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Ayr hospital negligence case over grandad’s death allowed to proceed after NHS challenge rejected

A Court of Session judge has ruled that the family of Roy Lever, who died from kidney cancer in November 2022, can continue a legal action against NHS Ayrshire and Arran. The family alleges an ultrasound at Ayr Hospital in July 2021 should have led to further investigation and earlier treatment. The health board has not commented because the case is ongoing, and no finding of negligence has been made.

Culture

Ayrshire Philharmonic Opera Society shortlisted for Scottish Theatre Award

Ayrshire Philharmonic Opera Society has been shortlisted for Best Ensemble – Amateur at the Scottish Theatre Awards for its production of Made in Dagenham, with supporters urged to vote online.

Education

Ayr teenager who packed 450 Christmas shoeboxes named Scotland’s Young Hero

Kyle Academy pupil Emmie Mitchell, from Ayr, has been named Young Hero of the Year 2026 after spending eight years preparing more than 450 Christmas shoeboxes for people facing hardship.

Culture

Ayr venue to host three recycled-material art workshops for Climate Week 2026

Narture CIC will bring three donation-based, beginner-friendly creative workshops to The Auld Toy Shop on Newmarket Street, Ayr, with activities ranging from eco inks to recycled-object portraits and handmade photo frames.

Crime & Public Safety Fort

Prestwick man accused of sexual remark, threats and removing doorbell camera

Jason Smith appeared briefly at Ayr Sheriff Court facing two charges over alleged incidents involving a woman in neighbouring flats on Shawfarm Road, Prestwick. The case was continued without plea, with bail continued.

Sport

Ayr RFC names Carlyn Paton to club board in key leadership change

Ayr Rugby Club has appointed Carlyn Paton as its new club secretary and welcomed her to the board of directors. She succeeds Graham Duncan, who stepped down after two years in the role.

Culture

Ayr Choral Union marks 150 years with historic return to Handel’s Messiah

Ayr Choral Union will open its 150th anniversary season with Handel’s Messiah, the work performed at the choir’s first major concert in 1878 and revisited 35 times since.

Culture Heathfield

Ayr Town Hall concert to bring fiddle, brass and school choirs together this October

Two’s Company Concert 2026 will take place at Ayr Town Hall on Saturday 24 October, featuring the Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra, Dalmellington Brass Academy and school choirs from Heathfield and Alloway Primary Schools.

Traffic & Construction

The Vintage Explosion to bring rock and rhythm and blues to Ayr Town Hall

The Vintage Explosion is listed for Ayr Town Hall on Sunday 1 November 2026, with a 5pm event time, tickets priced at 32.50 and disabled access information provided.

Culture

Coast Harmony to bring autumn concert and guest performers to Ayr Town Hall

Coast Harmony will perform at Ayr Town Hall on Sunday 4 October 2026, with guests Twa’ Threeds and Ryan Holmes. The afternoon concert will feature rock, pop, gospel and folk music, with admission by donation and complimentary tickets available for anyone unable to pay.

Business & Openings Fort

Ayr town centre faces “significant challenges” as councillors examine empty high streets

South Ayrshire councillors have been warned that vacancy rates remain a serious challenge in Ayr town centre, with officers saying the high street may need to adapt rather than return to its former shape. Investment planned for Burns Statue Square and a new town-centre framework are among the measures being progressed.

Sport

Ayr Rugby Club fireworks festival set to return to Dam Park in 2026

Ayr Rugby Club has confirmed that its annual Fireworks Festival will return to Dam Park Stadium on Friday, 6 November 2026.

Business & Openings

Ayr stylist Rachael Macdonald wins Scotland’s best female stylist award

Rachael Macdonald, salon director at Rainbow Room International Ayr, has been named Best Female Stylist at the 2026 Scottish Hair and Beauty Awards.

Community

Ayr care workers warned after injured resident was lifted from floor without medical help

Two social care workers based in Ayr have received professional warnings after an investigation found they manually lifted an injured resident who had fallen, failed to use specialist equipment and did not seek medical attention when the resident reported pain.

Crime & Public Safety Fort

Ayr Sheriff Court handles 906 domestic abuse cases as Scotland records highest total in a decade

Ayr Sheriff Court dealt with 906 cases linked to domestic abuse or stalking during 2025/26, while courts across Ayrshire handled 2,275 such cases in total. The figures were published alongside a national rise in domestic abuse charges and calls for continued support for survivors.

