pitch with a man and his dug watching us. We got piped out and it was a really emotional moment. We scored ïŹrst with a great header and then from a corner kick. We were up 2-0 but they won 3-2. ey were stronger than us, but it was a great advert for the womenâs game.
I was expelled from St Josephâs Academy in Kilmarnock when I was 15 for playing football. I decided then and there that if there were hurdles placed in front of me, I wasnât going to jump them or go around them. I was just going to smash them down. My motto was âdonât think, just doâ.
âIf there were hurdles placed in front of me, I wasnât going to jump them â I was just going to smash them downâ
ïŹrst time that I was in a dressing room, because Iâd never been allowed in with the boys.
We were banned from playing on recognised pitches by the Scottish Football Association (SFA). We werenât allowed referees either. It was all against us. But we set up a league and there were teams from as far away as Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh. Just like the guysâ league, but it was all funded by ourselves from selling ra e tickets and things.
I got picked to play for Scotland and we were playing against England. It was such a surreal moment, because it was the ïŹrst time weâd played in a real stadium with fans, instead of our local
So, I got a job in a carpet factory in Kilmarnock, called BMK. e guys had a football team and I was playing for them when there was another team waiting to get on. ey were from the Johnnie Walker Whisky Bond from Kilmarnock. ey were the best factory team in Scotland because the factory was massive. en they asked if I would play with them, so I did and I didnât go back to my work. So, when I did go back in I got the sack. My mother nearly killed me again. I was saying, âBut Mum, I was playing for Johnnie Walkerâs, theyâre like the Real Madrid of the factory teams!â
I only wanted to be a professional footballer, but there was nothing in Britain. So, I went to the Daily Record and told a journalist that I wanted to be a professional footballer. And instead of sneering at me like everyone else used to he said, âleave it with meâ. He got me a trial at Stade de Reims in France and o we went, me and my wee sidekick Edna Nellie, who was a magniïŹcent footballer. We got signed at half-time.
So, I started playing at Reims and four months down the line AC Milan bought us and o we went to Italy. I settled in right away, but Edna went
If you go down to the woods today, youâre sure of a big surprise. But not of the teddy bearsâ picnic kind.
Instead, you will ïŹnd these beauties. Roaming through North Ayrshire farmland, these thick-coated, long-snouted, Austro-Hungarian Mangalitsa pigs are amassing a considerable fan base â and not just for their fuzzy, sheep-like appearance and adorable, stripy piglets. ese magniïŹcent Mangas are in fact playing a far more crucial role at Future Forest Companyâs 430-acre Brodoclea Woodland Farm, near Dalry by acting as ecological restoration engineers under the watchful eye of sustainable farm manager David Carruth.
But how? ey may not have completed a ïŹveyear environmental science degree or indeed any porcine sta training, but they are taking part in rotational mob grazing â a practice that involves moving the animals systematically through a series of paddocks.
âSo what?â I hear you cry. ough more typically associated with ïŹocks of sheep and herds of cattle, mob grazing has several reported beneïŹts. Firstly, it allows these little pi ies to snu e around for fresh forage on a regular basis. Secondly, it controls dominant species like bracken, and gives the forest ïŹoor (which is divided into 20 paddocks) time to recover once the pigs have passed through. is, in turn, creates healthier soil and better conditions for biodiversity growth, including native broadleaf woodland, wildïŹowers, birds and an abundance of wee beasties.
âPigs are incredible ecosystem engineers,â says David, who began working on Brodoclea just over three years ago. â atâs whatâs shaping the land under the trees. And theyâre doing so to their own beneïŹt because theyâve got this incredible bu et to enjoy. ey can pick and choose their own salad bar which is really good for them.
â atâs something weâve found â we donât need to do any routine medications with our pigs now
ABOVE: David Carruth of the Future Forest Company has been working on Brodoclea for over three years; these eco warriors are incredibly good at controlling species like bracken, and enjoy a wide range of forage, which in turn creates healthier soil and better conditions for the growth of new woodland.
MARINE TROON
Troon
Tel: 01292 314 444 www.marineandlawn.com
SAKS & HART
Alloway
Tel: 01292 502 165 www.saksandhart.com
ewly relocated in the centre of Alloway beside urns ottage aks art
Interiors is a treasure trove of beautiful furniture lighting irrors and unique luxury ho eware. They offer a range of exquisitely scented candles and body products and their range of ewellery offers so ething special for everyone. aks art also offer a full interior design service and have an extensive library of fabrics wallcoverings and flooring in store.
iscover a seafarer s Eden at arine Troon a curated space to stay dine and unwind sea lessly representing the nexus between land and sea. uring every visit guests can en oy unobstructed views of the breathtaking Ayrshire coastline the Isle of Arran and the legendary oyal Troon olf lub a ten ti e host of The pen ha pionship. hile the surroundings unite sport and soil inside you ll nd eticulously designed interiors inspired by the un istakable char of the seafront and sandy beaches with two destination dining and drinking locations The abbit and The eal plus state of the art spa and leisure facilities.
GINA SMART BOUTIQUE
Ayr
Tel: 01292 263 919 www.ginasmart.co.uk
A pre ier independent ladies boutique specialising in other of the ride roo and wedding guest attire ensuring you are dressed i peccably.
ARRAN AROMATICS
Arran
Tel: 01563 852 401 www.arran.com
A A put quality and fragrance rst so you can be sure that each of their bath body and ho e products have been expertly crafted with the greatest care on their island ho e. roudly ade in cotland since . isit the at The o e ar rodick Isle of Arran to experience a true ense of cotland.
NEPTUNE BY CREATIVE CLASSICS
Ayr
Tel: 01292 292 570 www.creativeclassicsscotland.com
reative lassics is a fa ily run kitchen business with over years of experience. They have grown fro a kitchen specialist to an independent eptune retailer who can offer a whole ho e concept.
From Our Family to Yours
Creative Kitchens, Making Memories
Transform Your Home
Where craftsmanship meets creativity, and dreams are transformed into reality. Since 1977, weâve been passionate about kitchens, and it shows in every detail of our work. As a family-owned business, we understand the importance of creating spaces that are not only beautiful but also built to last generations.
BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER
We love to combine timeless design and high quality craftsmanship to help you create inspiring living spaces. A family business with over 45 years experience, Creative Classics has grown from a kitchen specialist to an inde endent e tune retailer offerin a w ole home concept.
Ayrâs Leading Co ee House & Bistro
Pandora o ers a warm and friendly atmosphere, we have a table license and o er an excellent range of snacks and meals. A full Scottish breakfast is available, when you can relax, a range of pizzas are cooked in our authentic Italian pizza oven.
Make a Day of it & Visit Our Cafe
Our family run café restaurant in the heart of Ayr is the ideal place to catch up with friends and family or pick up a takeaway whilst walking the dog. All our produce is homemade on site, you will be served by our friendly staff.