Local and Scottish News, Politics, Sport and Opinion

Councillors raise concerns over £1.5m overspend on early years provision at Keith — To go with story by Stuart Findlay. Moray Council headquarters locator. Picture shows; Moray Council headquarters locator.. Elgin. Supplied by Hazel Lawson Date; Unknown; 5ebd9b4d-537d-4816-960a-8756483f1fc6

Moray Council’s £1.5m overspend on pre-school accommodation in Keith to come under the microscope

An inquiry into an estimated £1.5 million overspend on pre-school accommodation in Keith has been called for.

By Hazel Lawson, Local Democracy Reporter

Kirkwall, Scotland - 4 August, 2016: Kirkwall is the main town on the Scottish island of Orkney and a major harbour in the area; Shutterstock ID 467401496; purchase_order: ; job: ; a98d3c32-88b9-40f4-b7ce-a94ed69e518b

‘Without it, nothing functions. Absolutely nothing’ – Orkney councillors discuss the county’s lack of housing

Orkney councillors have discussed the county's housing needs, with a councillor who spent a career in the sector admitting he has no idea what those needs currently are.

By Andrew Stewart, Local Democracy Reporter

Artist and lecturer wants Inverness to become the home of research into a new metal made from destroyed guns

Internationally-renowned artist Frank To wants Inverness to become the centre for research into a new metal created from destroyed illegal firearms.

By John Ross

Ada to Adam: True story of hen that became a cockerel shows only humans react to gender swaps

An author has written a book about his hen Ada that started acting like a cockerel to highlight gender issues for youngsters – arguing it is only humans who react differently when changes happen.

By David Mackay

Forres-based managing director George Goudsmit wins lifetime achievement award

A Moray-based managing director who is credited with persuading the Queen to install solar power in Balmoral Castle has received a lifetime achievement award.

By Kelly Wilson