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Sat, 2nd December 2023

Why John Byrne's astonishing genius and style was there from the first encounter
He believed the back streets of Paisley or any Scottish town had as good a claim to be the centre of the world as any other place on earth
Joyce McMillan

Don't miss...

  • 1Scots hotel group Crieff Hydro welcomes 'strong' FY trading despite hurdles
  • 2Album reviews: Peter Gabriel | Trevor Horn | Craig Armstrong | Tommy Perman
  • 3Parts of short-term lets crackdown in Edinburgh ruled unlawful for second time
  • 4International tourism has almost rebounded to pre-Covid levels, report says
  • 5Stodgy Rangers now in danger despite securing European football after Christmas
    • Joaquin Phoenix stars as Napoleon in the new Ridley Scott film (Picture: Sony Pictures)

    How Scots played a key role in the downfall of Napoleon Bonaparte

    Scotland are in Pot 3 for the Euro 2024 draw.

    Scotland's Euro 2024 draw guessing game reaches climax as Clarke keeps counsel

    Dundee Design Festival has been running in the city since 2016. Picture: Kathryn Rattray

    Festival of design to be staged at home of former Michelin tyre factory

    Michael Russell

    Humza Yousaf pays tribute as Michael Russell steps down as SNP president

    Matheson's iPad expenses bill is not the only reason why he should be ashamed Jackie Baillie

    The evidence that Sunak is a terrible Prime Minister is starting to snowball Joyce McMillan

    Scotland has lost a very fine man and I will miss him Euan McColm

    COP28 must tackle shocking amount of carbon emissions from farming Philip Lymbery

    Lifestyle

    Allan Stewart and Grant Stott in The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan PIC: Douglas Robertson

    Theatre reviews: The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan | A Christmas Carol

    Installation view of the Zarina Bhimji exhibition at the Fruitmarket PIC: Ruth Clark

    Art reviews: Zarina Bhimji | Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran | Billie Zangewa

    Matthew Whiteside PIC: Julie Howden

    Matthew Whiteside on his new The Night With… festival

    Scotland Street, Edinburgh PIC: Kim Traynor / Geograph Britain and Ireland / Creative Commons

    Book review: 10 Scotland Street, by Leslie Hills

    The Starcatchers Baby Studio in Wester Hailes PIC: Brian Hartley

    The Starcatchers Baby Studio: ‘High-level art is for all ages’

    Exclusive W Edinburgh opens: first look at luxury hotel

    Alice Faye

    The Scotsman Sessions #389: Alice Faye

    Scotsman Video

    Scotsman Video

    View more
    The latest video from The Scotsman

    Featured Videos

    First Minister Humza Yousaf is questioned by journalists

    Scotsman Politics Show - First Minister's Questions

    Alice Faye

    The Scotsman Sessions #389: Alice Faye

    Edinburgh's Dunard Centre concert hall is proposed to be built behind a Royal Bank of Scotland building on St Andrew Square.

    Soaring costs and new delay revealed for new Edinburgh concert hall

    Images released by South Ayrshire Council show the damage caused to the hotel following the blaze.

    Hotelier 'interested' in acquiring fire ravaged Station Hotel in Ayr

    Edward Kane, Advocate in the Supernal Sisters by Ross Macfarlane KC

    Edward Kane, Advocate in The Supernal Sisters. Chapter 4: ‘A Colourable Reason?’ Illustration: Lesley-Anne Barnes Macfarlane

    Edward Kane, Advocate in The Supernal Sisters. Chapter 4: ‘A Colourable Reason?’

    Edward Kane, Advocate in The Supernal Sisters. Chapter 3: ‘A Distasteful Joke’. Illustration: Lesley-Anne Barnes Macfarlane

    Edward Kane, Advocate in The Supernal Sisters. Chapter 3: ‘A Distasteful Joke’

    Edward Kane, Advocate in The Supernal Sisters. Chapter 2: ‘Subterranean Provision’. Illustration: Lesley-Anne Barnes Macfarlane

    Edward Kane, Advocate in The Supernal Sisters. Chapter 2

    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

    Politics

    World Aids Day is marked on December 1 (Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)

    HIV is now a manageable condition like diabetes, yet stigma and ignorance remain

    King Charles III meets with Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates - which holds the Cop28 presidency - at Expo City in Dubai on the opening day of the UN climate summit. Picture: Andrew Matthews/Getty Images

