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Shock and sorrow ripple through a tight-knit community after a wooden crucifix was set alight and dozens of headstones were wrecked in what locals are calling one of the worst acts of cemetery vandalism in recent memory. Five-Metre Crucifix Burned Overnight The overnight attack at St Conval’s Cemetery in Barrhead, East Renfrewshire, has left families distraught and the Diocese of Paisley reeling. Police say a 39-year-old man has been charged in connection with the destruction, which included burning a towering five‑metre‑high crucifix and smashing around forty headstones. One sentence. Officers were alerted around 8.50am on Sunday after horrified visitors discovered…

Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, says he wants to deliver what he’s calling a once-in-a-generation overhaul of how public services support families — promising real improvements that people can see and feel in their daily lives. A New Era for Public Services? In an exclusive piece for The Herald, Swinney — newly at the helm of the SNP — says he gets it: Scots are fed up with overstretched services and want more for their taxes. Standing at Glasgow’s Oakwood Medical Centre, he struck a note of realism but also hope. One sentence. “People expect their public services to be…

A fresh link across the Atlantic now ties Quebec and Scotland closer than ever. Air Canada’s new direct Montreal–Edinburgh service is up and flying, promising to boost tourism, trade, and maybe even a few family reunions. Nonstop Flights Bridge the Atlantic Gap On June 26, Air Canada officially launched its nonstop Montreal–Edinburgh flights — the only direct route connecting Quebec with Scotland. Operated three times a week, the new service plugs Montreal into Edinburgh’s historic cobbled streets, vibrant festivals, and whisky bars. One sentence. It’s no small feat: four Canadian cities now have direct links to the Scottish capital, broadening…

A sudden shift in weather is adding fresh worry to parts of northern Scotland already hit hard by raging wildfires. Emergency services are now racing to handle the threat of flooding on top of smouldering hillsides and scorched countryside. Wildfires Stretch Resources Thin In Moray, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) confirmed six appliances have been tackling a major blaze near Forres. Fire crews, already exhausted after days of dry conditions, now face the risk of heavy rain washing ash and debris into local streams and roads. One sentence. A separate wildfire near Carrbridge in the Highlands has kept…

Scotland’s villages are the kind of places that make you pull over just to stare. From Highland hamlets to coastal hideaways, these ten gems show off the country’s raw beauty, history, and a good dose of local quirk. Plockton: Highlands Charm by the Sea Plockton feels like a place the world forgot — in the best way. Just one main street hugs the sheltered shores of Loch Carron. Whitewashed cottages stand proud, palm trees sway oddly in the breeze (thanks to the Gulf Stream), and boats bob lazily offshore. Artists flock here for that light you can’t quite capture on…

Scotland’s biggest mental health charity is backing Team Scotland Roller Derby as they get ready to skate onto the world stage — and the players say the support goes far beyond just wearing a logo. An Unlikely Partnership With Huge Impact This July, Team Scotland Roller Derby will hit the track at the Roller Derby World Cup in Innsbruck, Austria, with more than medals on their minds. SAMH — the Scottish Action for Mental Health — has stepped up to sponsor the team. That means the charity’s name and iconic logo will be emblazoned on the players’ strips for the…

When people stop feeling safe, a neighbourhood can change overnight. In Scotland, new surveys suggest that fear is on the rise — and that fear alone can carry real consequences. New Poll Lays Bare the Worries A recent survey reveals something pretty telling: about a third of Scots reckon crime’s up in their local area over the past two years. Only 11% think it’s fallen. That’s not great. One short line: And trust in the police? Not exactly sky-high. Half the people surveyed said they’re not confident police have the resources to deal with crime. Nearly two-thirds doubt officers even…

Facial recognition might soon be in your local shop — and your local police force — if Scotland’s crime trends keep heading north. Shoplifting Spike Puts Tech in the Spotlight Across Scotland, retailers say they’re drowning in theft. Official stats show shoplifting is up 16% this year — a jump that’s left small businesses, big chains, and the cops scrambling for answers. One line: And for many, the answer looks like a camera. Nathalie Fullarton, who runs a corner shop in Partick, says the theft got so bad she turned to Facewatch — a live facial recognition system now used…

Chevron is shutting down its Scotland office as part of a sweeping overhaul of its European operations, a move that’s set to send ripples through the country’s energy sector. A Blow to Aberdeen’s Oil Hub Status Chevron’s office in Aberdeen has long been seen as a symbol of Scotland’s vital role in North Sea oil and gas. Now, that presence is about to vanish. One short line: For the city that calls itself Europe’s oil capital, it stings. Industry insiders say the closure, though not unexpected, raises fresh questions about the future of Scotland’s offshore industry as the world shifts…

Fire crews in the Scottish Highlands are battling relentless wildfires for a third straight day — a crisis some locals are calling the worst in living memory. Blazes Stretch Firefighters to the Limit Early Saturday morning, crews rushed to tackle a fast-spreading fire near Carrbridge. By Monday evening, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said multiple wildfire incidents were still raging across the region. A spokesperson put it bluntly: “Our firefighters continue to work tirelessly to tackle several wildfire incidents from Carrbridge in Highland to Dallas, outside Forres in Moray.” They urged locals to keep doors and windows closed…