Dayna Bass

PARIS – Scotland’s LoganAir is taking a bold step toward decarbonising regional aviation, announcing this week a landmark partnership with hydrogen-electric engine developer ZeroAvia. The airline, best known for servicing remote Scottish islands and underserved regional routes, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore the potential adoption of ZeroAvia’s cutting-edge hydrogen-electric propulsion systems. The announcement was made during the Paris Air Show on Tuesday, further cementing the show’s growing focus on sustainable aviation technologies. Flying into the Future Under the agreement, LoganAir and ZeroAvia will collaborate on assessing the feasibility of installing hydrogen-electric engines on LoganAir’s fleet of De…

With a 2027 rollout, Scotland aligns with France, Japan, Thailand, and others by embracing tourist taxes to protect local services and share tourism's cost with travellers. Scotland is officially stepping into the global spotlight on travel policy—not by launching a new campaign, but by asking tourists to chip in. A new tourist levy, roughly £4.83 per hotel night, is set to take effect in January 2027. It's Scotland’s biggest move yet to balance economic benefits from tourism with the swelling strain it puts on city infrastructure, public spaces, and local communities. And it’s not going it alone. From Bangkok to…

Scotland could be on the brink of losing out in the multi-billion-pound robotics boom unless it urgently tackles barriers stalling homegrown innovation, a leading tech expert has warned. A new four-point plan hopes to change that — but the clock is ticking. Robotics Chief Warns Scotland is Slipping Behind It was a stark message, and Stewart Miller didn’t sugar-coat it. Speaking from the National Robotarium at Heriot-Watt University, Miller, who leads the cutting-edge research facility, said Scotland risks being “left behind” while countries like China and the US power ahead in the robotics space. The numbers are hard to ignore.…

Scotland’s flagship Open Market Shared Equity plan is shifting focus, squeezing out first-time buyers in favor of targeted groups. The Scottish Government has revamped its OMSE (Open Market Shared Equity) scheme, removing most first-time buyers except those in priority categories such as social renters and people with disabilities. Critics say the changes risk sidelining young Scots struggling with high rents and mortgage hurdles. Priority Groups Prevail—But at What Cost? First-time buyers, once the backbone of OMSE, now find themselves largely ineligible. This shift follows a sharp fall in scheme participation last year. Government officials argue that narrowing the focus will…

A quiet patch of farmland near Ochiltree might soon become one of Scotland’s most significant digital infrastructure hubs. Apatura, a developer known for battery energy storage projects, has submitted early plans to build a large-scale data center campus in East Ayrshire, with potential capacity to rival many of the UK’s existing data infrastructure projects. The 200MW project could reshape not just East Ayrshire’s economy, but also Scotland’s broader ambitions in the global data center market. From Agriculture to Algorithms: What’s Planned in Ochiltree? Apatura, through its vehicle Apatura DC Project 12 Ltd, has filed for an Environmental Impact Assessment Screening…

In a night of soaring artistry and youthful brilliance, accordionist Sofía Ros has been named BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Classical Musician of the Year 2025, marking a major milestone in the career of the young musician who moved from Spain to Scotland in pursuit of her classical dreams. Ros clinched the title at the grand final held at Glasgow’s City Halls on 14 June, performing alongside the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Andrew Gourlay, in a live broadcast event that blended raw talent, musical complexity, and stage charisma. A Stirring Victory The 2025 final saw three exceptional young musicians…

For over a week, inmates at Scotland Correctional Institution have been sweltering inside cells without air conditioning—while loved ones on the outside are furious and demanding action. Some say the conditions are putting lives at risk. Others call it outright abuse. Heat, Health, and Helplessness Inside the Prison Walls When the air conditioning broke down at Scotland Correctional Institution in North Carolina’s Scotland County, inmates were left to deal with stifling heat. Temperatures have climbed well over 80°F. For many, the heat is unbearable. For some, it’s dangerous. “I wouldn’t wish this on anyone,” said a woman whose husband is…

An increasing number of Americans are crossing the Atlantic — not just for tartan and tourism — but for property. Whether driven by a desire for a lifestyle change, retirement plans, or simply the dream of owning a piece of rugged coastline or historic charm, Scotland is having a real moment among U.S. buyers. According to Alan Cumming of property firm Rettie, interest from the United States is soaring. "We’ve seen an 18% rise in web traffic from American users over the past year alone," he said. And it’s not just window shopping. U.S. buyer enquiries to Rightmove, the UK’s…

A wave of eco-conscious travel is sweeping across the Scottish Highlands, as 3,000 tourists sign a pledge to travel responsibly on the iconic North Coast 500 route. Locals are hopeful this growing movement can ease the burden on their communities—without slowing the tourist boom. Scenic Beauty, But at What Cost? The North Coast 500—or NC500 for short—is no hidden gem anymore. Stretching 830 km around the Highlands, starting and ending in Inverness, this rugged route is on every road-tripper’s dream list. And that’s both a blessing and a bit of a headache. Local businesses have welcomed the economic boost. But…

Nine previously unseen artworks by the late Alasdair Gray — one of Scotland’s most beloved and eccentric creative minds — are to go on public display this weekend at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow, the place that first sparked his lifelong love for visual art. The intimate pieces, part of the Morag McAlpine Bequest, were gifted to Glasgow Life Museums in 2014 following the death of Gray’s wife. Now, a decade later and in what would have been Gray’s 90th year, the works will be unveiled to the public for the first time in Kelvingrove’s Fragile Art Gallery.…