Claire Lindsay

Defibrillators and bleed control kits have been installed outside Nationwide branches in Ayr, Irvine and Kilmarnock, providing 24-hour emergency access. Nationwide is offering first-aid training to branch colleagues in Scotland and working with St John Scotland to expand lifesaving skills. The programme aims to equip all 605 Nationwide branches across the UK by the end of the year, with Virgin Money branches also included. Research cited by Nationwide found that 88% of people in Scotland would feel safer with local access to such equipment.

Ayrshire businesses won 11 prizes at the 2026 Food Awards Scotland ceremony in Glasgow. Winners included Round Island Café Bar for Restaurant of the Year, Viking Café Takeaway for Takeaway of the Year, Weston Tavern & Restaurant for Gastro Pub of the Year, and several establishments across Kilmarnock, Galston, Irvine, Ayr and Millport. Puffers Café secured two awards, while Oceanic Awards praised the winners for their standards, innovation and commitment to customers and communities.

Stagecoach and Ayr Racecourse are offering dedicated return coach services for the Ayr Gold Cup festival, with routes from towns and cities across western and central Scotland. A Glasgow service will also operate for Ladies Day, while a shuttle will connect Ayr railway station with the racecourse on Gold Cup Saturday. Travel packages start at £48, and existing ticket holders can add coach travel.

Cake Empire, a new independent cake shop, plans to open at 121 Main Street in Prestwick on Saturday, August 22. The shop will sell sweet treats including birthday cakes and traybakes, while its owner has shared updates expressing excitement and thanking customers for their support during preparations.

Prestwick Aerosystems has been announced as a key sponsor of the 2026 International Ayr Show – Festival of Flight. The aerospace company, which employs about 1,300 people at its Prestwick base and manufactures aircraft components for Airbus and Boeing, also supports apprenticeships and sector skills development. The event will be held on Ayr’s shorefront on September 4 and 5, 2026, featuring aerial displays, family entertainment and a festival village. South Ayrshire Council and the company said the sponsorship will help highlight aerospace innovation, STEM education and employment opportunities for younger people.

Ayr electrician Neil Claxton, who runs Test My Electrics, has reached the semi-final of Screwfix’s 2026 Top Tradesperson competition after being selected from more than 900 entries across the UK and Ireland. His business growth, investment in apprentices and training, and commitment to compliance and long-term careers impressed the judges. Claxton is competing against 25 other semi-finalists for a place among the final 10, with the national final scheduled for Screwfix LIVE in September. The eventual winner will receive a £20,000 package of tools, technology, and training.

Dunure Festival of the Sea returns on Saturday, August 15, from 1pm to 11pm at Dunure Harbour. The free, family-friendly community event celebrates maritime heritage, local seafood and village life while raising funds to support Dunure Harbour and the RNLI. Visitors can expect live music, pipe-band performances, coastal rowing activities, seafood, street food and other entertainment. Organisers advise using public transport because parking is limited, with some parking at Kennedy Park and blue-badge spaces available.

Ayr author Alasdair Wham raised £200 for Ayrshire Cancer Support during the launch of his novel Life is a Lie. He donated £1 from every book sold, auctioned a proof copy and held a raffle. The charity thanked him and the event’s supporters for helping fund services for individuals and families affected by cancer across Ayrshire.

Two free exhibitions by Ayrshire artists Stefano Facchini and Emma Wesencraft are being shown at the University of the West of Scotland’s Ayr campus until Friday, August 7. Facchini’s Album Artworks and Pop Portraits explores the relationship between music and visual art through painting, photography, collage, digital illustration, and animated work. Wesencraft’s immersive installation, Women Behind the Scenes: Ayrshire’s Hidden Labour, uses recycled materials, sound, light, scent, and found objects to highlight the overlooked contributions of women in early 20th-century Ayr, including those who worked in tailoring, dressmaking, and carpet manufacturing.

The family-run Venice Café on Ayr Street in Troon has banned dogs from its premises, citing the comfort and enjoyment of all customers. Assistance dogs remain welcome, and the café asked customers for understanding and continued support.

Sugar and Slice'D is preparing to open The Sugar Shed, a new cake shed in Ayr, with a planned launch on Saturday, August 8. The premises are undergoing a final makeover, while the opening time and full address have not yet been confirmed. Customers can suggest products for the shed, and social media giveaways will offer free bakes to some first-time customers.

