Axel Piper

Scotland is staring down the barrel of another brutal winter blast as the Met Office issues new yellow weather warnings for heavy snow and fierce winds across large parts of the country this week. The alerts come just weeks after the north-east was brought to a standstill by deep snow and flooding, and forecasters are now warning of blizzard conditions, drifting snow, and possible travel chaos from Monday night through Wednesday. New Warnings Cover Most of Scotland The main yellow warning runs from midnight on Monday 17 February until 3pm on Wednesday 19 February and covers all of mainland Scotland north…

North Lanarkshire is about to become one of the world's most advanced artificial intelligence sites after the UK government picked the Scottish region for its first major AI Growth Zone. The deal, unveiled today, promises more than £8 billion in private investment and thousands of new jobs in an area once famous for steel and coal. The transformation starts now. What the Deal Actually Means for Jobs and Money The numbers are huge. CoreWeave, the American AI cloud giant, will partner with Scottish firm DataVita to build massive new data centres at its existing site near Airdrie. Directly, the project…

Nicola Anderson, the driving force behind Scotland’s booming fintech cluster, has been appointed director of scaling innovation at Scottish Enterprise. The move, confirmed today, places one of the country’s most respected innovation leaders at the heart of efforts to turn breakthrough Scottish companies into global giants. The appointment ends months of speculation about where Anderson would land after stepping down as CEO of FinTech Scotland late last year. Sources close to the search process say Scottish Enterprise moved quickly to secure her, beating interest from London-based funds and international agencies. From Fintech Cluster Builder to National Scale-Up Chief Anderson leaves FinTech…

Scotland just became the first UK nation to force every new home to include nesting places for swifts, passing a law that campaigners are calling a game-changer for one of Britain's fastest-declining birds. Holyrood Votes Overwhelmingly to Save the Screaming Summer Visitors MSPs backed Scottish Green Mark Ruskell's amendment to the Housing (Scotland) Bill on Tuesday evening with cross-party support. The new rule requires swift bricks or similar nest spaces in all new dwellings "where reasonably practical and appropriate". Environment minister Gillian Martin told the chamber the move was essential because swifts have crashed by more than 60 per cent…

Traveling to Scotland with friends sounds like a dream, but small oversights can turn it into a hassle. From chaotic planning to unexpected expenses, group trips often reveal pitfalls that could sour the fun. Drawing from recent traveler tales and expert advice, here's how to dodge common mistakes and make your Scottish getaway unforgettable. Whether you're eyeing Edinburgh's castles or the Highlands' rugged beauty, smart prep can keep the group vibe strong and the memories golden. Why Group Trips to Scotland Go Wrong – And How to Fix It Scotland's allure draws millions yearly, with over 3 million international visitors…

The cricket world is on edge as the International Cricket Council delivers a stark warning to Bangladesh: show up in India for the 2026 T20 World Cup or get replaced by Scotland. This bold move, backed by most member boards, highlights growing tensions and could reshape the tournament starting next month. With the deadline ticking, Bangladesh's cricket future hangs in the balance, sparking debates on safety, politics, and fair play. Tensions Rise Over Tournament Venue Bangladesh has pushed back hard against playing in India, citing safety concerns for their team, officials, and fans. This stance stems from recent events, including…

Glasgow Airport has kicked off its 60th anniversary year with a bang, marking six decades since it first opened as Scotland's long-haul gateway in 1966. What started as a former RAF base has grown into one of the UK's busiest regional airports, welcoming millions of passengers and playing a huge role in putting Scotland on the global tourism map. The year-long party promises exhibitions, live events, and a heartfelt call for travelers to share their favorite airport memories. Officials say the milestone is not just about looking back, but about charging into the future with bigger ambitions for travel and…

Cricket Scotland has firmly rejected reports that the ICC has approached them to replace Bangladesh in next month’s T20 World Cup 2026 if the Tigers refuse to play matches in India. Officials in Edinburgh say no contact has been made and they will not initiate any discussions “out of respect” for the Bangladesh Cricket Board. The story exploded across global media on Monday after reports claimed the ICC had given Bangladesh until January 21 — tomorrow — to confirm they will travel to India for group games in Kolkata and Mumbai. Bangladesh had formally asked the ICC to move all…

Skint, fed up and utterly scunnered, voters in Scotland are turning their backs on the established parties in droves. Fresh polling from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation reveals that rising living costs have shattered trust in politics, with two in five economically insecure Scots now politically disaffected. Among the hardest hit, that figure jumps to more than half. The fallout could redraw the political map ahead of the 2026 Holyrood election. Economic Pain Turns into Political Rage The Joseph Rowntree Foundation surveyed more than 4,000 adults across Britain, with detailed Scottish data published this week. The results paint a grim picture…

Scotland's newest teachers are facing a brutal reality. Many spend years on supply lists or leave the country entirely because permanent posts have become almost impossible to secure, especially in primary schools. Louise Fraser, 24, from Ayrshire, moved to Dubai after her probation year ended in 2022. She now earns more, lives better, and has job security she never found at home. Another teacher has been on the supply list for nine-and-a-half years. These stories are not rare. They are the new normal. New Teachers Face Years of Uncertainty Scottish Government figures paint a grim picture. In 2023, only 29%…