Ishan Crawford

New cross-sector group led by ScottishPower’s Hazel Gulliver aims to drive infrastructure reform and support Scotland’s net zero ambitions GLASGOW — The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) Scotland has established a new Infrastructure Working Group, uniting businesses across sectors to push forward the infrastructure reforms vital to Scotland’s economic resilience and environmental goals. The group convened for the first time earlier this month, marking a coordinated effort to influence policy amid key government initiatives such as the UK Planning & Infrastructure Bill and Scotland’s Programme for Government, both focused on expediting infrastructure development. Leadership with Energy Sector Expertise Hazel Gulliver,…

£9M grant unlocks green manufacturing investment, 350 jobs, and Scotland’s role in zero-emission flight revolution RENFREWSHIRE | May 21, 2025 — Aviation decarbonisation pioneer ZeroAvia has announced it will build a major hydrogen-electric manufacturing facility in Renfrewshire, near Glasgow Airport, solidifying Scotland’s place at the heart of the next wave of green aerospace innovation. The facility, to be located within the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS), will become ZeroAvia’s Hydrogen Centre of Excellence, focused on building and testing zero-emission powertrains and advanced high-temperature PEM (HTPEM) fuel cell stacks. The development is expected to create 350 highly skilled jobs and…

Scotland is facing an escalating water scarcity crisis, with river levels plunging across large parts of the country after weeks of dry weather and little relief in sight. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) confirmed in its latest Water Situation Report, published on 22 May, that six more river catchments have deteriorated to the "Moderate Scarcity" category. This now brings the total to 17 catchments across Scotland experiencing moderate water stress, stretching from Aberdeenshire on the east coast down through the Scottish Borders and further west across Dumfries & Galloway. Rivers at Historic Low Levels While rain is forecast over…

A storm is brewing over Skye, and it’s not just the weather. Mowi Scotland, one of the UK's largest salmon producers, is under intense scrutiny after disturbing footage emerged of workers allegedly mistreating fish at its Loch Harport farm. The fallout has been swift. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) suspended the site’s certification, triggering concern across the industry and raising serious questions about animal welfare in aquaculture. Video Sparks Outrage, Certification Pulled The trouble started when the Green Britain Foundation released hidden camera footage allegedly showing workers repeatedly striking live fish. The scenes, filmed…

Scotland is facing an unusually long stretch of dry weather that’s raising eyebrows across the country. With rivers running low and reservoirs shrinking, questions are mounting about whether Scotland is ready to handle a drought—something that, until recently, seemed more of a worry for sunnier parts of the world. The Weather That Wouldn’t Quit: What’s Behind This Dry Spell? You might have noticed the sun sticking around more than usual lately. That’s no coincidence. Since late February, a stubborn high-pressure system has parked itself over Scotland, blocking the usual rain clouds and keeping the skies clear. Meteorologists call this a…

Nesta Scotland has urged the Scottish Government to accelerate home electrification policies following the Climate Change Committee’s (CCC) stark assessment that Scotland is set to miss its 2030 climate targets by up to six years. Responding to the CCC’s newly published advice on Scotland’s four carbon budgets for the period 2026 to 2045, the innovation foundation said faster progress on heat decarbonisation was essential to deliver lower emissions and reduced household energy bills. “Electrification Is Critical” Angela Mitchell, Head of Nesta Scotland, said the government must act swiftly to back up its net-zero ambitions with tangible policy changes. “Electrification is…

A controversial proposal to criminalise the purchase of sex in Scotland has ignited fierce debate, with some sex workers warning the change would leave them far more vulnerable and isolated. Alice, not her real name, has been in the industry for over a decade. She says the proposed bill from Alba Party MSP Ash Regan, which would make it illegal to pay for sex, has left her “terrified” for her safety. And she's not alone. A Proposal That’s Splitting the Room At the centre of the controversy is Regan’s bid to introduce the so-called “Nordic Model” to Scotland. This model,…

Trade deal expected to slash costly delays and bureaucracy that have hindered Scotland’s leading food export since Brexit Scotland’s iconic salmon industry welcomed yesterday’s announcement of a UK–EU trade deal, describing it as a critical breakthrough that will reduce red tape and costly delays at the border — improvements that industry leaders say have been costing salmon exporters an estimated £3 million annually since Brexit. Salmon Scotland, the representative body for the UK’s largest food export sector, said the new agreement removes most routine physical checks and the requirement for export health certificates for food and drink destined for the…

The Dumyat Hill Race has just marked its 50th running, drawing nearly 450 participants from across Scotland this year. What began as a simple wager in the early 1970s has grown into a cherished tradition for runners and hill enthusiasts alike. From a Casual Bet to a Challenge for the Ages Back in 1971, a University of Stirling lecturer tossed down a £1 bet claiming no one could sprint to the summit of Dumyat Hill and back within an hour. It sounded like a tall order given the rugged terrain and the steep climb involved. But a university student thought…