News

Scotland stands ready to lead the world in floating offshore wind power, but success depends on upgrading key ports for assembly and maintenance. With over 40 gigawatts of potential from the ScotWind leasing round, these land-based hubs could create thousands of jobs and drive economic growth if investments keep pace. Challenges Facing Scottish Ports Today Scottish ports have played a supporting role in offshore wind so far, mainly handling final assembly of parts made abroad. Components often come from Europe or Asia, then get put together in places like Aberdeen before heading out to sea. This setup works for small…

The A83 trunk road at the Rest and Be Thankful in Argyll reopened on Tuesday afternoon following a swift operation to remove a large boulder from the hillside above. Teams from BEAR Scotland acted fast to address the safety risk, ensuring the route back to normal traffic flow by 2:30 pm after closing early that morning. Details of the Boulder Removal Operation Workers spotted the boulder during routine checks and decided to tackle it right away to prevent any accidents before winter storms hit. The job started with preparations on Monday, when traffic shifted to the Old Military Road so…

Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd in Scotland has picked ABB to supply power systems for seven new all electric ferries. This move comes as part of a big push to update old boats and cut down on pollution in the west coast areas. Deal Highlights and Timeline The contract goes to ABB from Remontowa Shipbuilding in Poland. They will handle the power setup and drive systems for these boats. Work starts now and the ferries should arrive from late 2027 through early 2029. This fits into CMALs plan to swap out small ships and fix up ports too. The Scottish Government…

A powerful winter storm will strike Scotland on November 13, bringing heavy snow and freezing temperatures that could disrupt daily life across the northern UK. This event, driven by cold Arctic air, threatens areas like Inverness and Aberdeen with up to 3 centimeters of snow per hour, while northern England faces lighter flurries. Snowstorm Targets Northern Scotland Weather models show the storm arriving between midnight and 6 AM on November 13. Snow will fall heavily in key spots such as Inverness, Wick, and Aberdeen, with rates reaching 3 cm per hour. Accumulation could hit 3 to 4 cm in these…

Clare Johnston, an Edinburgh journalist, has sparked a movement by helping her 82-year-old mother and 81-year-old father rebuild muscle strength through simple barbell exercises. This personal story from early 2024 now inspires millions worldwide and shows how Scotland can pioneer a healthy aging revolution to fight frailty and boost independence. A Family's Bold Step into Strength Training Clare Johnston shifted from mainstream media to creating content on aging well seven years ago. Her YouTube channel, The Honest Channel, started with product reviews but grew into deep dives on science-backed ways to stay vital. A key interview with Dr. Chris Reis,…

Scotland's technology sector is booming as business leaders push forward with innovation amid tough economic times. New data shows 471 fresh tech companies launched in the third quarter of 2025, a sharp 26 percent jump from last year. Key Figures Behind the Tech Boom Experts point to strong determination among entrepreneurs as the driving force here. The latest report highlights how Scotland stands out in a challenging landscape. This growth comes even as broader UK business confidence dips due to budget worries and global shifts. In detail, the number of new incorporations hit 471 between July and September this year.…

New research uncovers £3.2 billion in Scottish property tucked away in secret offshore trusts, sparking fears that hidden owners could dodge new land reforms. As Scottish lawmakers push the Land Reform Bill into its final debate stage this October 2025, experts warn these shadowy setups might let corruption slip through the cracks and weaken efforts to make land ownership fairer for communities. The Scale of Hidden Scottish Land Assets Transparency groups have dug deep into public records and found a big chunk of Scotland's property market stays out of sight. Out of £9.1 billion in properties linked to offshore spots,…

Business leaders in Scotland have urged politicians to avoid widening the tax gap with the rest of the UK as the country heads toward the 2026 Holyrood elections. The Scottish Retail Consortium shared its economic manifesto with MSPs, stressing the need for growth focused policies over new taxes that could hurt firms and workers. Why the Tax Gap Concerns Scottish Businesses The tax gap between Scotland and the rest of the UK has grown over recent years due to devolved powers that let Holyrood set its own income tax rates and bands. This divergence means many Scots pay more in…

Scotland's prison population surged to a new record of 8,430 inmates on October 21, 2025, topping the previous peak from 2012 and straining the entire system. This crisis unfolds amid rising long-term sentences and persistent overcrowding, prompting urgent calls from officials for action to protect staff and prisoners alike. Record-Breaking Numbers Exceed Capacity The Scottish Prison Service reported that the number of people behind bars hit 8,430 last Tuesday, with figures staying above 8,400 for the full week. Prisons across the country, built to hold just 7,805 individuals, now house more than 600 extra people. This overflow equals the size…

Scotland's government is pushing forward with the Natural Environment Bill, but Part 2 has ignited fierce opposition from environmental groups who fear it could weaken key safeguards for the country's wild landscapes and wildlife. As the bill nears a critical deadline on October 31, 2025, campaigners from the Scottish Greens and others urge lawmakers to scrap these controversial powers to prevent exploitation by powerful interests. What the Natural Environment Bill Aims to Achieve The Natural Environment Bill, introduced in February 2025, seeks to address Scotland's pressing environmental challenges amid ongoing climate and biodiversity crises. It outlines measures to restore habitats, set…