Dayna Bass

EDINBURGH – Nurses, midwives, and healthcare staff in Scotland have been offered a new two-year pay deal totalling an 8% increase, as part of a package aimed at keeping NHS Scotland salaries ahead of inflation and the highest in the UK. The offer, announced Tuesday by Health Secretary Neil Gray, comprises a 4.25% rise in 2025–26 followed by a 3.75% increase in 2026–27. If accepted, it would cost the Scottish Government approximately £701 million and be underpinned by an inflation guarantee, ensuring annual rises are always at least 1% above CPI. A high-stakes offer The proposal comes amid wider tensions…

Scotland’s new First Minister is pushing for closer links with the United States—just days after Donald Trump reimposed punishing tariffs that could hit the heart of Scotland’s export economy. In New York for Tartan Week, John Swinney struck a confident tone. But behind the tartan and handshakes, concern is mounting over the future of Scotch whisky sales in America—Scotland’s biggest overseas market. Tariffs Cast Shadow Over Tartan Week The US president’s decision to reintroduce tariffs on EU and UK goods—branding the move part of “liberation day” from what he claims are unfair foreign trade rules—has thrown a wrench into the…

Scotland’s Business Minister Richard Lochhead has launched a two-week visit to China and Japan aimed at strengthening economic, cultural and academic ties, as the country seeks to expand trade beyond Europe amid a volatile global market. Whisky, Seafood—and Gaming The trip underscores the rising importance of East Asia to Scotland’s economy. Whisky exports to Japan rose 7% last year, placing it among the top markets by value. Meanwhile, whisky and seafood exports to China have tripled since 2005, according to the Scottish Government. Mr Lochhead will use the visit to promote Scottish innovation in traditional and emerging sectors alike—from distilleries…

Scotland’s fire and rescue services are battling a fresh wave of wildfires this spring, with several blazes reported across the country amid growing warnings that emergency budgets are under unsustainable pressure. Crews were dispatched to southern Scotland on Friday evening to fight a wildfire that rapidly spread over a large forested area, The Guardian reported. Firefighters remained on scene through Saturday afternoon as containment efforts continued. The latest incident follows a string of wildfires over recent days, including a 1.5-mile-wide blaze reported Thursday and a separate grass fire at Gartur Moss in Port of Menteith, Stirling, earlier in the week.…

The heart of Scotland’s whisky belt is bracing for economic whiplash after Donald Trump’s fresh 10% blanket tariff threatens exports and local jobs in one of the country’s most iconic industries. It’s not the first time whisky’s taken a hit from US politics, but folks here are saying this one feels personal. Maybe because of the timing. Maybe because of the scale. Or maybe because it comes from a man who likes to remind us his mother came from the Isle of Lewis. The Tariff Heard Round the Highlands Trump’s new tariff list wasn’t subtle. Printed like a school project,…

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has urged the SNP to shift its focus from constitutional disputes to economic growth, telling party leaders they must create a more welcoming environment for international investors—particularly from long-standing allies like the United States. Sarwar’s remarks came during a high-profile address coinciding with Tartan Week celebrations in New York, where Scotland’s global cultural influence is front and centre. But rather than dwell on heritage alone, Sarwar used the occasion to issue a pointed message: Scotland needs to open its doors, not close ranks. “Growth, Not Grievance” Sarwar’s central argument was blunt. “If Scotland is to…

Scotland’s prison system is facing a mounting crisis as Justice Secretary Angela Constance warns of a “critical risk” to public safety and justice outcomes due to soaring overcrowding levels — prompting calls for a national rethink on the purpose of incarceration. The situation, described by insiders as “beyond breaking point”, has forced the Scottish Government to consider emergency measures — including early release of some inmates and expanded use of electronic tagging. At the heart of the issue is a prison population that has grown sharply in recent years, now exceeding the system’s operating capacity by hundreds. With staff shortages,…

Scotland has seen an explosive rise in cryptocurrency-related crime — up a jaw-dropping 2,000% since 2019 — with drug syndicates, scammers, and cyber crooks turning to Bitcoin and other digital tokens to cover their tracks and clean dirty money. Police Scotland is scrambling to keep up, using new tools and training programs while laying the groundwork for a full-blown Cyber and Fraud Command. But criminals aren’t waiting around. They’ve already made the shift. From Back Alleys to Blockchain Just a few years ago, crypto crime wasn’t even on the radar in most police briefings. Now? It’s all over the docket.…

Glasgow's food scene is about to feel the heat — quite literally. The world-renowned fire-cooking festival Meatopia is heading to Scotland for the first time, and it’s bringing smoke, flames, and an army of celebrated chefs with it. For a city already obsessed with good grub, this isn't just another food festival — it's a searingly hot ticket. From London’s Tobacco Dock to Glasgow’s SWG3 After more than a decade of sold-out success in London, Meatopia is packing up its smokers and heading north. Set to land at Glasgow’s SWG3 from June 6–8, 2025, the event promises a spectacle of…

Scotland’s own Erin Cuthbert is soaking up some home comforts after an intense run with Chelsea. Her return offers a much-needed breather before she gears up for big international challenges. Return to Home Turf: A Breath of Fresh Air Erin Cuthbert is clearly enjoying her time back in Scotland. It feels like a well-earned reset.After weeks of non-stop travel and pressure-packed fixtures, the midfielder relishes the slower pace and warm familiarity of her homeland.Her words paint a picture of relief and belonging. “I just love the refresh here in Scotland and hearing the Scottish accent,” she remarked, a sentiment that…