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Scotland’s breathtaking landscapes are about to be seen from a unique perspective with the opening of a new exhibition this week at Fort George. Celebrating Scotland’s Landscapes will feature stunning aerial images from the National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP), offering an innovative way to explore the nation’s rich history and natural beauty. A Glimpse from Above: Scotland’s Landscapes Revealed This new exhibition invites visitors to view Scotland from a bird’s eye view, showcasing everything from ancient settlements to modern-day ruins. It’s an opportunity to see how the land has been shaped by human activity over the centuries, as well…

Scotland's head coach Gregor Townsend has named his squad for the 2025 Guinness Six Nations, bringing both fresh faces and experienced veterans into the mix. From new additions to returning players, here are six key takeaways for Scotland fans ahead of the tournament. Fresh Blood: Fergus Burke's First Call-Up The standout inclusion in Townsend’s squad is Fergus Burke, the 25-year-old stand-off currently playing for Saracens. Burke qualifies for Scotland through his Glasgow-born grandfather and could make his debut during the tournament. Townsend has followed Burke's progress for several years and highlighted his ability to play both at stand-off and fullback,…

A recent report from Scotland's Cairngorms National Park has uncovered a shocking case of suspected "guerrilla rewilding" after a pair of Eurasian lynx were discovered roaming the area. The incident, which began with a sighting on January 8, has now turned into a troubling investigation into the illegal release of the species. The initial discovery of the lynx quickly led to an effort by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), Scottish police, and park rangers to capture the animals. The situation escalated after camera traps confirmed the presence of additional lynx in the park, one of which tragically died…

A fleet of electric buses in Glasgow has been temporarily taken out of service due to a technical issue, impacting the city's efforts to reduce emissions. Passengers have noticed the replacement of these electric vehicles with diesel buses. 30 Electric Buses Pulled from Service First Bus has announced that 30 of its electric buses in Glasgow have been withdrawn after facing technical failures. This issue was first raised in December, and the affected buses are being replaced by ultra-low emission diesel buses from across the UK. These electric buses were part of an ambitious plan to improve air quality and…

Edinburgh Rugby's D’arcy Rae has signed a two-year contract extension after an impressive start to the 2023/24 season. The 30-year-old tighthead prop has been in exceptional form both at the club level and internationally, earning a place in Scotland's Autumn Nations Series squad. Strong Start to the Season Rae has been a key figure in Edinburgh Rugby’s matchday 23 for all nine BKT United Rugby Championship fixtures this season, starting in four of them. His consistent performances have earned him a call-up to the Scotland squad, where he earned his second Test cap in the dominant 57-17 victory over Fiji…

Lloyds Banking Group has announced a major shake-up in its banking network, allowing customers of Lloyds, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland to access any of the branches within the group for in-person services. This decision, set to be implemented later in 2025, aims to provide customers with greater flexibility and convenience, though it has raised concerns over the potential for further closures of high-street branches. A New Approach to Customer Flexibility From later this year, customers of all three brands under the Lloyds Banking Group umbrella will be able to visit any of the branches for face-to-face banking services. This…

As Edinburgh prepares to implement its controversial visitor levy, UKHospitality Scotland has responded to the city’s revised proposal, expressing concerns while welcoming some key revisions. Visitor Levy Proposal: Concerns Over Impact on Businesses The proposal for a 5% levy on eligible bookings in Edinburgh has been met with mixed reactions from the hospitality sector. Leon Thompson, Executive Director of UKHospitality Scotland, emphasized that while the levy could be acceptable, it is crucial that its costs are kept to a minimum. The hospitality body has long advocated for businesses to be able to recover some of the costs associated with collecting…

A new report has raised alarm over a significant skills shortage in Scotland’s engineering sector, with industry leaders warning that the country risks missing out on a potential economic “industrial revolution-sized opportunity” unless immediate action is taken. Deep Concerns Over Apprenticeship Funding Scottish Engineering, a key industry body, has highlighted severe concerns about cuts to apprenticeship and work-based learning funding. The organisation argues that these reductions, coupled with the ongoing repercussions of Brexit, have left Scotland vulnerable to a skills crisis that threatens to hinder the growth and development of critical industries. The report, a skills gap survey commissioned by…

Scotland's First Minister, John Swinney, has refrained from commenting on the possibility of a public inquiry into the infamous 1988 Lockerbie bombing, despite renewed interest in the case and ongoing legal proceedings in the United States. Renewed Scrutiny of the Lockerbie Tragedy The bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, which killed 270 people, remains the deadliest terrorist attack on British soil. In 2001, Libyan intelligence officer Abdel Baset Ali Al-Megrahi was convicted for his role in planting the bomb that brought down the plane over Lockerbie. Al-Megrahi maintained his innocence throughout his trial and later in prison, and many continue…

Cycleway improvements are coming to the A830 in Fort William as part of ongoing efforts to enhance transportation options for pedestrians, cyclists, and other users. The project, led by BEAR Scotland for Transport Scotland, is set to make significant changes along the stretch from the A82/A830 Road to the Isles Roundabout to the Banavie Swing Bridge. Resurfacing Delayed Due to Weather The planned resurfacing of the A830, initially scheduled to start earlier, has been delayed due to the impact of recent cold weather. The new start date for the resurfacing works is Tuesday, January 14, 2025. These improvements form part…