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A Tailored Visa to Address Skills and Population Challenges Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, has unveiled a bold proposal for a dedicated visa to retain skilled international graduates in the country. Dubbed the Scottish Graduate Visa, the initiative aims to tackle Scotland's population challenges, bolster its economy, and address critical skills shortages. The visa would provide international students who complete their studies in Scotland with an additional two years to live and work in the country. Acting as a bridge between existing post-study and work visas, the scheme would give graduates more time to gain professional experience required to transition…

Plans for a new fee to use small boats on the River Clyde have sparked widespread anger among boat owners, leisure groups, and politicians. Peel Ports Clydeport, the harbour authority managing the waters, is proposing an annual charge of £100 for leisure craft between 6m and 24m in length, but the reaction has been overwhelmingly negative. Fee Proposal: What’s Being Suggested Peel Ports Clydeport, responsible for managing over 450 square miles of the Clyde and nearby waters, has introduced a plan called the "leisure vehicle conservancy fee." The proposal outlines an annual fee structure: £100 + VAT for boats regularly…

A fierce weather system is on its way, and it’s called Storm Éowyn. The Met Office has issued yellow warnings, signaling strong winds across much of the country this Friday and Saturday. Disruptions to travel, power outages, and potential damage to property are all on the table as this storm approaches Scotland from the south. What the Yellow Warning Means A yellow warning might sound less serious, but it’s a signal to prepare. It covers a broad range of potential impacts, and it’s all about timing. Starting Friday morning, winds will sweep in from the south, intensifying as they travel…

Gusts as high as 90mph are set to batter Scotland on Friday, as Storm Eowyn—the fifth named storm of the season—arrives with the potential to cause widespread damage, travel chaos, and power outages. The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning, underscoring the severe conditions expected to grip much of southern and central Scotland. Amber Weather Warning: Who’s Affected? An amber wind warning will be in place from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, stretching across a broad swath of the country. Regions under the alert include Stirling, Falkirk, Clackmannanshire, Aberdeenshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Fife, the Highlands, Tayside,…

Scotland is gearing up for a significant reshuffle of its post-compulsory education funding framework, aiming for implementation by autumn 2026. The changes, announced after extensive consultations, address longstanding criticisms of fragmentation and inefficiency in the skills funding system, as highlighted by James Withers in his comprehensive review. Streamlining the Funding Structure Under the proposed reforms: Scottish Funding Council (SFC): Will assume responsibility for all post-school funding, including apprenticeships and training currently managed by Skills Development Scotland (SDS). Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS): Will take over student support for further education, relieving the SFC of this responsibility. SDS will continue to…

Donald Trump’s Scottish Ties Spotlighted in Commons Debate Former Scottish Secretary and Conservative MP David Mundell has suggested that Scotland should capitalise on Donald Trump’s “deep affection” for the country during his second presidency to reap economic benefits. Trump, whose mother was born on the Isle of Lewis, has longstanding ties to Scotland, further cemented by his investments in the Trump Turnberry golf resort and other properties in the north-east. Speaking in the House of Commons, Mundell highlighted these connections, urging the UK and Scottish governments to explore opportunities for economic growth during Trump's new term. Trump’s Legacy in Scotland…

Actor Victory Venkatesh, who is basking in the phenomenal success of Sankranthiki Vasthunnam, is taking a well-deserved break in Coorg (Kodagu), Karnataka. Known as the 'Scotland of India,' Coorg is famous for its breathtaking landscapes, lush green hills, and sprawling coffee plantations. Celebrating Success Directed by Anil Ravipudi, Sankranthiki Vasthunnam has emerged as a massive box office hit, grossing over ₹200 crore globally. The film, a lighthearted family entertainer, struck a chord with audiences and marked another milestone in Venkatesh’s illustrious career. The actor's active involvement in the movie’s promotional campaigns has been widely acknowledged as one of the factors…

Scotland is bracing for the first named storm of 2025, as Storm Eowyn brings gusts of up to 90 mph and widespread disruption. The weather warning for high winds has been upgraded from yellow to amber, covering large parts of the country, particularly in the south and central regions. Storm Eowyn: What to Expect Storm Eowyn, named by the UK Met Office, is expected to impact Scotland on Friday, with the amber warning running from 06:00 to 21:00. The storm will bring extremely high winds that could pose a serious risk to life due to flying debris, power cuts, and…

Lantra Scotland’s prestigious Aquaculture Awards have revealed the five finalists vying for recognition at this year's Awards for Land-based and Aquaculture Skills (the ALBAS). These individuals, ranging from those in modern apprenticeships to doctoral students, are celebrated for their dedication to aquaculture and land-based skills. The ALBAS ceremony is set to take place at Crieff Hydro Hotel on March 6, 2025, bringing together leaders in the field to acknowledge outstanding achievements in the sector. A Diverse Group of Finalists with Passion for Aquaculture The five shortlisted candidates represent a variety of backgrounds and expertise, all tied together by a common…

Friends of the Earth Scotland has raised serious concerns over mining companies’ lack of communication with local communities regarding transition mineral mining exploration. Research across Aberdeenshire, Dumfries and Galloway, and the Highlands reveals that residents have often been unaware of mining plans until exploration activities were already underway. This lack of transparency has led to widespread frustration, with communities feeling “kept in the dark” by both the companies involved and their political representatives. Mining for Transition Minerals: What’s at Stake? Transition minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel are essential for the production of renewable technologies like electric vehicles and…