Tue, 24th June 2025

Cancer waiting times in Scotland have reached their worst since records began.

Scotland cancer waiting times hit worst level on record
SNP ministers are being warned of a cancer ‘ticking time bomb’ looming.

Dundee University

Dundee University given £40m bailout using 'unprecedented' powers

St Andrew's House, the Scottish Government's headquarters, was never more than 38 per cent phone

The 'extraordinarily high' manager ratio in the SNP Government

Don't Miss

The 2025 Scran Award winners

Scran Awards 2025: All the winners including Scottish chef of the year

Edward Ryan, 14, from Sanquhar, Dumfries and Galloway has won the audience award at the 2025 Into Film Awards in London.

Exclusive The 14-year-old autistic filmmaker who has scooped industry award

The attack on Trump Turnberry came in March. Picture: John Devlin

Police charge eighth person after damage at Donald Trump’s golf course

Cruachan Dam, part of the Cruachan Power Station complex in Argyll and Bute.

Power to the people: 60 years of Cruachan, Scotland’s hollow mountain

When the UK Government paid people to stay off work during the Covid lockdowns, many people's mental health suffered due to isolation and loneliness (Picture: Christopher Furlong)

Why guaranteed £28,000 income would be a disaster for Scotland Murdo Fraser

Large numbers of people are unable to work while they wait for operations and other medical procedures (Picture: Christopher Furlong)

Gerard McBride's 76 weeks of pain shows NHS 'isn’t working anymore' Jackie Baillie

The sun rises over Stonehenge on the summer solstice, an event that attracted record crowds of druids, sun devotees, tourists and others (Picture: Finnbarr Webster)

Why Nigel Farage is the High Druid of our burgeoning Age of Unreason Ian Johnston

Suntory Hall in Tokyo is highly regarded for the quality of its acoustics (Picture: Koichi Kamoshida)

Dunard Centre means Edinburgh will join elite group of global cities Jo Buckley

Edinburgh Festivals

Edinburgh’s Royal Mile during August: never a dull moment

The Scotsman’s 2025 Edinburgh Festival coverage: everything you need to know
The Scotsman has been proud to cover the Edinburgh festivals since they began in 1947, and as the festivals have grown, ...

The Edinburgh International Book Festival ended its sponsorship with Baillie Gifford last year

Explainer Edinburgh International Book Festival 2025: Tickets, dates and authors

Figures in Extinction

Edinburgh International Festival: Scotsman critics on what to see

AL Kennedy

AL Kennedy: ‘I get fed up with depictions of glamorous sociopaths’

Author Maggie O'Farrell, whose nine novels to date are being republished this year.

Maggie O'Farrell talks manuscripts, motherhood and Paul Mescal

Four comedians bringing work in progress shows to this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Edinburgh Fringe 2025 Comedy Highlights: 18 work in progress shows

Edinburgh International Book Festival 2025: Fiction Highlights

Barry Ferns first performed at the Fringe in 1999.

Veteran comedian on how Fringe drove him to bankruptcy

Four award winners performing in Edinburgh this August.

Edinburgh Fringe 2025 Hot Tickets: 17 returning Perrier winners

Edinburgh International Book Festival: Music, Poetry and Performance Highlights

Arts news

Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall star as Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew as Dexter Mayhew and Emma Morley in the new Netflix series One Day, which is based on author David Nicholls' best-selling novel. Picture: Netflix

Exclusive Popular city pub to be recreated on stage for One Day musical

The musical version of the bestselling novel One Day is to be premiered in Edinburgh early next year...

Festival cancels event after Gaza filmmaker unable to leave war zone

Moayed Abu Ammouna has lost contact with the organisers of the Edinburgh festival Art27 Scotland.

Barry Ferns first performed at the Fringe in 1999.

Veteran comedian on how Fringe drove him to bankruptcy

Barry Ferns was declared bankrupt in 2007.

The $1m boost for Edinburgh concert hall from Carnegie's fortune Jane Bradley

Jane Bradley

Inside plans to transform the century-old National Library

The National Library of Scotland is celebrating its 100th anniversary.

National Library plans to 'open up' iconic building to host weddings

The National Library of Scotland building was opened in 1956.

