James Stewart

Reports on infrastructure, transport and local government, including planning, public services and regional development.

78050148 offshore oil rig drilling platforms off the coastline near invergordon in scotland

Environment

Scotland’s Climate Plan Did Not Account for the Fossil-Fuel Emissions of Its New Data-Centre Boom

EDITORIAL UPDATE: A planning application has now been submitted for a proposed £16.5 billion hyperscale data centre at the former Chapelcross nuclear power station site near Annan. The project is described as having a capacity of 1GW, with developers saying it could support 750

Economy·Featured

South of Scotland Has a £31.8 Billion Investment Pipeline, Much of it Still Conditional

The Scottish Government and South of Scotland Enterprise have unveiled a £31.8 billion pipeline of 202 potential investments across Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders. The headline figure is large enough to transform the regional economy, but it is not £31.8 billion of

Rules Stop Scottish Communities From Selling the Energy They Generate Locally

Scotland is putting more public money into community-owned wind, solar and hydro, with £15 million now

Ministers Say They Cannot Require Compensation for Fishers Displaced by Energy Projects

The Scottish Government has confirmed that ministers do not currently have powers to require compensation payments

Bluetongue Zone Goes Nationwide in Scotland as H5N5 Returns to Lewis

Modern Scot reported in August that Scotland’s first bluetongue cluster was confined to four holdings near

Economy·Featured

Great British Energy Had No Direct Employees in March. By September It Had 55

The public company’s first annual accounts and later parliamentary answers show the transition taking place behind its Aberdeen headquarters: a workforce initially

by James Stewart

30 September 2026

Featured·Infrastructure

New Report Proposes Moving Scotland’s School-Education Functions Out of 32 Council Authorities

Scotland’s 32 councils could cease to operate as individual education authorities under a new reform proposal published by the Scottish Government today,

by James Stewart

28 September 2026

Environment·Featured

Scotland Knows the Pesticides It Uses, But Less About Where They Go

Almost every hectare of Scotland’s arable farmland received a pesticide treatment in 2024. The country’s arable crops covered about 502,400 hectares. Once

by James Stewart

27 September 2026

89715286 green moss on a tree trunk old bark creeping spore green plant without roots and flowers

Environment

Scientists Will Search for the Peat Moss That Survives Drought

A new £2.7 million research programme led from Scotland will search wild Sphagnum populations across Britain and Ireland for mosses that already

by James Stewart

23 September 2026

102616216 a futuristic digital heads up display interface isometric digital grid

Energy

About £104 Million of July’s Grid Constraint Bill Was Assigned to Scotland. One Scottish Workaround Saved an Estimated £39 Million

NESO spent £221.2 million managing electricity constraints across Great Britain in July. Its monthly analysis assigns 47 per cent of that cost

by James Stewart

23 September 2026

Policy and Government

Scotland’s First Drug-Checking Service Opens in Glasgow — But Home Office Licence Restricts Who Can Use It

Scotland’s first local drug-checking service will open in Glasgow on 5 October, allowing people to submit illicit drugs for rapid analysis and

by James Stewart

23 September 2026

Economy

Scotland’s Supermarket Promotions Change on 1 October

New rules will restrict where some foods can be displayed and how they can be promoted, changing supermarket entrances, checkouts, aisle ends

by James Stewart

21 September 2026

General defense offices with satellite based CCTV network uses real time surveillance images to monitor highway traffic. Administrative transmission and reconnaissance services in

Featured·Transport

From LitterCam to Digital Warden: Inside the Company Behind Scotland’s New Roadside AI Cameras

The cameras newly watching traffic on two of Scotland’s busiest roads are being presented as a six-month experiment in counting rubbish thrown

by James Stewart

17 September 2026

Energy·Shetland Islands

Shetland Expected £700,000 From Viking Wind Farm. It Now Expects £550,000

Shetland Islands Council has cut its forecast rental income from the 103-turbine Viking wind farm by £150,000. The adjustment provides an early

by James Stewart

17 September 2026

Caption: Shankend Viaduct south of Hawick, part of the former Waverley Route between Edinburgh and Carlisle. The line closed in 1969; the surviving viaduct stands on the corridor

Featured·Transport

Scotland Is Studying a Railway From Tweedbank to Carlisle. The Victorian Route It Would Follow Has Been Partly Dismantled for 57 Years.

