Archive
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Dundee United's Mark Reynolds on positive results and Shankland's return to form
TWO WEEKS can be a long time in football – and Tannadice is a far more optimistic place than it was a fortnight ago. READ MORE: Dundee United 3-0 Livingston: Shankland makes it click for Mellon's men At the end of January, Micky Mellon’s side
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‘Once in a generation’ lie needs to be rejected even more forcefully
I WATCHED Question Time this week, at least for a time, before deciding whether to throw a brick through my TV or simply switch off. In consideration of my pittance of a pension, I did the latter. It is patently obvious that the BBC does not understand
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Will the next Trump-led insurrection be more violent and better organised?
The US Republican Party wants the world to believe that it was a “monstrous lie” that Donald Trump had inspired and in effect ordered his ultra-right-wing fascist followers to carry out the insurrection of the Capitol building, leading to deaths and
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Even pushed to its limits, devolution will never be good enough for Scotland
THIS week, we hit a major milestone: one million vaccines delivered. Scotland is racing ahead of the rest of Europe in our vaccination programme - and while we must not be complacent, it is beginning to feel as if we are finally turning a corner
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Alister Jack panned for claim SNP to blame for Boris Johnson's unpopularity
THE SNP have hit out at Scottish Secretary Alister Jack after he claimed that Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s unpopularity north of the Border proves Scots have him “all wrong”. Jack, speaking to the Telegraph, claimed that Johnson’s image problem
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SNP’s focus on independence must be the glue that binds the party
IF nothing else, the past week has provided ample proof that a week in politics can be a very long time indeed. A few days ago I read in your columns John Curtice’s masterful analysis of the present state of the SNP and was comforted by the concluding
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Independence is the issue that matters – and this bickering will get us nowhere
I HAVE just come in from the driving rain after attending to the needs of my sheep, who like me have had to cope with the effects of a couple of days of driving snow blizzards and up to three feet deep drifts. I had my Covid sharp-pointy over-80 addition
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Alister Jack backs 'Boris Burrow' tunnel from Scotland to Northern Ireland
ALISTER Jack thinks it's a great idea, but not all of his colleagues agree. If reports are to be believed, Boris Johnson's 25-mile tunnel from Scotland to Northern Ireland could be greenlit within weeks. The idea for the tunnel was floated
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Ruth Wishart: Does being a LibDem mean never having to say you're sorry?
DIFFICULT as you will find this to believe, journalists have been known to use sweary words. Truth to tell having been “brought up” in a newspaper environment full of blokes, my own vocabulary expanded quite spectacularly quite quickly. So
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The SNP Common Weal Group are ordinary party members, not entryists
MARTIN Hannan's National Extra article on Thursday was interesting reading for the SNP Common Weal Group (Why I have resigned from the SNP after 20 years of membership, February 11). Indeed one of the reasons the CWG was set up was to try to argue
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A portal into scenic Scotland which will alleviate your lockdown wanderlust
AMASS with immaculate beaches, magnificent castles, cultural attractions, and captivating ancient heritage - Scotland has countless world class sights within its borders. Though we can't go more than five miles from our local area due to the latest
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UK assets will not revert to being English after independence
WE are regaled about questions on indy about the future. In 2014 someone even asked about the cost of a first class stamp in Scotland after indy? The individual forgot one important point – that an independent Scotland could have one postal rate for
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WATCH: Tory minister refuses to say he'd vote to impeach Donald Trump
THE UK Foreign Secretary has refused to confirm whether he would have voted to convict Donald Trump for his role in the US Capitol riot. Dominic Raab insisted he did not want to "get dragged into" a debate about the former president’s impeachment
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Nicola Sturgeon will have to resign if she broke ministerial conduct code, says expert
NICOLA Sturgeon must resign if she is found to have breached the ministerial code, a standards expert has warned ahead of her appearance at Holyrood’s Alex Salmond inquiry. Sir Alistair Graham, a former chairman of the Commons committee on standards
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Hotel quarantine: UK Government 'loophole' puts Scotland at risk as Raab rejects tougher rules
