Scotland
- www.bbc.co.uk Bin collectors to go on strike during Edinburgh Festival
Waste and recycling staff in Edinburgh vote to strike over a pay dispute during the Festival.
And neither WM party want to raise taxes anywhere. Gonna get filthy in Edinburgh, ECC struggling with everything right now (guess who's in charge there!)
- www.bbc.co.uk Provost sorry for 'no surrender' Orange walk newspaper column
Inverclyde provost Drew McKenzie that he had made an "error of judgement" with the column.
Scotland's shame on display here. High time hate marches are vastly curtailed
- www.bbc.co.uk Postal delays leave Scottish holidaymakers unable to vote
There are reports of 'difficulties' with the delivery of postal votes across Scotland.
Shambles is the word. Not enough printing capacity? Not enough IT staff to run the print job? Not enough posties to deliver or sort? This should surely have been known about 2 weeks ago! We're less than a week out now and anyone without a ballot in hand or in the post across the highlands and islands is now unlikely to have their votes count
- news.stv.tv Man with Parkinson's becomes first in Scotland to undergo 'miracle' procedure
Ian Keir says his tremor has 'completely gone' after having treatment described as 'milestone moment' for Scottish medicine.
Great to hear that Parkinsons sufferers can look forward to some respite
- www.bbc.co.uk Cabinet minister admits placing three bets on the election date
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack says he had "no knowledge of the date of the election" when he placed the bets
Sure thing, Cabinet member has no clue at all... Can't believe we don't get to see his face on election night getting 200 votes
- news.stv.tv Late heartache for Scotland as Euros dream dies in defeat to Hungary
Scotland had to avoid defeat in Stuttgart to prolong their stay in Germany.
100th minute, feels bad. I got Switzerland in the work draw at least!
- www.theguardian.com Bagging a Munro gets easier as volunteers fund repairs to mountain paths
Scottish Highlands campaign has raised two-thirds of £300,000 target for footpaths on An Teallach. But more is needed to protect people and environment
Still a big walk! But fantastic to see our right to roam laws being literally reinforced here. Anyone up the hills this weekend?
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Glasgow stun Bulls in Pretoria to win URC final
www.bbc.co.uk Headline here...Glasgow Warriors win the URC final 21-16, coming from 13-0 down to beat Bulls in Pretoria.
What a great match, well done to Glasgow, that's double league winners compared to zero Edinburgh!
2nd half was all Glasgow, great to see them hold off the best attacking team to 1 try and what a shift from the 23. What a season, this has to knock on to Scotland next year
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Mayor of Cologne heaps praise on the Tartan Army
Dear Scots, those have been a wonderful couple of days with you. I could not be a happier mayor. You are always welcome to come back to Cologne! #tartanarmy @ScotlandNT #euro2024
- www.bbc.co.uk Council erects code of conduct for Glasgow buskers
The new signs warn performers to control their volume, watch where they perform and ensure they vary their songs.
Edinburgh buskers are all crap, except we get the better bagpipers, even though we have a permit system. All sensible stuff, here's to the buskers!
- www.snp.org SNP 2024 Manifesto: A Future Made in Scotland
A vote for the SNP is a vote for independence. On July 4, vote for a future made in Scotland, for Scotland. Read the SNP’s 2024 General Election Manifesto.
Love the recognition of Palestine in here, and half of MPs sad to see, fptp really is abysmal, but given that was the same policy as last WM election: isn't this insane?
- www.bbc.co.uk General election 2024: Labour suspends candidate over 'pro-Russian' post
Andy Brown, standing in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East, is suspended by the party pending an investigation.
Drosses potential replacement. Up to the SNP now then. I love how whomever knew about this waited until nominations were closed, quality shithousery. Whom else will see a suspension before they they see returns?
- news.stv.tv 'Incredible' Dundee Eden Project granted planning permission by council
The application to see the former gas works on East Dock Street transformed into the flagship ecological destination was unanimously approved.
Great news for Dundee! Can't wait to go visit when up and running
- www.bbc.co.uk Oil licences still needed for Net Zero transition - Swinney
John Swinney refused to confirm whether the SNP would avoid adopting a 'presumption against' new north sea exploration.