    UN Cop summits are ‘imperfect’ but 'all we’ve got' to tackle climate warming

    Alistair Darling, the epitome of a democrat, helped save economy and Union Scotsman comment

    Jenny Gilruth, the cabinet secretary for education and skill, speaks in the Scottish Parliament chamber. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

    Alex Cole-Hamlton: Sluggishness is my word of the year for Holyrood

    The rumours were reported this week. (Photo by Duncan McGlynn/Getty Images)

    SNP lockdown affair claims are 'categorically untrue' says party

    Matt Hancock left was appearing before the UK Covid inquiry. Picture: PA Wire

    Sturgeon would try to get her Covid announcement out first, says Matt Hancock

    Sheall rannsachadh gu bheil luach eaconamaigeach ann am prògraman na Gàidhlig, mar An Clò Mòr, a chaidh a chlàradh ann an Leòdhas is na Hearadh.

    Feumar seanal na Gàidhlig​​​​​​​ a chur air bunait nas seasmhaiche

    Alba Party leader Alex Salmond. Image: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images.

    Alex Salmond insists his court case won’t stop SNP support

    cut through the noise

    Sport

    David Marshall and his Hibs team-mates will be looking to defeat Aberdeen on Sunday.

    Marshall lifts lid on playing out from back, learning tricks and new Hibs coach

    Veteran goalkeeper is enjoying new way of working in Nick Montgomery’s revolution
    Scotland's Euro 2024 draw guessing game reaches climax as Clarke keeps counsel
    Scotland set to discover their opponents at next summer’s European Championships – and it won’t be e...
    Hearts trio Aidan Denholm, Alan Forrest and Alex Lowry during a training session ahead of facing Kilmarnock.

    Hearts grow in confidence as four big players return to squad

    The Jambos boss isn’t concerned by league position right now but beating Kilmarnock would move them into promising place
    Six Nations: Don't flutter eyelashes- this is crown jewel and must stay free

    Aidan Smith

    Five-try Warriors fall far too short against Munster despite rousing comeback
    Smith men left with too much to after impressive showing from hosts...
    'They will break down': Celtic plan for corrective measures for imbalanced squad
    Rodgers knows there is heavily reliance on young players and wants to bring in more experience...

    Opinion

    Ash Regan, formerly with the SNP, now sits as an Alba MSP (Picture: Getty)

    Readers' Letters: Alba's referendum referendum is just pie in the sky

    Susannah Donaldson, Partner and Global Co-Head of Pinsent Masons’ Equality Law practice

    Time to use gender pay gap data as catalyst for change - Susannah Donaldson

    SNP politicians are job hunting as party prepares to go down without a fight Kenny MacAskill

    Do you hate cold mornings as much as I do? Maybe Finland has the answer Laura Waddell

    Education

    Education and Skills Secretary Jenny Gilruth. Jane Barlow/PA Wire

    Jenny Gilruth accused of acting like a 'bystander' while school violence soars

    Opposition MSPs express ‘dismay’ amid ‘lack of meaningful action’ claimCalum RossCalum Ross
    Education secretary Jenny Gilruth. Picture: Michael Gillen

    Analysis: SNP must act to curtail alarming trends in Scottish schools

    School pupils. David Jones/PA Wire

    ‘Staggering' rise in use of weapons, violence and drugs in Scotland's schools

    Which nations have imposed a smartphone ban in schools and will Scotland follow?Jane Bradley
    Jane Bradley

    Rural Affairs

    Life in rural Scotland is a worryingly isolating experience for members of the LGBTQ+ community, research has shown. Picture: Getty Images

    'It's a silent world': Challenges of older LGBTQ+ in rural Scotland

    As conversations continue on support needed for younger members of the LGBTQ+ community in rural Sco...
    Visa proposal to address depopulation branded a gimmick amid housing crisis
    Islanders have said the issue is not a lack of people who want to live in remote areas, but rather t...
    Lenabo Forest, near Peterhead, is on the market for offers over £3.9m (pic: Goldcrest Land & Forestry Group)

    Forest with former WW1 airship station on the market for offers over £3.9m

    The former Lenabo Airship Station, established in 1915 as a base for airships to patrol the North Sea during the First World War, sits within the property
    Promising lapwing test shows farmers are 'part of the solution not the problem'Katharine Hay
    Katharine Hay
    Storm Ciarán: Disruption continues across railway line following signal outage

    A yellow rain warning is in place for Scotland's east coast today.

