The Scottish Beacon

10/07/2025

Understanding the impact of man-made structures on the marine environment

Publication: The Orkney News

“This is not just about infrastructure, it’s about people, nature, and building a future where sustainable energy systems work in harmony with marine life.” - Professor Beaumont

Research into the impact of man-made structures on the marine environment is set to begin next month.

Researched by an international team and led by Plymouth Marine Laboratory, the focus of the ValMAS project will be the North Sea.

Its aim is to understand the full impact of man-made structures in the ocean, ranging from offshore oil, gas and wind energy infrastructure, to shipwrecks.

Find out more 🔗
https://www.scottishbeacon.com/news/environment/understanding-the-impact-of-man-made-structures-on-the-marine-environment/

📸 Image credit Kenny Armet

10/07/2025

The best stand up acts at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025

Publication: MidlothianView.com

The Midlothian View shares its top picks for comedy acts performing at this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Find out who made the cut 🔗
https://www.scottishbeacon.com/news/sports-culture/the-best-stand-up-acts-at-the-edinburgh-festival-fringe-2025/

📸 Marc Jennings photo by Rebecca Need-Menear

10/07/2025

Concerns over oil firm’s involvement in teaching science to Shetland pupils

Publication: Shetland News

“It’s not fair for companies that make money from oil to have a significant say in what kids learn about energy and the environment.”

A Green MSP has expressed concern over oil firm Equinor's involvement in teaching science to Shetland pupils.

Ariane Burgess has raised serious concerns about an initiative which sees Norwegian oil giant Equinor – which owns an 80 percent stake in the controversial Rosebank oil field – delivering pop-up science classes to Shetland pupils.

Equinor has teamed up with the Highland-based Science Skills Academy to deliver classes on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to pupils across the isles.

She said every young person will be “dealing with the consequences of the climate and nature emergencies,” so it was important “they get the full picture – not just the version that helps oil companies.”

Whilst Equinor claims it was a it was a “social investment – not a sponsorship activity.”

For the full story click the link 🔗
https://www.scottishbeacon.com/news/environment/concerns-over-oil-firms-involvement-in-teaching-science-to-shetland-pupils/

📸 Pupils drawing eco-friendly symbols by Artem Podrez

04/07/2025

Sharing Scotland’s stories of anti-war activism and peace campaigning

Publication: The Orkney News

A Professor of International Law is in Orkney exploring the role local people have made in war service that contributed towards peace and also of anti-war campaigning.

Professor Dr Charlie Peevers of Glasgow University is keen to collect the stories of those who have seen active service and those who have been involved in peace activism:

"This project is about the many and varied experiences of peace work from across Scotland and its island communities over the past century, starting just before the First World War.

“It takes a broad definition to peace work ranging from wartime experiences to anti-militarist movements, as well as encompassing anti-nuclear activism, veterans’ and ex-military insights, pacifist organisations and local protest groups.

“Here in Orkney the anti-uranium mining campaigns and wartime experiences are of special interest, as are the issues around Dounreay and weapons testing.”

Find out more 🔗
https://www.scottishbeacon.com/news/community-voices/sharing-scotlands-stories-of-anti-war-activism-and-peace-campaigning/

📸 Cardboard boxes with peace and anti-war slogans in a protest setting by cottonbro studio

04/07/2025

Grasping the opportunity of Scotland’s renewable revolution

Scotland is in the throes of a massive expansion of onshore renewables.

But the level of community-owned onshore wind is way behind the Scottish Government's own targets.

Just 0.2% of Scotland’s current wind power is owned by communities through a shared ownership arrangement, compared to 52% in Denmark.

The Power Shift, a new project connecting independent media outlets to share knowledge and experience of the renewables revolution in Scotland, explores how we can maximise this renewables revolution.

Our media partners represent communities that are all grappling with shared issues: how the massive onshore renewables transition might be of greater benefit to the people who are experiencing the impact of the emerging infrastructure.

The issue is becoming more and more prominent and pressing this summer as people try to realise the potential for renewables to be something for communities not something done to communities.

As a report by Equitable Energy Research in May put it: “As the scale and pace of new energy developments increase, the question of what constitutes a fair deal for communities hosting such projects becomes ever more critical.”

Find out more 🔗
https://www.scottishbeacon.com/news/community-empowerment/grasping-the-opportunity-of-scotlands-renewable-revolution/

04/07/2025

Big payment increase agreed for foster carers in Inverclyde to attract Scots to the role

Publication: Inverclyde Now

Across Scotland there has been an increase in the number of children needing foster care at the same time as a fall in the number of foster carers.

In Inverclyde, the number of households fostering has fallen to 20 from 34 since May 2020, a 41 percent reduction in capacity.

Now Inverclyde Council are offering more money for foster carers in a bid to attract Scots to the vital role.

