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Thousands of Scottish students walked out of their Higher Maths exam in tears this week, saying the paper felt nothing like anything they had prepared for. More than 11,000 people have now signed a petition demanding a full review, shining a harsh light on Qualifications Scotland, the brand-new exam body created just months ago to replace the discredited SQA. What Went Wrong With the 2026 Higher Maths Paper The Higher Maths exam was sat on May 7, 2026, with around 20,000 pupils across Scotland taking the two-paper test. The heart of the complaint is not simply that the paper was…

Scotland have posted 243 for 8 after choosing to bat first, and Nepal now have a date with destiny. The Rhinos need 244 runs from 50 overs at their fortress in Kirtipur, and what happens next in this ICC Cricket World Cup League Two 2023-27 match could have a direct say on who reaches the 2027 World Cup. Scotland Bat First, Set Nepal a Competitive Target Scotland captain Richie Berrington won the toss and chose to bat first at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground. It was a confident call from the visiting side. Scotland finished their 50-over innings at…

Two extraordinary images have captured the internet's attention this week. A Glasgow couple came face to face with thousands of gannets off Shetland's coast, while a curious young Highland calf stared straight down a camera lens in the heart of Glasgow. These are among the best reader shots sent to BBC Scotland for the week of 1 to 8 May. Face to Face With Shetland's Gannets Colin and Alison McCormack from Glasgow made the trip up to Shetland and boarded the Noss Boat to sail around the islands of Bressay and Noss. What they got was nothing short of breathtaking.…

A 35-year-old entrepreneur from Los Angeles has just bought a piece of living Scottish history. Alexander Taylor Bakery in Strathaven, believed to be Scotland's oldest bakery, has left the Taylor family for the very first time in over 200 years. The new owner is crossing an ocean to protect a legacy, and the story behind this remarkable change is as rich as the bread it bakes. A Bakery Older Than the Modern World Alexander Taylor Bakery was established in Strathaven in 1820. To put that into perspective, this bakery was already serving customers before the invention of the steam-powered locomotive…

Scotland voted on 7 May. The SNP returns to Holyrood as the largest party, but without a majority. For the coastal communities that depend on salmon farming, the real test is only beginning. The question is no longer what the science says about aquaculture, wild salmon, or the environment. The question is whether Scotland's new government has the nerve to finally act on what it already knows. A Fragmented Parliament Faces a Structural Test The seventh general election to the Scottish Parliament was held on 7 May 2026, with counts held on Friday 8 May. The SNP is the largest…

From soaring gannets above Shetland's wild waters to a young Highland calf staring curiously into a camera lens, Scotland delivered some truly unforgettable moments this week. And readers were right there to capture every second. A selection of photographs sent in between May 1 and May 8 tells the story of a country fully alive in spring, packed with wildlife, deep tradition and natural drama from north to south. Up Close with Gannets on the Shetland Seas Colin and Alison McCormack from Glasgow made the journey north to Shetland for one of the most extraordinary wildlife photography experiences the UK…

Scotland Women Under 21s walk into The Hive on Sunday with bruised pride and a burning point to prove. Fresh off a brutal 113-0 loss to France, Louise Dalgliesh's young side host Italy in the final round of the Six Nations Women's U21 Series. Both teams are still chasing a first win, and the kick-off at 1pm promises raw emotion, fresh faces, and a battle no one wants to lose. Wounded Scots Eye Redemption Against Italy The numbers from last weekend in France were impossible to sugarcoat. Scotland conceded 17 tries in Bordeaux and walked away with zero on the…

Scotland walk into the 2026 World Cup as a 250/1 outsider, yet the betting market may be missing the bigger story. Steve Clarke's men open against Haiti at Gillette Stadium on June 13, and Scott McTominay has already set the target. The Tartan Army want a knockout run, not a sightseeing tour. What Scotland's 250/1 World Cup Odds Really Mean Bookmakers price Scotland at +25000 to lift the trophy at MetLife Stadium on July 19. That figure carries an implied probability of just 0.4%, placing Steve Clarke's side firmly outside the contender band led by Spain, France, England and Brazil.…

Labour has officially admitted defeat in both Wales and Scotland after a brutal night at the ballot box, ending more than a century of dominance in Welsh politics. Plaid Cymru is set to govern in Cardiff, the SNP has stretched its 19-year run at Holyrood, and First Minister Eluned Morgan lost her own seat. The result is being called the worst blow to Labour in living memory. Labour's Welsh Stronghold Crumbles After 104 Years For the first time since 1922, Labour is no longer the biggest party in Wales. The collapse was sudden, savage, and complete. The party slumped to…

Britain woke up to a political earthquake on Friday. Nigel Farage's Reform UK shattered the old two party order, Labour bled more than a thousand councillors, and Plaid Cymru toppled a century of red dominance in Wales. Keir Starmer, less than two years into Downing Street, faces the worst night of his career. The fallout is only just beginning. Reform Sweeps Across England as Labour Loses Its Heartlands Reform UK gained a staggering 1,244 council seats across England, taking outright control of councils stretching from Sunderland to Essex. Labour lost 1,022 councillors and slipped from running dozens of authorities. The…