Kilmarnock programme secures £20m regeneration boost

A major £20 million regeneration strategy for Kilmarnock has been approved by the UK Government, marking a significant milestone for the town. The ten-year programme, led by We Make Kilmarnock, aims to improve public spaces, support local businesses, enhance wellbeing and create stronger community pride. Planned projects include cleaner streets, improved shopfronts, upgraded lighting and landscaping, and improvements to key gateway areas including Foregate. The initiative has been shaped through community consultation and will continue to involve local residents through […]

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Climate project inspires Kilwinning pupils

Young people in Kilwinning are using creativity to raise awareness of climate change through a new project focused on Kilwinning Abbey. The programme, led by YDance in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland, is taking place from June 1 to June 5 as Kilwinning Academy pupils explore how climate change affects the historic site. They will create a film using dance, visual art and text to share their findings. Organisers say the project encourages young people to engage with both their […]

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Ayrshire councils launch shared growth partnership

North Ayrshire Council and East Ayrshire Council have launched a new Shared Economic Development Service aimed at strengthening economic growth across the region. The partnership officially began on June 1 and will focus on delivering key regional priorities, including the Ayrshire Regional Economic Strategy and the Ayrshire Growth Deal. The new service will be led by North Ayrshire Council, with staff from both authorities transferring under TUPE arrangements. Council leaders say the initiative will provide a stronger regional voice when […]

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United unveil newly named stand

Ayr United have announced that the club’s North Stand will be renamed in honour of Alex Smith ahead of the 2026/27 season. The stand at Somerset Park, which was upgraded last year, will officially become The Alex Smith Stand from the start of the new campaign in July. The decision was approved at a board meeting in May, with work expected to be completed next week. Alex Smith was the father of current chairman David Smith and introduced him to […]

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Foodbank celebrates MBE for champion Milligan

An Ayrshire foodbank has congratulated a "dedicated" woman after being awarded an MBE for years of service to the community. South Ayrshire Foodbank took to social media to praise Wilma Milligan, coordinator of the Maybole Hub, on being presented the honour from the Lord Lieutenant of Ayrshire and Arran on 30 May. Milligan's work has led colleagues, who were in attendance to witness Saturday's ceremony, to believe the title is "richly deserved" for someone they view with "kindness, compassion, and […]

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Rare Spanish jets draw Prestwick crowds

Huge crowds gathered around Prestwick Airport on Sunday to watch the arrival and departure of four rare Spanish Harrier jets. The aircraft, known as Matadors or EAV-8B Harrier II jets, flew into Prestwick from Santiago de Compostela in Spain on May 31. Aviation enthusiasts tracked the flights for days beforehand, with large numbers turning out at viewing points around the airport. The jets later departed for Iceland and Greenland and are believed to be heading towards the United States ahead […]

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Lowland League West plans confirmed

Promotion and relegation plans have now been confirmed for the new Lowland League West ahead of its inaugural season later this year. Several Ayrshire clubs are preparing to compete in the reconstructed fifth tier of Scottish football, including Auchinleck Talbot, Cumnock Juniors, Troon FC, Largs Thistle, Kilwinning Rangers and Beith Juniors. League champions will enter a round-robin play-off with winners from the Lowland League East and Highland League for the chance to face the bottom club in SPFL League Two. […]

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Celeb chef to bring luxury dinner

Celebrity chef Raymond Blanc OBE is set to host a luxury five-course dinner at Dumfries House this summer in aid of The King’s Foundation. The special event, titled An Evening With Raymond Blanc, will take place on Friday, July 17 at the East Ayrshire estate. Guests will enjoy a champagne reception, a Q&A hosted by broadcaster Catriona Stewart, and a five-course dinner with paired wines. The menu has been created by The King’s Foundation Executive Chef Tom Scoble using organic […]

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Girvan RNLI recover liferaft

Girvan RNLI crews were called into action on Friday, May 29 after reports of an unknown object floating off the South Ayrshire coast near Turnberry. Just after 8pm, volunteers launched the Shannon Class lifeboat Elizabeth and Gertrude Allan following reports of an orange and black object in the water near the Dipple area. The crew were guided to the scene by Girvan Coastguard Rescue Team and discovered an upturned liferaft. After checks confirmed nobody was in the water or inside […]

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