Scottish poet and lyricist, national figure of Ayrshire tradition
National Geographic has named Dumfries and Galloway a must-visit location for 2027, alongside global destinations. The region is praised for dark skies, coastal trails, cycling and galloway landscape, with observatory plans and the Tour de France’s arrival boosting momentum. Local leaders say the recognition will drive year‑round tourism.
The Scotsman letters reflect on devolution and unity, with readers urging caution on regional governance and warning against disconnected policymaking in the wake of a new prime minister. The debate centers on whether further regional power can be effectively managed within the UK framework.
The SNP faces renewed scrutiny over its Monklands Hospital project amid revelations that the project was deemed unaffordable before the election. New documents show ministers knew the cost problems, prompting calls for accountability and answers for Scottish voters.
A new Angus Glens report shows moorland and grouse management support thousands of jobs and local businesses. It highlights 86.5 full-time equivalents and 768 seasonal workers in 2025, with significant local spending and 84 grouse shooting days, illustrating the economic and social ties of rural estates.
A string of cyber incidents targets McKesson and Beacon CRM-holding charities in the UK. McKesson reports data exfiltration and service degradation after a Snowflake/Salesforce cloud breach. Separately, Beacon CRM vulnerabilities have affected about 1,500 charities, prompting warnings to supporters and measures to bolster security.
Scotland has the highest drug-deaths rate in Europe, with 1,133 drug-related deaths in 2025. The government has described the rise as unacceptable and intolerable and is pursuing harm-reduction measures, including decriminalisation in some form. Westminster controls drugs policy, limiting Scotland’s options. Leaders across parties are calling for action and accountability as the issue remains a central political flashpoint.