Scotsman Video

Scotsman Video

The latest video from The Scotsman

Featured Videos

Caroline Lamb, chief executive of NHS Scotland and director-general health and social care, and Health Secretary Neil Gray at the launch of The Scotsman Health Awards 2025, which will be held in the O2 Academy in Edinburgh in November.

Nominations open for Scotland's Health Awards 2025

Ad Feature New exhibition: Rare chance to see work of leading Scottish sculptor

The Scottish Chamber Orchestra at the Usher Hall Edinburgh

WATCH: SCO Digital Season, Concert 1 - Coleridge-Taylor's Novelletten

Beyond Bars Cargo Bike

Beyond Bars Cargo Bike crafted by the inmates of HMP Barlinnie

Puzzles

Quick CrosswordTo test and hone your word skills

SudokuThe ultimate logic-based numbers game

WordwheelPit yourself against the clock with our simple anagram game

Sport

Rory Hutchinson last played for Scotland against Portugal at Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium on November 16, 2024.

Scotland call up experienced replacement for summer tour

Injury to centre sparks late change to squad

Inside the Rangers egm: Return of Ibrox church parade call

New chairman Andrew Cavenagh and vice-chairman Paraag Marathe handle first public assignment with ap...

Rangers vice-chairman Paraag Marathe addresses the media after the club's EGM, on June 23, 2025, at Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)

Rangers address Leeds United relationship and Uefa conflict question

New Ibrox vice-chairman insists European issue already ‘solved’

Celtic's Lisbon Lions have an important lesson for Scottish football Scotsman comment

Scotsman comment

MacIntyre's mind-blowing earnings and big last-day pushes on PGA Tour

Why it’s been a satisfying opening half of 2025 campaign for Oban man and exciting second half to co...

'Glad I left door open' - hooker eyes milestone after ending cap exile

Forward looks to join elite group alongside Ford, Bulloch, Brown and Deans

Readers Gallery

June 2025: A selection of beautiful pictures from Scotland taken by our readers

May 2025: A selection of beautiful pictures from Scotland taken by our readers

April 2025: A selection of beautiful pictures from Scotland taken by our readers

Get The Scotsman app for mobile and tablet

The Scotsman app brings you exclusive, quality news and analysis from The Scotsman, Scotland’s National Newspaper.

Scotsman Sessions

Just a few of the artists who have performed Scotsman Sessions

The Scotsman Sessions: links to numbers 1-400

Kevin Lennon and Molly Innes

The Scotsman Sessions #430: Kevin Lennon and Molly Innes

Constant Vigier

The Scotsman Sessions #429: Constant Vigier

Jennie Lee: Tomorrow is a New Day

The Scotsman Sessions #428: Kit Laveri, George Docherty & Trish Mullin

Business

The 10 most popular properties in Edinburgh and Lothian in May

John Laughlin from Sephra

Business is sweet for Sephra Europe's newly promoted operations director

Politics

Police Scotland officers

Sex crimes in Scotland at second highest level since 1971
Statistics show 14,892 sex crimes were recorded in 2024/25

High Peak MP backs decriminalising abortion in landmark vote in Parliament.

The 9 Scottish Labour MPs set to rebel over disability cuts

US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Starmer to pledge 5% defence spending as Israel-Iran ceasefire agreed

Staff on an NHS hospital ward

NHS is 'dying before our eyes', warns doctors' union

Dwight D Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of Allied forces in Europe during the Second World War and later US President, understood the value of international law (Picture: Fox Photos)

West's leaders must be as committed to international law as Eisenhower Scotsman comment

Tour of new £500m Amazon fulfilment centre on outskirts of Leeds. Workers pictured in the factory. Picture taken by Yorkshire Post Photographer Simon Hulme

Amazon announces £40bn UK investment including thousands of jobs

Increasing taxes is not the way to create a more prosperous future (Picture: Henry Nicholls)

Why targeting wealthy non-doms means we'll all pay higher taxes Brian Monteith

Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray sits inside a rescue submersible during a visit to defence contractor JFD Global in Renfrew in March

Industrial strategy 'will drive tens of thousands of jobs in Scotland'

Opinion

Garry Nelson

Scottish holidaymakers swap summer for autumn as extreme heat reshapes holiday h...