Zippos Circus will perform at Ayr’s Low Green from August 6 to 10 as part of its summer tour and 40th-anniversary celebrations. Adults will be charged children’s ticket prices under the promotion, which is also linked to the government’s Summer Initiative. Founder Martin “Zippo” Burton highlighted the circus’s Scottish and UK heritage, while the show will feature comedian Paulo Dos Santos, aerial artists, crossbow daredevils and performers from the UK and abroad.

A signed shirt donated by Mark Bellingham and signed by his son, England footballer Jude Bellingham, raised £500 for WithYou, a drug and alcohol support charity serving South and East Ayrshire. The item was auctioned following the Scotland Seniors over-50s Four Nations tournament in Largs, with Iain Harrison presenting the donation. WithYou said the funds will provide additional support for people using its Ayrshire recovery services. Scotland Seniors has raised more than £30,000 for charity since 2011 and also supported Calum’s Cabin.

Vandals badly damaged pupil sheds and a bike shelter at Kingcase Primary School in Prestwick over the weekend. South Ayrshire Council described the incident as shocking and saddening and urged anyone with information to contact Police Scotland.

A visitor became stranded after accidentally driving onto a disused, muddy road near Culzean Castle and getting the vehicle stuck against trees. Staff at Culzean Castle and Country Park contacted the Carrick Resilience Team, which used a pickup, a redirected winch and a tree anchor to recover the car and return it to solid tarmac. The incident was the first callout for new team members Charlie and Rhys, who were praised for their work.

Early bird tickets are available for two exclusive viewing areas at the International Ayr Show’s Festival of Flight in Ayr. The Friday Flightline zone costs £20 and offers tiered seating, a private bar, VIP toilets and a festival programme, while Saturday’s Chill Out Zone costs £15 and provides partially covered viewing, a bar and limited seating. South Ayrshire Council encourages aviation enthusiasts and visitors seeking a quieter experience to book early.

Ayr Library is offering face-to-face advocacy support through a national partnership between the Scottish Library and Information Council and Advice Direct Scotland. The Advocacy.scot service will help people with Social Security Scotland benefits, particularly those who prefer in-person assistance or face barriers to digital access. The scheme aims to make advice more accessible in trusted community spaces while encouraging visitors to use wider library services.

Everline Studios, a new reformer Pilates business founded by Emma and Heather, is preparing to open at 43 Beresford Terrace in Ayr. The founders, who met during Pilates training, have launched online bookings and held an open day for prospective members. They aim to create a warm, supportive community and plan to welcome their first members on Monday, July 27.

The Carnegie Library in Ayr hosted the launch of Gordon Inglis's debut book, Life is a Locker Room, drawing strong community support. Inglis discussed lessons from his experiences in sport and business, engaged with attendees, and signed copies as South Ayrshire Libraries celebrated the success of the event.

Troon’s RNLI crews launched both the all‑weather and inshore lifeboats after a drifting object was reported near Stevenston. They found an unmanned small boat, searched the surrounding area with no signs of recent activity, and recovered the vessel to prevent further emergency calls, securing it at Troon harbour.

Members of the Carrick Resilience Team toured the Prestwick Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter base, gaining insight into aircraft capabilities and safe operational procedures. The team expressed gratitude to the crew for sharing knowledge that will aid future joint emergency responses.

A South Ayrshire couple, Stanley and Jeanette Mault, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a visit from Depute Provost Mary Kilpatrick, who presented them with flowers on behalf of South Ayrshire Council. The couple, originally from Liverpool and Chessington, met in Plymouth, married in Kingston upon Thames, and now live in Coylton with their extended family of children and grandchildren.

Siobhian Brown highlighted GE Aerospace’s role as a major employer in Prestwick during a site visit, praising its economic contribution, high‑quality jobs, and apprenticeship opportunities that often lead to long‑term careers. She expressed support for the company’s continued growth and its importance to Ayrshire’s future.

A well‑known Prestwick pub, The Buf, will close permanently on August 2 after what owners described as a difficult decision. The venue thanked customers and staff for their support and highlighted manager Chris Cole’s decade of service. The pub plans to operate normally until closing and will host one final Prestfest event before shutting down.

