John Campbell

Covers Scotland’s economy, industry and business environment, with particular attention to investment, trade and energy.

Energy

North Sea Carbon Storage Push Extends into Scottish Waters as Licensing Bids Exceed 2 Million Acres

Bids to develop carbon storage sites across more than 2 million acres of the North Sea include multiple areas in Scottish waters, placing Scotland at the centre of the UK’s latest attempt to scale up carbon capture and storage as part of its net

Economy·Energy

Who Decides What Gets Built: Scotland’s Quiet Shift in Energy Planning

A recent consultation issued by the Scottish Government has raised a question that, while technical in form, carries wider implications for how Scotland governs its energy system. The proposal concerns the threshold at which onshore electricity generation projects are determined at national level under

Poverty in Scotland Holds Steady as New Data Reveals Deepening Structural Pressures

The latest poverty statistics released by the Scottish Government offer a picture that is, at first

Small Producers Pilot Fund Distributes Support Across Scotland

A modest but strategically significant stream of public funding has been channelled into Scotland’s small-scale agricultural

Argyll and Bute Support Drives Business Growth, Jobs

Argyll and Bute support drives business growth and new jobs Argyll and Bute Council’s Business Gateway

Economy

US Chemicals Group Acquires Aberdeen-based FIS in Cross-border Deal

A long-established Scottish manufacturer with roots in the North Sea supply chain has been acquired by a US-backed chemicals distributor, reflecting continued

by John Campbell

1 May 2026

Energy

Matrix Renewables Secures £245m Financing for Large-Scale Battery Storage Project in Scottish Borders

Global energy platform backed by private equity firm TPG closes non-recourse financing deal for 500MW battery project in the Borders, with construction

by John Campbell

1 May 2026

Economy

Aberdeen Launches Scheme to Lower Cost of Opening City Centre Shops

A quiet obstacle has persisted in Aberdeen’s city centre: the cost of turning an empty unit into a functioning shop. On Monday,

by John Campbell

29 April 2026

Economy

Scotland’s Growth Edges Forward, But Momentum Remains Thin

There is movement in the numbers, but it is slight, and it arrives without force. Official figures released this morning show Scotland’s

by John Campbell

29 April 2026

Economy

Short-Term Lets Pass 32,000 as Licensing System Begins to Take Shape

The numbers are now large enough to notice, but not yet stable enough to compare. Official statistics published on 28 April show

by John Campbell

29 April 2026

Economy

Investment, Spending & Growth: Scotland’s Economic Direction

Recent government funding decisions, investment programmes and business signals point to a clear direction, though the pace of delivery remains under examination

by John Campbell

20 April 2026

Energy

Scotland Produces the Energy. Rural Scotland Still Pays the Price.

A nation exporting surplus power continues to rely on imported fuel in its most exposed communities, where costs remain volatile and support

by John Campbell

19 April 2026

Energy

Scotland’s Electric Heating at Risk as Radio Signal Switch Off Forces Shift to Smart Meters

Scotland Faces Uneven Impact as Ageing Radio Meter System Is Switched Off A largely invisible piece of Britain’s energy infrastructure is approaching

by John Campbell

11 April 2026

Energy

Marine Survey Work Begins Off Shetland Coast for Proposed Second Energy Link

Survey vessels are set to begin work off the north west coast of Shetland in the coming weeks, as early stage plans

by John Campbell

5 April 2026

Energy

A North Sea Alliance: Scotland and Ireland Bet on Talent to Power Offshore Wind Future

In the race to command Europe’s offshore wind frontier, Scotland and Ireland have turned—not to turbines or transmission cables—but to people. A

by John Campbell

4 April 2026

Economy

Dumfries and Galloway Confronts Rural Decline With Evidence Rather Than Rhetoric

There are few subjects in modern Scottish governance more quietly consequential than depopulation. It lacks the drama of constitutional quarrels or fiscal

by John Campbell

3 April 2026

Economy

Scotland Braces for Economic Shockwaves as Ministers Assess Fallout from Middle East Conflict

The Scottish Government has moved to assess the domestic consequences of the escalating conflict in the Middle East, amid growing concern that

by John Campbell

1 April 2026

Economy

National Lottery Funds Drive New Push on Financial Inclusion Across Scotland

Efforts to address financial hardship in Scotland are entering a new phase, as The National Lottery Community Fund begins shaping a fresh

by John Campbell

31 March 2026

Economy

£547 Million Freeport Windfall to Be Reinvested Across the Highlands

A substantial financial dividend from the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport is set to be channelled back into Highland communities, after

by John Campbell

31 March 2026

Economy

Rural Heating Costs Return to Parliament as Ministers Defend Limited Support for Oil Users

Households in off grid areas face renewed scrutiny over energy costs, as ministers cite targeted support while MPs describe widening price pressures

by John Campbell

26 March 2026

Economy

Scottish Farm Incomes Rebound Sharply After Difficult Year

Farm incomes across Scotland staged a notable recovery in 2024–25, rising by nearly a third after a bruising decline the previous year,

by John Campbell

26 March 2026

Economy

Shetland Council Responds to Audit Warning of £134m Budget Gap

Shetland Islands Council has acknowledged the scale of its financial challenge after a national audit highlighted a projected £134 million budget gap,

by John Campbell

11 March 2026

Energy

Angus Council to Raise Electric Vehicle Charging Tariffs from April 2025

Price hike aims to support network sustainability and future investment amid rising demand Electric vehicle (EV) drivers in Angus will face higher

by John Campbell

8 April 2025

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Independent Journal Established in 2012.

John Campbell

North Sea Carbon Storage Push Extends into Scottish Waters as Licensing Bids Exceed 2 Million Acres

Who Decides What Gets Built: Scotland’s Quiet Shift in Energy Planning

Poverty in Scotland Holds Steady as New Data Reveals Deepening Structural Pressures

Small Producers Pilot Fund Distributes Support Across Scotland

Argyll and Bute Support Drives Business Growth, Jobs

US Chemicals Group Acquires Aberdeen-based FIS in Cross-border Deal

Matrix Renewables Secures £245m Financing for Large-Scale Battery Storage Project in Scottish Borders

Aberdeen Launches Scheme to Lower Cost of Opening City Centre Shops

Scotland’s Growth Edges Forward, But Momentum Remains Thin

Short-Term Lets Pass 32,000 as Licensing System Begins to Take Shape

Investment, Spending & Growth: Scotland’s Economic Direction

Scotland Produces the Energy. Rural Scotland Still Pays the Price.

Scotland’s Electric Heating at Risk as Radio Signal Switch Off Forces Shift to Smart Meters

Marine Survey Work Begins Off Shetland Coast for Proposed Second Energy Link

A North Sea Alliance: Scotland and Ireland Bet on Talent to Power Offshore Wind Future

Dumfries and Galloway Confronts Rural Decline With Evidence Rather Than Rhetoric

Scotland Braces for Economic Shockwaves as Ministers Assess Fallout from Middle East Conflict

National Lottery Funds Drive New Push on Financial Inclusion Across Scotland

£547 Million Freeport Windfall to Be Reinvested Across the Highlands

Rural Heating Costs Return to Parliament as Ministers Defend Limited Support for Oil Users

Scottish Farm Incomes Rebound Sharply After Difficult Year

Shetland Council Responds to Audit Warning of £134m Budget Gap

Angus Council to Raise Electric Vehicle Charging Tariffs from April 2025

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

Walk Highlands