Sun, 15th June 2025

National Library of Scotland chief executive Amina Shah in front of the building.

Exclusive National Library plans to 'open up' iconic building to host weddings
The National Library of Scotland building was opened in 1956.

The Acorn carbon capture project will be built next to the St Fergus gas terminal (Photo: Paul Campbell/PA Wire)

Exclusive Acorn carbon capture: The £18bn project that is still a pipedream

Around 40 residents were evacuated due to the massive fire.

Man dead and girl, 8, in hospital after major flat blaze

Don't Miss

Papaya has warned of the mental impact of exposing children to smartphones and social media. Picture: Sean Gallup/Getty

Exclusive Charity warning of youth smartphone use to start work in Scotland

The state opening of parliament in the House of Lords.

Exclusive Should Holyrood have a second chamber like the House of Lords?

Barry Ferns first performed at the Fringe in 1999.

Veteran comedian on how Fringe drove him to bankruptcy

The National Library of Scotland is based on George IV Bridge in Edinburgh.

Exclusive Inside plans to transform the century-old National Library

Swinney's critics should bite their tongues and get behind him Euan McColm

Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture, is based in Sleat, on the Isle of Skye

How new Bill would strengthen parents rights to ask for Gaelic school Kate Forbes

A general view of the Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh

Scottish Parliament is full of serious flaws and must be overhauled George Foulkes

A protest was held this week at the Scottish Parliament. Picture: Andrew Carr

Why we need to make fathers visible John Forsyth

Highlights

Some of the performers who will be highlights at the Edinburgh International Book Festival (from top left heading clockwise) Nicola Sturgeon, Alice Oseman, Irvine Welsh and Maggie O'Farrell.

10 highlights of this year's Edinburgh International Book Festival
The Edinburgh International Book Festival has launched its programme today

The upstairs bar at Lyla in Edinburgh

The elegant Scottish restaurant named best in the country

The American Bar in Gleneagles has a new menu - and some classic whisky cocktails made without whisky

Inside Gleneagles American Bar new menu The Rose Compendium

Glenturret Lalique restaurant

More people visiting Scotland for fine dining

Pulp, Glasgow review: 'indie pop anthems galore'

Last year's Scran Award winners

All the finalists for the Scran Awards 2025

A 12th-century man (right) and a a 15th-century woman are among the medieval Edinburgh residents whose faces have been restored.

The faces of Edinburgh's first residents brought to life 900 years on

Paul Hollywood on his Scottish links and being a secret savoury fan

Arts news

Jenny Niven, director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

No replacement for book festival fund puts community work at risk

The Edinburgh International Book Festival publishes its programme today.

Sam Heughan to give cocktail masterclass at Edinburgh book festival

Sam Heughan - the star of Outlander - is among celebrities from the world of film and TV who will fe...

Some of the performers who will be highlights at the Edinburgh International Book Festival (from top left heading clockwise) Nicola Sturgeon, Alice Oseman, Irvine Welsh and Maggie O'Farrell.

10 highlights of this year's Edinburgh International Book Festival

The Edinburgh International Book Festival has launched its programme today

Full line up of Bloody Scotland crime writing festival revealed Jane Bradley

Jane Bradley

Outlander star Sam Heughan to 'realise dream' of playing Macbeth

The play will be Sam Heughan’s RSC debut

Almost a third of this year's Fringe shows are from Scotland

Some 923 of the 3,352 shows to be performed at this year’s Fringe are from Scotland

Scotsman Video

Scotsman Video

The latest video from The Scotsman

Featured Videos

Beyond Bars Cargo Bike

Beyond Bars Cargo Bike crafted by the inmates of HMP Barlinnie

Our chief football writer Alan Pattullo alongside Duncan Ferguson. Pic: Lisa Ferguson

When Alan Pattullo (finally) met Duncan Ferguson

Coul Links, near Embo, in the Scottish Highlands, which has been earmarked for a golf course development that has promised to bring money to the area, but has caused concern for conservationists

The 'special' habitat in spotlight as decision on golf course looms

The Scottish Chamber Orchestra at the Usher Hall Edinburgh

WATCH: SCO Digital Season, Concert 1 - Coleridge-Taylor's Novelletten

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's Boan Venter in action during an EPCR Challenge Cup match against Bayonne.

South Africa call up Edinburgh player on Scotland's radar

Forward named in Springboks squad ahead of summer Tests

Finn Russell explains risky pass as Bath grab Premiership glory

West Country club return to the summit of the English game

Celtic target Benjamin Nygren celebrates after scoring for Sweden in the friendly against Hungary at Puskas Arena on June 6, 2025. (Photo by David Balogh/Getty Images)

Celtic and Rangers transfer news as Atletico Madrid want Scotland star

Saturday transfer bulletin involving Celtic, Rangers and Scotland star

Big questions hanging over Clarke and goalkeeper issue only part of it Matthew Elder

Matthew Elder

Pressley's odd Dundee manifesto as contract signed on way to airport

Ex-Hearts and Celtic defender back in dugout after six year absence

Rangers exit confirmed as club bids farewell to Barry Ferguson 'asset'

Assistant coach mutually agrees exit following Martin arrival

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

The New Eidyn development at St James Quarter, Edinburgh could be just the thing for buyers from the US

Why Americans want property in Scotland

Don't let money flow down the drain, take more control of your water bill (Picture: Adobe)

Why is my water bill so expensive?