    ...
    SSPCA say there is currently no safe way to rescue 'Britain's loneliest sheep'
    The sheep’s fleece is so overgrown it interferes with potential rescue options...

    Health

    The first building components for the new National Treatment Centre arrived at the Larbert site in October last year. Pic: Michael Gillen

    Delays to hospital ward project

    Waking up in the night to pee? Five tips that actually work. Picture – Adobe

    Ad Feature Nocturia – how to manage an overactive bladder at night

    Humza Yousaf visits Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Larbert, to mark the 75th anniversary of the NHS in July (Picture: Lesley Martin/pool/Getty Images)

    Embattled leadership of health board criticised by governance review

    Humza Yousaf visits Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Larbert, to mark the 75th anniversary of the NHS in July (Picture: Lesley Martin/pool/Getty Images)

    Time to face reality as the NHS crisis deepens

    Amanda Croft, interim chief executive of NHS Forth Valley, and Janie McCusker, chair of NHS Forth Valley, ahead of the the public session. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

    'Ageing population' contributing to issues at 'stage four' health board

    Dr Iain Kennedy, chair of BMA Scotland, warns Scotland's NHS won't make it to its 100th birthday. Image: Jeff Moore/Press Association.

    Top doctor warns Scotland's NHS won't make it to 100

    Analysis How has NHS Scotland run up a £395m deficit?

    Scotsman Passions

    Alan Davies and Sarah Alexander as Jonathan and Polly Creek in the ​mystery drama

    Passions: As the nights draw in, we’re entering peak Jonathan Creek season

    Why student journalism must be protected at all costs Conor Matchett

    A tree by the coast near to St Andrews, Fife (pic: Katharine Hay)

    Going solo on pilgrimage routes, from Way of St Andrews to Camino de Santiago

    Action figure of Freddie Krueger

    Passion: Horror films aren't purely for Halloween - Gaby Soutar

    Heritage and Retro

    Sir Michael Palin's Big Three Adventures, available as BBC DVD box-sets, benefit from regular viewing. Picture: Scott Reid

    Humour, insight and passion: Michael Palin takes top honours in TV travel world

    The 21 best Scottish movies voted by Scotsman readers

    The agreement marks the return of a dedicated shipbuilder in Stornoway for the first time in 100 years.

    Shipbuilding returns to Stornoway for first time in 100 years

    Jason Barrett has been appointed chief executive of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Picture: Ian Georgeson

    The ex-US marine aiming to take the Edinburgh Tattoo into a new era

    This little box may be billed as an upscaling DVD player but it just might also be the biggest CD playing bargain available.

    CD hit: Why my £18 supermarket player is the greatest hi-fi bargain in 40 years

    A SRPS first class compartment which seeks to convey the golden age of rail travel. (Photo by SRPS)

    Rail operator forced to halt most historic tours for £500,000 safety upgrade

    Rishi Sunak meets Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the G20 Summit last year (Picture: Leon Neal/Getty Images)

    Rishi Sunak goes all Alan Partridge over 'Elgin Marbles'

    The Scotsman Sessions

    Just a few of the artists who have performed Scotsman Sessions

    The Scotsman Sessions: links to numbers 1-350

    Alice Faye

    The Scotsman Sessions #389: Alice Faye

    Michael Pedersen

    The Scotsman Sessions #388: Michael Pedersen

    Brenda

    The Scotsman Sessions #387: Brenda

    Zara Gladman

    The Scotsman Sessions #386: Zara Gladman

    Alannah Moar

    The Scotsman Sessions #385: Alannah Moar

    John Douglas

    The Scotsman Sessions #384: John Douglas

    Recommended

    Eat This Playlist on Spotify unlocks a game for iOS app users.

    How to find and play hidden Eat This Playlist game on Spotify

    A kimono owned by Freddie Mercury will be going on display in a Japanese fashion exhibition at V&A Dundee next year. Picture: Victoria and Albert Museum

    Freddie Mercury kimono worn at home to go on show in V&A Dundee exhibition

    These are the best and spookiest costumes for children for Halloween 2023.

    Cheap, scary Halloween costumes for kids - Wednesday and Marvel heroes

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    Upgrade your TV for just £40 with this 4K Chromecast deal on Prime Day

    Sport Opinion

    Ian Johnston discovered he loved swimming, after avoiding it for years, at Dalry Swim Centre in Edinburgh

    How I learned to stop hating the 'boiled carrots' of sports and love it instead
    After avoiding swimming as much as possible for more than half a century, I’ve discovered it’s actually great fun

    Nigel Clough, manager of Mansfield Town, has told his players to curb the goal celebrations. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

    Aidan Smith: You’ve only made a routine tackle. Why all the hugs and high-fives?

