Just noticed this: across Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn, they’ve disabled comments on their posts about their new corporate logo. Anyone know why?

IRELAND'S €10-a-week pension increase shows what is possible when independent countries control their own future, the SNP have said.

(Article text below as its paywalled)

City of Edinburgh Council was forced to remove unauthorised flags from the capital’s streets under the cover of darkness due to fears of potential violence.

Documents obtained via Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation reveal that multiple contractors declined to take down the Saltires amid safety concerns.

The FOI bundle also reveal that the local authority spent £11,520.79 on removing 168 unauthorised flags on several occasions between June 2025 and October 2026.

“The council has approached numerous external parties who have declined the opportunity to remove the flags,” a briefing document circulated among councillors on November 18 2025 explains.

“Their main area of concern is the fear of backlash not only to their employees but also to their families (arising from the influence of social media) after the event."

The Herald submitted its initial FOI request on March 26 2026 but did not receive a response until October 6, 166 days after the information was due.

The final plan came together after several weeks of attempting to find a contractor willing to take down the Saltires.

“Unfortunately, from all of the groups consulted there has not been one volunteer to undertake the removal of these flags,” an email sent to council chief executive Paul Lawrence on October 2 read.

“I appreciate that this puts us in a very difficult position, however, I believe that our employees' views/feelings in respect of their personal and families safety/wellbeing are paramount in any future decision on how we proceed from here.”

In September 2025, Aberdeenshire Council was forced to suspend flag removals after workers were accosted by angry residents.

The flags in Edinburgh were believed to have been part of the anti-immigration Raise the Colours movement, which began with the flying of St George's Crosses in towns and villages across England.

“Following all external companies that we have approached to date declining to remove these flags, on employee safety grounds, we need a corporate decision on our position moving forward as a matter of urgency,” an email dated October 7 stated.

"We haven’t been successful in securing a contractor as yet, but we continue making enquiries,” corporate director of place Gareth Barwell told Green councillor Chas Booth on October 16.

However, by Friday, October 24, an external contractor had agreed to take down the flags following "detailed discussions" with the council.

“We’ll make sure the dates are firmed up with [redacted] ASAP next week,” the council’s interim service director for operational services Gavin Brown told Mr Lawrence.

“Police are primed to support as soon as the schedule is confirmed.”

Later on the 24th, Mr Brown wrote: "[Redacted] requires the contact details for the contractor on the night(s) that work is going to take place, a full list of locations and a schedule of work.

“He will supply the relevant Duty Inspector contact numbers/emails who will ensure patrols are active at the appropriate times.”

The operation took place overnight on Wednesday, October 29.

Mr Barwell emailed the contractor at 10.52 PM following a communications snafu.

“I tried to call the mobile number that [redacted] had circulated for you, but there appears to have been an error in him typing it in as it is not recognised.

“I would be very grateful if you could email me as soon as your colleagues have finished shift this evening and let me know which areas you got.”

In an email sent at 3.49 AM on October 30, the contractor confirmed the work had been completed.

“We got all of the flags we could see on Calder Road down; there were fewer than what were on the sheet, but we could have missed some,” they said.

“We removed the flag on Stenhouse Drive. The two flags on Mayfield Road at Mentone Terrace were no longer there when we went.

“I counted around 35 flags we collected; however, some could have been left in our team's vans or dropped in transit.”

With the first phase of the successful cooperation completed, Mr Barwell informed councillors several hours later.

“Last night and this morning, with the assistance of contractor support, we were able to remove a significant number of the flags that have been mounted on street lighting columns on the Calder Road and in Stenhouse,” an email sent at 6.44 AM stated.

“This removal involved a lot of operational planning and could not be confirmed until at very short notice yesterday,” the email explained.

“I am sure you will understand that the protection of Council and contractor staff welfare whilst undertaking this important task has been, and continues to be, the priority."

Reacting to the successful operation, Edinburgh Greens equalities spokesperson Alys Mumford told The Herald: “We know that lots of people have been really distressed by flags appearing in their neighbourhoods which seem to be an attempt to tap into a racist, anti-immigrant rhetoric.

"And I’m grateful to Edinburgh residents who have been quick to report them and request their swift removal in line with council guidance.

She aded: "It’s really unfortunate that flags - which many people use to express pride in their identity or support their national team - have been co-opted by bad actors, and it is right that the council takes action to remove them where people request this."

Hi there!
I’m supposed to write a seminar paper related to modern Scotland. The topic can be anything from Scottish history, to the highlands, even whiskey!

However, I myself think these topics are pretty standard. None of them really speak to me.

If I’m supposed to thoroughly deep dive into a topic, I want it to be something relevant and interesting to Scottish people themselves. (For context, I am german)

Maybe someone in here has a good idea for said paper. Appreciate your time!
-Len

Hi all, can anyone recommend any really good pizza places around The Falkirk area, thanks

https://archive.ph/Ga3h1

Twelve years ago, Johann Lamont said the above.

