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The countdown to the announcement of Scotland's Christmas Home of the Year is on, with five festive finalists vying for the title when the popular BBC show airs on Monday, 16 December at 8pm on BBC One Scotland. The judges of this year's Christmas edition of Scotland's Home of the Year have toured homes across the country, including those in Lesmahagow, Cumbernauld, Dalkeith, Alloa, and Fraserburgh. Interior designers Anna Campbell-Jones and Banjo Beale, alongside architect Danny Campbell, will be judging the homes based on architectural merit, stylish interiors, and, of course, festive flair. Here’s a look at the finalists: 1.…

Expectations for home sales in Scotland have reached their highest point in over three years, according to the latest report from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Residential Market Survey. As 2024 draws to a close, the Scottish housing market is showing signs of resilience, with buyer inquiries and sales continuing to rise, albeit at a slower pace compared to the previous month. Rising Expectations for Sales A net balance of 50% of respondents in the RICS survey are anticipating an increase in home sales over the next three months, signaling strong confidence in the market's short-term outlook. This…

Scotland’s head coach Steve Clarke has expressed optimism after his team’s draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, calling it “an opportunity” to end their long wait for a return to the global tournament. Having qualified for Euro 2020 and Euro 2024, Scotland has not appeared in a World Cup finals since 1998 in France. The team's qualifying draw, announced on Friday in Zurich, has paired them with Greece, Belarus, and another yet-to-be-determined opponent, offering Clarke a promising route. Scotland’s Path to 2026 World Cup The draw places Scotland in a competitive but manageable group. They will face…

New proposals from the Scottish government could bring significant changes to road speed limits, with plans to reduce the speed limit for cars on single carriageways while increasing it for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). The aim is to improve road safety and curb the rising number of fatalities. Car Speed Limits to Drop: What’s Behind the Change? Under the new proposals, speed limits for cars could be reduced from 60mph to 50mph on certain single carriageways. This move is part of a broader initiative to tackle the alarming rise in road fatalities, which have increased by 26% compared to last…

Access to basic human rights—health, housing, and food—is proving increasingly difficult in parts of Scotland, according to a new report by the Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC). The findings shed light on persistent inequalities in rural and island communities, despite government efforts to address these challenges. Housing Shortages: A Barrier to Stability In Orkney, a lack of affordable housing is driving people to turn down job offers, exacerbating economic challenges. Abuse survivors, unable to find safe accommodations, face the added trauma of staying near their alleged offenders. The housing crisis isn't new, but the SHRC's report puts hard numbers to…

Farmers and crofters across Scotland are gearing up to rally outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, voicing concerns over the future of their industry. The gathering highlights two pressing issues: a call for increased agricultural funding and opposition to proposed changes to inheritance tax relief affecting farmland. Funding at the Forefront The rally, organized by farming union NFU Scotland, comes ahead of the Scottish Government’s 2025/26 Budget announcement next week. Farmers are urging the government to boost agricultural support funding by £50 million, bringing the total to £776 million. They also seek long-term financial commitments, reminiscent of the stability provided…

Kieran Tierney’s Euro 2024 campaign has taken an unfortunate turn as the Arsenal left-back was forced to leave Scotland's match against Switzerland on a stretcher, potentially ruling him out for the rest of the tournament. Injury Halts Tierney’s Progress Tierney had started the game with high hopes, making his second start of the Euro 2024 tournament. However, the match took a painful twist in the 61st minute. As Tierney chased back to defend, he received a push, which caused his knee to hyperextend. Falling awkwardly to the ground, he immediately clutched his hamstring in visible pain. The medical team rushed…

Police Scotland officers are set to take their frustration to the streets of Glasgow this Thursday as more than 100 officers gather to protest over pay. The protest, scheduled to take place outside the Merchants’ House of Glasgow near George Square, comes amid tense negotiations between the Scottish Police Federation (SPF), Police Scotland, the Scottish Government, and the Scottish Police Authority. The ongoing pay dispute has reached a breaking point, with officers feeling increasingly alienated by the lack of a fair pay increase. The protest, expected to run from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., marks a dramatic escalation in the…

In a surprising twist, Kodagu, the picturesque district in Karnataka famously known as the "Scotland of India," is grappling with an unusual heatwave. This district, once revered for its cool and temperate climate, is now seeing temperatures soar to a staggering 35°C, sending ripples of concern through its residents and visitors alike. Kodagu, a haven of misty hills and lush greenery, is no stranger to rainfall. However, this year, the region is battling an extreme drought, leaving its rolling hills parched and its trademark fog absent. The very essence of the region seems to be changing, with the once cool…

In a landmark case that could have significant implications for gender equality laws across the UK, Supreme Court judges have retired to deliberate on their ruling regarding the definition of a woman. The case revolves around a legal dispute between the Scottish government and the campaign group For Women Scotland, and it could have far-reaching consequences for how gender is understood under UK law. Background of the Case The case originated from a 2018 Scottish Parliament bill aimed at ensuring gender balance on public sector boards. The bill sparked a legal conflict over whether trans women should be recognized as…