Dayna Bass

A recent visitor to Scotland shared her first trip experiences, highlighting common errors that left her feeling out of place. Amanda Shammas, on her journey to Edinburgh in 2025, faced issues like wrong clothing choices and skipping local foods, which many new travelers encounter in this scenic country. Scotland draws millions of visitors each year with its stunning landscapes and rich history, but first-time trips often come with pitfalls. In 2025, tourism numbers hit record highs, with over 15 million international arrivals reported by VisitScotland, making it vital to learn from real stories to avoid feeling like an obvious outsider.…

US oil giant ExxonMobil announced on November 18, 2025, that it will shut down its Fife Ethylene Plant in Mossmorran, Scotland, next February, endangering hundreds of jobs in the region. The decision comes after failed talks with the UK government and highlights ongoing struggles in Europe's chemical sector amid high costs and policy hurdles. Announcement Hits Fife Hard Workers at the 40-year-old facility near Cowdenbeath learned of the closure plans during a meeting that morning. The plant, which produces ethylene for plastics, has been a key part of local industry for decades. ExxonMobil stated it explored selling the site but…

Scotland's national football team secured a dramatic 4-2 victory over Denmark at Hampden Park on Tuesday evening, November 19, 2025, ending a 28-year absence from the FIFA World Cup. The Tartan Army's resilience shone through with two stunning injury-time goals, propelling them to the top of Group C and straight into the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Thrilling Match Unfolds at Hampden The game started with high stakes as both teams vied for automatic qualification. Scotland took the lead early through Scott McTominay's brilliant bicycle kick, but Denmark equalized soon after. The Scots fought back…

England and Scotland have secured spots in the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup 2026 after thrilling qualification campaigns. The draw on December 5, 2025, at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC will reveal their group stage opponents, setting the stage for matches across North America. Fans eagerly await the outcomes as projected pots based on current FIFA rankings place England among the top seeds while Scotland faces a mid-tier challenge. This setup promises diverse groups with teams from all continents, except Europe which may have two per group. Draw Date and Format Explained The FIFA World Cup 2026 draw happens…

Scotland's national football team clinched a spot in the 2026 men's World Cup finals with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Denmark at Hampden Park on November 18, 2025. This marks their first appearance in the tournament since 1998, ending a long drought that has tested the patience of fans across generations. The win came in dramatic fashion during the UEFA qualifying play-off, with late goals sealing the deal and sparking wild celebrations in Glasgow. Captain Andy Robertson led the charge, dedicating the triumph to his late Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota, who had dreamed of such a moment before his tragic…

GMB Scotland secretary Louise Gilmour has slammed the UK government for misleading workers about the shift to renewable energy, claiming the nation is being gaslit as oil and gas jobs vanish without enough new roles in green sectors to replace them. In a pointed critique shared with media outlets, Gilmour demands an immediate halt to what she calls a self-harming energy policy that risks the skills needed for a true net zero future. This outcry highlights growing frustration in Scotland's energy heartlands, where promises of a just transition clash with harsh realities on the ground. As the North Sea's output…

Scotland stands on the brink of a major data centre expansion, driven by its vast renewable energy supplies, available land, and expert workforce. Experts predict this growth could add billions to the economy if planners move quickly to support key projects across the region. Economic Impact of the Surge The data centre industry already pumps about 4.7 billion pounds into the UK economy each year through operations and building work. Forecasts show it could grow by another 44 billion pounds by 2035, creating thousands of jobs and boosting tech sectors like artificial intelligence. Scotland plays a big role in this…

Angela Fio Lazarte Gonzales, a dedicated third grade Spanish teacher at Munger Mountain Elementary School in Jackson, Wyoming, has earned a top Fulbright award this fall. She will head to the University of Glasgow in Scotland for six months in 2026 to study ways to keep bilingual teachers in schools facing high turnover rates. Meet the Award Winning Educator Angela Fio Lazarte Gonzales brings passion to her classroom every day. She started teaching Spanish to elementary students in 2018, just a year after moving to Jackson from Peru. Over the past seven years, she has built strong ties with her…

A government appointed expert group in Scotland has called for sweeping changes to abortion laws, including decriminalization and access on request up to 24 weeks. The report, released on November 14, 2025, aims to treat abortion as a healthcare matter and remove outdated criminal penalties that stigmatize women. The Abortion Law Review Expert Group, set up by the Scottish Government in 2024, reviewed the current framework based on the 1967 Abortion Act. They argue the law no longer fits modern society and creates barriers to safe care. This push comes amid growing calls across Europe for reforms that align with…

Scotland's public sector is embracing artificial intelligence through the Futurescot AI Challenge to tackle inefficiencies and improve services for citizens. Launched in 2024 and now in its 2025 edition, the initiative shortlists innovative projects from key organizations, aiming to automate tasks and enhance decision making across tourism, healthcare, and local government. The Futurescot AI Challenge Overview Public services in Scotland face challenges like outdated systems and manual processes that slow down delivery. The Futurescot AI Challenge, partnered with digital experts Storm ID, invites government bodies, councils, and health services to propose AI solutions for real world problems. This year, applications…