Fri, 16th May 2025

Professor Sir John Curtice

Exclusive John Curtice: Farage's Reform is a bigger threat to Labour in Scotland

In an exclusive interview with The Steamie podcast, we take a look at what to expect in the 2026 Holyrood election.

Don't Miss

Glencorse reservoir in the Pentland Hills near Edinburgh this week

Scots urged to be careful with water amid scarcity warning

Farmers hold a tractor rally in protest at changes to inheritance tax on Edinburgh's city bypass (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell)

Labour majority group call for delay to farm tax over 'poor' policy

The recent period of sustained sunshine has encouraged shoppers onto the high street.

Record retail sales as sizzling weather sees shoppers snap up garden furniture

Biologist Dr Marian Bruce is on a mission to save the 'lost' tastes of Scotland's wild larder. PIC: Contributed.

Saving the 'lost' wild flavours of Scotland from pignuts to penny bun

The UK's GDP figures for April to June should shed more light on whether Labour's policies are the right ones for the economy (Picture: Peter Cziborra/WPA pool)

Labour right to talk Britain up after some good news on the economy Scotsman comment

Work on the MV Glen Rosa is not now expected to be completed until spring next year (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell)

Ferry fiasco approaching cost of one of most expensive ocean liners Scotsman comment

Keir Starmer's Reform-like rhetoric on immigration could play into John Swinney's hands (Picture: Andy Buchanan)

Why Starmer is a gift to SNP – and how Swinney could waste it Joyce McMillan

Rising early to hear the dawn chorus in full song is definitely worth it (Picture: Jane Barlow)

I got up early to experience dawn chorus. Here's why you should too Philip Lymbery

Highlights

Inside the Scottish house that was Home of the Year finalist

You could live in a prize-winning house

Boath House is a listed Georgian mansion that's now a boutique hotel.

Outdoor spa, fine dining & bar - plans revealed for Scottish hotel

World Pie Championship winner 2025

World Scotch Pie championship winner announced

Picture: Andy Loudon

The Scottish cowshed that's now a groundbreaking distillery

Look inside the sleek property on Scotland's Home of the Year

Redwood Wines £20 roast beef sandwich

I tried £20 ‘epic’ sandwich in picturesque Scottish town - my verdict

As part of the Ulva peninsula and the Isle of Danna estate, on the market in one lot is a three bedroom home, over 400 acres, outbuildings, loch frontage, a beach and two small islands.

‘Spectacular’ Scottish estate for sale - including farmhouse & beach

Arts news

The Bombing of Pan Am 103 will tell the story of the Lockerbie bombing.

BBC drama will bring 'closure to Lockerbie', says Scottish director

The series will focus on the aftermath of the tragedy

The musician who has played the Kelvingrove museum organ for 60 years

Bill Hutcheson first played the Kelvingrove organ in 1964 - and he is now marking the Glasgow 850 ce...

Len Pennie is the first poet to win a prize at the British Book Awards in ten years.

Poet Len Pennie, who shot to fame during pandemic, wins top book award

Scots poet Len Pennie has won a major UK literary award.

BBC drama will bring 'closure to Lockerbie', says Scottish directorJane Bradley
Jane Bradley
Podcast shows and indie bands: how Scottish theatres are diversifying

Live stage versions of podcasts are growing in popularity - and booking out Scottish theatres

Scottish theatre institute collapses, leaving students 'in the dark'

The Scottish Institute moved to a new campus a year ago

Scotsman Video

Scotsman Video

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The latest video from The Scotsman

Featured Videos

Royal Air Force (RAF) aircraft the Red Arrows complete a flypast. Picture: Matt Cardy/Getty Images

Tattoo boss admits flypasts over castle 'at the mercy of' council

Global warming is affecting the oceans as well as the land and the consequences for humanity could be just as profound (Picture: Joseph Prezioso)

Why our biggest ally against climate change may be about to swap sides Ian Johnston

The poster for Tummy Monster

Tummy Monster: Glasgow director Ciaran Lyons talks about debut film

Ruth Gipps

Watch: The SCO Digital Season Part Three: Ruth Gipps, Seascape

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

Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt is targeting a top-eight finish.

