Capital city of Scotland, a council area in southeast Scotland
Cast members recall early days on Outlander, noting there were fewer guidelines in the 2010s and that intimacy coordinators were introduced later as protections for actors. They describe debates over naked scenes, long filming of a rape sequence, and the industry’s cultural shift in handling intimate content.
Three new indoor padel facilities are underway in Scotland: Crieff Hydro’s Padel Barn opens in September; Galashiels Academy hosts a TSIT project with two covered padel courts; Cromlix Hotel features historic tennis facilities renewed for guests. The developments aim to broaden access to racket sports year-round across communities.
Aaron Strachan has been given a lifelong restriction order with a minimum of five years in custody after admitting a series of violent crimes in Edinburgh, including a rape of a 15-year-old girl. He fled custody during a court escort but was recaptured in hours. The judge described the offences as predatory and the impact on victims as horrific.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society has moved its operations into a permanent space on Infirmary Street, transforming Fringe Central into a year‑round hub for artists, welfare support, rehearsal spaces and industry services. The project, funded by the UK Government and partners, is designed to support a thriving, inclusive fringe ecosystem alongside the city’s galleries and venues.
Apple has delayed its smart‑glasses launch to June 2027 and pushed availability to late 2027 while it refocuses on Siri‑powered AI, device privacy and developer support. The company is preparing a wider hardware push — including a Siri AI home hub, new set‑top box, refreshed HomePod mini and Mac updates — while pursuing a trade‑secrets suit against OpenAI.
Veteran broadcaster Bill Oddie, famed for The Goodies and later wildlife programming, has died aged 85. His career spanned comedy and conservation, with Springwatch and Birding With Bill Oddie among his notable projects. Reports describe a life shaped by creative success and battles with depression and bipolar disorder.
Grass fire on Salisbury Crags near Arthur’s Seat is being tackled by firefighters. Six appliances are on site; residents are advised to avoid the area as hot, dry conditions persist. A separate Cairngorms wildfire is largely surrounded but remains active.
Prediction markets Kalshi, Polymarket and Rothera see heightened activity in June 2026 as the FIFA World Cup drives notional volume, with open interest climbing and regulators watching for market integrity. U.S. and international platforms report record activity amid the tournament, while some observers caution on potential risks and regulation.
A new strawberry tart from Eusebi Deli and Restaurant at Bonnie & Wild has drawn crowds in Edinburgh, with Perthshire strawberries and a top price of £3.50 per slice. The tart’s popularity has prompted reflections on quality, price and the appeal of luxury confections in contemporary markets.
Nine men aged 54 to 76 have been charged in a long-running south Wales case of group-based child sexual exploitation. The operation, starting after multiple victims reported abuse dating from 1985 to 1996, has seen arrests across the UK. They are due to appear at Newport Magistrates’ Court for charges that cover eight victims.
Residents in Edgelaw View, Gilmerton, face two months in temporary accommodation as groundworks are carried out. Six to eight weeks of works could stretch longer, raising concerns for schooling, transport, and bills as families await a permanent solution.
Edinburgh has introduced a 5% overnight accommodation levy with a five-night cap, aiming to raise up to £50 million annually to reinvest in city infrastructure, housing, policing and cultural initiatives. The levy accompanies festival-season bustle and has sparked debate among performers, residents and local businesses about its impact on the arts scene and livability.
Glasgow School of Art says faithful reinstatement is now unaffordable without external funding. A new report shows gear for stabilisation, scaffolding removal and a plan to anchor a creative district, while critics call for a full rebuild and transparency.
The Scottish government has approved a hostel project that refurbishes four Category A-listed townhouses on Atholl Crescent into capsule‑pod accommodation. More than 280 objections were lodged, but authorities say the plan does not harm local housing or services. Campaigners warn this sets a precedent for heavy tourism in heritage sites.
Replica football shirts have surged in price at several Premier League clubs, with ten teams now charging £80 or more for adult kits. Independent reports price hikes across Tottenham, Chelsea, Coventry City, Ipswich, Leeds, Bournemouth and Hull, while Brentford keeps current kits for two years. Authorities warn counterfeit kits are highly flammable and linked to crime.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games have opened in Glasgow with a scaled-back program across four venues and 10 sports. About 3,000 athletes from 74 nations compete for 215 golds. The opening ceremony features KT Tunstall and Nathan Evans, with King Charles due to attend. The event follows Victoria’s withdrawal as hosts, a decision that led to Glasgow stepping in. The Games will run until August 2.
Wetherspoon has warned profits for the year will miss market expectations as sales rose 4% in the three months to July 19, but costs in food, labour, energy, and business rates remain a drag. Shares fell sharply after the update, reinforcing investor caution despite World Cup-driven sales spurts.
Aziz Abdul, nicknamed Ringo, pursues Commonwealth gold in Glasgow, drawing on his grandfather Idi Amin’s boxing legacy. He faces English youth champion Damar Thomas in the +90kg final rounds, with the aim of Uganda’s first Commonwealth boxing gold since 1990.
Scotland has surged to gold as Team Scotland athletes strike decisive wins at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, with Duncan Scott defending his 200m individual medley title and gymnasts Ward and Lynn delivering historic performances. The day underscores Scotland’s push for home success in a pared-back Games.
