MINISTERS have refused to intervene over an outstanding debt incurred by the homeless for temporary accommodation in Scotland estimated at more than £33m.

On December 4, 1982, The Jam celebrated their fourth UK number one. Seven days after Beat Surrender topped the chart, they were no more.

SCOTLAND’s heritage agency has been accused of breaking the law by failing to act immediately to shut down some of its crumbling historic buildings identified internally as dangerous to the staff and public.

More than a decade into their marriage, Luca and Thabisile Cirignaco had expected to be settled into a home of their own and perhaps be starting a family.

A ‘world-first’ trial of hydrogen heating systems in Fife is yet to sign up its targeted number of local households despite offering residents a £1,000 ‘bribe’ to take part.

NHS administrator Anna Gmoch finished chemotherapy for breast cancer on March 12 2020, just as hospitals were beginning to implement Covid restrictions.

CASE STUDY

THE writing had been on the SNP wall for quite some time after the summer stramash over MP Patrick Grady and Ian Blackford’s mishandling of it.

Four corners: Foreign Editor David Pratt on stories from across the world

Melanie Sturtevant, Associate Director of Policy Evidence and Influencing at Breast Cancer Now said:

As the influential pro-independence think-tank Common Weal launches a new book outlining its vision for Scotland in the first 10 years after leaving the union, its director Amanda Burgauer sits down with our Writer at Large Neil Mackay for a full and...

For Victorians hoping to deck their halls with traditional boughs of holly, Christmas in 1876 would be one of deep disappointment and leave James McNab, curator of the botanical gardens in Edinburgh, perplexed.

The tiny coastal island of Eilean dà Mhèinn sits in peaceful Loch Crinan, just 100 metres of crystal-clear water separating it from the village of Crinan and its bustling harbour of little sailing boats.

Insults based on body weight or looks do as much harm as racism, an academic has claimed and we should adopt the same 'zero tolerance' approach.

When she was a young student nurse, Karen Rennie was caring for an elderly dementia patient when he leaned forward, kissed her arm and touched her breast.

As Ian Blackford announces he is stepping down as SNP leader at Westminster, what next for the party and who will replace him?

ORGANISERS of the Scottish leg of the UK wide Unboxed festival have told auditors that more than 1.2 million people engaged with the project during its six-month run.

ALISON Thewliss has announced a bid to replace Ian Blackford as the SNP’s next Westminster leader.

Hints and answer for today's Wordle 533, December 4.

Here are some helpful hints and tips to help you crack December 4's puzzle.

Members of the grass-roots movements Don’t Pay UK and Fuel Poverty Action said campaigners had bedded down with blankets

ONLY in Britain could you have a sketch like the “Class System”. You know the one, upper class John Cleese looking down on middle class Ronnie Barker, who in turn looks down on working class Ronnie Corbett (“I know my place”).

Mr Cole-Hamilton pledged his party will develop a manifesto covering issues which “matter most” to Scots

Scotland Yard said it had received allegations of “serious sexual assault” and that officers were “making inquiries”.

THE dream of buying a house is further away for more people in Scotland as figures show mortgage approvals have slumped to an 11-year low while interest rates soar.

SHAME on you, television, for that whole Matt Hancock, I’m a Celebrity carry-on. You let us down, you let yourself down, and you made a shedload of money. Normally I would say nothing could erase the stain of your disgrace, but here comes Simon Sch...

Nearly half of Scotland’s species are in decline, but the situation can be turned around with action to preserve natural habitats, a report reveals.

Len Pennie fronts up to some of the misconceptions surrounding the Scots language and its place in modern Scotland.

With the FIFA World Cup now well underway, a football analogy seems fitting.

HIBERNIAN and Hearts have both powered to profit in the wake of unprecedented lockdown, and have robust backing from benefactors and fan shareholders.

THE backers of Scotland’s football clubs range from fund managers to fan shareholders.

Royal Bank of Scotland owner NatWest has offered more then 90 per cent of its 41,500 staff in the UK a pay rise and one-off cash sum to help them cope with soaring prices.

It's advertised as a three-year-old blended Scotch.

John Lewis will develop around 1,000 new homes across three communities

A fond farewell

Ardbeg sold a rare cask for £16m earlier this year.

A MINISTER has admitted his government is decades behind progress needed to decarbonise buildings and has insisted that independence would allow Scottish consumers to reap the economic benefits of net zero.

EXACTLY five years ago, Scotland’s then-Health Secretary Shona Robison set out the Scottish Government’s ambition to “increase the number of GPs by at least 800 over ten years”.

A Scottish walking tour business set up by two friends after they realised one didn’t exist for visitors to Glasgow to do is toasting a success which has seen them expand the tours to across Scotland and even into England.

He has been cited as an influence by politicians including Gordon Brown, Barack Obama and Margaret Thatcher.

RETIRED healthcare workers and volunteers should be drafted in to help care for patients at home or in emergencies as part of efforts to bolster the NHS, a leading cancer specialist has said.

ANGUS MacEachran (letters, December 2) suggests that Lady Susan Hussey should be “given a break” because of “the huge changes that have occurred during the lady’s lifetime and to which she has adapted”.

WHEN I started out as a distiller almost two decades ago, I was the only female distiller in the UK. The idea of women drinking whisky, let alone making whisky, was rare. I am pleased to have witnessed that over my career I have seen an increasing nu...

IN social media’s chi-chi battlefields, squads of artisan ninjas are constantly seeking their next targets. Lately, they’ve been coming for those who dare to express themselves in anything but establishment English.

DANIEL GILLESPIE, MUSICIAN

What’s the story?

As imagined by Brian Beacom

IN these trying times - or even at the very best of times - how much would you fork out for Christmas dinner, even if it contained gold carrots? Against the backdrop of the cost-of-living crisis, some celebrity chefs are asking eye-watering prices fo...

IT’S been a good week for ageing white blokes on radio. You might argue, of course, that every week is a good one for ageing white blokes on radio and I couldn’t really disagree. But with actor Bill Nighy sitting in for Guy Garvey on 6 Music last...

Add a touch of festive magic to your home this Christmas with a low-maintenance terrarium that can be completely personalised to suit your style - and will last long after the other decorations have been packed away.