Zane Lee

A flagship project aimed at boosting mobile connectivity in Scotland’s hardest-to-reach areas has been dramatically scaled back — leaving some rural communities wondering if digital isolation is here to stay. The Shared Rural Network’s plan to install 258 new 4G masts will now see only 44 built, a steep cut driven by pressure from conservation groups, local landowners, and worried residents. What Triggered the Big Cutback? At the heart of this decision is a tug of war between digital ambition and protecting Scotland’s wild places. One short line here. Groups like the John Muir Trust, National Trust for Scotland and…

Holidaymakers dreaming of stress-free drives across Scotland this summer should brace for extra checks, longer routes and plenty of blue lights. Police Scotland’s new crackdown on drink and drug driving is in full swing — and it’s reshaping how people hit the road. The operation runs until mid-July but its effects could linger, especially for those planning big family getaways. Extra patrols, surprise checkpoints and random tests mean travellers will need more patience than usual. Glasgow Tops the List for Offences New data makes it plain: Glasgow is Scotland’s drink-driving hotspot. According to the latest Recorded Crime in Scotland report,…

Move over Edinburgh and Glasgow — Falkirk is officially Scotland’s best spot for families, and it’s got the stats to prove it. A fresh report by LNER, the UK train operator, has declared Falkirk the top family-friendly getaway in Scotland, thanks to its winning mix of activities, green spaces, and iconic landmarks. 511 Ways to Keep the Kids Busy Forget the “I’m bored” chorus. Falkirk has more child-friendly things to do per capita than anywhere else in Scotland — a whopping 511 activities to pick from. That’s everything from boat trips on the Falkirk Wheel to running wild at Helix…

The fight to save hundreds of bus manufacturing jobs in Scotland isn’t over yet — and now workers in Falkirk and Larbert have bought themselves a bit more time. Bus maker Alexander Dennis (ADL) has confirmed it will extend its consultation period by two weeks as hopes grow for a rescue plan. The move follows mounting pressure from unions and local leaders to give negotiators more breathing space before any final decision is made to shift all manufacturing to North Yorkshire. A Stay of Execution — But No Guarantees Yet For the 400 skilled workers whose jobs hang in the…

Edinburgh’s hospitality scene just got a serious glow-up. The city’s iconic Edinburgh Grand has swung open its doors again, reborn as Scotland’s very first Luxury Collection Hotel — a move that’s turning heads from the Royal Mile to the boardrooms of global travel brands. Housed in that grand neo-classical building on St Andrew Square, the hotel mixes old-world elegance with all the perks modern travelers expect — and maybe a few they didn’t see coming. A Landmark’s Storied Past Meets Today’s Luxury Standards You can’t stand in front of The Edinburgh Grand and not feel a bit small — those…

Scotland’s villages are the kind of places that make you pull over just to stare. From Highland hamlets to coastal hideaways, these ten gems show off the country’s raw beauty, history, and a good dose of local quirk. Plockton: Highlands Charm by the Sea Plockton feels like a place the world forgot — in the best way. Just one main street hugs the sheltered shores of Loch Carron. Whitewashed cottages stand proud, palm trees sway oddly in the breeze (thanks to the Gulf Stream), and boats bob lazily offshore. Artists flock here for that light you can’t quite capture on…

Scotland’s biggest mental health charity is backing Team Scotland Roller Derby as they get ready to skate onto the world stage — and the players say the support goes far beyond just wearing a logo. An Unlikely Partnership With Huge Impact This July, Team Scotland Roller Derby will hit the track at the Roller Derby World Cup in Innsbruck, Austria, with more than medals on their minds. SAMH — the Scottish Action for Mental Health — has stepped up to sponsor the team. That means the charity’s name and iconic logo will be emblazoned on the players’ strips for the…

Health leaders and charities are warning Scotland’s government that it “cannot be complacent” as breast cancer rates are projected to climb sharply in the next two decades. Latest figures show that about 71,000 women could be living with breast cancer by 2044 — a jump that’s forcing tough questions about screening, diagnosis and care. With calls for faster action growing louder, the reality for patients and clinicians alike is a system that must adapt — or risk leaving thousands behind. A Stark Projection Puts Pressure on Services Public Health Scotland’s estimate of 71,000 women living with breast cancer within 20…

Spirit of Tasmania IV has finally left Scottish shores, charting a course to Hobart on an epic 27,000 km journey — marking the next chapter for Tasmania’s ageing ferry fleet. Departure After Delays After months of anticipation, Spirit of Tasmania IV set sail from Leith, Scotland, on June 30.Its departure came later than planned. Back in May, technical issues with its liquid natural gas system forced the vessel to stay put. Now, the deep water berth in Devonport’s Mersey River — its future home — is still under construction, so its first Australian stop will be Hobart instead. The Route:…

Scotland’s GPs are drawing a line in the sand. The British Medical Association (BMA) has declared a formal dispute with the Scottish Government, accusing ministers of years of underfunding that has left surgeries unable to cope. Doctors are warning this is just the beginning. If nothing changes, a ballot on disruptive action — including potential service reductions — could be next. A Crisis That's Been Building for Years This isn’t just about spreadsheets. It’s about surgeries struggling to stay open, GPs burning out, and communities being left without access to basic care. In a strongly worded joint statement, BMA Scotland’s…