Now Ayrshire Radio- Ayrshire Insights with Elliot Boyce

In this episode, Elliot is joined by comedian and broadcaster Billy Kirkwood, who brings a unique perspective on building a career in the creative industries. From carving out his path in comedy to establishing himself in broadcasting, Billy shares the realities of turning passion into a profession.
 
Together, they dive into the highs, the hurdles, and the lessons learned along the way—offering honest insight into resilience, reinvention, and what it really takes to succeed. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, creative, or simply curious about the stories behind success, this episode delivers inspiration with a touch of humour.
 
Originally broadcast live on Now Ayrshire Radio, this edited episode brings you the very best bits — insightful, inspiring, and a true celebration of a Local Legend.

This week Elliot is joined by Lorraine Murdoch, the driving force behind the Ayr County Show — one of Ayrshire’s most iconic and long-standing community events.
For over 21 years, Lorraine has played a central role in organising and managing the show, helping it grow into a much-loved annual highlight that brings together farmers, families, businesses, and the wider community. In this episode, she shares the story behind the scenes — from the early days to the scale and success the event enjoys today.
We explore what it really takes to deliver an event of this size year after year, the challenges that come with it, and the moments that make it all worthwhile. Lorraine also reflects on the importance of tradition, community spirit, and keeping events like the Ayr County Show thriving for future generations.
As always, expect plenty of personality along the way — from quick-fire questions and personal stories to her connection with Ayrshire and what keeps her motivated after more than two decades at the heart of it all.
Originally broadcast live on Now Ayrshire Radio, this edited episode brings you the very best bits — insightful, inspiring, and a true celebration of a Local Legend.

This week Elliot is joined by John Gall of Brownings the Bakers — one of Ayrshire’s most recognisable and much-loved businesses.
From humble beginnings to becoming a household name across the region, John shares the story behind the brand, offering a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to build and sustain a local business with such a strong reputation. It’s a journey shaped by tradition, hard work, and a deep connection to the community.
As always, we kick things off with some quick-fire icebreakers before diving into John’s early days, the evolution of Brownings, and the key moments that helped define its success. From big wins to the challenges along the way, this episode is packed with insight, honesty, and a genuine passion for Ayrshire.
There’s plenty of personality too — including “5 Fast Ones,” reflections on community pride, and why supporting local businesses has never been more important.
Originally broadcast live on Now Ayrshire Radio, this edited episode brings you the very best bits — a great story, a few laughs, and a celebration of a true Ayrshire institution.

A thriving outlet. A beloved café. A sudden fire that changed everything. In this powerful episode, Elliot Boyce of Ayrshire Insights speaks with James Broughton about the night the Cumnock Factory Outlet went up in flames — and the extraordinary comeback that followed. From the ashes rose not just a rebuilt business, but a renewed sense of community. This is a story of resilience, local pride, and the people of Ayrshire refusing to let a landmark fade away.

In this week’s Ayrshire Insights on Now Ayrshire Radio, Elliot Boyce is joined by Gayle Watson from Ayrshire Climbing Centre in Kilmarnock.
Gayle shares the journey behind creating Ayrshire’s first indoor climbing centre, from early beginnings to building an inclusive space for all abilities. The conversation explores the challenges, proud moments, and the positive impact climbing has on confidence, wellbeing, and the local community.
An inspiring and down-to-earth look at one of Ayrshire’s growing success stories.

This week on Local Legend Spotlight, Elliot Boyce is joined by award-winning business owner Katie Stephen, the driving force behind Dog & Hound Boutique in Stewarton.
From her early beginnings to building a brand that’s now recognised for excellence, Katie shares the real story behind her journey — the leap into business, the challenges that tested her, and the moments that made it all worthwhile.
As always, we kick things off with some quick-fire icebreakers before diving into the origins of Dog & Hound Boutique, exploring how a genuine passion for dogs grew into a thriving local business. Katie opens up about her biggest wins, the toughest days, and the lessons she’s learned along the way — including what it really takes to stand out and succeed.
Originally broadcast live on Now Ayrshire Radio, this edited episode brings you the very best moments — honest, upbeat, and packed with insight.
Whether you’re a dog lover, a small business owner, or just enjoy hearing how local success stories are built, this is one you won’t want to miss.

This week on Ayrshire Insights, Elliot Boyce sits down with Liam Gallagher from Senjokai Karate for an engaging and insightful conversation about discipline, dedication, and the power of martial arts in shaping both body and mind.
Liam shares his journey into karate, the philosophy behind Senjokai, and how training goes far beyond physical fitness—building confidence, resilience, and respect in students of all ages. From grassroots beginnings to the impact on the local community, this episode explores what makes martial arts such a transformative experience.
Whether you’re a seasoned martial artist, thinking about starting, or just curious about the mindset behind the discipline, this episode offers plenty of inspiration and practical insight.
Tune in to hear how passion, perseverance, and purpose come together in one of Ayrshire’s most respected karate communities.

This episode puts the spotlight on Daniel McGuire — owner of RDS AutocAyr and one of the most trusted names in local motoring.We talk cars, community, challenges, big wins, and what it takes to run a garage where honesty, affordability and proper customer care come first.A brilliant conversation with one of Ayrshire’s true local legends.
 

This week on Ayrshire Insights, we’re joined by Fiona McKenzie, founder of CentreStage in Kilmarnock.
Fiona shares the remarkable journey that took her from a 20-year career as a secondary school Principal Teacher of Music to becoming one of Ayrshire’s most influential community leaders. She talks about the early challenges, the vision behind using the arts to transform lives, and how CentreStage has grown into a powerful hub for creativity, opportunity and community in Ayrshire.

In this episode, we sit down with Isobel and Andy from Studio16, the Ayr‑based high‑end detailing studio making waves across Scotland and beyond. Andy founded the business, and together he and Isobel have transformed Studio16 into one of the country’s most respected names in automotive and motorcycle detailing.
In just 12 months, Isobel has become the UK’s only International Detailing Association Certified Female Detailer and one of only 11 people worldwide to earn specialist motorcycle detailing certification — achievements matched only by her recent international win in Orlando, where she was crowned Newcomer of the Year. 
We dive into their journey: how they balance business and partnership, the challenges of entering a male‑dominated industry, the proudest moments of their rise, and the impact Studio16 has made on Ayrshire’s community. Plus: walk‑in tunes, quick‑fire questions, bargains of the week, and what’s next for this powerhouse duo.