Axel Piper

Scotland's landscapes came alive in late August 2025 as locals and visitors captured breathtaking images of natural wonders and festive events. From a crow perched on Ben Nevis to colorful hot air balloons soaring over Strathaven, these pictures highlight the beauty and excitement of the region during August 22 to 29. Crow Steals the Show on Ben Nevis Summit Photographer William Cameron caught a striking moment at the top of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the United Kingdom. His image shows a crow landing on the ruins of an old weather observatory, with its wings spread wide against the…

Scotland's government has rolled out a fresh action plan to fight the housing emergency, with a hefty £4.9 billion push for affordable homes. Housing Secretary Màiri McAllan shared the details in Holyrood on September 2, 2025, aiming to cut down on kids stuck in poor temporary spots and boost housing for those in need. Plan Targets Child Homelessness and Vulnerable Groups The new Housing Emergency Action Plan puts a spotlight on urgent fixes for families and at-risk people. It promises to slash the time children spend in bad temporary housing and help groups like those fleeing domestic abuse. Officials say…

Scotland is grappling with a new wave of danger from synthetic opioids called nitazenes, which experts say could reverse recent gains in fighting the nation's drug death crisis. Official figures released on September 2, 2025, show drug misuse deaths dropped to 1,017 in 2024, the lowest since 2017, but a surge in nitazene-related fatalities in early 2025 has sparked urgent warnings from health leaders. Drop in Overall Deaths Offers Hope The latest data from National Records of Scotland reveals a 13 percent decline in drug-related deaths last year, down from 1,172 in 2023. This marks a positive shift after years…

Scotland's landscapes and wildlife came alive in user-submitted photos from August 22 to 29, 2025. Highlights include a crow at Ben Nevis summit, hot air balloons over Strathaven, and a red squirrel in lush gardens, capturing the nation's natural beauty during a vibrant week. These images, shared through public platforms, show the diverse appeal of Scotland in late summer. Photographers from across the region documented moments that blend adventure, festivals, and wildlife, drawing attention from locals and visitors alike. Crow Captures Attention on Ben Nevis Peak William Cameron from Lochaber caught a striking moment at the top of Ben Nevis,…

Police Scotland has confirmed plans to introduce live facial recognition technology, marking a major shift in policing tactics across Scotland. The decision, announced at the Scottish Police Authority board meeting on August 21, 2025, aims to boost public safety but has sparked debates over privacy and rights. Key Details of the Decision Police Scotland leaders shared their intent to push forward with live facial recognition during the recent authority meeting. They stressed the need for careful steps ahead, including deep dives into how the tech works and what rules must guide its use. This move comes after months of talks…

Archaeologists in Scotland stumbled upon a treasure trove of ancient artifacts while preparing a field for new homes in Guardbridge, Fife. The finds span nearly 12000 years, from the end of the Ice Age to the Bronze Age, surprising experts with the site's rich layers of human activity. This discovery happened just before construction on a housing development, turning what seemed like an ordinary plot into a window on Scotland's distant past. Researchers from a local team described it as finding the entire prehistory of Fife in one spot, with evidence of campsites, farms, and forts from various eras. Unearthing…

In Abu Dhabi, expat families often face tough starts when kids switch to international schools, but many turn challenges into success stories. Take Phil Johnson's twin daughters, who moved from Scotland in January 2024 and went from tears on their first day to confident smiles by 2025, highlighting how support systems help expat children adjust to UAE school life. Early Struggles for Newcomers Moving to a new country flips everything upside down for kids, especially teens. Phil Johnson, a journalist who relocated his family from rural Scotland to Abu Dhabi, saw this firsthand with his 11-year-old twins, Emma and Naja.…

In a strange turn of events at the Maple Leaf North-West Ground in King City, Ontario, Canada, ground staff set the cricket pitch on fire to dry it after heavy rain delayed the start of the ICC World Cup League 2 match between Scotland and Namibia on August 29, 2025. The unusual method drew attention from players and fans, but the game was eventually abandoned without a ball bowled due to ongoing wet conditions. This incident highlights the challenges of outdoor sports in unpredictable weather, especially in a key tournament for World Cup qualification. As teams battle for points in…

Glasgow-based MedTech startup Seluna has raised nearly €752K to advance its AI-powered tool for diagnosing pediatric sleep disorders. The company also launched a key NHS validation study on August 28, 2025, aiming to address the underdiagnosis of childhood sleep apnea that affects millions of kids worldwide. Funding Boost for Innovation Seluna's recent funding round brings fresh capital to push forward its mission in pediatric health. Led by Gabriel Investment Syndicate, the investment includes support from Scottish Enterprise, University of Strathclyde, and new investor STAC Invest. This totals about £650K in British pounds, converted to euros at current rates. The money…

Scotland is grappling with its worst water scarcity in years, as six eastern regions reach the highest alert level due to months of low rainfall and dry conditions. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency announced on August 29, 2025, that prolonged drought has left rivers at critically low levels, triggering restrictions on water use for farmers and businesses. Current Water Scarcity Levels Across Scotland The crisis has escalated quickly this week, with more areas moving into higher risk categories. Officials warn that without steady rain, the situation could worsen in the coming days. Rainfall data shows the east has seen below-average…