John Campbell

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

Transport

Transport Scotland Has Promised to Reverse Biodiversity Loss While Building Some of Scotland’s Largest Road Schemes

Transport Scotland’s new Biodiversity Strategy commits the national transport agency to reducing ecosystem loss, increasing habitat connectivity and helping Scotland become nature-positive by 2030. The same organisation remains committed to completing A9 dualling and progressing the A96 towards full dualling — projects whose own

82317478 resign from job or fired employee moving out

Economy

Scotland Planned to Shrink the Public Workforce – Instead It Grew, Leaving Deeper Reductions Ahead

The Scottish Government entered 2025–26 with a target to reduce Scotland’s devolved public-sector workforce by an average of 0.5 per cent a year through 2029–30. Instead, the workforce grew in the first year. New Scottish Fiscal Commission analysis says larger reductions will now be

Scottish Data Centres Are Seeking 9.7GW of Grid Capacity While Ofgem Moves to Create a Demand Register

Scotland’s electricity connection queue contains close to 30 data-centre projects seeking about 9.7GW of capacity, according

16682622 lawyer and judge speaking next to the criminal in handcuffs

Sexual-Crime Cases Reaching Scotland’s High Court Take a Median 2 Years 11 Months

Scotland has brought the overall criminal-court backlog below its pre-pandemic operating level, but cases involving the

81975258 mold near the windows fungus on the walls of the house metal plastic windows are not properly installed

Scotland’s New Damp and Mould Law Starts on 6 October

From 6 October 2026, social and private landlords across much of Scotland’s rented housing sector must

MV Lord of the Isles Approaching Lochboisdale, 10 May 2017

Featured·Transport

Public Money, Private Shortlist: CMAL Will Not Name the Shipyards Bidding for Scotland’s Next Lifeline Ferry

Scotland’s publicly owned ferry buyer is defending a decision not to reveal which shipyards are competing to build the replacement for the

by John Campbell

1 October 2026

Energy·Featured

Electricity VAT Falls to Zero on 1 October, Yet Ofgem’s Typical Dual-Fuel Cap Rises £60

VAT disappears from domestic electricity bills across Scotland tomorrow, but the representative annual cost under Ofgem’s price cap will still rise from

by John Campbell

30 September 2026

64410304 advancements in facial recognition technology for secure identification

Policy and Government

Scotland’s Digital ID: ScotAccount Uses Experian, Cifas and Biometric Checks

The Scottish Government opposes a mandatory UK digital identity scheme. At the same time, Scotland already operates its own reusable digital identity

by John Campbell

30 September 2026

Policy and Government

COSLA Tells Ministers Council Reform Must Be Agreed, Not Imposed

Scotland’s council body has formally responded to proposals for six to ten regional authorities and 120 to 160 community authorities, asking ministers

by John Campbell

30 September 2026

Energy

Scotland Has a 32.8GW Battery Pipeline as Ofgem Proposes a Financial Test for Grid Places

Scotland has accumulated 32.8 gigawatts of proposed battery-storage capacity in its planning pipeline, making batteries the largest single technology awaiting development in

by John Campbell

28 September 2026

Environment·Featured

Scotland’s 3G Pitches May Lose Up to 1,772 Tonnes of Microplastic a Year as New Sites Are Still Funded

Artificial football turf in Scotland may be losing between 443 and 1,772 tonnes of microplastic into the environment every year. The estimate

by John Campbell

27 September 2026

Caucasian woman in a wheelchair buys a train ticket using a mobile phone at a self service checkout

Featured·Infrastructure

Accessible Trains, Inaccessible Stations

Scotland says disabled people should be able to travel with the same freedom, choice, dignity and opportunity as everyone else. Its trains

by John Campbell

23 September 2026

Community

£105m Broadband Build Reaches New Aberdeenshire Communities as Scotland Tries to Close Its Rural Fibre Gap

