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Scotland is pushing for major changes in its education system, drawing inspiration from the Scottish Enlightenment to counter modern ideologies like Woke culture. Experts and think tanks call for teachers to embrace civilization's values, starting with reforms in teacher training, amid growing concerns over declining student performance and ideological influences in classrooms. This movement gained traction after a recent ThinkScotland event where Dr. Stuart Waiton urged educators to believe in civilization to teach with authority. As Scotland faces educational challenges in 2025, including falling math scores and skills gaps, leaders see Enlightenment ideas as a path to renew national identity…

The United States State Department has praised Scotland for dropping charges against 75-year-old grandmother Rose Docherty, arrested for holding a sign offering peaceful talks near a Glasgow hospital. This move highlights growing concerns over free speech under Scotland's new buffer zone law, enacted in 2024 to protect abortion access. Background on the Arrest and Charges Rose Docherty, a Glasgow resident and pro-life advocate, faced arrest in February 2025 while standing quietly outside the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. Her sign read, "Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want," aimed at offering support to those feeling pressured. Authorities…

Scottish farmers are facing a tough year as unusual weather patterns disrupt the spring barley harvest, leading to early cuts and lower quality grain. According to NFU Scotland, this shift, driven by climate change, has made growing crops more unpredictable, with some producers at risk of major financial losses. Early Harvest Sparks Concerns Farmers across Scotland have started harvesting spring barley about two weeks ahead of schedule this year. This early timing stems from a dry spring that hurt seed germination, followed by more dry spells that stressed the crops. In places like Aberdeenshire, growers report shorter plants and grains…

Edinburgh-based broadband provider GoFibre has secured £125 million in fresh funding to speed up high-speed internet rollout in rural Scotland. Announced on August 18, 2025, this boost supports two major contracts under the UK's Project Gigabit program, aiming to connect hard-to-reach areas with gigabit-capable broadband by 2026. The funding comes at a key time as Scotland works to close the digital gap between urban and rural spots. With this cash injection, GoFibre plans to reach over 130,000 homes and businesses in regions like the Scottish Borders, East Lothian, Angus, Aberdeenshire, and the Moray coast. Breaking Down the Funding Deal GoFibre's…

Legendary broadcaster Sir David Attenborough has named a young golden eagle chick Princeling in Scotland. This milestone happened as part of a major conservation effort to boost eagle numbers in the region, with the chick fledging its nest near Moffat in Dumfries and Galloway on August 19, 2025. The Special Naming Moment Sir David, at 99 years old, chose the name Princeling to mean young prince. He believes it stands for fresh hope in bringing back golden eagles to areas where they once thrived. This name fits the project's goals perfectly. Experts kept the chick's birth quiet until it could…

King Charles has arrived at Balmoral Castle in Scotland to start his annual summer break, upholding a cherished royal custom. On August 18, 2025, the 76-year-old monarch inspected troops and greeted locals outside the castle gates, marking the official beginning of his retreat in the Scottish Highlands. Arrival Sparks Joyful Welcome The King stepped out in a traditional tartan kilt and tweed jacket, smiling as he met members of the Balaklava Company from the 5th Battalion of The Royal Regiment of Scotland. A pipe band played lively tunes during the ceremony, and the event featured the castle's beloved Shetland pony…

Galileo Empower, a key player in renewable energy, has submitted a planning application for a massive 476 megawatt wind farm extension in Scotland. This move, announced on August 18, 2025, aims to boost clean power production and support the nation's green goals amid growing demand for sustainable energy. Project Overview and Key Features Galileo Empower, formed by Dublin-based Empower Renewables and pan-European developer Galileo Green Energy, filed the application with the Scottish government's Energy Consents Unit. The Dorenell Extension Windfarm project includes 67 wind turbines and a battery storage system to store excess energy for peak times. This setup will…

RSM UK has appointed Stephen Harrison as the new head of technology risk and internal controls for Scotland. This move, announced on August 18, 2025, aims to strengthen the firm's risk and governance services amid growing demands from regulated sectors. Harrison's Role and Responsibilities Harrison will lead internal controls and technology risk services across Scotland. He brings deep knowledge to help clients manage digital changes and meet strict rules. His work will also support RSM's national framework for risk and governance. This includes guiding teams on best practices for tech security and compliance. The appointment comes at a time when…

Private businesses in Scotland are showing strong optimism for growth this year, with 94 percent confident in their prospects amid investments in technology and market expansion. This comes from a recent mid-year survey by a major professional services firm, highlighting how firms are adapting to economic challenges as of August 2025. Rising Confidence Levels in Scottish Private Sector Business leaders across Scotland have reported a notable increase in growth confidence since the start of 2025. The survey, which checked in with 128 Scottish firms out of a national sample of 1,500, shows confidence rising from 90 percent earlier this year…

Inverness hosted a major gathering on August 12, 2025, where 53 community councils from across the Scottish Highlands voiced strong concerns over the rapid growth of renewable energy projects. The second Community Council Convention on the Impact of Major Energy Infrastructure drew over 80,000 residents' representatives, leading to calls for urgent government debates and a pause on new developments to address local impacts. Growing Anger in the Highlands Community leaders at the Inverness convention expressed frustration with wind farms, solar arrays, and other renewable setups that they say are industrializing natural landscapes without enough benefits returning to locals. Attendees highlighted…