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Orkney Islands, Scotland – 21 May 2025A pioneering electric hydrofoil vessel has arrived in the Orkney Islands, marking a milestone in the UK’s maritime decarbonisation efforts. Northern Ireland-based Artemis Technologies delivered the Zevi 1, a fully electric workboat designed to demonstrate the future of zero-emission inter-island transport. The vessel’s arrival kicks off a three-year demonstration project backed by UK Government funding and delivered in partnership with Orkney Ferries and the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC). A Leap for Island Maritime Transit Zevi 1, based on an earlier Artemis hydrofoil that entered service in 2022, will operate four daily rotations between…

Scotland’s climate ambitions suffered a major blow on Wednesday after the UK’s official climate watchdog warned that the country will miss its 2030 emissions target by up to six years unless there is urgent and large-scale policy intervention. In a damning assessment, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) said Scotland had repeatedly failed to meet its legally binding annual targets and is now falling behind on its legally enshrined commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2045. The report confirmed what many climate policy observers have feared: Scotland’s pledge to slash emissions by 75% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels is…

Scotland’s climate advisors have unveiled a comprehensive roadmap to slash greenhouse gas emissions, putting electric technologies like heat pumps and EVs at the center of the country’s drive to reach net zero by 2045. The Climate Change Committee (CCC), the UK’s independent statutory body providing climate advice, released their first-ever set of recommended carbon budgets specifically for Scotland. These budgets set legally binding limits on emissions from 2026 through 2045, guiding policymakers on how much the country can emit in five-year chunks to stay on track. Tougher Carbon Budgets Reflect Scotland’s Ambitious Climate Goals The CCC’s advice marks a significant…

A major contract with Scottish Power puts Hyosung Heavy Industries at the heart of Scotland’s green energy future, delivering massive 400 kV transformers to transmit wind power across the country. South Korea’s Hyosung Group just added another notch to its growing European portfolio. Its energy arm, Hyosung Heavy Industries, has inked a $60.8 million agreement to supply ultra-high voltage transformers to Scotland—marking yet another step in the UK's transition to a cleaner grid. High Voltage Transformers to Carry Wind Power from Coast to City It’s not just a contract—it’s a strategic placement. Under the deal, Hyosung will deliver 400 kilovolt…

Scotland’s railway stations have become a little more welcoming this week, as new Breathing Space Benches were officially unveiled in a continued effort to promote mental health awareness and encourage people to take time out for themselves. The latest benches were installed at Dumfries, Dundee, Uddingston, and Fort William, adding to the first wave already in place at major transport hubs such as Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley. A Simple Seat With a Powerful Message Launched in collaboration with Samaritans Scotland, Network Rail, NHS 24’s Breathing Space, and ScotRail, the benches are designed as more than just places to rest.…

A controversial proposal to criminalise the purchase of sex in Scotland has ignited fierce debate, with some sex workers warning the change would leave them far more vulnerable and isolated. Alice, not her real name, has been in the industry for over a decade. She says the proposed bill from Alba Party MSP Ash Regan, which would make it illegal to pay for sex, has left her “terrified” for her safety. And she's not alone. A Proposal That’s Splitting the Room At the centre of the controversy is Regan’s bid to introduce the so-called “Nordic Model” to Scotland. This model,…

A wave of grief has swept through East Kilbride and Ayrshire after the fatal stabbing of 16-year-old Kayden Moy at Irvine Beach, one of Scotland’s busiest coastal spots during the recent warm weather. The tragedy has left a family heartbroken, a school community stunned, and an entire town asking how a sunny day by the sea turned so dark. Police confirmed that Kayden was involved in a disturbance among a large group of teenagers shortly before 7 p.m. on Saturday. He was taken to hospital but died from his injuries the following day. A 17-year-old male has since been arrested…

One of Glasgow’s key traffic arteries could grind to a halt after control room workers voted to strike in a bitter pay dispute. The Clyde Tunnel, used by tens of thousands daily, now hangs in the balance. The threat comes as GMB union members, who manage tunnel safety systems, rejected a 3% wage offer and demanded a better deal. They’re asking for a 6.5% rise — about £1 an hour more — arguing their work is critical, and frankly, underappreciated. What’s at stake: 65,000 daily vehicles and a city’s commute Roughly 65,000 vehicles pass through the Clyde Tunnel every weekday.…

Thousands of homes across Scotland are officially not fit for human habitation — and the problem is far worse than many believed. A dramatic rise in homes falling below legal standards has exposed what campaigners now call an “endemic of disrepair,” with damp, mould, and unsafe conditions plaguing both public and private housing stock. While the Scottish Government is preparing new legislation to fix the crisis, The Herald can reveal that nearly 100,000 privately rented homes will remain untouched by proposed reforms — leaving some of Scotland’s most vulnerable tenants behind. The Shocking Scale of the Crisis According to the…

A landmark UK–EU trade agreement, hailed by some as a lifeline for exporters and slammed by others as a political surrender, is redrawing the post-Brexit landscape for Scottish industry. Announced in London by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and European Council President António Costa, the deal is already causing political and economic ripples from Peterhead to the Hebrides. A Divided Reaction Across Scotland The new agreement removes many of the export barriers that have plagued UK-EU trade since Brexit — slashing red tape, removing health certificates for many food and drink products, and allowing some previously banned shellfish back into…