Opinion

Opinion

Fiona Robertson and Jenny Gilruth were summoned to answer questions about the Higher History marking

8

How a disastrous committee appearance confirmed that the SQA needs new leadership
The exam board's chief executive appeared at the education committee alongside education secretary Jenny Gilruth. It did not go well.

Scotland women's national team head coach Pedro Martinez Losa is under pressure after a second successive failure to make it to a major tournament.

Scotland women's national team head coach Pedro Martinez Losa is under pressure after a second successive failure to make it to a major tournament.

2

Sacking Martinez Losa will cost SFA, but not doing it may cost women's game more

Scottish Rugby Union

2

Martin Hannan: Is the new Six Nations branding out of touch with rugby’s legacy?

Critics of the SNP point to its long period in power at Holyrood

Critics of the SNP point to its long period in power at Holyrood

23

Ian McConnell: Amid whingeing and griping, has SNP been getting things right?

Three million people have signed a petition calling for a snap GeneralElection

Three million people have signed a petition calling for a snap GeneralElection

6

Carlos Alba: Election petition risks plunging new political depths

Sign up for the Winds of Change newsletter and get a weekly update on all things climate and energy

Sign up for the Winds of Change newsletter and get a weekly update on all things climate and energy

Winds of Change ♻️

1

What the Ryvoan bothy tells us about phone masts and wild places

There are plans for an assisted dying law in Scotland, and England and Wales

There are plans for an assisted dying law in Scotland, and England and Wales

1

Would our greatest philosopher David Hume have supported this right to die law?

Finance secretary Shona Robison pictured alongside first minister John Swinney in the Scottish Parliament

Finance secretary Shona Robison pictured alongside first minister John Swinney in the Scottish Parliament

3

Mark Williamson: £500m SNP Government fund farce hangs over Scottish Budget

Tiger Woods has not played since July's Open Championship

Tiger Woods has not played since July's Open Championship

1

Nick Rodger: The Tiger tale goes on but the end is surely nigh

Roz Foyer: We want investment and pay rises for workers in the Budget

Clubs are closing across Scotland, down from 125 in 2020 to 82 in 2024

Clubs are closing across Scotland, down from 125 in 2020 to 82 in 2024

1

Annie Scott: Restrictive Scottish licensing laws are strangling our pubs and clubs

Police officers in Teangue, Skye, in August, 2022, where Finlay MacDonald had fatally shot his brother-in-law John MacKinnon, 47.

Police officers in Teangue, Skye, in August, 2022, where Finlay MacDonald had fatally shot his brother-in-law John MacKinnon, 47.

Police Scotland

5

Calum Steele: How the first line of defence against the mad and the bad has been lost

Anti-assisted dying protesters say the Bill is the thin edge of the wedge

Anti-assisted dying protesters say the Bill is the thin edge of the wedge

10

Kevin McKenna: As our politicians back 'assisted dying', beware the Codger Catchers

Professor Doug Paul

Professor Doug Paul

Helping to keep our satellite systems secure

Financial education in the Scottish curriculum is predominated by numeracy and maths

Financial education in the Scottish curriculum is predominated by numeracy and maths

Business Insight

Young enterprise

2

Education by osmosis doesn't add up for Scotland's students

Scotland boss Pedro Martinez Losa will look to improve his side's performance in Tuesday's second-leg encounter in Helsinki.

Scotland boss Pedro Martinez Losa will look to improve his side's performance in Tuesday's second-leg encounter in Helsinki.

Is Tuesday a 'must-win' for Pedro Martinez Losa to keep his job as Scotland boss?

2

Ian McConnell: Does SNP face impossible task as Scottish Budget looms?

David Lonsdale: A Christmas Carol not the worst parallel

Iain Duncan Smith in Easterhouse in 2002, taken by Martin Shields

Iain Duncan Smith in Easterhouse in 2002, taken by Martin Shields

25

Fraser Nelson: Why aren't we solving the 'Glasgow effect' of ingrained poverty?

What will Scotland do in the face of a PM Farage?

What will Scotland do in the face of a PM Farage?

51

Neil Mackay: Scotland’s future: either PM Farage or left-wing populist independence

'Like 62% of Scots I voted to remain in Europe '

'Like 62% of Scots I voted to remain in Europe '

7

Kerry Hudson: Being European again is well worth the tangle of red tape

4

Mark Smith: Read this book, and weep for what we’ve lost

Social Security

2

Why employment reforms must address inclusivity

Supporters of the 'Not Dead Yet' campaign, which opposes the Assisted Dying Bill, react outside the Houses of Parliament

Supporters of the 'Not Dead Yet' campaign, which opposes the Assisted Dying Bill, react outside the Houses of Parliament

How should Scottish religious groups present their opposition to assisted dying?

Supporters of For Women Scotland and the Scottish Feminist Network outside the Scottish Parliament ahead of the vote on the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill in December 2022 demonstration outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh

Supporters of For Women Scotland and the Scottish Feminist Network outside the Scottish Parliament ahead of the vote on the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill in December 2022 demonstration outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh

KEVIN MCKENNA'S DIARY

National government

1

SNP advancing the idea that a man can become pregnant embarrasses us all

March against Grangemouth closure

March against Grangemouth closure

24

Alan Simpson: Is the human cost of Net Zero drive really worth it?