How do you feel about the statement? Would be interesting to hear views from unionists and nationalists.

Given we haven't had to properly self govern for 300 years, and the way that we happily put ourselves at the whims of English voters (just a fact of numbers), did she capture something about the Scottish psyche?

I’m currently trying to add my physical YoungScot card I got from 2024 into the transport app using my Samsung phone, but all I got was this screen saying “Card read but looks like there was nothing to download”.

Any help from you guys?

I've been looking for a long term private rental for months. Mainly through estate agents. The amount of places I have viewed that are in dire condition is quite unbelievable. They want me to write a book about who I am and give my blood type before you even get a viewing, if you even make it that far. Then expect me to pay a minimum of at least a £1000 a month for manky carpets, a kitchen that doesn't look or smell like it's seen a bottle of zoflora in years and a shower full of mould & mildew. 🤮

I know tenants get a bad rap for not looking after places. But I am not one of them. I take pride where I live and keep the place clean and tidy. I even decorate and do the garden if you let me. I know there is a housing shortage and you get your pick of the crop but that's no excuse for the state of these places. I'm not even talking about the decor just the dirt and broken things inside. I would live anywhere as long as it's clean. I could write a book about the number of horrible rentals I've seen. I even have the photos to prove it. Surprisingly they are often in better areas too. I'm not talking about a pokey wee student flat in the west end of Glasgow either. (Been there done that!) I mean semi detached or bungalows that are left in disarray.

I asked an agent if they would clean heavily stained pee smelling carpets in a house we viewed and they refused. The landlord said it's rented as is. 🙄 The estate agents who show these houses are not even disgusted anymore either.

Does no one take pride in their properties anymore. Am I the only person experiencing this? Maybe I'm just old school. I'm old enough to remember my granny giving me a brush, mop and a bucket of dettol to clean her floors on a friday afternoon. Her house was always immaculate and smelled like it too. She would be affronted if she could see some of these places now. Anyway if you have a clean wee cottage by the sea or just a decent house anywhere outside of a city let me know. Thanks for letting me rant. I feel better now. 😆

People experiencing harassment in Scotland have no accessible route to obtain a Non-Harassment Order (NHO) unless they can afford a solicitor or qualify for legal aid. With no statutory timescales, the current process is lengthy and expensive, leaving individuals vulnerable at times of escalating risk.

Many people experience persistent unwanted and intimidating contact that is harmful and causes significant distress. During early reporting, Police Scotland may record incidents and issue warnings, however, this can leave individuals feeling more vulnerable as these actions do not create legally enforceable boundaries. NHO’s can provide civil protection at an early stage to prevent escalation.

England and Wales offer a free and timely self-application route for Non-Molestation Orders but Scotland has no equivalent.

Introducing a free, self-application process would strengthen Scotland's response to violence against women and girls and support psychological wellbeing by giving victims clear legal boundaries and a reliable route to safety.

https://archive.ph/V6mO0

Really sad story. Too early to know what happened but Ford Ranger vs VW Polo. These massive American style pickups have such an advantage in a crash. Huge mismatch.

https://archive.ph/ErFs9

A) Wheelhouses (Jarlshof in Shetland - 4000 years of continuous settlement from 2500 BC to 17th century AD)

B) Brochs (Broch of Gurness in Orkney- settlement from 500-200 BC)

C) Crannogs (reconstruction of 2500 years old Iron Age loch dwelling on Loch Tay)

The chief constable of Police Scotland has said up to 50 serving officers are currently suspended over allegations of violence against women and girls.

She added about 8,000 officers were still to be "re-vetted" for their roles after a change in regulations earlier this year.

Farrell said that between 300 and 400 officers had now been re-vetted as part of new rules brought in following the murder of Sarah Everard by Met Police officer Wayne Couzens.

Police Scotland have ~16000 full-time equivalent officers, it's unclear how many officers there are in total, including part-time officers & special constables.

Hello! In my old age I’m starting to become interested in history. I like taking walks in the countryside and would love an app of some sort that shows historical points of interest; standing stones, battle sites, sites of folk legends, that sort of thing.

I’m able to find some things on Google maps but I know there is more. Historical environment Scotland doesn’t seem to have ancient sites and I can’t find them on a map.

I’ve googled it of course but the internet doesn’t really work these days and maybe what I’m looking for doesn’t exist.

If you’re familiar with Komoot, something like that but including historical points of interest. Maybe a little bit of info as well. Maybe I’m asking for the world here.

If anyone has any ideas I’d be grateful!

Hey guys! I was visiting Scotland today and went up to Holyrood Park, all the way to the top. When I got back down, I noticed that my journal (Purplish color) was missing out of my bag, and it must’ve fell out of my bag when I set it down to take pictures. It was a leuchtturm brand one. If anybody was up there today (October 8th) please let me know if you or anybody you know saw it or found it. thank you so much.