Highland city, capital of The Highland Council since 2000
Eilish McColgan has announced she will not compete at Glasgow 2026 due to a toe injury sustained at the London Marathon. She is back running but the clock was against her spikes; Megan Keith will represent Scotland in the women’s 10,000m.
A parliamentary-style essay argues that AI offers productivity gains but risks widening inequality unless Scotland aligns strategy across economy, education, and governance. Leaders are urged to act quickly to shape a future where Scots build their own intelligence instead of becoming simply customers of global AI.
A North Coast 500 economic impact study shows substantial local benefits, with 336 million to 360 million in economic activity for Highland communities since 2015, while residents report environmental damage, litter and congestion along the route. Local leaders urge action to address negative impacts without derailing the route’s positives.
Police Scotland has charged a 36-year-old man after five men were wounded in a sequence of attacks across west and north Edinburgh on 19 June. Videos show a bare-chested man carrying a long weapon and battering a restaurant door; three victims required hospital treatment. Counter-terrorism officers are supporting the inquiry and prosecutors have received a report.
The government is expanding use of former military sites to house asylum seekers, planning to accommodate about 3,750 people across Bicester, Barnham and Linton-on-Ouse, with extensions at Crowborough and Wethersfield. Local opposition persists in several communities as the plan unfolds.
The National Trust says a sapling from the Sycamore Gap tree, planted in Wray Castle, Cumbria, has been stolen between 9 and 16 June. The theft follows the 2023 felling of the original iconic tree and the sentencing of two men. Police are investigating and appeal for information. The sapling was part of a UK-wide restoration effort.
A NYT opinion piece argues potato salad is the Great American Dream Dish, tracing its history from late 19th century cookbooks to modern cookouts and celebrating its role as a unifying, approachable dish at gatherings.
David Brown has been jailed for six years and nine months for raping an 18-year-old passenger. Highland Council’s licensing committee sparked anger by allowing Brown’s operator’s licence to continue, prompting resignations, suspensions and calls for a full council review. The political fallout continues as the council faces scrutiny over safety and governance.
Archaeologists have recorded initials, tool marks and a Spanish Civil War slogan on WWII anti-tank defences at Tentsmuir, Fife. The marks include a cartoon soldier and references to the Scots Guards. The site faces coastal erosion and broader context shows the era of invasion concerns in 1940.
NatureScot plans an online register for Scotland’s ancient woodlands, recording location and conditioning. The system, due to live in 2027, will include conifer forests, recently planted woodlands and even ‘ghost’ woods, with a PIN procurement launching 2026–27.
Toby Peart, 13, has become one of the first patients in Scotland to undergo brain surgery using a 3D exoscope, enabling surgeons to view with enhanced depth perception. The system is installed at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, with outcomes described as promising as Toby recovers and returns to school.
Loganair has agreed to purchase Beta Alia CX300 all‑electric aircraft, with an option for five more, aiming to become Europe’s first airline with an electric fleet. Trials in Scotland have demonstrated an 80% potential reduction in operating costs, with 20–40 minute recharge times. Service is slated for 2029, focusing on short regional hops.