Axel Piper

Transport Scotland has released its Active Travel Infrastructure Investment Report for 2023-24, revealing that more than £165 million was spent on making it easier for people to walk, wheel, and cycle across the country. The investment has led to hundreds of new and improved routes, crossings, and junctions, enhancing accessibility and safety for all road users. Major Investment Brings Significant Improvements The report highlights the extent of the improvements made throughout the year: More than £165 million was allocated across nine funding streams. Over 950 infrastructure projects were implemented. A total of 115 km of new and upgraded walking, wheeling,…

The next Convener of Universities Scotland, the representative organisation for Scotland’s 19 higher education institutions, will be Professor James Miller FRSE. He will assume the role on 1 August 2025 for a two-year term, bringing extensive leadership experience to a sector facing crucial challenges. A Leader with a Vision for Scotland’s Universities Professor Miller, currently Principal & Vice-Chancellor at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS), was elected by his fellow Principals. Speaking on his appointment, he emphasized the transformative role of universities in Scotland’s communities, economy, and global engagement. “I know from my own experience that universities matter.…

Rewiring skills and employment pathways doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. Scotland’s approach to reshaping education and workforce alignment offers a blueprint that is both effective and cost-efficient. A New Model for Skills and Employment Alignment The idea that better data on employer needs could solve Britain’s productivity issues has been around for years. Governments have tried numerous strategies, from large-scale data collection to industry-specific reports, all with mixed success. But Scotland has taken a different approach, one that is smaller in scale but potentially more impactful. With just £500,000 in funding from the Scottish Funding Council,…

Scotland’s Green Cat Hydrogen (GCH) has announced ambitious plans to construct a large-scale green hydrogen production facility in Dumfries and Galloway. With an annual production target exceeding 4,000 tonnes, the project aims to play a key role in the region’s energy transition efforts. Public Consultation and Approval Process Underway The proposal is currently open for public comment, with two consultation events planned before the application is formally submitted to the Dumfries and Galloway Council. GCH has emphasized the importance of community input, as the project is still in the planning approval phase. Meanwhile, preliminary engineering and environmental assessments are already…

Loch Lomond Distillery, long a quiet force in Scotland’s whisky scene, is stepping into the spotlight. With a string of major industry awards and a global tasting campaign, the distillery is proving it has what it takes to stand among the best. Whisky lovers now have a unique opportunity to sample its offerings through a special Golden Week event. A Breakout Year for Loch Lomond Whisky For decades, Loch Lomond Distillery remained under the radar, crafting whisky in the shadow of Scotland’s more famous names. But recent years have seen a shift. The distillery’s innovative approach and diverse range of…

Scotts Precision Manufacturing has strengthened its footprint in Scotland by teaming up with Agropack Solutions. The new partnership, announced on March 21, 2025, designates Agropack Solutions as the official dealer for Scotts’ Evolution Separator cleaning system in the region. This collaboration is set to improve access to cutting-edge agricultural technology for Scottish farmers. Evolution Separator to Take Center Stage at Agropack Open Day To celebrate the partnership, Scotts Precision Manufacturing will showcase the Evolution Separator at the upcoming Agropack Open Day at Gray Farms Ltd. The event provides an opportunity for farmers and industry professionals to witness the machine’s efficiency…

As summer winds down, travelers are setting their sights on Seattle. According to AAA booking data, the city has once again claimed the top spot for Labor Day weekend travel, marking its second consecutive year at No. 1. Domestic travel is on the rise, while international trips are seeing a shift in demand. Domestic Travel Sees a 9% Increase, With Costs Slightly Down AAA reports that overall domestic travel has increased by 9% compared to last year. While airfare and lodging remain relatively stable, the cost of U.S. trips has dipped slightly, showing a 2% decline. For road trippers, there’s…

Firefighters have resumed efforts to tackle a wildfire in West Dunbartonshire after an "extreme" wildfire risk warning was issued across Scotland. The fire, which ignited in the West Kilpatrick Hills near Bowling, prompted an immediate response from emergency services. Fire Crews Return to the Hills at First Light The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) was initially called to the blaze at around 14:15 on Thursday. Four fire engines were dispatched to the scene, but operations were halted later due to failing daylight. By Friday morning, a single fire engine was sent back at approximately 06:00 to reassess the situation.…

A significant decline in the number of international students choosing Scotland for higher education has been recorded, marking a stark shift from previous years. According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), the academic year 2023/24 saw nearly 9,380 fewer foreign students enrolling compared to the previous year. Postgraduate Enrollment Takes a Major Hit The most substantial drop occurred at the postgraduate taught level, with enrollment numbers plummeting by 25.7% between 2022/23 and 2023/24. Undergraduate enrollments saw a comparatively smaller decline of 3.8%, bringing the overall reduction in international students across all levels to 20%. Different institutions across Scotland experienced…

Scotland is at a turning point in its digital journey. With the Scottish Government's Digital Strategy, A Changing Nation: How Scotland Will Thrive in a Digital World, laying out the roadmap, the focus now shifts to execution. Global technology firms, including Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), are offering insights drawn from successful digital public infrastructure (DPI) implementations worldwide—most notably in India, which is currently leading the way through its G20 presidency. The Case for a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Stack DPI serves as the backbone of modern digital economies. It includes key components such as digital identity systems, real-time payment platforms,…