Chris Muir

A fresh lifeline is being offered to Scotland’s historic churches as a new project gets underway to map out their heritage and find ways to keep their stories — and doors — open. Backed by a £229,015 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Finding Futures for Scotland’s Churches project aims to gather vital information on the value these buildings hold for local communities before they disappear. Hundreds of Churches at Risk of Shutting for Good Scotland is home to nearly 3,000 churches, scattered across cities, towns, and tiny villages. But the numbers tell a stark story. Since 2020,…

Scotland’s skate scene is about to get a major boost. For the first time ever, the World Rookie Tour is rolling into the UK — and it’s landed on Dumbarton’s legendary Unit 23 Skatepark to make it happen. Young shredders, mark August 23 on your calendars. This one’s going to be huge. Unit 23: A Homegrown Icon Ready for the World Stage Unit 23 isn’t just any old skatepark. It’s a rider-built, rider-run cathedral of concrete, wood, and pure skate energy. Opened back in 2002, it’s grown into the UK’s largest indoor skatepark — and a beating heart for the…

The royal grapevine has been buzzing this week — from Meghan Markle’s surprise apology to King Charles and Queen Camilla’s heartfelt stops across Scotland. And if that wasn’t enough, Princess Anne’s got her boots on the ground too. Let’s unpack the headlines, the soft diplomacy, and the side of bubbly that’s got everyone talking. King and Queen’s Emotional Return to Scotland King Charles and Queen Camilla are deep into their visit north of the border — and it’s not just ceremonial ribbons and photo ops. This week’s agenda has been packed with moments that tug at the heartstrings. On one…

A fresh link across the Atlantic now ties Quebec and Scotland closer than ever. Air Canada’s new direct Montreal–Edinburgh service is up and flying, promising to boost tourism, trade, and maybe even a few family reunions. Nonstop Flights Bridge the Atlantic Gap On June 26, Air Canada officially launched its nonstop Montreal–Edinburgh flights — the only direct route connecting Quebec with Scotland. Operated three times a week, the new service plugs Montreal into Edinburgh’s historic cobbled streets, vibrant festivals, and whisky bars. One sentence. It’s no small feat: four Canadian cities now have direct links to the Scottish capital, broadening…

Chevron is shutting down its Scotland office as part of a sweeping overhaul of its European operations, a move that’s set to send ripples through the country’s energy sector. A Blow to Aberdeen’s Oil Hub Status Chevron’s office in Aberdeen has long been seen as a symbol of Scotland’s vital role in North Sea oil and gas. Now, that presence is about to vanish. One short line: For the city that calls itself Europe’s oil capital, it stings. Industry insiders say the closure, though not unexpected, raises fresh questions about the future of Scotland’s offshore industry as the world shifts…

Scotland’s quiet corners are calling beginner gravel bikers. And it’s not just the Highlands — regions like Galloway are suddenly on the map for two-wheeled explorers craving dirt and tarmac in equal measure. Nestled near the English border, Galloway’s overlooked trails, forests, and rugged moorland make it a surprisingly ideal playground for gravel bike newbies. It’s a bit rough around the edges — just how riders like it. Galloway: An Unexpected Sweet Spot A lot of cyclists speed north to the big names: Glencoe, Cairngorms, the North Coast 500. But swing west, and Galloway unfolds like a secret. Robert the…

A Scottish metal detectorist struck gold — or bronze, in this case — unearthing a hoard of ancient artefacts that experts say is rewriting how we see Bronze Age horse gear. A Find That Left Him Shaking On a June day near Peebles, Mariusz Stepien’s metal detector let out a familiar beep. What he didn’t expect was to pull a bronze object half a metre underground. “Over the moon, actually shaking with happiness,” is how Stepien described it later. He and his friends camped in the field for 22 days as archaeologists got to work. Harness, Sword And A Story…

Scotland’s growing seagull problem has soared beyond nuisance — and into public safety territory. Calls are mounting for a nationwide summit, with some politicians warning that without urgent action, “someone could be killed.” 'Aggressive, Traumatic, Dangerous': The Eyemouth Example You can laugh — until it’s your kid being divebombed on the way to school. That’s the warning from Rachael Hamilton, Conservative MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, who told the Scottish Parliament on Thursday that seven children were attacked by gulls in Eyemouth — in just one month last year. One girl suffered gashes to her scalp so deep she…

Scotland may be known for its rain, but experts are urging caution. Despite a few damp weeks, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) says parts of the country — particularly the east — are still struggling with low water levels. It’s not time to relax yet. The east coast remains “at risk,” and drought pressures haven't fully lifted. Rainfall Isn’t Fixing Everything It’s been a wet June, no doubt. But SEPA’s latest bulletin says the recent rainfall hasn’t been enough to reverse long-standing dry conditions across eastern Scotland. That means rivers, groundwater levels, and reservoirs in some areas are still…

Scotland isn’t just a country—it’s a mood, a challenge, and an open invitation to get your boots muddy and your heart racing. Whether you're chasing rugged peaks, icy lochs, or just some peace and quiet, this land gives back way more than you expect. Here’s a look at five outdoor experiences that’ll leave a mark, in the best way possible. Hike Through the Scottish Highlands — It’s Spiritual, Really Let’s be honest: if you go to Scotland and don’t hike the Highlands, did you even go? Ben Nevis steals the spotlight for good reason. Standing at 4,413 feet, it’s the…