Ishan Crawford

INVERNESS – Scotland’s iconic North Coast 500 (NC500) road trip may be known for its dramatic views and rugged coastal beauty, but it’s also become the centre of mounting concerns over road safety and overcrowding. Now, a new pledge signed by over 3,000 visitors is aiming to change that — by encouraging more respectful, responsible travel through the Highlands. Launched last October by North Coast 500 Ltd, the initiative asks travellers to “do the right thing” by committing to a set of behaviours that protect both the environment and the communities who live along the 830-kilometre route. A Scenic Route…

Justice Secretary Angela Constance has defended Police Scotland’s policy on recording the sex and gender identity of suspects, as opposition parties and campaigners call for urgent government intervention following explosive claims from a whistleblower inside the force. The anonymous officer alleged this week that front-line staff are being “coerced” into recording suspects by their self-declared gender identity—even in the most serious cases, including rape. The whistleblower told media outlets that officers fear disciplinary action if they question policies that permit male-born suspects who identify as women to be recorded as female in official crime data. “There is clarity,” says Constance…

Scotland’s whisky distilleries are more than places to sip a dram — they’re living stories of craft, heritage and landscape. Set among pine-clad glens, sea-sprayed isles, and even the urban edge of Glasgow, these sacred sites of Scotch blend architecture, history, and liquid gold. Whether you’re chasing rare cask tastings, curious about copper stills, or simply seeking a scenic stop on your road trip, here are six distilleries worth building your summer getaway around. 1. Deanston Distillery – Doune, Perthshire Old cotton mill turned whisky haven, powered by water and creativity Housed in a red-brick riverside building that once thrummed…

The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) has warned that private investment alone cannot solve Scotland’s deepening housing emergency, calling for long-term public funding commitments to be central to any future strategy. The statement comes in response to the final report of the Housing Investment Taskforce, a Scottish Government-commissioned group established to explore how to unlock more investment for new homes across the country. Chaired by Housing Minister Paul McLennan MSP, the taskforce brought together lenders, local authorities, housing associations, and investment bodies — including the Scottish National Investment Bank — to consider new approaches to delivering affordable and market…

Argyll, Scotland – Once seen as lagging behind its urban counterparts, rural Scotland is rapidly emerging as a powerhouse of digital innovation. From livestock tech in Aberdeenshire to immersive tourism in the Highlands, a quiet revolution is unfolding across the nation’s most remote landscapes—driven by grit, creativity, and strategic support. And the world is taking notice. Out on the Edge, Leading the Charge For decades, the narrative was simple: real innovation happened in cities—where capital, coworking spaces and high-speed internet came as standard. But according to Rachel Ross, CEO of Elevator, that script no longer holds. Having worked with over…

From transformative vision to cautious reform, the SNP’s once-bold care agenda faces a final, scaled-back vote A Shadow of the Original Promise When Nicola Sturgeon first unveiled plans for a National Care Service (NCS) in 2021, it was hailed as the most ambitious policy of the devolution era. Inspired by the founding of the NHS, it aimed to centralise social care under a single national body, improving standards, access, and accountability across Scotland. Fast forward to 2025, and that vision lies in political ruins. Today, MSPs will vote on the Care Reform (Scotland) Bill—a diluted version of the original legislation,…

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has officially launched its summer cruise season from Scotland, with the ship Balmoral departing from Rosyth on Saturday — marking a sunny return to Scottish waters after months of planning and anticipation. It’s not just another cruise schedule. It’s a move that subtly shifts Scotland’s standing in the UK’s post-pandemic cruise landscape. Eight different sailings are planned from Rosyth this summer, offering passengers everything from Scilly Isles shorelines to the deep greens of Norwegian fjords — and all aboard one of the line’s most cherished vessels. Rosyth Is Back on the Map — And Fred Olsen's…

Scotland travels to Liechtenstein on Monday for an international friendly at Rheinpark Stadium, aiming to bounce back after recent setbacks. The match kicks off at 12 pm ET (21:30 local time) and offers fans a chance to see Scotland test their squad ahead of competitive fixtures. Live Broadcast and Streaming Options for Liechtenstein vs Scotland If you’re in the US and looking to catch the game live, several streaming platforms have you covered. You can watch the match on Fubo, DirecTV Stream, FS2, and ViX. These services offer live coverage, making it easy to follow the action wherever you are.…

Tweed, once seen as an old-fashioned relic of Scotland’s past, is getting a fresh burst of energy. On the remote islands of Lewis and Harris, a new generation of weavers is reviving Harris Tweed — blending tradition with modern flair, and catching the eye of luxury brands worldwide. From Banker to Weaver: A Personal Tale of Heritage and Craft Alexander MacLeod’s story isn’t your typical career path. At 38, he swapped the city suits and spreadsheets for handlooms and wool threads. “When you see tweed on the runway, you don’t expect it to come from here,” he chuckled, setting up…

In a grassy, windswept field in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, a silent anomaly is being recorded—a pulse that has baffled scientists for over half a century. Known as Earth’s “heartbeat,” the phenomenon is a subtle seismic signal that pulses every 26 seconds like clockwork. And it’s been doing so since at least the 1960s. First detected by seismologists decades ago, the 26-second microseism remains unexplained. Now, researchers at the University of Aberdeen are using one of the UK's most advanced monitoring devices to probe the phenomenon—and its mysterious electromagnetic cousin. A Pulse Felt but Not Heard The so-called heartbeat is not a…