Ishan Crawford

Shetland islanders have accused Tom Daley's new Channel 4 knitting show Game of Wool of cultural appropriation after spotting major errors in its portrayal of their traditional Fair Isle craft. The backlash erupted right after the first episode aired on Sunday, leaving local knitters shocked and calling for an apology from the broadcaster to correct the misconceptions. The Show Sparks Outrage Among Local Crafters The program, titled Game of Wool: Britain's Best Knitter, features contestants competing in knitting challenges hosted by the Olympic diver and knitting enthusiast Tom Daley. It aims to highlight British knitting traditions, starting with the iconic…

Scotland's government kicks off the early release of nearly 1000 prisoners from overcrowded jails starting Tuesday. This move aims to fix a record high prison population of 8431 inmates, which exceeds the safe limit and risks staff and prisoner safety. The Growing Overcrowding Problem in Scottish Prisons Scottish prisons face severe strain after the inmate count hit 8431 last week, surpassing the operating capacity of 7805 by over 600 people. This marks the third emergency release scheme in less than two years, as previous efforts failed to curb the rise in numbers. Experts point to several factors driving this crisis.…

The Scottish Medicines Consortium has approved Procysbi for use in NHS Scotland to treat nephropathic cystinosis, a rare kidney disorder that strikes young children. This decision on November 10, 2025, brings new hope to families by offering a more convenient treatment option that could ease daily struggles. Understanding Nephropathic Cystinosis Nephropathic cystinosis is a genetic condition that causes cystine, an amino acid, to build up in the body's cells. This buildup damages organs, especially the kidneys, and often leads to kidney failure by age 10 if left untreated. Doctors diagnose it in infants through symptoms like excessive thirst, frequent urination,…

The Silver Ferns kicked off their 2025 Northern Tour with a solid 63-41 victory over Scotland in Glasgow on Sunday. New Zealand dominated the match from start to finish, winning every quarter and building a strong lead early on. This win marks the teams first test in Scotland since the 2014 Commonwealth Games. It sets a positive tone for the tour as the Ferns prepare for tougher battles ahead against top European rivals. Strong Start Signals Tour Momentum New Zealand arrived in Glasgow after a long flight and showed no signs of jet lag. The team controlled the court with…

Dr. Donald Macaskill, CEO of Scottish Care, called for a new pay system called Highland weighting during a key speech at the Highland Social Care Conference in Fort William last week. This move aims to tackle the tough recruitment problems facing care homes in remote parts of Scotland, where eight out of ten homes report it is harder to hire staff now than a year ago. The proposal comes as the sector battles low pay and a shortage of affordable homes, leading to unfilled jobs and risks to services in places like Skye and the islands. The Scottish government has…

Scottish households and businesses face soaring energy bills as grid constraint payments in Scotland reached over £1 billion this year, driven by bottlenecks in transmitting renewable power southward. New analysis from the National Energy System Operator shows costs up 38 percent from last year, highlighting the urgent need for reliable baseload power like nuclear to ease the strain. Soaring Constraint Payments Strain the System Constraint payments occur when generators must cut output because the grid cannot handle excess electricity, often from wind farms in Scotland during high generation periods. These payments, which add directly to consumer bills, hit £770 million…

Scotland launched a new report on Wednesday that spotlights its higher education strengths for global partnerships. Titled "Scotland’s Higher Education: Partnering for Global Impact," the document, created with the British Council Scotland, outlines five key assets that make Scottish universities stand out worldwide. Report Launch Sparks Interest in Global Ties The event took place at Scotland House in London on October 29, 2025, drawing attention from education leaders. This timing aligns with ongoing talks about international student visas and post study work options in the UK, making the report timely for attracting more global talent. Experts see this as a…

Young people across Scotland preparing for Senior Phase exams now have access to free online evening webinars through e-Sgoil, the innovative education platform started by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. This program kicks off on October 27, 2025, and aims to level the playing field for students in remote areas by offering specialist teaching in key subjects. Roots of e-Sgoil in Scottish Education Challenges e-Sgoil began in 2016 to tackle teacher shortages in the Outer Hebrides, where small schools often lack experts in subjects like physics and modern languages. Rural students faced limited options, widening the gap between urban and island…

ABB has secured a key contract to equip seven all-electric double-ended ferries with advanced power systems for Scotland's Caledonian Maritime Assets. These vessels will boost connectivity in the Clyde and Hebrides regions while cutting emissions through cutting-edge technology from the global leader in electrification. Project Details and Timeline The deal involves Remontowa Shipbuilding in Poland building the ferries for CMAL. Delivery starts in late 2027 and wraps up by early 2029. These boats will handle nine routes along Scotland's west coast serving island communities that rely on reliable transport. This initiative falls under CMAL's Small Vessel Replacement Programme. The goal…

Scotland's water industry grapples with severe challenges from climate change and rising demand, as seen in the dry spells of 2025 that led to widespread scarcity warnings. Experts call for urgent legislative changes to build resilience in water, wastewater, and drainage systems across the nation. Extreme Weather Hits Hard Scotland saw its hottest and driest spring and summer on record in 2025. The Met Office reported warmer winters and drier summers ahead, with events like droughts and floods becoming more common. This year alone brought record low river levels, especially on the east coast. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency issued…