Ishan Crawford

Scotland’s First Minister to represent nation at Vatican ceremony for pontiff remembered as voice of justice and peace EDINBURGH / ROME – Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney will travel to Rome on Friday to attend the state funeral of Pope Francis, joining heads of state and dignitaries from across the globe in honouring one of the most influential religious leaders of the modern era. Swinney said he was “deeply honoured” to represent the people of Scotland at Saturday’s ceremony, which will take place in St Peter’s Basilica following days of emotional tributes and record public turnout in Vatican City. Global…

A report recommending widespread closures of public facilities has sparked anger and uncertainty across the Scottish Borders, with council leaders now promising extensive public consultation before any decisions are made. The situation blew up after consultants brought in to assess the future of Live Borders—the charitable trust managing many of the area’s leisure and cultural venues—warned of deep financial trouble. Over 50 jobs could go. Several beloved pools, libraries and community halls could follow. Financial cracks widen behind the scenes Scottish Borders Council says the current model is simply not working anymore. It’s costing more than anyone’s comfortable with. In…

A cozy, elegant retreat awaits at Gleneagles Townhouse in Edinburgh, where 19th-century heritage meets 21st-century luxury. For those seeking a place that feels as much like a home as it does a haven, this hotel checks every box—and then some. But it’s the restaurant, The Spence, that truly steals the show. A Restaurant Fit for a Movie Set Nestled within the heart of the hotel, The Spence feels like it was ripped from the pages of a novel. It’s a lively, vibrant space—complete with a central bar aglow in warm light and 60-foot ceilings that reach up to a stunning…

In a world where cultural cachet has eclipsed industrial might as a marker of soft power, countries are increasingly telling their stories through cinema and television—and being seen on screen has never mattered more. Just ask Italy. Its recent global Netflix hit The Leopard, a lush and fiery adaptation of Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa’s novel, has lit up screens from Palermo to Pasadena. With its sweeping Sicilian landscapes, historical upheaval, and smouldering aristocratic drama, The Leopard has not only captivated viewers but burnished Italy’s global image, making culture a tool of diplomacy. Scotland, too, has wielded this tool with success.…

The royal couple, Prince William and Kate Middleton, are set to celebrate their 14th wedding anniversary in style, with a romantic escape to the scenic town of Tobermory, Scotland. A Meaningful Anniversary Trip As they prepare to mark 14 years of marriage, Prince William and Kate Middleton have decided to make their anniversary extra special by returning to Scotland, where their love story began. The couple met in 2005 while studying at St. Andrews University, making this destination even more meaningful. On April 29, the pair will head to the picturesque Isle of Mull, located off the northwest coast of…

As the global demand for data centres grows exponentially, Scotland is emerging as a key player in hosting the next wave of these energy-hungry facilities. With an increasing reliance on data for everything from artificial intelligence (AI) to public service reform, Scotland's renewable energy strengths are set to play a pivotal role in meeting this demand while ensuring sustainability. Data Centres and AI: A Growing Need Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s recent announcement that data centres would be considered critical national infrastructure has sparked a flurry of activity in the tech sector. These facilities, which house rows of servers storing and…

An elderly man who was struck and fatally injured while crossing the road days before Christmas was killed by a truck driver who had taken a significant amount of cocaine, the High Court in Glasgow has heard. Edward Feelie, 54, from Blantyre, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving after he ran a red light and hit 84-year-old Robert Shirra-Gibb on Glasgow Road in Blantyre, South Lanarkshire, on the evening of December 19, 2023. Mr Shirra-Gibb was rushed to hospital with catastrophic injuries but died the following day. Red Light Ignored, Victim Struck The court heard that Feelie, driving…

In a quiet clinic outside London, a young Scottish woman named Ashley was met by anti-abortion protesters waving leaflets. She had just traveled more than 400 miles from Glasgow — not for a job or holiday, but because Scotland’s NHS told her it couldn’t help. She was 19 weeks pregnant. “I just remember her face dropping,” Ashley recalled of her first scan. “She said, ‘There’s nothing we can do for you in Scotland.’” Ashley is one of dozens of Scottish women forced to travel to BPAS (British Pregnancy Advisory Service) clinics in England each year to access later-term abortion care…

A new report from NFU Scotland has identified a significant £500m opportunity for Scottish farmers, crofters, and growers. The findings, released through the union’s ShelfWatch initiative, highlight a notable gap in supermarket sourcing practices, which could be closed to increase the amount of Scottish produce available on shelves. The ShelfWatch Initiative: A Mixed Picture of Scottish Sourcing The ShelfWatch initiative, which monitored Scottish sourcing across major UK retailers, reveals a disappointing 17% of own-label products in supermarkets are sourced from Scotland. This research spanned four phases during 2024 and early 2025 and covered Aldi, Asda, Co-op, Lidl, M&S Food, Morrisons,…

ACLS certification opens doors for senior students amid growing demand for clinical-ready nurses A new alliance between the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP) and Scotland Health Care System is giving nursing students an early career boost by providing Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) training — a credential typically earned only after entering the workforce. This collaboration, announced by the McKenzie-Elliott School of Nursing, aims to better prepare graduates for high-pressure roles in emergency and critical care units. Students enrolled in the school’s pre-licensure nursing program are now receiving hands-on instruction in resuscitation techniques, advanced airway management, and emergency…