Calls to protect tug o’ war from extinction
For decades the tug o' war has been one of Scotland's most iconic tests of strength.
Alexander Burnett
Secondary school teaching vacancies on the rise in Aberdeen
Secondary school teaching vacancies have risen in Aberdeen, according to new data revealing the city now has the most unfilled posts of any Scottish local authority.
Scottish retailers brace themselves for £12 million extra on their business rates bills
Scotland’s retailers are bracing themselves for a £12 million rise in business rates that will batter already struggling firms, the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) has warned.
Call for action over obesity and drinking ‘ticking time bomb’ in north-east and Highlands
Leading health experts and charity bosses have called for action to tackle the "worrying" trend of unhealthy habits that could lead to life-threatening illnesses in the north of Scotland.
Closure of Aberdeenshire drug rehab facility to be raised at Holyrood
The closure of an Aberdeenshire drug rehabilitation clinic is to be raised at Holyrood this week amid concerns over Scotland’s rising number of drug deaths.
Thousands of north and north-east patients missing waiting targets for diagnostic tests
Thousands of patients in the north and north east are waiting longer than the six week target for eight key diagnostic tests which can pick up cancer and other diseases, it has emerged.
Calls to make Aberdeen Scotland’s centre for world-leading method of treating lung and heart patients
Aberdeen should be made Scotland’s centre for a world-leading method of treating patients with life-threatening heart and lung conditions, local politicians have said.
Concern over north-east’s falling population and move away from rural areas
The north-east is suffering from a falling population, according to official data which found people are moving away from rural areas and islands.
Anger that £60 million cycling and walking fund fails to include north and north-east
Angry local politicians have claimed the north and north-east is missing out on a £60million package to encourage cycling and walking.
Majority of Tory MSPs want Jeremy Hunt to be prime minister
Ruth Davidson yesterday formally backed Jeremy Hunt to become prime minister, arguing he is the best candidate to protect the Union.
Anger over ministers’ letters on Air Departure Tax
A north-east Tory claimed the Scottish Government's reputation has been damaged after it emerged ministers sent letters committing themselves to abolishing Air Departure Tax (ADT).
Claims north and north-east firms are `snubbing’ Nicola Sturgeon’s business pledge
North and north-east firms are “roundly snubbing” one of Nicola Sturgeon’s key business policies, it was claimed last night.
SNP under fire over north-east nursery facilities
Nicola Sturgeon has been accused of failing on her childcare expansion pledge in the north-east, with new figures showing a lack of progress on new nurseries.
Popular path leading to Deeside Way restored after years of hard work
A popular Aberdeenshire walking route has been restored after three years of hard work by dedicated volunteers.
Politicians to vote on scrapping controversial airline tax break
MSPs will vote this week on scrapping a £150 million tax break for the airline industry in an attempt to force Nicola Sturgeon to axe the controversial policy.
NHS Grampian spends more than £200,000 on leasing 130 cars – but whistleblower claims few have been used
A whistleblower has claimed the north-east's health board has wasted hundreds of thousands of pounds on cars that have not been used.
One third of NHS Grampian patients miss 18-week treatment target
NHS Grampian was Scotland’s worst performing health board when it came meeting key 18-week referral to treatment time in December last year, NHS figures show.
Calls for review of Kyle Gibbon case after release of Carstairs cost figures
A MSP campaigning for a Kemnay man stuck in Carstairs has said taxpayers would be “astonished” to learn that keeping a patient at the State Hospital costs £5,837 per week.
MSP calls for action on Aberdeenshire man with ADHD locked up in psychiatric hospital
The Scottish Government has been urged to “get a move on” with the inquiry into the case of an Aberdeenshire man with learning difficulties who has spent his adult life in a maximum security hospital.
Green MSP warns rural areas will suffer unless Derek Mackay’s budget delivers the goods
The Scottish Government and Greens were last night edging closer to striking a deal to get the budget through Holyrood - on the basis that local councils get more support.
No hospital staff punished for skipping hand-washing procedures in two years
The NHS has not had to discipline a single Scottish hospital worker for failing to wash their hands in the last two years.
Flood-hit communities in north-east being left ‘high and dry’ in Scottish Government’s budget
Flood-hit communities in the north-east have been left "high and dry" by the Scottish Government's draft budget.
North and north-east councils spend £585,000 on teacher relocation packages
The scale of the north and north-east schools’ staffing crisis has been laid bare by figures revealing around £585,000 was spent on teacher relocation packages in the last year.
Concerns raised over falling number of hospital admissions for eating disorders in north-east
Concerns have been raised about the declining number of patients being treated for eating disorders in north-east hospitals, despite a national spike of cases.
Ministers urged to let pharmacists give flu jabs and ease pressure on GPs
New legislation has been called for to let pharmacists ease the pressure on GPs during flu season.
Outbreak fears as thousands of health staff turn down flu jabs
Thousands of people could at risk after new figures revealed that less than half of health workers get the flu jab.
Plea to help north-east teachers struggling to support youngsters with mental illnesses
Guidance teachers and classroom assistants are being trained to become therapists as part of a trial scheme to ease a growing mental health crisis.
Damning report lays bare shocking conditions at Aberdeenshire care home
The shocking level of mistreatment pensioners were subjected to by “cruel” workers at a north-east care home has been revealed by inspectors.
Plans unveiled for 26 turbines on Mearns estate
Plans have been unveiled for nearly 30 turbines on a Mearns estate.
Stunning images inspire renewed calls for air ambulance in Aberdeen
Stunning aerial images showing the work of the nation’s charity air ambulance have spurred fresh calls for a second life-saving helicopter to be based in the north-east.
Patients miss more than 30,000 hospital appointments in north-east this year
Patients have failed to turn up for more than 30,000 hospital appointments so far this year, potentially costing NHS Grampian millions of pounds.
Staff shortages slash operation opportunities at north-east hospitals
Staff shortages at NHS Grampian have seen some hospitals’ ability to perform operations slashed by almost one-third in just two years.