Scottish finance secretary says notional deficit of £36.3bn for 2020-21 does not undermine case for leaving UKScotland‘s deficit more than doubled to £36.3bn, or 22.4% of GDP in 2020-21, the highest yearly figure since devolution, but it should not be …
Protesters claim to ‘seize’ Edinburgh Castle citing Magna Carta
Police at scene and public evacuated as about 20 demonstrators enter landmark in bid to ‘take power back’A group of about 20 protesters entered Edinburgh Castle on Tuesday evening, claiming to have “seized” the landmark under article 61 of Magna Carta….
Rewilding: should we bring the lynx back to Britain?
Reintroducing the big cats could control deer numbers and enrich ecosystems but farmers and the public need reassurance, say expertsThe maverick rewilder Derek Gow is wearing an extremely small pair of coral pink shorts as he introduces his three new E…
UK universities open vaccination centres on campus to encourage student uptake
Institutions offer to train staff and students as volunteers in joint operation with NHS Universities are setting up their own vaccination centres in an attempt to make campuses as safe as possible for the autumn term. And with millions of students arr…
The Guardian view on the Edinburgh festivals: signs of rebirth | Editorial
They may be smaller and quieter than they once were, but Scotland’s capital has its summer arts events, and even some visitors, backThe Edinburgh festivals are back – but not as we know them. Last year was the first time since their founding in 1947 th…
Scottish island castle, with barrel organ and rot issues, seeks caring new owner
Nature agency needs community-minded buyer to save Kinloch Castle, on Rum in the Inner HebridesWith red sandstone battlements, a sprung-floor ballroom, and a prized orchestrion organ said to have been made for Queen Victoria, Kinloch Castle on the Inne…
Nicola Sturgeon ‘hiding behind PM’ on Cambo oilfield, say climate groups
Campaigners criticise first minister for not demanding end to North Sea drilling in letter to Boris JohnsonNicola Sturgeon has been criticised by climate campaigners for failing to call for the new Cambo oilfield to be blocked because of the climate cr…
Cairngorms crofters: ‘We don’t follow a capitalist grow-grow-grow model’
Lynn Cassells and Sandra Baer say buying croft allowed them to farm based on regenerative principlesRewilding 5% of England could create 20,000 rural jobs“Farming with nature is really not idealism,” says Lynn Cassells. “It’s not a nice thing to do on …
School results in Scotland dip slightly after year of disruption
Pupils achieve record A grades but attainment gap between the most deprived and affluent students widensA-level results day – live news and reactionScottish pupils have achieved record A grades alongside a slight fall in the overall pass rate, but the …
Search under way for missing 84-year-old in Scottish mountains
Car of John ‘Frank’ Smith from Nottingham, an experienced fellwalker, found near Ben CruachanSearch and rescue teams are scouring one of the UK’s highest peaks for an 84-year-old walker from Nottingham who has not returned from a trip up the mountain i…