Scotland
- Edinburgh University warns students not to be 'snobs'www.bbc.co.uk Edinburgh University warns students not to be 'snobs'
The institution admitted class-related prejudice was a problem on campus.
Good luck getting Edinburgh to change here
- Red Squirrel in flightmastodon.scot Pete Walkden (@petewalkden@mastodon.scot)
Attached: 1 image Red Squirrel. I haven't failed to notice the popularity of red squirrel images, so here's one, jumping through a blizzard, in the Scottish Highlands. Thanks for all the kind words, comments, boosts and likes, on my images. And I appreciate all my followers, new and existing. ☺️ ...
News looked not news to me. So here's a red squirrel instead, a marvelous shot
- Highland Council's 5% visitor levy could raise £10m a yearwww.bbc.co.uk Highland Council's 5% visitor levy could raise £10m a year
Highland Council has proposed setting a 5% rate for its visitor levy.
Long overdue, but interesting to see a % and not a flat fee like most taxes are. Quit yappin and get it done!
- Glasgow baker wins first-ever title of 'Scotland's Best Croissant'news.stv.tv Glasgow baker wins first-ever title of 'Scotland's Best Croissant'
Maple Leaf Bakery was named as the winner of Scotland’s Best Croissant competition at the Balmoral Hotel.
Now I know what I need for breakfast!
- Story behind viral Scottish island ‘hammer attack’ on Google maps revealednews.stv.tv Story behind viral Scottish island ‘hammer attack’ on Google maps revealed
Gideon Futerman was visiting the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides in the summer when he spotted Google's car-mounted camera approaching.
Pretty funny. Some lighter news for us all today. We're gonna need it
- Photographer David Gilliver uses 'light sabre' to create magical photoswww.bbc.co.uk Photographer David Gilliver uses 'light sabre' to create magical photos
For 15 years, David Gilliver has been a pioneer in the technique of painting with light.
In a sea of bad news this morning, here's some cool photos. Happy Monday folks!
- The bride who crowd-surfed to Biffy Clyro on her wedding nightwww.bbc.co.uk The bride who crowd-surfed to Biffy Clyro on her wedding night
Biffy Clyro fans Carla and James met as fans of the band and spent their wedding seeing them live.
Fuck aye, mon the biffy! Good news Friday piece fer us aww
- Scotland’s ancient Skipinnish Oak wins UK tree of the yearwww.theguardian.com Scotland’s ancient Skipinnish Oak wins UK tree of the year
Lochaber tree, named after the ceilidh band that discovered it, now in running for European Tree of the Year contest
What a tree. Skippinish are good fun too, can't wait to hear a song about an oak tree. This one you could probably do a concept album with the eco system surrounding it
- Scottish Halloween customs and traditions which date back to Samhain
Clickbait title removed. Scotsman site and so adblocks (and hence Firefox) essential. But it's a guid collection of Hallowe'en traditions. Who's dookin fer apples? Who's gettin guisers chappin? Who's carved a tumshie?
- Former Scotland rugby player dies the day after completing 1,000-mile charity cyclenews.stv.tv Former Scotland rugby player dies the day after completing 1,000-mile charity cycle
Ken MacAulay died on Sunday after completing a three-week challenge that saw him raise over £14,000 for four charities.
That settles it. No more exercise for me. Incredible achievement and such a tragedy too. RIP
- Scotland’s block grant falls to lowest share of UK spending in a decade – studynews.stv.tv Scotland’s block grant falls to lowest share of UK spending in a decade – study
The figures were calculated before any adjustments were made to reflect the devolution of tax and welfare powers to the Scottish Parliament.
You know it's bad when STV lead with this story. Labour have tied their own hands by obeying Tory fiscal rules. Quite obviously not keynsian and not working for the UK. Where is the renationialism of anything? Any investment plans? Social care reforms? Universalism on anything?
The budget this week will be worth a watch
- NC500: Call for partial ban on motorhomes and caravanswww.thenational.scot Call for ‘partial ban’ on motorhomes and caravans on Scotland’s NC500 route
A CAMPAIGNER has called for a “partial ban” on motorhomes and caravans on the popular North Coast 500 (NC500) route ...
A cause close to my area of knowledge. And a ban on overnight parking in laybys makes total sense. The number of caravans is totally out of control on the NC500, and Skye. Highland council need to add more camp sites, and some passing lanes to make life bearable for locals at the same though. And a tourism tax should be paying for it!
- ‘Utterly unique’ Bronze Age hoard saved for the nationnews.stv.tv ‘Utterly unique’ Bronze Age hoard saved for the nation
The Peebles Hoard was discovered by a metal detectorist in the Scottish Borders in 2020.
