Chris Muir

Tucked away in the charming village of Muthill, just a short drive from Crieff, Coorie Inn is a countryside escape that blends history, comfort, and exceptional food. Run by two former Gleneagles chefs, this boutique hotel brings a touch of culinary excellence to the heart of central Scotland. With only six bedrooms and a warm, intimate atmosphere, it’s the kind of place where relaxation and indulgence go hand in hand. Rooms with Character and Comfort Coorie Inn’s six rooms maintain a traditional aesthetic, featuring antique wooden furniture, high ceilings, and rich fabrics that mirror the natural surroundings. The olive-green palette,…

Scotland marked the fifth anniversary of the Covid-19 pandemic with a solemn day of reflection, as First Minister John Swinney led commemorations at Glasgow Green. The event honored those who lost their lives and paid tribute to frontline workers who served during the crisis. A Solemn Gathering at Glasgow Green Bereaved families and community members gathered in Glasgow Green on Sunday for a poignant remembrance ceremony. The event was part of a UK-wide day of reflection, recognizing the immense toll of the pandemic. A lone piper led mourners through the park, setting the tone for the ceremony. As the procession…

Scottish and Indian business leaders have intensified their efforts to strengthen economic ties, with a renewed emphasis on regional cooperation across key sectors such as renewable energy, life sciences, IT, and whisky. A Direct Approach to Business Expansion Raghav Singhal, head of ICICI Bank’s UK unit, did not mince words when explaining how Scottish businesses looking to enter India could benefit from a seamless setup process. "We can get you set up on day one, and your employees’ bank accounts opened the day they land," he stated at a recent business gathering in Edinburgh. His remarks were part of a…

Clark Contracts has reached a major milestone in the construction of The Pepper Mill, a new student accommodation project in Edinburgh. The six-storey development, located on Dunedin Street, is set to provide 155 beds and high-quality amenity spaces for students, with completion expected in late 2025. Aiming for Sustainability and Digital Excellence The project is designed with sustainability in mind. It is targeting a BREEAM Excellent rating, an industry-recognized certification for sustainable building practices. Among its green features are roof-mounted air-source heat pumps and an advanced sustainable urban drainage system incorporating green and blue roofs. In addition to environmental considerations,…

A grieving sister has paid an emotional tribute to her "kind and bright" brother, Amen Teklay, who lost his life in a violent incident in Glasgow. The 15-year-old was found seriously injured on Clarendon Street in the city's St George's Cross area on Wednesday night. Despite the efforts of emergency services, he was pronounced dead at the scene. 'He Was My Best Friend,' Says Heartbroken Sister Delina Teklay, 17, spoke about her brother with deep affection, recalling the bond they shared. "He was not just my brother, he was my best friend," she told BBC Scotland News. "He was the…

A new partnership agreement aims to deepen financial and fintech collaborations between Scotland and India, opening doors for innovation, investment, and industry growth. Agreement Sealed at Holyrood Business leaders from Scotland and India came together on March 6 to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening connections in financial services and fintech. The agreement, formalized at the Scottish Parliament, marks a significant step toward enhanced cooperation between the two nations. The MoU was signed by Scottish Financial Enterprise (SFE) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) during an event attended by Members of the…

Beavers from Scotland have been released into the wild in England for the first time under new regulations introduced last week. Conservationists hope their return will boost biodiversity, while some farmers remain skeptical about potential damage to farmland. Beavers Make a Comeback in England A group of beavers was released along a riverbank in Dorset, marking a historic moment for wildlife restoration efforts in the country. These animals, captured from Scotland, were relocated under newly relaxed rules designed to reintroduce species that once thrived in England's waterways. The project, backed by environmental groups, aims to restore the beaver population and…

Scotland is advancing its push for marine renewables with a groundbreaking wave energy cluster concept. Wave Energy Scotland (WES) has introduced a design for a multi-megawatt cluster of wave energy converters (WECs), aiming to enhance efficiency and reduce offshore energy costs. A New Approach to Wave Energy Deployment The WES proposal focuses on clustering multiple WECs into a single moored and electrically connected unit. This setup could optimize offshore energy generation by improving capacity density, minimizing infrastructure needs, and streamlining operations. According to WES, key benefits include: Fewer moorings and shorter tethers, reducing environmental impact Decreased dynamic cabling, cutting down…

Standing in the heart of Lower Largo, a quaint Scottish seaside village, a weathered plaque catches the eye. Above it, a lone figure is carved in stone—one hand shielding his gaze, the other clutching a staff. Dressed in tattered rags, a flintlock pistol tucked in his belt, he stares out to sea. This is Alexander Selkirk, the mariner who inspired Daniel Defoe’s famous castaway, Robinson Crusoe. A Walk Through Literary History Selkirk was born here in 1676, and his remarkable survival story became the foundation for one of the most celebrated novels in English literature. The Fife Coastal Path, a…

The haunting wail of keening, an ancient Irish vocal tradition once nearly silenced, is finding new life. Singer Rose Connolly is reshaping the practice, blending it with synthesisers, distortion, and drone sounds, creating an auditory bridge between past and present. The Ancient Art of Keening For centuries, keening was an integral part of Irish mourning rituals. Women, known as keeners, would sing over the dead, their voices carrying raw grief in unstructured melodies. But by the early 20th century, the Catholic Church had largely suppressed the tradition, considering it too pagan, too unruly. Now, Connolly is not just reviving keening—she’s…