Tue, 14th January 2025

Comedian Tony Slattery, pictured here in 2000, has died at the age of 65.

Fringe stalwart comedian Tony Slattery dies aged 65
The comedian regularly appeared at the Fringe

First Minister John Swinney has enjoyed a poll resurgence

John Swinney is 'uniting Scots', says SNP as lead grows over Labour

Authors JK Rowling (left) and Neil Gaiman (right)

JK Rowling slams reaction to latest Neil Gaiman sexual assault claims

Don't Miss

Abertay University

Two more Scottish universities go into the red amid student shortfalls

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay

Voting Reform in Scotland will only benefit SNP, warns Tory leader

'No third party involved' in disappearance of sisters, police say

People struggle to pass cars parked on a narrow street pavement

Glasgow announces when it will start enforcing pavement parking ban

Keir Starmer could replace Rachel Reeves with Gordon Brown as Chancellor by elevating the former Prime Minister to the Lords (Picture: Leon Neal)

Talk of Gordon Brown as Chancellor shows depths of Labour's troubles Brian Monteith

Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves need to find ways to give businesses the confidence to invest (Picture: Oli Scarff)

As confidence wanes, Labour must do more to help business Scotsman comment

It is important for patients to keep appointments to see their GP (Picture: Charles Milligan/Hulton Archive)

Missed GPs' appointments have a lesson for our criminal justice system Karyn McCluskey

Sorcha Groundsell stars in murder mystery An t-Eilean (The Island), which begins on BBC Alba tonight

An t-Eilean/The Island shows why we need more high-end Gaelic drama Domhnall Campbell

Scotsman Video

Scotsman Video

The latest video from The Scotsman

Featured Videos

Scotland’s private sector ended 2024 on a sour note after a sharp contraction in output.

Exclusive Three lessons from Scotland's December economy

Fawlty Towers-style dining train to help spearhead rail tours revival

Andrea Tarrodi

SCO Digital Season Part Two Andrea Tarrodi’s Serenade in Seven Colours

Demi Moore poses in the press room with the award for best performance by a female actor in a motion picture - musical or comedy for The Substance during the 82nd Golden Globes on Sunday. Picture: AP Photo/Chris Pizzello

The 2025 Golden Globes winners in full

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

Highlights

Sorcha Groundsell stars in An t-Eilean (The Island), the UK’s first-ever high-end Gaelic drama series

Everything you need to know about the UK's first high end Gaelic drama

Edinburgh from below Arthur’s Seat, 1801, by JMW Turner at the RSA

Turner painting of Edinburgh shown in the city for the first time

Babygirl

Film reviews: Babygirl | A Real Pain | Maria

The stunning Scottish estate that has a fairy walk & snowdrop festival

What to expect from Scottish hotel with 'best boutique spa'

Landy's

13 Edinburgh restaurants and cafes I'm most excited to try in 2025

John Douglas Thompson as Shylock in The Merchant of Venice

John Douglas Thompson on playing Shylock at the Lyceum

Living on the streets in winter is harmful to health and, potentially, fatal (Picture: Phil Wilkinson)

Scotsman readers offer 'lifeline' to boost Cyrenians fund to £100k

Rachel Elliott, relationships and events manager at Fazenda Edinburgh.

The restaurant staff helping people who are sleeping rough

The Cyrenians hospital in reach team are helping homeless people to leave hospital safely.

Meet the Edinburgh team helping homeless people safely leave hospital

Winter appeal: Help Cyrenians charity tackle homelessness in Scotland - Click here to donate

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.

Business

Scotland’s private sector ended 2024 on a sour note after a sharp contraction in output.

Exclusive Three lessons from Scotland's December economy

Why Scotland’s private sector suffered an end-of-year contraction

Sport

Kazakh winger Islam Chesnokov is on Hearts' radar.

Scottish transfers: Hearts chase duo, EPL starlets arrive on loan

A round-up of the latest transfer stories across Scottish football

Gray opens up on Boyle's Hibs future as deal runs down

In-form forward’s contract expires at end of season

Brendan Rodgers takes his team to Dens Park.

Rodgers discusses Celtic futures as Kyogo shrugs off speculation

Celtic boss only wants players who are committed to the cause

Rangers sword of Damocles hangs over Clement despite conditions Alan Pattullo

Alan Pattullo

Murray's coaching debut survives scare as Djokovic pushed wildcard

Serb takes down talented American to advance in Melbourne

Edinburgh's forgotten pair help Graham and van der Merwe flourish

Win over Vannes strengthens Sean Everitt’s side’s lead in Pool 3 of Challenge

Politics

Campaigners in Parliament Square, London, in favour of the proposed bill to legalise assisted dying.

Findlay: Westminster debate made me more cautious about assisted dying

Finance Secretary Shona Robison urging people to get interlinked smoke alarms.

