The Cook School at BBC Food Show

The Cook School Scotland are attending this year's BBC good Food Show and they want to see you there!

They will be providing substantial discounts on their products and "something for everyone" on Stand F40.

You can win tickets by answering the following Question.

What is their recipe of the month for May?

Email your reply complete with name, address and telephone number to info@cookschool.org - you've only got til 5pm today (19th October to get your answer in)

MP Calls For "One Ayrshire" Tourism Activity

AN MP has called on Ayrshire’s three local authorities to get together to promote the area as a tourist destination.

Central Ayrshire MP Brian Donohoe said the three councils currently worked separately to promote “their own particular jewel in their crown.”

He said North Ayrshire has Arran, while South Ayrshire has Burns and golf and East Ayrshire has Kilmarnock Football Club.

Speaking at his annual tourism summit in Prestwick, Mr Donohoe said: “All three authorities must work together to treat Ayrshire as a whole rather than an area with three different parts.”

Local businesses complained organisations such as VisitScotland put too much onus on Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Mr Donohoe went on: “Many of them feel it is only the cities which are benefiting from the input of the tourism ‘experts’.

“We must get pan-Ayrshire support for a solely Ayrshire based tourism board or forum.

“Tourists arriving at Prestwick find absolutely no representation for the place. There is no promotion for Ayrshire. So how can we expect tourists to come here?”

The loss of Ryanair flights is another major blow to the tourism industry, said Mr Donohoe.

He added: “The cut-backs in the airline’s winter schedules has had a marked effect on the number of tourists coming to Ayrshire especially from the Scandanavian countries.

“I intend to promote a cross-party pan-Ayrshire effort in the hope that a body such at the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce can perhaps look at organising a more structured meet up for the future.”

Dalquharran Castle is Used as Security

Interesting article from the Irish Indepedant last week. Interesting for the main story but also for the fact that Ayrshire has been relocated by the journalist to the Scottish highlands.

"A castle in the Scottish highlands (sic), valuable paintings by Irish artists Sean Keating, Donald Tesky and George K Gillespie, as well as any proceeds from an upcoming court battle, have all been put up as security for borrowings from Anglo Irish Bank by indebted developer Seamus Ross of Menolly Homes.

Mr Ross has pledged Dalquharran Castle in Ayrshire as security against borrowings from the bank. The ruined castle, built by Robert Adam in 1780, is earmarked for major redevelopment as a golf resort, subject to funding.

Menolly has also pledged land in Montenegro as security, as well as a number of insurance policies, according to mortgage documents.

The image comes from a great site about derelict buildings and has some great photos of a magnificent ruin that most of us remain blissfully unaware of.

What's the old saying about the proof of the pudding...

Well, little more than a fortnight after the three separate Ayrshire councils signed a declaration to work together in promoting a single destination Ayrshire message, what happens but one council already breaks ranks at the first big press and PR opportunity that comes around.

The cynics have argued that they heard this "joint working exercise" business spouted before and doubted the likelihood of seeing anything more than words. Do they have grounds for this scepticism? Make your own minds up...

This paragraph is lifted from the R & A press release announcing Turnberry as venue for the 2012 Seniors Open. (Which in itself is great news for Ayrshire and the rest of Scottish tourism.

"Councillor Bill McIntosh, Leader of South Ayrshire Council, said: "Turnberry is an iconic golf location and I am thrilled The Senior Open Championship is returning to South Ayrshire next year. We are, of course, the birthplace and home of Open Golf and we are also well-known for hosting major international events, so it’s going to be a fabulous sporting occasion.

“I look forward to welcoming players, staff, fans, family and friends to South Ayrshire for this wonderful event and will ensure a great time is had by all here on Scotland’s very own golf coast.”

So much for the value of that commitment and pledge then. They really just can't help themselves can they?

