David McDonald

Writes on national and regional news across Scotland, with a focus on civic life, communities and public affairs.

The Court of Session sits at Parliament House in Edinburgh, where Scottish Ministers were admonished over the FOI delay

Featured·Policy and Government·Scottish News

Scottish Ministers Admonished Over FOI Delay in Sturgeon Inquiry Papers Case

The Court of Session has found that Scottish Ministers deliberately failed to comply on time with an order from the Scottish Information Commissioner over material linked to the James Hamilton inquiry. The ruling raises a wider question for Scotland: whether freedom of information law

Policy and Government·Scottish News

Scotland Moves Toward a Classroom Smartphone Ban

The Scottish Government plans to consult on legislation to make school learning environments phone free. The move is a recognition that digital life has entered childhood faster than public policy could control it. Scotland is moving toward phone free classrooms under new measures announced

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Swinney Presses for Scottish Energy Powers as Household Bills Rise

John Swinney has renewed pressure for full control of energy policy to be devolved to Scotland

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Arbroath Opens Active Travel Route After Years of Debate and Disruption

Angus Council has officially opened the Arbroath A Place for Everyone project, completing a major redesign

51492734 turbine on a wind farm seen up close used for green renewable energy

BBC Says Scotland’s Green Economy Is Real. True. But Scotland Does Not Own the Power System

New figures say Scotland’s net zero economy supports more than 105,000 jobs and contributes £10.2 billion

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Aberdeen City·Aberdeenshire·Featured·Glasgow City·Highland·Infrastructure·Moray·Na h-Eileanan Siar·Scottish News·Shetland Islands

The Quiet Rewiring of Scotland: Hitachi Energy and the Power Corridors Reshaping the North

Scotland’s renewable energy story is usually told through wind farms, household bills and climate targets. But another story is being built more

by David McDonald

28 May 2026

55168108 criminologist reading classified records

Policy and Government·Scottish News

Freedom of Information Awareness Reaches Record High in Scotland, but Confidence Has Not Kept Pace

Awareness of freedom of information rights in Scotland has reached its highest recorded level, two decades after the country’s access to information

by David McDonald

20 May 2026

Community·Highland·Scottish News

Highland Councillors Approve Local Funding for Play Parks and Community Projects

More than £200,000 has been approved for play park improvements and community regeneration projects in Black Isle and Easter Ross, alongside decisions

by David McDonald

12 May 2026

East Ayrshire·Featured·Heritage and Arts·Scottish News

Brownings Carries Kilmarnock’s Baking Heritage Into a Wider Scotland

The family bakery founded in Kilmarnock in 1945 expanded its Asda range from early May 2026, but the larger story is one

by David McDonald

11 May 2026

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Economy·Featured

Scotland Is Trying to Rebuild Its Economy, Rewire Its Infrastructure and Save the Climate

Scotland is attempting one of the most complicated balancing acts in modern public policy: reducing emissions, modernising infrastructure, protecting households from rising

by David McDonald

7 May 2026

Leith’s Custom Houses Richard Murphy Architects

City of Edinburgh·Infrastructure·Scottish News

Leith’s Custom House May Become A Town Square For The Digital Age

Plans for the Category A listed building would turn Scotland’s first purpose built Custom House into a digital led museum, creative hub

by David McDonald

5 May 2026

83066640 glenfiddich single malt whisky bottle cap

Featured·Heritage and Arts·Scottish News

United States Removes Tariffs on Scotch Whisky in Move Welcomed by Industry

President Donald Trump has announced the removal of US tariffs on Scotch whisky, a development described by industry leaders as a significant

by David McDonald

1 May 2026

Community·Na h-Eileanan Siar·Scottish News

Western Isles Warns Against Unlicensed Tour Drivers as Visitor Season Begins

The season is about to begin, and with it comes a quieter concern. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has issued a reminder that

by David McDonald

30 April 2026

Community·Inverclyde·Scottish News

Greenock Primary School Secures Rare Full “Excellent” Inspection Across All Measures