Politics

Rejoice or repent, Alexander Brown is leaving The Scotsman

Scottish politics isn’t necessarily as bitter and divided as it seems
Time comes for us all - and as I say farewell to The Scotsman, I wanted to reflect on the state of Scottish politics.
Alexander Brown

First Minister John Swinney joins candidate for the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election Katy Loudon during the last weekend of the campaign. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Swinney’s critics should bite their tongues and get behind him

Alexander Dennis has announced it plans to close down its Falkirk area operations to relocate to one single base in Scarborough (Picture: Michael Gillen, National World)

SNP told to 'look themselves in the mirror' over bus firm job cuts

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray

Exclusive SNP 'pulling wool over public's eyes' in Spending Review row

Looking out across Edinburgh from Calton Hill

Plenty to like in Reeves' review for Edinburgh - but housing is key Jane Meagher

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch

Nigel Farage is a threat to the Union, warns Kemi Badenoch

Pensioners Florence and Peter Fanning from Coatbridge challenge the decision to scrap the winter fuel payments for pensioners

Scottish pensioners lose court challenge over winter fuel payment cuts

Smoke rises from a location allegedly targeted in Israel's wave of strikes on Tehran. Picture: AFP via Getty Images

Starmer's de-escalation plea as drone attacks launched into Iran

Opinion

Self-checkouts can be handy but they're denying someone a job and governments the taxes that would come with same (Picture: Getty)

Readers' Letters: Governments must stop taking so much from us in taxes

Susan's mother Mary as a 13-year-old

My mother gave me the greatest gift. I will miss her Susan Dalgety

I paid a visit to the place where cinema has come to die

UK stepped back as Europe stepped up, it's time for Scotland to rejoin Stephen Gethins

Heritage and Retro

Inchmarnock in the Firth of Clyde has come on the market for offers over £2m. PIC: Strutt&Parker

Scottish island with endless shingle beaches and own ferry for sale

King's Birthday Honours: Writer and historian Alistair Moffat (top left), Zahrah Mahmood, President of Ramblers Scotland (bottom left) and John and Lorna Norgrove (right), of the Linda Norgrove Foundation, have all been recognised.

King's Birthday Honours for brave, selfless and determined Scots

It's one of the unluckiest days of the year. But why?

Why is Friday 13th considered unlucky? Origins and supersitions

Many words that you would casually encounter in English conversations have totally unique meanings in Scotland.

40 Regular words with different meanings in Scotland like “Hen”

Tommy Alexander, valuer at Great Western Auctions, with the newly discovered handwritten original manuscript of a poem by Scottish Enlightenment poet Allan Ramsay (1684-1758), which is expected to fetch £800 - £1,200 at GWA Summer Two Day Fine Art & Antiques Auction on Friday and Saturday.

Poem found in junk box written by 'titanic' Scots literary figure

Scotland is home to several remarkable collections of ancient standing stones.

Best Scottish Standing Stones 2025: Here are 8 ancient stone circles

It's back! And yours for £999.

Raleigh Chopper is back in Fizzy Lemon and Space Blue

Arts and Culture

Picture You Dead

Theatre reviews: Picture You Dead | You Won't Break My Soul

Sir Ian Rankin is the guest programmer of this year’s Bloody Scotland.

Full line up of Bloody Scotland crime writing festival revealed

Kathryn Joseph

Kathryn Joseph, Glasgow review: 'songs of witchy weirdness'

Tommy Alexander, valuer at Great Western Auctions, with the newly discovered handwritten original manuscript of a poem by Scottish Enlightenment poet Allan Ramsay (1684-1758), which is expected to fetch £800 - £1,200 at GWA Summer Two Day Fine Art & Antiques Auction on Friday and Saturday.

Poem found in junk box written by 'titanic' Scots literary figure

Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet

Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet, Edinburgh review

Dead bodies are found inside two whisky barrels in the new novel from Natalie Jayne Clark

The Malt Whisky Murders, by Natalie Jayne Clark review

Tinderbox Orchestra l-r Callum Stevenson, Claire Docherty, Rosie Irvine and Leo Bacica during a photocall to promote the Hidden Door Festival

Festival boss urges public to 'vote with feet' amid last minute risk

Education

Sir Geoff Palmer has been appointed to the Order of the Thistle by King Charles III and will attend the offical ceremony of installation at St Giles' on Wednesday. PIC: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

Swinney leads tributes to 'courageous' Sir Geoff Palmer

John Swinney has been amongst admirers who have paid tribute to esteemed academic Sir Geoff Palmer, following his death aged 85.

Musician Ben Walker performing at YPI National Event 2025

Youth power on show at YPI National Event as £8.5m granted to Scottish charities

School girls arrive at Glenalmond College for the first day of term. A High Court challenge against the decision to charge VAT for private schools has failed. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Private schools lose High Court challenge to overturn VAT fees

The UK's best universities named - see how your local uni ranked Amber Allott

Amber Allott

Hay's Way

The proposed 190km overhead line from Peterhead to Beauly has been redivided from five sections to 11 sections.