It's complicated: How Edinburgh Rugby can qualify for URC play-offs

Crunching the numbers and sifting through the permutations ahead of the URC’s final round

Lewis Ferguson is pride of Scotland - his achievement is remarkable

Italian cup win inspired by Aberdeen heartbreak

Bob MacIntyre and caddie Mike Burrow talk tactics during the first round of the 107th PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club in Charlotte, North Carolina

Bob MacIntyre pleased with PGA start as mud balls are berated

Scot hopes he is ready to start his run in bid to play in second successive Ryder Cup

URC's rather messy conclusion to league season needs rethinkGraham Bean
Graham Bean
Analysis From despair to happiness - inside Hibs' remarkable renaissance

How Hibs hauled themselves off the canvas to spark the ultimate sprint finish

Kilmarnock make McInnes decision after Hearts-bound boss heckled

Manager pulled from duty for final game of season

Readers Gallery

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

Beautiful Mute Swan

March 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.

Download here

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

Spiritfilled’s Braeside Bond opened its doors to whisky investors and collectors less than a year ago to meet the growing demand for spirit maturation, storage and distribution.

Fife cask firm invests six-figures to meet whisky investment demand

Ad Feature Legal maze: Scots law on executry made simple

Politics

Farmers protest over Labour's changes to inheritance tax on the Edinburgh city bypass (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell)

How Keir Starmer can escape damaging family farm tax row

There is cross-party support for pausing changes to inheritance tax which are putting the future of family farms at risk

Alistair Carmichael

Jenny Gilruth and Douglas Ross

Minister defends SNP campaigning instead of answering school questions

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer arrives for bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Edi Ramat at the Kryeministria, Tirana in Albania. Picture: Leon Neal/PA Wire

UK in talks over 'return hubs' for failed asylum seekers, Starmer says

John Swinney accused of 'deeply concerning answer' over ferry fiasco

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the figures showed Labour’s plan was working

Analysis The UK economy's growth is great news for Labour - but there's a catch

Susan Smith and Marion Calder, right, co-directors of For Women Scotland with campaigners celebrate outside the Supreme Court in London after terms "woman" and "sex" in the Equality Act were ruled to refer to a biological woman and biological sex. Picture: Lucy North/PA Wire

SNP bill for 'humiliating' Supreme Court defeat over gender revealed

A family of travellers at their camp near Pitlochry in 1958

Exclusive SNP ministers told to issue apology for 'disgraceful persecution'

Keir Starmer has been accused of pandering to Nigel Farage on immigration

Keir Starmer accused of 'lying down' for Nigel Farage's Reform

cut through the noise

Opinion

Russia's President Vladimir Putin last month (Picture: Vyacheslav Prokofyev /Pool/ AFP

Readers Letters: War with Russia is not imminent

Silica and wood dust are listed as ‘health risk priorities’ in the HSE’s 2024-25 business plan (Picture: stock.adobe.com)

Be prepared to take action on dust-related health risks

I sold my Edinburgh property in three weeks and I'm feeling smug Gaby Soutar

Liam McArthur MSP is campaigning for assisted dying to become legal in Scotland (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Readers' Letters: Assisted dying and palliative care both needed

Heritage and Retro

Annandale whisky is only bottled when it's sensorially ready

Ad Feature The Scots whisky distillery that disappeared – then came back

The left side of the TEAC AD-850-SE houses a CD player and USB port. Picture: Scott Reid

CD, cassette, MP3, karaoke: TEAC will sell you a retro hi-fi that does the lot

22 Lennox Street in Edinburgh's New Town, which stars in new Netflix show Dept. Q, has come on the market.

Inside the New Town flat for sale that stars in Netflix crime series

Adam Hardie, business development partner and head of food and drink at Johnston Carmicahel; Gary Drummond, founder of the Trossachs Cooperage; and Alan Wright at the Trossachs Cooperage in Callander.

£1.3m Trossachs cooperage looks to rejuvenate centuries-old whisky cask craft

Barnhill on the Isle of Jura, where author George Orwell wrote Nineteen Eighty-Four, photographed by Craig Easton

George Orwell's home 'of hope' on isolated Scottish island revisited

Skye's Armadale Castle, an ancestral seat of Clan Donald, is to be sold off - along with the museum that tells the clan story over 1,500 years. PIC: Getty.