A new public survey opened in September as Scottish Borders Council and WSP began developing the case for extending the Borders Railway

by James Stewart

10 September 2026

Featured·Infrastructure

Highland Councillors Were Asked on 9 September to Oppose a 173-Kilometre Power Line

Highland Council’s planning officers have recommended a formal objection to one of the largest electricity transmission projects proposed in northern Scotland: a

by James Stewart

10 September 2026

77329342 scottish parliament in edinburgh

Featured·Policy and Government

Scotland Is About to Rewrite the Map of Its Public Bodies

The Scottish Government has begun a five-year programme to reduce a public sector landscape containing more than 130 national bodies. Transport Scotland

by James Stewart

9 September 2026

Infrastructure

Glasgow Is About to Manufacture 100 Million Lasers a Year for the AI Economy

A semiconductor manufacturing plant in Lanarkshire is being expanded to produce more than 100 million lasers a year. The components are measured

by James Stewart

3 September 2026

98979286 drone surveying offshore wind turbine from boat during overcast evening conditions in bloom region

Energy

Scotland’s £96 Billion Offshore Wind Pipeline Now Faces a Decision Made Beyond Scotland

The National Energy System Operator has submitted six possible pathways for Great Britain’s energy system to government. Scotland has already leased seabed

by James Stewart

3 September 2026

19263712 home filing dividers for council tax household bills

Economy·Featured

Scotland Is Preparing to Change Council Tax After 35 Years of 1991 Property Values

The Scottish Government has confirmed that a Council Tax Bill will be introduced during the first year of the new Parliament. Two

by James Stewart

3 September 2026

78050440 people enjoying vist at urquhart castle on the shore of loch ness scotland

Economy·Featured

Scottish Household Survey Records Tourism Support And Lower Local Involvement In Decisions

The Scottish Household Survey’s 2025 tourism sentiment results show that 48 per cent of adults agreed tourism was good for their local

by James Stewart

27 August 2026

Featured·Policy and Government

Scotland’s GP Walk-In Pilot Expands To Forty Planned Or Operational Services

The Scottish Government has announced 24 further areas for GP-led walk-in services, bringing the number of centres planned or operational to 40.

by James Stewart

27 August 2026

Aberdeen City·Economy·Featured

More Than A Third Of Great British Energy Staff Live Outside Scotland Despite Aberdeen Headquarters

More than a third of the people currently working for Great British Energy live outside Scotland, despite Aberdeen being designated as the

by James Stewart

21 August 2026

Featured·Policy and Government

ScotAccount Brings Digital Identity Into Scotland’s Property Ownership System

Scotland does not currently require a government Digital ID to buy or sell a home, but Scotland is promoting its government Digital

by James Stewart

18 August 2026

Loch na Cathrach Duibhe and Loch Eriboll From the top of an escarpment west of Ben Heilam

Energy·Featured

Two Scottish Hydro Schemes Fall Below Ofgem Financial Test as Regulator Weighs Consumer Risk

Glenmuckloch and Loch na Cathrach remain outside Ofgem’s proposed long-duration electricity storage portfolio after the regulator assessed both below a financial threshold

by James Stewart

17 August 2026

87995268 sunset and construction cranes over glasgow skyline

Glasgow City·Infrastructure

Nearly £1bn of Glasgow Building Work Passes Through Service Missing National Response Targets

Glasgow’s building standards service handled warrant applications representing £983 million of construction during 2025–26, but remained below national targets for two of

by James Stewart

17 August 2026

58937952 female psychologist having online therapy with middle aged woman patient

