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The Scottish government has thrown its support behind a bill to ban greyhound racing, marking a major win for animal welfare advocates. Green MSP Mark Ruskell, who introduced the legislation, celebrated the move as a step to protect dogs from injury and exploitation in the sport. Government Shifts Stance on Racing For years, greyhound racing has faced criticism over animal welfare concerns. The Scottish government once favored a licensing system to enforce standards rather than a full ban. That changed recently when Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie wrote to Ruskell, confirming support for the bill's core ideas. This reversal comes after…

A group of Scottish heritage and design groups has officially taken ownership of the iconic Bernat Klein Studio near Selkirk, marking a key step in saving this modernist gem from decay. The purchase, completed after a competitive auction in July 2025, sets the stage for a major restoration effort to revive the site as a creative hub once more. Auction Success and New Ownership The Bernat Klein Studio sold for £279,000 at auction on July 30, 2025, far exceeding its guide price by over 15 times. This high demand showed strong interest in preserving Scotland's architectural heritage. The winning bid…

Scottish DJ and producer Sam Gellaitry has transformed from a bedroom artist in Stirling to a global music sensation. In recent years, he has performed at major festivals like Coachella, toured with top acts such as Kaytranada, and teamed up with stars like PinkPantheress, marking his rapid rise in the electronic music scene as of 2025. Early Life in Scotland Sam Gellaitry was born on January 6, 1997, in Stirling, a historic town in central Scotland. He grew up in a family full of musical talent, with his mother playing in bands and his father running a bagpipe business. This…

Scotland's healthcare innovators are set to gain fresh insights into using NHS procurement to drive new technologies. A free webinar hosted by InnoScot Health on September 24, 2025, will explore how smart buying strategies can boost patient care and cut costs across the National Health Service. Event Details and Key Speakers This online session, titled "Accelerating Healthcare Innovation Readiness Through the Vital Procurement Process," runs from noon to 12:45 p.m. It targets NHS staff, innovators, and anyone interested in Scotland's health tech future. Frances Ramsay, Innovation Commercialisation Manager at InnoScot Health, leads the talk. She brings years of experience in…

Scotland has recorded its lowest drug death toll since 2017, with 1,017 fatalities in 2024, yet it remains Europe's overdose leader amid a growing threat from potent synthetic opioids called nitazenes. Experts warn that these drugs, often mixed into heroin and other substances, are driving a sharp rise in overdoses, with 38 deaths linked to them in the first three months of 2025 alone. Drug Deaths Drop but Crisis Persists Scotland's drug misuse deaths fell by 13 percent last year, down from 1,172 in 2023 to 1,017 in 2024. This marks the lowest figure in seven years, according to official…

The UK government has unveiled a major Defence Growth Deal for Scotland, injecting a share of £250 million to spark job creation and innovation in key sectors like maritime and space technology. Announced on September 7, 2025, this initiative aims to strengthen local partnerships, drive economic growth, and support the armed forces amid rising global defence needs. Deal Promises Thousands of New Jobs Scotland stands to gain big from this fresh funding push. The deal builds on the nation's strong defence industry, which already employs over 11,000 people through Ministry of Defence spending. Officials say it will create highly skilled…

Belarus head coach Carlos Alos has admitted it is not easy for his team to recover from a heavy 5-1 loss to Greece as they prepare to face Scotland in a key 2026 World Cup qualifier on September 8, 2025. The match, set at the neutral ZTE Arena in Hungary due to ongoing restrictions, comes after Belarus trailed by four goals at halftime in their opener, while Scotland earned a solid goalless draw against Denmark. Belarus Struggles in Opening Qualifier Belarus kicked off their World Cup qualifying campaign with a tough night in Piraeus, where Greece dominated from the start.…

Police Scotland has renewed calls for information on Ian Ross, a 66-year-old hillwalker who disappeared in the Torridon area of the Scottish Highlands exactly one year ago. Ross last spoke with his family on September 6, 2024, before his car was found abandoned in a remote car park, prompting widespread searches that have yet to yield answers. Details of the Disappearance Ian Ross, a resident of Dingwall, was known for his passion for hiking in Scotland's stunning but treacherous landscapes. He made his final phone call to relatives on September 6, 2024, with no indication of trouble. By September 17,…

Climate change is hurting truffle farms in Europe with drier conditions, but scientists say it creates ideal wetter summers for growing this luxury food in Scotland. Researchers at the University of Stirling have found success on Bute island, where truffles are thriving and fetching high prices from chefs. Climate Change Hurts European Truffle Farms Truffle production in places like Spain and France faces big threats from global warming. Hotter, drier summers dry out the soil that truffles need to grow. A study from 2018 warned that Mediterranean truffle farms could vanish by 2071 if trends continue. Farmers there report lower…

Scotland's First Minister John Swinney faces growing backlash after announcing a boycott on public funding for arms companies supplying Israel. Critics, including nearly 3,000 petition signers, claim his strong words on Gaza and policy moves put Jewish people at risk and stir up hate. Background on Swinney's Announcement John Swinney made headlines on September 3, 2025, when he spoke in Edinburgh. He called Israel's actions in Gaza a genocide and outlined steps to cut ties. His government plans to stop new public money going to defense firms linked to Israel. This includes freezing funds from the Scottish National Investment Bank…