ONE of Scotland's most celebrated stage and screen actors has been announced as the newest patron of Ayr's Gaiety Theatre.

Maureen Beattie OBE is best known for her TV roles including Outlander, Doctor Who, Lewis, Midsomer Murders, Taggart, Bramwell and Casualty.

She has also made several appearances on the Gaiety's stage, most recently in Meet Jan Black – an ambitious 2020 lockdown project by celebrated writer Johnny McKnight, which combined a live on-stage performance from Maureen with a pre-recorded ensemble of local amateur players, projected as a video chorus.

Born in County Donegal and raised in Glasgow, Maureen is the daughter of the late Scottish actor and comedian Johnny Beattie.

The official announcement was made at a ceremony today (Sunday, October 22) at The Stage Door café in The Gaiety.

Prior to this, a formal opening of Beattie Close, the new Ayrshire Housing Association property on Carrick Street, took place at 2.30pm.

The new flat complex stands directly across from The Gaiety, and was named by public vote last year to honour Maureen’s father Johnny, who died in 2020 aged, and the legacy he left as one of Ayrshire’s, and Scotland's, most beloved entertainers.

Johnny spoke fondly of the Gaiety as his favourite venue, having made his debut at the theatre in 1952 and appeared there many times in a career which spanned more than half a century.

Maureen and family members were attendance at both events.

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Maureen trained at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, before earning numerous accolades for her acting work on both stage and screen.

Her film work includes roles in Spores, The List and The Decoy Bride, and she has appeared in theatre with various companies including the National Theatre of Scotland, National Theatre, and the RSC, as well as touring internationally.

In 2020, she was awarded the OBE for her services to the entertainment industry.

Maureen also served as president of the actor’s union, Equity, for 2 terms from 2018-2022, becoming only the second woman ever to be elected to the position.