Tue, 8th July 2025

The report details the 'disastrous' human impact of the Post Office Horizon IT scandal. Picture: PA

Post Office Horizon IT scandal a 'damning indictment'
Chair of inquiry describes evidence in landmark report as ‘profoundly disturbing’

The Scottish Highlands is one of the best places in the UK for over-50s to live.

Picturesque Scottish area is among UK’s ‘happiest’ spots for over-50s

Police searching Oban in connection with murder nine years ago

Don't Miss

18-month plan launched to fix 'horrendous' Fort William congestion

The council are showcasing their 20mph plans to other European countries.

Five areas chosen to roll out 20mph speed limit across Glasgow

The Scottish Government is looking at increasing the legal age of marriage from 16 to 18.

Scottish Government consults on raising legal marriage age

Billie Eilish, Glasgow review: 'She happily milked the hysteria'

Maya Forstater, of Sex Matters, right, with other gender critical campaigners outside the Houses of Parliament (Picture: James Manning)

Trans activists who hound work colleagues could cost employers dear Jenny Lindsay

Wind turbines should be viewed as a symbol of hope (Picture: William Edwards)

How to turn cost-of-living crisis into cost-of-living miracle Ian Johnston

The Brent Charlie oil rig is towed on its way to be dismantled at a yard in Middlesbrough (Picture: Ian Forsyth)

SNP incompetence over energy 'just transition' will cost Scotland dear Scotsman comment

Keir Starmer, with Foreign Secretary David Lammy sitting behind him, addresses the United Nations Security Council in September last year (Picture: Leon Neal/WPA pool)

How UK has signed UN 'commitment' that goes against spirit of Brexit Brian Monteith

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

(L-R) Filmhouse programmer director Rod White and executive director Andrew Simpson inside cinema one. Picture: Andy O'Brien/The Scotsman

Exclusive Inside the newly refurbished Edinburgh Filmhouse ahead of reopening

The Edinburgh Filmhouse is due to open to the public on Friday - and here are the first images from ...

Watch: I learned to stage fight at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

This is not my stage fighting partner’s first rodeo, writes Jane Bradley.

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

In 2029, Edinburgh will become the first city in the UK to have a concert hall designed by Nagata Acoustics, widely recognised as the world’s leading specialists in concert hall sound, writes Jo Buckley

My family hated the Fringe, now as a comedian it's my favourite month Jane Bradley

Jane Bradley

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.

Scotsman Video

Scotsman Video

The latest video from The Scotsman

Featured Videos

(L-R) Filmhouse programmer director Rod White and executive director Andrew Simpson inside cinema one. Picture: Andy O'Brien/The Scotsman

Exclusive Inside the newly refurbished Edinburgh Filmhouse

The Scotsman Video Bulletin

Watch The Scotsman Daily video Bulletin

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

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

Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotus started together for the British & Irish Lions against the NSW Waratahs in Sydney.

Scotland's Lions fears intensify - others now ahead in Test stakes

Farrell’s team selection for Brumbies game is ominous for Scots

Transfer talk: Hearts ins and outs, ex-Celtic kid back in Scotland

All the latest transfer news involving Rangers, Celtic, Hearts and more

Fiji ran Australia close before losing out to a late, late try.

Fiji warning for Scotland - and it's not what you think

More to the islanders’ game than virtuoso skill - but they’ve got that too

Scots can still have six appeal in home Open plus fore furore Martin Dempster

Martin Dempster

Scotland's Pacific roadshow heads to Fiji - and respect is granted

Townsend knows what to expect in Suva

Scottish Open golf deal for 50% off special newsletters

Match Rory McIlroy with the Scotsman’s golfing guide to courses like St Andrews and Troon for half p...

Readers Gallery

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

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

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

Prentice Westwood's coaches are a familiar sight on Scotland's roads.

Bus firm McGill’s acquires historic Scottish coach operator in seven-figure deal

ScribePro chief executive Jonny Gordon with Steven Naismith.

Ex-Hearts manager Steven Naismith invests six-figure sum in Glasgow sports app

Politics

Sadhguru being interviewed by Ralph Blackburn

Sadhguru interview: famous yogi gives 25 years to save Britain's soil
There are 25 years to save Britain’s soil otherwise it will eventually turn into a desert and end farming as we know it, an environmental campaigner and Indian ...

Kneecap performed at Glastonbury Festival last month despite Keir Starmer saying their presence was not 'appropriate' (Picture: Leon Neal)

Kneecap and Bob Vylan are just repeating an old Festival Fringe trick Tom Wood

Children need stable and secure places to call home (Picture by Colin Hattersley, posed by model, with parents' permission)

How Scotland's housing crisis is tearing families apart Foysol Choudhury

The just transition fund aims to move Scotland away from fossil fuels.

SNP ministers accused of 'taking a wrecking ball' to North Sea sector

CalMac seeks millions in compensation over Caledonian Isles ferry

First Minister John Swinney and UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting

Swinney branded 'analogue politician' by UK minister in NHS app row

The British Pavilion at Venice Biennale 2022, featuring work by Errollyn Wallen, Tanita Tikaram, Poppy Ajudha and Jacqui Dankworth.

