Dayna Bass

Health officials warn of sustained high temperatures across England, while Scotland and Northern Ireland brace for storms and possible flooding. Alert Covers Seven English Regions England’s prolonged spell of hot weather has prompted the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to extend a yellow heat health alert for seven regions until 18:00 BST on 18 August. The notice applies to Yorkshire and Humber, the East and West Midlands, London, the South East, South West, and East of England. The warning level has been downgraded from amber, but authorities say vulnerable groups, including older people and those with pre-existing health conditions, remain…

Scotland’s fintech hub just got two heavyweight additions. Global law firm CMS and payments giant Mastercard have signed on as strategic partners, promising to bring fresh legal muscle, technological expertise, and international reach to the country’s growing financial innovation scene. Big Names Step Into Scotland’s Fintech Arena The announcement marks a significant step for FinTech Scotland’s cluster, which already includes more than 35 strategic partners from across finance, technology, and academia. Now, with CMS and Mastercard in the mix, there’s a sense that the collaborative network is shifting gears. FinTech Scotland says the move reflects “continued momentum” in the sector.…

Two seasoned digital media figures are relocating to Scotland to launch a consultancy focused on one of the internet’s busiest platforms — YouTube. Caitlin Meek O’Connor and Mark MacDonald, a married pair with heavyweight experience in broadcast and online content, have unveiled Ferry, a service aimed at helping companies build strategy, teams, and structures for video and social operations. A Move That’s Both Business and Personal For the couple, Scotland offers more than just a backdrop. It’s a base for a new chapter. Meek O’Connor leaves her post as head of Night Train Digital after two years, while MacDonald has…

In an era when luxury Scotch whisky seems to defy gravity on both price and marketing hype, The Glenturret has just done something unusual: it’s offering one of its oldest and rarest single malts for a price that, while hardly modest, undercuts many of its peers by a wide margin. Only 50 bottles of The Glenturret 30 Year Old 2025 Annual Release exist worldwide. Priced at $2,580 (£2,100), the release stands out not only for its scarcity but for its restrained valuation. The distillery, based in Crieff and dating back to 1763, appears to be making a statement — rarity…

Scotland women’s captain Rachel Malcolm has hit out at the “disruptive” build-up to the Rugby World Cup, saying her squad has been left in an “unfair” position by uncertainty over contracts and the shock news of their head coach’s departure. The blunt assessment comes as the team faces not just the physical demands of tournament preparation, but also a string of off-pitch distractions threatening to sap morale. Contract Chaos Creates Anxiety Some players still don’t know if they’ll have a contract once the final whistle blows at the World Cup.It’s August, the tournament is just around the corner, and for…

EDINBURGH — August 12, 2025 — Almost 80 community-led regeneration projects across Scotland are set to share more than £2.5 million in fresh funding, as the Scottish Government moves to unlock the economic potential of local areas while tackling persistent social challenges. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes confirmed the investment under the Strengthening Communities Programme for the 2025–26 financial year, marking the initiative’s 13th year of operation. The programme will continue to support 62 existing organisations and launch work with a further 15 new recipients. Edinburgh Groups Among Beneficiaries Several Edinburgh-based initiatives will receive targeted funding, including: North Edinburgh –…

Scotland is putting another £40 million behind its clean transport ambitions, aiming to add as many as 300 zero-emission buses to its public fleet and cut carbon from one of the country’s biggest polluting sectors. Building on Years of Investment The money comes through the second round of the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund — known as ScotZEB2 — and marks the final round of major support for large operators transitioning their fleets. Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop framed the move as both an environmental and economic opportunity. “Since 2020, we have invested over £154 million in zero-emission…

Cottages.com reveals the best places in Scotland where kids can run wild, climb high, and get gloriously dirty — just how childhood should be. Big Skies, Bigger Smiles: Scotland’s Nature Playground Forget the tablets, ditch the theme parks — sometimes, all a kid really needs is a puddle, a hill, and permission to jump into both. That’s the spirit behind a new list released by cottages.com, spotlighting the best outdoor adventures for children across Scotland. The roundup, revealed on July 30, highlights not just places to visit, but experiences — the kind that turn a weekend into a lifelong memory.…

Scotland is grappling with the wide-reaching impact of Storm Floris, as the intense summer tempest continues to unleash chaos across multiple sectors — from education and energy to policing and postal services. Exam Results Delayed in Islands More than 147,000 school pupils across Scotland are receiving their National, Higher, Advanced Higher, Skills for Work, National Progression Awards, and National Certificates results today. However, the excitement has been dampened for many, particularly in the Outer Hebrides, Orkney, and Shetland, where storm-related postal disruptions have delayed certificate deliveries. While students expecting email or text results remain unaffected, those relying on first-class postal…

Lashing winds, fallen trees, power cuts and festival chaos — Storm Floris has left much of Scotland reeling after it barrelled across the country with brutal force. Travel ground to a halt, iconic events were called off, and authorities scrambled to keep people safe as the storm hit right in the middle of Scotland’s tourist season. Heavy rain, crashing waves, and gusts nearing hurricane strength made Monday a washout for thousands of residents and visitors alike. 90 mph gusts bring down power lines and trees across Scotland By Monday afternoon, parts of northern Scotland were seeing wind speeds climb to…