IFF Girvan donated funds raised through raffles and charity events to the RNLI Girvan lifeboat station, with the cheque presented by plant manager Scott McAllister. RNLI representatives expressed gratitude for the company’s generosity and continued support, noting IFF’s understanding and accommodation of the crew’s emergency response duties.

Troon Art Club announced Jinty Maxwell as the winner of this year's Copper Palette Award for her artwork Arran Gold, chosen by visitors during the club’s Summer Exhibition. The long-running award recognizes public appreciation and artistic talent, with the club expressing gratitude to attendees for their support.

Ayrshire hospitality group SimpsInns is marking its 30th anniversary by offering a 30 percent discount on food to SimpsInns Rewards card holders throughout July and August at several venues in Irvine and Loans. The company is also running a £30,000 scratchcard giveaway for customers spending £30 or more, with prizes including hotel stays, spa days, and vouchers. The group highlights its growth over three decades and its employment of more than 300 staff across the region.

South Ayrshire Council secured £1.2 million from the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund to support community‑led redevelopment of Barr Village Hall and the Girvan Bandstand. Local leaders highlighted the benefits for community spaces, employment and future sustainability as both projects move forward in partnership with residents.

A new Italian restaurant, Bosco Italian Trattoria, is preparing to open at 8 Templehill in Troon in the former Bank of Scotland building. The business, which has been in development since early in the year, promotes itself as a traditional trattoria offering authentic Italian dishes and a welcoming atmosphere, with further details and surprises expected as opening approaches.

Seven historic buildings in South Ayrshire were added to the UK Buildings at Risk register by SAVE Britain’s Heritage due to their neglected condition and architectural significance. The list includes Baltersan Castle, Bobby Jones Ballroom, Boswell Park Bingo Hall, Maybole Castle, the Salt Pan Houses, Seafield House, and the Station Hotel. SAVE representatives highlighted the pressures on local authority budgets and stressed the importance of repurposing these structures to support community identity and future growth.

The Galloway & Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Partnership is launching Biosphere Connections, a free summer networking event in Thornhill on July 29 aimed at residents, businesses, and community groups. The programme will feature speakers discussing rural community work, updates on ongoing sustainability initiatives, and opportunities for public engagement in education, training, and local projects. The event will conclude with a screening of the short film Heart of the Biosphere and booking is available via Eventbrite.

Ayrshire College received the UK Training Provider Skills Champion award at the 2026 Enginuity Skills Awards in London for its engineering and aerospace skills pipeline initiative. The programme connects industry, education and public-sector partners to address regional skills shortages and improve apprenticeship and employment outcomes. College principal Angela Cox highlighted the award as recognition of staff, learners and employer partners and its role in supporting Ayrshire’s economic growth and Scotland’s engineering and aerospace sectors.

South Ayrshire Libraries marks the retirement of Catherine, who served for 46 years performing a wide range of library duties and earning recognition for her expertise and support to colleagues and customers. A spokesperson expressed deep appreciation for her contributions and offered well‑wishes for her retirement.

Seventeen homes in Crosshill and Barr received energy‑efficiency upgrades funded by a £560,000 Scottish Government Net Zero Heat Fund grant. Ayrshire Housing installed insulation, triple glazing, efficient heating systems, solar panels and battery storage to reduce tenant energy bills and support emissions targets. Chief executive Lesley‑Anne Junner said the improvements will lower costs and enhance comfort, and the programme will guide future investment as funding allows.

A new hands‑on learning workshop called The Shed has been opened at St Ninian's Primary School in Prestwick, providing pupils with a space to build, repair and recycle using basic tools. The project was supported by local businesses that supplied materials, construction work and a solar PV system. Staff expressed appreciation for the contributions and anticipation for the benefits the new facility will offer students.

A civic reception in Ayr celebrated the Order of St John for its community contributions ahead of its 2026 Festival of St John. South Ayrshire Provost Iain Campbell praised the organisation’s volunteer‑driven services, including public defibrillator support, mountain rescue involvement and a patient transport service for renal patients travelling to Ayr Hospital. Senior figures from the Order attended the event, followed by an investiture service at Alloway Parish Church welcoming new members for their charitable work.

A long-established restaurant in Dalmellington, The Bacas, has been put up for sale for £185,000 as its owners plan to retire. The business continues normal operations while a buyer is sought, with the property offering over 1,000 square feet of space, a longstanding community presence, and an alcohol licence under Scottish regulations.