BEST GELATERIA IN SCOTLAND!!! We are all so happy! We couldnt have done other without all our lovely customers, staff, families and friends! Thank you every one of you! Now we are off

South Ayrshire Council has been awarded £481,000 through the Scottish Government’s Place Based Investment Programme. Photo: Troon Concert & Walker Halls (South Ayrshire Council) Funding will support upgrades at Ayr Town Hall and Troon’s Concert and Walker Halls. New audio, visual and production equipment will bring the venues up to modern standards. The Council expects the improvements to help increase footfall in town centres and provide wider benefits to hospitality and loc

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

The first viewings of Wicked for Good which hits cinemas this Friday is set to sellout at the Ayr Astoria Merlin cinema. The movie which will predominantly be shown on screen 4, the biggest screen currently in use is expected to attract large crowds, during the 1st instalment of wicked last year lines of people where seen outside the cinema with almost every sitting sold out. Anyone looking to attend the first viewings are advised to book online to avoid disappointment at the

This year, include your four-legged family members in the Christmas fun with Dobbies’ Santa Paws, an event specifically designed for dogs at the Ayr store.   Santa Paws event at Dobbies Garden Centres (© Stewart Attwood) Dogs taking part in Santa Paws will get the chance to meet Santa and his elves, take part in a sniff-ari activity around the garden centre, capture a special memory with Santa Claus*, before receiving a gift for being a good pup.   On booking tickets at dobbi

South Ayrshire Provost Iain Campbell and South Ayrshire Council's Director of Communities and Transformation, Jane Bradley, attended an awards ceremony at Edinburgh castle for the Lowland Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Association Employer Recognition Scheme. South Ayrshire Council was awarded the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award. The ERS recognises employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate, or advocate support to Defence and the Armed Forces community,

The Reel Plaice in Ayr has been named one of five national finalists in the prestigious Peter Hill Award 2025, organised by Middleton Foods. The award, created in memory of the company’s late CEO Peter Hill, celebrates excellence and passion within the fish and chip industry. This year’s competition received a large number of entries from across the UK, with The Reel Plaice earning its place among the top contenders. Ryan Baker, Sales Manager at Middleton Foods, said: “We lau

The Citadel Leisure Centre in Ayr has received a major facelift as part of its exciting refurbishment programme. Image - South Ayrshire Council The construction of the centre's brand-new entrance façade was completed earlier this month (October 2025). South Ayrshire Council has worked with delivery partners Alliance Leisure and Robertson Construction Central West to deliver a modern, visually striking exterior at the busy facility. Works included curtain walling glazing, a ne

Could your dog be a lifesaver? Pet Blood Bank UK is currently appealing for dogs in Ayr to come forward as blood donors to help save the lives of other dogs. Dalblair Vets in Ayr is one of the charity’s host venues and they are looking for happy, healthy, and confident dogs to register for their donation sessions.   Pet Blood Bank is just like the human blood service, but for dogs. They collect blood donations from donor dogs across the UK which then go towards helping to sav

Kick off the festivities at Dobbies’ Ayr store and tuck into a tasty breakfast with Santa and his elves at the ever-popular Santa’s Breakfast this winter.   Families can enjoy a morning full of Christmas magic at Santa’s Breakfast, taking place in the Ayr store from 29 November to 24 December. Each child will get the chance to meet Santa and build their very own collectable soft toy toname, personalise, and take home to cherish for years to come.   The event starts with a coo

Ayr SNP MSP Siobhian Brown is highlighting the importance of fire prevention along Ayrshire’s coastlines as she joins national efforts to strengthen Scotland’s resilience against wildfires. Ms Brown, in her ministerial capacity co-chaired a national wildfire summit in the Cairngorms National Park recently alongside Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie, bringing together representatives from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), NatureScot, Scottish Land and Estates, enviro

Independent candidate and local businessman Wullie Hogg has been elected as the new councillor for Ward 3 – Ayr North following Thursday’s by-election. Image - Ayrshire Daily News The count took place at Ayr Academy, with the result announced shortly after 11:30pm on Thursday 16 October. Hogg, who runs the well-known Ayrshire firm the mighty “WSH Fencing”, secured the seat with 850 first preference votes. Known locally for his successful fencing business and large social medi

A by-election is taking place today in Ward 3, Ayr North, where one councillor will be elected to serve the people and communities of South Ayrshire. The ward, which has an electorate of 12,653 and around 2,500 postal voters, is currently represented by Councillors Laura Brennan-Whitefield, Ian Cavana, and Ian Davis. Eight candidates are standing for election: Orhan Bulikj (Independent) Ian Douglas (Scottish National Party) John Duncan (Scottish Labour Party) Mason Graham (Sc

Yes Sir, I Can Boogie… All Day at Christmas! (3pm–8pm – home, cosy, and tucked up before Santa’s even left the North Pole) Get ready to sleigh the dancefloor at Ayr’s BIGGEST festive party! We’re talking confetti cannons , lights  and all your favorite  Christmas classics blasting — all mixed with the best 80s, 90s & 00s throwbacks for a full-on festive vibe! With Ayrshire’s top DJs , festive drinks , and your favourite night-out bites with a Christmas twist (yes… chips &

Ayr MSP Siobhian Brown has said Scotland “needs a fresh start with independence”, following the publication of a new Scottish Government paper titled A Fresh Start with Independence. Photo: Siobhian Brown MSP The paper explores how an independent Scotland could improve the economy, public services and living standards, while addressing issues such as migration, energy and defence. Brown said it should be up to the people of Ayr, Prestwick and Troon to determine Scotland’s fut

A man has been arrested following a disturbance on Ayr High Street in the early hours of Friday morning. Police were called to the scene...

Marshall Motor Group , one of the UK’s largest motor retailers, analysed UK drivers’ experiences shared across Reddit and driving forums...