Chris Muir

Scottish farmers are facing a tough year as unusual weather patterns disrupt the spring barley harvest, leading to early cuts and lower quality grain. According to NFU Scotland, this shift, driven by climate change, has made growing crops more unpredictable, with some producers at risk of major financial losses. Early Harvest Sparks Concerns Farmers across Scotland have started harvesting spring barley about two weeks ahead of schedule this year. This early timing stems from a dry spring that hurt seed germination, followed by more dry spells that stressed the crops. In places like Aberdeenshire, growers report shorter plants and grains…

RSM UK has appointed Stephen Harrison as the new head of technology risk and internal controls for Scotland. This move, announced on August 18, 2025, aims to strengthen the firm's risk and governance services amid growing demands from regulated sectors. Harrison's Role and Responsibilities Harrison will lead internal controls and technology risk services across Scotland. He brings deep knowledge to help clients manage digital changes and meet strict rules. His work will also support RSM's national framework for risk and governance. This includes guiding teams on best practices for tech security and compliance. The appointment comes at a time when…

Scottish farmers are grappling with an early and troubled spring barley harvest in 2025, driven by unusual weather patterns linked to climate change. The National Farmers' Union Scotland reports that dry conditions have led to poor grain quality, threatening incomes and raising questions about future crop choices. Unusual Weather Speeds Up Harvest This year's spring barley harvest in Scotland arrived about two weeks earlier than normal, a shift farmers have never seen before. Dry spells in spring hampered seed germination in many areas, and ongoing water scarcity warnings from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency added to the woes. Farmers noted…

Dundee, a small city in Scotland, has strengthened its bond with Nablus in Palestine through a 45 year twinning that highlights solidarity and cultural exchange. This connection now shines in a major exhibition at the V&A Dundee, drawing visitors to explore Palestinian heritage amid ongoing global attention on the region. History of Dundee and Nablus Twinning The twinning between Dundee and Nablus began in 1980 as an act of support for Palestinian self determination. Local leaders raised the Palestinian flag over City Chambers, a move that sparked debate but built lasting ties. Over the years, this partnership has led to…

King Charles was spotted driving Queen Camilla to a Sunday church service at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral Castle in Scotland on August 17, 2025. This marked their first public outing during the royal family's annual summer holiday, which was delayed due to the King's duties at a major World War Two commemoration. The 76-year-old monarch appeared at ease behind the wheel of his electric SUV, waving to onlookers as he and the Queen made their way to the service. Camilla, dressed in a matching outfit with a feathered hat, smiled warmly beside him, signaling a moment of normalcy amid their…

Saudi Arabia's Visual Arts Commission has launched the Art Bridges initiative, sending artists to Scotland, Japan, Korea, and Spain for cultural exchanges starting in September 2025. This move aims to build global ties through exhibitions, workshops, and professional growth, boosting Saudi art on the world stage. The program targets Saudi and Saudi-based visual artists, cultural workers, and creative experts. It focuses on sharing ideas, skills, and stories across borders, with events planned over the next year. Program Goals and Structure The Art Bridges effort seeks to strengthen professional skills and spark cross-cultural talks. Organizers designed it to help artists grow…

The Scottish Government has awarded over £3 million to expand electric vehicle charging points in north-west Scotland. This funding, led by HITRANS and local councils, aims to boost access in remote areas like Argyll and Bute, Orkney, Shetland, and the Western Isles, supporting the nation's push toward net zero emissions by 2045. Key Details of the New Funding This fresh investment comes from the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund, which focuses on drawing private sector money into public charging networks. The project targets rural and island spots where building chargers is less profitable for businesses alone. Officials expect the £3 million…

Official figures reveal a deeper fiscal gap, with oil and gas income down for a second year and higher per-capita spending than the UK average. Deficit Hits £26.2 Billion in 2024-25 Scotland’s public spending deficit has risen sharply, climbing from £21.4 billion to £26.2 billion over the last financial year, according to the latest Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) report. The figures show a widening gap between the taxes raised in Scotland and the amount spent on public services and benefits for its residents. That translates to £21,192 spent per person — almost £2,700 more than the UK-wide average…

Scotland woke up to sweltering heat and an urgent double weather alert on Thursday, with the Met Office warning of thunderstorms capable of dumping dangerous amounts of rain in a very short time. The national forecaster says some spots could be lashed by as much as 60mm of rain in an hour — the kind of intense downpour that turns streets into rivers and brings travel to a standstill. Storm Risk Spreads Across the Country This isn’t a localised pocket of bad weather. From the Borders to the Highlands, the yellow thunderstorm warning stretches across the map. The alerts came…

Forty years ago, Crawford Beveridge returned from California—a place then brimming with start-up energy—to take the helm of the newly formed Scottish Enterprise. He inherited a nation struggling with a simple but critical problem: a lack of companies. “We in Scotland have been aware that as a nation we seem to have lost some of that entrepreneurial drive,” Beveridge said. His assessment triggered a landmark national inquiry into why Scotland’s business birthrate lagged. The resulting 1991 Business Birthrate Enquiry and the 1993 Business Birthrate Strategy became global talking points, studied by the OECD and copied abroad. The vision then was…