    "What? Really, mate? You're stopping the game again?" Ange Postecoglou during the VAR-dominated Spurs-Chelsea game

    Aidan Smith: I’m with Ange Postecoglou - let’s kill VAR before it kills football

    Rangers fans light up the Bob Shankly stand with pyro during the match against Dundee on Wednesday.

    Is football one bad flare-up away from visiting fans being banned?

    Homes

    The building is tucked away in the North Ayrshire countryside (pic: David Barbour)

    Building developed inside Scottish ruin wins prestigious architect award

    “The nationwide 5G rollout should be treated as a matter of urgency if we are to continue to narrow – rather than widen – the digital divide.” Picture – supplied

    Ad Feature Vodafone UK: Why we need to address the rural digital divide in Scotland

    The landmark Platform scheme becomes one of Glasgow’s tallest buildings at 20 storeys, with the full development set across four blocks next to the Clyde.

    500 Glasgow flats with riverside views up for rent as huge project completes

    You shouldn't have to resort to extreme measures to stay warm at home this winter.

    7 expert tips to keep your home warm in winter - and save cash

    Obituaries

    Manager Terry Venables at a training session of the England national football team in 1996 (Picture: Phil Cole/Getty Images)

    Scotsman Obituaries: Terry Venables, English football player turned manager

    Joss Ackland poses during a portrait session in 2007 (Picture: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

    Scotsman Obituaries: Joss Ackland, screen star who honed skills at Pitlochry

    Rugby Union

    Blair Kinghorn has a hip injury and has therefore played his last match for Edinburgh.

    Kinghorn ruled out of final Edinburgh match as depleted squad named for Ulster

    Glasgow Warriors Jack Dempsey in action against Ulster.

    Dempsey blow for Glasgow Warriors but Smith has faith in entire squad

    Sintu Manjezi is back in the Glasgow Warriors reckoning.

    Manjezi delighted for Glasgow Warriors return as he takes mum's advice

    WP Nel during an Edinburgh Rugby training session at Hive Stadium.

    Nel knows retirement is close but prop basks in Indian summer

    Premier Sports is back in Scottish sport.

    Premier Sports back in Scottish game: Start date, League Cup future, URC deal

    Edinburgh's Blair Kinghorn and Benetton's Marco Zanon in action last week.

    Why Edinburgh have no qualms over playing Kinghorn in final match

    Johnny Matthews scores a second half try for Warriors against Ulster.

    Modest Matthews plays down try-scoring heroics for Glasgow Warriors

    Kyle Rowe impressed once again for Glasgow Warriors against Ulster.

    In-form winger Rowe tipped to make Scotland squad return

    George Horne could ease Glasgow Warriors' injury issues at scrum-half.

    Glasgow Warriors get big injury boost ahead of trip to Munster

    Cars

    Drivers can sometimes be confused about when to use their fog lights.

    When drivers should - and shouldn't - use their car fog lights

    Careless car drivers risk hefty fines over winter.

    Tips to avoid shelling out up to £18,000 in motoring fines this winter

    Driving in wintery conditions can be a challenge.

    Winter Driving Advice: How to stay safe on the roads in ice and snow

    Top UK road-trips which have earned their reputation as the world’s most scenic drives. Picture - supplied

    Ad Feature Top road-trip getaways which are not so far away

    Take car while driving with your pet this winter. First up: don't let them take the wheel...

    Keep your dog safe on winter car journeys - and avoid a £20,000 fine

    Toyota has worked hard to ensure the C-HR still stands out from the crowd. Credit: Toyota press office

    Toyota C-HR Review: stylish SUV is more practical than its predecessor

    Must Read

    “A just transition to net zero can be achieved through decarbonising homes and the electrification of heat,” Josiah Lockhart, Chief Executive of leading environmental charity Changeworks. Picture - supplied

    Ad Feature Two years on from COP26 in Glasgow Scotland needs to step up – Changeworks

    The Queen Mother at Frances' shop

    High fashion in the Highlands

    Exclusive Ian Rankin on his Edinburgh ‘man cave’ and new stand-alone mystery The Rise