Museum on Scottish island to return relics to donors in 'great shame'

Kinloch Castle on the Isle of Rum is heading back on the market after islanders supported its sale and redevelopment. PIC: NatureScot

Millionaire rules himself out of buying Scottish island castle

Arts and Culture

Edward Jowle (Usher), Kira Kaplan (The Plaintiff) and Richard Suart (The Learned Judge) in Trial by Jury

Trial by Jury & A Matter of Misconduct, Glasgow review: 'joyful'

The Bombing of Pan Am 103 will tell the story of the Lockerbie bombing.

BBC drama will bring 'closure to Lockerbie', says Scottish director

Navel oranges are displayed for sale in the fresh produce area of a Sprouts Farmers Market grocery store in Redondo Beach, California on February 23, 2024

Foreign Fruit by Katie Goh review: 'fascinating'

Make it to Munich

Films: Make it to Munich | Good One | Final Destination: Bloodlines

Oasis pictured in Withington, Manchester, November 1993, from l-r: Paul McGuigan, Noel Gallagher, Tony McCarroll, Paul Arthurs, Liam Gallagher

Definitely Maybe: The Birth, Death and Resurrection of Oasis review

Len Pennie is the first poet to win a prize at the British Book Awards in ten years.

Poet Len Pennie, who shot to fame during pandemic, wins top book award

The Unlikely Friendship of Feather Boy and Tentacle Girl

Edinburgh International Children's Festival: 'a celebration of joy'

Education

Dr Ibiye Iyalla from Robert Gordon University, Jon Gill from Metron and Mo from AFBE with pupil, Mimi who won the Judges Award

Pupil celebrate STEM achievements at Robert Gordon University

An awards and exhibition event was held on 13th May 2025 in Aberdeen, which showcased and celebrated local school pupils across Scotland North for their engineering ideas submitted to the Primary Engineer annual UK STEM competition.

Steph Shencoe
Schools Festival 2024

STEM Comes to Life for Early Years Scottish Students with Schools Festival

Ad Feature Online short courses from a world-class university

Wheatley’s bursaries to support customers into further education

Susan Thomson

Hay's Way

A white-tailed eagle, also known as sea eagle, in flight. Picture: Odd Andersen/AFP via Getty Images

'Soul destroying': Farmers speak of sea eagles feasting on lambs

The river Spey is one of the world’s more famous salmon fishing rivers

Plans for new hydrogen plant blasted as 'madness'

The river Affric running into Loch Beinn a Mheadhoin in Glen Affric, Affric Highlands.

New rewilding charity launches covering 200,000 hectares of Highlands

Health

Immunisation research is addressing communication for Scotland’s HPV vaccine

Ad Feature Immunisation research addresses messaging for Scotland’s HPV vaccine

Ninewells Hospital in Dundee. Picture: Ian Rutherford

Patient safety concerns found at maternity unit

Henry Anderson, Finbogo

‘I didn’t know where to start’: a quarter of adults in Scotland lost in the ment...

Doctor Geri Hignett protests against a change in the law on assisted dying, beside protesters demonstrating in support, outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, ahead of the debate and vote on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill

Exclusive GPs warn against Scotland's 'not fit for purpose' assisted dying plans

The common symptoms that could be a sign of hay fever, a cold or even Covid as cases continue to rise.

How to tell the difference between hay fever a cold or Covid

Use the 'Submit a Story' link to tell us your news

Cost is stopping half of women from freezing their eggs

Liam McArthur’s assisted dying legislation will be subject to amendments

Explainer The amendments that could be made to Scotland's assisted dying laws

Recommended

Elevated position provides brilliant views from the front of the property

Three-bedroom end-terrace Bristol home for £350,000

A powerful streak-free window cleaner from Kärcher, complete with accessories and cleaner concentrate

Kärcher WV 2 Plus N window vacuum now 43% off in rare Amazon deal

Lay-Z-Spa deals at the height of the season are worth jumping on

Lay-Z-Spa hot tub deals: Big savings on Amazon - prices start at £290

You could join the robot lawnmower trend with these Amazon deals

Amazon lawnmower deals: save on Worx, Flymo and robot models

River Island’s sleeveless bubble dress is a must-have for summer

Shop River Island’s sleeveless bubble dress before it sells out

You can join the robot lawnmower trend with these Amazon savings

Amazon lawnmower deals: save on Worx, Flymo and robot models

Bottled at cask strength, A’Bunadh Alba is a bold American-oak-matured release.