Joy as Scotland set to return to world-renowned art festival in 2026

Firefighters running through a practice drill

SNP cuts blamed as fire service 999 response times slowest in decade

Opinion

Portrait of young woman on dark background. Concept of computer science (Picture: stock.adobe.com)

Understand your audience to weather the digital dust storm

A protester lights a flare outside the Royal Courts of Justice as Palestine Action challenge proscription in a High Court hearing in London on 4 July. The ban, which critics have called draconian, will make it illegal to be a member of the group. (Picture: Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Readers' Letters: Proscribing Palestine Action as terrorists is over the top

Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas backstage after an award-filled night at the Oscars last year (Picture: Al Seib/Ampas)

Why Scotland needs to be cool amid influx of Hollywood A-listers Scotsman comment

I adore this Edinburgh restaurant and its new £30 lunch Gaby Soutar

Heritage and Retro

Gene Kelly opened th 1956 Edinburgh Film Festival with a showing of his film 'Invitation to the Dance' attended by the Queen.

34 amazing pictures of the stars at the Edinburgh Film Festival

Lily Maxwell

How a working-class woman from Scotland changed political history

A view of the Loch Ness Monster, near Inverness, Scotland, April 19, 1934. The photograph was later exposed as a hoax.

Nessie spotters not swayed by postcard depictions, in 'surprise' study

The records are available on Scotland's People.

How you can look for Georgian domestic servant ancestors in Scotland

Loch Farr in Strathnairn, to the south of Inverness. The area has long attracted visitors from overseas trying to trace their family history given its links to Clan Mackintosh, the Forbes name and Culloden.

Scotland's ancestry tourism and the hunt on the ground for lost family

King Charles III speaks to a member of Royal Company of Archers, The King's Bodyguard Scotland, at the Ceremony of the Keys in the gardens of the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

King Charles accepts keys to Edinburgh to open Royal Week

Find your ancestors: Scotland's asylum records can serve as a powerful portal to past times with this girl, Edith Swankie, 14, appearing in records for Dundee Asylum in 1902. She was admitted for “symptoms of hypomania linked to hormones”.

How to search for your Scottish ancestors and unravel family histories

Arts and Culture

Jordan Young in Man's Best Friend

Theatre reviews: Man’s Best Friend | The Inquisitor | The Croft

Lana Del Rey performing at Hampden Park, Glasgow, 26 June 2025

Lana Del Rey, Glasgow review: 'an unlikely pop superstar'

Lewis Capaldi has released comeback single Survive ahead of his rumoured appearance at Glastonbury.

Listen: Lewis Capaldi release comeback single Survive

Installation view of John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture at the City Art Centre, Edinburgh, showing The Kiss

John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture, Edinburgh review

Lorde

Album reviews: Lorde | Barbra Streisand | Conscious Route & Supermann

(L-R) Filmhouse programmer director Rod White and executive director Andrew Simpson inside cinema one. Picture: Andy O'Brien/The Scotsman

Exclusive Inside the newly refurbished Edinburgh Filmhouse ahead of reopening

South Uist and Eriskay as seen from the north end of Barra

A Summer Like No Other by Martin MacIntyre review: ' a time machine'

Education

These Scottish schools have maintained consistently high achievement rates

The high schools among Scotland's top performers for 5 years running

These Scottish schools have maintained consistently high levels of student achievement🏆

Amber Allott

How would an independent Scotland fare on the world stage?

Exclusive Ex-EU top diplomat brands SNP Government decision as 'Scottish Brexit'

Members of For Women Scotland celebrate the Supreme Court ruling that the word 'woman' the 2010 Equality Act refers to a biological woman (Picture: Lucy North)

Schools stalling over single-sex toilets despite Supreme Court ruling Susan Dalgety

Scotland's 14 universities ranked best to worst Gary Flockhart

Gary Flockhart

Hay's Way

Work begins on new Gaelic centre

Work starts on new £8m Gaelic centre on Scotland's most visited island

Ed Smith, documentary photographer, sets out on a year long project to document the environment, culture and economy of the River Spey. July 2025

Life on river Spey to be captured in photographer's year-long project

Molly and Calum lost two Labradors to Louping Ill in the space of two years

Couple's 'horrific' time losing two dogs to 'under radar' tick disease

Health

Ad Feature Rediscover your confidence with a hair transplant

Vegetables in a Whole Foods Market shop in London

State-subsidised restaurants to offer healthy food to deprived homes

Real customers show how Gut Wealth has helped them feel confident, calm and in control of their gut health.

IBS sufferers share how they finally found relief — and it’s 25% off

Bringing adult toys on holiday to certain destinations can see you banned, fined or even jailed.

The holiday destinations where adult toys are banned

A scientist inspects a death cap mushroom at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne.

