Scotland’s largest city on the River Clyde
Maas’s sixth ACOTAR book has released, launching a new Valkyrie Cycle arc. Parts two and three will follow in January 2027 as more titles are teased. Fans are debating crossovers with Crescent City and Throne of Glass while awaiting further details.
Voters are deciding control of Congress in a key midterm cycle. The House and Senate face tight races, with turnout and district maps shaping effects on policy for the next two years.
The government has announced an inflation-linked rise in spirits duty, pushing the average bottle’s tax share to 74%. Industry groups warn the measure will stall investment and hurt jobs, while SNP MPs promise to fight the plan in Parliament.
Police Scotland is coordinating a national operation to manage Bonfire Night disorder as Fireworks Control Zones restrict pyrotechnics in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Operation Moonbeam and Amberlight deploy officers from multiple forces to protect the public during Halloween and the UEFA Europa League match in Glasgow.
The UK Defence Committee warns Parliament that gaps in warship and submarine availability threaten critical High North infrastructure. MPs call for a rapid build-up of naval power and protection of undersea cables as Russia intensifies its Arctic posture and NATO allies reassess support.
A roundup of continuing festival talk across Scotland and the UK. Belladrum in the Highlands has named Fatboy Slim, James and Amy Macdonald as headliners for 2027, with Reading/Leeds, Glastonbury, Download and TRNSMT still shaping up. Primavera Sound 2027 and TRNSMT remain unresolved as organisers weigh acts and schedules.
A wave of upscale hotels and multi-use spaces has refreshed rooms, spas, and dining across the UK and Middle East. From Glasgow’s Radisson Blu hydrotherapy suite to Edinburgh’s Virgin Spellbound Suite and Jeddah’s Raffles Jeddah, properties are blending wellness, design, and guest experiences in new ways.
Shovel Dance Collective’s third album Everything in Readiness fuses traditional English folklore with experimental noise and left-wing politics, delivering a head-spinning, uncompromising listen that redefines what British folk can be.
The Guardian reviews of Flo & Joan’s With Feeling live show, noting how the duo blend musical comedy with sharper social commentary, perform new material alongside classics, and expand their stage presence on tour.
An 80-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy have died when their Piper Tomahawk II crashed north-east of Drymen, near Loch Lomond. The aircraft, which departed Glasgow Airport after 4pm, stopped transmitting later that afternoon. Temporary airspace restrictions remain in place as investigators from the AAIB examine the accident scene.
The SNP has pledged to bring Scotland’s bus network under public control by 2031 through franchising and regulation, extending the £2 bus fare cap to Aberdeen and the north-east. McGill’s Buses says it will fight the policy; critics warn the plan could cost taxpayers hundreds of millions annually. The government asserts the changes will protect routes and invest in services.
Threatening messages claiming a bomb was placed in hundreds of schools have been sent to dozens of schools across Scotland and Northern Ireland. Police say the threats are being treated as hoaxes and investigations are under way. Several Edinburgh schools evacuated; some remain in disruption as pupils return from autumn breaks.
Jota has returned to Celtic’s first team after ACL rupture in April 2025 and has featured as a substitute in Celtic’s 7-1 win over Hearts. He says the setback strengthened him and he is determined to contribute as he rebuilds fitness.
The pedestrianisation of Oxford Street is now underway, with a large stretch of the renowned shopping thoroughfare closed to traffic. City officials say the move will reframe London’s centre as a greener, more walkable destination, while delivering public spaces and new transport arrangements. Delivery windows and emergency access remain intact as work advances.
The Mercury Prize has announced the 2026 ceremony in Newcastle’s Utilita Arena, with PJ Harvey as a two-time winner and Sam Fender highlighted as last year’s winner. The Scotsman outlines eligibility rules, past winners and current contenders, including Olivia Dean and Nia Archives among favourites.
Scotland has moved up in the world rankings and will host New Zealand, Australia and Japan at Murrayfield next month as part of Finals Weekend, with a further fixture to be announced. Townsend’s side are preparing for the 2027 Rugby World Cup with warm-up matches including a potential home-and-away against France.
Aberdeen and Glasgow Caledonian universities face job cuts and cost-saving plans, with unions readying further action as talks fail to resolve financial pressures. Students fear disruption to exams and progression while management argues cuts are essential for balance.
