Ishan Crawford

Scotland has fired the starting gun on one of the biggest rail upgrades in a generation, with engineers now on site to begin electrifying the Borders Railway and a massive £450 million framework about to hit the market. From this week, teams are driving in the first foundations for overhead wires between Edinburgh and Tweedbank, the opening move in a plan that will see electric and battery-electric trains replace every diesel service in Scotland by 2045. Work Starts Now on the Borders Line Crews begin preparatory piling on Friday 21 February at two key sections: Newcraighall to Shawfair on the…

Police in Edinburgh have launched an urgent and widespread search for 72-year-old Brian Johnstone, who vanished from his home in South Gyle on Sunday morning. Officers describe his disappearance as "completely out of character," sparking growing fears for his safety as temperatures in the capital plummet. A significant police presence has been deployed across the city, with a specific focus on the Cramond area. Vanished Without a Trace in South Gyle The alarm was raised after Brian Johnstone lost contact with his family around 10:45 am on Sunday, February 15, 2026. He has not been seen or heard from since, leaving his…

South Africa proved they are the team to beat at this T20 World Cup with a commanding performance in Ahmedabad. Skipper Aiden Markram led the charge with a blistering unbeaten 86 to crush New Zealand by seven wickets on Saturday. The victory moves the Proteas to the top of Group D and one step closer to the Super 8 stage. Markram Masterclass Lights Up Ahmedabad A crowd of over 50,000 fans at the Narendra Modi Stadium witnessed a captain’s knock for the ages. Chasing a competitive target of 176, South Africa never looked in trouble as Markram took control of…

Snow and frost ripped through the Highland League schedule again on Saturday, forcing five matches off and leaving only one fixture definitely on. Clachnacuddin against Keith hangs on a midday pitch inspection, while Formartine United versus Fraserburgh is the sole game given the green light so far. Another Weekend Lost to Winter The Highland League has been battered by the weather all season. This is the third Saturday in a row where most of the card has been wiped out. Fans, players and clubs are growing frustrated as the fixture backlog grows. Brora Rangers' huge top-of-the-table clash with Brechin City…

Ewan Jeanes was just 16 when he found a lump in the bath. Two years later, the Greenock teenager lost his life to an aggressive cancer that returned despite treatment. His devastated mum Samantha is now begging young men: check yourself and never feel embarrassed to get help. The 18-year-old's death on February 6 has left his family and community heartbroken. After surgery and chemotherapy, Ewan thought he had beaten testicular cancer in March 2024. But months later doctors discovered germ cell cancer had spread to his stomach, liver and lungs. Samantha Jeanes told the Greenock Telegraph her son never…

A controversial decision to greenlight Scotland's largest salmon farm has sparked fierce debate between industry advocates and environmental groups. Shetland Islands Council approved the £8 million redevelopment just 18 hours ago, setting the stage for a facility that could hold 6,000 tonnes of salmon in the waters off Yell Sound. The approval comes despite warnings from wildlife campaigners who fear devastating impacts on local ecosystems and wild fish populations. Council Backs Expansion Despite Environmental Concerns Scottish Sea Farms secured permission to transform its existing sites in Yell Sound into a single massive operation called Fish Holm. The project will replace…

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has made the biggest gamble of his tenure by dropping talismanic winger Duhan van der Merwe for Saturday’s crunch Calcutta Cup match against England. Under immense pressure following a dismal defeat to Italy in Rome, Townsend has swung the axe ruthlessly. The team sheet for the Murrayfield showdown reveals a historic snub. For the first time in 28 years, there is not a single Edinburgh Rugby player in the starting XV. Ruthless Calls After Rome Debacle The exclusion of Van der Merwe is the headline shockwave. The powerful winger has been a tormentor of English…

Scottish Labour plunged into chaos this week after its own leader publicly demanded Keir Starmer's resignation on the eve of the Holyrood election campaign. The fallout reached fever pitch at a tense Westminster meeting where Edinburgh East MP Chris Murray delivered a savage one-liner that left the room roaring with laughter. Murray compared Anas Sarwar to Brooklyn Beckham, the eldest son of David and Victoria who recently aired a very public family feud on Instagram, accusing his parents of trying to control him and undermine his marriage to Nicola Peltz. One MP who was present told the Daily Record: "Chris…

Glasgow woke to horror on Monday afternoon when 61-year-old James Greenhorn was brutally stabbed on a quiet Tollcross street and left to die in broad daylight. Neighbours who knew him as the friendly, waving grandad are reeling as police confirm a 30-year-old man is now in custody charged with murder. Quiet Street Turns into Murder Scene The attack happened around 12:25pm on Dalness Close, a small cul-de-sac lined with red-brick homes that most people describe as peaceful. James was making his way along the street when he was set upon and stabbed multiple times. Paramedics fought to save him, but…

Scotland centre Huw Jones says facing England in the Calcutta Cup this Saturday is exactly what his wounded team needs after the gut-wrenching 18-15 defeat to Italy in Rome. The loss in torrential rain last weekend left Gregor Townsend's side stunned and under fierce pressure before they have even played at home. Yet Jones insists the oldest rivalry in rugby could be the ideal way to unleash all the frustration that built up in the Italian capital. "You don't need extra motivation for England, especially after a defeat when everyone is hurting," the 32-year-old British and Irish Lions midfielder told reporters…