It’s an annual tradition to throw your hands up in the air when the New Years Honours List is announced. But this years list is particularly appalling. As political commentator Gerry Hassan writes: “The UK political system is broken and rotten. The debasement of the honours systems is beyond repair and used shamelessly by the […] Source

A SCOTTISH business has been nominated for the prestigious £1 million Earthshot Prize. Source

We used to talk of a ‘media class’ and a ‘political class’ but the distinction is becoming more and more fuzzy as politicians interview each other on platforms like GB News and pundits and columnists with inside tracks rise to prominence on the back of huge salaries. Increasingly ex-journos and columnists have re-invented themselves in […] Source

THE owners of an award-winning Scottish cafe have said it is “not without tears” that they are closing their doors for the final time … Source

A SCOTTISH cheesemaker who made headlines around the world with their “stinkiest” offering has said the international attention was actually a marketing “disaster” … Source

THE Scottish Budget will allow businesses to claim they would be better treated under the Tories and must be amended, Alex Salmond has said… Source

THE 50-year-old was remanded in custody for seven days. …

POLICE in Buckie are appealing for information following an attempted break-in to a premises in the town. …

Wednesday could turn out to be a wet and windy day across the majority of Scotland. …

Taking a few days off. Thanks to all of or readers and writers for the past year. Hope you all have some good holiday time, whatever that means to you. Peace, Mike Source

A PROJECT aiming to invest £10 million into the Highlands every year by bringing together two key industries could be “transformative” … Source

On Dùthchas, ‘heritage “from below” and the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Today, 23d December, the British Government announced its intention to ratify the Convention for the Protection of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (CICH). Many advocates (like me) have waited for years for this welcome announcement, and it is fitting and symbolic that it occurs […] Source

Talat Yaqoob reflects on the relentless assault on the people of Gaza, its erasure and the need for organisation for solidarity and resistance. I have never known the words “it’s complicated” to be used as often as they have over the last two months. For some this has been their only contribution to this discourse; […] Source

FORMER staff of Virgin Hotels Glasgow staged a protest to demand pay after 130 workers were made redundant days before Christmas … Source