Scottish compact newspaper and daily news site, Edinburgh-born since 1817
The sixth ACOTAR book, A Court of Splintered Harmony, has released, launching The Valkyrie Cycle. Book seven will follow in January 2027, with additional titles signposted. Fans are engaging across events, crossovers, and deep lore exploration as Maas’s Maasverse broadens.
A government consultation aims to standardise parking, safety and insurance for shared e-bike schemes, addressing a patchwork of local rules. The plan proposes penalties for anti-social riding, clearer data sharing, and empowered local leaders to regulate fleets and parking to protect pedestrians.
LIV Golf has told a New Jersey bankruptcy court it will shift from restructuring to full liquidation after BC Partners Credit withdrew a proposed $300m financing. The Saudi-backed league has lost star players and funding, filed for Chapter 11 in September, and will sell assets to pay creditors starting immediately.
A jury has convicted the British actor-turned-influencer Russell Brand of one rape and three sexual assaults after a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court. He denies the remaining charges and faces a custodial sentence, with sentencing scheduled for Monday.
A BMJ Open study of 440 NHS staff finds 71% meet shift-work disorder criteria, with fourfold depression risk and significant insomnia. The Royal College of Nursing calls for screening and support amid staffing pressures that may threaten patient safety. The research suggests rotas, sleep hygiene and, in some cases, medications could help, and highlights systemic workload concerns.
Sophia Aitken has died after being struck by a Stagecoach bus on Lauchlan Way in Kilwinning. The 12-year-old pupil from Kilwinning Academy died at the scene. Police are investigating, appealing for dashcam footage and witnesses to come forward.
Hearts and Hibernian meet in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden Park on Sunday, 1 November 2026. Hearts arrive in better league form and hold a strong Hampden record, while Hibs are rebuilding under new manager Marink Reedijk and seek their first Hampden win against Hearts.
From April 2027, Holyrood committee conveners will receive an extra 20% on top of their MSP salaries, reflecting added responsibilities. The move, approved by the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body, costs the taxpayer about £248,675.20 annually and requires an amendment to the salaries scheme.
Scotland’s Acorn carbon capture project is embroiled in a funding dispute as UK ministers reframe support from a grant to loans/equity. The government has already drawn down a portion of the promised grant, and critics warn the plan remains fragile while SNP aims hinge on NETs for emissions cuts.
A synthesis of recent reviews shows high-street fragrance launches are delivering credible, budget-friendly alternatives to luxury perfumes. Independent and Business Insider UK highlight fall scents and Prime Day style deals, while Scotsman coverage spotlights vanilla amber blends and whisky notes. Collectively, the coverage suggests consumers are expanding their fragrance palettes without sacrificing quality or distinctiveness.
The government has weighed final consent for the Jackdaw gas field and the Rosebank oil field, amid pressure from climate advocates and industry groups. Officials say a decision is imminent, with Jackdaw potentially delivering gas this winter, and Rosebank’s fate tied to environmental assessments.
Rangers have maintained a six-match league winning run, moving top of the Scottish Premiership after a 3-0/3-1 victory over Kilmarnock. Naderi has starred in attack, while Shankland and Chermiti remain sidelined. Hearts deliver a 5-0 win, and Celtic face pressure as title race tightens.
The government has announced 140 million pounds to boost urgent care capacity across England, funding 14 new schemes including UTCs, SDECs, ambulance fleets and emergency department upgrades. The package aims to ease winter pressure following a hot summer and rising A&E demand, with further 25 sites opening for winter and a wider Pharmacy First expansion.
Rockstar Games faces an employment tribunal in Glasgow where 23 ex-employees allege unfair dismissal for union activity in a case linked to 34 dismissals last October over sharing confidential information. Rockstar denies targeting unionists, arguing terminations were due to misconduct and violations of confidentiality.
A 17-year-old has died after a disturbance on Ashgill Road. A 22-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the incident. Police are treating the death as murder and are appealing for information as enquiries continue.
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.
