Scotland’s relationship with the United States of America will be celebrated through a new tartan to celebrate 250 years of American independence. A new design by Kaci McEwan, a student from Heriot-Watt University’s School of Textiles and Design, has been selected as a symbol of the historic and cultural ties between Scotland and the United States.
£2 Bus Fare Scheme Drives Accessible and Sustainable Travel Across the Highlands With the school holidays approaching, The Highland Council is encouraging residents and visitors to make the most of the £2 single fare cap on its in-house bus services. The initiative is helping to make public transport more accessible and affordable, particularly for families looking for low-cost ways to travel during the summer months.
More than 100,000 faster broadband connections have now been delivered to homes and businesses across Scotland through the £600 million R100 programme. The milestone marks significant progress in bringing faster, more reliable broadband to communities across Scotland, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
The renewed exchange of fire between Israel and Iran has once again pushed global oil markets into a state of heightened anxiety. Each time the conflict flares, traders immediately price in the risk of disruption to Middle Eastern supply routes especially the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil passes every day.
The Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has concluded her visit to two key world powers, China and India. The Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has concluded her visit to two key world powers China and India Her agenda has focused on issues crucial for the UK national interest, including freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and artificial intelligence.
The closure and militarisation of the Strait of Hormuz in 2026 has forced Middle Eastern producers into a frantic search for alternative export routes. With around 20% of the world’s oil normally passing through this narrow waterway, the region has been pushed into the most serious energy logistics crisis in decades.
UK interest rates are far too high, and the Bank of England is making a serious mistake by keeping them that way. Mortgage holders are paying more, renters are facing rising housing costs, businesses are struggling to invest, and public services are under increasing pressure.
For centuries, naval power has been measured by the size of a nation's fleet. The British Empire ruled the waves through its battleships and the United States has dominated the oceans for decades through its aircraft carrier strike groups.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom, President Emmanuel Macron of France, and Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine. They reiterated their unwavering support for Ukraine in its defence against Russia’s illegal invasion and next steps in negotiations to support a just and lasting peace.
Fertiliser prices are rising again and there is a genuine shortage risk for 2026, especially for UK farmers including Scotland according to multiple industry and economic sources. The pressure is coming from Middle East conflict, tariffs, logistics bottlenecks, and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries a huge share of global fertiliser shipments.
New property tax rates from 6 April 2027 for landlords who own rental property personally. The Renters' Rights Act - impacting multiple areas such as evictions and rent increases.
Highland Council's education committee members have praised the apprenticeship programmes offering more young people the chance to learn skills and equip them for the world of work. Foundation Apprenticeships (FAs) and Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) in Highland are growing strongly, with participation now well above national averages.
If you want to understand the future of the Thurso schools project, you don’t need to look at Edinburgh’s spreadsheets or Holyrood’s deficit forecasts. You only need to walk down Wick High Street.
Time to get real as it is always great to see headlines for a £100million in a schools project in Thurso but we have already got proof that headlines do not build anything. The NHS Highland Health Hubs for Thurso and Wick project is one very real project announced many years ago and still not delivered still at yet another stage so what hope for Thurso schools.
Scotland stands at a crossroads in preparing its young people for adulthood. As the economy becomes increasingly digital, cashless, and complex, the ability to manage money is no longer a soft skill — it is a survival skill.
This video is a short introduction. The war is being finance by debt and nobody in USA was asked not the people or the congress.
Americans are using credit cards to fill a widening gap between income and expenses Credit‑card balances reached $1.28 trillion in Q4 2025, a 5.5% annual increase, even though personal incomes rose during the same period. Savings rates collapsed from 6.2% in early 2024 to 4.0% in 2026, meaning people are earning more but saving less — and turning to credit to survive.
Raised standards for recruiting foreign students come amid continued visa abuse. Student asylum claims already down 30% as government action delivers results.
UK research organisations attract new wave of 10 leading international researchers, and new performance stats highlight UK’s progress as part of Horizon Europe. UK research organisations attract new wave of 10 leading international researchers to drive breakthroughs in clean energy, life sciences and advanced technologies through UKRI’s Global Talent Fund.
Ten new jobs have been created following efficiency improvements and increased production at Orkney Crab Ltd in Stromness. Ten new jobs have been created following efficiency improvements and increased production at Orkney Crab Ltd in Stromness.