Chris Muir

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…

While some pupils drag their feet to school, one fluffy four-legged resident has made it her mission to turn up — every single day. Rain, shine or snow, Kiki the cat is there, waiting at the gates. And now, with a spotless “attendance record” and the admiration of pupils, parents and staff, the two-year-old moggy is in the running for a national award. Kiki Walks Sonny to School — Then Waits Outside Like a Loyal Friend Every morning, 10-year-old Sonny walks to school in Glasgow. Right beside him, tail up and ears twitching, is Kiki. She doesn’t carry a backpack,…

Edinburgh has officially joined the elite club of cities equipped with a total-body PET scanner, placing Scotland at the heart of the UK’s most advanced medical imaging network to date. It’s not just a technological milestone — it could rewrite how fast we detect disease, test new drugs, and treat patients. Located at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, the scanner is now operational under a cross-institutional effort co-managed by the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow. The move marks a significant leap forward for NHS Scotland and brings game-changing imaging capabilities beyond the M25 for the first time. A Scanner That…

For the first time in over 100 years, whisky is flowing again in Inverclyde. Ardgowan Distillery, the long-awaited venture near the village of Inverkip, has officially opened, capping off years of anticipation with its first whisky casks filled and aging. And if the launch crowd was anything to go by, the region's thirst for single malt hasn't dulled in the slightest. A New Era for an Old Whisky Heartland Inverclyde isn’t the first place that comes to mind when people talk about Scotch. It doesn’t have the volume of Islay or the tourism pull of Speyside. But historically, it mattered.…

Scotland’s landscapes are getting a fresh layer of protection, as the Scottish Government throws its weight behind a newly updated Landscape Charter focused on sustainability, biodiversity, and climate resilience. The revised document, building on the European Landscape Convention and Scotland’s 2009 charter, lays out a long-term vision for how the country’s natural and cultural landscapes will be valued, managed, and shaped in the decades ahead. A New Chapter for Scotland’s Living Landscapes The updated charter doesn’t come with dramatic fanfare or sweeping legislation. But its implications are quietly ambitious. It signals a policy shift toward “landscape thinking”—an approach that ties…

Interest in ketamine-assisted therapy is rising fast as NHS psychiatrists seek alternatives to electroconvulsive treatment for those with the toughest mental health cases. Scotland may soon become one of the first places in the UK to bring ketamine therapy under the NHS umbrella — and not just for pain relief or anaesthesia. Psychiatrists are now asking if the once-taboo party drug could genuinely help people trapped in the darkest corners of depression. At the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Prof Andrew McIntosh is pushing for a clinic offering ketamine to be operational by the end of this year. For patients with depression…

Scotland’s skies might be a little cleaner in the years ahead—and it’s not because of the rain. LoganAir, the country’s biggest regional airline, has struck a deal with ZeroAvia, a hydrogen aviation startup with backing from both sides of the Atlantic. The goal? To begin swapping out jet fuel for hydrogen, cutting emissions to near zero on some of Scotland’s shortest, yet most vital, air routes. It’s a small step on the global scale—but a potentially giant leap for an island-heavy nation that still relies on planes for basic connectivity. ZeroAvia’s Engine Runs on Water—Literally The tech sounds futuristic, but…

A beachfront bar in the Costa del Sol town of Fuengirola—closed since a gangland-style double murder shocked the expat community—will reopen this weekend under a new name: The Irish Rover. The venue, previously known as Monaghans, was the scene of a fatal shooting on May 31, where Ross Monaghan (43) and Eddie Lyons Jnr (46)—two high-profile figures in Scotland’s organised crime scene—were gunned down in broad daylight. Both men were reportedly part of long-running Glasgow-based criminal factions. The rebranding comes less than a month after the attack, which Spanish authorities have treated as a targeted hit. Despite the building’s dark…