There are inspection reports that confirm standards, and then there are those that stand apart. Whinhill Primary School in Greenock has been

by David McDonald

30 April 2026

Aberdeen City·Community·Scottish News

Forty Years at Danestone: A School Marks Its Past While Quietly Defining Its Future

Photo shows: L-R George Roberts (former HT) Elaine Page (former HT), Angela Corser (current HT) ,Councillor Martin Greig, Aberdeen City Council’s Education

by David McDonald

29 April 2026

Funding available heritage climate costs 2026

Heritage and Arts·Scottish News

Heritage Grants Raised for the First Time in Decades as Costs Reshape Conservation Work

There is a small change in the figures, but it arrives after a long period without movement. Historic Environment Scotland has confirmed

by David McDonald

29 April 2026

Salmon Banchory Bangle (detail) by Malcolm Appleby 2000, image courtesy Aberdeen City Council

Aberdeen City·Heritage and Arts·Scottish News

Aberdeen Art Gallery Marks 80th Birthday of Engraver Malcolm Appleby

A new display and forthcoming talk in Aberdeen celebrate the career of engraver Malcolm Appleby, whose work has spanned more than six

by David McDonald

11 April 2026

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Community·Perth and Kinross·Scottish News

Injured Beaver Rescued After Shooting Found to be Thriving in the Wild

A beaver rescued after being shot in Perthshire has been successfully rehabilitated and is now living in the wild, according to animal

by David McDonald

7 April 2026

Aerial photograph of Tap o’ Noth, showing the vitrified oblong fort at the summit and the remnants of the outer fort below

Aberdeenshire·Heritage and Arts·Scottish News

Rhynie Research Recasts Pictish Scotland as Centre of Power and International Exchange

A decade of archaeological work in a quiet Aberdeenshire village has led researchers to conclude that Rhynie was once a major royal

by David McDonald

7 April 2026

4407561 highlands of scotland narrow road in mountain landscape

Community·Highland·Scottish News

Highland Communities Invited to Apply for £1m Rural Fund

Rural organisations across the Highlands are being invited to apply for a funding programme worth more than £1 million, aimed at improving

by David McDonald

7 April 2026

Ward councillors from Gorebridge and Bonnyrigg have joined Midlothian Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Stuart McKenzie, on tours of two flagship green‑energy

Community·Midlothian·Scottish News

Newbyres Returns: From Demolition to New Energy Efficient Homes in Gorebridge

In Gorebridge, a site once cleared of homes is approaching a very different moment. New housing at Newbyres is now nearing completion,

by David McDonald

5 April 2026

Community·Midlothian·Scottish News

Community Diners Pilot in Midlothian Shows Early Promise in Tackling Cost of Living Pressures

A network of community diners launched across Midlothian earlier this year is already showing encouraging signs of success, offering affordable meals and

by David McDonald

3 April 2026

Aberdeen City·Community·Scottish News

Aberdeen’s Next Generation Called to Sea for 2026 Tall Ships Adventure

A new voyage is calling — and for young people across Aberdeen, it promises salt air, towering sails, and the kind of

by David McDonald

3 April 2026

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Community·Na h-Eileanan Siar·Scottish News

Western Isles Communities to Share £1 Million Boost from Coastal Fund

Island communities across Scotland’s Outer Hebrides are set to benefit from a substantial new round of funding, as Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

by David McDonald

2 April 2026

5826 P&V MPCo Ubiquitous Chip Glasgow Venue 2025 020

Glasgow City·Heritage and Arts·Scottish News

Iconic Glasgow Restaurant Granted Listed Status for Cultural and Artistic Significance

One of Glasgow’s most storied dining institutions, The Ubiquitous Chip, has been awarded Category B listed status by Historic Environment Scotland (HES),

by David McDonald

1 April 2026