News

The UK Government has announced a major funding boost for one of its flagship climate ventures, pledging $272 million (approximately £200 million) to Scotland’s Acorn Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project, a move it says is critical to achieving its net-zero emissions goal by 2050. The investment, unveiled on June 12, provides concrete backing for a CCS technology previously referenced in the UK’s spending review on June 11, underscoring the growing urgency of decarbonising heavy industry. Acorn Project: Capturing Carbon in the North Sea Located at St Fergus in northeast Scotland, the Acorn CCS project is a joint venture involving…

A wave of eco-conscious travel is sweeping across the Scottish Highlands, as 3,000 tourists sign a pledge to travel responsibly on the iconic North Coast 500 route. Locals are hopeful this growing movement can ease the burden on their communities—without slowing the tourist boom. Scenic Beauty, But at What Cost? The North Coast 500—or NC500 for short—is no hidden gem anymore. Stretching 830 km around the Highlands, starting and ending in Inverness, this rugged route is on every road-tripper’s dream list. And that’s both a blessing and a bit of a headache. Local businesses have welcomed the economic boost. But…

More than 110 Scots have been named in His Majesty The King’s Birthday Honours List 2025, recognised for their remarkable efforts in public service, community work, and dedication to others. With a total of 1,215 awards issued across the UK, Scotland's recipients make up nearly 9% of this year’s list. The honours, announced on Friday, spotlight individuals from a broad range of sectors—healthcare, education, youth work, humanitarian aid, and the arts—each contributing in their own way to the fabric of Scottish life. Community Work, Tragedy, and Resilience At the heart of this year’s list is the story of John and…

Every week, ordinary Scots snap extraordinary slices of life—and the week of 6–13 June was no different. Whether it was raw triumph after a 54-mile march or the splash of teamwork in a summer gala, these personal captures brought out the grit, charm, and quiet pride that pulse through the country’s communities. This week’s highlights come from Blairgowrie to Strathaven—and each image has a story behind it. “Raw Emotion”: A Selfie at the Finish Line There’s tired. Then there’s 54-miles-through-the-Perthshire-heather tired. Brendan Hannan shared a selfie with five mates trailing behind him, all grinning, thumbs up, walking a gravel path…

A small village in Angus has been left shaken after the body of a woman was pulled from a river just miles from Blairgowrie, prompting an active police investigation. The grim discovery was made around 4:30pm on Wednesday in the remote hamlet of Kilry, where emergency responders rushed to the scene and cordoned off the area for hours as forensic officers began their inquiries. Quiet village, sudden shock Kilry, a peaceful spot nestled in the foothills of the Angus Glens, isn’t used to sirens or police tape. Locals described the presence of emergency vehicles as “startling,” with one resident saying…

In the dim, silvery light of early morning, a bogha-frois — Gaelic for rainbow — arced across a brooding Hebridean sky, its bands of colour gently illuminating the stony silhouette of a ruined hilltop temple. For many in Scotland, a rainbow signals hope or good fortune. For this traveller, it felt like a blessing at the start of a remarkable journey. This wasn't just any cycling holiday. It was Wilderness Scotland’s seven-day e-bike tour of the Outer Hebrides, one of the most remote and visually stunning corners of Western Europe. As the only guided, small-group e-bike tour available in the…

Nine previously unseen artworks by the late Alasdair Gray — one of Scotland’s most beloved and eccentric creative minds — are to go on public display this weekend at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow, the place that first sparked his lifelong love for visual art. The intimate pieces, part of the Morag McAlpine Bequest, were gifted to Glasgow Life Museums in 2014 following the death of Gray’s wife. Now, a decade later and in what would have been Gray’s 90th year, the works will be unveiled to the public for the first time in Kelvingrove’s Fragile Art Gallery.…

Glasgow’s planning officials have given the green light to the controversial redevelopment of the fire-damaged O2 ABC music venue, paving the way for a student accommodation and public food hall complex — despite opposition from conservation bodies and the nearby Glasgow School of Art. The new scheme, spearheaded by Vita Group, includes the construction of 356 student beds, a publicly-accessible food hall, and a flexible events space, as well as a central courtyard. Dubbed the "House of Social", the development aims to regenerate the Sauchiehall Street site that has lain vacant since the 2018 fire at the adjacent Mackintosh Building.…

In a major step forward for ophthalmic care, Scotland has officially approved the first licensed formulation of bevacizumab for treating wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD). The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has given the green light to Lytenava (bevacizumab gamma), developed by Outlook Therapeutics, marking a significant development for patients at risk of permanent vision loss. A Game-Changer for Wet AMD Treatment Lytenava is the first and only licensed ophthalmic version of bevacizumab approved for wet AMD use in both the European Union and the United Kingdom. While bevacizumab has long been used off-label in ophthalmology, this is the first…

The world's friendliest crime-writing festival is back with a vengeance — and this year, it’s got one hell of a guest list. From global bestsellers to local legends, Bloody Scotland is ready to set Stirling buzzing with mystery, murder, and mayhem this September. Sir Ian Rankin Steps Up as First-Ever Guest Programmer Sir Ian Rankin — the man behind iconic detective John Rebus — is doing more than just attending this year’s Bloody Scotland festival. He’s curating it. Rankin has taken on the role of the festival’s first ever guest programmer. And he’s not messing around. “You get in touch…