Ishan Crawford

Air Charter Scotland has kicked off its first-ever scheduled passenger service, linking Aberdeen and Wick with daily flights that started on January 14, 202B. The Perth-based operator is running the route with a nine-seat King Air 200 (G-MEGN) wet-leased from Dragonfly Aviation Services after regulatory hurdles blocked the original plan to use a BAe Jetstream 31 with Dutch crew from AIS Airlines. Why the Route Matters Now Wick lost its direct air link to Aberdeen when Eastern Airways pulled out several years ago. Locals and businesses have relied on long drives or connecting flights through Inverness ever since. The new…

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has asked for original audio and video recordings of the trial of freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev from a museum in Scotland. He made this request in a letter to the British deputy high commissioner in Chandigarh on January 9, 2026, highlighting their deep value for Punjab's people and history scholars worldwide. This move comes amid growing interest in preserving India's freedom struggle artifacts. Mann believes these materials can inspire future generations and boost educational efforts in Punjab. Background on the Legendary Freedom Fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev played key roles in…

Scotland's Finance Secretary Shona Robison is set to reveal her final budget plans this week in Holyrood, focusing on spending cuts and tax decisions just months before the next election. This announcement comes amid warnings of a tight fiscal landscape, with experts highlighting a potential billion pound gap in capital spending that forces hard choices on priorities like health and infrastructure. Budget Overview and Timeline Shona Robison will present the Scottish Government's tax and spending blueprint for the coming year on Tuesday at the Scottish Parliament. This marks her last budget before she steps down, and it includes a review…

Scotland's resident doctors have called off a planned four-day strike set to start on Tuesday, after reaching a new pay agreement with the government. The British Medical Association union now backs the deal and urges members to accept it, avoiding major disruptions to patient care across the National Health Service. Background on the Dispute Resident doctors, who form about 42 percent of Scotland's medical workforce, had voted strongly for strike action last month. They accused the government of failing to honor past promises on pay restoration, leading to the first potential national walkout by these doctors. This group includes everyone…

Scotland's electric vehicle landscape just got a major boost. Arnold Clark Charge has claimed the title of the country's largest ultra-rapid charging network, reaching this milestone in under a year with over 50 public hubs now operational across the nation. This rapid growth comes amid a surge in EV adoption, driven by government pushes for net-zero goals and rising demand for reliable charging options. Launched in 2024 with a hefty 30 million pound investment, the network now offers drivers fast, affordable power-ups that can deliver up to 150 kilowatts, adding significant range in minutes. Network Expansion Hits New Heights The…

Scotland's government has introduced new legislation to expand how local councils can impose a visitor levy on overnight stays in hotels, bed and breakfasts, and similar spots. The Visitor Levy Amendment Scotland Bill, published on January 7, 2026, aims to give councils more options to charge a fixed amount instead of just a percentage of room costs, helping fund local tourism services amid rising visitor numbers. This move comes as tourism rebounds strongly in 2026, with places like Edinburgh set to launch their levy in July. Officials say it will boost local economies without a nationwide mandate, letting each area…

The UK government has launched a £140 million Local Growth Fund to spark economic growth and create jobs across Scotland. Announced on January 8, 2026, by Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander, this initiative targets five key regions with funding over the next three years to support infrastructure, business, and skills projects. Fund Breakdown and Key Allocations This new fund aims to tackle economic challenges in areas with lower household incomes. Officials plan to spread the money from 2026 to 2029, focusing on projects that local leaders choose to fit their needs. The total £140 million breaks down by region, based on…

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay has sparked debate by criticizing the SNP's social security system as unsustainable and prone to fraud. In recent statements, he argues that boosting economic growth, rather than expanding benefits, is key to tackling poverty in Scotland ahead of the 2026 Holyrood election. Findlay's Attack on SNP Policies Russell Findlay, the Scottish Tory leader, called the SNP's benefits system a "fraudsters' charter" during a speech this week. He claims it encourages dependency and fails to address root causes of poverty. Findlay points to projections showing Scotland's social security costs could hit 10 billion pounds by the…

Scotland's Justice Secretary Angela Constance has been found to have broken the ministerial code over her comments on grooming gangs, according to an independent investigation. The breaches happened during a parliament debate in September 2025, where she quoted an expert on child abuse but failed to correct the record quickly, sparking widespread criticism and calls for her resignation. Investigation Details and Findings The probe by independent advisers looked into Constance's statements about Professor Alexis Jay, a key figure reviewing grooming gangs in Scotland. They ruled that her remarks had the potential to mislead parliament, marking the first breach. Advisers noted…