Ayrshire town included in horror stories

A new collection of Scottish horror stories includes a tale set in Dalry during the Great War. Pòl Miller's story, The Light That Casts Only Shadow, is based on experiences his grandfather, Robert McMillan Miller, described from his time in Dalry in 1917. Miller researched the town as it was during that period and incorporated a freak weather event remembered by his grandfather. The story appears in Scottish Horror Stories Volume One: Towns of Terror, which is out now.

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Latest Marymass Saturday success hailed

Organisers have praised the huge turnout at one of Scotland's largest community festivals following a packed Marymass Saturday in Irvine. Thousands of people descended on the North Ayrshire town for a day of events including horse racing, live jousting, the traditional Marymass parade and the crowning of this year's Marymas Queen. The day began with the judging of horses in Irvine Town Centre before the parade made its way through the town, leading to the crowning ceremony at Irvine Townhouse […]

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Killie regeneration council plans unveiled

East Ayrshire Council has unveiled plans for the future regeneration of Kilmarnock town centre, with a vision for how it could develop by 2040. The proposals aim to improve public spaces, transport links and business opportunities, while bringing vacant buildings back into use and encouraging more people to live in the town centre. Around £100 million of council investment has been allocated to Kilmarnock, alongside £20 million from the UK Government's Pride in Place programme. A six-week public consultation on […]

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Ayr’s Brown prepares for Seoul Championships

Ayr’s Kayleigh Brown is preparing to compete at the World Boccia Championships in Seoul with the Great Britain squad from August 26 to 31. Kayleigh recently reached the medal matches at a World Cup for the first time, following bronze at the Europeans, silver at an International Challenger and fourth place at the Povoa World Cup last month. S She will compete individually before joining David Smith OBE and Reshad Saraj in the BC1/2 Team event.

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Date confirmed for mining disaster memorial

The date has been confirmed for this year’s annual memorial service marking the Knockshinnoch mining disaster in New Cumnock. Members of the public can pay their respects at the memorial site on Sunday 6 September at 1pm. The service marks 76 years since 13 men lost their lives after becoming trapped. Each year, the local community gathers to remember those who died and the 113 others who were trapped, with a service of remembrance and wreath-laying taking place at the […]

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Ayrshire businesses enjoy Food Awards success

Ayrshire businesses have enjoyed major success at the Food Awards Scotland 2026, picking up 11 prizes at the ceremony on 17 August at the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central. Round Island Café Bar on the Isle of Cumbrae won Restaurant of the Year, while Viking Café Takeaway in Saltcoats was recognised for excellence. Weston Tavern & Restaurant in Kilmarnock won Gastro Pub of the Year for Outstanding Achievement, while Ayr’s Homestead Smokehouse took the winner’s prize in the Burger Bar […]

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Padel courts plan for Killie

Plans have been submitted to replace two five-a-side pitches at Soccerworld Kilmarnock with new padel courts. The proposal, submitted by Pitch N Padel Ltd, includes covering the courts with a permanent steel canopy and were initially created on July 29. Existing parking facilities, access and the hub building would remain unchanged, with no new or altered vehicle access proposed. The application can be viewed through East Ayrshire Council’s planning portal under reference 26/0381/PP.

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Marymass groups give behind-the-scenes peak

Excitement is building ahead of Marymass Saturday this weekend in Irvine, and organisers have given an insight into the work that goes into the festival's planning. The 12 days' worth of events in North Ayrshire will draw to a close this weekend, with the Irvine Carters' Society and Marymass Festival Committee already "bustling away in the background" for next year. North Ayrshire Council handed over the responsibility of the festival to the community groups in 2012, who continue to oversee […]

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Ayrshire businesses recognised at Food Awards

Ayrshire businesses have enjoyed major success at the Food Awards Scotland 2026, with the region taking home 11 prizes. The awards ceremony was held on August 17 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central, with the event now in its 12th year. Round Island Café Bar on the Isle of Cumbrae was named Restaurant of the Year, while Viking Café Takeaway in Saltcoats received Takeaway of the Year for Recognised for Excellence. Kilmarnock businesses were among the Ayrshire winners, with […]

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