Danyel Vanreenen

Glasgow’s Bothwell Street and surrounding city-centre locations are being dressed as Gotham City for filming The Batman: Part II. Sets include snow, Christmas decorations, Gotham signs, police vehicles and a temporary City Clerk’s Office at Bavaria Brauhaus, while road closures are expected in other areas. Robert Pattinson returns as Batman under director Matt Reeves, alongside Colin Farrell, Jeffrey Wright, Andy Serkis and other cast members. The film is scheduled for cinema release on February 18, 2028.

A large fire broke out in a derelict building on Park Road near Constitution Street in central Aberdeen shortly before 6pm on 17 August 2026. Four fire appliances and a height appliance attended, while police advised residents to keep windows and doors closed and avoid the area. No injuries were reported, roads later reopened, and three young people were charged in connection with what Police Scotland described as a deliberate or wilful fire.

Tetraplegic former Royal Scots Dragoon Guards soldier Danny Mavor is preparing to travel 79 miles from Fort William to Inverness along the Great Glen Way over three days in a chin-controlled off-road wheelchair. Based at Erskine Hospital after being paralysed from the neck down in a motorcycle accident six years ago, the 41-year-old Glasgow man aims to demonstrate that life after spinal injury can remain extraordinary while raising funds for Regain. The demanding route will include steep, uneven terrain requiring harnesses and support from a team, and Mavor expects significant pain and physical strain but sees the challenge as a way to reconnect with his love of mountains, camaraderie and endurance.

Sharif Ahmadzai, a 26-year-old Afghan man, appeared at an Athens court over the alleged murder of Scottish charity worker Elisabeth-Jane Ross, whose body was found in a suitcase in a derelict building on July 18. He faces murder, weapons-possession and alleged bank-card theft charges. Police say he admitted moving the body but denies killing Ross. Investigators identified him through surveillance footage and are awaiting tissue-analysis results to determine whether she died by suffocation. Greek authorities and Police Scotland are supporting the ongoing investigation and Ross’s family.

A Cairngorms National Park wildfire that had burned for 11 days prompted evacuations near Nethy Bridge and the deployment of more than 500 firefighters. Justice Secretary Neil Gray said Scotland was not expected to receive UK military assistance because the military lacked the required tactical aerial helicopter capability, while Scottish authorities continued using commercial helicopters and substantial ground resources. The fire was no longer classified as a major incident after containment reduced risks to communities, but the response continued. The Abernethy Highland Games, scheduled for August 8, were cancelled because the local community centre remained an emergency-services base and many volunteers were helping fight the blaze.

A wildfire burning in the Cairngorms National Park for 10 days has prompted First Minister John Swinney to request military aerial assistance from the UK Government. More than 500 firefighters, specialist vehicles and helicopters are tackling the blaze, which has forced evacuations around Nethy Bridge and Glenmore and sent smoke toward Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen. Residents have criticised the Scottish Government’s earlier assurances that the fire was contained, while emergency services continue building firebreaks, issuing smoke advisories and warning the public to avoid the affected area.

A major wildfire near Ryvoan Bothy in the Cairngorms National Park prompted evacuations in Glenmore and warnings for nearby communities as smoke spread toward populated areas. Fire crews deployed multiple engines and specialist wildfire units while authorities urged residents to keep doors and windows closed and avoid the area. Officials warned that hot, dry conditions have created a very high wildfire risk across Scotland, with additional blazes reported in Fife. Emergency services advised vigilance and immediate reporting of any large outdoor fires.

Emergency services recovered the body of a woman at the Falls of Falloch near Crianlarich after reports of someone in difficulty in the water. Multiple fire and rescue units and Police Scotland conducted overnight searches before locating the body late Saturday morning. The death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious, and the woman’s next of kin have been informed. The nearby car park has reopened.

STV aired its final dedicated News at Six broadcast from Aberdeen as long‑serving presenter Norman MacLeod signed off after 36 years. The shift follows Ofcom’s approval of STV’s plan to centralise production in Glasgow despite opposition from the Scottish Government, politicians and unions. From Monday, northern editions will include about 30 percent region‑specific content, with the Aberdeen studio remaining available as needed. Around 30 roles were affected, all on a voluntary or redeployment basis.

KT Tunstall will headline the opening ceremony of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, joined by several Scottish artists including Nathan Evans & Saint PHNX, Nina Nesbitt, Callum Beattie and Valtos. The ceremony on July 23 at the Hydro will showcase Scottish music and culture as athletes from 74 nations begin the 10‑day event. Organisers emphasise the celebration’s role in welcoming the Commonwealth and highlighting both emerging and established Scottish talent.

A red squirrel in Dollar, Clackmannanshire tested positive for squirrelpox, marking only the second confirmed case north of Scotland’s Central Belt. Conservation groups warn the virus, carried by grey squirrels, is lethal to red squirrels and may also be present in nearby Fife. Residents are being asked to remove wildlife feeders temporarily and report sick or dead squirrels. Conservation organisations are monitoring populations, removing grey squirrels where necessary, and seeking volunteers and landowner cooperation to help contain the outbreak.

A balcony fire at Cables Wynd House in Edinburgh prompted a major emergency response involving four fire engines and a height vehicle. Firefighters rescued a woman from the affected flat and transferred her to Scottish Ambulance Service personnel for treatment. Police temporarily closed the street as crews extinguished the fire and secured the area. The Banana Flats, where the incident occurred, are a well‑known local landmark due to their distinctive design and cultural associations.

A 17‑year‑old was arrested in Edinburgh on suspicion of murdering 19‑year‑old Kane Ontre Zasheem Moses, who died from a stab wound after a fight on Tottenham High Road in London. Metropolitan Police detectives continue to appeal for witnesses despite the arrest, with Detective Inspector Daniel Catmull urging anyone with information to come forward or contact Crimestoppers.

A motorcyclist was filmed running a red light and performing wheelies in Edinburgh, adding to a series of reckless off‑road biking incidents reported across the city. Police Scotland has increased efforts to address the issue through targeted patrols and Operation Orbit officers trained to identify and deter offenders. Authorities urge the public to report incidents and provide information to help curb risks posed to pedestrians and road users.

A yellow weather warning was issued for most of Scotland, including West Lothian, as the Met Office forecast heavy rain and potential flooding from Friday morning until early afternoon. Expected impacts include delays to bus, train and road travel, with 20–30mm of rain likely and up to 40mm in some northern areas, alongside periods of gale‑force southerly winds and increased flooding risks from fallen leaves.

Fire crews extinguished a blaze in a public toilet block at Leith Links in Edinburgh after being alerted around 12:30pm. Multiple appliances, including a height unit, attended and brought the fire under control with no reported injuries. The toilets, installed earlier in the year due to community demand, were reportedly reopened afterward, though the extent of the damage remains unknown.

Police in West Lothian broke a car window to rescue a distressed dog left inside a hot vehicle in Livingston after concerned shoppers raised the alarm. Temperatures inside the car were estimated to have reached dangerously high levels, prompting officers to intervene when the owners could not be located. The dog was later confirmed safe by a vet. The PDSA reminded the public that leaving pets in hot cars can lead to animal cruelty charges and advised contacting authorities if an animal is in distress.

A former Livingston nightclub could be redeveloped into a 66‑bed nursing and dementia care home under proposals submitted to West Lothian Council. Morrison Community Care plans to create Almondside Luxury Suites, offering private facilities and 24‑hour nursing support while generating up to 150 local jobs. The development forms part of an ongoing partnership with CCG and Holmes Miller to expand specialist elderly accommodation across Scotland.