Can't believe I missed this hoard when it was first discovered, great to see it retained. The Galloway hoard is also fabulous if you get a chance to see it
- Woman, 91, who killed toddler should not have been driving - inquirywww.bbc.co.uk Woman, 91, who killed toddler should not have been driving - inquiry
An FAI has called for a change to the laws about fitness to drive as the current system is "defective".
Medical professionals are reluctant to yank licenses because it removes independence (debatable in a city of course). This clearly should have happened in 2021 by this story, but I'd put I'd bet there was someone who susoected before the creash. Do we need cognitive tests or to start fining Drs who fail in this duty? Who thinks the DVLA will administer this? I'd bet it gets put onto GPs anyway, so you need a Drs note to renew over 80 essentially. And why also 80? Plenty of doddery 70 year olds. You can bet there would then be appeals too.
A tragedy all round, but we didn't see a law change after the Glasgow bin driver either
- Glasgow officially named as host of 2026 Commonwealth Gamesnews.stv.tv Glasgow officially named as host of 2026 Commonwealth Games
Organisers confirm the event will feature ten sports and take place in the city between July 23 and August 2.
> The sports programme will include athletics and para athletics (track and field), swimming and para swimming, artistic gymnastics, track cycling and para track cycling, netball, weightlifting and para powerlifting, boxing, judo, bowls and para bowls, and 3×3 basketball and 3×3 wheelchair basketball.
No rugby sevens, hockey, or rowing. No shooting, no sailing, no archery even. No skateboarding, no surfing, no bmxing. I know they were to pair things back but I am very unimpressed with the list of sports. Gymnastics isn't even a full gymanastics schedule
- How Edinburgh created the world's first fire brigadewww.bbc.co.uk How Edinburgh created the world's first fire brigade
Two hundred years ago the world's first municipal fire service started in Scotland.
200 years old this month, pretty mad to think about no fire brigade today, but Auld Reekie 200 years ago was full of nasty coal - even spotting a fire would have been troublesome!
- Cyclist Chris Hoy announces that his cancer is terminalwww.bbc.co.uk Cyclist Chris Hoy announces that his cancer is terminal
The 48-year-old Scot says doctors have told him he has between two and four years to live.
48, far too young. May his remaining years be good to him and his family
- Storm Ashley: Warning as 'weather bomb' approaches Scotlandwww.bbc.co.uk Storm Ashley: Amber warning as 'weather bomb' hits Scotland
Storm Ashley is expected to bring very high winds and rain, particularly affecting western areas on Sunday.
Proving there is no real news on the weekend with STV and the BBC leading with 'normal October weather' story. Aberdeen travel to Celtic today, who will remain on their winning record?
- Nicholas Rossi confirms identity and admits using alias at bail hearing for rape chargenews.stv.tv Nicholas Rossi confirms identity and admits using alias at bail hearing for rape charge
Rossi was extradited from Scotland to the US in January after a lengthy case in the Scottish courts.
Fucking finally. Been going on far too long this one. May Utah dispense speedy justice, he doesn't deserve long
- Losses at Trump’s Aberdeenshire golf course almost double in yearnews.stv.tv Losses at Trump’s Aberdeenshire golf course almost double in year
The Trump family announced plans for a second course in Aberdeenshire earlier this year, while the club also played host to the PGA Seniors Championship.
And he just opened (or is opening?) a second. Strike him off now, seeze his assets before he can fail to pay any more bills
- John Mason expelled from SNP over 'unacceptable' Gaza postswww.bbc.co.uk John Mason expelled from SNP over 'unacceptable' Gaza posts
The Glasgow Shettleston MSP had the whip removed in August after posting on X there was "no genocide" in Gaza.
He said there was 'no genocide' in Gaza and has now been expelled. The SNP line has now been set. Interestingly https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genocide lists a legal definition which broadly equates to an attempt to destroy a group. It is very hard to argue that Israel is not attempting to destroy the Gaza strip and it's peoples. And impossible within the SNP now
- Scottish independence campaigner Alex Salmond – a life in pictureswww.theguardian.com Scottish independence campaigner Alex Salmond – a life in pictures
The former Scottish National party first minister, leader of the Alba party, economist and television host has died aged 69
Never any news on a Sunday, so here's some pictures of the former FM. Lots of obituaries published today also for reading. But look how young he was in 1990 to be leading the SNP. A party at the time with just 4 MPs
- BBC News - Scotland's former First Minister Alex Salmond dies aged 69www.bbc.com Former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond dies
The former MP and MSP, who led the country between 2007 and 2014 during the independence referendum, took ill while in North Macedonia.
- Ministers accused of ‘poor leadership’ after Bill to axe climate target backednews.stv.tv Ministers accused of ‘poor leadership’ after Bill to axe climate target backed
The legislation was introduced after the Scottish Government announced it was ditching its goal of reducing emissions by 75% by 2030.
