Sat, 12th October 2024

Exclusive Private school head launches scathing attack over VAT 'education tax'
The attack on Labour’s VAT school fees policy has been verbally attacked in a video recorded by the head of one of Edinburgh’s biggest private schools.

Screen grab taken from bodyworn video dated 15/09/23 issued by Essex Police of the arrest of Victoria McCullough at her home in Pump Hill, Chelmsford. Ms McCullough, 36, has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 36 years at Chelmsford Crown Court for murdering her parents, John and Lois McCullough, then living alongside their bodies for four years.

Woman who murdered parents said ‘cheer up, you’ve caught the bad guy’

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has faced extensive criticism

Analysis What Starmer and Labour have done for Scotland over first 100 days

Don't Miss

1The solution to save Scottish islands council facing £20m black hole

2'Classy' Scotland midfielder Cormack dies at 78

3How you can dine like a King in Charles's favourite room at Dumfries

4Scottish woman to spend 5 months counting penguins in Antarctica

5 The Scotsman archive: How we reported the fall of the Berlin Wall

York is a picturesque place, but it is not a devolved nation like Scotland (Picture: Danny Lawson)

Council of Nations and Regions? Labour is treating Scotland like York Stewart McDonald

A white tailed sea eagle swooping down towards a fish near the Isle of Mull

Bill Bailey: 'Seeing a white-tailed eagle soaring over the Highlands was like a ...

Members of the Royal Company of Archers at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh in July 2023. Picture: PA

Bonnie Prince Charlie's victory ball at Holyroodhouse revealed

15 stunning images of the Northern Lights in the Autumn sky

Hawaii's King Kalakaua I with Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson on the veranda of the royal boat house at Honolulu in the late 1800s (Picture: Culture Club)

How Hawaii's half-Scottish princess was deposed as US annexed islands Susan Morrison

Politicians need to turn their words about eradicating child poverty into real action (Picture: Gareth Fuller)

Why Scotland cannot afford to keep one million people in poverty Susan Dalgety

Scotland's post-war boom in hydro-electric schemes fizzled out in the 1960s and 1970s (Picture: Ashley Cooper/Construction Photography/Avalon)

How green energy revolution is about to create thousands of good jobs Brian Wilson

There is a pressing need for Keir Starmer and John Swinney to work together on protecting people's livelihoods during the transition to a net-zero economy (Picture: Andy Buchanan)

100 days of Labour: How Keir Starmer can start to turn things around Scotsman comment

Highlights

Johanna Basford says, ‘Some days the inspiration flows and I cannot draw quickly enough, other days I do battle with the blank page’ PIC Lisa Ferguson

Inside the magical world of illustrator Johanna Basford whose intricate colourin...

A white tailed sea eagle swooping down towards a fish near the Isle of Mull

Bill Bailey: 'Seeing a white-tailed eagle soaring over the Highlands was like a ...

Sally Evans, author of Make The Midlife Move. Sally ended a corporate career and started to study wine at age 52, now she runs a vineyard

I'm here to tell you that you can change your life after 50

From left to right: Sorren Maclean, Roddy Woomble and Hannah Fisher

The Scotsman Sessions #424: Roddy Woomble

The Baddies at the Lyceum, with James Stirling as the Ghost, Yuki Sutton as the Girl, Rachel Bird as the Witch and Dyfrig Morris as the Troll

Theatre reviews: The Baddies | Lost Girls at Bus Stops

Over 50 Scottish chippies have made the final of the Scottish fish and chip awards

The 59 Scottish chippies judged the best in the country

'Salem's Lot

Film reviews: 'Salem's Lot | Joker: Folie à Deux | Transformers One

Scotsman Video

Scotsman Video

The latest video from The Scotsman

Featured Videos

Installation view of the Chiara Camoni exhibition at Cample Line

Art reviews: Chiara Camoni | Ash Rise | Richard Forster

Scotland’s private sector enjoyed its ninth consecutive month of growth during September with the fastest rate of job creation since May 2023, a key survey today suggests

Why private sector growth means jobs, jobs, jobs for Scots

The Scotsman Daily Bulletin

HPE Technology Renewal Centres have helped customers refurbish or retire their IT assets securely, as well as enable them to unlock value in their legacy infrastructure, which can be invested in new technology.

Inside Scottish warehouse resurrecting millions of ghost computers

Silent Crime

‘Dine and dash’ is a crime which can have a substantial financial impact on hospitality businesses (Photo: davit85 - stock.adobe.com)

How restaurants are affected by 'dine and dash' theft
As part of our Silent Crime campaign, we speak to UKHospitality on the impact of theft from restaurants 🍴

Annie Valentine is sick of people putting rubbish in the recycling bins.

