News

It feels like a lifetime ago — those heady days of August 2014 when Scotland’s first independence referendum dominated every dinner table, high street and news bulletin. Eleven years on, it’s fair to ask: what’s shifted, and what’s still stuck in the same old groove? Back then, the world’s eyes turned to a nation debating its very future. I even penned a piece for The National Interest, giving a US perspective on what was at stake. But has Scotland become the place campaigners dreamed of? Or did the promises — and the fears — fade into something more complicated? The…

It’s a sight many drivers dread — a deer frozen in headlights, seconds before impact. Now, fresh research by NatureScot lays bare just how common these collisions really are. Around 1,850 vehicle collisions involving deer happen every year across Scotland, a number that’s barely budged since 2016. It’s not just about dented bumpers either. Each crash is a hazard to life — for both humans and wildlife — and the cost runs into millions when you add up repairs, insurance claims, and the emotional toll. Where Drivers Face the Highest Risk So where’s the danger greatest? NatureScot’s new mapping shows…

A fresh breeze, golden sand, and a hidden harbour like something out of a storybook — Scotland’s coastlines have made quite the splash this year. The Sunday Times has just dropped its eagerly-awaited Best UK Beaches guide for 2025, and Seacliff in East Lothian has nabbed the crown as Scotland’s beach of the year. Chris Haslam, the Sunday Times’ much-loved chief travel writer, did the hard miles. He toured 756 beaches in a campervan, scoring each one on water quality, cleanliness, dog-friendliness, and all the stuff that makes or breaks a beach day. His verdict? Scotland’s got coastal gems worth…

A Scottish initiative aimed at saving lives through digital support just got a big vote of confidence — and a fresh cash injection — from the government. Digital Lifelines Scotland, which helps people who use drugs stay safe and connected, will get £783,150 to keep its work going next year. Started back in 2021, the programme has become a quiet lifeline for thousands who’d otherwise slip through the cracks. With overdose deaths still among the highest in Europe, some say this digital thread is more vital than ever. Funding Boost Brings Fresh Hope The latest funding package isn’t pocket change.…

A new gem has joined Scotland’s luxury scene — Seaton House, a five-star boutique hotel in historic St Andrews, is already creating quite the buzz. At the heart of its promise? A blend of local culinary brilliance and world-class hospitality. A Culinary Star Draws Top Talent Michael Davern, the hotel’s new general manager, knows his way around high-end hotels. But what sealed the deal for him?Two words: Roy Ondine. Davern says the celebrated seafood maestro was a huge pull. Ondine’s name rings bells in foodie circles for his artful takes on Scotland’s coastal treasures.One line: It’s not every day a…

A murder investigation is underway in Dundee after Dr Fortune Gomo, a respected scientist and local resident, was found fatally injured on South Road. Police Scotland confirmed a man has been charged in connection with her death. Shock and Grief Across Dundee The news has left many in Dundee reeling. Dr Gomo, 39, originally from Zimbabwe, had completed her PhD at the University of Dundee in 2022 and was working for Scottish Water. Her ties to the city’s academic and professional circles ran deep. Locals who knew Dr Gomo describe her as warm and driven, someone who inspired those around…

Step just a few blocks away from the Royal Mile and you’ll stumble into Stockbridge — a leafy pocket of Edinburgh that’s redefining what it means to live well in Scotland’s capital. The Village Feel in a Capital City They say you can’t have it all, but Stockbridge begs to differ. Imagine waking up to birdsong instead of bus horns, yet being able to stroll into Princes Street in under ten minutes. That’s Stockbridge. One-liner: And locals wouldn’t have it any other way. For years, this riverside area has been a well-kept secret, but word’s well and truly out now.…

A pocket-sized harbour, dramatic coastal views, and a quiet stretch of sand have propelled Seacliff in East Lothian to the top of Scotland’s beaches for 2025. Seacliff’s Secret Allure Tucked away just south of Tantallon Castle, Seacliff isn’t your average seaside spot. In fact, many locals would prefer it stayed a secret. One sentence here: But word’s out now. Chris Haslam, the chief travel writer for The Times and Sunday Times, singled out Seacliff from more than 750 contenders across Britain and Northern Ireland. It’s the 17th edition of the famous Best UK Beaches guide — so yes, the competition’s…

A prop who defied the odds and defined an era, Ian McLauchlan’s passing at 83 leaves behind more than memories — it leaves a legacy of grit, loyalty, and unyielding pride in Scottish rugby. A Giant in a Small Frame: The Birth of ‘Mighty Mouse’ At just 14 stone 6 pounds when he first donned the thistle in 1969, McLauchlan was hardly the biggest man on the pitch. And yet, those who faced him in the scrum knew the truth — size wasn’t everything. His nickname, ‘Mighty Mouse,’ stuck for good reason. A single line here: He was relentless. Former…

A chance brush with a metal detector turned a misty Scottish field into the site of one of the most breathtaking Viking finds in UK history — and maybe, just maybe, a reminder that sometimes the past really does sit just beneath our feet. A Field in Dumfries and Galloway: Treasure Beneath the Plough Derek McLennan wasn’t expecting to change history when he set out on a metal-detecting trip in 2014. Like countless hobbyists before him, he swept his Minelab detector over the soil of Dumfries and Galloway, a region thick with stories of ancient raids and hidden fortunes. One…