News

Washington, D.C. — May 15, 2025 — Washington Spirit’s goalkeeper Sandy MacIver has been named to the Scotland Women’s National Team roster for the concluding matches of the 2025 UEFA Women’s Nations League group stage. The Scottish Football Association announced the call-up as Scotland prepares to face Austria and the Netherlands in their final Group A1 fixtures. MacIver’s Journey and Impact Originally hailing from Winsford, England, Sandy MacIver has already made an impact for Scotland with five senior international appearances. During those outings, she has recorded two clean sheets, demonstrating her skills and reliability in goal. MacIver joined the Washington…

Scotland’s capital is about to get a lot closer to Iceland. Starting September 2025, Icelandair will launch a new direct route connecting Edinburgh to Reykjavik, promising smoother transatlantic travel, rich tourism potential, and business opportunities for both nations. Direct Flights to Reykjavik: A Big Win for Edinburgh Airport Icelandair’s announcement couldn’t have come at a better time for Edinburgh Airport, which continues to build its reputation as a growing international hub. The new route, operating from September through April, will see up to four direct flights per week between Edinburgh and Reykjavik. The flights will be serviced by Icelandair’s Boeing…

EDINBURGH — Heriot-Watt University has been named Scotland’s leading institution for producing Chief Executive Officers and Managing Directors, according to a new report analyzing millions of alumni career paths across the UK. The study, conducted by financial services firm Novuna Business Cash Flow, examined over 10 million LinkedIn profiles tied to more than 120 UK universities. It found that 4.57% of Heriot-Watt alumni have gone on to occupy top leadership roles such as CEO or MD — the highest percentage in Scotland. Practical, Enterprise-Focused Education Much of the credit, according to the university, lies in its emphasis on enterprise-focused learning.…

Starbucks has introduced what it calls its “most exciting” coffee cup yet in Europe—a bold move away from plastic linings toward sustainable, home-compostable materials. The iconic white cup now comes with a mineral-based coating and fibre lids, aiming to cut down plastic waste without changing the coffee experience customers love. A New Era for the Classic Starbucks Cup It’s no secret that single-use coffee cups have long been a headache for the environment. Starbucks, one of the world’s biggest coffee chains, is taking a significant step forward with this new cup design. The change isn’t just cosmetic. After over three…

Bladnoch, a legendary name in the Lowlands whisky scene and Scotland’s oldest privately-owned distillery, is making waves again. Now under Australian ownership, the distillery has just launched two new aged single malts — the Bladnoch 8 Year Old and 16 Year Old — that are already capturing the attention of whisky lovers worldwide. Both whiskies pay homage to tradition while embracing fresh innovation, highlighting the distillery’s 208-year heritage. Master Distiller Dr Nick Savage has been at the helm, guiding these new expressions that promise to add a vibrant chapter to Bladnoch’s long story. Fresh and Fruity: The Bladnoch 8 Year…

The Church of Scotland is re-examining its long-held opposition to assisted dying following a significant vote in the Scottish Parliament that backed legalizing assisted dying for terminally ill adults. This marks a notable shift in the church’s position on a deeply sensitive and divisive issue. Holyrood's vote came after nearly five hours of intense debate, with 70 MSPs supporting the general principles of the Bill and 56 opposing. However, the Bill still faces two further parliamentary stages before it can become law, and the Church’s final stance will be revealed at the upcoming General Assembly. A Historic Shift in Church…

Scotland’s offshore wind sector faces a critical moment as growing policy uncertainty threatens investor confidence and stalls major projects, the chief executive of Scottish Renewables has warned. The future of a sector that promises vast economic and environmental benefits now hangs in the balance amid delays and unclear government direction. Speaking at the All-Energy conference in Glasgow, Claire Mack laid bare the precarious position of the industry, urging swift action to secure the investment and policy clarity needed to keep Scotland’s offshore wind ambitions afloat. A Watershed Moment for Scottish Offshore Wind Claire Mack didn’t mince words. “Scotland’s offshore wind…

In a major shift for Scottish law and ethics, the Scottish Parliament has voted in favour of legalising assisted dying for terminally ill adults, marking a significant step in a long-running national debate. MSPs backed the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill at stage one by 70 votes to 56—a clear, though not overwhelming, majority. The vote confirms support for the principle of the bill, though further scrutiny and potential amendments will follow at stages two and three. The bill, introduced by Liam McArthur, Liberal Democrat MSP for Orkney, would allow adults with a terminal diagnosis, who are…

A new initiative is underway to protect the A82 from landslips by planting native trees along the hillsides above Loch Ness. This stretch of road has seen closures caused by rockfalls in recent years, raising safety concerns. Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) has begun establishing a native woodland aimed at reinforcing the slopes, reducing erosion, and creating a natural barrier against the weather’s worst effects. The project’s first phase saw 5,000 trees planted near Drumnadrochit on previously cleared land. Clearing Old Pines to Make Way for Native Woodland The project involves removing some conifers—some nearly a century old—that are vulnerable…

Scotland is grappling with the driest start to the year since 1964, prompting Scottish Water to urge residents to be cautious with their water use. The unusually dry spell has pushed demand up by about 150 million litres daily since mid-April, stretching supplies in several areas. With river levels dipping dangerously low and no rain forecast for at least a week, the pressure on water resources is mounting. While a full hosepipe ban isn’t in place yet, Scottish Water is already taking steps to top up supplies and asking the public to cut back on non-essential water use. Water Scarcity…