'It grinds me down...it's not low-level crime when you live with it'
A Blackpool woman says she will keep fighting back against nuisance behaviour, but says the persistent drug use and fly-tipping ‘grinds her down’.

The technology is already used by the Metropolitan Police, with analysis of its deployment highlighting significant concerns. Picture: PA

No 'compelling need' shown for police face scanning tech plan
Scottish ministers urged to disclose engagements with the police force over live facial recognition technology

Isla Bryson was jailed for eight years for raping two women.

How police considered recorded double rapist Isla Bryson as female
New documents reveal Police Scotland considered registering the double rapist as female

Robson's Food Store assistant manager Martin Passmoor has been discussing the issue of shoplifting on Chester Road.

Shopkeeper reveals how traders are tackling shoplifters themselves
Shopkeepers in a busy shopping street say they have resorted to ‘policing it ourselves’ after losing faith with the justice system amid the escalating issue of shoplifting.

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

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke takes his team to Zagreb.

Clarke weighs in Scotland TV furore and admits what is 'horrible'

Manager disappointed fans at home will not be able to watch on box

How Glasgow Warriors left the pyrotechnics in box in win over Zebre

Jones is impressive as champions take down Zebre

Hearts chief executive Andrew McKinlay, centre, and the Hearts board will now assess their options.

Hearts take stock after Hogmo abrupt twist as new name enters frame

After talks break down with Norwegian, board goes back to drawing board

Edinburgh must emerge from sad mess - but Warriors have issues too Allan Massie

Edinburgh Rugby's scars remain despite having shot at redemption

Ben Muncaster backed to bring energy to home pack

Scotland have become a fringe event on YouTube - but context is needed

On a miserable run of form, landscape has changed dramatically from this time last year

Business

The latest meeting of the West Lothian Construction Forum was well attended

Construction firms pledge to build on goodwill

From now on banks are obligated to refund your cash speedily if you fall victim to an Authorised Push Payment scammer (Picture: Adobe)

Is battle against fraudsters about to be won at last?

Politics

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaks with First Minister John Swinney during the Council of the Nations and Regions in Edinburgh. Picture: Andy Buchanan/PA Wire

Why Swinney is suddenly 'very optimistic' about SNP's election chances

Millions in funding are being withheld from Scottish councils in a row over teacher numbers. Picture: Michael Gillen

SNP ministers hold back £145m from councils over teacher numbers row

Sanjeev Gupta is being prosecuted by Companies House for failing to file accounts for more than 70 companies listed in Britain

Axe threatens for Scottish steel workers as Sanjeev Gupta prosecuted

The NHS crisis is now so dire that ensuring no one waits more than two years for treatment would be an achievement (Picture: Cate Gillon)

Plea to restrict waits to two years shows how bad NHS crisis really is Scotsman comment

Children under leaders on both sides of the Middle East conflict are suffering in troubles that are certainly Britain's business, says reader (Picture: Getty Images)

'Like losing my soul': Family of those killed in Gaza speak of justice

The Usher Hall is one of Edinburgh's best-known cultural venues.

SNP and Creative Scotland condemned over treatment of arts industry

Former first minister Humza Yousaf

SNP has a 'spring in its step', says Humza Yousaf - and here's why

Hundreds of prisoners will be released early.

Up to 390 more prisoners to be released early in Scotland

Opinion

Readers' Letters: Crises in the NHS is being replicated worldwide

Sandy Irvine disappeared with his climbing partner George Mallory while close to the summit of Mount Everest in June 1924

Why Everest pioneers Irvine and Mallory's place in history is eternal Scotsman comment

First Minister John Swinney and Scottish Renewables CEO Claire Mack at Floating Offshore Wind 2024

Ambition is needed to realise wind potential - Jeremy Grant

The diversion route in place on the A75

142-mile diversions: How Scotland’s roads have become a laughing stock Stephen Jardine

Education

The public's image of private schools tends to be based around ideas about Eton. The reality for most is very different (Picture: London Express)

Labour's vindictive VAT on private school fees policy will harm NHS

Imposing VAT on school fees is prompting parents who are doctors to treat more private patients at the expense of the NHS and may also encourage lawyers to do less pro bono work

Cameron Wyllie

First Minister John Swinney PIC: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

'Unacceptable': John Swinney blasts school strike targeting his seat

Amina Ahmed and her family are now beginning a new life in Edinburgh, but she hopes to return to Gaza one day.

