An historic 14th century tower is to be handed over to the care of the National Trust for Scotland.
The Alloa Tower, in Clackmannanshire, is the first heritage property acquired by conservation charity in seven years.
A special ceremony has been held to mark the handover of RAF Leuchars to the army. The Fife base, near St Andrews, has been an RAF station since 1920. It was announced five years ago that its air force status was to end as part of the Ministry of Defence’s strategic defence and security review. … Read more
Edinburgh University has vaulted into the top 30 of the best universities in the world. The Scottish capital’s university has climbed from 46th place to 29th in the latest Times Higher Education Reputation Rankings and is the only Scottish institution in the list. “Our rise in these rankings is not only great news for the … Read more
Inverness is the happiest place to live in Scotland, according to a survey which asked people how contented they are with their home and community. The Highlands city came second in the UK, with Falkirk coming fifth in the list of the happiest places to live in Britain. Although not in the UK top ten, … Read more
Drinks giant Diageo has set its sights on tackling youth unemployment in Scotland by launching a £5 million training program for young people. The Bell’s and Johnnie Walker distiller has initially targeted the hospitality industry with the Learning for Life program, aiming to put 200 job candidates through the scheme this year. But it later … Read more
A rare bottle of The Macallan M single malt whisky has sold for over £380,000 at a charity auction in Hong Kong. The ‘Imperiale’ six-litre bottle of the exclusive 44.7% single malt went under the hammer at Sotheby’s auction house in Hong Kong. Named ‘Constantine’, the bottle is one of only four ever created, with … Read more
Lord Alistair McAlpine, former patron of The Saint Andrew Society of WA, has died in England, aged 71. As a member of a famous construction dynasty, Alistair McAlpine had a household name from birth. His grandfather Sir Robert, known as “Concrete Bob”, founded the firm, which remains one of the biggest builders in the UK, … Read more
A very Happy New Year to you and yours at the beginning of what promises to be an extraordinary year for Scotland. There will be: * the Homecoming 2014, the second such event, that hopes to build on the success of the 2009 inititive* the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn* the Commonwealth Games … Read more
A new cycling event is to be held on roads around Loch Ness in 2014. The 109km Etape Loch Ness in May, which will raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, is expected to attract as many as 1000 riders. It will start and finish in Inverness and follow the A82 on the north side of … Read more
New census figures show Scotland’s islands are enjoying a population boom, as people are attracted by the lifestyles and work in the new green-energy industry. The increase over the past decade is highest on Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles, which have been said to be the happiest places to live in the UK. There … Read more
