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In a move that’s got households fuming, Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney has called out the UK Labour Government for scrapping the idea of zonal pricing — a shift that might have cut bills for thousands. Families already staring down record costs now want answers. The Promise That Never Was Energy costs in Scotland feel like a cruel joke to many. Swinney’s piece in the Daily Record didn’t mince words: Labour’s rejection of zonal pricing left a bitter taste. The SNP leader argued that Scots, living in a country rich with wind and tidal resources, shouldn’t be forking out the…

Medical leaders have fired a warning shot at the Scottish Government’s new long-term conditions framework, claiming it could ‘dilute’ vital resources for tackling one of Scotland’s biggest killers — heart disease. Open Letter Raises Alarm In an open letter to Public Health Minister Jenni Minto, 11 organisations — including the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Scotland, the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow — said the proposals lack clear strategy. They argue the government’s idea of a broad, generalised approach for all long-term conditions risks taking focus and money away from…

Looking for a place to escape the bustle, stretch your legs and soak up something beautiful? You’d be hard-pressed to beat the Japanese Garden at Cowden — a slice of calm that’s been turning heads for more than a century. A Trailblazer’s Dream Come True Nestled in the rolling green of Clackmannanshire, this seven-acre oasis owes its roots to the vision of Ella Christie.She fell for Japan on her travels in the early 1900s and, instead of leaving it there, she brought a piece of it home. One-sentence para: And what a bold move it was. At a time when…

Fresh figures reveal assaults and threats at Scotland’s bus stations have jumped dramatically, raising concerns about youth violence and how the Scottish Government plans to get a grip on it before more lives are put at risk. Glasgow Sees Sharpest Rise Glasgow’s Buchanan Bus Station has become the epicentre for this worrying trend.In just a year, police call outs for assaults there rose by a staggering 85% — from 20 in 2023-24 to 37 in 2024-25. One line: Threats also went up by half in the city. The numbers were obtained by the Scottish Conservatives through freedom of information laws.…

Britain’s latest scorcher is finally on the way out after parts of England, Scotland and Wales all nudged 30C on Sunday — the tail end of what’s been the UK’s third heatwave of the year. Records Tumble Before Temperatures Dip Saturday was the big one — Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales all logged their hottest day of 2025 so far.By Sunday, the heat lingered but dipped slightly as cloudier skies crept in. Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire topped the charts at 30.8C. In Scotland’s Highlands, Achnagart saw 30.4C. Cardiff’s Bute Park reached 30.2C, while Castlederg in Northern Ireland hit 27.1C. One line:…

Newcastle — just 90 minutes south of Edinburgh — has a knack for surprising even a seasoned Scot like me. From the rooftop of St James’ Park, you can see the hills that mark the border. But it’s the city itself that pulls you in: part Glasgow grit, part Edinburgh elegance, with a healthy dose of its own Geordie pride. A Football Citadel With a View Let’s be honest: I’m not much of a football fanatic. But clambering up 150 feet to the top of Newcastle United’s home turf, you can’t help but feel the club’s pull.The black-and-white stripes greet…

After a scorcher of a weekend that pushed Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to their hottest day of the year, the UK’s third heatwave of 2025 is now giving way to grey skies and heavy downpours — and for many, that’s frankly a bit of a relief. Temperatures Tumble After 33C Highs Saturday saw temperatures spike to a blistering 33 degrees in some areas, with crowds at outdoor events like Glasgow’s TRNSMT festival being sprayed down with water to stay cool.In parts of Wales and Northern Ireland, families flocked to beaches and parks, trying to make the most of the…

A young mum has spoken out after her baby girl ended up with severe sunburn and blistering during just a few cloudy hours outdoors — a stark reminder that Scotland’s skies can still burn, even when they don’t look sunny. ‘We Thought We Were Covered’ Lauren Leishman, 22, from East Lothian, says she still can’t believe what happened to her 12-month-old daughter, Rhegan.The family headed to a local farm show in Haddington on June 28. It was chilly, with everyone in jumpers. Lauren put on factor 50 suncream for Rhegan “just to be safe.” One line: They were outside for…

Glasgow’s biggest music bash, TRNSMT 2025, turned up the heat in more ways than one this weekend — with tens of thousands packing into Glasgow Green for three sun-soaked days of tunes, tinnies, and sizzling temperatures. Sun, Sweat and Selfies on Glasgow Green Fans turned out in force despite the blistering heatwave that saw Glasgow sizzle at 29 degrees on Saturday — Scotland’s hottest day of the year so far.You’d be forgiven for thinking you’d landed in Ibiza, not the Clyde-side, with cowboy boots, bucket hats and bikinis the unofficial festival dress code. One line: It’s all part of the…

A 71-year-old man riding a Harley Davidson with a sidecar has died after a serious six-vehicle crash on the A82, throwing a tragic shadow over a busy stretch near Loch Lomond. Crash Brings Chaos to West Dunbartonshire Road The collision unfolded around 1:45pm on Saturday, between the Renton slip road and Stoneymollan roundabout — a route familiar to many heading for the loch’s scenic spots.Police say the crash involved six vehicles: the Harley Davidson, a Volvo XC90, a Nissan Juke, a Vauxhall Corsa, an Audi A6 Sport, and a Seat Leon. One sentence: The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the…