Councillor Francesca Brennan, Vice Chair of Inverclyde Integrated Joint Board (JIB) said: “This is a very welcome move and I was delighted that it received universal agreement from members of the IJB.

“Too often we have to send a child or young person in crisis to foster care outwith our authority away from their friends and school because we simply don’t have local foster carers available.

“I am confident this increase in payments shows how much we value our existing foster carers and will encourage new people to come forward."

Find out more 🔗
https://www.scottishbeacon.com/news/social-equality/big-payment-increase-agreed-for-foster-carers-in-inverclyde-to-attract-scots-to-the-role/

📸 Two kids playing with toys and colourful boxes indoors by Kindel Media

27/06/2025

Festival season in Argyll and Bute: Rhinns Lighthouse Festival and Book Festival this August

Publication: The Illeach

With festival season in full swing across the UK and Scotland, including popular music festivals happening up and down the country, here are just a couple of the most anticipated local culture festivals in Islay offering up something a little different.

From stories by the sea to celebrations of coastal heritage, two unique festivals on Islay — Rhinns Lighthouse Fest and Islay Book Festival — shine a light on some of Argyll and Bute’s vibrant cultural scene this summer.

The Rhinns Lighthouse Festival Weekend is now less than two months away and there seems to be a gratifying buzz about the approaching festivities.

The Street Party, around the Port Wemyss coastal path, will be the culmination of the celebrations to mark the bicentenary of the Rhinns Lighthouse.

Mairi Trawber, who is curating an exhibition of lighthouse memorabilia said: “For some people it will be a chance to reminisce and relive previous visits, but for many it will be an exciting opportunity to set foot on the ‘Big Island’ for the first time.”

The Islay Book Festival is staged, above all, for the vibrant community of Islay and Jura.

Festival organisers have attracted 16 authors, who are travelling from all over the UK and who are responsible for some of 2025’s most eye-catching releases – writers like Rory Cellan-Jones, Hamza Yassin, Jen Stout, Peter Mackay and Len Pennie.

Carolyn Ferguson writes: 'In a time when we sadly see some book festivals around the UK having to close down, we’re proud and passionate about continuing to keep ours healthy, vital and relevant to the community and island lives.'

To find out more click the latest link 🔗
https://www.scottishbeacon.com/news/sports-culture/festival-season-in-argyll-and-bute-rhinns-lighthouse-festival-and-book-festival-this-august/

📸 Blue and white bunting hanging in the sky by Alexey Demidov

25/06/2025

Retreat from the Sea: a last resort or a very real vision of the future?

Publication: The Bellman

As coastal erosion threatens Stonehaven’s shore, could a managed retreat from the sea become the town’s only viable future?

In December 2024, The Scottish Government published its National Flood Resilience Strategy.

In her Ministerial foreword, Gillian Martin MSP states: ”Building on the success of our Flood Risk Management Plans, the Strategy will look at the flood resilience challenges we face in the much longer term recognising that some of the changes that we need to make will take decades to implement.

”Over that period the Strategy will enable the change from trying to stop flooding impacting on our activities to creating flood resilient places where our activities are adapted to the flood risk that we face.”

Aberdeenshire Council took its first steps towards understanding how our communities should adapt to increasing sealevels and coastal erosion, when the Infrastructure Services Committee accepted the proposed Regional Coastal Change Adaptation Plan (RCCAP).

Coastal Change Action Plans (CCAPs) identify areas at risk from coastal flooding, along with possible triggers to take action – and what those subsequent actions might be.
Mairi Gougeon MSP said: “Flood resilience is a matter for local authorities and, given budgets are allocated on an annual basis, it is not possible to set out what budgets beyond 2026 will look like...

“I will always advocate for the areas I represent in getting the support that they need and it’s clear from SEPA’s flood risk assessments that Stonehaven and many other areas...are at risk from future flood events as we experience worsening extreme weather.”

Roads and Infrastructure head Philip McKay said: "thinking about a coastal community, a managed retreat should be the last thing to do and there were many tools to be used and stages before that.

He added: ”Without wanting to be flippant, there will always be coastal communities – they might just be further inland than they are now.”

📸 'After the Flood' photographed in Scotland © Copyright Richard West

Find out more 🔗

Aberdeenshire Council took its first steps towards understanding how our communities should adapt to increasing sealevels and coastal erosion, when the Infrastructure Services Committee accepted the proposed Regional Coastal Change Adaptation Plan (RCCAP). Coastal Change Action Plans (CCAPs) identif...

19/06/2025

Sri Lankan cuisine finds a home on Glasgow’s food map

Publication: Migrant Women Press

A blend of tradition with a modern twist, Kofi Kade and Ceylon Tea Bar in Glasgow are more than just Sri Lankan restaurants. They are a celebration of Sri Lankan culture and a fusion of flavours in every bite.

