Archive
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UK Government offers to share financial risk of Glasgow's 2026 Commonwealth bid
The UK Government has offered to share the financial risk for Glasgow’s bid to host the Commonwealth games in 2026. As first reported by the BBC, a letter from the UK Minister for Sports, Stephanie Peacock, to Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray
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McLachlan seeks 'different brand of rugby' on the continent this season
Rachel McLachlan believes pushing herself outside her comfort zone by playing her club rugby in France this season can help her game develop as she looks to be a key player for Scotland heading towards the 2025 Rugby World Cup. Still just 25, back-rower
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Rebecca McQuillan: Even if Harris wins US election, the worst of Trump is yet to come
It’s been a good week for US Democrats, superficially. Kamala Harris won the first TV debate and has a chance of winning the US election. So why that unshakeable feeling of foreboding? Because this week’s debate confronted us with the utter degradation
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Scot Govt will launch consultation on cosmetic sector curbs 'before end of year'
The Scottish Government is preparing to launch a public consultation on how to regulate Scotland's rapidly expanding non-surgical cosmetic sector. Public Health Minister Jenni Minto has confirmed that the consultation will be published before the
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High-profile Scottish chef Nick Nairn shuts restaurant
High-profile Scottish chef Nick Nairn has closed the doors of his restaurant in Bridge of Allan, declaring the business was "no longer viable". The chef, who ran the restaurant with wife Julia, has handed the keys back to the leaseholder of the
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Swinney suffers double defeat over free school meals and peak rail fares
John Swinney has suffered a double defeat over plans to scrap universal free school meals and discounted rail fares. The Scottish Tories have urged the First Minister to rethink the policies – confirmed last week in an attempt to free up around
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UK economy stagnates for second month running in challenge for Labour Government
The UK economy stalled for a second month running in July as the boost to spending provided by sporting events such as the Euros provided only limited compensation for a fall manufacturing and building sector activity. The Office for National Statistics
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Is travelling by train supposed to be so miserable and expensive?
This article appears as part of the Unspun: Scottish Politics newsletter. Standing on the train platform this morning, the first chill of Autumn just beginning to creep into the air, the service running a respectable two minutes late, I took comfort
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Renowned Scottish dunes golf course set for major expansion
A second championship links golf course is to be built at Machrihanish Dunes as part of a major resort expansion that will also include the addition of a third luxury hotel and 50 new golf cottages. Planning permission for the overhaul has been
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'Significant moment' for famous Scotch whisky brand as major deal unveiled
The Macallan has formed a partnership with the owners of three businesses it notes are “renowned for the production of Spanish sherry seasoned oak casks”, taking a 50% equity stake. The single malt Scotch whisky business, owned by Glasgow-based
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Hot air or solid foundation? Scotland's Green Industrial Strategy explained
Plans to place Scotland at the forefront of the global net zero energy economy have been unveiled by ministers. The Scottish Government’s Green Industrial Strategy has been announced by ministers, seeking to position the country to capitalise
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Drugs, whippets and a doomed love affair, my life with Scots cult band
The first thing I ask Simon Raymonde is not about his time as a member of indie giants Cocteau Twins, or about his father Ivor’s amazing musical career working with everyone from Dusty Springfield and David Bowie. It’s not even about the perils and
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Judy Murray joins forces with Children 1st for Michel Roux Jr event
Judy Murray has joined forces with Children 1st to support a fundraising dinner aiding young people who suffer from trauma and abuse as part of her wider commitment to invest in the next generation. Murray has emphasised the need for spaces, such
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Report: 'Limited evidence' that Scot Govt policies are working to reduce inequality
There is "limited evidence" that policies designed to tackle inequalities and improve population health are working, according to researchers. In its first report, the newly-created Scottish Health Equity Research Unit (SHERU) warned that "key
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Teachers in Scotland overwhelmingly vote to accept new pay offer
Members of Scotland's largest teaching union have overwhelmingly voted to accept a new pay offer. Teaching unions put in a pay claim for a 6.5% rise in January, and unanimously rejected a 2% rise from August 2024 with a further 1% in May 2025.
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Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson commits long-term future to Bologna
Derek Ferguson has revealed his son Lewis has signed a new deal with Bologna and is “ahead of schedule” in his injury recovery. The 25-year-old has committed his long-term future to the Serie A side, signing a contract extension until 2029.
