Parents’ delight at arrival of first babies of 2026 in Scotland

Parents of the first babies born in Scotland in 2026 have said they are “overjoyed” and “ecstatic” to welcome the new arrivals.

Baby Arabella was born at 12.14am in the Ayrshire Maternity Unit at University Hospital Crosshouse, Kilmarnock.

Weighing 8lb 9oz, Arabella was welcomed by parents Lucy-Jane Bark and Luke Hutchinson, from Stevenston, North Ayrshire.

A few minutes later in Renfrewshire, Colette and Ryan Lynch, from Port Glasgow, welcomed son Leo at 12.21am at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley, weighing 6lb 10oz.

Mr Lynch said: “We are both overjoyed. It was very unexpected – he was not due for another three weeks, so it was a bit of a surprise to say the least.

“He was eager to get here.”

Leo has a big brother, Kian, aged four, who Mr Lynch said will be “overjoyed” to meet his new sibling, adding: “He is going to be a really good big brother.”

He described staff at the hospital as “fantastic” and said “a thousand thanks wouldn’t be enough”.

In Livingston, the first baby born at St John’s Hospital on January 1 was Hunter, who arrived at 12.26am, weighing 7lb 9oz.

He was welcomed by delighted parents Courtney Brown and Graham Lindsey from Broxburn, West Lothian.

Ms Brown said: “We’re absolutely ecstatic. It’s dad’s first wee boy. We’re over the moon.”

At the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital in Glasgow, the first baby to arrive was born at 12.27am.

Parents Mr and Mrs Kousar have yet to decide on a name for their newborn daughter, who weighed 7lb 12oz.

The next baby to arrive was welcomed by parents Emily and Kyle Robertson less than an hour later.

Their son Vincent was born at 1.22am, weighing 7lb 7oz.

The first baby born at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh on New Year’s Day was Charlie.

He was welcomed by parents Alanah Gardner and Oli, from Edinburgh, at 2.45am, with his weight to be confirmed.

Mrs Gardner said: “The midwives have been unbelievable, so well looked after. A great start to the new year.”

The second baby born at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley in 2024 was Hope at 4.38am.

Parents Faith Ramage and Jamie Sandford, from Greenock, were delighted at the arrival of their daughter, who weighs 7lb 15oz.