THE UK Government is threatening Scotland's traveller quarantine plan by keeping a "loophole" open, SNP Transport Secretary Michael Matheson claims. Holyrood ministers fear Westminster's failure to put all new arrivals into hotel quarantine will
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Scotland records four Covid deaths and 903 positive coronavirus cases
SCOTLAND has recorded four further deaths from coronavirus in the past 24 hours, according to the latest figures. However, as registry offices are generally closed on weekends this figure may appear lower than it truly is. Of the 13,808 new
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My interfering smart watch really is becoming a step too far
IT sat winking at me from its shiny packaging all through January, shelved along with the New Year resolutions. Come February, the existence of the smartwatch had to be acknowledged. That was a loaded gift if ever there was one. Obviously the Quarter
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Temperatures in Scotland set to rise to double figures after weather warnings
FREEZING rain, treacherous ice, and 80mph wind will conclude Scotland's cold snap, with conditions forecast to improve tomorrow as temperatures are predicted to rise to 10C. Strong winds are predicted to hit parts of western Scotland until midnight
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Alex Cole-Hamilton urged to offer 'full apology' for swearing at female minister
ALEX Cole-Hamilton has been asked to offer "a full, unequivocal apology" after he admitted swearing at a female Scottish Government minister during a Holyrood committee meeting. The LibDem MSP was caught on camera mouthing an expletive at Maree
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Plaid Cymru leader has a dig at Boris Johnson in message to Nicola Sturgeon
PLAID Cymru leader Adam Price has shared a message of solidarity with Nicola Sturgeon after Scotland were defeated by Wales in the Six Nations, while criticising Boris Johnson for having the devolved administrations “on mute”. Sturgeon congratulated
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Woman in Alex Salmond trial rejects 'utterly absurd' conspiracy claim
A WOMAN who made a criminal complaint against Alex Salmond has today dismissed his claim as "utterly absurd" that her case was part of a conspiracy to bring him down. But in a television interview she also hit out at both the Scottish Government
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Bereavement charity Cruse Scotland on helping Scotland to grieve
A NATIONAL bereavement charity has revealed how it is helping Scotland cope with loss during the pandemic. More than 6700 people in Scotland have died following a positive coronavirus test since the crisis began. The figure does not include
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Highland test centre staff claim ‘catalogue of failures’ led to Covid-19 outbreak
MITIE workers at a Covid-19 test centre in Inverness, which was at the centre of a coronavirus outbreak, have alleged that a “catalogue of failures” by the company contributed to multiple staff falling ill. The test centre shut on January
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Things A Bright Girl Can Do shows complexity of human relationships
Things A Bright Girl Can Do by Sally Nicholls Published by Andersen Press LEARNING about World War One at school would always involve time spent on the suffrage movement. It would be impossible not to mention the movement that was growing every
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Hansel and Gretel by Scottish Opera review: A fairytale for times of Covid
TWO siblings find themselves outcast and alone, wandering around helplessly, with no prospect of good counsel from their hapless father. But that’s enough about Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump. Let us turn, instead, to something much more edifying,
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What's on in Scotland this week? Seven good ideas for seven days
1. SECTARIANISM and homophobia are a scourge on our society and we need to address these issues and we need to do that now. An event that hopes to help is organised by the football v homophobia youth panel – a panel discussion, bringing together queer
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Back in the Day: Glaswegian pioneer of environmental chemistry should be recognised
WHEN COP26 comes to Glasgow in some form later this year, the organisers must make sure that those attending or spectating at home become aware of the extraordinary contribution to the science of environmental chemistry made by a Glaswegian, Angus
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The economic factors driving Capitol rioters are mirrored in post-Brexit UK
‘WHEN America sneezes, the world catches a cold.” It one of the hoariest old cliches of journalism and one that feels quaintly dated in the days of the Covid-19 pandemic. But this week, the sentiment was constantly on my mind, as I reflected on Donald
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Covid cases top calls to NHS Scotland whistleblowing hotline, report reveals
CORONAVIRUS concerns made up one third of cases for the NHS whistleblowing hotline in the most recent six months, a report has shown. Calls to the Whistleblowing Alert and Advice Services for NHS Scotland are published at regular intervals.
