Axel Piper

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) is stepping up its efforts to regulate food sales through social media platforms like Facebook after a recent survey revealed that purchasing food in this way is more common than anticipated. The research, which focused on ready-to-eat (RTE) foods sold through Facebook Marketplace in Scotland, has raised public health concerns, particularly about the safety of food sold by unregistered sellers. An Unexpected Trend: The Rise of Social Media Food Sales A surprising number of people in Scotland are buying food through platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). According to a survey of 1,063…

Each year on January 25, Scotland comes alive with a rich tradition that honors its national poet, Robert Burns. Burns Night is a festive occasion, marked by the fusion of literature, food, and drink. As the birthday of Robert "Rabbie" Burns, the day is dedicated to celebrating his legacy and contributions to Scottish culture, particularly his poetry. The Tradition of Burns Night Burns Night has been celebrated annually since 1801, five years after the poet’s death. The evening typically features a hearty Scottish meal, with the centerpiece being haggis, a savory dish made from sheep’s stomach, oats, and spices, served…

Storm Eowyn has unleashed its fury across parts of the British Isles, leaving a trail of destruction, power outages, and chaos in its wake. Ireland Faces the Brunt The Republic of Ireland bore the initial impact of the storm, with wind gusts reaching a staggering 183 kilometers per hour. The extreme winds caused significant damage, toppling trees, damaging infrastructure, and cutting power to nearly one million households and businesses. Emergency services across the country worked tirelessly to restore essential services and clear debris from roads. Scotland and Northern England on High Alert After battering Ireland, Storm Eowyn moved across the…

Sainsbury's has announced the temporary closure of its supermarkets and convenience stores across Scotland and Northern Ireland on January 24, 2025, due to severe weather conditions. This move comes as part of the retailer's commitment to safeguarding its customers and staff. Store Closures Across Northern Ireland and Scotland On Friday, January 24, all Sainsbury's locations in Northern Ireland will be closed from 7am to 3pm, while stores in Scotland, specifically those in areas most affected by the weather, will close from 7am until 6pm. These closures come in response to severe weather warnings issued for both regions. While these closures…

Millions of people across the UK are being urged to stay at home on Friday as Storm Éowyn, a potentially life-threatening storm, is set to hit with wind gusts reaching up to 100mph. This powerful storm is expected to cause significant disruption, particularly in Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland, where red weather warnings have been issued. Red Warnings for Northern Ireland and Scotland The Met Office has issued a red weather warning for Northern Ireland, which will remain in place from 07:00 GMT to 14:00 on Friday. This is the most serious warning level, indicating a risk to life…

Scotland's global reputation has held steady in 2024, securing 15th place in the prestigious Anholt Nation Brands Index® (NBI) survey. The 2024 data reveals Scotland continues to garner significant international recognition despite minor shifts in rankings across certain countries. Scotland's Steady Reputation Scotland's performance in the 2024 NBI shows impressive consistency. With a score of 65.1, Scotland ranks 15th among the 50 countries surveyed, maintaining its position from the 2022 report (65.3). This stability places Scotland among the top 20 nations globally in terms of reputation, underscoring its strong international presence. The NBI tracks Scotland's overall reputation, reflecting how it…

In a key address in Glasgow on January 22, 2025, First Minister John Swinney highlighted his aspirations for a new migration policy aimed at tackling Scotland’s growing demographic challenges and ensuring the nation’s economic prosperity. Central to his proposal is the retention of skilled international students, a crucial element in Scotland’s future workforce. Addressing Scotland's Population Challenges The First Minister’s speech came at a critical time for Scotland, as the country faces an aging population. By 2045, the number of individuals aged 65 and older is expected to grow by almost a third, while the number of children is projected…

A fierce weather system is on its way, and it’s called Storm Éowyn. The Met Office has issued yellow warnings, signaling strong winds across much of the country this Friday and Saturday. Disruptions to travel, power outages, and potential damage to property are all on the table as this storm approaches Scotland from the south. What the Yellow Warning Means A yellow warning might sound less serious, but it’s a signal to prepare. It covers a broad range of potential impacts, and it’s all about timing. Starting Friday morning, winds will sweep in from the south, intensifying as they travel…

Scotland is bracing for the first named storm of 2025, as Storm Eowyn brings gusts of up to 90 mph and widespread disruption. The weather warning for high winds has been upgraded from yellow to amber, covering large parts of the country, particularly in the south and central regions. Storm Eowyn: What to Expect Storm Eowyn, named by the UK Met Office, is expected to impact Scotland on Friday, with the amber warning running from 06:00 to 21:00. The storm will bring extremely high winds that could pose a serious risk to life due to flying debris, power cuts, and…

Severe Weather Alert Issued for Friday-Saturday A warning of "danger to life" has been issued as the UK braces for heavy winds expected to affect parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland this week. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather alert, which will come into effect at 12:00 am on Friday and remain in place until 12:00 pm on Saturday. The alert covers the west coast and northern areas of Scotland, as well as Northern Ireland, with forecasts indicating gusts that could reach as high as 70-80mph along coastal areas, and 50-60mph inland. There is also the potential for…