Literature

Alan Currie has been busy in 2026 publishing books, launching a charity and seeing his clients in South Ayrshire

Ayr anxiety specialist marks jam-packed year by publishing third book

Flirtatious Fiction opened in Queens Court last month and welcomed Scottish romance author Ellie Henderson as its first special guest

Flirtatious Fiction opened in Queens Court last month and welcomed Scottish romance author Ellie Henderson as its first special guest

New Ayr bookshop hosts author visit and raises over £100 for charity

Sarah Dean-Hunter, from Drongan, is celebrating the official launch of her novel, 'The Artist and the Mirmin of Famagusta'

Sarah Dean-Hunter, from Drongan, is celebrating the official launch of her novel, 'The Artist and the Mirmin of Famagusta'

Drongan author inspired by heart scare writes novel set in Cyprus

The school has been working hard over the past year and has been awarded a core accreditation

The school has been working hard over the past year and has been awarded a core accreditation

Ayr school declared 'Reading School' by national charity

The shop was opened on June 20 by husband and wife team Fiona and Ewan Clark Northcote

The shop was opened on June 20 by husband and wife team Fiona and Ewan Clark Northcote

New Ayr romance bookshop announces first author visit

Fiona Clark Northcote and husband Ewan will throw open the doors to Flirtatious Fiction in Queens Court

Fiona Clark Northcote and husband Ewan will throw open the doors to Flirtatious Fiction in Queens Court

Husband and wife team set to realise bookshop dream as they open in Ayr

Alan Currie is drawing on years of experience in South Ayrshire for his trilogy

Alan Currie is drawing on years of experience in South Ayrshire for his trilogy

Ayr anxiety specialist creates trilogy of books aimed at those quietly struggling

Julie Shackman is a finalist in the Romantic Novel of the Year Awards 2026

Julie Shackman is a finalist in the Romantic Novel of the Year Awards 2026

South Ayrshire romantic novel author shortlisted for major award

Some of the greatest works by Ayrshire authors

Some of the greatest works by Ayrshire authors

7 of Ayrshire's most famous authors - from Burns to the father of Tartan Noir

Alan Currie has published a new book that draws on his experience of working with people dealing with anxiety

Alan Currie has published a new book that draws on his experience of working with people dealing with anxiety

Anxiety specialist from Ayr draws on experiences for new mental health book

Ken Cairnduff's 'Straad' is set in 1970s Ireland

Ken Cairnduff's 'Straad' is set in 1970s Ireland

Ayr author inspired by Stephen King pens debut novel at 78

Scottish Book Girlies are holding its first event in Ayr later this month

Scottish Book Girlies are holding its first event in Ayr later this month

New book club for young women holding first event in Ayr

Scottish author engages with fans at Ayr library events

Scottish author engages with fans at Ayr library events

Top Scottish author engages with fans at Ayr library events

Guests at the Ayr Care & Sgare Burns lunch

Guests at the Ayr Care & Sgare Burns lunch

Food, music and community spirit at Care & Share Burns lunch in Ayr

Martin Stewart joined P7 learners from Troon Primary

Martin Stewart joined P7 learners from Troon Primary

Troon author inspires primary school kids to nurture creativity

The oil painting will headline McTear’s Scottish Contemporary Art Auction in Glasgow

The oil painting will headline McTear’s Scottish Contemporary Art Auction in Glasgow

One of most famous illustrations of Burns' Tam o' Shanter set for auction

Doug Johnstone at Prestwick Library

Doug Johnstone at Prestwick Library

Author Doug Johnstone speaks to full house at Prestwick Library

Enrica Jang with Poetic Justice's Neil Smith and Steven Duffy in Baltimore in 2024

Enrica Jang with Poetic Justice's Neil Smith and Steven Duffy in Baltimore in 2024

Burns Birthplace Museum to host talk about Edgar Allan Poe's time in Ayrshire

The Robert Burns stained-glass window in the Bute Hall, University of Glasgow

The Robert Burns stained-glass window in the Bute Hall, University of Glasgow

The centuries-old dish behind Scotland's most famous poem revealed

South Ayrshire Libraries is welcoming Doug Johnstone, a Scottish crime writer and author of the darkly funny Skelfs series

South Ayrshire Libraries is welcoming Doug Johnstone, a Scottish crime writer and author of the darkly funny Skelfs series

Award-winning author heading to Prestwick Library for special event

Soap Poetry is inviting the public to nominate teachers, volunteers, bookshop staff, and charity workers

Soap Poetry is inviting the public to nominate teachers, volunteers, bookshop staff, and charity workers

Ayrshire soapmaker launches feel-good giveaway to inspire children to read

South Ayrshire Libraries took home the title in the Library Project Excellence category

South Ayrshire Libraries took home the title in the Library Project Excellence category

Innovative library project in South Ayrshire honoured with national award

Primary school pupils team up with talented author to launch book

Fletcher Wardrop, 9, has written and published his own book to help raise funds and awareness of neurodiversity

Fletcher Wardrop, 9, has written and published his own book to help raise funds and awareness of neurodiversity

Talented young Ayr author hoping to achieve a dream after publishing first book

Eight students and their lecturer from the University of Strasbourg travelled to Ayrshire

Eight students and their lecturer from the University of Strasbourg travelled to Ayrshire

