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Labour mayors join forces to urge Sunak not to scrap HS2 Northern link
UK's first drug consumption room approved for Glasgow
Controversial Rosebank oil field is given the go-ahead
UK braces as Storm Agnes prepares for landfall
Airline cancels flights from major UK airport
Google celebrates its 25th birthday

Wed, 27th September 2023

Rosebank Oilfield Decision
Rosebank Oilfield Decision

Controversial Rosebank oil field is given the go-ahead

Rosebank, 80 miles west of Shetland, is estimated to contain 350 million barrels of oil.

Breaking UK's first drug consumption room approved for Glasgow
The facility was approved at a meeting this morning

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  • 1Passions: 'Where else would you find this cross generational span of the sisterhood?'
  • 2Holiday let owners say they are being made a ‘scapegoat’
  • 3Scotland's world-first autonomous buses: Wear your seat belt! – Alastair Dalton
  • 4Interview: Doug Mutter, director of Edinburgh-based major vaping retailer VPZ
  • 5The making of Scotland's Ryder Cup star MacIntyre - from those closest to him
    • Dr Lisa Cameron, the Scottish National Party MP for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow.

    SNP MP says ‘group bullying’ within the party gave her panic attacks

    Caroline Weir is taken off injured for Scotland at Hampden Park. Cr. Getty Images

    Scotland 1-1 Belgium: Scotland rescue a point on dull night at Hampden

    Clachan Church by Loch Broom, where the last communion was held before the Hector voyage. PIC: Creative Commons.

    Emotional search for Highland ancestors 250 years after the Hector sailed

    Bertie Troughton, resident trustee at Blair Castle in Perthshire, found 40 old bottles in an unassuming cellar room. They are now set to go up for auction. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

    Oldest whisky in the world found behind Blair Castle cellar door set for auction

    How Scotland's minister for tenants’ rights is driving up rents Murdo Fraser

    The Scottish and UK governments are a national embarrassment Euan McColm

    A vision of a net-zero world in 2050 and how we got there By The Newsroom

    Scotland's falling life expectancy is an indictment of its government Scotsman comment

    Lifestyle

    Andy Arnold PIC: John Johnston

    Andy Arnold on leaving Glasgow's Tron Theatre after 16 years in charge

    Jasdeep Singh Degun working on his new composition with the Scottish Ensemble PIC: Foxbrush

    Jasdeep Singh Degun on his new collaboration with the Scottish Ensemble

    Graham Nash PIC: Jeff Spicer/ Getty Images

    Music review: Graham Nash, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

    Paul Zerdin and his sponge family Pic: Steve Ullathorne

    Interview: ventriloquist Paul Zerdin

    The Old Oak

    Film reviews: The Old Oak | The Creator | The The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar

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    Dance review: Scottish Ballet: Twice-Born, Theatre Royal, Glasgow

    Carmen Pieraccini, Chiara Sparkes and Andy Clark in Tally's Blood (Picture: Mihaela Bodlovic)

    Theatre reviews: Tally's Blood | Coast

    Rugby World Cup

    Johnny Matthews enjoyed a fine season with Glasgow Warriors, scoring 13 tries in 19 appearances. He has now been called into the Scotland World Cup squad. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

    I was walking dogs when RWC call came - this has been some summer

    As summers go, it’s been quite a ride for Johnny Matthews. It began with a trip to Monaco to see his...
    Tonga player banned for four matches for high hit on Finn Russell
    Tonga’s Vaea Fifita will miss the rest of the Rugby World Cup after being banned for four matches fo...
    Stuart McInally won 49 caps during a stellar career for Scotland.

    McInally' emotional retirement post after World Cup ended by injury

    Stuart McInally declared it “a privilege” to have been able to end his rugby career at the Rugby World Cup with Scotland as he confirmed he has now retired from the game.
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    Hooker Matthews is a perfectly able deputy for Scotland – Dalziel
    John Dalziel is adamant new recruit Johnny Matthews will prove a perfectly able deputy after Scotlan...
    Ireland brush aside complacency and say full focus is on Scotland
    Captain Johnny Sexton insists Ireland are not thinking about anything beyond Scotland as they seek t...