Best Amazon whisky deals: Save on Aberlour, Bunnahabhain and more

Sport Opinion

Bob MacIntyre plays his second shot on the 18th hole during the final round of the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club

Scottish Open has earned its place as golf's fifth strongest field

The Renaissance Club also deserves credit for its role in growth of Rolex Series event

Martin Dempster

Scott McTominay, centre, celebrates with Napoli teammates after scoring against Torino on Sunday (Picture: Francesco Pecoraro)

McTominay draws Maradona comparison as Italy lauds Scottish superstar Scotsman comment

Hearts defender Michael Steinwender is shown a straight red card by referee John Beaton during the Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Aberdeen at Hampden. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)

Hearts wrong to blame John Beaton for Scottish Cup semi-final defeat

Swimmer Duncan Scott has warned about the dangers of closing Scotland's pools (Picture: Zac Goodwin)

Why Scotland must take 'generation can't swim' warning seriously Scotsman comment

Obituaries

Rupa Tewari: 'She had music not just in her voice, but in her soul' (Picture: David Bull)

Scotsman Obituaries: Community doctor who championed women and children’s health

(Photos: Pexels/Getty Images)

Martin Lewis highlights essential way to register your will for free

Rugby Union

Charlie Savala in action for Northampton Saints against Leicester Tigers.

Glasgow sign Tom Jordan replacement as familiar face returns north

Harry Paterson is back in the Edinburgh team after recovering from concussion.

'Playing for our season' - what's on the line for Edinburgh Rugby

Hollie Davidson was recently presented with a Scottish Rugby referee's cap.

Hollie Davidson's landmark appointment is another rugby milestone

Adam Hastings is looking forward to going back to Dublin.

'Yellow card didn't help' - but Hastings relishes Dublin return

Piers O'Conor in action for Bristol Bears where he spent six seasons.

Edinburgh's new non-Scottish qualifed signing is 'quality operator'

Sharks' Eben Etzebeth, centre, and Edinburgh's Sam Skinner (No 4) were involved in a heated exchange.

Eben Etzebeth tussle was 'bit of fun' but Edinburgh need that attitude

Edinburgh's Emiliano Boffelli in his final appearance for the club, against Zebre Parma.

Edinburgh Rugby bid farewell to 12 including Emiliano Boffelli

Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones have not played together since Glasgow Warriors' win over Racing 92 in the Champions Cup on January 10.

Glasgow Warriors' 'spiritual leader' can help heal mental scars

Sebastian Cancelliere was player of the match in Glasgow Warriors' recent win over Munster at Scotstoun Stadium.

Sebastián Cancelliere would be big loss to Glasgow Warriors

Cars

Motoring must-haves are now much cheaper on Amazon

Top Amazon car gadgets deals – save up to 50% on must-have tech

This gleaming McLaren supercar could be yours for 20p

McLaren 570GT prize draw: win a supercar or £53k cash for 20p

Gareth Butterfield has been driving a six-year-old Tesla Model 3 for a few weeks to see if they really are a used-car bargain

Living with a used Tesla: Battery-powered bargain, or EV ordeal?

The Vantrue E1 Pro Dash Cam is one of the smallest on the market

Vantrue E1 Pro: Compact 4K dash cam now under £110 on Amazon

The BMW M4 Competition is a brutally quick car

Someone is going to win this 530bhp BMW M4 for just 5p

Take-up of electric vehicles is gathering pace but the expense and availability of public chargers in many locations remains an issue.

250 miles in five minutes: The EV breakthrough that would have us go electric

Must Read

Only 71 per cent of companies reported having a formal AI policy

Ad Feature Nearly one in three UK workers "don't know" if company has AI policy

Online fashionistas can now try before they buy!

Ad Feature New tool allows UK online shoppers to try on clothes before they buy

The typical AI error rate hovered around 38%.

Ad Feature Human transcribers more accurate than AI, study reveals

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