Exclusive Thousands of council homes not meeting new smoke alarm regulations

Passengers disembark the Glen Sannox in Troon during its first official day of sailing (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell)

Glen Sannox may be late and expensive, but seems like a good ferry Scotsman comment

Increased windfall taxes on the UK's offshore oil and gas industries would cost the sector about £13 billion over the next five years and lead to a fall in tax receipts, a trade body has warned. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

John Swinney urged to give 'full-throated support' to oil and gas

The Lighthouse was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and completed in 1895. If you make it to the top of the building, you’ll be met with stunning views of Glasgow.

Exclusive 'Active discussions' to re-open iconic Mackintosh building

Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell on their wedding day in 2010

Analysis The rise and fall of the SNP's former power couple

Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell

Nicola Sturgeon announces split from husband Peter Murrell

John Swinney, seen on a visit to St John's Hospital in Livingston. (Picture: Jane Barlow/pool)

John Swinney spent the night in A&E in Scotland - this is what he saw

Opinion

Trust Equation is secret weapon for social media success in 2025

First Minister John Swinney addresses Holyrood during the first First Minister's Questions of the new year (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Readers' Letters: SNP politicians more interested in being 'celebrities'

A wildfire engulfs a home in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles earlier this week (Picture: Apu Gomes)

LA wildfires show those who deny climate change put us all at risk Christine Jardine

Donald Trump will begin his second term as US President this month

Scotsman leader: Swinney must have good relations with Trump Scotsman comment

Heritage and Retro

The newly released records are available from Registers of Scotland.

Birth records of iconic Scottish comedian among new released documents

The Yamaha multi-disc player has a feature that allows you to eject the tray and change four of the discs while the fifth keeps playing. Picture: Scott Reid

Yamaha’s unique CD player has a feature that let’s you party like it’s 1999

Harpist Esther Swift at the former Royal High School on Calton Hill in Edinburgh.

Work on new £69m Edinburgh music centre to begin within months

The Broch of Mousa with The Haa and the burnt mound adjacent.

See pictures of Scotland from the air to go on show in new exhibition

Trump Turnberry with the remains of Turnberry Castle on the promontory in the foreground, to the left of the lighthouse.

Trump golf course seeks to get closer to Robert the Bruce castle

Matt McCallum has upcycled an old Glasgow subway seat into his living room sofa.

Glasgow man upcycles old subway seat into his living room sofa

The Viking Galley burns in Scalloway in the Shetland Isles with this year's two-day Scalloway Fire Festival due to get underway on Friday, January 10. PIC: Dave Donaldson

First fire festival of the long winter to light up Scottish island

Arts and Culture

Edinburgh from below Arthur’s Seat, 1801, by JMW Turner at the RSA

Art reviews: Turner in January: Ireland’s Vaughan Bequest | RSW Annual

The Burns & Beyond festival was launched in 2019.

Burns celebrations fall flat after festival is hit by funding woes

Former Champ

Former Champ, Glasgow review: 'shades of Blondie attitude'

Comic Susie McCabe on how having a heart attack has inspired her new stand-up show

Susie McCabe on how a heart attack has inspired her new stand-up show

Same Team was staged at Traverse Theatre during last year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Picture: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan

Fresh fears raised over standstill funding for arts organisations

The GRIT Orchestra returns to Celtic Connections on 18 January

Celtic Connections 2025: Jim Gilchrist picks his highlights

Edinburgh arts venue Summerhall has been hosting shows and exhibitions since 2011.

Exclusive 'Bright new future' vow for Summerhall as Fringe comeback is confirmed

Education

Edinburgh College's Granton Campus

'Grave consequences' over Scotland's failure to invest in skills

Four in 10 employers in Edinburgh area are cutting training following decision to axe Scottish Government fund

Calum Ross

Stornoway campus of UHI North, West and Hebrides

Three Scottish colleges in 'financial distress' handed £8.3m lifeline

Ed Sheeran in surprise Scottish library appearance

High-tech simulations bring healthcare training into the 21st century

By The Newsroom

Scotsman Sessions

Just a few of the artists who have performed Scotsman Sessions

The Scotsman Sessions: links to numbers 1-400

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

David Luximon

The Scotsman Sessions #427: David Luximon

Hay's Way

Inside the rural community where the lynx were illegally released

Inside the rural community where four lynx were released

Rick Minter, host of Big Cat Conversations podcast

Lynx reports have been happening for decades, claims podcast host

Red meat shortage warnings as farmer confidence down while demand soars

'It's an absolute emergency' - Meat shortage warning

Health

Baby Talia and father Euan. Anna Jackson, 22, started getting a pain in her abdomen, but had put it down to period cramps. Picture: Anna Jackson/SWNS

Woman who thought she had burst appendix gives birth in hospital

Viral infections like the flu are very common in children.

Flu symptoms in kids: warning signs parents need to know

New research suggests that drinking tap water could be putting millions of people living in the UK at a greater risk of dementia.

New research warns of 'link' between soft water and dementia

Tropical rainforest mural

Community unites to brighten care home with vibrant mural

Sofia Alessia, 27, with her daughter Alya-Valentina, 4, after weight loss surgery.

