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INVERNESS – Scotland’s iconic North Coast 500 (NC500) road trip may be known for its dramatic views and rugged coastal beauty, but it’s also become the centre of mounting concerns over road safety and overcrowding. Now, a new pledge signed by over 3,000 visitors is aiming to change that — by encouraging more respectful, responsible travel through the Highlands. Launched last October by North Coast 500 Ltd, the initiative asks travellers to “do the right thing” by committing to a set of behaviours that protect both the environment and the communities who live along the 830-kilometre route. A Scenic Route…

Too often, public conversation around refugees is dominated by numbers, fears, or politics. But behind every statistic is a human journey — filled with setbacks, perseverance, and quiet victories. When I arrived in Scotland as an asylum seeker, I didn’t carry a roadmap. What I had were hopes, aspirations, and a deep uncertainty — but also an unwavering determination to build a better life. I sought more than just safety. I sought a future. What I found here was more than refuge. I found a country that, despite its challenges, has offered sanctuary to tens of thousands like me. And…

European islands have always had a flair for the dramatic — sweeping cliffs, sun-drenched villages, and windswept ruins that seem plucked from a storyboard. In 2025, that natural charisma is being leveraged like never before as Spain joins Denmark, Ireland, Malta, and Scotland in luring U.S. and U.K. tourists away from predictable vacation paths and into travel packages inspired by the silver screen. Forget all-inclusive resorts and overcrowded capitals — this year, it’s about Cinematic Island Getaways, where fantasy collides with reality. With travel companies rolling out curated trips that mimic movie settings, these five island nations are tapping into…

For centuries, Poland’s Piast dynasty stood as a national cornerstone — homegrown rulers said to have emerged from the soil of Slavic ancestry. But a recent series of scientific breakthroughs has delivered a jolt to that story: Poland’s founding kings may not have been Polish at all. In fact, their bloodline might trace to the rugged shores of early medieval Scotland. That’s the stunning implication of genetic research led by molecular biologist Marek Figlerowicz and his team at Poznań University of Technology. Their DNA study, which involved exhuming bones from over a dozen medieval crypts, has introduced a new and…

“If you know someone who’s gone above and beyond—nominate them.” That’s the message from Health Secretary Neil Gray, as Scotland’s most heartfelt awards ceremony returns for another year. And this time, the spotlight on everyday heroes feels brighter than ever. With 17 categories ready to celebrate the nation’s health and care champions, nominations are now open—and the call to act isn’t just a polite suggestion. It’s a nudge from the heart of government to the people of Scotland. Why These Awards Matter More Than Ever You can feel it in Neil Gray’s voice—this isn’t just about handing out trophies. It’s…

Justice Secretary Angela Constance has defended Police Scotland’s policy on recording the sex and gender identity of suspects, as opposition parties and campaigners call for urgent government intervention following explosive claims from a whistleblower inside the force. The anonymous officer alleged this week that front-line staff are being “coerced” into recording suspects by their self-declared gender identity—even in the most serious cases, including rape. The whistleblower told media outlets that officers fear disciplinary action if they question policies that permit male-born suspects who identify as women to be recorded as female in official crime data. “There is clarity,” says Constance…

Scotland’s Parliament has unanimously backed a reworked set of social care reforms, approving legislation that promises to bolster carers’ rights, tighten oversight of failing providers, and guarantee care home residents the right to see a loved one—even during public health crises. The Care Reform (Scotland) Bill, passed 116–0 on Tuesday, marks the final form of a once-ambitious blueprint for a National Care Service—now significantly pared down following widespread opposition from unions, councils, and health boards. Anne’s Law becomes reality The most symbolic measure in the new law is Anne’s Law, which enshrines in legislation the right for people in care…

For more than a decade, Breastfeeding Buddies offered struggling new mothers a lifeline in some of Scotland’s busiest maternity wards. But this week, that lifeline was abruptly cut. Run by the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) and operating in five hospitals and seven community settings across Greater Glasgow and Lothian, the peer support service closed its doors on June 6, following a decision by the Scottish Government to withdraw direct funding. The closure has sparked widespread concern among mothers, midwives, volunteers, and health campaigners—many of whom say the existing NHS staff are already too stretched to fill the gap. ‘It’s quite…

Scotland’s devolved government has drawn a firm line in the sand on energy policy, rejecting nuclear power in favour of expanding renewables—even as Westminster commits over £16 billion to new nuclear development across England. Acting Energy Secretary Gillian Martin confirmed that Scotland would maintain its long-standing de facto ban on new nuclear facilities, despite pressure from political opponents and business leaders to reconsider. “We have a policy of 'no new nuclear',” Martin told BBC Scotland. “We think the investment is much better placed in renewable energy, which is cheaper to produce and cheaper for consumers.” Nuclear divide widens The comments…

Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions dropped in 2023—but not by much—and campaigners say the pace of progress is dangerously slow. Despite government reassurances, critics argue bold policy has taken a back seat to political noise. A narrow drop, a broader concern Scotland’s emissions fell by 1.9% in 2023. That’s the headline. But for many watching closely, it was less a cause for celebration and more a warning sign. The modest decline masks deeper issues. International air travel surged as pandemic restrictions lifted, clawing back hard-won gains. And even with cuts in the power sector, emissions from transport, heating, and agriculture barely…