Scotland news

• Andy Burnham to offer John Swinney deal to 'hand more power to Scotland's regions'

  15-10-2026 23:30 via heraldscotland.com
  
  Andy Burnham is set to offer John Swinney a deal to empower Scotland’s regions, shifting power from Westminster and Holyrood to boost jobs and growth.
  
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• At least 19 injured in Channel Tunnel collision as Eurostar services suspended

  15-10-2026 21:57 via heraldscotland.com
  
  A major Eurotunnel crash in Pas-de-Calais injures 19 people, including five critically, as Eurostar services between France and the UK are completely suspended.
  
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• George Square £24million redevelopment moves forward as turf put down

  15-10-2026 21:44 via heraldscotland.com
  
  Fresh turf is laid at Glasgow’s George Square as the £24m redevelopment progresses, with landscaping, raised lawns, seating and event spaces taking shape.
  
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• Highland school and nursery closed after fire devastates main building

  15-10-2026 21:25 via heraldscotland.com
  
  Ballachulish Primary School and Nursery has closed after a fire devastated its main building on October 15. Highland Council is seeking alternative pupil space.
  
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• Lockerbie bombing suspect’s alleged confession can be used at US trial

  15-10-2026 19:46 via heraldscotland.com
  
  A US judge in Washington rules an alleged confession can be used at Abu Agila Masud’s Lockerbie bombing trial over Pan Am Flight 103 on January 19.
  
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• Rare Charles Rennie Mackintosh piece sells for £609,850 at auction

  15-10-2026 18:19 via heraldscotland.com
  
  Rare Charles Rennie Mackintosh lantern sells for £609,850 at Lyon & Turnbull auction in Edinburgh, more than 20 times its estimate, alongside Mackintosh works.
  
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• 'Devolution's not a religion' Badenoch raises prospect of nuclear Holyrood power grab

  15-10-2026 17:41 via heraldscotland.com
  
  Kemi Badenoch has raised the prospect of rewriting the Scotland Act to end what she calls the SNP's use of planning rules to veto reserved energy policy, while branding John Swinney a broken record with no answers on drug deaths or education.
  
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• A bright spot in an uncertain outlook for Aberdeen

  15-10-2026 17:30 via heraldscotland.com
  
  As attention turns to Aberdeen for the SNP conference, new analysis suggests the city's office market is enjoying its strongest run in years.
  
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• The SNP's internal independence divide won't disappear after party conference

  15-10-2026 16:47 via heraldscotland.com
  
  This article appears as part of the Unspun: Scottish Politics newsletter.
  
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• RAF plane declares emergency alert after 'minor technical issue' above Scottish base

  15-10-2026 16:20 via heraldscotland.com
  
  RAF Poseidon aircraft triggers Squawk 7700 emergency alert after taking off from RAF Lossiemouth, before safely returning to base with a minor technical issue.
  
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• Fairmont St Andrews unveils a season of festive magic on Scotland's coast

  15-10-2026 16:10 via heraldscotland.com
  
  As the festive season approaches, few places capture the magic of Christmas and New Year quite like Fairmont St Andrews.
  
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• NHS Tayside clarifies status of Emergency Department amid closure rumours

  15-10-2026 15:47 via heraldscotland.com
  
  NHS Tayside says Perth Royal Infirmary Emergency Department will not close as patient numbers rise, urging residents to call NHS 24 on 111 for urgent care.
  
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• SNP MP warns Aberdeen could be 'decimated' ahead of North Sea conference clash

  15-10-2026 15:41 via heraldscotland.com
  
  Kirsty Blackman warns Aberdeen could be "decimated" without a better energy transition as she pressures the SNP and UK Government over the North Sea.
  
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• Shortlist announced for Scottish Album of the Year - here's who made the cut

  15-10-2026 15:30 via heraldscotland.com
  
  The shortlist has been announced for the Scottish Album of the Year Award, including the comeback album by Boards of Canada
  
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• Nearly 1,000 hectares of peatland set for restoration across four local authorities

  15-10-2026 15:22 via heraldscotland.com
  
  Project L plans to restore nearly 1,000 hectares of peatland across the Pentland Hills, spanning Edinburgh, Midlothian, West Lothian and Scottish Borders.
  
