Dayna Bass

Scotland's top dementia researchers are demanding a bigger slice of UK government funding, arguing that they are being sidelined despite the country leading crucial advances in brain health, diagnosis, and treatment. Alzheimer Scotland, backed by former First Minister Henry McLeish, has called for 10% of new dementia research funding to be allocated north of the border. Calls for Fair Funding Share Alzheimer Scotland CEO Henry Simmons has formally written to the Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray MP, urging a more equitable distribution of UK dementia research funding. He claims Scottish scientists face restrictions that limit their ability to…

Success should be a cause for celebration, not condemnation. Yet, in political circles, thriving industries often find themselves caught in the crossfire of ideological battles. Tavish Scott, Chief Executive of Salmon Scotland, is urging Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) to rally behind the nation’s booming salmon sector rather than critique its achievements. With jobs and economic growth at stake, he argues that supporting this success story is essential for Scotland’s future. A Booming Industry Under Fire Scotland’s salmon industry is one of the country’s biggest economic success stories. As the UK’s largest food export, Scottish salmon generates billions in…

Crime writer Val McDermid isn’t just telling stories—she’s making a case. And it’s one that’s hard to argue against. Scotland’s libraries are closing at an alarming rate, and the evidence points to a tragic loss for communities, education, and culture. If this were a crime novel, the investigation would be underway. But in reality, the suspect isn’t just one villain—it’s systemic neglect, funding shortages, and perhaps, a lack of public urgency. The Lifeline of Literature: More Than Just Books Libraries are more than just buildings filled with books. They are community hubs, places of learning, and sometimes, the only access…

The latest exhibition at Edinburgh’s Dovecot Studios is turning heads with a rare and vibrant showcase of Scotland’s most revolutionary painters. ‘The Scottish Colourists: Radical Perspectives’ presents a striking collection of works by Samuel John Peploe, John Duncan Fergusson, Francis Campbell Boileau Cadell, and George Leslie Hunter—artists who once stood shoulder to shoulder with Europe’s avant-garde masters. A Bold Artistic Revival For years, the Scottish Colourists were overshadowed by their European contemporaries. But this exhibition changes that narrative. It brings together privately held works rarely seen by the public, offering a fresh perspective on these artists who reshaped British modern…

Mowi expects to harvest almost 40,000 gutted weight tonnes of salmon in Scotland in the first half of this year, buoyed by improved biological performance, higher volumes, and reduced costs. Strong Performance Boosts Profitability Mowi Scotland has turned around its financial performance significantly. The company reported an operating profit of €110.6 million (£92.2m) for 2024, with €23.2 million recorded in Q4 alone. This is a stark contrast to the €1.1 million loss in the same period of 2023. Operating profit per kilo jumped to €1.37 from -€0.10 in Q4 2023. The company attributed its 141% price achievement over the reference…

A landmark reform in Scottish financial law is set to take effect on April 1, 2025, with the introduction of the Moveable Transactions (Scotland) Act 2023. This long-anticipated legislation is expected to transform how businesses and lenders create security over moveable assets, bringing Scotland in line with other major jurisdictions. What the New Law Changes Historically, Scotland's legal framework for taking security over moveable assets—such as receivables, intellectual property, and inventory—has been seen as outdated compared to England and other international markets. The new Act introduces two key mechanisms that will modernize the system: Statutory Pledge – Allows businesses and…

A psychiatric unit in Glasgow, meant to provide care for vulnerable teenagers, is now at the center of disturbing allegations. Former patients of Skye House, Scotland's largest children's psychiatric hospital, claim they were mocked, restrained excessively, and subjected to cruel treatment by nurses. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has issued an apology, calling the claims "deeply concerning," and has launched two investigations following a BBC Disclosure report. Patients Speak Out on Alleged Mistreatment Young people who were treated at the 24-bed facility between 2017 and 2024 have described an environment of fear and trauma. Many were admitted under the Mental…

Irene Pollock never imagined her life would take such an unexpected course. One moment, she was in Aberdeen, deeply entrenched in academia; the next, she found herself swept away—both literally and figuratively—by the North Sea. Her chance rescue by a Peterhead fisherman has thrown her into an entirely new way of life, one far removed from university lecture halls and psychological studies. A Routine Swim Turns into a Life-Changing Event It all started with a simple swim. Irene, an avid believer in the benefits of cold-water therapy, had taken to the North Sea for what was meant to be a…

A decade after its discovery, the Galloway Hoard—Britain’s most significant Viking-era treasure—has revealed a long-guarded secret. A runic inscription on one of its silver arm rings has been deciphered, providing insight into its original ownership and the society that once held it. A Treasure That Belonged to All The Galloway Hoard, unearthed in a plowed field in western Scotland in 2014, consists of silver and gold artifacts dating back over 1,000 years. The new inscription suggests that the hoard was not owned by an individual but rather by a collective, possibly a religious community. Dr. Martin Goldberg, principal curator of…

A sleek and bustling food hall in Edinburgh has earned a coveted spot on The Times' list of the best places to eat in the UK. Bonnie & Wild, located in the heart of Scotland’s capital, was the only Scottish venue to make the prestigious ranking, standing alongside some of the country's most celebrated food destinations. A Fresh Take on the Traditional Food Court Bonnie & Wild, perched on the fourth floor of Edinburgh’s St James Quarter, is redefining what a food court can be. The Times described it as a "food court for the 21st century," emphasizing its stylish…