The Scottish Government has committed to simplifying crofting law. This first phase of legislation seeks to “correct known anomalies” in the current legislation. The Scottish Government also acknowledges that a future conversation to consider more fundamental changes may be needed.
This phase 1 Bill would aim to:
help more people become crofters and better support existing crofters and their activities and businesses;
enable more and different activity to be undertaken on common grazings, including peatland restoration and other environmental initiatives;
empower the Crofting Commission to tackle breaches of duty through streamlined processes, and;
resolve crofting regulatory issues more quickly through new and revised powers for Crofting Commission.
The Bill would also merge the Scottish Land Court and Lands Tribunal for Scotland.
Launching the call for views, Committee Convener, Finlay Carson MSP, said: “The Scottish Government is clear that, although more fundamental reform of crofting legislation may be required in the future, this more tightly focused Bill would “correct known anomalies” in crofting legislation.
“Our inquiry will look at these proposed corrections and we’re asking for your views on whether they will address some of the current difficulties in crofting law. Will the proposals solve the problems they seek to address? What other changes are needed that are not included? And will merging the Scottish Land Court and Lands Tribunal for Scotland effect positive and necessary change?”
The Committee intends to take formal evidence on the Bill at Holyrood from September to November with a report to Parliament expected by the end of the year.
Members also hope to visit a crofting community as part of their scrutiny, to speak with crofters about how the Bill’s proposals would impact crofting communities.
The call for views will be open until Friday 5 September 2025.
A former Assistant Chief Constable and Chief Human Resources Officer have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours 2025 for their significant contribution to policing.
Recently retired Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie was awarded the King’s Police Medal (KPM). Chief Officer of Human Resources Nicky Page received an MBE.
Chief Constable Jo Farrell said: “I want to warmly congratulate Gary and Nicky on this well deserved recognition of their outstanding careers in public service, leadership and collaboration across sectors.
“Police officers, staff and volunteers work hard to deliver for our communities and these awards are an opportunity to thank them and celebrate their huge contributions to society.”
Gary Ritchie joined Strathclyde Police in 1991 and retired in April 2025 after 33 years’ police service.
He was appointed as an Assistant Chief Constable in 2019. Gary was instrumental in the roll-out of naloxone to all frontline police officers in 2020, making Police Scotland the first force globally to implement a nationwide roll out of the medication used to reverse the effect of opioids.
He was the Gold commander for the COP26 climate summit held in Glasgow in 2021. Gary was also the Gold Commander during COVID-19, actively engaging with partners across health, social care and government. He played a key role in facilitating information sharing and supporting the Independent Advisory Group to ensure the police response remained aligned with human rights requirements.
Gary had the responsibility to develop innovative approaches, based around the principles of embedding a public health approach to policing and leading public sector wide collaboration, to improve safety and wellbeing and achieve better outcomes for communities. In 2021, he significantly contributed to the creation, development and delivery of Police Scotland’s International Academy.
Gary Ritchie said: “I am both delighted and humbled that I have been awarded the King’s Police Medal.
“Any personal achievements which have led to me receiving this award have only been made possible by the many people inside and outside the service who have contributed to the successful initiatives, projects and operations that we have undertaken over the years.
“The award is much more a recognition of their contributions and, at times, wise counsel and advice. I will be forever grateful and proud of what we achieved together.”
Nicky Page joined Strathclyde Police in 2010 and has provided strategic human resources leadership for over 22,000 people in Police Scotland.
This included playing a key role during the transition period that brought together eight legacy forces to form Police Scotland. She delivered a single national HR function achieving public sector savings of around £200 million annually since 2013.
She led the Staff Pay, Reward and Modernisation Project, aligning pay and conditions across the organisation. This contributed to a reduction in the gender pay gap. Since 2017, Nicky has also volunteered as a Community First Responder with the Scottish Ambulance Service, contributing over 1000 hours of service while balancing the demands of her role and family life.
Nicky Page said: “I am both grateful and surprised to receive this honour. I’m deeply appreciative of the support I have received from my colleagues in policing, the Ambulance Service and fellow responders within the Bathgate Group.
“This honour reflects the shared commitment and teamwork that have made my contribution possible.”
WESTMINSTER’s Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) will hear from activist, writer and speaker Laura Bates in Parliament on Wednesday, 18 June during the third evidence session of its inquiry into Misogyny: the manosphere and online content.
MPs on the cross-party committee chaired by Labour MP Sarah Owen will examine the rise of the manosphere and its influence on misogynistic behaviour and attitudes online and offline.
The session will also look at the emerging use of artificial intelligence (AI) and how this is facilitating misogyny, and the links between the misuse of AI and the manosphere.
