Chris Muir

The Scottish Government released a key paper on September 4, 2025, titled Your Right to Decide, which argues that people in Scotland hold the power to shape their constitutional future. This move comes as First Minister John Swinney pushes for a fresh mandate on independence through the upcoming Holyrood election in May 2026, highlighting tensions in the UK union. Scotland's push for self-determination has long shaped its politics, but this latest document reignites the debate by challenging the balance between voluntary partnership and parliamentary control from Westminster. The Heart of the Argument The paper lays out a clear case that…

A group of six new electric vehicles faced off in a grueling real world range test organized by Carwow, driving from Oxford in England all the way toward Scotland to see which one could go the farthest on a single charge. The test pitted Chinese brands against established players from Europe, South Korea, and the United States, revealing surprises in efficiency and performance under demanding motorway conditions. The journey highlighted how electric car range test results can differ from official claims, especially on long hauls with varied weather and speeds. Drivers used eco modes and kept to the speed limit…

Two young Scottish chefs, Kaitlyn McGibbon and Ben Smith, just wrapped up a week of hands on training at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts in Boulder, Colorado. This chance came through the 2025 HIT Scotland scholarship, a program backed by partners like Gecko Hospitality and Escoffier Global Solutions, aimed at boosting skills in sustainable cooking and global techniques. The HIT Scotland Scholarship Journey The scholarship targets rising stars in Scotlands hospitality world. It picks chefs with real world experience to send them abroad for top notch learning. This year, McGibbon from Hazel restaurant in Glasgow and Smith from…

Scotland's push for independence is heating up again, with politicians like Kenny MacAskill arguing that the nation's rich natural resources could drive a stronger economy if free from UK control. As of late September 2025, recent polls show mixed support, while experts debate the potential costs and benefits of breaking away. Rising Calls for Change Kenny MacAskill, a vocal advocate for Scottish independence, recently highlighted how Scotland's abundant resources, from oil and gas to renewables, have not fully benefited its people. In a statement just hours ago, he described Scotland as a land blessed with natural wealth and talented minds,…

Scotland's salmon farming industry has stepped up efforts to save declining wild salmon populations. On September 24, 2025, Salmon Scotland announced over £230,000 in grants to ten projects across the country, focusing on river protection, habitat restoration, and research to help wild salmon and sea trout thrive. This funding is part of a larger £1.5 million pledge to combat long-term species decline. Projects range from fixing dams to planting trees, showing a united push by communities and experts to revive Scotland's waterways. Funding Details and Goals The grants aim to tackle key threats like habitat loss and predation. Salmon Scotland's…

Road maintenance workers in Inverness have voted to strike against Bear Scotland in a heated pay battle that could snarl traffic on the vital A9 trunk road. The action, backed by the Unite union, stems from rejected offers seen as too low amid the firms recent profits, raising fears of winter chaos on this key route between Inverness and Perth. Roots of the Pay Clash Workers at Bear Scotland handle critical upkeep on Scotlands trunk roads, including the busy A9 that links the Highlands to the central belt. On September 19, 2025, dozens of these employees in Inverness overwhelmingly supported…

James Keatings, a former professional footballer known for his time with clubs like Hearts and Hibs, has been sentenced to 13 months in prison for attempting to launder nearly £400,000 in criminal cash. The 33 year old from Wishaw carried out the handover on a street in North Lanarkshire last year, but officers from the National Crime Agency and Police Scotland were watching closely after a tip off. The Cash Handover Caught on Watch Investigators spotted Keatings on June 28, 2024, in Young Street, Wishaw. He pulled up in a white Transit van and moved two heavy boxes into the…

Scotland's parliament is poised to vote this week on ending the unique not proven verdict, a move that could reshape the nation's criminal justice system. The Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform Bill, debated in Holyrood, aims to boost support for rape and sexual violence survivors while addressing long-standing flaws in trials. The vote comes amid growing calls for change, with the bill tackling issues like low conviction rates in sexual assault cases. If passed, it would mark the biggest reform in decades, focusing on victim rights and fairer processes. History of the Not Proven Verdict The not proven verdict has…

Scotland's food industry faces rising costs from climate change, known as climateflation, affecting everything from strawberries to whisky. As of September 2025, experts warn that erratic weather is pushing up prices and straining supplies across the nation. This trend hits farmers and consumers hard, with predictions of even bigger impacts by 2050. Recent data shows how changing climates disrupt agriculture and the food chain in Scotland. What Is Climateflation? Climateflation refers to the way climate change drives up food costs through extreme weather and supply issues. It combines climate effects with inflation, creating higher prices for everyday items. In Scotland,…

Scotland is seeing a surge in tiny forests, small patches of greenery planted using a Japanese method that promises quick growth and big environmental wins. These miniature woodlands, inspired by botanist Akira Miyawaki, are popping up in urban spots across the country, from Edinburgh to Glasgow, as part of a push for more green spaces in 2025. The Rise of Miyawaki Forests in Scotland Communities in Scotland have planted hundreds of these tiny forests since 2020, with the trend accelerating this year. Local groups and universities lead the charge, turning unused urban land into dense native woodlands that grow fast…