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Scotland’s bus routes are changing lanes fast — and two billionaire brothers are firmly at the wheel. The former Rangers directors, who already claim to run the UK’s largest independent transport business, are snapping up companies and routes to build what many are now calling Scotland’s newest bus empire. From Football to Buses: Big Moves, Big Money They’re better known in football boardrooms than bus depots. But since stepping away from Rangers, the brothers have turned their focus to the country’s bus and coach market — with serious ambition. Their latest moves include the takeover of one of Scotland’s longest-established…

If you’ve ever dreamed of standing in the hush of a pine forest watching a red squirrel dart up a tree, or peering across a misty loch hoping to catch the glint of an otter’s sleek fur — Scotland’s got you covered. Forget Nessie for a sec; the real stars of the show are Scotland’s “big five”: otters, red squirrels, seals, red deer and golden eagles. This summer, there’s no better excuse to lace up your boots, pack a flask and go track down these elusive locals. Otters at Kylerhea: Skye’s Shy Stars First up, otters. They’re shy, quick, and…

Erin Napier has built a life showing us how to make small-town houses feel like home — but stepping far beyond her comfort zone? That’s something the Home Town star just tackled with a grin and a little bit of Scottish spirit. The HGTV fan favorite and her husband, Ben Napier, recently shared snaps from their family’s big adventure to Scotland, and for Erin, this trip meant staring down a fear she’s carried for years. Leaving Laurel, Facing Fears For anyone who’s ever watched Home Town, it’s easy to imagine Erin nestled in Laurel, Mississippi — all charm, wood trim,…

It’s been ten long years since Ajay Devgn’s Jassi danced, fought, and charmed his way through the first Son of Sardaar. Now he’s back — older, just as loud, and this time, he’s taking his trademark desi swagger to the Scottish Highlands. Fans wanted chaos? Well, the trailer promises enough bagpipes, bar fights, and bad guys to keep them laughing and hooting all the way to the multiplex. New Country, Same Jassi Directed by Vijay Kumar Arora, the sequel’s tagline sets the tone: “He survived Punjab, will he survive Scotland too?” From the first few seconds, you know subtlety isn’t…

In what could become one of the UK’s heftiest data hub expansions yet, UK renewables firm Apatura is laying the groundwork for a vast new data center campus just north of the England-Scotland border. It’s big, green — and stirring up plenty of chatter in Coldstream. This week, Scottish Borders Council confirmed that Apatura’s proposed site won’t need a formal Environmental Impact Assessment before the full planning bid. But with a 300MW capacity on the table, questions about what’s next are far from over. Coldstream: From Farmland to Data Frontier? The planned development site sits on 69 hectares of greenfield…

From ancient towers perched on green embankments to cheeky weasels peeking out from stone cracks, Scotland’s natural charm never fails to surprise. This week’s selection of your photos, sent between July 4 and 11, captures the everyday magic that unfolds when the skies clear — or even when they don’t. Kinnoull Hill Tower: Perth’s Picture-Perfect Spot Mark Taylor’s shot of Kinnoull Hill Tower is one for the postcards. Perched high on a grassy embankment above the River Tay, the tower feels like a sentinel watching over Perth’s fields and bushes below. A zig-zag river carves its way through the landscape,…

If you ask whisky devotees where they’d stake their heart, The Macallan would probably top that list. For decades, the Highland distillery has poured itself into the glasses — and memories — of aficionados worldwide, and some would argue, none more so than the Jewish community who cherish single malts like a sacred ritual. I’ve had the odd pleasure of revisiting The Macallan roughly every two decades. Funny how a spirit can bookmark your life like that. And through all its changes — from a modest family-owned operation to an international icon — it’s never lost that spark that made…

It was supposed to be a Southern Tour bounce-back for Scotland. Instead, they’re heading to Auckland licking wounds after Fiji’s powerful 29-15 win in Suva — a match packed with cards, missed chances, and a reminder that the Flying Fijians at home are no easy mark. Yellow and red cards haunted the Scots, opening the door for Fiji to bag crucial World Cup ranking points before the December draw. Another “pool of death” is the last thing either side wants. Cards, Possession, and Missed Scottish Fire Fiji’s win didn’t come from nowhere — Scotland opened with a bright 7-0 lead…

Scotland is sizzling under its hottest spell of the year so far — with forecasters confirming the country is officially in heatwave territory as temperatures rocket past 28°C across several regions. For many, it’s sun cream, shades and paddling pools at the ready. For others, the unusual heat is bringing both excitement and concern. Hottest Spots On The Map The mercury’s been climbing all week. By Friday, Aboyne in Aberdeenshire topped the lot at a scorching 28.9°C, narrowly beating Aviemore and Inverness at 28°C. A single line: Even Glasgow and Edinburgh basked in temperatures nudging 27°C and 26°C. Come Saturday,…

In a tucked-away corner of Glasgow’s East End, something unprecedented is happening in Britain’s fight against drug deaths. Here, at the Thistle safer drug consumption facility, people can inject heroin or cocaine under medical supervision — legally, safely, and without fear of arrest. No back alleys. No judgment. Just a chance to survive another day. Scotland’s Sobering Numbers Scotland’s drug crisis isn’t new — it’s notorious. The country has the highest drug-related death rate in Europe. For years, public health leaders and families have called for action that puts compassion ahead of punishment. One-liner: The Thistle represents that shift. Backed…