Chris Muir

In a quiet corner of East Renfrewshire, UK energy firm Apatura has secured another brick in its growing battery empire. With unanimous approval and zero objections, the company received planning consent for a 40-MW/80-MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) near the village of Eaglesham—its eighth successful project nod in just 16 months. That approval now brings Apatura’s total consented capacity across the UK to a staggering 1.5 gigawatts, as the race to stabilise Britain’s renewables-heavy energy system intensifies. A silent approval for a major step forward The site, dubbed the Glasgow Road project, will span eight acres and store enough…

The Scottish government has officially dropped its ambitious target to reduce car use by 20% by the year 2030, a goal that had been a key part of the SNP's climate change manifesto. The original objective aimed to cut the number of kilometers traveled by car across the country to reduce harmful emissions and combat climate change. However, car usage in Scotland has only decreased by 3.6% since the Covid pandemic, signaling significant challenges in meeting the target. Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop announced the review of this target during a session with MSPs, citing that the goal was "not realistic"…

Investor and occupier interest in Scotland’s commercial property sector is picking up pace — and fast. The first quarter of 2025 saw demand spike to levels not seen since 2022, according to new data from the RICS Commercial Property Monitor. The sharpest jump came from occupier demand across offices, industrial sites, and retail units — with expectations now rising for rental growth and capital value increases across the board. But while optimism is growing, caution still lingers beneath the surface. Occupiers Drive the Momentum There’s real movement again in Scotland’s commercial property sector, especially on the occupier side. Demand rose…

The French label with the crocodile logo is back in Scotland — and this time, it's walking the talk. Lacoste has relaunched its only standalone Scottish store with a major upgrade at Livingston Designer Outlet, betting big on bricks-and-mortar at a time when many are scaling back. The new space isn’t just about size. It’s a signal. A shift. A statement. Livingston gets the Lacoste makeover If you visited the old Lacoste store, forget what you knew. This one's built different. With a fresh design that merges sporty roots and high-end aesthetics, the store now boasts a bigger footprint and…

FAIRMONT — A dominant pitching performance, clutch hitting, and an unrelenting offense powered the Scotland High softball team to the 2025 Robeson County Slugfest championship on Tuesday night, as the Scots shut out East Columbus 10-0 in a six-inning title game at Fairmont High School. The win marks Scotland’s 20th straight victory and improves their season record to a staggering 21-1. It was a complete team effort—but make no mistake, this was Avery Stutts’ night. The senior right-hander delivered a masterclass in the circle, striking out 14 Gators while allowing just one hit in six shutout innings. She faced only…

A Permanent Home for Palestinian Art in the Heart of Edinburgh In a landmark moment for Palestinian cultural advocacy, the Palestine Museum US has announced the opening of its first international branch in Edinburgh, Scotland. Slated to open on 17 May, the new institution will be the first museum in Europe solely dedicated to contemporary Palestinian art. Timed to coincide with the 77th anniversary of the Nakba, the opening carries deep historical resonance. The Nakba—“catastrophe” in Arabic—marks the mass displacement of nearly one million Palestinians during the 1948 establishment of the State of Israel. Located at 13A Dundas Street, a…

With over 60,000 daily drivers at risk of being stranded, a brewing pay dispute could bring one of Scotland’s busiest arteries to a halt — and signal wider unrest across the country’s public sector. The lifeline linking north and south Glasgow may soon grind to a standstill. That’s the warning from GMB Scotland, the union representing key control room staff at the Clyde Tunnel, who say strike action is now all but inevitable after rejecting a below-inflation pay offer from Glasgow City Council. The potential shutdown of the tunnel — used daily by tens of thousands of cars, trucks, and…

The stunning Isle of Arran, often referred to as "Scotland in miniature," has been awarded UNESCO Global Geopark Status, a prestigious recognition that highlights its outstanding geological heritage, biodiversity, and sustainable development efforts. Arran, located off Scotland’s west coast, has long been a popular destination for visitors and now joins a select group of 229 UNESCO Global Geoparks worldwide. A Living Example of Earth’s Geological History Arran’s new UNESCO status emphasizes its role as a living classroom for geology enthusiasts and researchers. According to geologists, the island is a geological treasure trove, with both terrestrial and marine zones that document…

New initiative aims to support rural and brownfield development amid steep decline in SME housing market share Scotland’s small and medium-sized homebuilders have long been the unsung heroes of local housing development. But with their market share sliced in half since 2017, industry body Homes for Scotland (HFS) is turning to collaboration to help reverse the trend. On April 22, HFS announced a new partnership with roof window manufacturer VELUX to provide strategic support for SME builders, many of whom are struggling under the weight of financial, regulatory, and planning challenges. SME Sector in Crisis: Market Share Halved in Six…

Armed police have raided a property in the Oxgangs area of Edinburgh as part of an ongoing crackdown on a violent gangland feud that has engulfed both the Scottish capital and Glasgow. The targeted operation unfolded on Firhill Drive on Saturday, with Police Scotland confirming that a warrant was executed and that inquiries remain ongoing. The raid is the latest in a string of heavily armed police actions linked to a spiralling conflict between rival organised crime groups, which has sparked firebombings, assaults, and shootings since March. Cross-City Turf War The gang feud, believed to centre on drug and firearm…