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HiiROC, a British company focused on clean energy, has joined forces with Agile Energy to push forward hydrogen production in the Scottish Highlands. This new partnership, announced on October 30, 2025, will test HiiROCs special technology at Thainstone Energy Park near Inverurie to turn waste into low carbon hydrogen and other useful products. The move comes at a time when the UK pushes hard for net zero goals, and this project could help cut emissions in hard to reach areas like remote communities and shipping routes. Partnership Aims to Transform Waste into Energy The collaboration between HiiROC and Agile Energy…

Halloween 2025 falls on a Friday, drawing thrill seekers worldwide to spots rich in ghost stories and eerie vibes. These eight haunted destinations offer chills from ancient castles to forgotten islands, perfect for those chasing supernatural adventures this spooky season. Europe's Timeless Castles of Spirits Europe holds some of the oldest haunted sites, where history and hauntings blend in grand stone walls. Visitors flock here for guided tours that mix facts with folklore, especially as Halloween ramps up the atmosphere. Edinburgh Castle in Scotland tops many lists for its bloody past of battles and executions. Guards and guests report seeing…

Duncan Forgan, a Scottish father living in Bangkok, shares in a new essay how 15 years in Asia have left him feeling disconnected from his homeland. He worries his young son, raised in Thailand, will face the same challenges when visiting Scotland. Forgan left Scotland for Asia in 2010 and built a life in the bustling city of Bangkok. Now, simple triggers like old songs spark deep nostalgia, but he knows returning home would feel foreign. This story highlights the growing issue of reverse culture shock among long-term expats in 2025. Nostalgia Hits Hard on the Road Home Forgan describes…

Votes in the upcoming Scottish Parliament election will shift to a daytime count the day after polls close. This change aims to cut costs and boost public interest in the process for the May 7, 2026, vote. Why the Switch to Daytime Counting? The Electoral Management Board for Scotland made this decision after talks with election experts, the Electoral Commission, political parties, and members of the Scottish Parliament. They want to use staff who feel fresh and have easy access to help and tools during the day. Malcolm Burr, the board's leader, explained that daytime work lowers risks and saves…

Young people across Scotland preparing for Senior Phase exams now have access to free online evening webinars through e-Sgoil, the innovative education platform started by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. This program kicks off on October 27, 2025, and aims to level the playing field for students in remote areas by offering specialist teaching in key subjects. Roots of e-Sgoil in Scottish Education Challenges e-Sgoil began in 2016 to tackle teacher shortages in the Outer Hebrides, where small schools often lack experts in subjects like physics and modern languages. Rural students faced limited options, widening the gap between urban and island…

In the quiet town of Dumbarton, Scotland, more than 30 locals faced brutal accusations of witchcraft in the 17th century, leading to torture and execution for many on a spot now turned into a simple car park. Campaigners today push to honor these victims with a memorial, shedding light on a painful chapter of false blame driven by fear and religious zeal. The Grim Legacy of Witch Hunts in Dumbarton Dumbarton, a port town on the Clyde River, buzzed with trade and tension back then. Suspicions ran high as crop failures, shipwrecks, and neighbor disputes fueled wild claims of satanic…

Susan Smith, a key figure in the women's rights group For Women Scotland, faces a police recorded warning after an alleged umbrella damage during a rally outside the Scottish Parliament. The incident on September 4, 2025, at Holyrood sparked a confrontation with a counter protester and has now drawn sharp criticism toward Police Scotland's handling of the event. The Holyrood Protest and Umbrella Confrontation The rally, called Women Wont Wait, brought together supporters urging the Scottish Government to speed up changes based on a recent Supreme Court decision about gender definitions. Dozens gathered to voice concerns over delays in protecting…

The Horticultural Trades Association launched its Scottish Environmental Horticulture Manifesto on October 29, 2025, at Pentland Plants near Edinburgh. This bold plan outlines how the sector can double its economic impact to £5.1 billion by 2030, creating greener jobs and supporting Scotland's net zero goals through practical policy changes. The manifesto comes at a key time as Scotland debates the Land Reform Bill, stressing the role of horticulture in land use and community prosperity. Industry leaders see it as a roadmap to tackle rising costs and boost competitiveness in the green economy. Sector's Current Strength and Future Potential Scotland's environmental…

A new study from the University of Stirling shows that efforts to restore ancient Caledonian forests in the Scottish Highlands are greatly increasing moth numbers and variety. Led by PhD student Patrick Cook for Butterfly Conservation, the research highlights how deer control on the Mar Lodge Estate has helped woodlands regrow and support more wildlife in just a few decades. Key Findings from the Moth Study Researchers found clear differences in moth populations across different land types on the Mar Lodge Estate in the Cairngorms. They recorded moths over 12 nights in summer 2023 using traps in mature ancient forests,…

ABB has secured a key contract to equip seven all-electric double-ended ferries with advanced power systems for Scotland's Caledonian Maritime Assets. These vessels will boost connectivity in the Clyde and Hebrides regions while cutting emissions through cutting-edge technology from the global leader in electrification. Project Details and Timeline The deal involves Remontowa Shipbuilding in Poland building the ferries for CMAL. Delivery starts in late 2027 and wraps up by early 2029. These boats will handle nine routes along Scotland's west coast serving island communities that rely on reliable transport. This initiative falls under CMAL's Small Vessel Replacement Programme. The goal…