Featured·Policy and Government

NHS Scotland Seeks Provider for £9m Online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Service

NHS Scotland is seeking a provider for a national online cognitive behavioural therapy service under a contract worth up to £9m. The

by James Stewart

17 August 2026

Policy and Government

New Safety Guidance Issued for Nearly 500,000 Traditional Scottish Buildings

The first major guidance of its kind in almost two decades follows lessons from the fatal Cameron House Hotel fire. New guidance

by James Stewart

13 August 2026

46665788 rear view of scottish tenement buildings black and white

Community·Highland

More than 8,800 households waiting for social housing in Highland

Demand continues to outstrip the availability of homes across much of the Highlands, with Inverness accounting for a particularly large share of

by James Stewart

13 August 2026

Pipework being laid on Tay Street and Shore Road. Image: Scottish Water

Featured·Infrastructure

Some Scottish Sewer-Overflow Projects Move Into The 2030s As Regulators Question The Starting Line

Minutes published in July reveal that Scottish Water, SEPA and the Scottish Government do not share the same understanding of the baseline

by James Stewart

11 August 2026

Economy·Featured

Scotland’s International Services Exports May Have Reached £19 Billion – But The Official Estimate Stops At 2023

A report commissioned by the Scottish Government estimates that Scotland’s international services exports may have reached £19.2 billion in 2025. The corresponding

by James Stewart

6 August 2026

90699010 reduction energy gas carbon co2 renewable innovation greenhouse neutral and net zero business concept (1)

Featured·Infrastructure

Ministers Confirm Scotland’s 20GW Wind Ambition Was Not Mapped To Specific Areas

The Scottish Government has confirmed that its ambition to install 20 gigawatts of onshore wind capacity by 2030 was not accompanied by

by James Stewart

3 August 2026

95677512 a group of children in front of a wall with smartphones symbolizing technological addiction

Featured·Policy and Government

Scotland Promised Every Pupil A Device. Five Years Later, The National Account Is Still Incomplete

The Scottish Government said every school-aged child would receive a digital device by 2026. Its latest report records widespread shared provision, leaves

by James Stewart

31 July 2026

Featured·Highland

Land Control Leads To £13.85m Highland Housing Award Without Open Competition

Highland Council says competitive tendering for 52 homes at Rosskeen would duplicate work and threaten funding deadlines. Its planning reports and procurement

by James Stewart

29 July 2026

Featured·Infrastructure

Scotland Produces 30 Million Tonnes of Construction Materials but Cannot Show How Long Supplies Will Last

More than 200 mineral-product sites supply the stone, sand, concrete and asphalt used across Scotland, but public records do not provide a

by James Stewart

23 July 2026

Energy·Featured

Scotland’s Energy Backlog Grows as UK Prepares to Favour Strategic Data Centres

Nearly two-thirds of Scotland’s live energy applications have remained in the consenting system for more than a year while the UK Government

by James Stewart

23 July 2026

Aberdeenshire·Featured·Highland·Infrastructure

Caledonia Wind Farms Secure Consent for 140 Turbines in Moray Firth

Scottish ministers have approved two offshore wind farms with a combined anticipated capacity of 2GW. The decision removes a major regulatory barrier,

by James Stewart

22 July 2026

Featured·Policy and Government

Legal Aid Reform Promises a Planned System but Does Not Guarantee Access to a Lawyer

Ministers are proposing simpler applications, greater freedom for accredited solicitors and stronger powers to direct services towards areas where private firms are

by James Stewart

22 July 2026

CoreWeave Data Centre image, January 2026

Featured·Infrastructure·North Lanarkshire·Scottish News

CoreWeave Wanted More Scottish Data Centres

Internal papers show the American AI company wanted to expand rapidly after its first Lanarkshire facility. The same documents warn that accommodating

by James Stewart

15 July 2026

27687186 man in snow landscape using gps on his smartphone

Aberdeenshire·Angus·Argyll and Bute·Dumfries and Galloway·Featured·Highland·Infrastructure·North Ayrshire·Scottish Borders·Scottish News·Stirling

