Ishan Crawford

In a notable turn of events, Police Scotland has withdrawn its legal challenge concerning the terms of reference for the public inquiry into the death of Sheku Bayoh. This decision comes after the 31-year-old father-of-two died on May 3, 2015, following an intervention by police officers in Kirkcaldy, Fife. The shift marks a significant moment in the inquiry, which has faced growing pressure to expand its investigation to include potential racial factors in Bayoh’s death. A Strained Legal Battle The death of Sheku Bayoh after being restrained by officers led to an ongoing inquiry, which has drawn significant public and…

In recent weeks, several key court rulings have highlighted the growing influence of legal challenges in addressing climate change. These lawsuits are not only challenging the development of new fossil fuel projects but are also pushing for more sustainable energy solutions, like wind farms, to be prioritized. The most recent legal developments in Scotland and Ireland show how courts are playing a significant role in shaping both the future of oil and gas extraction and renewable energy projects. Legal Setback for Major Oil Projects in Scotland In a landmark ruling, the Court of Session in Scotland declared that the UK…

David Hume, the Scottish philosopher whose influence spans centuries, didn’t always embody the social, intellectual figure we know today. In his youth, the renowned thinker was once on a path of intense isolation, a decision that nearly derailed his promising future. The Early Years: A Rebel Against Academia In the early 1730s, Hume, still a teenager, shocked his professors and peers at Edinburgh University. Convinced that there was more to learn in books than in the classroom, he abandoned formal education. He embarked on an ambitious solitary journey through Edinburgh’s libraries. However, this pursuit of knowledge, devoid of social interactions…

As Edinburgh becomes the first city in Scotland to approve a tourist tax, Perth and Kinross is now considering whether to implement a similar levy, potentially following in the footsteps of its larger neighbor. Discussions are already underway among council officials, local businesses, and residents to assess the feasibility of a visitor tax aimed at managing the costs of tourism in the region. Edinburgh’s Model and Potential Impact on Perth and Kinross Edinburgh, which is set to introduce a tourist tax by summer 2026, will charge visitors an additional 5% on their accommodation costs. This levy is expected to generate…

Plans for a Talgo train factory at the former Longannet Power Station site, situated on the banks of the River Forth in central Scotland, have officially been scrapped. Once seen as a potential economic boost for the area, the dream of a state-of-the-art train manufacturing facility is no longer a reality. This marks the end of a long-running saga tied to the future of the Longannet site, which has witnessed significant change in recent years. The Disappointment for the Region The Longannet site, located between Edinburgh and Stirling, has been at the center of various proposals for regeneration since the…

Lloyds Banking Group has announced plans to shut down 136 of its high street branches, marking a significant change for customers. The closures, spanning across Lloyds, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland brands, will unfold between May this year and March 2026. The move comes as part of a larger shift in how customers interact with their banks. Branches Across Three Brands to Be Affected The closures will affect 61 Lloyds branches, 61 Halifax locations, and 14 Bank of Scotland sites. This restructuring is part of Lloyds' broader strategy to adapt to changing customer behavior. With more and more customers turning…

E.ON Drive, the electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure arm of the global energy supplier E.ON, has unveiled plans to install 42 ultra-rapid EV charging points across six locations in Scotland. This ambitious project aims to make electric vehicle charging more accessible and efficient, particularly in key areas like Dundee, Edinburgh, Stirling, and Dunfermline. Each of these new chargers will be capable of adding up to 150 miles of driving range in just ten minutes, addressing one of the primary concerns of EV owners: charging time. This move comes as part of a broader effort to expand Scotland’s EV infrastructure, contributing to…

Scotland’s premier trade event for the food, drink, hospitality, and retail industries, ScotHot 2025, is fast approaching, and there’s just under a month left to register. Set to take place on February 26-27, 2025, at the SEC in Glasgow, the two-day showcase promises an exciting lineup of exhibitors, networking opportunities, and trend-focused seminars. What to Expect at ScotHot 2025 In its 52nd year, ScotHot remains Scotland’s only dedicated trade event for the food and drink industry, offering invaluable opportunities for delegates to meet with suppliers, explore new trends, and share innovative ideas. With over 7,500 visitors expected, it is the…

More than 2,000 households across Scotland remain without power following the destructive impact of Storm Éowyn. Despite efforts from energy companies, the damage to infrastructure continues to disrupt services, including power supplies and transportation. Ongoing Power Restoration Efforts Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN) reported that 1,908 customers in central and southern Scotland are still experiencing outages. Engineers from both SPEN and Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) are actively working to restore electricity to affected areas. SSEN has confirmed that 240 customers remain without power, and efforts are underway to reconnect them. The storm caused extensive damage across Scotland, with…

Travel across Scotland remains disrupted, and many are still without power as the aftermath of Storm Éowyn continues to affect the country. With emergency teams working around the clock, the public is being asked for patience as recovery efforts continue. Widespread Travel Disruption In the wake of Storm Éowyn, Scotland’s transport network is experiencing major disruptions. Train and ferry services remain suspended, and most roads, although cleared, still pose a threat to travelers. With damaged infrastructure and ongoing repair work, it's unclear when normal service will be restored across the country. Train Services: Although Network Rail Scotland has cleared tracks…