Zane Lee

A community-led initiative to build affordable and sustainable housing Kirknewton, a small village in West Lothian, is set to become home to seven new energy-efficient bungalows, thanks to a community-led initiative that aims to address the housing needs of local residents. The project, which is funded by various sources, including the Scottish Government, the Scottish Land Fund, the Ecology Building Society, and Kirknewton Community Development Trust Ltd, is expected to be completed by July 2024. The homes are designed to near Passivhaus standard, which means they will have very low energy consumption and carbon emissions, as well as high levels…

Circular fashion is a concept that aims to reduce the environmental impact of the fashion industry by extending the lifespan of clothing and accessories. It involves practices such as renting, reselling, repairing, and recycling garments, instead of discarding them after use. One company that is at the forefront of this movement is Advanced Clothing Solutions (ACS), based in Eurocentral, Scotland. ACS: Europe’s largest circular and sustainable fashion hub ACS was founded in 1997 as a rental fulfilment and clothing renewal service provider for the men’s formal hire market. Since then, it has expanded into womenswear, childrenswear, and outerwear, employing 150…

Moray has recorded a remarkable decline in the number of people claiming benefits in the past year, according to the latest figures from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP). The statistics show that the region has outperformed the national average in reducing the claimant count across all age groups and categories. Benefits claims down by 20 per cent in 18-24 age group One of the most notable achievements in Moray’s benefits claims reduction is the 20 per cent fall in the 18-24 age group, which represents 50 fewer claimants than in December 2022. This is a significant improvement compared…

Scotland’s pubs and bars are struggling to survive as they face a record number of closures this year. According to the latest data, 76 pubs and bars have shut down in the first nine months of 2023, a 36% increase from the whole of last year. This means that Scotland is losing pubs and bars at twice the rate of England, where only 0.75% of outlets closed in the same period. Rates relief denied One of the main reasons for the crisis in the Scottish hospitality sector is the lack of business rates relief from the Scottish Government. Unlike in…

The family of a woman who was found dead in a house in North Berwick, Scotland, on New Year’s Day are appealing for help to repatriate her body to Botswana. Keotshepile ‘Naso’ Isaacs, 33, was a mother of two who had been living in the town for more than a year. Her husband, Tapiwa Isaac, 37, has been charged with her murder and is due to appear in court later this month. A loving mother and daughter Naso’s family described her as a loving mother and daughter who had a bright future ahead of her. They said she was a…

A Scottish mum has lost everything after a cheap iPhone charger she bought online exploded and set her house on fire. She is now warning others not to make the same mistake and buy official chargers only. The horror of the fire Kinga Krzeminska, 38, from Glasgow, was asleep in her bedroom when she heard a loud bang and saw flames coming from her living room. She had left her iPhone 12 plugged into a cheap charger she bought from a website for £3.99. The charger had overheated and ignited the sofa, spreading the fire to the curtains and carpet.…

Celtic have secured the signing of Nicolas Kuhn, a talented winger from Rapid Vienna, on a long-term deal. The 24-year-old German has joined the Scottish champions for a fee of £3m and will wear the number 11 shirt. Kuhn is Brendan Rodgers’ first addition in the January transfer window as he looks to strengthen his squad for the second half of the season. Kuhn’s journey from Bayern to Celtic Kuhn started his career at Bayern Munich, where he played for the youth teams and was part of the squad that won the UEFA Youth League in 2018. He then moved…

Former SNP MSP advocates for joining EFTA instead of EU Alex Neil, a former SNP MSP and cabinet secretary, has called for an independent Scotland to join the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) instead of the European Union (EU). He argued that this would avoid creating a hard border between Scotland and the rest of the UK, and would also give Scotland more control over its own affairs. Neil, who stepped down as an MSP in May 2023, wrote an article for The National, a pro-independence newspaper, where he outlined his vision for Scotland’s future relationship with Europe. He said…

A tragic accident claimed the life of a lorry driver who crashed off a flyover and landed on the M90 near Perth. The incident caused traffic chaos and left the motorway covered with potatoes. The fatal crash The accident happened around 7.20am on Thursday, November 4, when a 55-year-old man was driving a lorry southbound on the A912 slip road. He failed to negotiate a sharp curve and smashed through the safety barrier, falling 40 feet onto the M90 below. The lorry was carrying bags of potatoes, which spilled over the motorway and damaged several cars. The driver was pronounced…

A cold arctic air mass will bring snow showers to the region from Sunday onwards The UK is bracing for a possible disruption of travel and outdoor activities next week, as a cold arctic air mass will bring snow showers to northern and north-east Scotland. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for snow and ice for parts of the region, advising people to be prepared for low visibility and slippery roads. What is the forecast for next week? According to the Met Office’s latest long term forecast, a northerly airflow will bring cold arctic air to the UK…