Mon, 23rd June 2025

British nationals leave Israel on board an RAF plane - one of the first emergency evacuations since the US attacked nuclear sites in Iran

Iran strikes US base in Qatar as Britons evacuated from Israel
More flights expected to follow after first British group taken to Cyprus amid continuing hostilities between Tel Aviv and Tehran

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

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

Don't Miss

Lisbon Lions legend John Clark has died.

Celtic and Lisbon Lions legend John Clark dies aged 84

Curators examine drawings in the exhibition to be held at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Drawings by Leonardo da Vinci to go on show in Scotland for first time

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'

Scottish wingsuit flyer Liam Byrne has died during a jump in the Swiss Alps.

Scottish man dies during a jump in the Swiss Alps

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

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

Police Scotland's Chief Constable Jo Farrell will be keen to use the current war between organised crime gangs to her advantage (Picture: Andrew Milligan)

Why big winners from West of Scotland gang wars will be the police Tom Wood

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

Only Trump supporters are surprised by President's bombing decision Alastair GJ Stewart

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.

Three day celebration of Romanian queen with Edinburgh connection 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

Lennon Miller made his Scotland debut off the bench against Iceland earlier this month.

'Made for Italy' - emerging Scotland star encouraged to join Serie A

18y/o told he would thrive like Lewis Ferguson has in Italian football

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

Team chief also addresses plans to widen range of opposition

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

Scotland centre ready to play amid fears over Irish duo

Scottish Premiership fixtures: Spicy opener and chance for quarrelling Alan Pattullo

Alan Pattullo

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

Scottish coaches and players bond over their love of coffee

Celtic win race for star as Rangers target responds to Ibrox interest

Latest transfer news and speculation around Scottish football

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

Four decades of case law adds up to clarity, says Kirsten Knight

A smoother route to those split decisions

You can support a guide dog right through its training and working life

Pettycur Bay Holiday Park to name a Guide Dog puppy

Politics

Sir Brian Souter (left) and Jack Irvine from the 'Keep the Clause' campaign.

LGBT+ community 'strengthened' by fighting against section 28
Scotland on Saturday marked 25 years since laws prohibiting the promotion of homosexuality in schools were repealed.

Nigel Farage MP

Nigel Farage's Robin Hood-style tax policy for non-doms

An oil platform

7.5 billion barrels of oil and gas 'still recoverable' in North Sea

Fergus Ewing

Fergus Ewing: SNP will 'throw everything' into trying to stop me

Shell and Scottish Power are bringing forward the MarramWind proposals

Exclusive Crunch talks as Acorn project and wind chiefs to wrestle over seabed

Less Scots are having babies.

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

The report for councillors said that they intended for the £1.7m spend to be replenished from income from the city’s upcoming visitor levy.

Councillors told 'take back control' over £1.7m Tour de France spend

First Minister John Swinney addressing the Scotland 2050 conference in Edinburgh.

‘Bloated’ civil service in Scotland hits record size

Opinion

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Readers' Letters: Scotland must get serious about women

It was a privilege to support Assisted Dying Bill - here is why I did Christine Jardine

Activist Greta Thunberg, seen at a protest in Paris, cancelled a planned appearance at the Edinburgh International Book Festival over investments in the fossil fuel industry by the event's then-sponsor Baillie Gifford

The EIBF has learned nothing about real diversity Nina Welsch

Mental health hubs are being strengthened in NHS England.

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

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 tribute to The Blue Nile'

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

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

Only one motorist has been penalised in more than three years with this £20 fine.

Alastair Dalton

Alastair Dalton

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

These UK universities rated especially well for student satisfaction in to the Complete University Guide's league table

The 17 universities where students are the happiest - new 2026 guide

More Scottish university strikes threatened over planned job cuts

Ryan McDougall

Hay's Way

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

Gordon McConachie, who was showing Aberdeen Angus and Highland Cattle at the Royal Highland Show

Farmers angst over political uncertainty at Highland Show

Health

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...

Should you be worried about rabies when on holiday?

How to avoid rabies and what to do if you're exposed on holiday

TCF_logo

Throat Cancer Foundation urges immediate action on HPV vaccine inequality

Health experts want you to stop making these common hygiene mistakes this festival season.

The common hygiene mistakes you shouldn't make this festival season

Recommended

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

Get up to 65% off these H&M summer dresses

Jake Paul (left) and Logan Paul (right) have faced opponents in the ring over the years, but new social media posts have fans thinking a brotherly brawl could be on the cards.

Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr: UK time and how to watch live on DAZN

The £9.99 Summer Beauty Mystery Deal that’s actually worth buying – here’s why

Is the Summer Beauty Mystery Deal actually worth buying?

The Outsunny parasol with solar-powered LED lights creates a cosy and inviting glow for evening gatherings

Outsunny parasol with LED lights could arrive tomorrow – now under £70

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 Philips 2000 Series now comes with a viewing window - and it's an absolute bargain at the moment

Philips 6.2L air fryer with viewing window nearly half price at Amazon

Solenco Life has launched new products aimed at helping you get the best out of a bottle of wine

Solenco wine coolers review: perfect pours with two stylish gadgets

Sport Opinion

Sione Tuipulotu has recovered from a pectoral injury.

My strongest Lions Test team - including four Scots in the starting XV
Farrell has big decisions to make ahead of first clash with Wallabies on July 19
Graham Bean

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

Aberdeen captain Graeme Shinnie shows off the Scottish Cup to the Aberdeen fans.

Scottish football's extraordinary final was good for the game

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

George Turner has return to the Scotland fold and is pictured during a squad training session this week at the Oriam.

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

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

Rufus McLean playing for Scotland against South Africa at Murrayfield in 2021.

Rufus McLean called up by USA after domestic abuse conviction

Scottish Gas Murrayfield could host up to 12 concerts a year.

Concerts, NFL, UFC, no football - Murrayfield vision and £1.9m on loos

Scotland U20 head coach Kenny Murray, centre, with some of his players.

Scotland name U20 squad but in dark over key aspect of World Champs

Cars

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

The Carpathian Edition is all about presence

Win an £85,000 Land Rover Defender Carpathian V8 for just 18p

The Carpuride W903 Portable Wireless Carplay & Android Auto display has dropped to an amazing price

The best Android Auto car display we’ve tested is now incredibly cheap

Must Read

Racing Club is also expanding its training partnerships, having recently welcomed two Classic-winning trainers to its ranks.

Ad Feature Racing Club expands horse ownership opportunities

The tool allows users to get real-time pricing and compare aircraft options from a global network of over 7,000 jets

Ad Feature Private jet bookings just got made easier - thanks to this tool

62 per cent of businesses are prioritising their protection against savvy scammers

Ad Feature New AI tool set to bust fraudsters and tackle money laundering