Almost 1,000 homes and businesses around Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen are next in line for full-fibre broadband as one of Scotland’s largest publicly

by John Campbell

17 September 2026

69535834 on the road on scotlands east coast

Environment

Autumn Rain Returns but Eastern Scotland’s Rivers Remain in Significant Water Scarcity

Four areas of eastern Scotland remain at the highest level of SEPA’s water-scarcity system despite the return of rain, with 136 abstraction

by John Campbell

17 September 2026

70228196 north american beaver castor canadensis wild animal swimming dam building

Environment

Scotland Moves 35 Beavers to New Homes as 22 Are Killed Under Licence

Scotland is deliberately expanding its beaver population into new Highland catchments while continuing to remove animals from farmland and other conflict sites.

by John Campbell

17 September 2026

Argyll and Bute·Featured·Infrastructure

Five Thousand Tonnes, One Ship: Islay’s £1.1m Road Plan Hits Dry Dock

Argyll and Bute Council devised a new way of getting thousands of tonnes of road material to Islay after repeated ferry disruption

by John Campbell

17 September 2026

Energy·Orkney Islands

North Ronaldsay Faces Winter on Diesel as Power Cable Replacement Slips to Spring 2027

North Ronaldsay will spend the coming winter dependent on temporary diesel generation after replacement of its failed electricity cable to Sanday was

by John Campbell

17 September 2026

Economy·Featured

When a Publicly Backed Scottish Technology Company Fails, Who Keeps the Invention?

PureLiFi was created from research at the University of Edinburgh, received Scottish public support over more than a decade and built an

by John Campbell

9 September 2026

Environment

For Generations Scotland Has Burned Its Moors. From 15 September, It Will Need Permission.

One of Scotland’s oldest forms of land management is about to enter a new legal system. From 15 September, every act of

by John Campbell

3 September 2026

Featured·Policy and Government

Scotland Moves Toward Compulsory Purchase Reform After 2025 Consultation

The Scottish Government has confirmed that it will bring forward legislation in this Parliament to reform compulsory purchase in Scotland. The proposed

by John Campbell

27 August 2026

Heritage and Arts·Scottish History Ledger

Shortbread, Superstition And The Law: How Scots Married Before The Modern Wedding

Long before Scottish weddings became affairs of hotel packages, photographers and carefully arranged seating plans, marriage could involve banns from the kirk,

by John Campbell

21 August 2026

Featured·Highland·Transport

Aviemore To Carrbridge Route Moves Closer To Planning Decision After Years Of Delay

A long-promised walking, wheeling and cycling route between Aviemore and Carrbridge is moving closer to a formal planning decision after years of

by John Campbell

21 August 2026

Featured·Policy and Government

Britain Will Keep Brazilian Meat Market Open as EU Restrictions Begin

Scottish farming and meat organisations are pressing the UK Government to tighten controls on Brazilian beef and poultry before new European Union

by John Campbell

17 August 2026

Economy·Featured

Nearly One in Four Larger Manufacturers in Scotland Reports Impact From US Tariffs

New Scottish Government estimates show US tariff effects remain concentrated among manufacturers and goods exporters, while the American tariff regime itself changed

by John Campbell

17 August 2026

Energy

Community Renewable Energy Fund Increased to £15m a Year

Scottish community groups are being offered more financial support to own renewable energy projects and reduce the running costs of local buildings.

by John Campbell

13 August 2026

Featured·Transport

Scottish Bus Study Warns 2030 Electric Transition Could Push Rural Operators Out

Scottish Ministers have powers to restrict newly registered non-zero-emission buses from local services from a date no earlier than 2030. But research

by John Campbell

11 August 2026

Turbine at Dorenell wind farm, south of Dufftown. Image thanks to EDF

Energy·Featured

The £11 Million Rent Beneath Moray’s Wind and the 67 Turbines That Could Follow

Court papers exposed an index-linked £6 million minimum rent at Dorenell Wind Farm; subsequent reporting found the land payment had reached about

by John Campbell

10 August 2026

Environment

Scotland Launches £15 Million Flood Fund After Years Of Delayed And Rising-Cost Schemes

The Scottish Government has launched a £15 million flood-resilience fund, but communities will not begin receiving money for local projects until 2027

by John Campbell

3 August 2026

City of Edinburgh·Community·Featured

Edinburgh’s Official Statistical Portrait Leaves Crime And Homelessness Outside The Frame

The council’s annual overview records Michelin restaurants, airport passengers and festival attendances. It omits crime entirely and leaves the capital’s legal failures

by John Campbell

29 July 2026

BETA Technologies’ ALIA CTOL (CX300) aircraft, selected for Project SEAN demonstration flights across Scotland’s Highlands and Islands.