Martin Cheyne, Councillor David O'Neill, Councillor Bill McIntosh, Councillor Douglas Reid, and Jill Farrell sign the new Ayrshire Tourism Charter

Councillor McIntosh, just in case you forgot what you signed up for - there is only one Ayrshire.

Two Teams in Ayrshire...

The value and opportunity for football based tourism is greatly underestimated throughout Scotland. With matches with teams from the length and breadth of the country the idea of an all inclusive package with a couple of nights DBB, match ticket and match day hospitality is a sound proposal to attract shoulder and winter season visits to the area. And of course not every team has the pulling power of The Old Firm but visiting teams do have supporters with the means to make a weekend or midweek break of it?

So with that in mind how about tying up a hotel break with a football package - here's Kilmarnock Football Club's offering for their forthcoming CIS Cup match against Airdrie on Wednesday 25th August 2010 at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock.

Enjoy the 2nd round of the Co-operative Insurance Cup while dining at one of the finest venues in Scottish football for hospitality by taking advantage of our special deal at only £45 per person.

The package includes:

• 2 course meal
• 3 complimentary drinks
• Executive seating
• Match programme and team sheet
• Traditional half time fayre

Guests arrive at 6pm. Please note cost includes match ticket and the evening will consist of a pay bar facility for additional drinks.

For more information or to book call Commercial Department on 01563 545312 email:  hospitality@kilmarnockfc.co.uk

You can check availability for hotel accommodation on the 25th August at nearby Ayrshire hotels

Back to School Dining Offer!

Gailes Hotel in Irvine and The Old Loans Inn near Troon are celebrating (as are the rest of us parents) the kids going back to school!

From Tuesday 17th August to Friday 20th August from 3pm until 6pm the Restaurant at the Gailes Hotel or  The Old Loans Inn are offering a delicious back to school treat with all kids eating from their children's menu for FREE.

Check out the Simpsinns newsletter for more information and contact details.

Make a Weekend of the Marymass Festival in Irvine

Keeping today's theme of Ayrshire Festival's going we can't overlook the traditional Marymass Festival in Irvine.

From fireworks to folk music, crowning to comedy, racing to rock music, horses to history Irvine has it all every August for the Marymass Festival with 12 days of tradition and there's still a whole weekend and more of activities left to enjoy.  Download the Highlights Brochure for information

The Festival is steeped in local culture and retains many of its ancient traditions dating back to the 17th century. This, coupled with a modern twist, makes it a must see festival for the whole family.

Join the carnival atmosphere on Marymass Saturday (Saturday 21 August) when one of the largest horse-drawn processions in Scotland leads the crowd to Irvine Town Centre to witness the Crowning of Marymass Queen. The parade then makes its way to Irvine Moor, where a full afternoon of sporting events takes place, including what is reputed to be the world's oldest horse race meeting and legendary Greasy Pole competition – a quirky Marymass tradition which sees teams attempting to climb a 20ft pole coated in grease to retrieve the 'coveted ham'.

The Marymass Folk Festival (Wednesday 18 to Sunday 22 August) is an institution in Irvine, where a wealth of national and international musicians appear in a sensational programme over five days. This year sees many folk favourites returning, such as The McCalmans, Johnny Silvo, The Ideal Band and rising stars such as Chloe Matharu.

A new family night has been introduced to the Marymass calendar – in the shape of Dancing Queen – an all singing and dancing event in the Magnum Centre on Sunday 15 August. So dig out your flares and dust down your platforms and get down to sing along to all your ABBA favourites.

Irvine was made a Royal Burgh in 1372 and is now a busy town with important historical and maritime connections. The Moor, on Kilwinning Road, was the location of the first-ever horseracing meeting, in the 17th century. Rumour has it that the Irvine Carters' Society rode from the town to fight for Mary Queen of Scots - hence the annual celebration of Marymass.

With over 100 different events, the Festival runs from 12 to 23 August 2010 - check online availability for Irvine and Ayrshire Hotels and make short break of your visit.