Dayna Bass

A shocking twist from the UK Covid Inquiry: Scotland’s main care home watchdog says it was blocked from inspecting a struggling care home at the height of the pandemic — leaving grieving families demanding answers. Safety Watchdog Kept Out as Crisis Unfolded Kevin Mitchell, the Care Inspectorate’s executive director of scrutiny and assurance, told the UK Covid Inquiry he was stopped from visiting a care home in the west of Scotland where several residents died in April 2020. He’d tried to get boots on the ground. But public health officials said no. Mitchell described how he needed permission from local…

Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer has confirmed he’ll stand for co-leadership of his party, setting up a lively contest for the top job after Patrick Harvie’s decision to step down. A Fresh Face for a Party in Transition Greer, 30, is no stranger to Holyrood. Representing the West Scotland region since 2016, he’s built a reputation as one of the Greens’ most outspoken figures — quick with a pointed question, never shy about tackling controversy head-on. His candidacy, expected for weeks but now official, signals the party’s next phase as it tries to hold on to its hard-won place at…

A new wave of 5G-enabled robotics is taking root in Scotland’s fields, promising to tackle some of farming’s toughest challenges — from labour shortages to sustainable food production. Scotland’s Tech and Farming Minds Join Forces At the heart of this push is a powerhouse collaboration: The National Robotarium at Heriot-Watt University, The James Hutton Institute, The Scotland 5G Centre, Boston Dynamics, and Freshwave. Together, they’re developing robots that do more than just trundle up and down fields — they gather real-time data, chat with each other over high-speed private 5G networks, and adjust their actions plant by plant. Andrew Christie,…

Oscar Black didn’t just swim across the North Channel — he fought stinging jellyfish, punishing currents and his own self-doubt to set a record that’ll be hard to beat. At just 15, the Lurgan teenager made history last week as the youngest person ever to complete the gruelling swim solo from Northern Ireland to Scotland. A Long Cold Stretch of Sea On paper, the route looks deceptively simple: the Gobbins in County Antrim to Portpatrick in Scotland — 35 kilometres if you fly it. But the sea has its own plans. Oscar ended up swimming a total of 46km (28.5…

A quiet patch of land near Inverness just turned into Scotland’s hottest archaeological site after a construction crew stumbled upon something truly extraordinary: a 2,200-year-old Iron Age ceremonial wheel. The find is already sparking debate among historians who say it could reshape how we think about ancient Highland societies. A Chance Find on a Golf Course It all began when workers started clearing ground for a new golf course. They expected rocks and rubble — maybe a few old coins at best. But instead, they hit metal. One sentence: What they found was a complete iron tire, once clamped around…

How often do work nights out end up blurry, with regretful Monday hangovers and tales you’d rather forget? Scotland’s top health experts say it’s time we stop laughing it off — and start treating workplace drinking as the serious health risk it is. Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP), the medical alliance fighting Scotland’s alcohol harm crisis, is using Alcohol Awareness Week to kick-start a blunt national conversation: Should booze be so normal in work culture? Scotland’s Stubborn Booze Problem Let’s not kid ourselves. Scotland has a deeply rooted relationship with drink — for better or worse. The latest…

A fresh breeze, golden sand, and a hidden harbour like something out of a storybook — Scotland’s coastlines have made quite the splash this year. The Sunday Times has just dropped its eagerly-awaited Best UK Beaches guide for 2025, and Seacliff in East Lothian has nabbed the crown as Scotland’s beach of the year. Chris Haslam, the Sunday Times’ much-loved chief travel writer, did the hard miles. He toured 756 beaches in a campervan, scoring each one on water quality, cleanliness, dog-friendliness, and all the stuff that makes or breaks a beach day. His verdict? Scotland’s got coastal gems worth…

A pocket-sized harbour, dramatic coastal views, and a quiet stretch of sand have propelled Seacliff in East Lothian to the top of Scotland’s beaches for 2025. Seacliff’s Secret Allure Tucked away just south of Tantallon Castle, Seacliff isn’t your average seaside spot. In fact, many locals would prefer it stayed a secret. One sentence here: But word’s out now. Chris Haslam, the chief travel writer for The Times and Sunday Times, singled out Seacliff from more than 750 contenders across Britain and Northern Ireland. It’s the 17th edition of the famous Best UK Beaches guide — so yes, the competition’s…

Scots from Skye to Bute are being told to pack umbrellas, plan for delays, and keep a wary eye on rising rivers as the Met Office rolls out a fresh yellow warning for heavy rain and possible flooding this weekend. The alert covers much of Scotland’s rugged west coast from early Friday morning through to Saturday afternoon — bringing potential travel headaches and soggy plans for thousands. A Wet Start to July for the Highlands and Islands No one in the west is a stranger to rain — but this one’s set to hit harder than your average drizzle. One…

A landmark building, a fresh coat of luxury, and a nod to the past — The Edinburgh Grand has flung open its grand doors again, stepping up as Scotland’s first Luxury Collection Hotel. It’s not every day an old bank becomes a modern icon for high-end stays. After months of light refurbishments and careful repositioning, the historic address on St Andrew Square is promising a blend of Scotland’s timeless charm and the polish of Marriott’s Luxury Collection. Locals and regulars alike can’t help but wonder: is this the start of a new chapter for Edinburgh’s hospitality scene? A Historic Gem…