Michael McLaughlin is an employment partner, Shoosmiths

Challenges ahead to build a strong, sustainable workforce fit for future

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, pictured on July 5 2024 in Tehran

Iranian theocratic regime is teetering at the edge of the precipice Struan Stevenson

Supporters of assisted dying celebrate after MPs voted in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill last week (Picture: Carl Court/Getty Images)

Readers' letters: Assisted dying is too important to be left to politicians

Heritage and Retro

Dunlichity Church, Strathnairn. Jacobite soldiers stopped here to sharpen their swords before Culloden - and Bonnie Prince Charlie passed here as he made his escape. The church is now to be turned into a heritage centre by Strathnairn Heritage Association to protect and share the stories of the area's rich history.

'My family history after Culloden sent a shiver up our backs'

Browse our gallery to see 10 of the best photos from Edinburgh’s first ever Pride march in 1995.

10 amazing photos from the first Edinburgh Pride in 1995

A typical Saturday at North Berwick Swimming Pool in August 1959.

Scotland in the Sun: 23 pics of Scots enjoying heatwaves 50 years ago

Evening cruise

Ad Feature Step aboard the magnificent paddle steamer Waverley

The distinctive red sandstone building at 55 Abbeyhill, Edinburgh forms the main part of the sale. Picture: Allied Surveyors Scotland Ltd

Building that once housed Edinburgh’s quirkiest restaurant on sale for £500,000+

The Royal Highland Show's new permanent site at Ingliston in July 1959 with the Ellect Ross Tractor stand in the foreground.

Royal Highland Show History: 29 pics from the 1950s and 1960s

Some of the Scottish locations used in The Buccaneers.

Where was The Buccaneers filmed? 14 pivotal Scottish filming locations

Arts and Culture

Theatre reviews: Grease | The Haunting of Alice Gilfrey

The Dunard Centre will be a 1,000-seat concert hall complete with a multi-purpose space, café and bar connected to the a-listed Dundas House, in Edinburgh's New Town

The $1m boost for Edinburgh concert hall from Carnegie's fortune

Colin Steele Quartet, Glasgow review: 'a measured Blue Nile tribute'

Gordon Barr

Gordon Barr on the Bard in the Botanics festival in Glasgow

Punk All Dayer, Glasgow review: 'Teenage kicks still hard to beat'

28 Years Later hits screens from Friday, June 20

28 Years Later review: 'wild and radical'

Caroline O'Donoghue: 'I'm obsessed by the idea of youth and experience'

Education

More Scottish university strikes threatened over planned job cuts

It comes amid plans to cut 75 roles

Ryan McDougall

The £20 fine that has been dished out just once in over 3 years

The prestigious Fettes College in Edinburgh counts former prime minister Sir Tony Blair among its alumni. Picture: PA

Exclusive Fettes College looks to cut staff in face of rising costs

St Margaret's Academy top of the class with heat pump success

Paul Kiddie

Hay's Way

Ruraidh Stewart, centre, with residents from Skye gathering at the inquiry into the Ben Aketil wind farm this week

'Skye not for sale': Highland residents stand strong as inquiry starts

Shuna Island

Scottish island with crumbling castle on sale for £5.5m

The heavy horse turnout pairs in the main ring on Saturday at the Royal Highland Showground in Edinburgh.

Methane tractor, a Clydesdale called Yorkie and a world record smashed

Health

Ad Feature Heritage film of past life in Scotland to help those with dementia

Less Scots are having babies.

Why are less Scots having babies? The answer is very obvious. Rachel Amery

Mental health hubs are being strengthened in NHS England.

The mental health revolution that has not been extended to Scotland Mark S Smith

Mosquito bites can become itchy but it's important not to scratch them.

How to treat a mosquito bite and advice on how to stop getting bitten

Dr Scott Arthur MP, Richard Davidson, Chief Executive of Sarcoma UK, Nicola Crowson, Patient Advocate, Wes Streeting, Health Secretary and Professor Anant Desai, Chair of the British Sarcoma Group

Scottish Government backs review of sarcoma treatment after new report reveals s...

Being active can be one of the best ways to live well with a long term health condition

National charity launches new wellbeing and exercise podcast to help more Scotti...

Konnor's family are very close

'Sickle cell isn't just on Supacell': Konnor Ewudzi and his family open up about...