Academic begins new life in Scotland after escaping war-torn Gaza

Scottish parents reminded that school meal support continues over half term

Chris Green

Heritage and Retro

Dr James Mounsey was given the Freedom of Edinburgh after bringing illicit rhubarb seeds to Scotland from Russia. PIC: CC.

A city's top honour for the man who brought rhubarb to Scotland

The Out Stack, the most northerly point of Scotland and the British Isles, which sits off the island of Unst in Shetland.

Scotland’s most northerly island just 380 miles from the Arctic Circle

A member of the Beltane Fire Society takes part in the Samhuinn Fire Festival in Edinburgh. SNP minister Angus Robertson has been quizzed over pressure on arts funding. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Scottish Government accused of 'deepening' arts funding crisis

The former Archaeolink museum in Aberdeenshire. Picture: Exploring with Natasha/SWNS

Inside an abandoned and forgotten Scottish museum wrecked by vandals

Harley Davidson founder's home in Scotland, the Davidson cottage, situated on the east coast of Scotland between Forfar and Brechin. Picture: Nyree Aitken/SWNS

Bid to save Harley Davidson founder's home from being bulldozed

Mary Queen of Scots depicted during the period she was held in captivity around Sheffield with the newly-decoded letters written during this time.

Mary Queen of Scots: Decoded letters reveal a monarch 'unfiltered'

Jessie Niven MacLachlan

Gaelic songbird who took her voice to the world 'comes home'

Arts and Culture

The Usher Hall is one of Edinburgh's best-known cultural venues.

SNP and Creative Scotland condemned over treatment of arts industry

Neil Finn of Crowded House

Crowded House, Glasgow review: 'gorgeous, evocative classics'

Summerhall has become a leading Fringe venue since it staged its first shows in 2011.

Festival Fringe acts owed money as Summerhall takings frozen

The Edinburgh Ukrainian Choir performing at St Giles

Cathedral: Into Tomorrow, Edinburgh review: 'a rich musical tapestry'

Installation view of the Chiara Camoni exhibition at Cample Line

Art reviews: Chiara Camoni | Ash Rise | Richard Forster

The Beatles pictured in 1964, the year they played Dundee

Gabriel Quigley on her new drama about the Beatles in Scotland

Ian Rankin outside the Oxford Bar, Edinburgh

Midnight and Blue by Ian Rankin review: the devil's in the details

Scotsman Sessions

Just a few of the artists who have performed Scotsman Sessions

The Scotsman Sessions: links to numbers 1-400

Jenni Fagan

The Scotsman Sessions #425: Jenni Fagan

From left to right: Sorren Maclean, Roddy Woomble and Hannah Fisher

The Scotsman Sessions #424: Roddy Woomble

Mike Baillie, aka The Lonely Together

The Scotsman Sessions #423: The Lonely Together

Hay's Way

The wild cattle to be 'brought back from the dead' in the Highlands

The church on Shetland is due to go under the hammer at the end of this month

Inside the B-listed blue church on Scottish island on sale for £47,000

No Galloway National Park campaign co-founders Denise Brownlee and Liz Hitschmann

Pro new Galloway national park association accused of 'dirty tricks'

Health

Staff and patient using new sensory garden

New therapeutic garden blooms at Perth Royal Infirmary

Ken in his garden

Stirling resident heads to 10 Downing Street to call on the Government to take a...

The people you sit beside are not strangers and, whether you’re aware of it or not, you’ve shared some of the most difficult moments of your life with them. Cr: Getty Images.

World Mental Health Day: Here's why football can save a life

Ad Feature Vote now for Scotland’s unsung health heroes in our awards!

Fans of Red light therapy claim it can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

What is Red Light Therapy, does it work and are there any benefits?

Cases of HIV amongst heterosexual patients in England have risen by more than 30% since 2022.