Often mistaken, people think of Sri Lankan food as either “Indian or Pakistani food, but it’s not, it’s contrary to that”, says Rukshan Weeraratne, owner of Kofi Kade. The “Sri Lankan-Inspired Sandwich Bar”, based in Govanhill in the Southside of Glasgow, is a mixture of modern and traditional Sri Lankan flavours. This combination has a special meaning for Rukshan (35), who is originally from Sri Lanka and has been living in Scotland since the age of fourteen.

Sameera Conganeege, owner of Ceylon Tea Bar, also located in the Southside of Glasgow – in the Battlefield area – keeps the authenticity of Sri Lankan culture in his food. He highlights, “So, I’m doing it the same way. We give it the way we eat back at home.” Sameera learned to cook from his aunt and his grandma, “My auntie was a great cook and my grandma. When I’m making vegetable curries, I always use my auntie’s recipe. She was the best, always.”

To hear more from Rukshan and Sameera about their culinary journey's, click the link below:
https://www.scottishbeacon.com/news/sports-culture/sri-lankan-cuisine-finds-a-home-on-glasgows-food-map/

19/06/2025

Refugee Week: The facts and myth-busting lies around refugees and asylum seekers

Publication: The Orkney News (theorkneynews.scot)

Refugee Week 2025 runs from 16 to 22 June, with the global awareness day – World Refugee Day – being observed on 20 June.

In light of that, here are some illuminating facts about refugees and asylum seekers to bust the harmful myths surrounding those seeking refuge.

'Refugees are people who have fled their countries to escape conflict, violence, or persecution and have sought safety in another country.' – UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency

Many have been forced to flee with little more than the clothes on their back, leaving behind their homes, possessions, jobs and loved ones. They may have suffered human rights violations, been injured in their flight, or seen family members or friends killed or attacked.

A person seeking asylum is someone who has asked a government to recognise their refugee status and is waiting to hear the outcome of their application.

For those who are seeking asylum (not yet granted refugee status) the 1951 Refugee Convention guarantees everybody the right to apply for asylum. It has saved millions of lives. No country has ever withdrawn from it.

A refugee is entitled to the same social and economic rights as any UK citizen. Refugees have full access to medical treatment, education, benefits, housing and employment.

Only 1 percent of people classed as Refugees out of the 27.1 million refugees who were forcibly displaced across the world are living in the UK.

More myth-busting and facts via the link below:
https://www.scottishbeacon.com/news/refugee-week-the-facts-and-myth-busting-lies-around-refugees-and-asylum-seekers/

📸 Photo: Street pole with stickers including 'Refugees Welcome', a message of acceptance and solidarity. Credit: Markus Spiske

19/06/2025

“We need a stronger voice” – 52 Highland community councils unite in Beauly over need for action on the renewables boom.

On June 14, representatives from 52 community councils, representing over 72,000 Highland residents, gathered in Beauly to demand:

– A moratorium on new renewable energy developments
– A national inquiry into cumulative impacts on communities
– Transparency and a real voice in the planning process

Chaired by Cllr Helen Crawford, the event featured powerful contributions from community leaders including Susan Ogston (), Andy Fraser (), Andrew Robinson (), Alison Gordon, and Dan Bailey (), all calling out a broken system where decisions are made without those most affected.

“We’re not anti-renewables — we’re against being sidelined.”
“Let’s pause and plan better, together.”
“Communities must come before corporations.”

Jamie Stone MP () attended, saying it's time the Scottish Government and ministers like and started listening to communities — not just energy companies.

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This article is part of – a collaborative investigation by 10 independent, community-based publishers across Scotland, exploring the impact of the green energy transition on communities. Co-ordinated by and supported by the Tenacious Journalism Awards, the project aims to amplify local voices, facilitate cross-community learning and push for fair, transparent energy development.

19/06/2025

A Nigerian heart in a Scottish home: exploring what it means to belong

This reflective opinion piece is written by for The Scottish Beacon in collaboration with

Here is just a snippet of her empowering and thoughtful writing

I grew up as a third culture kid – a term that describes children who spend a significant part of their formative years in another culture that is different from that of their parents.

This experience gives us a blend of culture that can be rewarding and challenging in equal parts.

With international travel on the rise, the freedom to live, work, study and invest across boundaries has opened a vista of endless possibilities.

"Scotland is, or has become, a multicultural society. This multiculturalism may come with some challenges in terms of integration. However, the rewards far outweigh them.

When I walk through Glasgow City Centre and I see people that look like me and those that don’t – from different cultures, races and ethnicities – I feel comfortable and proud.

Click the latest link in our bio for the full story, or visit www.scottishbeacon.com for more like it!

📸 Ramatu Umar Bako photographed by