Dayna Bass

The air is crisp as I approach the River Don on a July afternoon around 3 p.m. The sun is beginning to dip, casting a warm glow over the riverbank as I set up my rod and reel. My net and bag are slung over my shoulders, and I head downstream in anticipation. I am at Alford, situated 25 miles northwest of Aberdeen, where the Don winds its way through flat farmland, eventually meeting the more dramatic, hilly landscapes of the Cairngorms to the west. The River Don: A Beautiful Backdrop The river, at this point, bends gently, creating a…

A 12-year-old student from Georgetown Middle School in South Carolina has been charged after allegedly making threats to "shoot up the school" in a Snapchat post, tied to the outcome of Friday night's boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul. The Incident The Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the student made the threat on Snapchat, stating it would happen if former heavyweight boxing legend Mike Tyson lost the highly anticipated bout against social media star Jake Paul. Law enforcement officials responded swiftly, searching the student’s home on Powell Road. No firearms were found during the investigation, and the…

Scotland’s final Nations League clash against Poland in Warsaw on Monday night will be nothing short of a decider for the team’s future in both the ongoing tournament and the World Cup qualification process. The result could determine their place in the next Nations League and their seeding for upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Here are the key talking points ahead of this crucial match. A Crucial Decider for Scotland’s Nations League Fate In many respects, the task facing Steve Clarke and his players is clear-cut: a win is a must. Scotland needs to secure three points in Warsaw to leapfrog…

Edinburgh, Scotland – The recent death of a three-month-old red panda named Roxie at the Edinburgh Zoo has prompted renewed calls for stricter regulations on fireworks displays in the UK. Officials from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), which operates the zoo, attribute Roxie’s death to the stress caused by continuous fireworks noise during the city’s Bonfire Night celebrations. Loss of Young Red Panda Draws Attention to Fireworks Impact Roxie, who had lost her mother, Ginger, just days prior, died on November 5. The zoo reported that Roxie was highly agitated by the sounds of nearby fireworks, which are…

Scotland's Golden Opportunity Scotland has officially opened its first gold mine, the Cononish mine, situated in the picturesque Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. The Cononish mine is set to begin production before the end of November 2024, and is anticipated to be a significant economic boon for the local area. The mine, located near Tyndrum, is the first in a series of potential gold mining projects in Scotland, marking a new chapter in the country’s mining history. The Cononish mine is expected to provide dozens of jobs for local residents, with Scotgold Resources—the company behind the project—projecting that…

A recent survey has highlighted the financial strain many students in Scotland are facing, with more than a third reporting difficulties in paying their rent. This concerning trend has raised alarms over the affordability of student housing and the broader impact on the student experience in the country. The survey, commissioned by the National Union of Students (NUS), reveals that 34% of students in Scotland are struggling to pay their rent in full. The findings shed light on the growing financial pressures faced by students, which are compounded by rising living costs and stagnant financial support. Rising Rent Costs: The…

It's been 13 years since Ralph Hector founded Iffy Folk Records in Glasgow, an independent label born from a desire to release music on his own terms. The label’s journey, from its first release to its 62nd, has been a testament to the passion and persistence of an artist who values creative freedom over industry pressures. A Label Founded on Freedom Ralph Hector’s story begins with a frustration familiar to many musicians. “The whole reason the label was set up was because I was playing with a lot of like-minded folk, and we were sending demos to record labels and not getting…

Ever dreamt of surfing in an old quarry? Now, thanks to a £60 million project, it’s possible. Scotland’s first inland surf resort, Lost Shore, has officially opened at a former brownstone quarry in Newbridge, Edinburgh. With a wave pool covering three times the area of a football pitch, Lost Shore takes the title of Europe’s largest inland surf destination. A £60 Million Vision in Action This massive surf park, an ambitious brainchild of Lost Shore founder Andy Hadden, transforms an unused quarry into a state-of-the-art surf destination. The resort boasts a sophisticated wave pool that simulates natural ocean waves, offering…

A significant policy reversal by the Scottish Government has sparked strong criticism from the medical community, as regulations that would have banned the installation of wood-burning stoves in new-build homes were scrapped. The government’s decision has reignited debates about air pollution, public health, and environmental policy, especially in urban areas where the health risks associated with wood burning are most pronounced. The Controversial U-turn The controversial New Build Heat Standard (NBHS) regulations, initially introduced in April 2024, were designed to limit harmful pollutants by banning wood-burning stoves in newly constructed homes. However, the Scottish Government temporarily suspended these regulations in…

Andrew Jenkins, star of reality TV show The Traitors, completed a remarkable 750-mile walk from Scotland to Wales, raising both awareness and funds for brain injury charity Headway. His journey, which spanned 42 days, is a testament to his resilience and commitment to improving mental health support for others. From Ardross Castle to Cardiff Castle: A 750-Mile Journey Andrew Jenkins, a former insurance broker turned reality TV star, walked from Ardross Castle in Scotland to Cardiff Castle in Wales, covering a distance of 1,200 km (746 miles) over 42 days. His journey, which began in September, saw him walking an…