In a blow to Green supporters everywhere, Swinney further comdemns us all. Labour say no new licenses. You can now guess where SGP votes will be going
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Weekly social thread: fitba edition
Come on Scotland! Where yous watching the game tonight? Any other weekend plans?
- news.stv.tv Stagecoach cuts services amid 'falling passenger numbers and rising costs'
The transport company said some of its services were 'no longer sustainable' and would be scrapped.
High time Aberdeenshire council started to run their own services. Works amazingly for Edinburgh and surrounding areas
- news.stv.tv Abortion buffer zones bill passed overwhelmingly by MSPs
The Abortion Services Safe Access Zones (Scotland) Bill was agreed by 118 votes to one at its final stage in the Scottish Parliament.
About time the god squad gets told to fuck off to the park instead of intimidating vulnerable women. Gotta love devolution!
- news.stv.tv Planes, trains and campervans: The Tartan Army exodus to Germany is well under way
Some 200,000 fans are expected to head to the Euros over the next couple of weeks - but charities hope the tournament also leaves a lasting legacy at home.
Not long to go now. Anyone heading out? @sanguinepar ? I'll be tuning in, no babysitter for a pub trip here
- www.bbc.co.uk Douglas Ross to resign as leader of Scottish Conservatives
He will carry on in the role until after the election and will resign as an MSP if he is re-elected to Westminster.
Oh dear, dross making a mess of things as per usual. BBC with another article about his hijinks also front page Douglas Ross hits the self-destruct button
- www.bbc.co.uk Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross to stand in election
Mr Ross's surprise announcement comes after he said he was going to stand down at this year's election.
Lol, couldn't find a willing idiot and so he's being forced to defend it. Will be great seeing his returns
- news.stv.tv Contract to dual six-mile stretch of A9 to be awarded next month
Fiona Hyslop said three bids have been received for the work to dual the road between Tomatin and Moy.
Six. Just six miles. Some fairly awful stats in that page, roads deaths far too high. At this rate I might see the A9 dualled by 2060
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Didya ken Taylor Swift's in Embra this week? Here's a new scots cover of Love Story frae Iona Fyfe
A braw wee translation, lyrics on the page, available oan spotify and aww hing else the day
Who's all going? Murrayfield to be bouncing!
- www.theguardian.com Summerhall’s sale could devastate Edinburgh’s arts scene, say creative leaders
Arts hub described as heart of city’s fringe advertised for redevelopment after benefactor outvoted on family trust
A big blow, and not just fot Edinburgh if Summerhall folds. Hoping for a community buyout here
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Lyndon Dykes: Scotland striker ruled out of Euro 2024 [BBC Sport]
www.bbc.co.uk Lyndon Dykes: Scotland striker ruled out of Euro 2024Scotland striker Lyndon Dykes will miss Euro 2024 after sustaining a training ground injury on Friday.
Could have done without this. Not that I rate Dykes all that highly, but we're already thin on forwards. Someone wrap Shankland up in bubble wrap!
- news.stv.tv Edinburgh book festival ends 20-year partnership with Baillie Gifford
The firm, who have supported the festival since 2004, had been accused of investing in 'companies who make money from fossil fuels'.
After the Hay festival dropped Baillie Gifford, this had an inevitable conclusion. But I didn't expect it this year.
Interesting that pressure groups are exerting considerable cultural clout, I wish they would turn that screw on Parliament. World ending companies need to be taxed more, much more. Conglomerates are enemy number 1 of the planet. Investment into them is guaranteed returns currently. A form of carbon tax is so badly needed at this stage
- news.stv.tv Scottish party leaders to take part in STV General Election debate
STV political editor Colin Mackay will moderate Monday's debate featuring John Swinney, Douglas Ross, Anas Sarwar and Alex Cole-Hamilton.
