News

North Lanarkshire residents stunned as a runaway herd charges through the streets in the wake of Scotland’s fiercest storm in years. Moo-vement on the Streets After Storm Tears Through Fences They weren’t expecting cows. Not on a Monday. Residents of Carfin, a quiet village in North Lanarkshire, got more than just flying bins and fallen branches when Storm Floris hit on August 4. They got a stampede. Footage shared online showed a herd of around 20 cows trotting down residential streets after fences meant to keep them penned in were smashed apart by ferocious winds — peaking at a staggering…

Cottages.com reveals the best places in Scotland where kids can run wild, climb high, and get gloriously dirty — just how childhood should be. Big Skies, Bigger Smiles: Scotland’s Nature Playground Forget the tablets, ditch the theme parks — sometimes, all a kid really needs is a puddle, a hill, and permission to jump into both. That’s the spirit behind a new list released by cottages.com, spotlighting the best outdoor adventures for children across Scotland. The roundup, revealed on July 30, highlights not just places to visit, but experiences — the kind that turn a weekend into a lifelong memory.…

Scotland’s biggest celebration of independent brewing is back in September, pouring pride into every pint — and not a faux-craft label in sight. No Multinationals, No Pretenders — Just Independent Scottish Beer The smell of hops, the sound of clinking glasses, and the unmistakable buzz of beer nerds and casual pint-lovers alike — Indie Beer Scotland is back. Set to take over the Clyde Rooms at Edmiston House in Glasgow on the 5th and 6th of September, the festival is promising exactly what its name suggests: 100% indie beer, 100% Scottish. And that’s not just a marketing gimmick. The event…

In just one hour, a sweaty, hilarious, and unexpectedly tender one-man show at Assembly Roxy is making Fringe audiences laugh, cry—and reflect on the messiness of being human. A Relatable Sex Comedy That’s Not Really About Sex Joey Kavanagh just wants to “get his hole.” It sounds crude—because it is—but Homo(sapien) is anything but one-note. Written and performed by Conor O’Dwyer, this one-man play tackles queer shame, Catholic guilt, sex (or the lack of it), and the ridiculousness of dating apps with jaw-dropping honesty. Joey is Irish. He’s Catholic. He’s gay. And most importantly, he’s horny. But this isn’t a…

Policing the Unmanageable: Overtime Bill Soars to £85,000 Per Day Scotland's national police force is grappling with growing operational demands, plunging officer numbers, and a surging overtime bill that is raising alarm across political and public sectors alike. New figures published in 1919 Magazine reveal Police Scotland paid out £28.15 million in officer overtime for the 2024/25 financial year, alongside £3.4 million for non-officer staff. That puts the daily overtime cost at £85,000, a figure that has sparked concern about sustainability, especially in light of rising national and international commitments. Although the total has dropped from the spike seen in…

A high-stakes expansion of Scotland’s renewables comes with a heavy ecological price tag, conservationists warn Scotland's bold leap into large-scale offshore wind may be headed straight into a conservation storm. Just days after the Scottish Government approved the 4.1GW Berwick Bank wind farm—the country’s largest to date—environmental groups are sounding the alarm, calling the decision a potential ecological catastrophe. The £8 billion development, located in the outer Firth of Forth, is being hailed by energy leaders as a critical pillar of the UK’s net-zero ambitions. But conservationists argue it could tip already-declining seabird populations past the point of no return.…

Scotland is grappling with the wide-reaching impact of Storm Floris, as the intense summer tempest continues to unleash chaos across multiple sectors — from education and energy to policing and postal services. Exam Results Delayed in Islands More than 147,000 school pupils across Scotland are receiving their National, Higher, Advanced Higher, Skills for Work, National Progression Awards, and National Certificates results today. However, the excitement has been dampened for many, particularly in the Outer Hebrides, Orkney, and Shetland, where storm-related postal disruptions have delayed certificate deliveries. While students expecting email or text results remain unaffected, those relying on first-class postal…

‘Not Enough Officers’: Mounting Workloads Drive Up Police Overtime Costs Scotland’s overstretched police force is racking up an eye-watering £85,000 a day in overtime payments, according to newly published figures that lay bare the growing strain on frontline services. The data, revealed by 1919 Magazine, shows Police Scotland spent £28.15 million on officer overtime in 2024/25, with an additional £3.4 million allocated for other staff—a 10% increase on the previous year. While the total is lower than the exceptional spending levels of 2022/23—when policing surged following the death of Queen Elizabeth II—the trend still paints a picture of a service…

It’s official: 33 everyday Scots doing extraordinary things are in the running for one of the most heartfelt recognitions in the country. The BBC Make a Difference Awards finalists have been announced — and their stories are nothing short of inspiring. From quiet acts of kindness to bold community initiatives, this year’s shortlist reflects the spirit of Scotland in full force. Finalists chosen from hundreds of heartfelt nominations BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio nan Gàidheal spent weeks sifting through nominations submitted by listeners. The challenge? Narrowing down hundreds of moving stories into just a few finalists across nine award…

The UK’s tourism scene just got a major upgrade. England, Wales, and Scotland have teamed up to launch a sweeping new 23-night experience that combines high-end cruising with deep inland exploration — offering travelers a one-of-a-kind, luxury deep dive into the British Isles. It’s part floating hotel, part countryside escape, and fully curated to show off the UK’s most iconic landscapes and historic treasures in one grand voyage. A three-country collaboration like no other This isn’t just another cruise with optional bus tours. What makes this itinerary stand out is how tightly integrated it is — a true collaboration between…