What are the signs of HIV? Symptoms explained as cases rise in the UK

It's a great time to buy a new toothbrush

Electric toothbrush deals: Prices are still amazingly low

Recommended

The dual drawer system makes it so easy to prep family meals

Air fryer deal: We've spotted a 65% saving on a dual-basket air fryer

The latest early release deals centre around home security tech

The best tips for getting a deal in the Amazon sale

A 71% saving brings this down to £19.99

This bargain wireless power bank is 71% cheaper thanks to Prime Day

A tablet for watching movies on, playing games on, or working on, for less than £30

Amazon Prime Day: This family-friendly tablet is now just £29.99

Simba mattresses are as cheap as we've seen them in a long time

We've found some huge savings on Simba Hybrid mattresses for Prime Day

This might be the best opportunity of the year to upgrade your TV

Amazon limits TV deal to one per person as shoppers rush to claim it

Devices like the Ring Doorbell and smart speakers are still heavily discounted

Amazon Prime Day deals haven't stopped - big savings on Amazon tech

Sport Opinion

Why under-fire Bob MacIntyre needs to keep being himself
Oban man may have sounded as he’s moaned a bit recently but deserves a break
Martin Dempster

According to the US Sports & Fitness Industry Association, pickleball was the fastest-growing sport in America for the third year in a row in 2022 (Picture: Michael M. Santiago)

As Scotland goes pickleball crazy, a new challenge emerges for Murray Scotsman comment

Helen Nelson on the attack for Scotland during the win over Italy in WXV2 in Cape Town. (Photo: Getty Images)

South Africa’s rugby-mad culture and why Scotland can tap into it via WXV 2

Euan Walker shows off the cow bell trophy after landing his weekend win in the Swiss Challenge at Golf Saint Apollinaire in Folgensbourg, France. Picture: Jan Hetfleisch/Getty Images.

Why it's time for the golfing Gods to shine on Scotland's patient golfer

Obituaries

Outside of work, Jenny Hinsley enjoyed food and travel, but her greatest love was her family

Scotsman Obituaries: Jenny Hinsley, PR expert, champion of Scottish hospitality

Maggie Smith at the London premiere of The Lady In The Van in 2015 (Picture: John Phillips/Getty Images for BFI)

Maggie Smith, star of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and Downton Abbey

Rugby Union

Stuart Hogg will start at full-back for Montpellier against Vannes.

Stuart Hogg returns but Blair Kinghorn left out as teams named

Ben Healy has been left out of the Edinburgh team to play the Stormers.

Healy axed by Edinburgh after 'directionless' attacking show v Lions

Franco Smith playing for South Africa against Wales at Wembley in 1998.

Smith's Wembley 'privilege' and why Hampden can be same for Glasgow

Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith at Hampden Park which will host the first leg of this year's annual 1872 Cup clash against Edinburgh. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

Smith on the football managers who inspire him as he prepares for Hampden bow

Matt Scott is finding wins hard to come by right now.

Edinburgh Rugby's Hearts fan Scott doesn't have troubles to seek

Sione Tuipulotu (No 13) and Tom Jordan (right) have been excellent for Glasgow Warriors this season.

'Straight in': Steyn talks up two Glasgow team-mates for Scotland

Glasgow Warriors captain Kyle Steyn, head coach Franco Smith and managing director Al Kellock at Hampden Park where the first leg of the 1872 Cup match against Edinburgh will be played on December 22. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

Glasgow v Edinburgh at Hampden can be annual event, and alcohol will be allowed

Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt during a training session at Hive Stadium. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group)

‘Can’t let 40 minutes v Lions put us into total doom’ says Edinburgh’s Everitt

Glasgow Warriors captain Kyle Steyn and head coach Franco Smith at Hampden Park which will host this year's 1872 Cup first leg match against Edinburgh. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

Glasgow Warriors at Hampden: New date, time and venue for 1872 Cup

Cars

Steven Chisholm poses with the Lexus RZ300e test car near Glen Fruin

I tested the plush Lexus RZ300e EV- why less power equals better value

1977 Mk2 Ford Capri overlayed with an image of the new Ford Capri all-electric SUV.

I loved driving the mk2 Capri, hysteria over the new EV is unjustified

Dash cams are less than half price in Amazon's sale

Dash cam deals have landed on Amazon with some less than half price

Lexus LBX. Credit: Lexus UK

I drove the Lexus LBX - there's nothing else like it on sale

Scotsman writer Steven Chisholm with the 2024 Toyota Prius ahead of a test drive near Loch Lomond. Credit Steven Chisholm

2024 Toyota Prius review - why I’d actually consider buying one

Dash-mounted infotainment screens add Apple CarPlay or Android Auto to any car

We list the best wireless CarPlay and Android Auto screens for cars

Must Read

Practice Makes Perfect by Jack Zhi from USA, the winner in the Behaviour: Birds category

The 10 best wildlife pictures in the world

Luxury advent calendars on sale now

Best luxury advent calendars: From The White Company to John Lewis

What we can learn from the woman who invented the ironing board?