Axel Piper

Scotland has seen a surge in new towns over the past decade, with 33 former villages reclassified due to population growth from housing booms and urban expansion. This shift, highlighted in recent data from Understanding Scottish Places, affects areas across the country, including Tarves in Aberdeenshire, where residents enjoy a blend of rural charm and modern amenities. The Surge in Scotland's New Towns Recent reports show Scotland now boasts 509 towns, up from 479 in 2014, driven by housing developments and people moving to commuter-friendly spots near cities. This growth reflects broader trends in population shifts, with more than half…

Hundreds of people in Elgin, Moray, are set to march this evening against ongoing gender based violence that affects women and girls in the area. The Reclaim the Night event, organized by the Moray Violence Against Women and Girls Partnership, starts at 5:30 pm today, November 25, 2025, to demand safer streets and support survivors. Event Details and Route The march kicks off from the Plainstones in central Elgin at 5:30 pm, with the procession beginning at 6 pm. Organizers expect a large turnout, similar to last years event that drew hundreds of supporters. Participants will walk a route that…

Glasgow will transform into the dark streets of Gotham City once more as production crews prepare to film key scenes for The Batman Part II starting early next year. The sequel to the hit 2022 film directed by Matt Reeves brings back Robert Pattinson as the Caped Crusader and promises more gritty action in Scotland's largest city. Production Designer Scouts Iconic Spots Luke Hull, the talented production designer behind the sequel, recently shared glimpses of potential filming sites through social media posts. These include the historic Glasgow Cathedral with its towering Gothic architecture and the bustling Anderston train station, both…

The Scottish government unveiled a new rail strategy on November 21, 2025, moving away from big electrification projects to prioritize replacing old diesel trains with zero emission models. This change addresses post Covid budget strains and aims to cut emissions while keeping costs in check for taxpayers. Roots of the Rail Decarbonisation Push Scotland's rail network has long aimed for a greener future. Back in 2020, officials laid out bold plans to fully decarbonise passenger services by 2035. That vision called for wiring up about 130 kilometers of track each year to power electric trains. The push came amid growing…

Scotland's Catholic bishops have made history by appointing Luisa Campbell as the first woman and first layperson to serve as General Secretary of the Bishops Conference of Scotland. The announcement came in November 2025, with Campbell set to start in February 2026, bringing her mix of business leadership and church service to the role. This move marks a big step for women in church leadership. Campbell replaces Father Gerry Maguiness, who held the post for six years. Who Is Luisa Campbell Luisa Campbell grew up in the Diocese of Galloway. She has lived in the Archdiocese of Glasgow and the…

Scotland's remote island airports face major disruptions from harsh weather, leading to high cancellation rates that frustrate travelers. Recent data from 2025 shows Barra, Tiree, and Wick as the top spots for unreliable flights, with cancellations often tied to storms, wind, and fog in these isolated areas. Weather Challenges Drive Flight Issues Remote Scottish airports deal with tough conditions year-round, but 2025 has seen a spike in problems. Strong winds and heavy rain from Atlantic systems hit these spots hard, grounding planes and leaving passengers stranded. Experts point out that small runways and limited tech make matters worse. For example,…

Nayma Sheikh, a 19-year-old all-rounder from Scotland, has made history by becoming the first cricketer to win the Winning Students 100 Scotland National Sports Scholarship. This Pakistani-origin player from East Kilbride balances elite cricket with university studies while inspiring a new wave of diversity in the sport. Early Life and Path to Cricket Nayma Sheikh was born on March 4, 2006, in Scotland to parents of Pakistani heritage. She grew up in East Kilbride, where her family played a big role in her love for cricket. Her mother, Moon Mughis Shaikh, and her father are active in the East Kilbride…

The United Kingdom recorded its coldest night of the autumn season overnight, with temperatures dropping to a bone chilling minus 11.7 degrees Celsius in Scotland. This extreme cold snap has triggered health alerts across England, warning of serious risks to the elderly and those with health conditions, while snow and ice caused widespread disruptions including school closures and travel delays. Record Breaking Low Temperatures Across Regions Overnight lows shattered records for the autumn period in multiple parts of the UK. In Scotland, the mercury plunged to minus 11.7 degrees Celsius at Loch Glascarnoch, marking the coldest spot. England saw temperatures…

Edinburgh, Scotland – Dumpit Scotland, a top waste management firm, has just launched an expansion of its eco-friendly office clearance services across the city. This move, announced on November 21, 2025, aims to help businesses handle waste removal in a fast and green way, building on over 20 years of experience from their Glasgow base. The company now offers same-day pickups for office furniture, IT gear, and full clear-outs, with a strong focus on recycling and zero landfill waste. This comes at a time when Edinburgh businesses face growing pressure to cut down on environmental impact amid rising commercial waste…

Brand Scotland teamed up with BBC StoryWorks to launch the Scotland Belongs campaign, which highlights real life stories from locals to show the nation as a top spot for living, working, and visiting. This effort just won Gold in the Content Series category at The Drum Awards, proving its power to change how people see Scotland. The campaign focuses on modern Scotland beyond the usual tourist views, using personal tales to draw in global audiences. It builds on years of work to promote the country's innovation and community ties, especially as tourism and business rebound after tough global challenges. The…