Community Fort

Ayr’s Narture shortlisted for two national awards after transforming town-centre spaces

NARTURE CIC has reached the finals of two 2026 national awards for its community work in Ayr, with public voting open for a People’s Choice prize.

Culture

Oktoberfest Sunday is coming to Ayr Pavilion with live oompah music and Bavarian treats

Ayr Pavilion will host an Oktoberfest afternoon on Sunday 11 October 2026, featuring live entertainment, German beers, Bavarian food and a ticket package including a drink and giant pretzel.

Culture

Retrospect Hard Halloween at Ayr Pavilion: performers, tickets and entry details

Retrospect Hard Halloween is scheduled for Ayr Pavilion on Saturday 31 October 2026, with a line-up including DIKKE BAAP, MUTILATOR, KIRSTY, MXGN, TRKN, 5VRGN and DEEVEY.

Crime & Public Safety Fort

Elderly pedestrian seriously injured in Ayr town-centre hit-and-run as driver arrested

An 85-year-old man suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries after being struck by a grey Audi A1 on Arthur Street in Ayr town centre. Police say the car initially failed to stop, but the 41-year-old driver was traced and arrested shortly afterwards.

Culture

Trance Galaxy returns to Ayr Pavilion for free Halloween dance event

White Rabbit presents Trance Galaxy at Ayr Pavilion on Friday 30 October 2026, with a limited number of free tickets available for over-18s.

Crime & Public Safety Fort

Three charged after suspected nitazene lab uncovered in Patna, Ayrshire

Three people have been charged almost a year after Police Scotland uncovered what was described as the UK’s first known nitazene laboratory in Patna, Ayrshire. The case involves alleged serious organised crime, money laundering and fraud offences, with reports submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Traffic & Construction Fort

Ayr pensioner admits repeated flashing and sexual offences at South Harbour Street flat

Hervey Gibson, 78, has admitted multiple sexual offences involving men and women at his Ayr home and in the common close of Churchill Tower. Sentencing has been deferred for reports and a risk assessment, while bail continues and police notification requirements apply.

Culture Alloway

Free Alloway talk to explore Agnews mystery, Scots poetry and Angeline King’s Ayr connection

Novelist Angeline King will discuss The Secret Diary of Stephanie Agnew at a free Highlight Talk in Alloway on Wednesday 21 October 2026, with the event covering history, poetry, dialect writing and links between Ireland and Scotland.

Traffic & Construction

One person taken to hospital after emergency services called to Arthur Street in Ayr

Police officers and ambulance crews attended Arthur Street in Ayr shortly before midday on Tuesday, September 22, after an incident was reported. One person was taken to Crosshouse Hospital, according to the Scottish Ambulance Service.

Culture Alloway

Free Alloway talk to explore the remarkable life of William Maclure

Local historian Ken Nairn will examine William Maclure’s journey from Ayr to American intellectual life during a free Highlight Talk at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway on Wednesday 7 October 2026.

Traffic & Construction Fort

Ayr town-centre plans face fresh cycle-lane challenge as £19.9m project moves towards more consultation

South Ayrshire Council is being asked to carry out further consultation on cycle lanes and junction changes proposed for the £19.9 million Accessible Ayr project, after councillors and local businesses raised concerns about the designs for Alloway Street and Sandgate.

Crime & Public Safety

Ayr man convicted of 15 offences against six women over 14-year abuse campaign

Steven Maclean, 36, has been convicted at the High Court in Paisley of 15 offences involving six former partners, following a trial covering rape, domestic abuse, violence and controlling behaviour between February 2010 and December 2024.

Culture

Hen Night Horror brings a bloody new musical nightmare to Ayr’s Gaiety Theatre

Comedy horror musical Hen Night Horror will be staged at Ayr’s Gaiety Theatre on September 29 and 30 as part of a new Scottish tour, with tickets available online.

Crime & Public Safety Fort

Trial set for two men accused of knife and axe robbery in Maybole

Jayden Mason and Daniel Logan have pleaded not guilty at Ayr Sheriff Court to allegations including assault, robbery and the theft of a Nissan Juke in Maybole.

Crime & Public Safety Fort

Ayr man avoids jail after sending naked images to person he believed was a 12-year-old

Jason Mason, 50, has been given a two-year community payback order after admitting sending indecent images to an adult woman posing online as a 12-year-old. The Ayr Sheriff Court case involved a vigilante sting at Craig Tara Holiday Park and restrictions on Mason’s internet use and contact with children.