Dayna Bass

Omulbanin Sultani, a 22-year-old from Afghanistan, now studies medicine at St Andrews University in Scotland. She fled Taliban restrictions on women's education to chase her goal of becoming a dermatologist. This move came through a special program by the Linda Norgrove Foundation, backed by UK and Scottish governments. The Taliban seized power in 2021 and banned women from universities in 2022, shattering many dreams. Escape from Taliban Bans to New Hope Omulbanin left her family and fiancé behind to join 19 other Afghan women in Scotland last year. The group arrived in Edinburgh after a three-year campaign by the foundation,…

A new Scottish Government report reveals stark wealth inequality, with the top 2% of households controlling 18% of the nation's total wealth. Released in August 2025, the data from 2018 to 2020 shows median household wealth at £214,000, while the richest enjoy £1.7 million on average and the poorest scrape by with just £7,600. Key Findings from the Report The report highlights how wealth distribution remains uneven across Scotland. It covers four main types of wealth: physical items like cars and furniture, financial savings, property, and pensions. Experts point out that this gap has stayed wide despite economic shifts. The…

Scotland's salmon industry is on the brink of a major achievement as export sales climb toward a historic £1 billion mark for the first time. Recent figures show exports reached £941 million in the 12 months ending June 2025, with the first half of the year alone bringing in £528 million, driven by booming demand from markets like the United States and Asia. Global Demand Fuels Record Growth The surge in Scottish salmon exports reflects strong international appetite for this premium product. Industry leaders point to rising consumer interest in healthy, sustainable seafood as a key driver. In the first…

Scotland's cities are pushing forward with universal design to make urban spaces more inclusive. Recent updates to building standards and planning frameworks aim to help everyone, from people with disabilities to families and older residents, move around easily. In major hubs like Glasgow and Edinburgh, new policies and projects are reshaping streets, buildings, and transport. This shift comes as part of a broader effort to meet global accessibility goals by 2030, driven by community needs and government action. Key Policies Driving Change in Scotland Scotland's government has rolled out fresh guidelines to boost urban accessibility. The Scottish Accessible Homes Standard,…

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 –…