Spin doctors’ influence in politics to be ‘deplored’, says Lord Steel
Former Liberal Party leader David Steel has launched a stinging attack on modern day politics, hitting out at the role of spin doctors.
Scotland
Gove’s use of Scots word ‘scunnered’ left Cabinet colleagues perplexed
Michael Gove has revealed he left Cabinet colleagues baffled when he used the Scots word “scunnered” in a Downing Street meeting.
New Scottish independence referendum will not be granted, Gove insists
Cabinet minister Michael Gove has ruled out the prospect of Nicola Sturgeon being granted a second independence referendum – even if her party wins a majority at Holyrood in 2021.
Sturgeon: No deal struck with Corbyn to help Labour into power
Scotland’s First Minister has insisted no deal has been done with Jeremy Corbyn to put Labour into power after next month’s General Election.
Kelpies artist creates tribute to Scots naturalist John Muir
The artist behind the Kelpies has revealed his latest creation - a 16ft bear in tribute to Scots naturalist John Muir.
Scottish independence will be better planned than Brexit, Sturgeon insists
Nicola Sturgeon has said Scottish independence will be better planned than Brexit.
Everything from Little Black Dress to giant T Rex is in National Museums Scotland 2020 vision
It has everything from fashion icons to fearsome monsters, and antique troves to ancient documents.
Medieval and Roman treasures stolen from train
Medieval and Roman treasures have been stolen from a train after they were mistakenly left behind on a service to Edinburgh.
Potentially deadly parasite found in UK for first time
Concerns have been raised after a potentially deadly tick-borne parasite was found in the UK for the first time.
Obituary: John Campbell Brown, Astronomer Royal for Scotland
John Campbell Brown, who has died suddenly aged 72, was one of the many people whose interest in astronomy was piqued by tuning in to the grainy TV pictures of Patrick Moore on The Sky at Night.
Aberdeen champion para-swimmer launches campaign to inspire children with a disability to take up the sport
An Aberdeen para-swimming champion has backed a new campaign encouraging children with disabilities to take to the water.
Scottish fishing chief warns of looming crisis for inshore fleet
Inshore fishers have warned they are facing a crisis, rather than a "sea of opportunity”, if and when the UK finally quits the European Union.
Investment boss in court accused of £13m ‘Ponzi’ scheme swindle
A man has appeared in court charged with defrauding hundreds of investors out of £13 million through an illegal “Ponzi” scheme.
More dreich than braw – ‘most iconic Scots word’ revealed
Dreich has beaten braw, glaikit and scunnered to be named as the “most iconic Scots word” by the Scottish Book Trust.
North Sea industry can play significant role in greener future, report claims
The North Sea oil and gas industry could play a significant role in the transition to cleaner energy, according to a new report.
Nicola Sturgeon ‘not impressed’ with Tory and Labour rivals in first TV debate
Nicola Sturgeon insisted she “wasn’t impressed” with either Boris Johnson or Jeremy Corbyn, as the Tory and Labour leaders clashed in the first TV debate of the General Election campaign.
Sturgeon issues debate challenge to ‘scaredy-cat’ Boris Johnson
Nicola Sturgeon has branded Boris Johnson a “scaredy-cat” over his refusal to debate her, saying she would face him “any time, any place”.
Constituency profile: Stirling
The constituency of Stirling, which Nicola Sturgeon visited on Tuesday, is the SNP’s top target at this election.
Scottish MEP quits Brexit Party over ‘direct conflict’ of views
Scottish MEP Louis Stedman-Bryce has quit the Brexit Party, condemning them for selecting an election candidate who has written homophobic Facebook posts.
From Boardwalk to the beat: Kelly Macdonald lands major Line Of Duty role
Kelly Macdonald will star in the next series of Line Of Duty as the “most enigmatic adversary AC-12 have ever faced”.
Temperatures drop to minus 10C on coldest autumn night this year
Temperatures dropped to nearly minus 10C on Monday night – the coldest of the autumn so far.
Oban lifeboat volunteers hailed for dedicated service through awards ceremony
Members of the Oban lifeboat crew have been honoured for their service to the RNLI station.
Oban residents invited to public consultation to discuss flood defence prospects
Residents of an Argyll town are meeting to discuss flood defences.
William awards ‘royal seal of approval’ to variety performance hosts
The Duke of Cambridge has given the comic two-hander of Romesh Ranganathan and Rob Beckett the “royal seal of approval” after they hosted the Royal Variety Performance.
Tory candidate suspended by party over online comments
The Conservative candidate for Aberdeen North has been suspended by the party after comments he made several years ago on an online forum emerged.
Lib Dems and SNP lose High Court challenge over ITV leaders’ debate
The Liberal Democrats and SNP have lost a High Court challenge against ITV over its decision to exclude their party leaders from a televised election debate.
National Lottery winners reveal how they spent their fortunes
The National Lottery has brought together winners from the past quarter of a century to celebrate its 25th anniversary this year.
Lib Dems stronger after coalition with Tories, Willie Rennie claims
Willie Rennie has claimed the Liberal Democrats are “stronger” as a party after their time in coalition with the Tories but admitted he has “regrets” about some of the policies that were introduced.
Fog and frost expected as UK heads for coldest night so far
Temperatures could reach their lowest so far this autumn, with a frosty night ahead, the Met Office has warned.
Fantasy, frost and fairy tales bring magic to this year’s Oban winter festival
Oban’s ninth winter festival got under way this weekend with organisers saying the town is buzzing and the event looks set to be the busiest yet.
David Tennant named ‘hardest working actor’ in Britain
David Tennant has been crowned the UK’s hardest working actor in a study of 100 top television and film stars.
Exclusion from General Election TV debate unfair on voters and viewers – SNP
The SNP said its exclusion from the ITV General Election debate is depriving voters of the chance to make their own decisions.