East Ayrshire is a desirable part of Scotland in which to live.
Situated within easy reach of Glasgow as well as the seaside towns of the west coast, East Ayrshire combines an idyllic mix of rural beauty and urban living for those seeking a high quality of life. It is set in the midst of some of Scotland's finest countryside.
Housing
East Ayrshire is an excellent choice for anyone wishing to purchase an established property or a new property. Excellent quality housing at affordable prices is available throughout the area.
Learning
Learning in East Ayrshire is a lifelong activity and right across the area there are opportunities whatever your age.
East Ayrshire Education Service has an excellent reputation in supporting wellbeing and delivering positive achievement and destinations for their children and young people.
There are 7 secondary schools, 40 primary schools, 3 additional support needs schools, 36 early childhood centres (7 standalone and 29 based in primary schools), with additional specialist centres across the authority. In addition, we have a contract with private and voluntary sector nurseries, known as funded providers and childminders who have met the National Standard for ELC to deliver funded places.
The service is composed of a number of services who come together to lead the development of education across the Council.
We are committed to making best possible provision for children with additional support needs, the vast majority of whom are educated in mainstream schools. This is achieved by attendance in classes or through placement in one of the specialist centres attached to a school.
With continued investment in Education infrastructure, we have spent over £125m since 2012 and plan to invest around £175m over the next five years; with projects offering state of the art educational facilities and others focused on reducing our carbon footprint using creative energy solutions.
Our plans have, and will continue to, create positive and inspiring learning spaces suitable for 21st century learning and teaching, enhance the local community and support positive experiences and outcomes for our children and young people.
Health
The area is well served by excellent health facilities - GP practice and Health Centre primary care facilities and secondary care facilities in the form of University Hospital Crosshouse in Kilmarnock and the East Ayrshire Community Hospital in Cumnock.
Leisure
East Ayrshire boasts an excellent range of sporting and leisure activities.
Facilities on offer include sports and fitness centres, the first class Galleon Centre offering leisure pool, ice-skating rink, bowling hall, and fitness suite with Visions Centre in Cumnock offering leisure pool and fitness suite.
The Ayrshire Athletics Arena in Kilmarnock is set amongst a sporting environment of athletics, cricket, rugby, judo, gymnastics and football facilities.
There's a multi-screen cinema, arts venues, extensive golfing and all weather tennis facilities.
450 square miles of countryside and beautiful country parkland provide a place for blissful escape on long rambling walks or cycle rides on rights of way and national cycle routes. It's also the perfect destination for wildlife lovers.
Shopping
Kilmarnock town centre is compact, stylish and accessible with a mix of large stores and speciality shops. Independent retailers throughout East Ayrshire, large and small, traditional and modern, believe in the highest standards of personal service to their customers.
Other quality retailers are within easy reach at Glasgow and the rest of Ayrshire.
Food and drink
Eating out in East Ayrshire offers a wide choice of formal and casual dining opportunities, with many establishments making best use of local produce.
The area also has strong and traditional links with the food and drinks industry, with whisky, spring water and traditional Scottish foods all produced locally.
Economy
Recently there have been major changes in the local and national economy.
East Ayrshire is responding to these changes so that it remains a competitive place for the future. The aim of East Ayrshire's partners in economic development is to reduce unemployment, increase inward investment and business birth rate, regenerate our communities and raise the level of vocational qualifications to above the Scottish average.
Transport
The area's transport links boast a network of fast motorway links, dual carriageway and rail services.
East Ayrshire is within 30 minutes drive of Prestwick Airport and within reasonable travelling distance of the major airports in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
The Superfast ferry service based at Troon is only half an hour away.