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Jack Draper rested for Great Britain’s opening Davis Cup tie against Finland
Jack Draper has been rested for Great Britain’s opening Davis Cup match against Finland at the AO Arena. The 22-year-old arrived in Manchester on Tuesday afternoon following his run to the semi-finals of the US Open but captain Leon Smith has opted
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Scotland defender Cooper leaves Leeds for 'opportunity overseas'
Scotland defender Liam Cooper has left Leeds United after 10 years with the club. The centre-back, 33, has exited Elland Road upon the expiry of his contract to take up an opportunity overseas. Cooper has been linked with a surprise move to
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Scottish Government's plans to make young people safer online revealed
The Scottish Government have launched a campaign to stop young people sharing violent incidents online as it looks to improve social media safety. The campaign, called ‘Quit Fighting For Likes’, aims to get young people to think about and discuss
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Swarm of bees makes ‘unauthorised landing’ at Edinburgh Airport
A swarm of bees will be rehomed after an “unauthorised landing” at Edinburgh Airport. The swarm landed on a grit bin in a car park at the airport earlier in September, and property managers sought professional help to get it rehomed. Airport
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Scottish International Storytelling Festival launches 2024 programme
The Scottish International Storytelling Festival has launched its 35th festival programme. Launching in 1989, the festival is considered one of the world’s largest celebrations of storytelling and this year it coincides with the City of Edinburgh
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Alisdair Gray doc and climate change leads the Hebrides International Film Fest
Scotland’s leading island film festival has announced its full programme its 2024 event which will take place next month. The Hebrides International Film Festival will run a series of events across the islands of Lewis, Harris, North Uist, South
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Emergency services attend Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art as police reassure public
The Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art has shut until tomorrow after a member of the public fell from a balcony. The incident happened this afternoon and Police Scotland moved quickly to assure people in the area that there was no wider threat to the
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NHS Grampian is facing a financial black hole – what can it do?
This article appears as part of the Inside the NHS newsletter In a somewhat unusual move for a health board, NHS Grampian issued a press release to journalists on Tuesday warning that it is facing an "extremely challenging" financial position
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Is new Rebus play a worthy successor to Rankin’s novels about world-weary detective?
Theatre Rebus: A Game Called Malice Festival Theatre, Edinburgh Neil Cooper Three stars As Ian Rankin’s ever expanding Inspector Rebus universe runs on apace, after twenty-four novels, with a twenty-fifth due any day now, and with
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Man Utd post net losses of £113.2m but believe they are compliant with PSR
Manchester United have posted net losses of £113.2million in their latest accounts but insist they are compliant with Premier League financial rules. The Red Devils’ latest losses for the year ending June 30 follows a £115.5m loss in 2021-22 and
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Scotrail strike threat lifted as workers agree pay deal
A threat of strike action which could have ground Scotland’s railways to a halt has been lifted after union members settled their pay dispute. Around 300 Scotrail general workers and engineers have voted “emphatically” to accept a 4.5 per cent
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'Spectacular' Castle of Light festival to return to Edinburgh as part of celebrations
The Castle of Light festival is set to return to Edinburgh for the fifth year as part of the city’s 900th anniversary. The event will put a spotlight on the capital’s journey from the 12th century to the 21st century and provide locals and visitors
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New digital guide brings historic townhouse 'bang up to date' for visitors
A new digital guide has brought a historic house in Aberdeen 'bang up to date' for visitors. Visitors to Provost Skene’s House in the city's Marischal Square can enhance their experience with a new digital guide on Bloomberg Connects, the free
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Over 30,000 domestic abuse charges reported to Crown in Scotland in a year
More than 30,000 domestic abuse charges were reported to prosecutors between April 2023 and March 2024, figures show. According to statistics from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), 30,100 charges were reported during the period
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Commissioner for the disabled 'needed to protect most vulnerable'
Scotland needs an advocate for the disabled at the top of government to protect their rights and safeguard them from cuts, an MSP has said. Tory MSP Jeremy Balfour said the interests of vulnerable people who are all too often overlooked when ministers
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Scotland’s women more educated than men but hold fewer management jobs – data
Statistics have shown that women in Scotland are more highly educated than men – but hold less than half of managerial roles. Census statistics from National Records of Scotland (NRS) showed that about a third of adults in Scotland (1.5 million
