An excavation is to take place at the site of infamous riots sparked 200 years ago by the Highland Clearances.

CALLS are growing for a public inquiry into failures to clean up coal mines across Scotland after a new report revealed a potential £60m shortfall in funds for one region alone.

A 54 year-old man has been killed in a one vehicle collision at a roundabout in Oldmeldrum in Aberdeenshire.

A 15-YEAR project which has seen over 300 acres of native species planted in notoriously ‘treeless’ Orkney has been hailed a success.

JUST hours old a new born reindeer struggles to stand in the snow - a normal scene perhaps in Lapland in Christmas but one that is not expected in Scotland at the end of May.

STUDENTS around the world are being offered an islands studies course – the first of its kind in Scotland – at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

A COUNCIL worker, whose second job is as boss of a city nightclub where lap dancing has been granted for the first time in the Highlands, is to face his nine-to-five manager to discuss his “extra-curricular” activities.

A SCOTTISH council, which is currently consulting on a series of controversial school closures, sparked outrage today by announcing proposals to spend an estimated £860,000 to ensure every pupil has access to a smartphone in the classroom.

RBS was today hit by another embarrassing IT failure that left customers using its popular mobile app unable to access their accounts online.

A stray snake found by a man while he was drinking his morning tea could have been living in his wall for 18 months.

THE FIRST showing of Brad Pitt’s zombie movie World War Z is to be at a Glasgow cinema - two days before its released anywhere else.

Extra dates have been added to Rod Stewart’s opening concert at The Hydro due to “phenomenal” demand for tickets.

ABERDEENSHIRE councillors are set sanction £300,000 for essential repairs to safeguard the future of a decaying art deco swimming pool complex - granted Category-A listed status because of its outstanding architectural and historic importance.

]]> 1.2943643 Fri, 24 May 2013 12:44:57 +0100 http://www.scotsman.com/scottish-independence-372k-pledge-to-vote-yes-1-2943623

YES Scotland is marking its first anniversary with the announcement that more than 372,000 people have so far signed the Independence Declaration.

ABERDEEN Asset Management, one of Britain’s leading fund management companies, today announced a new sponsorship deal with Paul di Resta, Scotland’s only Formula 1 racing driver.

Sir Roger Moore today announced he will make his first stage appearance in Edinburgh later this year, as he took a cheeky pop at fellow James Bond actor Sir Sean Connery.

A FIVE-year-old has found her voice again after she had surgery on a rare throat condition.

A TEENAGE horse trainer claims she has been left devastated after her beloved charge was removed by the Scottish SPCA over allegations of abuse.

LOTHIAN’S new NHS boss has spoken of the tragic death of his daughter as he answered critics who have questioned whether he is the right man to lead the region’s health service.

AS the green half of the city gears up for its second cup final in two seasons, excitement is reaching fever pitch across the board.