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Newcastle — just 90 minutes south of Edinburgh — has a knack for surprising even a seasoned Scot like me. From the rooftop of St James’ Park, you can see the hills that mark the border. But it’s the city itself that pulls you in: part Glasgow grit, part Edinburgh elegance, with a healthy dose of its own Geordie pride. A Football Citadel With a View Let’s be honest: I’m not much of a football fanatic. But clambering up 150 feet to the top of Newcastle United’s home turf, you can’t help but feel the club’s pull.The black-and-white stripes greet…

After a scorcher of a weekend that pushed Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to their hottest day of the year, the UK’s third heatwave of 2025 is now giving way to grey skies and heavy downpours — and for many, that’s frankly a bit of a relief. Temperatures Tumble After 33C Highs Saturday saw temperatures spike to a blistering 33 degrees in some areas, with crowds at outdoor events like Glasgow’s TRNSMT festival being sprayed down with water to stay cool.In parts of Wales and Northern Ireland, families flocked to beaches and parks, trying to make the most of the…

A young mum has spoken out after her baby girl ended up with severe sunburn and blistering during just a few cloudy hours outdoors — a stark reminder that Scotland’s skies can still burn, even when they don’t look sunny. ‘We Thought We Were Covered’ Lauren Leishman, 22, from East Lothian, says she still can’t believe what happened to her 12-month-old daughter, Rhegan.The family headed to a local farm show in Haddington on June 28. It was chilly, with everyone in jumpers. Lauren put on factor 50 suncream for Rhegan “just to be safe.” One line: They were outside for…

Glasgow’s biggest music bash, TRNSMT 2025, turned up the heat in more ways than one this weekend — with tens of thousands packing into Glasgow Green for three sun-soaked days of tunes, tinnies, and sizzling temperatures. Sun, Sweat and Selfies on Glasgow Green Fans turned out in force despite the blistering heatwave that saw Glasgow sizzle at 29 degrees on Saturday — Scotland’s hottest day of the year so far.You’d be forgiven for thinking you’d landed in Ibiza, not the Clyde-side, with cowboy boots, bucket hats and bikinis the unofficial festival dress code. One line: It’s all part of the…

A 71-year-old man riding a Harley Davidson with a sidecar has died after a serious six-vehicle crash on the A82, throwing a tragic shadow over a busy stretch near Loch Lomond. Crash Brings Chaos to West Dunbartonshire Road The collision unfolded around 1:45pm on Saturday, between the Renton slip road and Stoneymollan roundabout — a route familiar to many heading for the loch’s scenic spots.Police say the crash involved six vehicles: the Harley Davidson, a Volvo XC90, a Nissan Juke, a Vauxhall Corsa, an Audi A6 Sport, and a Seat Leon. One sentence: The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the…

Scotland’s brief flirtation with blazing heat came to a soggy halt Monday morning — swapping suncream and barbecues for umbrellas and puddles after a weekend of record-breaking highs. From Record Highs to Raincoats Just days ago, parts of Scotland were basking in sunshine and sizzling at 30 degrees Celsius — rare air for a country that jokes about four seasons in one day. Saturday marked the warmest day of the year so far for Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales.But fast forward to Monday and the party’s over. Heavy rain rolled in early, knocking temperatures back down to the mid to…

Police Scotland has rolled out a new clampdown called Operation Safe Landing at Aberdeen International Airport — hoping to catch and deter holidaymakers who risk driving under the influence after a few too many in the skies. A Friendly Reminder With a Serious Message It’s not unusual to see folks order a drink — or three — on their holiday flights. But stepping off the plane and into the driver’s seat? That’s where the problems start.Border Policing and Road Policing officers are teaming up for this initiative. You’ll spot them in greater numbers around arrivals, chatting with passengers, doing roadside…

French renewables player Qair has landed planning consent for its first standalone battery energy storage site in the UK — a 49.9-MW facility in the heart of Aberdeenshire. It’s a telling sign that the push for greener energy backup is hitting fresh momentum in Scotland. Scotland’s Growing Appetite for Storage Power Battery energy storage is having a bit of a moment here. Qair’s project is part of a wider trend sweeping through the Highlands and beyond. People used to think of wind turbines dotting the hills when they heard “Scottish renewables.” Now? Big batteries are stepping into the spotlight too.…

On South Uist, a breathtaking stretch of the Outer Hebrides off Scotland’s rugged northwest coast, patience is wearing thin — and so are the ferries. Getting on or off this remote island has always required a little faith in the weather and the aging fleet that connects these communities to the mainland. But after years of delays, breakdowns, and cancellations, islanders and visitors alike are now describing it as “travel roulette.” A Cancelled Crossing — Again This summer, the familiar ping of a text message from the ferry company has become a sound many dread. For one recent traveler, the…

A 15-year-old boy and three adults lost their lives in separate tragic incidents across Scotland as crowds flocked to rivers and lochs to escape the searing heat. Search for Teen Ends in Heartbreak on River Kelvin The search began for a teenage boy who went missing in the River Kelvin in Glasgow on Saturday evening. Emergency crews were alerted around 6:40 p.m., launching a rescue operation that would last nearly five hours. By 11:30 p.m., the boy’s body was recovered near Maryhill Road. Police Scotland confirmed the death is not being treated as suspicious. One line: Locals gathered at the…