Explainer: what Scotland’s new citizen assemblies could mean for democracy: Polarisation. Paralysis. Politicians at each other’s throats. The crisis engulfing Westminster for the past year has not given the best impression of British parliamentary democracy at work. Theresa May’s failure to get her Brexit deal through after three attempts resulted in her losing her job. …
BBC Scotland’s new channel: a fresh start that reflects a devolved UK: Shutterstock We live in an ever-expanding TV universe with new channels appearing regularly. Still, it might seem surprising that the BBC, with all its financial problems, has launched with much fanfare a new digital channel in Scotland. So, given the tight budgets and …
Women in STEM: how gender inequality could damage Scotland’s economy: Negative assumptions about the place of women and girls in STEM need to be challenged. Shutterstock Like much of the world, Scotland has a problem with gender equality when it comes to science, technology, engineering and maths. From a very young age, outdated assumptions about …
Scotland’s attainment gap: three ways to bridge the educational divide: shutterstock crop The UK has one of the most socially segregated school systems in the developed world, with academic selection – where children are admitted to a school on the basis of ability – and parental choice at its core. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation …
Scotland’s most remote islands don’t want to be in ‘inset maps’ any more: Serban Bogdan / shutterstock Take a 12 hour ferry north from mainland Scotland, and you’ll reach the Shetland Isles – the northernmost place in the UK. The only part of Britain to be considered “subarctic”, the archipelago of about 100 islands is …
Nan Shepherd: move aside Robert Burns, it’s time to celebrate Scotland’s identity with a woman: Nan Shepherd on the RBS £5 note. The half-light of these weary January days will soon be lit up by the linguistic thrills of Burns Night. This international celebration of Robert Burns’ timeless poetry will see millions across the world …
Scotland’s new Queensferry Crossing reveals how smart technologies monitor and maintain the health of bridges: Shutterstock Two months after the opening of the newest bridge across the Firth of Forth in Scotland, it is possible to reflect on the advances in technology over the three consecutive centuries that have seen three great icons of engineering …
Aaargh midges: but Scotland’s bitey critters may hold the key to malaria: Bonnie Scotland. Malago Even among the greatest enthusiasts for visiting Scotland in the summertime, few would miss the ravenous midge. Culicoides impunctatus is a persistent biter of outdoor types, occurring in vast numbers in some of the most beautiful parts of the countryside. …
Scotland’s dazzling visitor attraction numbers are not quite what they seem: Castles in the air? Jane West/PA Scotland’s visitor attractions are outstripping those in the rest of the UK, according to a new report. They recorded a whopping 15.6% increase in visitor numbers between 2015 and 2016 compared to an overall UK increase of 7.2% …
South Africa in the news: Hooker Fraser Brown to start Scotland’s Six Nations opener against Ireland: Vern Cotter (Scotland): “It is an intense, brutal, feudal competition – and also one that’s great to be involved in.Ireland have just beaten the All Blacks, they’ve beaten Australia and South Africa”. USA to Hit Iran with New Sanctions …