Featured·Highland·Transport

£1.52m Trial Will Test Whether Electric Aircraft Can Serve Highland And Island Routes

Project SEAN is a three-month government-funded test of electric flying from Inverness Airport. It will examine whether a small battery-powered aircraft, charging

by John Campbell

29 July 2026

Invisors EMEA team on board our company wide cruise, Summer 2026.

Economy·Glasgow City

Glasgow-Based Tech Consultancy Named Among UK’s Best Workplaces For Women

A technology consultancy that chose Glasgow for its first European headquarters has been recognised as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces for

by John Campbell

27 July 2026

Kinghorn Beach. Image: Bill Kasman / Geograph Britain and Ireland, CC BY-SA 2.0

Environment·Featured·Fife

Kinghorn Faces Permanent Bathing Warning As Pollution Source Remains Unresolved

Kinghorn Harbour Beach is carrying a fourth consecutive Poor classification, while bacterial pollution in the burn crossing the sand has prompted a

by John Campbell

27 July 2026

Energy·Featured

Ofgem Plans Tighter Controls On Dividends And Debt At Scotland’s Energy Networks

Britain’s energy regulator is consulting on stronger financial controls for the monopoly companies operating Scotland’s electricity networks, including proposed restrictions on shareholder

by John Campbell

25 July 2026

Aberdeenshire·Angus·Economy·Featured

Scottish Ministers Disclose Scale of Opposition to Kintore–Tealing Power Line

More than 10,000 people and organisations were notified that they had a right to participate in the examination of SSEN Transmission’s proposed

by John Campbell

22 July 2026

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

Argyll’s Islands May Become Scotland’s Next Short-Term-Let Control Zone

Argyll and Bute Council is preparing to consult on planning controls that could change how houses are converted into holiday accommodation across

by John Campbell

11 July 2026

Dounreay is the site of several nuclear research establishments located on the north coast of Caithness, in the Highland Scotland

Energy·Featured·Scottish News

Scotland Put Back on Britain’s Nuclear Map

Torness, Dounreay and Hunterston have been placed back on Britain’s prospective nuclear map after a UK Government study found that several parts

by John Campbell

10 July 2026

Scottish m edical system. Flag of Scotland between white and blue pills capsules

Policy and Government·Scottish News

Estimated 579,814 Scots Waiting While Ministers Claim NHS Progress

Scotland’s NHS waiting lists are falling in some areas, but the latest official figures still show an estimated 579,814 people on at

by John Campbell

7 July 2026

Economy·Featured·Scottish News

Scotland’s Independent Bookshops Are Becoming Community Infrastructure

Scotland’s independent bookshops are doing something unusual in a difficult retail age. They are growing. Figures submitted by the Booksellers Association to

by John Campbell

13 June 2026

Featured·Heritage and Arts·Scottish News

Scots Scientists Turn Whisky Chemistry Into Motion for Microscopic Machines

Researchers at the University of Strathclyde have used chemistry associated with whisky production to propel tiny particles through liquid. The work is

by John Campbell

4 June 2026

Map showing extent of B9090 Nairn High Street, Gordon Street and The Brae closures

