Dayna Bass

Scotland's health secretary Neil Gray announced on October 28, 2025, a major funding boost of £531 million for GP surgeries to hire more staff over the next three years. This move aims to ease access to family doctors and strengthen community health services amid ongoing pressures on the NHS. Funding Details and Breakdown The investment marks the largest ever in core GP services in Scotland. It will help recruit additional doctors and support staff starting next year. Officials say this cash injection addresses years of underfunding and supports digital tools like electronic prescriptions. The funding rolls out in stages tied…

Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd in Scotland has picked ABB to supply power systems for seven new all electric ferries. This move comes as part of a big push to update old boats and cut down on pollution in the west coast areas. Deal Highlights and Timeline The contract goes to ABB from Remontowa Shipbuilding in Poland. They will handle the power setup and drive systems for these boats. Work starts now and the ferries should arrive from late 2027 through early 2029. This fits into CMALs plan to swap out small ships and fix up ports too. The Scottish Government…

Scotland's government is pushing forward with the Natural Environment Bill, but Part 2 has ignited fierce opposition from environmental groups who fear it could weaken key safeguards for the country's wild landscapes and wildlife. As the bill nears a critical deadline on October 31, 2025, campaigners from the Scottish Greens and others urge lawmakers to scrap these controversial powers to prevent exploitation by powerful interests. What the Natural Environment Bill Aims to Achieve The Natural Environment Bill, introduced in February 2025, seeks to address Scotland's pressing environmental challenges amid ongoing climate and biodiversity crises. It outlines measures to restore habitats, set…

Demand for hair restoration procedures in Scotland has spiked this year, leading to higher costs as more people seek solutions for thinning hair. Experts now share what patients should know about pricing, options, and outcomes to make smart choices amid the rising trend. Why Costs Are Climbing in Scottish Clinics Scotland sees a growing number of men and women turning to hair transplants to boost confidence and address hair loss. This surge stems from better awareness of treatments and advances in techniques that promise natural results. In major cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow, clinics report full schedules, which pushes prices…

Scotland's cabinet secretary for rural affairs, Mairi Gougeon, plans to unveil the latest economic value of the agritourism and farm retail sector at the Scottish Agritourism Conference on November 27, 2025, in Perth. This key event highlights how farms, crofts, and estates contribute to the rural economy through visitor experiences and local products. Key Details of the Upcoming Conference The conference takes place at Perth Concert Hall and draws business owners, farmers, and industry experts for a full day of sessions. Organizers describe it as the largest annual gathering for the sector, with a focus on growth and innovation. Delegates…

Scotland's potato sector faces tough times from trade blocks and climate shifts, but new tech and global deals offer hope for growth. Growers produce about one million tonnes yearly, supporting farms and jobs across rural areas. Trade Hurdles Shake Up Exports Scottish seed potatoes have long been prized for their quality, with strict controls keeping diseases low in the cool climate. Exports hit hard after Brexit cut off EU markets, costing around 11 million pounds each year since 2021. Growers turned to places like Egypt, which now takes over 50,000 tonnes a year, or 60 percent of total exports. This…

Deep in Edinburgh's Greyfriars Kirkyard sits the eerie George MacKenzie Mausoleum, final home to one of Scotland's most brutal figures. Known as Bloody Mackenzie, this 17th century lawyer persecuted thousands of Covenanters during the Killing Times, and today his spirit is blamed for attacks on visitors that leave scratches and bruises. Who Was Bloody Mackenzie and His Dark Legacy George MacKenzie rose to power as Lord Advocate under King Charles II in the late 1600s. He earned his grim nickname for his role in crushing religious dissent among the Covenanters, Presbyterians who fought to keep their faith pure against royal…

Thousands of people flocked to Paisley in Renfrewshire, Scotland, for the opening night of the Paisley Halloween Festival on October 24, 2025, kicking off a two-day event expected to draw 45,000 visitors overall. This family-friendly celebration, now in its 11th year, transforms the historic town center into a spooky wonderland with parades, live shows, and fun attractions that highlight Scotland's growing love for Halloween traditions. A Decade of Spooky Success and Steady Growth The Paisley Halloween Festival started small back in 2014, pulling in just 5,000 attendees for its debut. Organizers aimed to create a safe, exciting space for families…

A new investigation shows that Prime Minister Keir Starmer's pledge to secure thousands of defence jobs in Scotland through a major warship deal falls short of reality. The report highlights deep insecurities at key shipyards in Govan and Scotstoun, where work may not last beyond the next decade despite government claims. The £10bn Norway Deal Sparks Job Hopes In August 2025, the UK government sealed a landmark £10 billion agreement to build Type 26 frigates for the Norwegian navy. These advanced anti-submarine warships will take shape at BAE Systems' facility in Govan, Glasgow, with construction set to bolster the local…

A Utah judge sentenced Nicholas Rossi to between five years and life in prison on October 20, 2025, for raping a woman in Salt Lake County back in 2008. Rossi, whose real name is Nicholas Alahverdian, had faked his own death and fled to Scotland to dodge the charges, but authorities tracked him down after years on the run. This marks the first conviction in a pair of similar cases from the same year, with another sentencing set for November. The case highlights how determined fugitives can evade justice for over a decade, yet persistent investigations and international cooperation eventually…