Axel Piper

A group of talented pooches has been lining up for the chance to make their stage debut at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival (GICF). With wagging tails and eager eyes, they are all competing for a coveted role in Walking Shadows, a play set to be performed at Websters Theatre on March 21, 22, and 23. A Canine Casting Call Like No Other Finding the perfect dog for the production isn’t just about obedience. The director, Michael Lewis, wants a show-stealer. “The cute factor definitely comes into it,” Lewis admitted. “We need a dog that will have a real impact…

Theatre enthusiasts and Shakespeare aficionados are in for a treat as Lees-McRae College’s Theatre Arts department stages a gripping production of The Tragedy of Macbeth. The show will run from Thursday, Feb. 27, through Sunday, March 2, at the Hayes Auditorium, promising an unforgettable experience of ambition, fate, and supernatural intrigue. A Timeless Tale with a Fresh Perspective For over four centuries, Macbeth has mesmerized audiences with its intense drama and dark themes. Murder, witches, betrayal—this story has it all. While the core narrative remains unchanged, each adaptation brings a fresh interpretation, and this production is no exception. The student-led…

Hoho Entertainment and Wild Child Animation are set to bring a beloved British classic to the big screen. Their CG-animated adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind In The Willows is moving forward with the support of Screen Scotland, marking an exciting expansion for both studios. A Fresh Take on a Timeless Tale The adaptation will stay true to the heart of the original novel, featuring cherished characters like Toad, Mole, Badger, and Ratty. However, the film will introduce new female characters—Hedge, Tinker, Heron, and Adder—adding fresh perspectives to the classic story. Writing duo Ciaran Murtagh and Andrew Barnett-Jones, known as…

Storm Éowyn has rewritten the record books, leaving a devastating trail across Scotland. As the fifth named storm of the 2024/25 season, it has been classified as an ‘extremely powerful and record-breaking extratropical cyclone.’ With winds tearing through densely populated areas and insurance claims soaring to historic levels, the storm has become a once-in-a-generation catastrophe. The Central Belt Takes the Brunt The storm's path was particularly destructive, striking Scotland’s central belt where 80% of the population resides. The severity of the impact was evident in insurance claims, which peaked at three times normal levels. Loss adjusters continue to receive new…

A group of feral pigs spotted roaming the Cairngorms National Park has been captured and humanely culled, according to Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS). The incident has sparked concern over illegal animal releases in the area, following a similar case involving lynx just weeks earlier. The Discovery Near Uath Lochans The pigs were first seen on Monday near Uath Lochans, a picturesque woodland area with small lochs near Kingussie, south of Aviemore. Their presence raised alarms among conservation authorities and local land managers. The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) stated that the pigs appeared to be "relatively domesticated" and had…

Scotland's marine energy sector is drawing fresh attention after a new report revealed its potential to generate nearly $10 billion for the economy by 2050. The study, commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Scottish Enterprise, forecasts a bright future for wave and tidal power, with the potential to create over 15,000 direct jobs and drive significant investment into coastal communities. Study Highlights Scotland's Marine Energy Advantage The report, conducted by the University of Edinburgh’s Policy and Innovation Group, presents a scenario where Scotland could develop up to 8.8 gigawatts (GW) of marine energy capacity by 2050. Across the…

Quorum Cyber, a cybersecurity powerhouse from Scotland, is making bold moves in the U.S. market. Backed by private equity, the company has acquired two American firms and is leveraging its expertise in AI-driven security and Microsoft technologies to fuel international expansion. Strategic Expansion Driven By Market Demand Quorum Cyber's entry into the U.S. wasn't initially part of its roadmap. However, as CEO and founder Freddy Charosky explains, the company identified a strong market need through data analysis and decided to act. “The data coming from America showed there's clearly a need,” Charosky said in an interview. “What could we do…

The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has approved six new drugs for use within NHS Scotland, including a breakthrough breast cancer treatment that could extend the lives of patients battling advanced forms of the disease. However, a promising Alzheimer’s medication was denied due to concerns over cost-effectiveness. New Hope for Breast Cancer Patients Among the newly approved treatments is Olaparib, a targeted therapy for adults with breast cancer linked to the BRCA1 gene or those with mutated HER2-negative advanced breast cancer. Marketed under the brand name Lynparza, the drug offers fresh hope for patients with limited treatment options. Claire Rowney, Chief…

A Scotland-based digital creator has been making waves online after immersing himself in India’s diverse street food culture. Hugh, an avid traveler, recently explored cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata, stepping beyond the usual tourist fare to try some of the country’s most beloved local dishes. A Culinary Adventure Across India Foreign tourists often stick to familiar Indian dishes like butter chicken and biryani. But Hugh took a different approach. From the delicate Daulat Ki Chaat in Delhi to the rich Sandesh of Kolkata, he indulged in the street food that defines India’s culinary landscape. Videos of his food…

Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney has made it clear—lynx will not be legally reintroduced into the wild under his government. His statement comes after the illegal release of four of the animals in the Cairngorms last month, an incident that has reignited debate over balancing conservation efforts with rural concerns. A Contentious Debate Lynx once roamed Britain but were wiped out due to hunting and habitat loss between 500 and 1,000 years ago. Some conservation groups have been pushing for their controlled reintroduction, arguing that the species could help restore ecological balance. However, farmers and rural communities remain wary, fearing…