The Guardian and BBC report that Jack Ross, then-CEO of Turning Point UK, has been suspended as police review undercover footage to determine potential criminality. Al Jazeera’s investigation alleges Ross offered to broker services of killers and discussed connections to a Glasgow contact and a Zimbabwe-related operation.
Airbnb has updated its policy to limit tasks guests can be asked to perform, especially chores that cleaners typically handle. The new framework standardises house rules into seven categories and requires all requests to be listed in the listing. The changes, effective Nov. 20, respond to widespread complaints about cleaning fees and onerous duties, while allowing exceptions in bear-country or drought situations.
Paisley’s two-day Halloween festival is underway with thousands watching a Friday parade and street performances, but Saturday’s events are canceled due to strong winds from Storm Boelo. Grandstand tickets are refunded. Public safety remains the priority as organisers adapt to severe weather.
Duncan Ferguson has taken charge of Glentoran in the Irish Premiership, with his first game delayed by Storm Boelo. Glentoran earns a late draw against Coleraine after Jordan Stewart’s header levels late in the match, keeping the Scotsman’s start on track. The fixture follows a chaotic week that saw postponements and viral moments as Ferguson prepares his side for home games at the BetMcLean Oval.
Police are investigating a series of targeted shootings across Scotland and northern England. The incidents, reported between Oct. 18 and Oct. 28, have left one injured and prompted a broad appeal for dashcam and CCTV footage. Authorities are treating the cases as targeted attacks and remain on high alert.
A roundup of Scotland’s haunted pubs and related tales, drawing on sources from The Scotsman, BBC and The Guardian. Historic England researchers contest the veracity of “oldest pub” claims, while regional pubs report ghostly sightings and legends tied to centuries of local history.
Kane has become the first Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or in 25 years, delivering a defining personal and national achievement. He has starred for Bayern Munich, scoring 73 goals in 65 games, and has led England to the World Cup semifinals. The award ceremony in London crowns a season of record-breaking form.
A series of royal-portraits commissioned by Coca-Cola GB features independent business owners, including a Barnsley fish shop owner and Glasgow café proprietor, painted by renowned portraitists with royal connections. The exhibition, Local Royalty, goes on display at the Saatchi Gallery in London, underscoring the role of small, local businesses in communities.
The Chancellor has announced a package designed to tackle rising energy costs and the cost of living. Standing charges on gas bills are being removed, a direct energy payment is being rolled out, VAT on electricity is extended, and the minimum wage is set to rise. The announcements are framed as relief for working people amid global economic pressures.
Switzerland has seen captain Granit Xhaka and Breel Embolo cleared to rejoin the national team for November Nations League matches after probation terms were considered; both players faced sanctions for obtaining fake vaccination certificates. The SFV says return is responsible and the coach will name the squad on 5 November.
Tribunal maintains stadium-closure penalties and £100,000 compensatory fines after pitch invasions at Ibrox; Celtic and Rangers will play next home cup matches behind closed doors, with potential for further sanctions. Independent review notes crowd-disorder failings by both clubs.
Loading...
Fashion labels and designers are embracing a utilitarian, garden-inspired aesthetic that blends cottagecore whimsy with practical, country-chic gear. Brands from Straw London to Luvashk are pushing outdoor-ready pieces, turning allotments into a fashion statement as consumers seek durable, stylish everyday wear.
Eight-year-old Riley Luke suffered four finger amputations and palm damage after a discarded firework ignited in his hand in Paisley, Renfrewshire. He spent 14 hours in surgery and two weeks in intensive care, later relearning basic tasks. Now 12, he encourages others to let parents handle fireworks as Bonfire Night approaches.
The National Economic Council convenes in Glasgow, uniting UK, Scottish, and Welsh leaders with Northern Ireland representatives to advance regional empowerment and deeper devolution. UK Prime Minister says No10 North rewires the state to involve every region; Scottish and Welsh leaders stress practical gains and local accountability.
Power cuts persist in parts of Britain after two named storms, Boelo and Austen, caused widespread disruption. Authorities warn of ongoing travel disruption and potential flooding as a new low-pressure system is forecast to bring more heavy rain and strong winds in the coming days.
Protests against the UK government’s 2025 proscription of Palestine Action have escalated, with hundreds detained outside the US Embassy as Supreme Court hearings begin. Police say arrests exceed 4,000, while campaigners condemn the move as a suppression of free speech amid legal challenges.