The National • 15th January 2026

Fears over plan for Scotland to host 'biggest data centre cluster on earth'

Local concerns come after it was revealed to residents that the developer of the site, the ILI group, had never booked any venue for public consultations.

Further, both East Ayrshire Council and the developers set out dates for residents to attend public consultations that were later cancelled with short notice.

Local mum Lisa Beacham said: “Councillors had been actively telling residents to make themselves available for these public consultations, but I’ve received confirmation that the...

Press and Journal • 3rd December 2024

Smile Scotland founder's favourite memories, and weirdest items sold, over 10 years of incredible work

Smile Scotland is a charity that was established 10 years ago with one aim — to help individuals with poor mental health or minor convictions to get back on their feet in the long term.
In the past decade, it has helped changed many lives through its work of upcycling furniture and auctioning off all sorts of weird and wonderful items.
Its founder Clive Hampshire says the origin of Smile Scotland came during a discussion about what other charities were doing to help these people, and asking: “Wh...

Daily Record • 2nd September 2025

The School Bank West Lothian helping children participate and learn with dignity

Last year alone, The School Bank West Lothian provided more than 3,000 school uniform packs to local families, and diverted over 4,000 kilos of clothing from landfill, writes Beth Templeton.

Behind these figures are families who would struggle otherwise to send their children to school with the basics, like a warm coat, a pair of gym shoes, or even clothes for pre-school.

Founded in 2015 by local parents who saw the crisis within the community, The School Bank West Lothian now works with a sim...

The Herald • 2nd October 2025

Dog theft law ‘must not ignore abuse victims’, ex-minister warns

The Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill makes stealing a dog a standalone offence, meaning individuals would be prosecuted outwith common law, under which dog theft is currently pursued.

MSPs voted unanimously on Thursday night to back the general principles at stage one.

Introducing his Bill “on behalf of dog owners and lovers across Scotland,” Mr Golden told MSPs: “Losing a dog is heartbreaking and traumatic whatever the circumstances. Losing a dog as a result of theft compounds that trauma....

The National • 11th February 2026

How Scotland aims to tackle gender-based violence on campuses

New measures have been introduced which require higher education institutions (HEIs) to take further steps to prevent and respond to GBV on campus.

Introduced on January 20, it requires all post-16 education bodies in Scotland to address GBV on campus and provide support for students experiencing abuse.

All HEIs will have to report annually to the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) as a condition of the funding they receive.

READ MORE: First look at CrossCountry's £75 million refurbishme...

Press and Journal • 23rd October 2024

Scottish football booze ban: 'Classist' and 'absurd', or necessary? We hear from those for and against

It’s a question that seems to come around every year – why is drinking booze at Scottish football grounds still banned?
Pints have not been permitted for fans in the stands since trouble at the 1980 Scottish Cup final.
The prospect of lifting the ban made headlines again recently after health secretary Neil Gray said he’d give “serious consideration” to any proposals.
However, he later clarified that his government was not currently considering allowing booze to be sold again generally at games,...

The National • 11th February 2026

Success for walk-in centre that will ‘revolutionise Scottish mental health support’

The Nook is the first ever network of walk-in mental health support hubs in Scotland, set up by charity SAMH. With their first hub in Glasgow exceeding expectations, SAMH spoke to The National about how the space will ‘revolutionise Scottish mental health support’.

The Nook opened in Glasgow in October 2025, offering free, walk-in mental health and wellbeing support with no appointment or referral required.

Now, as SAMH begins construction on a second site in Aberdeen, the charity says t...

The National • 10th February 2026

'I lived in England during the race riots, here's what I'm scared to see in Scotland'

To grew up as the son of two immigrants in the Southside of Glasgow before moving to Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, to study art in the early 2000s.

He remembers the presence of the British National Party (BNP) on local councils, and the outbreak of the 2001 race riots in English towns.

Speaking to The National, To said he sees worrying parallels between what he witnessed in England and the current political climate in Scotland.

READ MORE: Second votes for the SNP will lead to more Re...