Chris Muir

The Scottish Government is facing mounting opposition over its controversial tourist tax, with concerns that it could severely impact visitor spending and undermine local businesses. Critics warn that the levy, set to be implemented by local councils, may result in millions lost from the tourism economy. Tourism Industry Sounds Alarm Over Financial Blow Hospitality leaders and business owners have voiced their fears that the tourist tax will discourage overnight stays, cutting deep into Scotland's lucrative tourism sector. The legislation, passed in 2024 by the SNP-led government, grants councils the power to impose a nightly charge on accommodations. Unlike similar taxes…

Stargazers in Scotland could be in for a breathtaking sight as the Northern Lights may appear over parts of the country this weekend. The Met Office has issued a space weather alert, warning of potential geomagnetic activity that could make the aurora borealis visible. Met Office Warns of Geomagnetic Storm A 'geomagnetic storm watch' has been posted on the Met Office website, indicating an increase in solar activity that could impact Earth's magnetic field. The alert, which began at 9 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, March 23. Experts have identified a…

A former Miss Scotland has been convicted of assaulting two security guards and racially abusing one of them during a drunken altercation at a rugby event, a court has heard. Incident at Edinburgh City 7s Tournament Lucy Thomson, 26, was attending the Edinburgh City 7s rugby tournament in June 2023 when she was involved in a physical confrontation with security staff. According to testimony at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, she bit security supervisor Andrew Okpaje and used a racial slur against him while being escorted out of the venue. Another security guard, Alasdair Doolan, was also bitten during the altercation. Thomson,…

Canada’s Rachel Homan delivered a statement victory on Saturday, overpowering Scotland’s Sophie Jackson 10-4 in a qualification match to secure a semifinal berth at the LGT World Women’s Curling Championship. The defending champions will now face South Korea’s Eunji Gim for a place in the final, while China and Switzerland battle in the other semifinal matchup. A Crushing Performance From Canada Homan and her Ottawa-based rink wasted no time setting the tone against Scotland. A decisive four-point end in the second gave Canada an early 4-0 cushion, putting immediate pressure on Jackson’s squad. By the fourth end, the lead had…

Scotland never fails to impress with its breathtaking landscapes and mesmerizing wildlife. From golden sunsets over sandy shores to lone stags standing proudly in the Highlands, photographers across the country have captured some truly striking moments. Here's a selection of the best images submitted by the public between 14 and 21 March. A Sunset to Remember Kirsty Brien framed a moment of tranquility at Ayr Beach. As the sun dipped beyond the horizon, a couple and their dog stood silhouetted against the golden sky, creating a scene straight out of a painting. The reflection on the wet sand added to…

Scotland fans celebrating their team's 1-0 victory over Greece have found themselves stuck in Athens after a fire near London's Heathrow Airport forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights. With no direct routes home, many supporters are scrambling for alternatives—some through Dublin, others via Milan or Istanbul. Despite the travel chaos, the mood remains upbeat, with some fans deciding to extend their stay for an impromptu celebration. Flights Canceled, Plans Thrown into Disarray A fire at an electrical substation near Heathrow caused a total power outage, grounding flights and leading to significant delays. British Airways services from Edinburgh, Glasgow, and…

Nel Hydrogen US, a subsidiary of Norway-based Nel, has landed a significant contract to supply a 2.5 MW proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer for the Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub project. The venture, backed by UK energy giant BP and Aberdeen City Council, aims to build a scalable green hydrogen production and distribution facility in northeast Scotland. A Strategic Hydrogen Push for Aberdeen This ambitious project is being developed in phases, with the first phase focused on establishing a hydrogen refueling facility for buses, trucks, vans, and cars. Subsequent phases could see an expansion in hydrogen production, enabling supply for industries like…

Belgium started strong, but Ukraine had other plans. Despite an early setback, the Ukrainians turned the game on its head with three unanswered goals, putting themselves in a commanding position for Nations League promotion. Romelu Lukaku opened the scoring for Belgium in the 40th minute, capitalizing on a well-placed Kevin De Bruyne free kick. However, Ukraine responded with force. Oleksiy Hutsulyak equalized early in the second half, igniting the comeback. Vladyslav Vanat and Ilya Zabarnyi then sealed the victory, leaving Belgium stunned. Belgium Struggle in Rudi Garcia’s Debut Belgium’s new coach, Rudi Garcia, had a rough start. His side looked…

Scotland’s frigid waters don’t typically come to mind as a prime diving destination. But beneath the waves, hidden among rocky crevices and seabeds, lies one of the ocean’s most endangered yet overlooked creatures—the flapper skate. Unlike the more famous basking sharks that draw divers from across the globe, this ancient species remains largely in the shadows, despite being in more danger than the giant panda. The Elusive Giant of Scottish Waters Most people have never heard of the flapper skate, yet it is the largest skate species in the world, reaching up to three meters in length. These prehistoric-looking fish…

The world's most famous cycling race is set to make history in 2027 as both the men's and women's Tour de France will begin in Britain. Edinburgh has been chosen to host the prestigious Grand Depart for the men's race, marking a significant milestone for UK cycling. A Landmark Moment for British Cycling For the first time, both the men's and women's editions of the Tour de France will begin in the same country outside of France in the same year. Scotland, Wales, and England will each host a stage, bringing elite-level cycling back to British roads. The full route…