John Swinney, the first minister, said on Wednesday any defence contractors who wanted financial help in Scotland would have to prove their products would not be used by the Israel Defense Forces. He said governments around the world needed to take urgent action in response to the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where there was now plausible evidence of genocide. The scale of suffering [in Gaza] is unimaginable, he told the Scottish parliament on Wednesday.
There were 1,017 drug misuse deaths in 2024, down 155 from the previous year. National Records of Scotland said the latest figure was the lowest annual number since 2017. It brings the total in a decade to 10,884. After adjusting for age, there were 191 drug misuse deaths per million people in Scotland in 2024. According to the most recent European data, the next highest rate was Estonia with 135 deaths per million in 2023.
A ferry linking Scotland to Europe could be one step closer to reality after a key border obstacle may be resolved. Ferry operator DFDS is planning on launching a service between the town of Rosyth in Fife, Scotland, and Dunkirk in France, as early as spring 2026, allowing for both passengers and freight to be transported between the countries.
Smoke can be seen across Edinburgh after a huge wildfire broke out on the beloved landmark Arthur's Seat. Emergency services were alerted to the blaze just after 4pm on Sunday, with four fire trucks sent to the scene. People have been advised to avoid the area. No casualties have been reported so far.
The British & Irish Lions squad in Australia continues to grow with the addition of three Scotland players—Rory Sutherland, Ewan Ashman, and Darcy Graham—for the First Nations & Pasifika XV fixture.
Owning this island means stewarding a timeline that far outpaces modern memory, rich with remnants from both the Stone Age and Iron Age.
The reopening of Orchardton Tower highlights Scotland's unique architectural heritage, marking it as the only free-standing circular tower house still standing—a testament to 15th-century noble life.