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Cinderella had it easy compared with the Scottish third sector of 2024
The third sector is routinely referred to as the Cinderella sector, given its often neglected and lowly place in the priorities of government at all levels, but things are changing. To describe it as such is, increasingly, to do a disservice to
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Letters: NC500 the worst thing to happen to the Highlands since the Cheviot sheep
I WAS left astonished at Alan Simpson's article on the NC500 ("Ignore the haters, the NC500 is glorious", The Herald, September 7). Yes, the area is glorious, and was that long before an assemblage of businessmen decided to monetise the wonders
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Free school meals U-turn won't be reversed with defeat in Holyrood debate, DFM warns
Kate Forbes has said the Scottish Government will not reverse the delay to expanding free school meals despite a likely Holyrood defeat this afternoon. The Deputy First Minister told journalists the government would have to stick by the policy
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Darren McGarvey: Ban 'interfering' culture war artists from Creative Scotland funding
Artists who “interfere” with other creatives’ ability to make a living through their work should be permanently banned from Scottish Government funding, it has been claimed. Rapper-turned writer Darren McGarvey has said a new code of conduct
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Jeremy Balfour: The most vulnerable are suffering due to SNP’s mismanagement
John Swinney’s Programme for Government is full of abysmal decisions, shameful betrayals and savage cuts, but few are quite as damaging as the broken promises to the disabled buried in the small print. In the wake of the eye-watering cuts being
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Bid to secure future of 13th century castle as 'thriving heritage attraction'
A conservation charity has announced initiatives to determine and secure the future of a historic Scottish castle as a thriving heritage attraction. Fyvie Castle and Estate, near Turriff in Aberdeenshire, was built as a royal fortress in the early
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Sought-after Glasgow area sees homes sell for almost 25 percent more than average
Homes in the southside of Glasgow are being sold for almost 25 percent more than across the rest of the city, according to one of Scotland’s top estate agents. Figures compiled by Savills show the average price of a house in the G41, G42, G43,
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Scotland Under 21s fire five past Malta in dream debut for Lennon Miller
Scotland’s Under 21s cruised to a 5-0 victory in Malta on Tuesday night to keep their European Championship qualification hopes firmly on track. A goal and two assists marked a dream competitive debut for Motherwell’s Lennon Miller, with Dane Murray
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Scotland's first Alpine Coaster ride opens in Midlothian
Scotland’s first Alpine Coaster will open to the public this weekend after being officially launched at Midlothian Snowsports Centre. The coaster is the longest in the UK and can reach up to 28 miles per hour, with expectations that it will attract
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Glasgow Central set for £5m remodel with new shops, lounge and more
New shops, a ticket office and a first-class lounge will be built at Glasgow Central as part of a £5m remodel of the station. The work, which is set to get underway this autumn, will see the Avanti West Coast ticket office relocate to a new facility
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Scotland hit by first snowfall of season as temperatures set to tumble
Snow has fallen over upland areas of Scotland as the country gets set for "unseasonably cold” conditions over the next few days - with patches of rural frost appearing. Snow fell at the Ptarmigan Restaurant up Cairn Gorm mountain on Wednesday
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Man dies following 'disturbance' at block of flats in Ayrshire
A man has died following a 'disturbance' at block of flats in Ayrshire. Police were called to reports of a disturbance in the Montgomerie Street area of Ardrossan at about 8:30pm on Tuesday. A 59-year-old man was discovered in a flat and pronounced
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Major company board role for former Scottish Enterprise chief executive
Lena Wilson, former chief executive of economic development agency Scottish Enterprise, has become chair of one of Scotland’s major publicly quoted companies. Aberdeen-based bus and rail company FirstGroup announced this morning that, “following
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Trump-Harris debate: Rivals share tense disputes over economy and abortion
Sparring on politics and personality, Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican rival Donald Trump showcased their starkly different visions for the country as they met for the first time for perhaps their only debate before November’s presidential
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Research suggests inequalities in post-pandemic Scotland show no sign of easing
Researchers have raised concerns the effects of policies designed to reduce inequalities in Scotland are not being reviewed thoroughly enough to determine whether they are achieving their aims. A study by the Scottish Health Equity Research Unit
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Mike Ashley's Frasers sets date to open major new Scottish 'concept' store
Frasers, the retail group controlled by controversial billionaire Mike Ashley, has set a target for the opening of a new concept store that will bring various "aspirational brands" under one roof. The 70,000sq ft store is due to open late next
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Herald Diary: Stop: Is this the best career you could have?
