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The Investment Fund for Scotland has completed a milestone first year, delivering significant financial support to businesses across the country. Launched by the British Business Bank with an initial budget of £150 million, the initiative has already backed 26 companies, fueling expansion, innovation, and job creation in multiple sectors. As it enters its second year, the fund is set to widen its reach and address long-standing financial challenges for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Supporting Business Growth Across Scotland From tourism ventures in the Highlands to biotech firms in Edinburgh, the fund's influence has been both wide-ranging and impactful. Companies…

Scotland's public services are under scrutiny. Some claim they are faltering, even broken. The critics are vocal, pointing fingers at the Scottish Government, particularly the SNP. But is the picture really that bleak? A Long-Standing Political Narrative This is not a new debate. Since the dawn of devolution, certain voices have questioned Scotland's governance. They argue that self-rule has come at the cost of efficiency, particularly in public services. The critics come largely from those opposed to further constitutional change—or even the current devolved settlement itself. For years, such criticisms didn’t stick. Polls showed strong public confidence in the Scottish…

A search is underway in Scotland to locate one of the country's tiniest and most elusive moths. The Highland nymph, a species so small it measures only a few millimeters in length, has become the focus of conservation efforts after being rediscovered following a two-decade disappearance. A Tiny but Tough Survivor At first glance, the Highland nymph might seem fragile. But ecologist Patrick Cook, from the wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation, describes it as "small but very tough." The species, also known as the Alpine coffee moth due to its brownish coloring, thrives in mountainous regions, including parts of the Alps…

Murphy has been awarded a significant contract by National Gas to lead a multi-million-pound infrastructure upgrade at the St Fergus Gas Terminal in Scotland. The project, known as the Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD) Compressor Project, is set to enhance the terminal's compliance with strict emissions regulations while reinforcing the UK's energy security. St Fergus Gas Terminal: A Critical Energy Hub The St Fergus Gas Terminal plays a vital role in Britain's energy network, handling between 25% and 50% of the country’s natural gas supply. Positioned on the northeast coast of Scotland, the terminal is a crucial gateway for gas…

A proposed Bill could pave the way for Catholics to serve as the monarch's representative at the Church of Scotland’s General Assembly for the first time in history. If passed, the legislation would remove long-standing legal restrictions that have barred Catholics from holding the role of Lord High Commissioner. Historic Barriers to Catholic Representation The Bill, introduced by Labour MP Pat McFadden, follows the appointment of Lady Elish Angiolini KC, a practising Catholic, to serve as the Lord High Commissioner at the 2025 General Assembly. While the position is a personal appointment by the monarch, it has historically been off-limits…

LONDON, Feb. 19, 2025 — Construction has commenced on a £2.5 billion subsea electricity superhighway that will link Scotland and England, providing power to two million homes across the UK. The project, known as Eastern Green Link 1 (EGL1), is being developed through a joint venture between SP Energy Networks and National Grid, following regulatory approval from Ofgem last year. A 190-Kilometre Energy Corridor The high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable will extend over 190 kilometres, running predominantly under the North Sea to connect Torness in East Lothian, Scotland, to Hawthorn Pit in County Durham, England. The ambitious infrastructure upgrade is…

A well-orchestrated drug smuggling operation, masterminded by Julian Chisholm and backed by Colombia’s Cali Cartel, aimed to land half a tonne of high-purity cocaine on a remote Highland beach. But a brutal storm, a reckless sea transfer, and a sharp-eyed police sergeant brought the plan crashing down. The Diver Who Became a Drug Lord Julian Chisholm wasn’t just any criminal. Raised in Blairgowrie, Perthshire, he worked as a deep-sea diver in the North Sea oil industry before abandoning his career for something far more lucrative: drug smuggling. By the late 1980s, he had embedded himself in Spain’s underworld, starting with…

Abertay University has officially launched a £9 million ($11.3 million) CoSTAR Realtime Lab in Dundee, aiming to supercharge Scotland's gaming, film, and performance industries. This major investment is part of a broader push to position the country as a leader in creative technology and innovation. A Huge Leap for Scotland's Creative Sector The CoSTAR Realtime Lab is more than just a research facility; it's a game-changer for Scotland's entertainment industries. The project is backed by a £75.6 million ($95.2 million) UKRI Infrastructure Fund grant, making it the largest investment in creative industries research and development (R&D) to date. Abertay University…

Scotland, the birthplace of golf, boasts some of the world's most legendary courses. But not all of them live up to their reputations—or their hefty price tags. While some are truly world-class, others feel more like tourist traps, capitalizing on history and exclusivity rather than providing an exceptional golfing experience. Here’s a look at a few that might not be worth your time and money. High Prices, Underwhelming Returns Many golfers dream of teeing off on Scotland’s most famous greens, expecting a premium experience that justifies the sky-high fees. Unfortunately, the reality can be quite different. Some courses charge upwards…

Scotland's oldest private preparatory school, Cargilfield School in Edinburgh, has come under scrutiny after a parent's complaint about its handling of additional support needs (ASN) terminology. The Scottish Government has imposed five conditions on the school’s registration. Background of the Issue Cargilfield School, a prestigious fee-paying institution, has been involved in an issue concerning the language used to address additional support needs (ASN) in its educational environment. A complaint from a parent led to an investigation by regulators, and as a result, the school received five specific conditions from the Scottish Government, which are now part of the school’s independent…