Andy Murray, unexpectedly, has joined Novak Djokovic's coaching team

Andy Murray, unexpectedly, has joined Novak Djokovic's coaching team

3

Susan Egelstaff: Novak Djokovic appointing Andy Murray as his coach is a genius move

The Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Bill, passed last week, lowers the minimum term served by short-term prisoners.

The Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Bill, passed last week, lowers the minimum term served by short-term prisoners.

3

SNP progress on Scotland’s buckling prison system is head-bangingly slow

The Herald is again partnering with Scottish Book Trust for this year's Christmas campaign

The Herald is again partnering with Scottish Book Trust for this year's Christmas campaign

Scottish Book Trust

'Books are a ladder for Scottish children to climb above poverty and deprivation'

Scotland's Erin Cuthbert (left) and Finland's Eveliina Summanen battle for the ball during the first leg

Scotland's Erin Cuthbert (left) and Finland's Eveliina Summanen battle for the ball during the first leg

Scotland national team

Alison McConnell: Scotland must step up after uninspiring Euro 25 playoff first leg

Cambodia charity cycle with Chris Hoy a fitting last big push on the bike

Cambodia charity cycle with Chris Hoy a fitting last big push on the bike

David Smith: Cambodia charity cycle with Chris Hoy a fitting last push on the bike

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes speaks to the media during a visit to Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes speaks to the media during a visit to Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow

15

Guy Stenhouse: Kate Forbes says Labour lacks competence. What a cheek

Shoplifting is up 25% in a year

Shoplifting is up 25% in a year

5

Mark Smith: Shoplifting in Scotland is up by 25%. Who’s really to blame?

12

Brian Taylor: On this St Andrew’s Day, just how Scottish do you feel?

The Stone of Destiny at Perth Museum

The Stone of Destiny at Perth Museum

Lucy Casot: Despite blazing a trail, Scotland's museums face an uncertain future

Fairer, multi-year funding agreements are sorely needed

Fairer, multi-year funding agreements are sorely needed

CITIZENS ADVICE

Here's what’s needed from the Budget to support essential services like ours

Bangour Village Hospital

Bangour Village Hospital

2

A former psychiatric hospital turned into houses - let's not allow history to be lost

Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland

Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland

MATTHEW LINDSAY

Heart of Midlothian FC

5

The Rangers transfer truth that should settle Lawrence Shankland’s future at Hearts

Sign up for the Unspun politics newsletter and receive exclusive analysis and opinion straight to your inbox

Sign up for the Unspun politics newsletter and receive exclusive analysis and opinion straight to your inbox

4

Neil Mackay: Farage is using Trump to stab Britain in the back as he sniffs power

32

Ian McConnell: Will this SNP government ever be able to please business?

Assisted dying is one of the biggest debates in UK politics but it's safeguards are complicated.

Assisted dying is one of the biggest debates in UK politics but it's safeguards are complicated.

1

I cared for a mentally ill relative: assisted dying is complicated

It's not just Glasgow that has Games spectacular to look forward to

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers with Arne Engels

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers with Arne Engels

14

Brendan Rodgers must drop Arne Engels for Celtic to achieve Champions League ambition

Sign up for Lessons to Learn and get a weekly expert insight into Scottish education

Sign up for Lessons to Learn and get a weekly expert insight into Scottish education

Lessons to Learn 🎓

1

The complicated reality of the one high school on Mull

Hearts have appointed former SWNT coach Shelley Kerr as their Technical Development Manager, looking after their pathway between the youth set up and the first team.

Hearts have appointed former SWNT coach Shelley Kerr as their Technical Development Manager, looking after their pathway between the youth set up and the first team.

Heart of Midlothian FC

2

No, Shelley Kerr was not a 'woke' appointment, judge her by her work at Hearts

Why are senior officials in Scotland's largest council still getting golden goodbyes?

Why are senior officials in Scotland's largest council still getting golden goodbyes?

MARISSA MACWHIRTER

Glasgow City Council

6

Why are senior officials in Scotland's largest council still getting golden goodbyes?

Nigel Farage's Reform UK will be a significant player north of the Border

Nigel Farage's Reform UK will be a significant player north of the Border

13

Mark McGeoghegan: Reform UK is no flash in the pan, and here's why

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray currently has only one minister supporting him

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray currently has only one minister supporting him

Scotland Office

1

Andy Maciver: Think smart, Ian Murray: time for a bigger, bolder Scotland Office

Dr Pavan Srireddy

Dr Pavan Srireddy

Scottish Government must invest properly in mental health

Scottish Government must invest in social care in this Budget

There are plans to revamp the JobCentre network to establish a personalised approach

There are plans to revamp the JobCentre network to establish a personalised approach

Social Security

7

Brian Wilson: Get Scotland working, for the sake of the people as well as the economy

Celtic players rated in Champions League contest against Club Brugge

Celtic players rated in Champions League contest against Club Brugge

4

Celtic players rated in Champions League draw against Club Brugge

2

Why the SQA is responsible for a national scandal and must take responsibility

Demand for holidays remains strong

Demand for holidays remains strong

9

Ian McConnell: What did Jet2 tell us about what's going on with package holidays?