Mum who nearly died from weight loss surgery warns it 'isn't worth' it

Symptoms of HMPV can be similar to the flu or the cold.

Five common HMPV symptoms in adults that you shouldn't ignore

Treadmills can be used for indoor running and walking, which is great for staying fit

Cheapest home treadmill deals on Amazon right now

Recommended

The 25p ticket deal only runs for a few days - so be quick

Win this Amazing Mercedes G-Wagon worth £134,000 for just 25p

The Explorer 1000 V2 is cheaper than ever, thanks to a January sale

Portable power station deal: Jackery's Explorer 1000 has a 39% saving

The latest Omaze dream house is an absolute stunner

Less than two weeks for a chance to win the £4m Omaze Bath house

The Bourbon advent calendar from Master of Malt - and amazing post-Christmas bargain for whisky fans

January drink deals: unique spirits with discounted Advent calendars

Hannah and Rupert Drury at the £4 million property in the Lake District at Coniston Water. P

I broke 'dry January' to celebrate my £4m Lake District home win

The £1 note can cost hundreds of pounds if it's in the right condition - but there's a cheaper way

You can still buy a £1 note - but don't expect it to cost a quid

Raffle House: Win £2.5m property once owned by Henry VIII

Sport Opinion

Ben Doak has emerged as one of Scotland's key players.

Doak's soaring value is good but status quo may be priceless for Scots
EPL interest and £25m mooted fee - but playing regularly in a strong team is more important
Mark Atkinson

Exercise is a 'miracle cure' for many ailments, including mental ones, as Ian Johnston can attest (Picture: Justin Setterfield)

Obsessing about mental health is making Scotland's crisis worse Ian Johnston

Helicopter footage from Police Scotland shows youths throwing fireworks and other projectiles during public disorder in Edinburgh last year

How 1980s-style football violence has returned to Scotland Tom Wood

Bob MacIntyre celebrates after helping Europe win the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome. |

The 6 desires on wish list of a Scottish golf fan for 2025

Obituaries

Kirsty Archer-Thompson was passionate about preserving the legacy of Sir Walter Scott (Picture Phil Wilkinson / Abbotsford)

Scotsman Obituaries: Kirsty Archer-Thompson, curator at Abbotsford

Andrew Sharkey was devoted to the values of Scouting

Scotsman Obituaries: Andrew Sharkey, father, educator and Scouting giant

Rugby Union

Finn Russell landed five conversions for Bath against Clermont Auvergne.

Russell shines as Bath keep Euro hopes alive ahead of 'massive task'

Franco Smith and Glasgow Warriors have a home last 16 tie to look forward to.

Glasgow Warriors' Champions Cup cards fall right for last 16 draw

Edinburgh's Ali Price scored two first-half tries in the 29-25 win over Vannes in France.

Edinburgh's bonus point win in Vannes puts them in pole position

Edinburgh's Duhan van der Merwe scored a pivotal try midway through the second half.

Edinburgh Rugby reaction: 'Monkey off our backs' after win in France

Glasgow Warriors' Zander Fagerson takes the ball into contact during the Investec Champions Cup match against Racing 92.

'One to look at' - what Glasgow need to further their Euro ambitions

Glasgow Warriors' Tom Jordan scores Warriors fifth try of the match.

This Glasgow Warriors team are serious Euro contenders after big win

Glasgow Warriors' Sione Tuipulotu scores the fourth try of the match in the win over Racing 92.

Glasgow Warriors reaction: Ending takes shine off but Franco Smith

Edinburgh's Ben Healy will start at 10 against Vannes.

New chance for Scotland 10 who understudied Finn Russell at World Cup

Scotland props Pierre Schoeman and Zander Fagerson.

Two Scotland props backed for Lions Test team: 'Both can start'

Cars

The McLaren 570S is a 200mph supercar

Win this stunning McLaren supercar worth £104,000 for just 19p

The 488 GTB is one of the most popular Ferraris among keen drivers

This £140,000 Ferrari could be yours for just 89p - if you're quick

Lexus LBX review: Lexus brings premium values to the crossover club

(Photo by BARBARA GINDL/APA/AFP via Getty Images)

Video: The genius hack to prevent ice building - using shaving foam

Premium tyres might cost more than cheap rubber - but the difference in performance can be remarkable

We swap cheap tyres for premium tyres to see if it's worth the money

The CH-R's styling is divisive, but it looks good in the right colour

Toyota CH-R review: It's bigger and bolder, but is it better?

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Over half of Brits (53 per cent) worry they won’t ever be able to retire

Ad Feature This tool reveals how much you need to save to retire

NordVPN has issued a tutorial for shoppers in search of saving big while staying secure online.

Ad Feature Shopper's guide to securing affordable internet security

The ETP is expected to be listed on Switzerland’s SIX Swiss Exchange, the largest stock exchange in the country and the third largest in Europe, during the first quarter of 2025.

Ad Feature Virtual game currency to be listed on stock exchange