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• Almost 500 violent incident injury claims made by Glasgow children's house staff

  15-10-2026 15:11 via heraldscotland.com
  
  Almost 500 violent incident claims were made by staff in Glasgow children’s houses. FOI figures show 98 cases between January and September 2026 alone.
  
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• Firm owned by Lord Willie Haughey unveils rise in turnover to £1.27bn

  15-10-2026 15:02 via heraldscotland.com
  
  A Scottish company founded by high-profile businessman has reported a rise in turnover to £1.27 billion.
  
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• A737 closed and homes evacuated over gas leak incident

  15-10-2026 14:28 via heraldscotland.com
  
  The A737 has been closed to traffic due to a gas leak incident. Police said they received a report of a potential gas leak around 10.45am on Thursday, October 15.
  
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• Scottish social historian to launch new history of British working class in Edinburgh

  15-10-2026 14:07 via heraldscotland.com
  
  An Injury to All, described as “the definitive history of British post war working-class life”, will be released at an event run by Argonaut Books.
  
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• Photo exhibition in Edinburgh tells story of fierce Ukraine war battle

  15-10-2026 13:52 via heraldscotland.com
  
  A photo exhibition telling the story of the defence of a town in Ukraine has been installed in Edinburgh
  
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• Police officer found guilty of rape in Shetland

  15-10-2026 13:39 via heraldscotland.com
  
  A serving officer has been convicted of numerous sexual offences at the High Court in Edinburgh.
  
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• Leith escalates bid for £3m UK Town of Culture prize as deadline approaches

  15-10-2026 13:18 via heraldscotland.com
  
  Leithers of all ages have been invited to Leith Imaginarium on Sunday, October 25 from 12 pm to 4 pm to contribute to the bid, which will net £3m if successful.
  
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• I am slowing down and the ideas don't come as quickly now, admits Ian Rankin

  15-10-2026 13:13 via heraldscotland.com
  
  The bestselling crime writer talks about his first standalone novel in 20 years and his plans for the fictional detective’s 40th anniversary.
  
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• 'A significant moment for Edinburgh': Capital to host G20 finance meeting next summer

  15-10-2026 12:28 via heraldscotland.com
  
  Finance ministers and central bank governors will meet at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on July 8 and 9.
  
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• 'Significant step forward': New Lochaber Hospital moves to next stage of planning

  15-10-2026 12:12 via heraldscotland.com
  
  Plans for the new Lochaber Hospital in Fort William have moved forward after the Scottish Government approved the project's outline business case.
  
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• Fishermen furious after Norwegian trawler catches '12 per cent' of quota in one day

  15-10-2026 11:49 via heraldscotland.com
  
  Fisherman in Shetland have called for urgent government action after more than 12% of the UK's entire quota for saithe was caught by a Norwegian ship in one day
  
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• Witness appeal after woman sexually assaults man on board train

  15-10-2026 11:40 via heraldscotland.com
  
  British Transport Police is appealing for witnesses to come forward following a sexual assault on board a train from Dalmuir to Larkhall.
  
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• Herald Business LIVE: Today's top stories - October 15

  15-10-2026 11:00 via heraldscotland.com
  
  Welcome to The Herald's Business live blog, where we’ll be bringing you the latest developments from across Scotland’s business industry.
  
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• Boy, 17, dies after being found injured on Glasgow street

  15-10-2026 10:52 via heraldscotland.com
  
  Police said they were called to a report of a 17-year-old male found injured following a disturbance in the Ashgill Road area of the city
  
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• Crew of missing fishing vessel off Lewis named by police

  15-10-2026 10:33 via heraldscotland.com
  
  A fisherman who died after his vessel went missing off the Isle of Lewis has been named alongside his missing crewmates.
  
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• Banknotes donated to Edinburgh charity shop fetch £85,000 at auction

  15-10-2026 10:08 via heraldscotland.com
  
  An extraordinary collection of rare banknotes donated to a British Heart Foundation (BHF) shop in Edinburgh has raised an incredible £85,860 at auction to help fund lifesaving research.
  