'It's distressing': Singer's message on net zero impact on Highlands

”I received an apology from the SNP farming minister after I raised the question of prime agricultural land being lost in Angus and the Mearns.”

Energy bosses accused of overlooking landowner rights in Net Zero push

Going for a swim

Waters of Life: A Fight for Scotland’s Beavers by Tom Bowser review

Health

There are some medications that you should not take if you are taking hay fever tablets.

The common medications you should never mix with hay fever tablets

A new Covid strain is currently "under monitoring" by the World Health Organisation.

Warning over using old Covid tests as 'Nimbus' variant found in UK

Brian Innes with son Kieran in hospital

Father gives son a ‘second chance’ by donating kidney

The 13 leading GP surgeries in Falkirk where patients are happiest.

The 13 leading GP surgeries in Falkirk where patients are happiest

It is hoped the vaccine roll-out will prevent thousands of infections.

Gonorrhoea cases soar in Scotland as mass vaccine roll-out ordered

UTIs are most common in females and it is estimated that over half of all women in the UK will have at least one UTI in their lifetime.

Your UTI risk could increase this summer - key signs of infection

Every day men across the UK are dying early from preventable causes.

You should never ignore these five symptoms if you are a man

Recommended

Antler’s new summer collection are a bend of timeless design and functional elegance

New summer collection has just arrived in Antler

Merston House blends timeless Regency architecture with modern country living, complete with an orangery and sun-soaked patio for entertaining.

Win a Regency mansion in Sussex in new Raffle House prize draw

Max out your Glasto viewing with this AI hack

Build your own Glastonbury 2025 TV schedule using AI

See, hear and speak to visitors remotely with the Ring Video Doorbell’s live HD video and two-way talk features

Wowcher slashes Ring Video Doorbell to £59 – Amazon can’t match it

The lightweight Bissell PowerClean offers deep-cleaning power in a compact, easy-to-store unit

Bissell PowerClean cleaner now £89.99 in end-of-line clearance

Can AI help keep your mad family happy?

AI picks gifts for Gen Z, your gran and your weird uncle

Could this be the face of a £208 million EuroMillions winner? The viral £9 syndicate deal has already attracted over 100,000 hopefuls ahead of tonight’s draw.

EuroMillions hits £208m – grab 500 lines for £9 before tonight’s draw

Sport Opinion

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
Where will Scotland be this time next year?
Alan Pattullo

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

Scottish football's extraordinary final was good for the game

Napoli lift the Serie A title after beating Cagliari on Friday night.

McTominay's Napoli 'dream' as a city parties - but will Conte stay?

US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley pictured during the final round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow

Tough call for Ryder Cup captain is now looking even more likely

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

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend announces his squad for the Skyscanner Pacific Tour.

Gregor Townsend expects talks on his future as landmark looms

Finn Russell has already helped Bath win the European Challenge Cup this season, beating Lyon in the final in Cardiff.

Finn Russell explains kicking tweak as Bath bid to end 29-year wait

Leinster captain Jack Conan and Vodacom Bulls skipper Ruan Nortjé with the BKT URC Trophy at Croke Park.

What TV channel is Leinster v Bulls on? How to watch URC final

Rory Darge's new contract ties him to Glasgow Warriors for three more seasons.

'One of the best in Europe' - Scotland captain signs new deal

Roddy Grant has joined the Glasgow Warriors coaching staff.

Glasgow announce significant coach update as two appointments made

Scotland's Adam Hastings in action against Fiji at Murrayfield, on November 2, 2024. The sides will meet in Suva on July 12.

Why Scotland tour is important despite low-key opponents and early KOs

George Turner has not played for Scotland since the 2024 Guinness Six Nations.

Scotland summer tour squad named as 45-cap forward returns from exile

Darcy Graham was unlucky to miss out on Lions selection.

Why Townsend would be happy to lose key men from Scotland tour squad

Zander Fagerson has failed to prove his fitness for the Lions tour.

Fagerson's heartbreak as injury rules prop out of Lions tour

Cars

Davanti Protoura Sport tyres are significantly cheaper than the bigger brands - but are they good enough for a performance car?

I swapped £180 Bridgestones for £115 Davantis – here’s what happened

The Viofo A329S now supports three channels - and that’s not the best upgrade

Viofo A329S adds three-channel power to top dashcam

Karwan says the prize will change his life

Taxi driver wins £138k Range Rover and £50,000 after car theft ordeal

Jim McGill with the Mini JCW Electric in the Cotswolds

Mini John Cooper Works Electric review: Fastest Mini a hoot to drive

EV drivers across the UK could benefit from a major change to planning rules

The new rule affecting everyone with a driveway

The VW California Ocean is perfect for outdoor living

You could win this £65,000 camper van and £20,000 cash for just 17p

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Almost 45,000 hours of PE, since the London Olympic Games in 2012, have been lost

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Homeownership rates in Saudi Arabia aim to reach 70 per cent by 2030

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