A trio of reviews from Edinburgh and Scotland’s jazz scene showcase a weekend of avant-garde performances. From Fergus McCreadie and Xhosa Cole’s fearless improvisations to Maciej Obara’s Northern Spaces and Matt Carmichael’s Celtic-tinged set, audiences have been treated to a spectrum of modern jazz styles.
A sequence of celestial events in July and August 2026 includes a total solar eclipse across parts of Europe and the Southern Hemisphere, followed by a partial lunar eclipse and the Perseid meteor shower. Observatories, travel packages and safety guidance are features of the coverage, while tourism and cultural events prepare for peak interest.
Sephora has opened its first Scottish store in Edinburgh’s St James Quarter. The launch drew long queues, entertainment, and freebies, signaling strong local demand for prestige beauty and marking a milestone in the brand’s UK expansion.
Astronomers have detected helium escaping from LHS 1140b, a rocky 'super-Earth' 48 light-years away that orbits in its star's habitable zone. The finding has confirmed an atmosphere around a habitable-zone rocky exoplanet for the first time and has been published in Science; teams used ground-based infrared spectroscopy and modelling.
A body of studies is showing that a blood marker called p-tau217 can forecast an elevated risk of cognitive impairment in healthy older adults years before symptoms appear. The evidence is not yet clinical-ready, but it is guiding trials that aim to slow or prevent Alzheimer’s disease and is being tested in Scotland’s primary care setting.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and partners have extended a very high wildfire risk warning in central Highlands, southern, and eastern Scotland. Fire crews remain at multiple sites, including the Cairngorms and Arthur’s Seat, as temperatures stay hot and dry. The alert is in effect into the week, with officials urging the public to avoid outdoor fires and to stay vigilant.
The independent review into March’s Old Firm clash has highlighted near-misses, planning failures, and a call for stronger sanctions and accountability for clubs. Hearings are set for August 13 as the SFA publishes its findings.
This is a concise update on two developments: a comedian facing legal questions over a controversial Edinburgh Fringe joke and veteran broadcaster Dimbleby commenting on hosting pressures and BBC job cuts, as both reflect changes in public discourse and media accountability.
Josh Kerr has broken Hicham El Guerrouj’s 27-year mile world record in London and now aims to win Commonwealth gold in Glasgow 2026 with the Commonwealth Mile, while the event shifts to a non-Olympic cycle. He is driving a data‑driven, bespoke kit program to chase 3:42 per mile at the Diamond League before the Games.
Universal Pictures releases Nolan’s Odyssey, adapting Homer’s epic with Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway and Tom Holland. The film is shot entirely in IMAX 70mm, positioning Nolan’s epic as 2026’s event cinema.
Charli xcx has released Music, Fashion, Film, a 11-track project that blends electronic textures with guitar-driven moments. The artist has explained the release as a reflection on creativity, identity, and the pressures of fame, with responses to Brat and earlier projects.
New PM Andy Burnham has moved quickly to reassure voters with cost‑of‑living measures, a cabinet reshuffle, and promises to curb immigration, signaling a shift from Labour’s Starmer era. Early reactions praise the direction but warn of looming intra‑party battles.
Luke Combs headlines Wembley with a high-energy, theatrical country show. The run features multiple acts, big pyrotechnics, and a crowd roaring to a mix of new hits and fan favorites. Critics note the show’s immersive spectacle but find some sound issues and uneven pacing amid the stadium-scale production.
A woman has died in East Craigs, Edinburgh, after being found seriously injured at a Craigievar Square property. A 46-year-old man has been arrested and is facing charges as police continue inquiries and reassure residents.
A round-up of recent arts and culture pieces from major outlets showcases artists reflecting on sobriety, heartbreak, and creative renewal across music, theatre and theatre-adjacent projects. The reporting balances intimate personal journeys with public performances and new releases.
Labour has moved into a leading position ahead of the next General Election as Andy Burnham consolidates his grip on the party. Revelations surrounding Reform UK leader Nigel Farage have unsettled rivals, with betting markets shifting in Labour’s favour.
The Carolina Panthers have altered their offensive line plans as injuries force reshuffles ahead of the season. Ickey Ekwonu remains out with a ruptured patellar tendon, and Taylor Moton has a blood clot in the lung, prompting veteran Rasheed Walker and early first‑round pick Monroe Freeling to start. The team is banking on depth and mentorship to bridge early gaps.
The RAC has found that drop-off charges at the UK’s top 20 airports have risen on average by about a third since last summer, with Gatwick, Stansted and London City among the most expensive. The trend contrasts with EU hubs where such charges are rare, and authorities are urging drivers to consider alternatives.
The latest data from multiple outlets shows a nationwide trend of falling homicide rates in 2026, with significant declines in many cities and pockets of increases in a few, including San Francisco and Norfolk. Experts say factors are widespread and not tied to one policy or leadership style, while some cities dispute the official tallies.
Hibernian have suffered a 2-0 defeat to FC Malisheva in Pristina in the Conference League qualifier. The result leaves the Scottish club needing a positive turnaround in the second leg at Easter Road. Manager David Gray has acknowledged the performance was far below the club’s standards.
The British Muslim Trust reports more than 70 attacks on mosques in the past year, with violence, vandalism and online abuse. While the government has pledged up to £40 million for protective security, mosques say funding is arriving slowly or being denied without explanation, leaving communities fearful and waiting months for support. Other incidents include arson threats and a hate-driven backlash. The report and responses from Home Office stress ongoing processing, with calls to devolve funds to local areas.