Discussion is expected to focus on non-consensual intimate image abuse (NCII) through deepfakes, linked to the Committee’s current and prior work on NCII abuse, and other aspects of Bates’ research, including bias in artificial intelligence.
WEC’s inquiry explores the prevalence and impact of misogynistic views, attitudes and behaviour among men and boys, particularly in schools and educational settings, and the reasons for this.
It examines ways that boys and young men are also being harmed and if better support, activities and services need to be available to them.
‘Your View on the Forth Bridge is truly a once-in-a-lifetime event for those lucky enough to secure a ticket’
It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that has brought joy to thousands and raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for Scotland’s leading children’s charity. And now, after a six-year hiatus, the famous Barnardo’s Scotland ‘Your View’ event atop the iconic Forth Bridge is bringing back its much-coveted ‘Ultimate Experience’.
Your View – now in its seventh year – affords members of the public one of the most sought after and unique experiences in Scotland; namely the chance to ascend 361 feet up the historic bridge and enjoy an uninterrupted 360-degree panoramic view of the Edinburgh and Fife coastline.
This memorable experience has brought joy to thousands and raised vital funds for the work of Barnardo’s Scotland.
In addition to the popular Your View event over three days in September, the reprised Ultimate Experience, which is limited to a lucky few ticket holders, provides an extended tour which affords visitors the chance to stand at track level of the legendary bridge for some amazing photo opportunities.
And that’s not all: Thereafter, visitors will descend another level for a bridge walk under the railway track on the pathway out on to the Forth.
This remarkable experience culminates with refreshments and a certificate during a further historic talk and exhibition of historical artifacts in the 1930s-listed Bothy which most people will have never even spotted even if they have crossed the bridge many times. This 2½-hour ultimate experience will be offered twice a day across the weekend.
Your View 2025, which is run in conjunction with Network Rail and Balfour Beatty, will take place from Friday, 19th to Sunday, 21st September, with tickets going on sale at 10am tomorrow (Monday 16th June).
To date, more than 6,000 visitors have experienced the event and there have been around a dozen marriage proposals on the vertiginous viewing platform.
Best of all, though, the event has raised more than £375,000 to fund the work of Barnardo’s Scotland. To find out more, or to book tickets for the event, please visit: www.barnardos.org.uk/events/your-view-forth-bridge.
This year’s Your View event also coincides with a celebration of 200th anniversary of the railway and the 10th anniversary of the Forth Bridge gaining World Heritage status.
Martin Crewe, Director of Barnardo’s Scotland, said: “Your View is truly a once-in-a-lifetime event for those lucky enough to secure a ticket. Not only is it a never-to-be-forgotten experience for those atop the iconic bridge, it is also a crucial fundraiser for Barnardo’s Scotland as we continue to support children, young people and their families throughout the country, notably in our fostering service.
“Right now, Scotland is facing a foster care crisis at an unprecedented rate, with too many children still entering the care system and an insufficient number of loving homes to accommodate them. The impact of the crisis is felt most by children in the care system. Without enough potential foster homes, children are already at risk of being placed in unsuitable situations as a last resort.
“As I am often reminded, tickets for Your View sell out very quickly indeed, so I would urge all of those keen to attend to sign up as quickly as possible. The return of the ‘Ultimate Experience’ this year is particularly exciting as it really does give one a rare behind-the-scenes tour of the bridge that only a precious view people will ever get to witness.
“Your View would not be possible without the generosity of Network Rail and Balfour Beatty, and I wish to thank both organisations and our wonderful volunteers for making this special weekend happen.”
Alan Ross, Network Rail Scotland’s Director of Engineering and Asset Management, added: “Few landmarks are as instantly recognisable and deeply cherished as the Forth Bridge, and as proud custodians, we couldn’t be happier to open it up for such a unique and special event.
“It’s a rare privilege to experience the bridge up close, and even more meaningful knowing that every step to the top supports the incredible work Barnardo’s Scotland does for children and families. We’re delighted again to support this fantastic event and look forward to welcoming visitors up on to one of Scotland’s most iconic structures.”
Colin Hardie, Construction Superintendent for Balfour Beatty, said: “At Balfour Beatty, we are committed to giving back to the communities we serve.
“The Your View event is one example of how we do just that, raising valuable funds to support disadvantaged children and families in Scotland.
“It has been an honour to work alongside Barnardo’s Scotland once again, to offer members of the public this memorable experience on one of the most iconic, unique and admired structures in the world – the Forth Bridge.”
Also featuring over the weekend will be the famous ‘Briggers’. The Briggers are a Forth Bridge research and presentation group of volunteers based in South Queensferry.