Fifty Rural Mobile Masts Upgraded Across Scotland as Coverage Reaches Further into Remote Areas

Fifty publicly funded mobile masts have been activated across rural Scotland, extending access to all four major mobile networks. The latest site

by James Stewart

10 July 2026

Argyll and Bute·Featured·Policy and Government·Scottish News

House Rich, Cash Poor: The Risk Inside Scotland’s Mansion Tax

The Scottish Government has opened consultation on two new council tax bands for homes valued above £1 million, setting up a debate

by James Stewart

7 July 2026

Community·Featured·Glasgow City·Scottish News

Two Days Left To Vote In The Scottish Bar And Pub Awards 2026

Scots have only two days left to vote for their favourite pubs, bars and hospitality venues in the Scottish Bar and Pub

by James Stewart

9 June 2026

Clackmannanshire·Economy·Falkirk·Featured·Scottish News·Stirling

Castles, Canals and Kelpies: Forth Valley Courts Global Travellers

Falkirk, Stirling and Clackmannanshire councils have taken a joint Forth Valley tourism offer to international travel buyers, with more than 50 meetings

by James Stewart

29 May 2026

Featured·Heritage and Arts

SCOTTISH BOOK REVIEW: The Glendarragh Code

The Moral World of The Glendarragh Code Lisa Marie Heitman-Bruce’s The Glendarragh Code begins beneath the Highland earth and moves outward toward

by James Stewart

26 May 2026

Economy·Featured·Scottish News

Scotland’s Food Price Cap Row: What the Evidence Actually Shows

Scottish politicians have argued over whether ministers should cap prices on essential supermarket goods, but the available evidence points to a more

by James Stewart

22 May 2026

Alistair Leslie image credit Ben Mullay/HIE

Economy·Featured·Highland·Scottish News

Ness Engineering Expansion Shows the Value of Skilled Local Firms in Shetland

Sumburgh based Ness Engineering is expanding its existing site with support from Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The investment will add workshop, storage

by James Stewart

21 May 2026

Scottish News·West Lothian

West Lothian Study Day Opens Two of Scotland’s Great Historic Houses

The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland’s Strathclyde Group will visit the House of the Binns and Hopetoun House on 6 June 2026.

by James Stewart

20 May 2026

Aberdeen City·Featured·Infrastructure·Scottish News

Former Grampian Police Headquarters on Queen Street to be Demolished

The former Grampian Police headquarters on Queen Street is to be demolished as part of Aberdeen City Council’s wider plan to redevelop

by James Stewart

13 May 2026

City of Edinburgh·Community·Featured·Scottish News

Edinburgh Flats To Receive Retrofit Works In Viewpoint Housing Project

Union Technical has been appointed to upgrade 34 flats across three Viewpoint Housing Association sites in Edinburgh, with works intended to make

by James Stewart

13 May 2026

Community·Orkney Islands·Scottish News

Orkney’s Norway Day Reflects a Friendship Rooted in History

Norwegian Constitution Day will be marked in Kirkwall this weekend, but in Orkney the annual celebration is more than a borrowed national

by James Stewart

12 May 2026

State of the art permanent galleries will significantly expand the number of objects on public display

Aberdeenshire·Featured·Infrastructure·Scottish News

Peterhead Museum And Library Project To Begin As Former Building Plan Is Shelved

Construction of the new Museum of Aberdeenshire and Peterhead Library is due to begin in June, but Aberdeenshire Council has confirmed that

by James Stewart

12 May 2026

Orkney Islands·Scottish News·Transport

Late Saturday Sailings Return for Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre This Summer

Orkney Ferries will run five late Saturday sailings on the Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre route during summer 2026, but only where services

by James Stewart

11 May 2026

Featured·Heritage and Arts·Moray·Scottish News

From a Highland Bakery to Animal Shelters Across America: Walker’s Shortbread Expands Its Scottie Dog Legacy

