Councillor delays meeting over driving row

A North Ayrshire Council meeting was briefly delayed yesterday after a councillor joined remotely while appearing to drive his car. Council leader Tony Gurney raised a point of order after noticing Labour's Jim Montgomerie attending the hybrid meeting from behind the wheel. Provost Anthea Dickson said she was uncomfortable with the situation, adding that the council should not be seen to encourage participation while driving. Councillor Montgomerie said he was using a hands-free device but was asked to rejoin the […]

08/07/2026 21

News

Sports stars honoured by council

Four of North Ayrshire’s leading sports stars have been formally recognised by councillors as they prepare to represent Scotland on the international stage. North Ayrshire Table Tennis Club players Chris Main and Martin Johnson have been selected for Scotland’s squad for next month’s Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships in India, with Main also named team captain. Boxers Brooke Nealy and Aaron Cullen have been chosen to represent Scotland at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The local authority passed on their […]

07/07/2026 11

News

Retail unit hails takeover milestone

A major milestone has been reached in the regeneration of Queens Court in Ayr, with every retail unit now fully occupied. The shopping courtyard was purchased by Wood Property Group last year with plans to breathe new life into the previously vacant site. Eight businesses now operate from the development, including The Fables, Glosse Studio and Puck Expresso, alongside several other independent retailers. The developers say the transformation reflects a growing "buy local, shop local, support local" approach and marks […]

07/07/2026 21

News

Jane Pollock Museum reopens after refurb

The RAF Jane Pollock Museum has officially reopened following a major refurbishment in Prestwick. The ribbon was cut by Provost Iain Campbell and Lord Lieutenant Iona McDonald on Thursday, July 2, marking the completion of improvements funded through the legacy of Jane Pollock. The investment has allowed the RAF Ayr and Prestwick Branch to refurbish and enhance the museum’s displays, helping preserve local RAF history while creating a better experience for visitors.

07/07/2026 61

News

Estate recognised for wildlife status

An Ayrshire estate has received international recognition for its commitment to wildlife conservation, biodiversity and sustainable land management. Southannan Estate in Fairlie was one of seven Scottish landholdings presented with accreditation through the Wildlife Estates Scotland scheme at the Scottish Game Fair. The estate achieved an accreditation score of 86 per cent – the highest ever awarded to a newly accredited landholding. Estate managers have been working to improve soil health, water management and biodiversity while also exploring opportunities to […]

07/07/2026 28

News

Ambulance wait time exceeds 14 hours

New figures have revealed the scale of ambulance delays at Ayrshire’s hospitals, with some emergency crews waiting more than 14 hours before becoming available for new call-outs. A Freedom of Information request shows the longest turnaround time this year was 14 hours and three minutes at Ayr Hospital, while the longest delay at University Hospital Crosshouse reached 13 hours and 43 minutes. The Scottish Ambulance Service says prolonged waits are linked to pressure on hospital bed capacity, preventing crews from […]

07/07/2026 40

News

Ayrshire teams prepare for season ahead

Ayrshire teams are continuing to prepare for the upcoming competitive season, and some have discovered who they will face in a national cup competition for the first time ever. The preliminary round draw of the Men's Scottish Cup was drawn last week which saw Whitletts Victoria and Scottish Amateur Cup winners Shortless learn of their opponents in their debuts in the competition. Brian Reid's Whitletts host East of Scotland League side Sauchie Juniors, whilst Colin Smith's Shortlees face Dundee North […]

06/07/2026 60

News

Libraries bid farewell to dedicated staff member

South Ayrshire Libraries is marking the retirement of long-serving staff member, who has dedicated 46 years to serving library users across the area. Catherine joined South Ayrshire Libraries on June 30, 1980, and became well known for helping customers find books, managing the library collection and supporting colleagues with her extensive knowledge. In paying tribute, South Ayrshire Libraries thanked her for her commitment over more than four decades, saying her expertise, professionalism and friendly approach will be greatly missed by […]

05/07/2026 19

News

Kilbirnie road reopens after Sunday incident

Main Street in Kilbirnie has reopened after a car crashed into a gas pipe on Sunday morning, leading to a major emergency response. The collision happened at around 10.15am, with the road closed between Bank Street and the Bridgend roundabout while emergency services dealt with the incident. Nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution and residents were advised to keep windows and doors closed while the situation was made safe. Police Scotland confirmed shortly after 2pm that the road had […]

05/07/2026 31