No plastic packaging recycling still. No shifting on nuclear. Increasing rail fares. The environment is obviously not not their priority. The SNP about to have a very hard time passing the budget too. Is this a zombie government? What are Holyrood passing that is worth anyone's time?
- Multi-million solar farm that could generate energy for thousands proposednews.stv.tv Multi-million solar farm that could generate energy for thousands proposed
If approved, it would have enough capacity to generate energy for around 40% of current homes in the city.
> If approved, it would have enough capacity to generate energy for around 40% of current homes in the city.
Not often we hear of solar farms in Scotland! A welcome addition though
- Teacher Hannah Willow crowned as Glasgow’s first tree-hugging championwww.theguardian.com Teacher Hannah Willow crowned as Glasgow’s first tree-hugging champion
Hannah Willow was the event’s surprise victor, and is now strategising for the world championships in Finland
- Snow patch deemed 'barometer for climate change' melts for fourth year in a rownews.stv.tv Snow patch deemed 'barometer for climate change' melts for fourth year in a row
Records show that in the 20th century it melted on three occasions – 1933, 1959 and in 1996.
A wealth of news today, but this one worth most to me. Our children and grandchildren are going to ask us: why didn't we stop?
- ‘I’ve fallen out with people’: the bruising debate over UK zonal energy pricingwww.theguardian.com ‘I’ve fallen out with people’: the bruising debate over UK zonal energy pricing
Industry divided over whether plan to vary electricity cost depending on location really could make bills cheaper for all
The single UK power market means that peoples of the highlands and islands pay the most for their electricity despite it being generated on their doorstep. It is no wonder we have nimbys. These proposals were originally Tory, and follow American proposals with nodal rather the zonal models that the article suggests. Nodal pricing is insane with Texas having at least annual power problems, that we would likely replicate. Zonal pricing follows a more european model and this isn't as insane as 5 minute settlements across thousands of nodes. Hourly settling across a few zones, with capacity pricing and such. It's a half way house and a sensible reform for the industry imo
Anyway. I'll bet you Miliband doesn't reform energy wholesale pricing. That would likely mean higher prices for the SE in the short term. And in the longer term power plants where they are needed, can't be spoiling that!
- Sheep 'that thinks he's a dog' inspires new children's booknews.stv.tv Sheep 'that thinks he's a dog' inspires new children's book
Laura Meredith says Christopher's canine ways are a result of being looked after by her two Alsatians when he was abandoned at birth.
What a brilliant Monday morning story. Hope yous have a great day, wherever you are
- Future of popular community farm uncertain after charity 'hands back keys'news.stv.tv Future of popular community farm uncertain after charity 'hands back keys'
The blueprint for Gorgie Community Farm, unveiled this summer, included spaces for growing, outdoor play, community enterprises, and markets.
A bit of local news rather than Scotland wide, but it highlights just how inept Edinburgh City Council is. Labour/Tory/LD run btw despite SNP having most seats. Anyway, I miss the farm, an easy afternoon out with the kids here and a valuable addition to Gorgie.
- Cheetah dies following short illness one month after arriving at Edinburgh Zoonews.stv.tv Cheetah dies following short illness one month after arriving at Edinburgh Zoo
Five-year-old Cleo arrived in Edinburgh from Fota Wildlife Park in the Republic of Ireland on August 1.
A real tragedy for this animal. I personally find zoos really troubling for anything bigger than a house cat
- Opinions split over plans to legalise assisted dying in Scotlandnews.stv.tv Opinions split over plans to legalise assisted dying in Scotland
More than 20,000 people had their say on the plans, with 10,120 strongly opposed to the legislation, while 10,380 fully supported it.
Margo MacDonald may yet get her final wish. The Torygraph suggesting it beyond Holyrood's purview however.
- The Glenfinnan Viaductmastodon.world Brian Jopek (@BrianJopek@mastodon.world)
Attached: 1 image Against a backdrop of early autumn color, a train crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct. Photo by Bryan Walker. #Scotland #Autumn
Very little newsworthy today. So here's a lovely photo instead for the 1st of October. Feeling very autumnal across the land now, with russet reds and auburns everywhere you look. Glenfinnan itself has a fascinating history, not just Harry Potter. This was where Bonnie Prince Charlie first raised his banner in 1745 on the mainland of Britain, and there stands a memorial on that spot today still
- Minimum alcohol pricing rises in Scotland by 30%news.stv.tv Minimum price of alcohol in Scotland rises by 30%
Health experts have welcomed the measure as Scotland records its highest level of alcohol-related deaths since 2008.
£1.30 for a pint tinnie of Tennents. Have definitely had Williams' Joker for close to that in the recent past too