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    Politics

    Rishi Sunak, seen visiting the Shell St Fergus gas plant in Peterhead in July, needs to demonstrate that his new pathway to net-zero emissions is credible (Picture: Euan Duff/WPA pool/Getty Images)

    Rosebank decision adds to concerns Sunak doesn't take climate change seriously

    Successive pledges have been made to ban the most damaging fishing methods from sensitive seabed areas to preserve important habitats and species, but nine years after Scotland’s network of marine protected areas was first created, bottom-trawling and dredging are still allowed in more than half of the sites. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

    Ministers blasted over delays in banning destructive fishing in protected sites

    The actions we need to see now will impact how we travel, how we build and heat our homes, how we farm and manage land and whether we keep subsidising actions that are undermining life on the planet, according to Mike Robinson, chair of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland

    Manifesting climate action to benefit people and the planet

    Rishi Sunak visits a Land Rover plant in Warwick in July for an announcement about a new electric car battery factory (Picture: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

    SNP shouldn’t have just accepted Sunak’s delay of new petrol car ban

    The proposals would see protests banned within 150 metres of abortion clinics. Image: John Devlin.

    Green MSP vows to make protests outside abortion clinics a thing of the past

    Climate campaigners say they are prepared to take the UK Government to court

    Dr Lisa Cameron, the Scottish National Party MP for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow.

    Sitting MSP backs challenger to SNP incumbent in Westminster selection battle

    Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey after giving his keynote speech during the Liberal Democrat conference at the Bournemouth Conference Centre.

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    Sport

    Johnny Matthews enjoyed a fine season with Glasgow Warriors, scoring 13 tries in 19 appearances. He has now been called into the Scotland World Cup squad. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

    I was walking dogs when RWC call came - this has been some summer

    As summers go, it’s been quite a ride for Johnny Matthews. It began with a trip to Monaco to see his...
    Naismith address Hearts team expectations, Grant and Lowry situations
    Steven Naismith has called on his players to “back up” their 2-1 win over Kilmarnock that sent them ...

    Exclusive The making of Scotland's Ryder Cup star MacIntyre - from those closest to him

    Martin Dempster pays a visit to Oban, an unlikely place to have produced a Ryder Cup golfer
    The nerds will be loving rugby's controversies, the casual fan ends up baffled

    Aidan Smith

    Rangers staff rally around 'emotional' Beale - 'he will 100% get through this'
    An “emotional” Michael Beale won’t be chewed up by the hand-to-mouth footballing existence he has fo...
    Hibs now have cup specialist in their ranks - this is real opportunity for club
    Nick Montgomery is well-versed on the demands and rewards of knock-out football and, as his men play...

    Opinion

    After an Avanti West Coast train was cancelled mid-journey, passengers experienced a very long journey (Picture: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

    HS2 a distant prospect as 'low-speed one' takes passengers on 11-hour journey

    Russell Brand leaves the Troubabour Wembley Park theatre in north-west London after performing a comedy set. He faces claims about his sexual behaviour at the height of his fame. He has vehemently denied the allegations. Picture date: Saturday September 16, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story SHOWBIZ Brand . Photo credit should read: James Manning/PA Wire

    Crackpots’ defence of Brand leaves me feeling sorry for him - Vladimir McTavish

    ‘​Look Up’ awareness campaign will help save children’s lives - Susan Dalgety

    SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn appeared on Debate Night, hosted by The Scotsman's Stephen Jardine, last week (Picture: Hollie Adams/Getty Images)

    Readers' Letters: Stephen Flynn 'patronising and disrespectful' to questioner

    Education

    Unison strike outside Avenue End Primary School in Glasgow. Image: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images.

    Unison warns of more strikes and calls on Humza Yousaf to go to picket line

    Schools across Scotland are closing for three days as non-teaching staff go on strike
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    School support workers, who are members of Unison, on the picket line at Portobello High School in Edinburgh. Photo: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

    Union says 'significantly' better offer needed to end school strikes

    Schools will be shut across 24 council areas in Scotland for three days. Picture: John Devlin

    Will all schools be closed by strikes? Will there be more strikes?

