Scottish companies will be helped to expand to boost productivity
A plan to close the productivity gap in Scotland has been set out, including support to help Scottish firms go global.
Scotland
Scottish retailers endure tough month but food sales up year-on-year
Retail sales in Scotland have fallen, with inflation and wider economic pressures cited as reasons for consumer caution.
Police mentor programme gets funding to tackle young re-offenders
A scheme to prevent young people from becoming repeat offenders has been given lottery funding.
Mundell ‘did not threaten to quit’ over Brexit deal
David Mundell has refuted allegations he told the Prime Minister he would quit the cabinet if a Brexit deal saw Northern Ireland split from the UK.
Concerns raised over three missing teenage girls
Concerns have been raised over three teenage girls who have been reported missing for almost 24 hours.
Specialist resources deployed to open A83 diversion overnight
Specialist resources are being deployed overnight to avoid motorists facing a 60-mile reroute on the landslip-hit A83.
Bird of prey poisonings at record low, official figures show
The number of birds of prey being poisoned has dropped to a record low, according to official figures.
Winter deaths in Scotland hit ‘staggering’ 18-year high
A charity has described the number of winter deaths in Scotland as “staggering”, with statistics showing an increase to the highest level in 18 years.
Mother and baby son found after going missing from Aberdeenshire
A mother and her two-week-old son who went missing from Aberdeenshire at the weekend have been found. Olivia Nalwanga, 29, and Zeus had last been seen on Saturday in Banchory-Devenick. Police Scotland has now said the pair have been traced “safe and well” in London.
Union members urged to reject £350m local government pay offer
A union has told its members to reject a £350 million local government pay deal in a consultative ballot.
Ex-lover of woman paralysed in bed fall during sex ‘laughed before realising she was hurt’
The former lover of a woman left paralysed after she was “catapulted” from her bed during sex has told the High Court he laughed at her fall – before realising she was seriously hurt.
Dozens of firefighters called to blaze at historic castle where Madonna married Guy Ritchie
Dozens of firefighters were called to a blaze at a historic Highland castle.
Attempted murder probe after man suffers serious head injuries in Livingston
An appeal for information has been launched after the attempted murder of a man in Livingston.
Prince of Wales raises glass to royal baby news
A smiling Prince of Wales revealed on a tour of a whisky distillery he had toasted news of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s baby “several times”.
Murder probe as man dies after stabbing in Wishaw
A murder inquiry has been launched after the fatal stabbing of a man outside a house in North Lanarkshire.
Skibo Castle management pay tribute to emergency services after blaze
Bosses at a historic Highland castle have thanked emergency services for their quick actions to contain a fire that broke out in the roof.
Scots urged to get flu jabs as winter deaths hit 18-year high
The number of winter deaths is at its highest level in almost 20 years.
Church of Scotland to close two-thirds of its kirks on Shetland
The Church of Scotland will close two-thirds of its churches on Shetland under plans to meet the “challenges” of ministry in the 21st century.
Unemployment rate in Scotland drops to 3.9%
The unemployment rate in Scotland has fallen to 3.9%, slightly below the UK as a whole.
Prince Charles to tour Royal Deeside distillery
The Prince of Wales is to visit a whisky distillery with a historic royal connection.