Category: Scotland

Scots Urged Not to Evade COVID-19 Rules by Celebrating New Year in England

The Scottish government has warned people not to evade the region’s more stringent COVID-19 rules by travelling to neighbouring England for New Year celebrations. Scotland’s Deputy First Minister John Swinney said on Dec. 29 that it would be the “wrong course of action” for Scottish residents to mark Hogmanay—or New Year—on the other side of…


New COVID-19 Restrictions Come Into Force in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland

The local administrations of Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have introduced new COVID-19 restrictions on Boxing Day despite new data showing the Omicron variant is much milder than previous strains. In Wales, a maximum of six people are allowed to meet in pubs, cinemas, and restaurants, and a total of 30 people are allowed at…


A Scottish Architectural Gem: Careston Castle

For the first time in more than a century, Careston Castle, one of Scotland’s most famous estates, is on the market for $3,863,467 (2,900,000 pounds). This historic manor, which has elements dating from the 13th century, has been meticulously restored and maintained as a cherished family home for decades. Situated in the heart of the…


Bird Flu Outbreak Confirmed in Scotland

Scotland reported a highly pathogenic bird flu in a free-range flock of hens near Gretna, Dumfriesshire, Dumfries, and Galloway, which prompted the government to impose restrictions at the commercial premises where the influenza was detected. In a statement on Dec. 3, the Scottish government said the remaining birds at the premises would be “humanely culled”…


Ofgem Launches Review Into Energy Network Companies’ Response to Storm Arwen

The UK’s Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) has launched a review on Friday into the response to Storm Arwen as more than ten thousand have been left without power for a week. The energy regulator said the review will focus on the role of the network companies in maintaining the resilience of the system and…


All Known Omicron Cases in Scotland Linked to ‘A Single Private Event’

None of the known Omicron CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus cases in Scotland had a recent travel history, but they’re all linked to the same event, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said on Tuesday. It comes as three more cases were identified in the country, bringing the total number of Scotland’s Omicron cases to nine, and the total UK…


6 Cases of Omicron Variant Found in Scotland, Some With No Travel History

Six cases of the Omicron CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus variant have been found in Scotland, the government said on Monday. Not all of the cases had a recent travel history, suggesting some level of community transmission. Four of the cases were identified in the Lanarkshire area, with the other two in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area,…


Scotland’s Vaccine Passport Scheme Will Not Be Expanded to More Venues

Hospitality businesses in Scotland responded “incredibly positively” after it is confirmed they won’t have to check customers’ vaccine passports. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said on Tuesday that it would not be proportionate at this time to go ahead with the plan to extend the scheme to cinemas, theatres, and hospitality premises. She also said the current…


‘Absolutely No Evidence’ Vaccine Passports Boosted Uptake in Scotland: Government Adviser

No evidence suggests vaccine passports have increased the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccines in Scotland, a government adviser said on Sunday. Stephen Reicher, a psychology professor who’s in the Scottish government’s COVID-19 Advisory Group and the UK government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, said the increase rate of CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus vaccinations in…


Violent Behaviour Rises Among Scottish Pupils During Lockdown: Teaching Union

Violent behaviour has increased among Scottish schoolchildren during the COVID-19 lockdowns, most notably in young pupils aged 4 to 6, a teaching union has warned. In written evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Education Committee, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), a trade union representing teachers, reported that there has been “an increase in violent incidents…