    Scotland Street Volume 17, Chapter 18: Icelandic Words

    Alexander McCall Smith

    Rural Affairs

    A motion raised to scrap plans to allow the male deer cull season to be open all year round has been successful (pic: John Stillwell)

    Deer cull season plans to be debated in Parliament following successful motion

    The Scottish Government proposals have prompted animal welfare concerns
    Charity wins bid to take over Scottish Government-owned farmland in Highlands
    The community aims to build a garden, orchard and allotments...
    Calls have been made to review the right to roam policy in Scotland to address the influx of particularly roadside campers since the legislation was introduced two decades ago (pic: Jeff J Mitchell)

    England should learn from Scotland 'right to roam' issues

    Calls have been made for land access guidance and legislation to be reviewed with an increase in roadside campers over the last two decades.
    Promising lapwing test shows farmers are 'part of the solution not the problem'Katharine Hay
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    Seawilding: One community's battle to replenish Scotland's native oyster
    With oyster season having started and a string of festivals dedicated to the bivalve mollusc ahead, ...
    Highland hospitality sector battling to survive with staff shortages
    Pubs, hotels and cafes are having to close more often to give staff a rest due to lack of employees....

    Health

    Scotland set the minimum price for a unit of alcohol at 50p in 2018 – now a consultation has been launched, with proposals to raise the rate to 65p. Picture: PA

    Ministers under fire over ‘mishandling’ of Scotland’s alcohol problems

    After decades of improvement in life expectancy the trend has changed

    Drop in Scottish life expectancy 'a truly sorry reflection of nation's health'

    Ahead of Brodies Tennis Invitational, Judy Murray promotes healthy lifestyle to deal with dementia, supported by Brain Health Scotland

    Ad Feature Healthy lifestyle can help brain health in later life

    A child vaping. The Scottish Government wants to crack down on access to disposable vapes

    Shops to face restrictions on vape sales under Scottish Government plans

    Kimberly Darroch and daughter Milly Main

    Patient safety legislation ‘must include Milly’s Law’, says Labour

    PIC LISA FERGUSON 0/05/2022 Lower Largo Beach, Lower Largo Bathing Pool has been added to SEPA Scotland has highest number of bathing waters ever – as two new locations designated for 2022 Lower Largo in Fife and Barassie in Ayrshire are now Scottish designated bathing waters following a decision by Minister for Environment and Land Reform, Mairi McAllan MSP. This brings the total number of bathing waters in Scotland to 87, the highest number on record. Minister for Environment and Land Reform, Mairi McAllan, designates Lower Largo in Fife and Barassie in Ayrshire as Scottish bathing waters. Designations brings the total number of Bathing Waters in Scotland to 87 – the highest number on record. Locals and visitors are encouraged to play their part in protecting and improving the quality of the new bathing waters. Two further applications for bathing waters did not meet the criteria for designation. Four applications were received for designation in 2022 and considered by the Bathing Water Review Panel. Recommendations based on the criteria for designation were passed to the Minister for Environment and Land Reform who has made the following decisions: The applications for Lower Largo in Fife, submitted by Largo Area Community Council with support from Fife Council, and Barassie in Ayr, submitted by Friends of Troon beaches with support from South Ayrshire Council, showed they met the criteria for bathing water designation: A large number of bathers use the bathing water. There was community support for designation There was support from the local authority and willingness to accept beach management duties. Two applications did not meet the criteria for designation. Evidence provided with the application for Wardie Bay in Edinburgh demonstrated it met two of the criteria for bathing water designation, as a large number of bathers use the bathing water during the season and there was community support for the designation.

    More than half of wild swimming spots have unsafe levels of sewage

    SNP downgrade of neonatal unit is a monumental mistake Jackie Baillie

    Scotsman Passions

    Aisle always smile when supermarket Christmas comes Martin Gray

    Today's best surfing magazines show the way forward for print media

    The secrets of a successful Scottish BBQ Neil McIntosh

    Passions: Move over Steve McQueen, I’m also a hero on my Honda Super Cub Andy O'Brien

    Heritage and Retro

    'This could be the end': Ayr bemoans latest fire to ravage landmark

    Sir Geoff Palmer, who headed the steering group which recommended a national museum of slavery and empire for Scotland, said progress was being made on the proposal at government level. PIC: Phil Wilkinson.

