Dayna Bass

Moat Brae, the Dumfries mansion that inspired JM Barrie’s Peter Pan, has been sold to a local property investor after months of uncertainty. The Victorian villa, which once operated as a children’s literature centre, had been on the market since last year following the collapse of the Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust (PPMBT). Long-Awaited Deal Finalized Liquidators overseeing the sale confirmed that a deal had been completed, though the identity of the buyer and the sale price remain undisclosed. The closing date for offers passed more than five months ago, yet negotiations continued before an agreement was finally reached. Alistair…

Two Largs Academy pupils played a crucial role in Scotland under-18s' hard-fought 1-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland on March 27. The match, held at Stenhousemuir, extended Scotland’s strong run in the competition, which also included an emphatic 6-2 triumph over England at Cappielow. With seven points from three matches, Scotland now looks ahead to next week's showdown in Belfast, where the final result will determine whether they secure the championship title. Rising Talents Representing Scotland Josh Gilmour and Fraser Rodger, both standout players from Largs Academy, earned starting positions in the crucial fixture. Their performances were lauded by…

A stark warning has been issued to Scottish councils after a school ceiling collapse in Aberdeenshire exposed potential risks with certain roof trusses. The incident, which occurred at Slains School in Collieston, has sparked urgent inspections and concerns over structural safety in other schools across the region. Structural Failure Before School Hours It was sheer luck that no one was harmed when the ceiling at Slains School came crashing down on March 10. The collapse happened before pupils arrived, preventing what could have been a devastating tragedy. A confidential Aberdeenshire Council report, seen by BBC Scotland News, pointed to "deficiencies…

First Minister John Swinney has led an outpouring of grief following the passing of Scottish government minister Christina McKelvie. The SNP minister, known for her warmth, loyalty, and tireless public service, died at Glasgow Royal Infirmary on Thursday morning at the age of 57. A Life of Public Service Cut Short McKelvie had been a familiar figure in Scottish politics for nearly two decades. First elected as an MSP for Central Scotland in 2007, she later became the representative for Hamilton, Larkhall, and Stonehouse in 2011. Her contributions to the Scottish government spanned several key roles, including her most recent…

Police Scotland has officially begun deploying body-worn video cameras across the country, starting with officers in Tayside this week. The move marks a significant step in the force’s commitment to enhancing accountability, transparency, and public confidence in law enforcement. These new cameras, supplied by Motorola, are expected to provide crucial evidence in criminal cases while also safeguarding officers from unfounded complaints. The rollout follows extensive trials and consultations, with law enforcement officials highlighting the benefits seen in other UK police forces. The technology records interactions between officers and the public, offering an unbiased record of events. “This is a game-changer…

Scottish ministers have given the go-ahead for a massive 200MW/400MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in Bathgate, marking a significant step in Scotland’s renewable energy transition. The project, developed by OnPath Energy, is set to bring a £130 million investment and could be operational by 2031. A Key Milestone in Scotland’s Energy Storage The large-scale BESS received approval from the Scottish government’s Energy Consents Unit (ECU) on March 24. This follows a unanimous decision in October by West Lothian Council’s executive committee in favor of the project. Covering approximately 2.4 hectares, the site will feature: 74 containerised battery storage units…

Scotland’s commitment to promoting physical activity (PA) has been evident since the establishment of its devolved government in 1999. The white paper Towards a Healthier Scotland set the stage for a nationwide push toward increased physical activity and sports participation. However, a quarter-century later, the question remains: has Scotland truly become a more active nation? The Landscape of Sport and Physical Activity in Scotland The provision and governance of sport and physical activity in Scotland are complex, with multiple stakeholders involved at both national and local levels. Local Authorities manage public sports facilities, although many now operate under arm’s-length leisure…

A major step forward for Scotland's hydrogen industry is taking shape in Aberdeen. German certification and testing giant TÜV SÜD has been named the operator of a cutting-edge green hydrogen test facility, a move expected to accelerate the development of hydrogen technology across the UK. The project, developed by UK-based ETZ, is slated to launch in early 2027. Aberdeen's Hydrogen Hub Gains Momentum The Green Hydrogen Test and Demonstration Facility (GHTDF) will be located within Aberdeen's Energy Transition Zone, a key site for the UK’s net-zero ambitions. Designed as an open-access hub, the facility will provide essential infrastructure to test…

Scottish police are facing a major roadblock in their use of facial recognition technology. A new report reveals that only 2 percent of biometric searches return a match, largely due to poor-quality custody images stored in national databases. The findings have sparked fresh calls for policy changes and technological improvements. Biometric Matching Hit by Low-Quality Images A joint review by Scottish Biometrics Commissioner Dr. Brian Plastow and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) has flagged a serious problem: many custody images collected between 2019 and 2024 are unusable for forensic facial recognition. This means police are struggling to…

Research and development in Scotland’s bio-based manufacturing sector is getting a major boost, thanks to a fresh injection of funding. Innovate UK’s Launchpad programme has allocated £5 million to support 19 projects focused on industrial biotechnology, sustainable manufacturing, and skills development. Millions Secured for Bio-Based Innovation A total of 19 projects have successfully secured funding through this latest round. Of these, 11 fall under the category of collaborative research and development initiatives, while the remaining eight are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that applied through the Minimal Financial Assistance strand. These projects aim to: Expand the use of industrial biotechnology…