Highland·Infrastructure·Scottish News

Emergency Closures in Nairn After Sinkhole Investigation Disrupt Town Centre

Emergency road closures have been imposed in Nairn after further investigations into a sinkhole at the corner of Douglas Street and Nairn

by John Campbell

2 June 2026

91346278 village of crail in fife scotland

Community·Featured·Fife·Scottish News

Fife Homes to be Bought to Protect Tenants Facing Eviction

Twenty six homes in West Wemyss, Coaltown of Wemyss and Denbeath are set to be brought into public ownership after tenants faced

by John Campbell

1 June 2026

99638090 modern data center campus with cooling towers and hydroelectric dam in mountain valley

Environment·Featured·Scottish News

Paper, Trees and Hyperscale Data Centres: Scotland’s New Environmental Questions

For years, the public was told that moving from paper to digital was an obvious environmental gain. Less printing, fewer trees cut,

by John Campbell

1 June 2026

Energy·Featured·Scottish News

What Ofgem’s 13 Per Cent Energy Price Cap Rise Means for Scotland

Ofgem’s latest price cap rise will push typical household energy bills in Great Britain up from July, just as many Scottish households

by John Campbell

27 May 2026

Allegedly one of the 250 people who think they are paying for everyone in Scotland

Economy·Featured·Scottish News

Tom Hunter’s 250 Taxpayer Claim Collapses Under Scotland’s Own Tax Data

Sir Tom Hunter has argued that Scotland risks pushing away the people who fund public services, but one striking claim about 250

by John Campbell

22 May 2026

Dundee City·Fife·Heritage and Arts·Perth and Kinross·Scottish News·Stirling

Five Scottish Museum Collections Recognised as Nationally Significant

Five collections held outside Scotland’s national museums and galleries have been awarded National Significance status. The decision recognises the national value of

by John Campbell

20 May 2026

Aberdeen City·Aberdeenshire·Energy·Scottish News

North Star Contracts Show the North Sea Transition Still Depends on Scotland’s Offshore Safety Fleet

North Star has secured a major pipeline of emergency response and rescue vessel work across the North Sea, supporting hundreds of seafaring

by John Campbell

20 May 2026

Featured·Policy and Government·Scottish News

Scotland’s Complaints Watchdog Warns Some Cases May Wait 25 Weeks

The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman says sustained demand has left some complaints waiting up to 25 weeks before allocation to a Complaints

by John Campbell

11 May 2026

Shrieve Chemicals FIS Chemicals acquisition

Aberdeen City·Economy·Featured·Scottish News

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

91550682 a technician checks the performance of a grid scale energy storage solution integration of renewable energy into the power grid

Energy·Scottish Borders·Scottish News

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

Aberdeen City·Economy·Scottish News

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·Scottish News

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·Scottish News

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

67405890 scottish parliament holyrood edinburgh

Economy·Scottish News

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

51492678 a solitary wind turbine on a green renewable energy farm on a sunny day

Energy·Scottish News

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

93399026 a smart utility meter is monitoring energy usage in a residential area showcasing digital readings and consumption patterns

Argyll and Bute·Energy·Scottish News

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

82725736 morning fog above a meadow with electricity pylons

Economy·Energy·Scottish News

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

by John Campbell

10 April 2026

The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) opened a carbon storage licensing round offering locations in Scottish waters. Applications closed on 24 March 2026 at 12 noon

Aberdeenshire·Energy·Scottish News

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,

by John Campbell

7 April 2026

Dumfries and Galloway·Economy·Scottish News

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 sector, as ministers and enterprise agencies

by John Campbell

5 April 2026

Energy·Scottish News·Shetland Islands

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

38106224 landscape with a wind turbine on a rough sea

Energy·Scottish News

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

Dumfries and Galloway·Economy·Scottish News

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

Edinburgh St Andrew's House (8595567296)

Economy·Scottish News

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

45012466 1 pound coin reverse side showing thistle and diadem representing scotland currency of the uk

Economy·Scottish News

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·Highland·Scottish News

£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·Scottish News

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 glance, deceptively calm. Beneath the surface

by John Campbell

27 March 2026

66538328 heating radiator with regulator

Economy·Highland·Scottish News

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 News

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

83308340 the shetland islands in scotland

Economy·Scottish News·Shetland Islands

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