    Scotland's national slavery museum needs to progress 'at greater speed'

    Exclusive Scotland's largest landowner pours £44m into firm with NHS care home planned

    World’s oldest life-saving body was born from Enlightenment philosophy Susan Morrison

    Irn-Bru: 16 things you never knew about Scotland’s national drink

    The Scots Language (or Scots Leid) is one of Scotland’s native languages that dates back to the early Middle Ages.

    Explainer Scots Leid: Scotland’s native language wrongly called “a dialect”

    Scottish ruins and abandoned sites that people want restored voted on

    The Scotsman Sessions

    Just a few of the artists who have performed Scotsman Sessions

    The Scotsman Sessions: links to numbers 1-350

    The Filthy Tongues and Maria Rud

    The Scotsman Sessions #380: The Filthy Tongues and Maria Rud

    Chris Dennis

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    Broken Records

    The Scotsman Sessions #378: Broken Records

    Snows of Yesteryear

    The Scotsman Sessions #377: Snows of Yesteryear

    Hugh McMillan

    The Scotsman Sessions #376: Hugh McMillan

    Texture

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    Sport Opinion

    Scotland sing their national anthem during the 150th Anniversary Heritage Match between Scotland and England at Hampden Park, on September 12, 2023, in Glasgow, Scotland.

    The booing? Let's not get too woke about what happens at football matches
    We insisted it wasn’t important, that it no longer bothered us. Yes, the fixture used to be yer actual raison d’etre as far as Scots were concerned, but not any more. It used to be the means by which we sought consolation for all manner of historical grudges – social, cultural, political. Now our strong feelings about it were just that – history.

    Supporters buses outside Hampden Stadium.

    Maybe Rishi Sunak has an ulterior motive behind supporters bus' climbdown

    Scotland stand-off Finn Russell could help orchestrate a famous win over South Africa in the rugby world cup (Picture: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

    Three days in which Scotland could find itself in sporting dreamland

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    Homes

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    Obituaries

    Gayle Hunnicutt at Heathrow Airport in 1975, on her way to film in Israel (Picture: Peter Cade/Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

    Obituaries: Gayle Hunnicut, 'sexpot' American actress who flourished in Britain

    Stuart Sellar unveils the plaque bearing his own name - W S Sellar - on locomotive 37175

    Obituaries: Stuart Sellar, railwayman and photographer

    Rugby Union

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    Duhan van der Merwe shone for Scotland against Tonga.

    Scotland player ratings for win over Tonga as two backs are stand-out performers

    Scotland's wing Darcy Graham celebrates with Scotland's inside centre Sione Tuipulotu after beating Tonga.

    What Scotland need to qualify for RWC quarters after beating Tonga

    Afusipa Taumoepeau of Tonga tackles Jamie Ritchie of Scotland during the World Cup match in Nice.

    Townsend hits out at bunker review system and aims swipe at Ireland chat

    Stuart McInally's World Cup is over.

    Scotland's McInally out of World Cup squad following neck injury

    Scotland's scrum-half George Horne (R) celebrates with teammates after scoring a try against Tonga.

    Scotland keep World Cup hopes alive with bonus-point win over Tonga

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    Rugby World Cup: How Scotland's group looks after Ireland defeat South Africa

    Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu during a press conference at the Stade de Nice ahead of the match against Tonga in Pool B of the Rugby World Cup. (Picture: Adam Davy/PA Wire)

    Sione Tuipulotu to honour his Tongan heritage but focus is on Scotland win

    Darcy Graham will hope to make an impact off the bench against Tonga at the Stade de Nice on Sunday in the Rugby World Cup Pool B match. (Picture: Adam Davy/PA Wire)

    Tuipulotu plots route to tryline as Scotland bid to avoid a Pittodrie repeat

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    Your likelihood of being in a car accident can change depending on what part of Scotland you're driving in.

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    Josie Long, comedian, who has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe for over two decades, has written her first book of short stories, Because I Don't Know What You Mean and What You Don't. She appears at this year's Wigtown Book Festival. Pic: John Devlin

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