Dayna Bass

Once touted as Scotland’s future, the former Glasgow Warrior is back on the international scene — this time wearing stars and stripes — despite a domestic abuse conviction. Just over a year ago, Rufus McLean’s name vanished from Scottish rugby overnight. A promising winger with searing pace and a dream debut for Scotland, McLean was swiftly dropped and then sacked after admitting to a two-year campaign of emotional and physical abuse against his former partner. The reaction from Scottish Rugby was decisive: gross misconduct, breach of contract, and a complete severing of ties. Now, the 24-year-old is back in the…

If you’ve ever wondered where to begin your gravel biking journey in Scotland, forget the tourist-choked roads of the Highlands or the slick tracks of the Central Belt. Instead, head southwest — to Galloway. Tucked between the Solway Firth and the Southern Uplands, this underrated region of Dumfries and Galloway offers wide-open landscapes, little traffic, and an ever-growing network of mixed-surface trails. Long bypassed by travellers on their rush north to Loch Lomond, the Cairngorms, or Skye, Galloway is now finding new fame — one gravel track at a time. Scotland, Undiluted The charm of Galloway lies in its contrasts.…

A 68-year-old man has died following a wild swimming incident off the Isle of Bute, prompting a police inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his death. Emergency services were called to Kilchattan Bay, a scenic and often serene spot on the southern tip of the island, around 20:10 BST on Thursday evening. The call was made after concerns were raised about the man's wellbeing while he was in the water. The man, whose identity has not been publicly released, was retrieved from the sea and airlifted by emergency helicopter to Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. Despite medical efforts, he was pronounced…

PARIS – Scotland’s LoganAir is taking a bold step toward decarbonising regional aviation, announcing this week a landmark partnership with hydrogen-electric engine developer ZeroAvia. The airline, best known for servicing remote Scottish islands and underserved regional routes, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore the potential adoption of ZeroAvia’s cutting-edge hydrogen-electric propulsion systems. The announcement was made during the Paris Air Show on Tuesday, further cementing the show’s growing focus on sustainable aviation technologies. Flying into the Future Under the agreement, LoganAir and ZeroAvia will collaborate on assessing the feasibility of installing hydrogen-electric engines on LoganAir’s fleet of De…

With a 2027 rollout, Scotland aligns with France, Japan, Thailand, and others by embracing tourist taxes to protect local services and share tourism's cost with travellers. Scotland is officially stepping into the global spotlight on travel policy—not by launching a new campaign, but by asking tourists to chip in. A new tourist levy, roughly £4.83 per hotel night, is set to take effect in January 2027. It's Scotland’s biggest move yet to balance economic benefits from tourism with the swelling strain it puts on city infrastructure, public spaces, and local communities. And it’s not going it alone. From Bangkok to…

Scotland could be on the brink of losing out in the multi-billion-pound robotics boom unless it urgently tackles barriers stalling homegrown innovation, a leading tech expert has warned. A new four-point plan hopes to change that — but the clock is ticking. Robotics Chief Warns Scotland is Slipping Behind It was a stark message, and Stewart Miller didn’t sugar-coat it. Speaking from the National Robotarium at Heriot-Watt University, Miller, who leads the cutting-edge research facility, said Scotland risks being “left behind” while countries like China and the US power ahead in the robotics space. The numbers are hard to ignore.…

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…