This is what death cap mushrooms look like and symptoms of poisoning

Health Secretary Wes Streeting, centre, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer, at the Sir Ludwig Guttman Health & Wellbeing Centre in London, England, where they launched the government's Ten-Year Health Plan (Picture: Jack Hill/WPA pool)

How Labour's NHS reforms in England pose a real threat to the SNP Christine Jardine

Some countries have strict rules about the medications you can and cannot bring in as a tourist.

You can get jailed if you take these five common medications abroad

Recommended

Amazon Prime Day Deal: 44% off Kono 6-Piece lightweight travel luggage set – now £106.99

44% off Kono 6-Piece lightweight travel luggage set – now £106.99

The Sony speaker

Best portable speaker deals this Prime Day: Sony, Sonos, Bose & more

Best Amazon Prime Day deals 2025 — huge discounts live now

Prime Day: Save 17% on the Dyson Airwrap i.d. Multi-Styler and Dryer - now £399

Save 17% on the Dyson Airwrap i.d. Multi-Styler and Dryer

L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Laser Renew Triple Action Day Cream - now 53% off on Amazon (Credit: Getty)

53% off L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Laser Renew Triple Action Day Cream

Tested: the Ryichi wind-up radio

Ryichi wind-up radio drops to £35.69 in Prime Day sale

The Honor X6C normally costs £129.99 - which is good value - but the £89.99 Prime Day price is incredible

Honor X6C review: The £89 budget phone that punches above its weight

Sport Opinion

Two-time major winner Martin Kaymer, who now plays on the LIV Golf League, talks with fellow German Marcel Siem on day two of the BMW International Open at Golfclub Munchen Eichenried

An amicable future for golf? BMW International Open offers a glimpse
Presence of LIV Golf players in field in Munich has been boost for German fans
Martin Dempster

Going for a regular jog or walk can have a significant effect on both our health and happiness (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell)

Childhood obesity crisis shows need to make Scotland a sporting nation Scotsman comment

Ann Budge revealed on Monday that she will vacate her position as chair come the end of the year.

Why Hearts fans should raise glass to their Queen despite grumblings Mark Atkinson

Andy Murray's poses with his first Wimbledon singles trophy in front of the statue of Fred Perry (Picture: Julian Finney)

Why Wimbledon didn't take decades to realise Murray deserved a statue Scotsman comment

Obituaries

Lesley Storm was 'fun company, caustic, critical, gentle as well as understanding'

Scotsman Obituaries: Lesley Storm, talented poet and performer

His instinct for tactics helped Dennis Hay transition from player to coach

Scotsman Obituaries: Dennis Hay, Scottish hockey international and coach

Rugby Union

Matt Fagerson is poised to return after three months out injured.

Coconuts and flowers will be forgotten when Fiji flick the switch

Scotland stand-off Finn Russell starts for the Lions.

Lions name strong team to face Brumbies - but only two Scots get nod

Scotland's Stafford McDowall, top, celebrates with Rory Hutchinson and Arron Reed after the win over the Maori All Blacks.

'Massively proud' - huge defensive effort as Scots beat Māori

Huw Jones breaks free after good work from fellow Scot Sione Tuipulotu to score Lions' opening try.

Error-strewn Lions stutter in Sydney but Scots rise above mediocrity

Scotland's Cameron Henderson wins a lineout against the Maori All Blacks in Whangarei.

Scotland reaction to win over the Māori as one player suffers blow

Freddy Douglas was a menace throughout for Scotland U20 and scored a first-half try.

Galling end for Scotland Under-20s as they let slip winning position

Scotland captain Stafford McDowall at the Semenoff Stadium in Whangārei ahead of Saturday's match against the Māori All Blacks.

'Respect' - McDowall explains Scotland Haka stance

Ali Price has joined Montpellier after leaving Edinburgh Rugby.

Scotland veteran pens two-year deal with Top 14 side

Fin Richardson will play for Scotland for the first time in Saturday's game against the Māori All Blacks.

15 changes for Scotland, why Tests take priority and main Māori threat

Cars

The McLaren 570GT would certainly change your school run

Win a McLaren 570GT for just 15p with BOTB's dream car draw

The handsome Skoda Elroq is immensely likeable

Skoda Elroq review: a sensible SUV that quietly gets it right

Carly

I just unlocked some hidden features on my car using this device

Ebay's 20-year-old BMW was brought bang up to date using bargain bits

How eBay turned a classic BMW into a modern masterpiece for £2,000

The EV3 is the smallest car in Kia's tech-filled line-up, but it's not actually all that small

Kia EV3 review: A stylish and spacious family EV

Carly's OBD scanner is on special offer this week

This 'free' plug-in device can save drivers thousands on garage bills

Must Read

Smell Away’s new HEPA filter removes 99.97% of airborne particles

Ad Feature This air purifier is a MUST for all allergen sufferers

Jaz Ampaw-Farr will confer upon her degrees later this month

Ad Feature Woman to receive two honorary degrees - after years of homelessness

It allows Asset Reality to offer crypto custody services

Ad Feature First asset recovery operating system registers with FCA