Chris Muir

A political storm is brewing between Holyrood and Westminster after a dramatic U-turn on winter fuel payments by the UK government left Scottish ministers scrambling to assess its impact — and potentially forced to revisit their own devolved policy. Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said Scottish ministers were not consulted on the announcement by new Chancellor Rachel Reeves, which will restore annual payments of up to £300 for pensioner households in England and Wales — a reversal of an earlier Labour cost-cutting plan that sparked heavy backlash. Now, there are growing fears that Scottish pensioners — particularly those with modest…

From the gothic arches of Glasgow Cathedral to the raw windswept cliffs of Skye, Scotland’s natural and urban scenery has shaped some of cinema’s most unforgettable moments. Whether you're a fan of Hollywood blockbusters, haunting folk horror, or working-class realism, this country offers a film set come to life. Here’s your curated cinematic itinerary through Scotland—where every loch, lane and castle has a story to tell. Edinburgh: Grit, Glory, and Gothic Shadows Key Films: Trainspotting (1996), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969)Must-Visit Spots: Princes Street, Calton Road, the Royal Mile, Greyfriars Kirk Scotland’s capital is…

At just 26, I’ve become one of the youngest female advocates in Scotland—something I still find surreal every time I step into court. What makes my path even more unusual is that I now specialise in both criminal and family law, a rare combination in the world of Scottish advocacy. But then again, nothing about my legal journey has been typical. Forging My Own Path to the Bar The conventional route to becoming an advocate in Scotland generally involves years spent practising as a solicitor before applying to the Faculty of Advocates and undertaking the intense “devilling” period of training.…

When a photo of powder-white sand beside turquoise seas starts making the rounds on social media, the assumption is instant: Caribbean. Maldives. Maybe the Greek isles. But Scotland? Surprise—it’s not a Photoshop trick. It’s Tiree. Or Harris. Or the beaches of Lewis, where Atlantic winds kiss sugar-soft shores, and the sea is so clear you can spot starfish 20 meters below. Scotland, long stereotyped as grey and rain-soaked, is quietly hosting a tropical illusion—one forged by ocean science, geography, and light. A Warm Ocean Current with a Tropical Agenda The illusion begins 4,000 miles away in the balmy waters of…

Scotland’s construction sector is facing a mounting crisis: nearly half of its apprentices are dropping out before qualifying. Amid urgent housing demand and looming net zero targets, industry leaders are warning that the skills pipeline is drying up. At a closed-door roundtable in Edinburgh’s National Museum of Scotland, 13 leading voices from across construction, education, and workforce development gathered to dissect the problem—and propose solutions. The figures are sobering. According to the British Association of Construction Heads (BACH), the UK’s dropout rate for construction apprentices now sits at 47%, with only 8,620 apprentices reaching the final End Point Assessment in…

A penguin mascot, live drummers, and £25 goody bags—Braehead is about to get a lot more fun as MINISO officially sets up shop in the West of Scotland. It’s official. The beloved lifestyle retailer MINISO is opening its very first store in the west at Braehead Shopping Centre on Friday, June 6th. The grand opening kicks off at noon, and it’s not just about shelves and shopping bags—this one comes with drums, balloons, and the kind of buzz usually reserved for concert tours. A Global Brand with a Playful Twist Lands in Braehead Braehead isn’t just getting another store. It’s…

One of Scotland’s most recognisable screen talents is heading back to her roots — and straight into the heart of Shieldinch. Simone Lahbib, best known for gritty dramas like Bad Girls, Wire in the Blood and Loch Ness, will make her River City debut later this month in what producers are promising will be a high-stakes, emotionally charged storyline. Her new character, Vivienne ‘Viv’ Barton, is no ordinary arrival. She’s a long-lost mother, a shrewd businesswoman, and part of the notorious Foulkes gangster family — but Viv’s return is anything but a warm homecoming. “She’s a tornado,” Lahbib warns. “She’ll…

GLASGOW, 4 June 2025 — Scotland’s pursuit of a cleaner, greener industrial future took a powerful step forward this week with the successful delivery of a 142-tonne Vapour Recovery Unit (VRU) at Glasgow’s King George V Dock. The installation — handled in a single shift by global heavy-lift specialists Sarens — is being hailed as a major win for air quality and environmental resilience. Commissioned by logistics firm Deugro, the VRU project underscores how Scotland’s green transition is not only about renewables and carbon targets, but also about deploying cutting-edge technology to curb pollution at its industrial source. Stopping Toxic…

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is gearing up for a vibrant celebration with a record number of Scottish performers taking centre stage. Organisers revealed that more than half of the 3,352 shows this year hail from Scotland, marking a remarkable local presence in the world’s biggest arts festival. This year’s Fringe promises a mix of fresh voices and bold themes, spread across an expanded lineup of venues and genres. Scotland’s Stronghold at the World’s Largest Arts Festival Out of the 3,352 shows set to light up 265 venues across Edinburgh, a whopping 923 are Scottish productions. That’s just over 27%, but…

The Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election has erupted into a political flashpoint following Reform UK leader Nigel Farage’s campaign visit to Scotland, triggering a unified backlash from rival parties amid accusations of racism, media manipulation, and populist provocation. Farage’s arrival in the bellwether central belt seat—his first appearance in Scotland during this campaign—saw him position Reform UK as a disruptive force aiming to "eclipse Labour" and challenge the political dominance of both the SNP and Scottish Labour in an increasingly volatile electoral landscape. The by-election, set for Thursday, was called after the death of long-serving SNP MSP Christina McKelvie. While…