There are few Scottish food companies whose identity remains as closely tied to place as Walker’s Shortbread. Founded in the Speyside village

by James Stewart

7 May 2026

Scottish News·Transport

ScotRail Outsources Customer Contact Services to Teleperformance in Three-Year Deal

State-owned rail operator awards contract covering complaints, delay compensation and sales support to global outsourcing firm, with services to be delivered from

by James Stewart

1 May 2026

Argyll and Bute·Highland·Moray·Na h-Eileanan Siar·Orkney Islands·Scottish News·Shetland Islands·Transport

A £2 Bus Fare Now Runs Across Much of Northern Scotland. Will it Change Anything?

The cap is already in place. What remains uncertain is its effect. A pilot scheme limiting most single bus fares to £2

by James Stewart

30 April 2026

Infrastructure·Perth and Kinross·Scottish News

Perth Halves Multi-Storey Parking Charges in Effort to Shift City Centre Traffic

The change has already taken effect, though its impact will take longer to register. Perth and Kinross Council introduced revised parking charges

by James Stewart

30 April 2026

91443384 a street musician playing guitar captivating passersby as the sun sets

Perth and Kinross·Policy and Government·Scottish News

Perth & Kinross Test the Limits of Street Performance with Consultation on Busking Rules

There is no ban proposed, but there is a question being asked about how far informality can go. Perth and Kinross Council

by James Stewart

30 April 2026

Scottish News·Stirling·Transport

Stirling to Take Control of Trossachs Explorer in Year-Round Pilot

A seasonal visitor route will become a council-run, all-year service under a two-year trial, with funding secured but long-term viability still to

by James Stewart

21 April 2026

Highland·Scottish News·Transport

Corran Ferry Fares to Rise from May as Council Presses Ahead with Budget Plan

Crossing costs on a key Highland route will increase from 1 May, with higher charges for cars, commercial vehicles and multi-journey users.

by James Stewart

21 April 2026

51491136 a steam train in scotland passing through a forest in autumn

Highland·Scottish News·Transport

Distance, Cost and Access: Transport Remains Uneven Across Rural Scotland

Longer journeys, fewer services and rising costs continue to shape daily life beyond the central belt, where mobility depends less on networks

by James Stewart

20 April 2026

East Ayrshire·Heritage and Arts·Scottish News

Galston Town Hall Reopens After £3.45 Million Restoration

A prominent Galston landmark has been brought back into public use after a £3.45 million restoration project by East Ayrshire Council, with

by James Stewart

11 April 2026

Fife·Infrastructure·Scottish News

Ambulance Service Introduces Search Dogs for Water Rescues in Central Scotland

Specialist dog teams are being deployed to assist in locating missing people near rivers and lochs, with initial operations focused on the

by James Stewart

9 April 2026

Aberdeenshire·Infrastructure·Scottish News

Flood Study Begins on Aboyne Bridge as Options for Repair or Replacement are Examined

Survey work has begun to assess how potential construction options for Aboyne Bridge could affect flooding along the River Dee, as engineers

by James Stewart

7 April 2026

Dundee City·Scottish News·Transport

Night Closures Planned for Tay Road Bridge as Essential Maintenance Begins

There are few pieces of infrastructure in Scotland that carry both the symbolic and practical weight of the Tay crossing. Since its

by James Stewart

5 April 2026

89296162 woman in the night using phone on the floor

Infrastructure·Orkney Islands·Scottish News

Island Lifelines Cut: Orkney’s North Isles Battle Prolonged Digital Isolation

In the far reaches of Scotland’s northern archipelagos, where geography has always dictated the terms of daily life, a modern dependency has

by James Stewart

4 April 2026

Glasgow City·Infrastructure·Scottish News

Govan’s Regeneration Enters New Phase with £3 Million Heritage Investment

Govan’s long-running regeneration is set to enter a significant new phase following the approval of almost £3 million in heritage funding to

