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Authorities have sounded the alarm again, with a fresh wildfire risk alert covering most of Scotland after a blaze scorched Edinburgh’s iconic Arthur’s Seat. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) says the warning — in force from Wednesday for seven days — marks the 10th such alert this year. Arthur’s Seat Blaze Adds Urgency Flames were spotted on Arthur’s Seat on Sunday evening.Smoke billowed over the capital, and flickers of orange could be seen from the city streets below. Crews rushed in to tackle the fire, which ripped through gorse and brush on the slopes.The fire service believes it…

The Royal Society’s prestigious science writing award has revealed its six-title shortlist at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, setting the stage for an autumn showdown in science storytelling. Edinburgh Hosts a Night of Science and Story It was a packed evening at the Edinburgh International Book Festival.Book lovers, scientists, and festival-goers packed the hall as the Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize jury unveiled this year’s shortlist. From a pool of 254 initial submissions, six titles made the cut. Each one was published in the last 12 months, and each offers its own window into the wonders — and sometimes…

Scotland women’s captain Rachel Malcolm has hit out at the “disruptive” build-up to the Rugby World Cup, saying her squad has been left in an “unfair” position by uncertainty over contracts and the shock news of their head coach’s departure. The blunt assessment comes as the team faces not just the physical demands of tournament preparation, but also a string of off-pitch distractions threatening to sap morale. Contract Chaos Creates Anxiety Some players still don’t know if they’ll have a contract once the final whistle blows at the World Cup.It’s August, the tournament is just around the corner, and for…

Nicholas Rossi’s life story reads like a plot stolen from a paperback thriller—complete with a fake name, international pursuit, and an unmasking in a Scottish hospital ward. Now, the man once calling himself “Arthur Knight” is preparing to stand trial in Utah on a rape charge. When I first met him, it was in the genteel surroundings of Glasgow’s West End, a place of leafy streets and understated cafés. He wore the persona of a flustered British aristocrat, complete with a wandering accent and a theatrical air. But there were cracks in the performance, and they showed quickly. The First…

Scotland’s service economy is back in growth mode, with fresh data showing a sharp rebound in business activity during June and renewed optimism for the year ahead. The Royal Bank of Scotland Growth Tracker’s mid-year analysis points to a sector that has weathered spring’s softer spell and is now benefiting from buoyant consumer spending, global demand for tech services, and—yes—even a burst of unseasonably warm weather. Service Sector Back in the Fast Lane June’s numbers weren’t just good—they were the joint-strongest monthly output growth in seven months. That’s a clear sign momentum has shifted after a slow patch earlier in…

EDINBURGH — Nicola Sturgeon’s long-anticipated memoir Frankly landed on bookshelves earlier than planned this week, offering a frank self-assessment from Scotland’s longest-serving first minister. The former SNP leader, who guided the country through the pandemic and eight election victories, uses the book to reflect on political triumphs and bruising defeats — including the divisive debate over gender recognition reform that overshadowed her final months in office. Rancour, Regret and Legislative Lessons Sturgeon writes that the gender recognition bill — aimed at making it easier to change legal gender — became “a time of rancour and division,” exacerbated by the Isla…

SANDAY, ORKNEY — What began as an ordinary run along a windswept Scottish beach turned into a remarkable brush with history for one local schoolboy, who stumbled upon the wreck of a ship that once sailed for the British Royal Navy nearly three centuries ago. The find — made in February 2024 after a violent winter storm battered Sanday, one of Orkney’s most remote islands — revealed the remains of a vessel that had lain hidden beneath the sand for over 200 years. A Race Against the Tide When the boy spotted the large section of timber jutting from the…

EDINBURGH — August 12, 2025 — Almost 80 community-led regeneration projects across Scotland are set to share more than £2.5 million in fresh funding, as the Scottish Government moves to unlock the economic potential of local areas while tackling persistent social challenges. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes confirmed the investment under the Strengthening Communities Programme for the 2025–26 financial year, marking the initiative’s 13th year of operation. The programme will continue to support 62 existing organisations and launch work with a further 15 new recipients. Edinburgh Groups Among Beneficiaries Several Edinburgh-based initiatives will receive targeted funding, including: North Edinburgh –…

A large blaze tore through Arthur’s Seat on Sunday, sending smoke over Edinburgh’s skyline and prompting warnings for the public to stay away from one of Scotland’s most-visited landmarks. Smoke Over the City Arthur’s Seat isn’t just a hill—it’s the extinct volcano that dominates the city’s horizon. At about 250 metres high, it offers panoramic views stretching from Edinburgh Castle to the Firth of Forth. On Sunday, however, those views were obscured by thick smoke as flames spread across its slopes. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed crews were at the scene tackling the blaze in Holyrood Park. Police…

Women Travel Tribe (WTT) is planning its biggest year yet, unveiling fifty women-only trips for 2026, with a spotlight on destinations from Ireland and Scotland to Kenya and Croatia. A Growing Market With Deep Pockets The demand for women-only travel isn’t just a niche trend anymore—it’s a thriving, global movement. WTT’s own numbers tell the story: over 12,000 members now form its community, and bookings have surged to the point where the organisation is tripling its offerings for next year. This growth isn’t random. Industry data shows women aged 55 and over now account for more than 40% of all…