News

Scotland may have just pulled off one of the most ambitious energy pivots the world has ever seen. Not by digging deeper or building taller—but by letting the ocean do the work. A Glasgow-based company, Oasis Marine, is turning heads with a fleet of futuristic buoys that may rewrite the rules of shipping. If successful, this floating hydrogen station concept could signal the beginning of the end for diesel-powered vessels. A New Route for Clean Shipping Power The shipping industry has long been the elephant in the climate room. It's essential, but it's filthy. Roughly 90% of the world’s goods…

The Scottish Government has published revised guidance for social workers and professionals conducting age assessments for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, aiming to improve consistency, legal compliance, and support for vulnerable young people arriving in Scotland. The 72-page document, released on July 22, 2025, replaces the 2018 version and marks the third update since the original framework was introduced in 2012. It reflects the growing number of spontaneous arrivals and incorporates recent legal developments, inter-agency responsibilities, and practical lessons from frontline work. A Fresh Look at First Encounters One of the most significant changes in the 2025 guidance is the complete rewrite…

A new energy storage facility in West Lothian has been given the green light, marking a significant milestone in Scotland’s shift toward a more resilient, low-carbon electricity future. The 49.9 MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), approved unanimously by the Council’s Development Management Committee, will be Galileo Empower’s first fully consented project in Scotland. Slated for development at Middlerigg Farm—tucked between Bathgate and Armadale near the A801—the site sits close to the Bathgate substation, a critical node for Scotland’s electrical grid. Clean Power, Stored and Ready The whole point of battery storage? Catching clean power before it slips away. Scotland,…

The White House has abruptly cut the Wall Street Journal from President Trump’s press pool for his high-profile visit to Scotland, following a controversial story linking him to Jeffrey Epstein. The move, made public just days before Trump’s four-day golf trip, has stirred a backlash from journalists and First Amendment advocates alike. The Journal’s reporter slated to cover the trip was removed from the press manifest—despite having no role in the bombshell piece that triggered the fallout. Scotland Trip Turns into Media Flashpoint Tarini Parti, the White House correspondent for the Journal, was originally scheduled to join Trump’s travel pool…

Scotland has issued official slaughter guidelines to ensure more humane treatment of farmed salmon, aiming to eliminate pain and distress during slaughter and related activities. The new framework mandates measures like stunning, CCTV monitoring, trained personnel, and legal compliance. Released under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act, the guidance is stirring debate among charities, industry groups, and government agencies. Welfare Laws Meet Fish Farming Three key facts, laid out fast: The guidance is issued under Section 38 of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. It covers the lawful requirement to spare farmed fish from avoidable pain at slaughter The Times+5Scottish…

WHCA calls move ‘deeply troubling’ as questions swirl over retaliation, transparency, and Trump’s media strategy Things just got louder inside the White House press corps. The White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) issued a rare, sharply worded rebuke on Monday after learning that the Wall Street Journal has been booted from the press pool traveling with President Trump to Scotland later this week. The trip, which includes visits to Aberdeen and Turnberry from July 25 to 29, will now take place without one of America’s most prominent newspapers in tow. Why? That’s where things start to get murky—and political. Editorial Payback?…

Scotland turned up the heat this weekend—literally—recording its hottest day in three years as revellers, families, and beachgoers basked under cloudless skies and searing sunshine. The mercury climbed to a blazing 32.2°C (90°F) in Aviemore on Saturday, making it the warmest day since the record-breaking 34.8°C scorcher at Charterhall in the Borders on July 19, 2022, according to the Met Office. And while the sun was blazing, the heat didn’t ease off at sundown either—forecasters expected Saturday night to set a new record for Scotland’s hottest night, with overnight lows potentially reaching 21°C (70°F). If confirmed, that would surpass the…

The Cotswolds may be serene, but for Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, the hustle never stops. Fresh off a romantic trip to Scotland with Princess Beatrice to mark their fifth anniversary, the 41-year-old interior designer and property developer wasted no time diving back into his design work—offering a glimpse into his latest project that’s as refined as it is minimalist. Back to Business—Edo Style Within hours of returning from the Highlands, Edoardo took to Instagram to share a striking render of a luxury bathroom concept, showcasing his signature style—cool, contemporary, and meticulously detailed. The design centers on a pill-shaped freestanding bathtub, commanding…

Flash flooding, lightning, and hail expected as Met Office issues two alerts for Sunday and Monday Scotland’s muggy midsummer weekend has taken a sharp turn for the worse, with back-to-back weather warnings issued for thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. What began as a yellow alert for rain has now escalated into a double whammy — with the Met Office warning of disruptive storms hitting both Sunday and Monday. From the Borders to the Highlands, much of the mainland is now braced for flash flooding, lightning strikes, and bursts of hail, with transport disruptions expected across the board. Sunday starts wet —…

284-year-old Dunphail kirk on the market for £40,000 — but potential buyers face tricky restrictions and zero loos A centuries-old stone church nestled in the Moray countryside is now looking for a new owner, as the Church of Scotland continues its widespread sell-off of underused buildings. Edinkillie Church, built in 1741 and perched by the River Divie, has been listed for sale with an asking price of just £40,000. That price, though, doesn’t tell the full story. From sacred space to something else entirely This isn’t just any old village kirk. The B-listed Edinkillie Church comes packed with 284 years…