Dayna Bass

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.…

The Scottish Football Association isn’t waiting around. With Steve Clarke entering the final stretch of his contract, SFA chief Ian Maxwell has admitted they’re already scanning for a potential new boss — just in case. Clarke has brought Scotland back into the spotlight, leading the national side to two consecutive Euros. But his future remains uncertain, and behind the scenes, the wheels are turning. Clarke's Contract Clock Is Ticking Steve Clarke signed on the dotted line in May 2019. It wasn’t just any appointment — it was one loaded with expectations and a touch of desperation. Scotland had missed major…

GLASGOW — Scotland is set for a burst of summer heat in the coming days, with temperatures climbing into the mid-20s Celsius—potentially making this week the warmest of the year so far. But don’t pack away the waterproofs just yet. The sizzle will be tempered by a wave of heavy, thundery downpours sweeping across the country. Warmest Spell of 2025 Incoming? Wednesday saw temperatures peak at 22°C officially in parts of the Highlands, Perthshire, Renfrewshire, and Aberdeenshire. But many personal weather stations reported even higher readings, with some Glasgow and North Lanarkshire monitors registering 24°C—making it one of the hottest…