Zane Lee

Five years ago this week, Scotland woke up to the reality of Covid-19. The pandemic arrived late here, and the initial response was marked by an unsettling calm. Perhaps the gravity of what was coming hadn’t quite sunk in. On March 10, 2020, then Health Secretary Jeane Freeman addressed the Scottish Parliament, stating that the country was still in the "containment phase" with "no community transmission." Business continued as usual, with MSPs debating the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner Bill as if nothing unusual was happening. That illusion didn’t last long. Two days later, Freeman was back in Parliament, facing mounting concerns.…

France head coach Fabien Galthié is reshaping his squad ahead of their Six Nations title decider against Scotland, but the absence of Antoine Dupont looms large. The influential captain suffered a severe knee injury against Ireland, leaving the French camp furious over the circumstances of his departure. France Eyes Seventh Six Nations Crown With Saturday's 42-27 triumph over defending champions Ireland, France surged to the top of the Six Nations table. Now, they stand one win away from their first title since 2022. The victory came at a cost, however, as Dupont—the 2021 World Player of the Year—was forced off…

Anyone who has driven through East Kilbride, Eaglesham, or the surrounding areas in recent weeks knows the struggle all too well. Road closures, detours, and congestion have turned a simple commute into a daily headache. The culprit? Rail electrification works aimed at modernizing Scotland's train network. While progress is necessary, the execution is leaving many residents and businesses frustrated. Commuters Stuck in Gridlock For drivers, the disruption is impossible to ignore. Once smooth routes are now riddled with roadblocks, forcing motorists into long, slow-moving detours. Some say their travel times have doubled, with congestion worsening during peak hours. One commuter,…

Just days after enjoying unseasonably warm temperatures, Scotland is set for a dramatic shift as a deep cold snap moves in. Forecasters warn of a 700-mile-wide 'polar plunge' bringing heavy frost, icy winds, and even snow in some areas, with temperatures expected to plummet by 10 degrees Celsius. From Sun to Snow in a Matter of Days The country has basked in early spring warmth over the past week, with some regions reaching highs of 15C. Parks were filled with people making the most of the sunshine, but now, winter is staging a comeback. The mercury is set to drop…

If recent polling numbers hold, Reform UK could secure 15 seats in the next Holyrood election. That would mark a seismic shift in Scottish politics. The party, formerly known as the Brexit Party, has surged from a mere 2% of the vote in the 2019 general election to a staggering 26% across the UK—overtaking Labour by a single percentage point. Should a general election be called today, Reform could shatter Labour’s electoral dominance, according to current projections. Political tides shift quickly, and what rises fast can fall just as suddenly. Labour may soon find itself in that position. Tory Defections…

Football fans across Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland will have free-to-air access to their national teams’ World Cup qualifiers, thanks to a new deal between the BBC and UEFA. The agreement covers 41 matches, ensuring widespread availability of international football for viewers. Full Coverage for National Teams The deal guarantees live coverage of all competitive matches involving the men’s teams from Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This includes: World Cup qualifiers leading up to the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. International friendlies, offering fans year-round access to key games. Scotland’s Nations League play-off against Greece later…

The UK energy sector is preparing for a major infrastructure project as procurement kicks off for contracts worth £848M. These contracts will facilitate the construction of converter stations and the installation of high-voltage electricity cables for the LirIC interconnector between Scotland and Northern Ireland. Major Energy Project Takes Shape The LirIC interconnector, spearheaded by Transmission Investment, aims to establish a 142km High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) sub-sea electricity link between Kilroot in Northern Ireland and Hunterston in Scotland. Once operational in 2032, it will enhance energy exchange between the two regions, offering a rated capacity of 700MW at each receiving…

Scotland has received a substantial financial boost from Westminster, with an additional £555 million in direct funding. Yet, many people remain unaware of where this money is coming from—something Labour may need to address if it wants to reap political benefits. Major Cash Injections Across Scotland Since last July, large sums of money have been funneled into Scotland, supplementing the £4.9 billion allocated in the Budget. This financial boost has enabled the Scottish Government to ramp up spending on the NHS and other critical public services. However, while these figures are impressive, the origins of the funding often go unnoticed.…

Scotland's legendary Loch Ness Monster has made its first alleged appearance of the year, sparking renewed excitement and debate. A visitor to Dores Beach in January captured a mysterious dark mass beneath the water’s surface, leaving many to wonder: Is Nessie back? The Eyewitness Account The sighting was reported by a tourist who claimed to have spotted something unusual while visiting Loch Ness. His photo, taken from the shore, shows a large, shadowy shape just beneath the waves. The Loch Ness Centre, which monitors and investigates reports of Nessie sightings, found the image intriguing. Expert Reactions and Growing Speculation Aimee…

More victims of crime in Scotland could soon gain access to crucial information about offenders and have a say in their release conditions under new government plans. The proposed changes aim to make the justice system more transparent and victim-focused. Equal Access for All Victims Under the current system, victims can register with the Victim Notification Scheme (VNS) if the offender has been sentenced to 18 months or more in prison. Those affected by shorter sentences can only access limited information through the Victim Information Scheme. New proposals would remove this sentencing threshold, allowing all victims the same rights, regardless…