Feel slightly bad for the SGP, but they aren't putting many candidates forward, Patrick has been MIA since the incident, and not putting Lorna up is a saving grace. But seeing ACH, who recently attended online hate speech training, and Anas, I don't pay the living wage to my staff but do lie about it, against Swinney is going to be funny. Personally I think Flynn should have been there - it is a General Election, not Holyrood. And that would have thrown the other 3 leaders, only Dross being in WM and barely there at that. Also highlights why a female leader is important in 2024 - you are literally different to the other middle aged males.
Anyway, 90 minutes of unionists banging on about independence, failing to understand devolution, and interruptions. This one may well be a turn off for all voters! Cannot see many watching, the soundbites after will be more important.
- news.stv.tv Woman who planned ex-boyfriend's murder to be considered for parole
Tasmin Glass was jailed for ten years after planning and instigating the murder of Steven Donaldson in Angus.
Not often I post justice posts, but wow, eligible for release after 5 years after planning a murder is pretty heinous. The whole affair is tragic though: murder, suicide, pregnancy, extortion.
- news.stv.tv Election could put end to SNP push for independence, says Ross
The Scottish Tories will launch their General Election campaign on Tuesday in the Holyrood seat held by First Minister John Swinney.
Dross in a far from safe seat, so if he's annihilated, can we just get indy now?
Seriously though folks, Tories and Labour will be throwing the kitchen sink at Scotland this election, they genuinely think this election is about stopping independence north of the border. The once in a generation timing will be put to bed by the end of this parliament. Starmer a strong unionist himself, as will be the rest of his imperial masters. The SNP are in shreds after leadership scandals and mis-steps.
We can expect 5 more weeks of this pish. But independence was never about the SNP, no matter how much Labour and Tories want it to be.
- news.stv.tv Councils want visitor levy powers to be introduced faster
As it stands, local authorities would not be able to charge the fee before 2026.
18 month consulatation is crazy. Bring on the tourist tax! End the AirBnBs
- news.stv.tv July election confirmed as date clashes with Euros and school holidays
Rishi Sunak said UK voters will go to the polls on July 4 - coinciding with major football events and the summer holidays.
In yet another who cares about Scotland action from the Tories: when the big getaway starts we're holding an election. Meaning polling staff will be harder to round up, votes will be down, and even counts will be short handed. Postal vote applications to be through the roof.
The SNP likely in trouble with a reduced turnout, last few by-election results have indicated not that people are switching from Yes parties to Bitter Together. They just aren't voting. Anywho, a serious prospect of Tories being flung out UK wide, some predictions of less than 100 seats and Starmer getting a majority the biggest ever seen since The Great Reform Act
Anyone brave enough to give some Scottish seat predictions in the comments?
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First time hiking trails
Hey! Me and my friend will be hiking for the first time in Scotland. We plan to sleep in a tent, and we are looking to spend 5-7 days hiking. Any points that we should definitely put on our path? Thanks!
- news.stv.tv Scotland's culture secretary demands answers over axed art sex show
Angus Robertson is asking for an urgent meeting with Creative Scotland to question why funding was granted.
This one would be more funny if Scotland’s arts weren't already on their knees. Summerhall in Edinburgh in real trouble, heads to roll here imo, a staggering lack of judgement
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The majority of people in Scotland said they had no religion in the 2022 census
Taken a subtitle as the title, as it's better. The National pointing out that British and Scottish has gone significantly backwards, and entrenchment continues. And the minority ethnic group percentages have risen too. 'Mon in tae Scotland!
- www.bbc.co.uk Watch: Preparations for Shetland rocket launch
A rocket manufacturer has successfully tested rocket engines at a space port on Shetland.
Great to see for the island group, could be fun to go witness a rocket launch
- news.stv.tv Forbes to unveil package for start-ups as Government looks to priorities
New First Minister John Swinney has put focus on the improvement of the economy since taking over the Government.
Our first moves by the latest economy secretary focussing on start ups, a great decision imo. I'd argue scale-ups needing more work personally, but everything helps!
Will we see a return to "it's the economy stupid" politics ahead of Holyrood elections in 2026? We're 2 years out yet, but a stall such as this you can see this looks to be first priority over independence. Time will tell, but a sound idea to my mind too