Scotland's first 2026 babies make New Year a double celebration

The first babies of 2026 have been welcomed by delighted parents across Scotland.

Baby Arabella was born at 14 minutes past midnight at the Ayrshire Maternity Unit in Kilmarnock to parents Lucy-Jane Bark and Luke Hutchinson, from Stevenston. She weighed 8lb 9oz (3.9kg)

At 00:21 Colette and Ryan Lynch, from Port Glasgow, celebrated the birth of Leo, weighing 6lb 10oz (3kg), at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.

Minutes later, the first baby born at St John's Hospital in Livingston was Hunter, who arrived at 00:26. Parents Courtney Brown and Graham Lindsay, from Broxburn, said he was due on Christmas Day but decided to hold on till 2026.

"I think he wanted to celebrate in style," said Courtney. "I think he's going to be excited about his birthday every year.

"We're over the moon and we'll be glad to get him home and see the rest of his family."

Another of the first girls of 2026 was born 00:27 at the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital in Glasgow

Parents Mr and Mrs Kausar have yet to decide on a name for their daughter who arrived weighing 7lb 12oz (3.5kg).

The first baby born at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh on New Year's Day was another boy, Charlie, at 02:45.

Mum Alanah said: "The midwives have been unbelievable, so well looked after. A great start to the New Year."