Ishan Crawford

Scotland's Finance Secretary Shona Robison faces tough choices in the upcoming January 2025 budget that could shape the nation's economic path. With an extra 820 million pounds in funding from the UK government, experts say her decisions on spending and taxes will decide if Scotland boosts growth or slips further behind. Budget Details and Timeline The Scottish government plans to reveal its 2025-26 budget on January 13, a delay from the usual schedule due to the UK Autumn Budget. This comes after Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced measures that give Scotland more cash through the Barnett formula. Shona Robison, who serves…

UK house prices climbed steadily through 2025, hitting an average of £292,000 in England by October, according to official data. Scotland and the North East led with strong gains, while London faced declines, highlighting a clear north-south divide amid economic shifts. This trend started early in the year, with May marking a key turning point. Prices rose 1.1 percent that month, bouncing back from April's drop, driven by factors like stable mortgage rates and buyer demand in affordable areas. Scotland Tops Price Growth Charts Scotland saw house prices jump 3.3 percent in the 12 months to October 2025, outpacing much…

A shocking mix up at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow led to one family cremating the wrong body last month. The error, blamed on human mistakes in the morgue, left two families in deep distress and sparked a full probe by health officials. Details of the Tragic Mistake The incident happened in November 2025 at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Scotland's biggest health center. Morgue workers wrongly labeled a body, which undertakers then handed to a grieving family for cremation. The family held a full service and cremated what they thought were their loved one's remains. Only after the…

Geologists in Scotland have gained rare access to a massive rock core from the Great Glen Fault, offering fresh insights into the Earth's history dating back hundreds of millions of years. This breakthrough came from drilling work tied to a major hydro storage project in Lochaber, with analysis ramping up in late 2025 to reveal how ancient faults shaped the landscape. The Discovery and Its Origins Scientists from the British Geological Survey recently examined a priceless rock core pulled from the depths of the Great Glen Fault. This fault line, stretching over 1,000 kilometers from Ireland through Scotland to Norway,…

A powerful storm named Éowyn struck Scotland in early 2025, causing widespread damage to key systems like power, water, transport, and telecom networks. Experts now warn that such events reveal deep links between these systems, leading to bigger problems that could worsen with climate change. What Happened During Storm Éowyn Storm Éowyn brought winds up to 114 miles per hour, hitting Scotland and nearby areas in January 2025. It left nearly one million homes without power across the UK and Ireland, with major outages in Scotland. The storm caused trees to fall, roads to close, and floods in some spots.…

Scotland's high streets are plunging into a death spiral, with hundreds of small retailers shutting down amid soaring vacancies and shifting shopping habits. As of late 2025, the number of retail businesses has hit a 15-year low, sparking urgent calls for government action to save local economies. The Alarming State of Scottish Retail Recent data shows a sharp drop in active retailers across Scotland. More than 900 businesses have vanished over the past decade, leaving town centers dotted with empty storefronts. The national vacancy rate for shops now stands at 11.4 percent, a figure that masks even worse conditions in…

The leader of the Church of Scotland has spoken out against protests at an asylum hotel in Falkirk, calling them hate filled and a source of shame for the nation. In a Christmas message, Rt Rev Rosemary Frew described the scenes as distressing and urged people to show more compassion toward those seeking refuge. Background on Falkirk Asylum Protests Protests have erupted outside the Cladhan Hotel in Falkirk, where asylum seekers are housed. These events started earlier this year and have drawn crowds from both anti immigration groups and counter demonstrators. Local residents have voiced concerns about safety after reports…

An Australian company, Breathe Life Sciences, plans to open a new facility in the Scottish Borders for making medicinal cannabis products. This move will create up to 100 jobs by 2030, starting with 36 positions next year, as the UK market for these medicines grows fast. The announcement comes at a time when demand for cannabis-based treatments surges across Europe. With support from local agencies, the firm aims to boost the region's economy and meet rising patient needs. Company Steps into UK Market Breathe Life Sciences, based in Sydney, already runs sites in Manchester, Prague, and Nagoya. Now, it sets…

French renewable energy firm Qair has submitted its offshore consent application for the 1 gigawatt Ayre floating wind project to Scotland's Marine Directorate. This move, filed on December 12, 2025, marks a key step toward building the farm off Orkney's east coast, aiming to boost clean energy and create jobs amid Scotland's push for net zero goals. Project Details and Location The Ayre project plans to install floating turbines in waters deeper than 70 meters off Orkney. This setup allows the farm to tap into strong winds in areas where fixed foundations would not work. Developers expect the farm to…

A historic railway bridge in Moray, Scotland, has collapsed into the fast-flowing River Spey, shocking locals and prompting safety warnings. The 140-year-old Garmouth Viaduct, a popular spot for walkers and cyclists, partially gave way on Sunday morning, with emergency services rushing to secure the area. What Led to the Sudden Collapse Recent heavy rains and severe weather warnings across Scotland likely played a key role in the incident. Reports indicate the bridge, built in 1886, had been under strain from flooding in the region, which has seen record rainfall this winter. Engineers from Moray Council arrived quickly to assess the…