News

At a windswept stretch of Scotland’s west coast, the deep rumble of a rocket engine has returned to a site once used to fuel Cold War-era bombers. This time, though, the fire is for science. A Hidden Gem for UK’s Space Ambitions MachLab, the UK’s newest rocket engine test facility, has officially opened at the Machrihanish Business Park near Campbeltown, Argyll. Housed inside a reinforced, Cold War-era bunker once designed to withstand military threats, the facility now has a very different mission: fueling Britain's future in space. Built by the University of Glasgow in partnership with aerospace firm Exotopic, MachLab…

Fifteen First Bus depots across Scotland and England are now offering their powerful chargers to third-party users — including, for the first time, the general public in Glasgow. The bold expansion of its “First Charge” network aims to plug a major gap in EV infrastructure. The move marks a significant shift in how the UK’s public transport giants can support the country’s electric transition — not just for their own fleets, but for everyone from delivery drivers to curious first-time EV owners. Glasgow depot takes the lead — and the leap Until recently, First Bus’s charging facilities were used exclusively…

A sleek steel tank nestled inside Heriot-Watt University might not look like much from the outside. But inside Scotland’s first open-access 300-litre fermenter, an industrial biotech transformation is already bubbling to life. The new kit—funded with £847,000 from Scottish Enterprise—marks a giant leap for FlexBIO, the pilot-scale facility at the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC). For Scotland’s startups, it’s the bridge between petri dish and full production. Why This Fermenter Is More Than Just a Fancy Tank It’s not the size that makes this fermenter a big deal—it’s what it can do. While technically a 300-litre vessel, the working volume…

A political fight just crossed the Atlantic — and one of America’s most powerful newspapers got left behind. The White House has barred the Wall Street Journal from President Trump’s upcoming trip to Scotland following a report linking him to Jeffrey Epstein. The move has sparked a fresh clash between press freedom and presidential power. Trump Takes Aim at the Press — Again The drama centers on a controversial story published by the Journal last week. The paper reported that Trump, in 2003, allegedly sent a suggestive note to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein for his 50th birthday — a note…

A child has died of measles in Liverpool — the first such tragedy in over ten years. Now experts are pointing north, toward Scotland, not for blame but for answers. What separates the two isn’t just geography. It’s access, trust, and a healthcare system that, in Scotland, seems to be getting something right. A Wake-Up Call, Years in the Making The death in Liverpool has shaken public health officials, though it didn’t come out of the blue. Vaccination rates across the UK have been slipping for years, but it’s in England where the decline has been steepest. While the conversation…

Scotland may have just pulled off one of the most ambitious energy pivots the world has ever seen. Not by digging deeper or building taller—but by letting the ocean do the work. A Glasgow-based company, Oasis Marine, is turning heads with a fleet of futuristic buoys that may rewrite the rules of shipping. If successful, this floating hydrogen station concept could signal the beginning of the end for diesel-powered vessels. A New Route for Clean Shipping Power The shipping industry has long been the elephant in the climate room. It's essential, but it's filthy. Roughly 90% of the world’s goods…

The Scottish Government has published revised guidance for social workers and professionals conducting age assessments for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, aiming to improve consistency, legal compliance, and support for vulnerable young people arriving in Scotland. The 72-page document, released on July 22, 2025, replaces the 2018 version and marks the third update since the original framework was introduced in 2012. It reflects the growing number of spontaneous arrivals and incorporates recent legal developments, inter-agency responsibilities, and practical lessons from frontline work. A Fresh Look at First Encounters One of the most significant changes in the 2025 guidance is the complete rewrite…

A new energy storage facility in West Lothian has been given the green light, marking a significant milestone in Scotland’s shift toward a more resilient, low-carbon electricity future. The 49.9 MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), approved unanimously by the Council’s Development Management Committee, will be Galileo Empower’s first fully consented project in Scotland. Slated for development at Middlerigg Farm—tucked between Bathgate and Armadale near the A801—the site sits close to the Bathgate substation, a critical node for Scotland’s electrical grid. Clean Power, Stored and Ready The whole point of battery storage? Catching clean power before it slips away. Scotland,…

The White House has abruptly cut the Wall Street Journal from President Trump’s press pool for his high-profile visit to Scotland, following a controversial story linking him to Jeffrey Epstein. The move, made public just days before Trump’s four-day golf trip, has stirred a backlash from journalists and First Amendment advocates alike. The Journal’s reporter slated to cover the trip was removed from the press manifest—despite having no role in the bombshell piece that triggered the fallout. Scotland Trip Turns into Media Flashpoint Tarini Parti, the White House correspondent for the Journal, was originally scheduled to join Trump’s travel pool…

Scotland has issued official slaughter guidelines to ensure more humane treatment of farmed salmon, aiming to eliminate pain and distress during slaughter and related activities. The new framework mandates measures like stunning, CCTV monitoring, trained personnel, and legal compliance. Released under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act, the guidance is stirring debate among charities, industry groups, and government agencies. Welfare Laws Meet Fish Farming Three key facts, laid out fast: The guidance is issued under Section 38 of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. It covers the lawful requirement to spare farmed fish from avoidable pain at slaughter The Times+5Scottish…