Featherbrained theorising ANOTHER day in the Diary office, another press release scuttles into our in-tray. (We get oodles of them, though very few love letters from adoring fans, alas.) Today’s PR missive arrives courtesy of an organisation
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Carlos Alba: Be very wary of politicians scrambling to rewrite the past
You wonder what went through Alex Salmond’s mind when a producer from Firecrest Films called to ask him to participate in a documentary called “Salmond and Sturgeon - a Troubled Union” for the BBC. The Alba party leader now regrets taking part
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Letters: Sturgeon's faint heart cost the Yes camp victory after Brexit
IN relation to this curious story that John Swinney urged Nicola Sturgeon to be careful about having a fresh referendum just after Brexit ("Swinney reveals reservations about Sturgeon’s post-Brexit indyref strategy", heraldscotland, September 8), there
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‘Not acceptable’ – senior teachers hit out at SQA over exam marking changes
Scotland’s only exam board is facing further pressure after senior teachers raised “significant and grave concerns” over its marking policies. The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has been accused of “moving the goalposts” for Higher History
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Ewing urges ministers not to pursue 'futile' court appeal against watchdog
The Scottish Government is being urged not take any further legal action against the information watchdog in connection with a long running battle relating to a probe into former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Fergus Ewing, SNP MSP for Inverness
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Steven Camley’s take on hoarding taskforce
Steven Camley’s take on hoarding taskforce You can purchase Steven Camley's cartoons by calling 0191 603 0178 or visiting thepicturedesk.co.uk
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Alison Rowat: As border controls tighten the debate on migration must open up
His name was Alan Kurdi and he was just two years old. In September 2015, Alan, his parents and five-year-old brother left their home in Turkey and boarded a small boat heading for Kos, their ultimate destination Canada, where a new life awaited.
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Ian McConnell: Why narrow-minded Labour bang out of order on winter fuel payments
The new Labour Government is, with every day that passes, looking ever more like a miserly householder gripping their money in both hands and holding it tightly into their chest. Its decision to means-test the winter fuel payment for pensioners
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Major new Scottish housing development imminent after builder buys land
Scottish housebuilder Miller Homes has announced the purchase of land for a major new development. Miller has made the acquisition for its planned Greenacres development, in Sauchie just outside Alloa, a 12.76-acre site which will feature 122 energy-efficient
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Speyside distillery releases rare 50-year-old single malt
BENROMACH Distillery in Speyside has launched a rare 50 year old single malt. Gordon & MacPhail, which brought the distillery back to life when it acquired Benromach in Forres 1993, has released 248 decanters of the single cask worldwide. Each
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Prestigious Scotch whisky club shrugs off China slowdown
The owner of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society has hailed a “creditable” performance in challenging markets as it narrowed losses in the first half. The Artisanal Spirits Company (ACS) declared its growing membership and moves into new territories
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Scottish electronics firm sold to Northern Ireland rival
Contract electronics manufacturer CB Technology of Livingston has been acquired by Northern Irish rival Elite Electronic Systems for an undisclosed sum. The combined business will have an annual turnover of more than £50 million, creating one of
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Cost of living concerns still prevail despite falling inflation
The economy has pulled through the disastrous effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Ukrainian war with inflation decreasing from 9.4% in fourth quarter of 2022 to just 3.1% in July. But despite economic indicators returning to normality, 60% of
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Embattled abrdn sees ‘significant headroom’ for growth under new boss
Investment giant abrdn’s new chief executive has insisted the group has good growth prospects in spite of concerns about the outlook for key operations. Jason Windsor was appointed chief executive of Edinburgh-based abrdn yesterday after holding
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Glasgow's Commonwealth Games bid in jeopardy as ministers baulk at risk
The chances of Glasgow hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2026 look increasingly unlikely, with neither the Scottish or UK governments willing to risk underwriting the multi-sport event. Although Team Scotland has insisted a stripped-back version
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From Kitchen to Cabinet: Edinburgh restaurant political heavyweight 'training ground'
Two of the country’s most senior politicians were dishwashers for Scotland’s first Mexican restaurant. First Minister John Swinney and Pat McFadden, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, both worked in the kitchen of popular Edinburgh eatery
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Starmer: 'Time SNP were honest about financial mess they made for themselves'
Sir Keir Starmer has accused the SNP of not being honest with the public about the “financial mess” in Scotland. The Prime Minister said John Swinney’s party rather than the new Labour government were to blame for the state of the nation's finances
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More than 1 in 4 parents in Scotland struggle to provide 'sufficient' food for kids
New figures show that more than one in four parents of children aged 18 or under in Scotland have struggled to provide sufficient food for their kids in the past 12 months. The cost-of-living crisis is being blamed for the grim findings that have