Ishan Crawford

Moray Council has rolled out its popular Free After Three scheme for the 2025 festive season, offering free parking at St Giles Multistorey Car Park in Elgin from 3pm to 6pm, Monday to Saturday. The initiative, starting December 6 and running until January 3, aims to draw more shoppers to local businesses and boost the town center economy during the busy holiday period. Scheme Details and Timeline The Free After Three program returns for its 11th year, providing a welcome break for drivers visiting Elgin. Council officials confirmed the scheme aligns with the community Christmas lights switch-on event, making it…

A group of 18 Scottish law firms launched a campaign today to change outdated rules that block non lawyers from owning stakes in legal practices. Leaders say these restrictions create a succession crisis and leave Scotland behind England and Wales where such ownership has boosted the sector for over a decade. Coalition Launches to Challenge Old Rules The Alternative Business Structures Scotland Group formed to fight for reforms in law firm ownership. This coalition includes firms like Simpson and Marwick, Miller Samuel Hill Brown, and Inksters. They argue that current laws limit growth and innovation in the legal field. Rob…

BBC Scotland kicked off its new flagship breakfast program, Radio Scotland Breakfast, on Monday morning, replacing the long running Good Morning Scotland after 51 years on air. Hosted by Laura Maciver and Martin Geissler with sports updates from Phil Goodlad, the show aims to deliver fresh, engaging news from 6am to 9am weekdays, focusing on stories that connect with listeners across Scotland. Farewell to Good Morning Scotland Good Morning Scotland served as the voice of mornings for BBC Radio Scotland since 1973, building a loyal audience with its mix of news, interviews, and analysis. The program ended on Friday, marking…

Scotland faces growing calls to adopt successful English school reforms as its education system lags in key areas. Recent data and expert opinions highlight the need for Scottish political parties to prioritize education in upcoming manifestos, drawing lessons from England's progress in literacy, numeracy, and overall student performance. Scotland's Education Challenges in 2025 Scotland's schools have seen a decline in international rankings over the past decade, according to the latest Programme for International Student Assessment results from 2023. These figures show Scottish students scoring below their English counterparts in reading, math, and science, with a notable drop since the Covid…

Dena Butz, an author from Bellevue, Ohio, has just released her latest children's book titled Scotland Castles and Folklore. This engaging story blends Scottish history with myths and legends, inviting young readers on an imaginative adventure through castles and folklore, published today by Christian Faith Publishing. Who Is Author Dena Butz Dena Butz lives in the quiet town of Bellevue, Ohio. She stays active in her community through volunteering and church work. She helps with local programs like the Pass It On Clothing Closet and a back to school effort for families. Butz also plays the trombone, crochets, reads, watches…

A recent traveler to Scotland shared her eye-opening experiences, highlighting seven common errors that left her feeling out of place. As tourism booms in 2025 with record visitors flocking to Edinburgh and beyond, experts warn that simple oversights can turn a dream trip into a series of awkward moments. Why First-Time Visitors Often Stumble in Scotland Scotland draws millions each year with its stunning landscapes and rich history. Yet many newcomers repeat the same pitfalls, from ignoring unpredictable weather to underestimating travel times across rugged terrain. Data from VisitScotland shows over 15 million international tourists in 2024, a jump from…

Scotland's last World Cup finals opener came in 1998 against mighty Brazil in France, drawing a global audience of 500 million viewers. That match saw the Tartan Army fight back from an early deficit only to suffer heartbreak with an own goal, marking the start of a tough group stage exit under manager Craig Brown. The Iconic Match Against Brazil The game kicked off the 1998 tournament at the Stade de France on June 10, with all eyes on Brazil's star Ronaldo. Yet it was Cesar Sampaio who stunned Scotland by scoring after just five minutes. The Scots responded bravely…

A new study from Heriot Watt University reveals that nearly two thirds of vessels in Scotland's Marine Protected Areas go undetected due to lack of AIS signals. This hidden traffic raises serious risks for whales, dolphins and other marine life in these vital waters. Study Uncovers Vast Monitoring Gaps Researchers from Heriot Watt University conducted over 1800 hours of surveys in six key Marine Protected Areas across Scotland. Their work, done with groups focused on whale and dolphin protection, shows that Automatic Identification System data misses most boat movements. Only about a third of traffic gets tracked, leading to underestimates…

Scotland has raised income tax rates multiple times since 2018 without sparking major backlash, creating the UK's most progressive system where higher earners contribute more to fund public services. Recent polls show Scots are more open to further tax increases than people elsewhere in Great Britain, viewing them as a way to improve finances and support vulnerable groups amid economic pressures. Recent Tax Changes in Scotland The Scottish government introduced its latest income tax adjustments in the 2025-26 budget, building on years of divergence from UK-wide policies. These changes aim to generate extra revenue for essential programs while keeping taxes…

Labour leaders face a tough challenge on immigration policy in Scotland as Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood unveils major asylum changes amid rising concerns over border control. With Reform UK gaining ground ahead of the 2026 Scottish Parliament election, the party must balance national reforms with Scotland's economic reliance on migrants. Mahmood's Major Asylum Overhaul Shabana Mahmood announced sweeping reforms to the UK's asylum system on November 17, 2025, aiming to address what she called illegal migration tearing the country apart. These changes target long standing issues in how the government handles arrivals and settlements. The reforms include forcing those arriving…