Chris Muir

In a landmark move, the Scottish government has for the first time invoked rarely used legal powers to force a red deer cull on a Highland estate — sparking renewed debate over land management, environmental protection, and the balance between tradition and ecology. First-ever compulsory cull order under Deer Act Scotland’s nature agency NatureScot has stepped in to compel the owners of Loch Choire Estate in Sutherland to dramatically reduce deer numbers on their property. The move, approved by Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie, marks the first use of a compulsory deer management control scheme under the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996.…

GLASGOW – The awarding of a multimillion-pound CalMac ferry contract to Polish shipbuilder Remontowa has reignited debate over Scotland’s approach to public procurement, as it emerged that no “social value” criteria were used in evaluating the bids. The contract—worth just over £150 million for seven electric vessels—was awarded last month by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL), the state-owned ferry procurement body. Port Glasgow-based Ferguson Marine, the only Scottish shipyard shortlisted, lost out on price despite performing well technically. Procurement officials confirmed that social value was not scored due to fears of legal challenge from overseas bidders. Ferguson, a nationalised yard,…

LONDON – Britain’s local government system is sprawling, layered, and often opaque. As voters across England, Scotland, and Wales prepare for the 2025 local elections, the patchwork of councils that serve them is under growing scrutiny — and possible reform. The UK government’s December 2024 white paper on English devolution and local governance set out plans for sweeping structural changes. But for now, the rules of engagement vary sharply depending on geography, with Scotland and Wales operating under simpler unitary models, while England remains divided by single-tier, two-tier, and overlapping authorities. A three-nation system Despite similarities in overall responsibilities —…

A small Angus-based tech firm is making waves across the UK’s business scene after being shortlisted for not one, but two major awards in this year’s Scotland StartUp Awards. AgriAudit, a farm-focused audit management app founded just last year, is in the running for both Digital StartUp of the Year and Innovative StartUp of the Year—recognition that’s caught the eye of the industry and beyond. From Farm Fields to Finalist List The brain behind AgriAudit is Tom Porter, a local entrepreneur who launched the app in 2024. His idea? Streamline the painful, paper-heavy audit process that’s become a thorn in…

Scotland’s ferry procurement agency has confirmed that no social value scoring was included in the recent £160 million contract award for seven new CalMac ferries—despite mounting political pressure and questions over support for domestic shipbuilding. Ferguson Loses Out on Price—Not Performance The state-owned Ferguson Marine shipyard in Port Glasgow lost the bid to Polish yard Remontowa, which undercut rivals with an offer of just over £21 million per vessel. BBC Scotland understands Ferguson performed well on technical criteria but fell short on cost, which accounted for 35% of the evaluation. The result dealt a blow to Ferguson’s hopes of securing…

The final turbine has been successfully installed at the Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) offshore wind farm off the coast of Scotland, marking a significant milestone in the 450-megawatt project’s development. The last turbine was erected on Monday morning, according to an announcement posted on the project’s official social media account. Jointly owned by a subsidiary of EDF Renewables and Irish utility ESB, the NnG wind farm is now entering the final stages of commissioning and is expected to become fully operational by summer 2025. Positioned in the North Sea, Built for Impact Located 15.5 kilometres (9.6 miles) off the coast…

GLASGOW – Claire Nelson’s message is simple but bold: if Scotland wants to become a global leader in economic growth and innovation, it must unlock the full potential of its women. And the country, she argues, is still falling short. From boardrooms to business networks, and startup incubators to sports arenas, Nelson—a mother of four, entrepreneur, and prominent advocate for women in leadership—is calling for coordinated national action to create a business ecosystem where women don’t just survive but thrive. The Business Case for Inclusion In her address ahead of the Scottish Growth Summit in Glasgow this month—a business forum…

An ambitious £450 million upgrade to the electricity network in the north of Scotland is set to power more than just homes—it’s lighting up the job market too, with over 300 new roles expected to be created in the coming years. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution announced the massive investment, describing it as a crucial step in making the region’s power grid fit for a low-carbon future. Powering the Highlands, Islands, and Everything In Between The north of Scotland is home to some of the most beautiful—and challenging—terrain in the UK. From rugged coastal villages to the remote…

A wildfire raging in Galloway Forest Park has continued for more than 24 hours, prompting landowners to deploy a helicopter to dump water over the remote hills of Dumfries and Galloway. Emergency crews remain at the scene near Newton Stewart as firefighters battle to contain the blaze in increasingly dry and volatile conditions. It's the latest in a growing series of wildfire incidents plaguing Scotland as fire risks climb to “extreme” levels across the country. Fire continues to burn on Craiglee hill after 24 hours The fire first broke out around 4:14pm on Thursday afternoon. It’s now been burning for…