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All Scottish churches must reveal historic links to slavery, clergyman says
EVERY Scottish church building paid for with slavery proceeds should bear a public declaration, a clergyman says. Reverend Yousouf Gooljary says the 40,000-member Scottish Episcopal Church (SEC), to which he belongs is “years behind” on addressing
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This is the problem with Darren McGarvey's representation of middle-class Scotland
‘ALL my life, people have been insisting that social class is no longer relevant” Darren McGarvey says in the opening of Class Wars, a new documentary series whose first episode aired on BBC Scotland this week. Darren’s mission? To “prove to you just
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Five fun ways you can spend Valentine's Day during lockdown — plus Covid guidelines
Valentine's Day 2021 is set to be different from any other, however, that does not mean you cannot make it one to remember. Going out to restaurants and bars, jetting off for the weekend or even a city break might be currently out of the equation
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Countdown for bill to pave way for independence referendum begins
THE Scottish Government will set out the timing and potential question for a second independence referendum within the next few weeks. Constitution Secretary Michael Russell told a meeting of Ayr constituency branches last week that the draft bill
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Who will speak up for a democratic England in the slow break-up of Britain?
THE UK is in major flux. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are increasingly in a different political space and marching to their own beats. Westminster day by day underlines its incompetence and unfitness, which leaves us with the huge topic of
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New independence campaign that compares Boris Johnson to Donald Trump launched
A NEW independence billboard campaign is being launched today which will compare Boris Johnson to Donald Trump for his “denial of democracy” over a second referendum. The adverts will also highlight concerns over the state pension and how Scotland
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Andrew Wilson rejects claim Scots will struggle to get mortgages after independence
THE key architect of the SNP’s plans for an independent Scotland has dismissed claims that Scots will face problems getting mortgages after leaving the UK as “absurd”. Economist Andrew Wilson, who headed the party’s Growth Commission, rejected
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Former BBC journalist Gavin Esler: 'There is complacency in Westminster'
THERE is “complacency and self-satisfaction in Westminster” and England will have to “confront big issues” if Scotland achieves independence, according to former BBC journalists Gavin Esler. Speaking to the Sunday National ahead of the launch of
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Mental health concerns for families homeschooling during lockdown
MUM-OF-THREE Louise MacGregor candidly sums up the homeschooling experience of thousands of parents and children across the country in one word: “Hell”. A staggered return to the classroom is due to begin next week but even if all schools are fully
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Obi Wan living in Saltcoats? Fanfiction shines in spotlight
EVER found yourself thinking what would have happened in Outlander if the Jacobites had won at Culloden? Or maybe, when you were reading the Harry Potter books, you pondered about how the story would have unfolded if only Cedric Diggory had touched
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Youth Weekender event will shine light on female filmmakers
A NEW free online weekend of film aimed at young audiences is being launched at the end of this month. The event is intended to shine light on women filmmakers and will also present a “film course showcase” designed to arm future film students
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Shirley-Anne Somerville: This is how the Scottish Government is tackling child poverty
THE Scottish Child Payment will play a vital role in reducing child poverty This, the 10th and newest benefit to be provided through the Scottish Government’s social security agency starts tomorrow and will improve the lives of the youngest in our
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Pro-independence bloc in fresh bid for a mandate as Catalonia votes in election
NOTHING is certain in politics but, as voters go to the polls in Catalonia this Valentine’s Day, they can be sure of one thing – there is no love lost between the pro-independence lobby and the Catalan Socialist Party (PSC). Unlike Scotland where
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St Valentine’s Day massacre of morals by a UK Government made up of spivs and gangsters
THE notorious Valentine’s Day massacre took place in 1929 as bands of thugs in Chicago battled it out for supremacy. It resulted in the murder of seven members of Chicago’s North Side Gang. The men gathered at a garage on the morning of February
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Ruth Wishart: Brace yourself. The UK is going to throw everything at Yes movement
PRE-HOLYROOD, the least enviable gig in politics used to be shadow Scottish Secretary of State. In those days the Secretary of State himself, always a him, used to have a battery of civil servants to cover the various domestic briefs on which he had
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Michael Russell: Brexit and independence are two sides of the same coin
WHILE the UK Government continues to spout denial and disinformation about the deepening problems caused by their disastrous Brexit deal those affected are becoming ever more voluble. On Thursday the chief executive of the Scottish Fisherman’s
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Blackout: The story of the Scottish coal industry's slow death
