News

Scotland’s brief flirtation with blazing heat came to a soggy halt Monday morning — swapping suncream and barbecues for umbrellas and puddles after a weekend of record-breaking highs. From Record Highs to Raincoats Just days ago, parts of Scotland were basking in sunshine and sizzling at 30 degrees Celsius — rare air for a country that jokes about four seasons in one day. Saturday marked the warmest day of the year so far for Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales.But fast forward to Monday and the party’s over. Heavy rain rolled in early, knocking temperatures back down to the mid to…

Police Scotland has rolled out a new clampdown called Operation Safe Landing at Aberdeen International Airport — hoping to catch and deter holidaymakers who risk driving under the influence after a few too many in the skies. A Friendly Reminder With a Serious Message It’s not unusual to see folks order a drink — or three — on their holiday flights. But stepping off the plane and into the driver’s seat? That’s where the problems start.Border Policing and Road Policing officers are teaming up for this initiative. You’ll spot them in greater numbers around arrivals, chatting with passengers, doing roadside…

French renewables player Qair has landed planning consent for its first standalone battery energy storage site in the UK — a 49.9-MW facility in the heart of Aberdeenshire. It’s a telling sign that the push for greener energy backup is hitting fresh momentum in Scotland. Scotland’s Growing Appetite for Storage Power Battery energy storage is having a bit of a moment here. Qair’s project is part of a wider trend sweeping through the Highlands and beyond. People used to think of wind turbines dotting the hills when they heard “Scottish renewables.” Now? Big batteries are stepping into the spotlight too.…

On South Uist, a breathtaking stretch of the Outer Hebrides off Scotland’s rugged northwest coast, patience is wearing thin — and so are the ferries. Getting on or off this remote island has always required a little faith in the weather and the aging fleet that connects these communities to the mainland. But after years of delays, breakdowns, and cancellations, islanders and visitors alike are now describing it as “travel roulette.” A Cancelled Crossing — Again This summer, the familiar ping of a text message from the ferry company has become a sound many dread. For one recent traveler, the…

A 15-year-old boy and three adults lost their lives in separate tragic incidents across Scotland as crowds flocked to rivers and lochs to escape the searing heat. Search for Teen Ends in Heartbreak on River Kelvin The search began for a teenage boy who went missing in the River Kelvin in Glasgow on Saturday evening. Emergency crews were alerted around 6:40 p.m., launching a rescue operation that would last nearly five hours. By 11:30 p.m., the boy’s body was recovered near Maryhill Road. Police Scotland confirmed the death is not being treated as suspicious. One line: Locals gathered at the…

Scotland’s bus routes are changing lanes fast — and two billionaire brothers are firmly at the wheel. The former Rangers directors, who already claim to run the UK’s largest independent transport business, are snapping up companies and routes to build what many are now calling Scotland’s newest bus empire. From Football to Buses: Big Moves, Big Money They’re better known in football boardrooms than bus depots. But since stepping away from Rangers, the brothers have turned their focus to the country’s bus and coach market — with serious ambition. Their latest moves include the takeover of one of Scotland’s longest-established…

If you’ve ever dreamed of standing in the hush of a pine forest watching a red squirrel dart up a tree, or peering across a misty loch hoping to catch the glint of an otter’s sleek fur — Scotland’s got you covered. Forget Nessie for a sec; the real stars of the show are Scotland’s “big five”: otters, red squirrels, seals, red deer and golden eagles. This summer, there’s no better excuse to lace up your boots, pack a flask and go track down these elusive locals. Otters at Kylerhea: Skye’s Shy Stars First up, otters. They’re shy, quick, and…

Erin Napier has built a life showing us how to make small-town houses feel like home — but stepping far beyond her comfort zone? That’s something the Home Town star just tackled with a grin and a little bit of Scottish spirit. The HGTV fan favorite and her husband, Ben Napier, recently shared snaps from their family’s big adventure to Scotland, and for Erin, this trip meant staring down a fear she’s carried for years. Leaving Laurel, Facing Fears For anyone who’s ever watched Home Town, it’s easy to imagine Erin nestled in Laurel, Mississippi — all charm, wood trim,…

It’s been ten long years since Ajay Devgn’s Jassi danced, fought, and charmed his way through the first Son of Sardaar. Now he’s back — older, just as loud, and this time, he’s taking his trademark desi swagger to the Scottish Highlands. Fans wanted chaos? Well, the trailer promises enough bagpipes, bar fights, and bad guys to keep them laughing and hooting all the way to the multiplex. New Country, Same Jassi Directed by Vijay Kumar Arora, the sequel’s tagline sets the tone: “He survived Punjab, will he survive Scotland too?” From the first few seconds, you know subtlety isn’t…

In what could become one of the UK’s heftiest data hub expansions yet, UK renewables firm Apatura is laying the groundwork for a vast new data center campus just north of the England-Scotland border. It’s big, green — and stirring up plenty of chatter in Coldstream. This week, Scottish Borders Council confirmed that Apatura’s proposed site won’t need a formal Environmental Impact Assessment before the full planning bid. But with a 300MW capacity on the table, questions about what’s next are far from over. Coldstream: From Farmland to Data Frontier? The planned development site sits on 69 hectares of greenfield…