THE BACAS COFFEE HOUSE, 20 MAIN STREET
A small coffee house with a number of tables. There's one homemade soup on each day, which could be 'Broccoli and Stilton' or 'Chicken and Rice' (remember, this is Ayrshire - the home of the Chicken and Rice gene), or whatever. May close on Saturday afternoons and maybe at other times, but hopefully this changes in summer when Dalmellington sees three visitors instead of the one in winter (it was me!).

COFFEE SHOP, HIGH MAIN STREET
When you visit this Dalmellington coffee shop it might be a good idea to take a tin of paint, and maybe another of varnish and offer them as part payment. The shop exterior looks so tatty that I almost felt I should get out some sandpaper and make a start. There isn't even a shop sign or name above the window, just a small 'Coffee Shop' sign that looks like it has seen better days (in the 1930s, I should think). But places like this have character, and inside you are likely to find the ever mysterious 'Broth' or 'Lentil' or whatever. Of course, it is easy to poke fun or make comment, but at the end of the day paint costs money, and if trade is not what it once was then where does one get the money for such a thing? So, as I say, decide on a nice colour, and when you pay them a visit hand them over some paint. I'm sure it will be appreciated. In fact, better still, if you're a painter, then do the whole job. For nothing. Or maybe just a good bowl of 'Broth'.