Named after the bridge workers, the group was formed to identify the names of the 73 men and boys who died constructing the Forth Bridge, they provide details on the history of the bridge and the people involved in its construction.
For more information on this year’s Your View event, please visit:
For more information on becoming a foster carer with Barnardo’s in Scotland, please visit www.barnardos.org.uk/foster, or call 08000 277 280. The charity’s friendly and supportive staff are available from Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm.
At Barnardo’s, our purpose is clear: Changing childhoods and changing lives, so that children, young people, and families are safe, happy, healthy, and hopeful. Last year, we worked with thousands of children across Scotland through more than 150 services and partnerships.
Across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, we provided essential support to 373,200 children, young people, parents and carers through more than 800 services and partnerships across the UK. This included 150-plus services in Scotland.
For more than 150 years, we’ve been here for the children and young people who need us most – bringing love, care and hope into their lives and giving them a place where they feel they belong.
Over the course of the financial year 2023-24, more than 16,000 people volunteered for Barnardo’s across the UK – a total of 1.7 million hours of their time. To donate, volunteer or fundraise, please visit: www.barnardos.org.uk/get-involved/raise-money.
THREE Scottish Ambulance Service staff members have been awarded prestigious accolades in the King’s Birthday Honours.
Sarah Stevenson, of Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, is the recipient of King’s Ambulance Service Medal (KAM). Anne Cadman, of Dalry, North Ayrshire, has been awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) and Keith Jensen, of Aberdeen, has received an Officer of the Order of the British (OBE).
Sarah joined the Service is 2005 and became SAS’s Risk Manager in 2008, a position she had held since.
Throughout the past two decades, she has embedded vital risk management arrangements and recently been instrumental in developing an internal programme (InPhase) across the Service for the reporting and management of adverse events, feedback and risks to ensure ongoing patient and staff safety.
Sarah said: “I was completely shocked and very honoured. I think it’s crucial that support staff are recognised for the work they do as they enable and support the frontline to deliver services for our patients.
“I’d like to thank Systems Administrator Jackie MacKay, who supports me and the wider service on a daily basis in not only InPhase but also the wider risk management agenda.”
Anne currently works as Business Support Administrator for SAS’s ScotSTAR Service, which provides specialist care to seriously ill babies, children and adults across Scotland using specialist response vehicles, ambulances, helicopters and planes.
She said: “I was totally shocked and couldn’t believe that anyone would think I was worthy of such an honour. In my mind, I do the job I’m paid to do to the very best of my ability.
“Working for ScotSTAR has made me very proud to be part of a service whose staff work tirelessly to ensure their patients get the best possible treatment available.”
Keith Jensen, Area Service Manager for South and West Aberdeenshire, first joined the Service in June 1994, starting out as an ambulance care assistant.
He has been instrumental in leading multiple teams in the North region, including being at the forefront of the Service’s response to Covid, and has been invaluable in his support to the SAS Wildcat Cardiac Responders.
He said: “I feel truly honoured and humbled to receive this accolade but I’m just one of many ambulance personnel, both employed and voluntary, and I feel I’m sharing this honour with them all.”
Deputy Chief Executive Paul Bassett said: “I’d like to extend a huge congratulations to Sarah, Keith and Anne for their thoroughly deserved accolades.
“Sarah has worked tirelessly to embed robust and effective risk management arrangements and her passionate, energetic and infectious approach to risk has resulted in many staff and patient improvements.
“Anne has played a crucial role in the development of the Emergency Medical Retrieval Service (EMRS) and wider ScotSTAR services and has always gone above and beyond to ensure their smooth running, working diligently through the initial set up of the team and through two subsequent base moves as EMRS became part of ScotSTAR.
“Keith is a tremendous ambassador for the entire Grampian area and his charity work and involvement with the SAS Wildcat Responders has been invaluable to the community.”
During the First Minister’s Questions on Thursday MSP Foysol Choudhury questioned the Scottish Government on the accuracy of the expected wait times given to patients seeking specialist treatment from the NHS.
He raised concerns about why patients are being left in the dark regarding NHS wait times after being referred to see a specialist.
“Patients and families need to know what to expect. Right now, they’re left in limbo,” he said.
In the exchange, Mr Choudhury pressed the First Minister for a response:“How is the government working to ensure that patients are accurately informed of waiting times for NHS treatment following referrals to a specialist?”.
This question followed a distressing story shared by one of his constituents, whose referral to be seen by a specialist has far exceeded any acceptable limits, with no set date for an appointment after over a year of waiting since the initial referral.
Mr Choudhury also questioned whether the First Minister would acknowledge that his Government has lost control of escalating waiting times for specialist care, as these excessive delays leave patients experiencing prolonged periods of distress and uncertainty, significantly impacting their mental health.