The SNP has renewed its push for a second independence referendum as party leaders frame the issue as central to Scotland’s future. With the party securing a fifth term, officials say the movement is moving toward a new, sustained campaign despite mixed polling.
A wave of convictions against Police Scotland officers for sexual and physical abuse spans 2014–2023. The courts have handed down sentences, with one officer receiving 12 years in prison and others facing lengthy terms. The cases highlight a crisis of confidence and emphasize the need for reforms in policing.
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.
In New York, reviewers have weighed top vacuums for small apartments, assessing versatility, runtime, and cleaning power. The Dyson V16 Piston Animal leads for hard-floor pickup and attachments, while other models balance price, weight, and dock design.
The Scotsman and BBC Business report a shift in the UK brewing sector as Allsopp’s revives a historic IPA with a ledger-driven revival, and Rebellion Brewery adopts employee ownership through an Employe Ownership Trust, signaling a broader trend toward worker-owned models in a consolidating market.
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.
The BBC has announced a plan to move BBC Scotland, BBC Three, and related services online as part of a broader effort to save £500m over the next two years. Linear channels will close in spring, with content rerouted to iPlayer, BBC Sounds, and YouTube while some programming shifts to BBC One/Two in Scotland. The changes aim to align with changing audience habits while preserving key regional content.
UK ministers have approved the Jackdaw gas field, a decision that will boost domestic gas supply and fund an energy wealth fund, while drawing criticism from climate campaigners who warn it does little to lower bills or meet climate goals. Production could start this winter, with up to 11 years of gas and billions added to the economy.
Inflation has edged higher in September, driven by transport costs and energy bills. Analysts expect further pressure on policy makers as prices rise across sectors, with energy and transport among the main contributors.
Children’s laureates Chris Haughton and Nicola Davies have said they will donate forthcoming UK royalties to Sally Rooney after her UK publisher stopped supplying her books. Rooney has said she will give proceeds to Palestine Action, a group proscribed under UK terrorism law; Faber and Rooney agreed to halt UK sales because the publisher cannot pass on UK earnings.
Milk Makeup has introduced a Line + Fill Lip Liner and Lip Color, a single pencil that defines the lip line and fills in color, with a matte finish and up to eight hours of wear. Priced around $22, it includes a built-in sharpener and aims to streamline makeup routines for busy mornings and day-to-night wear.
Fontaines DC has released a new album, Dopamine Chamber, marking a shift from post-punk to expansive, synth-driven sounds. The band’s ascent continues with a major 2027 tour and headline ambitions, while peers like The Temperance Movement release new material, signalling a vibrant UK rock scene.
A week of concerts has showcased living composers and classic revisits, with performers pushing boundaries. The programme includes Brahms, Richter and Sibelius, revealing new forms of interpretation and intensity, while the orchestras balance innovation with tradition.
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.
A wave of AI-enabled solutions is reshaping logistics and tourism in the Middle East and Europe. Africa’s AI standards initiative opens a regional center to govern and test AI, while a Scots group accelerates AI across supply chains. Saudi Arabia advances agentic AI in cargo and tourism, with new hubs and partnerships aimed at faster, more transparent operations.
Ministers have approved the Jackdaw gas field in the central North Sea, east of Aberdeen, with gas expected to feed homes and businesses by month’s end. The decision, framed as a step toward energy security and a domestic supply boost, is contested by environmentalists and some lawmakers who warn of climate risks and fiscal implications.
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.
Two new short fiction collections praise human resilience: an eccentric mix of whimsy and gloom explores love and aging in Austria and Denmark, while a fragmentary novel follows a musician’s struggle with artistic integrity and the cost of pursuing art.
Ferries on the Islay route face further delays as CMAL says MV Loch Indaal will miss October handover; final regulator approval is still pending and a mid-November handover is anticipated, with up to 10 days of prep before sailing. Lochmor and Claymore remain in the works.
The Scottish No. 1 has withdrawn from the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship and the Dubai finale due to concerns over the regional conflict, marking his first absence from a season-ending event since his DP World Tour debut in 2019. The field remains stacked as top players chase the Race to Dubai and the $10 million DP World Tour Championship.