Zane Lee

Scottish businesses are aiming for a productivity boost and growth in 2024, according to a survey conducted by the Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC) and the Fraser of Allander Institute (FAI) . The survey, which covers the fourth quarter of 2023, reveals that business confidence has improved across most sectors and that businesses are planning to invest more in innovation, skills, and technology. Business confidence rebounds after pandemic challenges The survey shows that business confidence has rebounded from the negative levels recorded during the Covid-19 pandemic, which had a severe impact on the Scottish economy. The survey measures business confidence…

What is the Cullen Boxing Day Dook? The Cullen Boxing Day Dook is an annual event that takes place in the coastal town of Cullen in Moray, Scotland. It involves dozens of brave participants who plunge into the icy waters of the North Sea on December 26, wearing costumes, swimsuits, or whatever they fancy. The event is organized by the Cullen Sea School, a community-led charity that promotes water sports, maritime heritage, and environmental awareness. The dook raises funds for various local causes, such as the RNLI, the Cullen Voluntary Group, and the Cullen Sea School itself. How did the…

A bodyboarder who went missing in the North Sea near Fraserburgh has been rescued by a coastguard helicopter after being swept away by strong currents. The man, who has not been named, was spotted by a passing oil and gas industry helicopter that was assisting the search efforts. Coastguard launched a major search operation The coastguard launched a major search operation on Tuesday afternoon after receiving a report of a bodyboarder in difficulty in the sea at Fraserburgh. Police Scotland and the RNLI were also called to the scene. The coastguard helicopter, based at Inverness, was scrambled to the area…

Pedestrian named as Stephen Davis, 46, who died after being struck by a vehicle on High Street in Cowdenbeath The family of a man who died after being hit by a vehicle in a Fife town have paid tribute to him as a loving son, brother, uncle and friend. Stephen Davis, 46, from Cowdenbeath, was crossing the High Street in the town when he was struck by a vehicle, believed to be an Audi SQ5, at around 8.30pm on Thursday, September 14. He was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later. Police are still trying to trace the…

A life of service and compassion Scot Livingstone, also known as Sarah, was a selfless woman who dedicated her life to helping others. She volunteered as a petty officer for the Sea Cadets and also helped out with the Aberdeen RNLI. She was also passionate about supporting homeless people in her city, and often provided them with food, clothes, and a friendly ear. Scot Livingstone passed away suddenly at the age of 33, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and generosity. Her friends and colleagues have paid tribute to her vibrant personality and her positive impact on the community. A…

Scotland’s two largest cities, Edinburgh and Glasgow, have taken the first and second spot in the latest analysis of the top UK residential investment cities by JLL. The report, which ranks 20 UK cities based on their attractiveness for residential investors, highlights the strong performance and potential of the Scottish market, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic and Brexit. Edinburgh tops the list with high demand and low supply Edinburgh has emerged as the most attractive city for residential investment in the UK, scoring highly on economic growth, affordability, sustainability, and quality of life. The Scottish capital has a…

Two fatalities and one missing person reported amid severe weather conditions Storm Gerrit, the third storm to hit the UK this month, has claimed the lives of two people and left one person missing in Scotland. The storm brought heavy rain, strong winds, and snow to parts of the country, causing widespread flooding, power cuts, and travel disruption. A 45-year-old man died after his car was swept away by floodwater near Marykirk in Aberdeenshire on Tuesday night. His body was recovered on Wednesday morning after an extensive search involving police, fire, and coastguard teams. A 52-year-old woman also died after…

Celtic may have been knocked out of the Europa League, but two of their players are still making an impact in the competition. Josip Juranovic and Liel Abada both played key roles in helping their loan clubs secure wins in the round of 32 on Thursday night. Juranovic scores stunning free-kick for Union Berlin The Croatian right-back, who joined Celtic from Legia Warsaw in the summer, was loaned out to Union Berlin in January after struggling to break into the Hoops’ first team. He has quickly established himself as a regular starter for the Bundesliga side, and showed his quality…

The Mary Wallopers are a folk-punk band from Dundalk, Ireland, who have risen to fame during the pandemic with their lively online performances. Now, they are set to play two sold-out shows at Glasgow’s iconic Barrowland Ballroom in April 2024. How the band started and gained popularity The Mary Wallopers consist of brothers Charles and Andrew Hendy, Sean McKenna, and four other members who joined later. They started playing music together in their shed in Dundalk, and decided to name themselves after a slang term for a punch in the face. The band’s style is influenced by traditional Irish folk…