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• Police probe 'suspicious' fire at flat in Hamilton

  15-10-2026 09:54 via heraldscotland.com
  
  Detectives in Hamilton are appealing for information following a "suspicious" fire.
  
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• 'My sister has been missing for 50 years. I know who killed her'

  15-10-2026 09:17 via heraldscotland.com
  
  Patricia Black vanished in Irvine on October 9, 1976. Her brother says he knows who killed the Saltcoats woman, ruling out Angus Sinclair.
  
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• World faces big challenges but ‘we can be better’, Obama tells Glasgow audience

  15-10-2026 08:54 via heraldscotland.com
  
  Barack Obama has told an audience in Glasgow that hope is worth fighting for despite the big challenges facing the modern world.
  
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• Witness appeal after man racially abused on train between Perth and Dundee

  15-10-2026 08:45 via heraldscotland.com
  
  British Transport Police is appealing for witnesses to come forward after a man was racially abused on a train between Perth and Dundee.
  
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• New city store bolsters IKEA's presence in Scotland

  15-10-2026 08:15 via heraldscotland.com
  
  Swedish home furnishings retailer IKEA has opened its brand-new Plan and Order Point in Aberdeen’s Union Square.
  
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• University bosses warned of serious reputational damage over 90 programme closures

  15-10-2026 07:30 via heraldscotland.com
  
  A motion submitted ahead of the next staff and student Senate meeting calls on university leadership to "reconsider" the decision to close 90 programmes.
  
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• Scots £1.7bn pension scandal branded ‘national disgrace’ amidst more delays

  15-10-2026 07:30 via heraldscotland.com
  
  Scotland's McCloud pension scandal deepens as 37,832 retired public sector workers wait for remedy statements, with further delays for police and teachers.
  
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• Reform UK candidate resigns over claims of ‘nepotism, cronyism and bullying’

  15-10-2026 07:30 via heraldscotland.com
  
  Former Reform UK candidate Paul Bennie resigns, accusing its Scottish leadership of "nepotism, cronyism and bullying" while questioning deputy leader Thomas Kerr’s "fitness for his role".
  
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• Council plans £23.5m hygiene facilities overhaul after EHRC single-sex guidance

  15-10-2026 07:00 via heraldscotland.com
  
  According to the local authority, improvements to the public hygiene facilities could cost as much as £23.5 million in capital funding over a ten-year span.
  
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• Revealed: Audit Scotland warned ethical standards watchdog was risking public trust

  15-10-2026 06:08 via heraldscotland.com
  
  Audit Scotland warned in 2021 that serious failings at Scotland’s Ethical Standards Commissioner’s office risked public trust. A follow-up report found significant challenges remained.
  
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• Teachers doubt Scotland can meet 2030 child poverty target amid rising pupil hardship

  15-10-2026 06:00 via heraldscotland.com
  
  Scottish teachers report rising child poverty, hunger and financial stress among pupils, while only 34% trust ministers to meet 2030 targets.
  
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• Scotland's hybrid working crackdown for civil servants is 'unworkable', union warns

  15-10-2026 06:00 via heraldscotland.com
  
  The Scottish Government has been told its hybrid working crackdown for civil servants is unworkable, according to a trade union chief.
  
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• ‘No standing ovation’: What Greens expect from Gillian Mackay at SNP conference

  15-10-2026 06:00 via heraldscotland.com
  
  Scottish Greens were surprised by Gillian Mackay’s SNP conference invite, with one source admitting they do not expect a “standing ovation”.
  
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• Scottish car dealer placed into compulsory liquidation after HMRC court action

  15-10-2026 05:40 via heraldscotland.com
  
  A Scottish city car sales company has been placed into liquidation.
  
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• Three in four Scottish firms expect price rises as costs pile on pressure

  15-10-2026 05:30 via heraldscotland.com
  
  Scottish business confidence has returned to positive territory, but most firms still expect to raise prices amid continuing pressure on revenues and profits
  
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• Unions urge Andy Burnham to reject controversial Rosebank oil development

  15-10-2026 01:01 via heraldscotland.com
  
  A group of 10 national unions have signed an open letter to Andy Burnham urging him not to approve the Rosebank oil field
  
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