Crossword Genius

Always empty rooms to let here in Scotland (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ayrshire

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'here in scotland' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how one could define the other.

'always empty rooms to let' is the wordplay.
'always' becomes 'ay' (archaic term for 'always').
'empty' means to remove the middle letters.
'to let' becomes 'hire' (I've seen this in another clue).
'rooms' with its middle taken out is 'rs'.
'ay'+'rs'+'hire'='AYRSHIRE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ayrshire that I've seen before include "Burns's county" , "part of Scotland" , "Dairy cow breed" , "Old county; cattle breed" , "Hardy breed of Scottish dairy cattle" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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