Chris Muir

A prop who defied the odds and defined an era, Ian McLauchlan’s passing at 83 leaves behind more than memories — it leaves a legacy of grit, loyalty, and unyielding pride in Scottish rugby. A Giant in a Small Frame: The Birth of ‘Mighty Mouse’ At just 14 stone 6 pounds when he first donned the thistle in 1969, McLauchlan was hardly the biggest man on the pitch. And yet, those who faced him in the scrum knew the truth — size wasn’t everything. His nickname, ‘Mighty Mouse,’ stuck for good reason. A single line here: He was relentless. Former…

One DJ, one dream, and 15,000 ravers ready to dance. Hannah Laing has turned a hometown ambition into Dundee’s biggest one-day party with her debut Doof in the Park festival. For the Scottish DJ, it’s proof that the girl who once mixed tracks between dental appointments is now a mainstage star in her own right. From Local Bars to Global Beats Hannah’s story reads like a clubland fairy tale — a teenager spinning pop bangers in local bars, long before viral edits and platinum plaques were even on her radar. One line here. She first caught major attention after lockdown…

A game once seen as the pride of everyday Scots is starting to feel out of reach. From St Andrews’ storied links to the windswept fairways along the Lothian coast, the spirit of golf as a people’s game is clashing with big money from across the Atlantic. And folks aren’t shy to say it stings. For decades, golf here wasn’t about who you knew or how much you could drop on green fees. Now, with dollars flooding in, that old image feels like it’s slipping through Scottish fingers. Where Golf Began — But at What Cost? They call Scotland the…

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…