Ayrshire stories spark French pilgrimage as students fall for coastal charm

Connor Stuart has published his first book

Connor Stuart has published his first book

Meet the Ayr man who published a book to prove he can crack cosy crime

From The Country Houses, Castles and Mansions of South Ayrshire

From The Country Houses, Castles and Mansions of South Ayrshire

A second look at South Ayrshire's finest castles and stately homes

The talks will take place at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum throughout October

The talks will take place at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum throughout October

Robert Burns Birthplace Museum

Free highlight talks to continue at Robert Burns museum for October

Some properties are intact and well-known such as Culzean

Some properties are intact and well-known such as Culzean

New book detailing region's finest houses, castles and mansions released

The children kicked things off by reading Gillian’s book 'A Shell for Cleo'

The children kicked things off by reading Gillian’s book 'A Shell for Cleo'

Troon Library buzzing with creativity during author workshop

Billy Reid was named the winner of the All Genres category in the annual UK Songwriting Contest earlier this year

Billy Reid was named the winner of the All Genres category in the annual UK Songwriting Contest earlier this year

Talented Troon songwriter makes big switch as children's author

Girvan Library was thrilled to host the inspiring afternoon with the renowned author

Girvan Library was thrilled to host the inspiring afternoon with the renowned author

Avid book fans enjoy fascinating talk from popular author Damian Barr

Duncan Carmichael reflects on the curious consequences that supporting a local football club will have

Duncan Carmichael reflects on the curious consequences that supporting a local football club will have

Brand new book on highs and lows of following Ayr United set to launch

Damien Barr will appear at Girvan Library

Damien Barr will appear at Girvan Library

Top author to appear for book signing at Girvan Library

The event marked the end of the 24/25 season

The event marked the end of the 24/25 season

Clubs and societies

Ayr Writers' Club dishes out prizes at annual awards night

Talks will be given on history and the Scots language

Talks will be given on history and the Scots language

Free highlight talks to continue at Robert Burns museum

The library is moving into the Municipal Buildings

The library is moving into the Municipal Buildings

South Ayrshire Council

Opening date for new library in Troon revealed by council

Dr Aaron Mullins' book topped Amazon's true crime charts

Dr Aaron Mullins' book topped Amazon's true crime charts

Ayrshire author's book on Scottish murderers becomes bestseller

This is the second annual Blether O' Books event

This is the second annual Blether O' Books event

Ayrshire museum announces line-up for its second annual book festival

Ayrshire writer, Billy Kay, will take to the stage at Paisley Book Festival on Sunday April 27

Ayrshire writer, Billy Kay, will take to the stage at Paisley Book Festival on Sunday April 27

Renowned author's 'love letter' to Ayrshire to be discussed at book festival

Julie Muir from Tidelines, Martin Stewart, Jenny Colgan, Chris Brookmyre and festival co-ordinator Angela Noble.

Julie Muir from Tidelines, Martin Stewart, Jenny Colgan, Chris Brookmyre and festival co-ordinator Angela Noble.

Ayrshire over-50s get a lesson in romance, murder and mystery from top authors

Dignitaries at Burns Statue Square for the annual ceremony

Dignitaries at Burns Statue Square for the annual ceremony

Ayr honours Robert Burns at annual wreath laying ceremony on his birthday

The haggis arrives

The haggis arrives

Riverside Community Trust Care and Share Burns event is a huge success

The Carrick Burns Club event was a huge success

The Carrick Burns Club event was a huge success

Clubs and societies

Carrick Burns Club toast the Bard at an amazing night in Kirkoswald

Carrick Burns Club dignitaries at their annual supper in Kirkoswald

Carrick Burns Club dignitaries at their annual supper in Kirkoswald

Toast to the Bard: Carrick Burns Club holds annual supper in Kirkoswald

Elsie Mackay, left and author Flora Johnston

Elsie Mackay, left and author Flora Johnston

Incredible story of Ayrshire heiress, actress, jockey and pilot told in new novel

Dr Jimmy Begg with the revised 'Dipper'

Dr Jimmy Begg with the revised 'Dipper'

Acclaimed work by Ayrshire authors updated 30 years on to help hospice

Largs harbour features in the new book

Largs harbour features in the new book

Learn all about the history of Ayrshire's harbours in new book by Dane Love

Cathy Marsden, head of Rare Books at Lyon and Turnbull, with the rare first edition of Robert Burns' Poems Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect

Cathy Marsden, head of Rare Books at Lyon and Turnbull, with the rare first edition of Robert Burns' Poems Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect

Rare first edition Robert Burns poetry book fetches £62,700 at auction

Aaron Mullins has penned a number of books

Aaron Mullins has penned a number of books

Ayrshire author tops charts with book of regional tales

The latest events in the series of Highlight Talks at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway will be held on June 12 and 26.

The latest events in the series of Highlight Talks at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway will be held on June 12 and 26.

Cultural attractions

Details revealed of next 'Highlight Talks' at Robert Burns Birthplace Museum

Troon Rotary President Jyl Ashton-Cunningham makes the presentation to the Scouts

Troon Rotary President Jyl Ashton-Cunningham makes the presentation to the Scouts

Clubs and societies

Legacy of Robert Burns is celebrated by the Rotary Club of Troon

An Immaculate Illusion covers the rise and fall of Hitler

An Immaculate Illusion covers the rise and fall of Hitler

Ayr author to discuss his new book at special event in Alloway Library

Top table guests at the Carrick Burns Club supper

Top table guests at the Carrick Burns Club supper

Clubs and societies

PICTURES: Fantastic time enjoyed by all at the Carrick Burns Club supper