IN March 2002, miners surfaced from their final shift following the flooding of Scotland’s last deep mine at the Longannet complex. They brought the curtain down on a centuries-long historical saga. My new book tells the story of the end of Scottish
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Historic clock where couples met is restored in time for Valentine's Day
THE years have been turned back at a romantic meeting point in a Valentine’s Day restoration. Courting couples began meeting under the Binns Clock in Edinburgh after the former department store installed the streetside timepiece in 1960. But
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Yes Scotland chair Dennis Canavan in 'complacency' warning over independence poll results
THE former chair of Yes Scotland has warned against "complacency" after 21 straight polls revealed more Scots want independence. Dennis Canavan was a Labour MP before serving as an independent MSP. He was made chairman of the Yes Scotland advisory
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Douglas Ross earns more in 90 minutes than year of Universal Credit uplift
THE SNP has criticised the Scottish Tory leader for keeping his “highly paid hobby” as an assistant referee while his party plans to cut support for the poorest in society. Latest figures from the MP’s register of financial interests show Douglas
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Scottish farmers: 'The connection thing is what people are missing’
FARMERS who have been struggling with the isolation of lockdown are being encouraged to reach out to each other for their own mental health. Dr John Locke, chairman of the Stewartry branch of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) Scotland, knows how
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Scottish farmers optimistic despite Brexit difficulties, NFU conference reveals
SCOTTISH farming has called on Europe to help sort out the current Brexit difficulties between them, particularly over transportation and seed potatoes, for the good of all. The National Farmers Union Scotland wrapped up its annual conference,
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Give SNP both votes in May to get Scotland back into the EU
IN a boxing match, if one fighter is on jelly legs and close to landing face first on the canvas, their trainer would throw in the towel and get them out of the ring before any further damage is inflicted. The Brexit deal was looking to its corner
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Soma Records to host electronic music event on future of the industry
AN event designed for anyone interested in a career in the electronic music industry is to be held on February 27 and 28. Hosted by Soma Records, it will include a focus on the effects of the pandemic on different sectors of the industry and what
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Demand for transparency over Prince Charles's contact with Government
CAMPAIGNERS have called for more transparency over Prince Charles’s contact with the UK Government. The heir to the throne was in correspondence with the Foreign Office and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) last year
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‘Zoomshock’ about to hit Scotland’s city centres with poorest hit hardest
SCOTLAND’S neighbourhoods will be permanently changed because of the “zoomshock” impact of more people working from home during the pandemic, according to researchers. With pictures of empty city centre streets during lockdown now common, Glasgow
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Scotland hit by deep-freeze as temperatures plummet to -21.9C
WITH Scotland dipping to its coldest temper-atures for 35 years, and minus 21.9°C recorded in Braemar in Aberdeenshire in midweek, global warming may have been furthest from people’s minds. But while former US president Donald Trump and climate
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3D innovative medical designs developed at Scottish university
INNOVATIONS designed to deal with major health issues such as breast cancer and high blood pressure have been developed by masters students at a Scottish university. The power of 3D digital technology has been harnessed for use by students on the
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Extra £40 payment for Scottish families to begin in anti-poverty drive
AN ambitious anti-poverty measure unique to Scotland is set to go live tomorrow with an estimated 173,000 children eligible to benefit this financial year. The new benefit will give eligible families on tax credits or certain benefits an extra
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Could Scotland provide the leadership needed to save the planet?
THE Scottish Government is ignoring a once-in-a-century opportunity: leading the transition to a carbon-zero economy. By going along with the business-as-usual model, as perfected by Westminster, Scotland is allowing itself to be led by the charming
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Launch of GB News is a reminder media is dominated by elite right-wing voices
DESPITE the efforts of this parish and many others (Double Down News, Open Democracy, Byline Times, The Ferret) the attempt to democratise the media is under assault. Three recent examples spring to mind: the imminent launch of Andrew Neil’s GB
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David Pratt: The biggest loser of Trump's impeachment trial was America itself
‘THERE are two courts here: there is the United States Senate... and the court of public opinion.” These were the words of well-known US political analyst and Democratic strategist Mary Anne Marsh on Friday attempting to sum up the prevailing mood
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Disabled SNP members abused online over Holyrood list change, candidate says
SNP members with disabilities were subjected to vicious online abuse over leaked legal advice about measures to increase diversity in Holyrood, it has emerged. Guidance was published on Wings Over Scotland after the SNP’s ruling National Executive