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The best summer work dresses to help keep you cool from River Island, New Look and Monsoon

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EcoFlow's new Glacier Classic is a fully-functional fridge freezer you can use anywhere

EcoFlow Glacier Classic: portable fridge reviewed

Jackery's Explorer 1000 V2 has never been cheaper

Jackery slashes price of Explorer 1000 V2 power station in Amazon deal

Mateusz was having an afternoon nap when BOTB's film crew turned up at his doorstep

Watch the moment a 22-year-old wins a £69,000 Audi RS6 for just 7p

Get up to 65% off these stunning H&M dresses right now in the summer sale

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Sport Opinion

The William Hill Premiership trophy, Championship trophy, League 1 trophy and League 2 trophy on display during a launch event for the fixture release at Four Winds Pavilion, Pacific Quay in Glasgow. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)

Scottish Premiership fixtures: Spicy opener and chance for quarrelling
SPFL fixtures day always provides talking points - and this year is no different
Alan Pattullo

Sione Tuipulotu has recovered from a pectoral injury.

My strongest Lions Test team - including four Scots in the starting XV

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke looks downbeat during the 3-1 defeat to Iceland at Hampden on Friday. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)

Big questions hanging over Clarke and goalkeeper issue only part of it

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke looks on during the Nations League A/B play-off second leg defeat to Greece at Hampden Park, on March 23, 2025. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)

Scotland have cause for optimism as intriguing decisions await Clarke

Obituaries

Brian Kellock’s talent took him all over the world but Scotland would always be home (Picture: Jazz Services/Heritage Images/Getty Images)

Scotsman Obituaries: Brian Kellock, acclaimed Scottish jazz pianist

Scotsman Obituaries: Professor Allan Langlands, renowned Scottish oncologist

Rugby Union

Australia head coach Joe Schmidt who has hit back at the British and Irish Lions over their warning he is contractually obliged to release his stars to their Super Rugby franchises throughout the tour.

Australia rejects Lions demands to release star players for tour games

Scottish international rugby star brothers Matt (right) and Zander Fagerson alongside Fraser Smith (centre) at the newly opened Zone.One cafe in St Andrews.

Gigantic men with tiny cups - inside Scottish Rugby's coffee culture

British and Irish Lions fly-half Finn Russell signs autographs for a fan upon arrival at Perth International Airport on June 22, 2025, ahead of the team's rugby match against Western Force.

Lions provide Huw Jones update as injury concerns emerge over key duo

Huw Jones and Pierre Schoeman are among the British and Irish Lions players at the official welcoming ceremony in Perth.

'Agreement is very clear' - Lions warn Australia in player release row

Scottish prop forward Ian McLauchlan of the British Lions peparing for their summer tour of Australia in May, 1971, at the revolutionary pre-tour training camp at Eastbourne. (Photo by Reg Speller/Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Ian McLauchlan: Mighty Mouse of rugby with heart bigger than his body

Scotland winger Ross McCann in action for the Great Britain sevens team against Tonga during an Olympic repechage event in Monaco in 2024. GB men failed to qualify.

Scotland offer to lead on GB rugby sevens as cuts threaten the sport

Freddy Douglas scored a stunning try for Scotland Under-20s against France in the U20 Six Nations match at Stade Jean-Bouin in Paris in March.

Freddy Douglas on Scotland U20s' plan to beat the heat at World Champs

Blair Kinghorn will miss Lions first match in Australia next weekend.

Kinghorn Lions arrival further delayed as Toulouse reach Top 14 final

Sione Tuipulotu and Duhan van der Merwe of British & Irish Lions during the 1888 Cup defeat to Argentina at Aviva Stadium. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Lions suffer 54-year first in Argentina loss on mixed night for Scots

Cars

The new design is attractive, and the high ground clearance gives it SUV vibes

Citroën C4 review: A quirky crossover hatch with standout comfort

The Aston Martin Vantage was designed and built in Britain

Win an Aston Martin Vantage worth £75,000 for just 18p in prize draw

The latest facelift has given the Picanto some bold styling, but it's still a charming little car

Kia Picanto review: Could this be the last of the great city cars?

Lewis Denner was in shock and lost for words when his prize was handed over

Cardiff barman wins car and £10k in BOTB draw

The Range Rover Sport SVR has an incredible V8 engine

Win a £51k Range Rover SVR for 5p

A use on single-use vapes is now in force in the UK. Picture: NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP via Getty Images.

Drivers risk £5,000 fine if they make ‘serious’ vape mistake

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