Alison Campsie

A 23-year-old man was rescued after going overboard from the MV Caledonian Isles during a Brodick-to-Ardrossan sailing. After being brought aboard, he allegedly made a security threat, prompting the evacuation of all 329 passengers, a police search of the ferry and the cancellation of subsequent sailings. Police Scotland arrested the man and said enquiries were continuing. HM Coastguard and rescue teams assisted with the initial response. The report also notes that a body was recovered after a separate search for a passenger who fell overboard from the cruise ship Ambition near Angus.

A CalMac ferry carrying 329 passengers was evacuated at Ardrossan after a man was rescued from the water and allegedly made a security threat to the crew. Police searched the MV Caledonian Isles for more than two hours before clearing it, and a 23-year-old man was arrested. Friday evening and Saturday morning sailings were cancelled while the crew was debriefed and emergency equipment replenished. In a separate incident, a body was recovered after a passenger reportedly fell overboard from the cruise ship Ambition east of Arbroath.

First Minister John Swinney requested military aerial assistance from the UK Government as a major wildfire continued burning near Nethy Bridge in the Cairngorms ten days after it began. Police Scotland declared a major incident, residents were advised to consider evacuating, and around 500 firefighters were deployed alongside private helicopters, volunteers and rural-sector resources. Although conditions temporarily improved as winds shifted, residents criticised the authorities for an inadequate and delayed response. The fire disrupted accommodation and forced the cancellation of a large wedding, while Scottish Land & Estates said the incident underscored the need for dedicated aerial firefighting capacity and stronger long-term wildfire resilience.

Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler has died at 75 following recent health complications, with her family announcing she passed away in a Portuguese hospital. She had been placed in an induced coma after emergency intestinal surgery in May and remained critically ill. A further statement is expected, and her family has requested privacy. She was awarded an MBE in 2022 for her contributions to music.

Rangers in Scotland’s national parks are preparing for a surge in summer visitors as Loch Lomond and The Trossachs consider new bylaws that would allow fines for campers who act aggressively toward staff. Rising instances of threats and abuse have prompted the proposal, while the Cairngorms National Park has already begun enforcing a seasonal ban on campfires and barbecues with penalties of up to £500. Loch Lomond is also reviewing its decade-old camping bylaws, which regulate overnight stays, fires, and permit requirements, and is considering tighter fire controls due to increasing wildfire risks. Local representatives say the bylaws have significantly improved conditions, and the public will be consulted on future changes, including the growing use of motorhomes and campervans.

A painting by Sir Edwin Landseer, Scene in Braemar, sold at Sotheby’s for £5.94 million, setting a record for the artist and underscoring continued interest in Victorian-era romantic depictions of the Scottish Highlands. The work, considered a companion to Monarch of the Glen, drew competitive bidding from three parties. Experts highlighted the painting’s significance within Landseer’s career and broader market enthusiasm for Old Masters. The artwork’s provenance includes prominent private collections and long-term display in Ireland, reflecting sustained demand for pieces tied to historical artistic movements and Highland iconography.

A geophysics survey by Historic Environment Scotland uncovered traces of a previously unknown stone or timber circle beneath the surface of Machrie Moor on the Isle of Arran. Twelve pit-like anomalies form a circular pattern similar to the area’s existing Neolithic and Bronze Age circles, which were linked to ritual, ceremonial and later burial practices. The discovery adds new depth to understanding Arran’s prehistoric landscape and follows earlier significant finds, including a large cursus monument identified in 2021.