by James Stewart

3 April 2026

Angus·Infrastructure·Scottish News

Gas Network Upgrade to Bring Temporary Disruption to Forfar Town Centre

A key section of Forfar is set to undergo essential infrastructure work, with a temporary road closure planned in the town centre

by James Stewart

3 April 2026

Argyll and Bute·Scottish News·Transport

Traffic Lights Planned to Improve Safety at Historic Clachan Bridge

A traffic management scheme is to be introduced at Clachan Bridge, as officials move to address long standing safety concerns at one

by James Stewart

3 April 2026

Aberdeenshire·Policy and Government·Scottish News

Inverurie Service Point to Close as Council Shifts to Digital Services

Residents in Inverurie are being urged to prepare for a significant change in how they access local authority services, as Aberdeenshire Council

by James Stewart

2 April 2026

Infrastructure·Moray·Scottish News

Overnight Campervan Parking Trial Set for Burghead as Moray Council Tests Managed Tourism Approach

A new pilot scheme permitting overnight stays for campervans and motorhomes is now underway in Burghead, as Moray Council seeks to balance

by James Stewart

31 March 2026

Man is charging his electrical scooter with charger on special parking. Closeup photoshoot

Policy and Government·Scottish News·Shetland Islands

Council bans indoor storage and charging of e-bikes over fire safety concerns

Shetland Islands Council has banned the indoor storage and charging of electrically powered bikes and scooters across all of its premises, citing

by James Stewart

10 March 2026

91386162 sunset with clouds off the shetland islands

Scottish News·Shetland Islands·Transport

Ferry overhaul delays affect Whalsay and Bluemull routes

Shetland Islands Council has announced further disruption to ferry services serving Whalsay and the Bluemull Sound route after drydock works on one

by James Stewart

3 March 2026

14014246 flags of the united kingdom and scotland scottish independence 1

Falkirk·Policy and Government·Scottish News

Falkirk Council Approves New Gaelic Language Plan

Falkirk Council has signed off its third Gaelic Language Plan, setting out measures to support the language and culture locally over the

by James Stewart

24 August 2025

Aberdeenshire·Policy and Government·Scottish News

Taxi checks carried out across Aberdeenshire in joint safety operation

ABERDEENSHIRE — Dozens of taxis and private hire cars were stopped and inspected in a joint operation by Aberdeenshire Council Licensing Standards

by James Stewart

18 August 2025

90476590 a man is holding a british pound sterling money bag over a group of people figurines political lobbying payment for labor and services generation of funds organization of

East Dunbartonshire·Policy and Government·Scottish News

East Dunbartonshire Extends Public Consultation on Economic Development Strategy

Council seeks broader input to shape plan for jobs, investment and local resilience EAST DUNBARTONSHIRE — East Dunbartonshire Council has extended its

by James Stewart

8 April 2025

East Renfrewshire·Infrastructure·Scottish News

East Renfrewshire to Resurface 45 Roads and 15 Pavements in £3.5m Upgrade

Major investment to target residential streets across all council wards beginning in April EAST RENFREWSHIRE — A £3.5 million investment will fund

by James Stewart

8 April 2025

36307420 construction workers on site close wood box

East Lothian·Policy and Government·Scottish News

East Lothian Approves Expansion of Holiday Lodges at Whitekirk Hill

Second phase of development gets green light as part of broader tourism investment near North Berwick EAST LOTHIAN — Plans to expand

by James Stewart

8 April 2025

East Ayrshire·Policy and Government·Scottish News

East Ayrshire Adds QR Codes to Bins to Simplify Community Issue Reporting

New feature builds on success of ‘Report It!’ system, making it easier for residents to flag local concerns EAST AYRSHIRE — Reporting

by James Stewart

8 April 2025

Clackmannanshire·Policy and Government·Scottish News

Clackmannanshire Council Launches Citizen-Led Transformation to Rethink Public Services

£1 million Transformation Fund to back community-driven solutions on housing, mental health, and economic opportunity Clackmannanshire Council has approved a bold new

by James Stewart

8 April 2025