This is not an isolated incident and is a genuine, growing concern across Scotland, with patients being told they are “on the list” without any clear indication as to when their appointment will be. This is illustrated by the following: In NHS Lothian, the number of people waiting over 52 weeks to see a dermatologist has doubled in the last year.
Mr Choudhury hopes the First Minister will consider some steps to improve patient experience and restore trust in the system.
He has called for greater transparency so that every patient can receive a clear idea of how long they may have to wait before accessing specialist treatment. He also emphasised the need for greater certainty around whether and when patients will receive care, alongside improved visibility of waiting times and targets made publicly available.
“Patients cannot, and must not, be left in the dark. We need a system where every person knows when they will be seen and what care they can expect. Until then, I will continue pressing this Government to act.”
New initiatives taking advantage of Scotland’s world-class reputation as an innovation nation have been announced by Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes.
Three projects, backed by £4.4 million, are designed to help turn ground-breaking research across the country’s universities and colleges into high-growth businesses that create jobs and support economic growth.
The package includes:
£2.9 million for the Proof of Concept Fund which will explore the commercial potential of research projects by developing prototypes and pitching to investors, as well as analysing markets to attract further investment
£800,000 for the Spinout Pipeline Project which, led by the University of Strathclyde, will help share commercialisation expertise across Scottish universities, culminating in a summit where innovators will pitch to potential investors
£700,000 for the Entrepreneurial Campus Blueprint which will help college students to develop business skills and link in with investors
A further £141,000, spent over two years, will support a new course at the University of Aberdeen to train 40 high school computing teachers, better preparing future generations for careers in tech-based businesses.
Scaling businesses account for the majority of net job creation in the UK and their annual turnover is around £1.2 trillion, highlighting the opportunity afforded to Scotland’s economy by investing in the drive to turn research findings into high-growth start-ups.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “The Scottish Government is fostering and supporting entrepreneurial talent as part of strategic investment to capitalise on Scotland’s reputation as a start-up nation. The economic opportunities presented by this are enormous.
“Our universities and colleges are the engines of innovation. They are known the world over as the home of some of the greatest ideas and inventions ever made and can present real solutions to the challenges we face.
“This new investment underlines our commitment to realising the economic potential of the incredible work taking place across Scottish universities and colleges.”
Chief Entrepreneur Ana Stewart said: “The world’s leading entrepreneurial economies are often powered by universities with strong entrepreneurial cultures. This is an ambitious package which positions Scottish institutions as drivers of start-up creation and growth.
“I look forward to collaborating with universities to maximise the impact of this funding.”
Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of Strathclyde, said: “We are pleased to welcome the Scottish Government’s continued investment in universities as engines of economic growth through excellent research, innovation and production of high-quality skills.
“This new Proof of Concept Fund will help to translate academic innovation into real-world economic and social impact.
“As the lead institution for the Spinout Pipeline Project, and a leading entrepreneurial campus, the University of Strathclyde is also pleased to continue to play a central role in strengthening Scotland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“By harnessing the collective expertise of our universities, we aim to accelerate the journey from breakthrough ideas to market-ready ventures – creating high-value jobs, attracting investment, and supporting the next generation of innovators.”
Over 8,300 youngsters to learn vital water safety skills this June
IT’S NOT just about front crawl and backstrokes, Learn to Swim lessons in Edinburgh Leisure are teaching children how to be safer in and around water during this month to mark Drowning Prevention Week as part of a Scotland-wide campaign.
From Shetland to the Borders, swimming pools are adapting and transforming their regular swimming lessons into workshops which will focus specifically on water safety knowledge and skills.
Swimmers are set to learn the crucial Water Safety Code as well as basic floating techniques which can make a massive difference when someone feels in danger in the water and that could help save their lives or someone else’s.
The special lessons come as latest figures reveal the ongoing risks around Scotland’s waters, the National Water Safety Forum reported that tragically in 2024 there were 33 accidental drownings in Scotland.
Drowning prevention is one of the main objectives for the Learn to Swim National Framework and in June each year the programme does a major water safety push to coincide with Drowning Prevention Week, where youngsters take part in a bespoke water safety swim lesson delivered by the leisure trusts and aquatic providers.
John Lunn, CEO of Scottish Swimming, said: “Every June, our Learn to Swim classes shift focus to concentrate on water safety.
“It’s not just about being a strong swimmer- understanding how to recognise hazards, help others in distress and make smart decisions around water is equally important.”
Peter Farrer, Chief Operating Officer at Scottish Water, added: “”We cannot over-emphasise the importance of water safety all year round, but it’s particularly relevant as we approach summer when people are often more likely to be around water.
“These water safety lessons provide an opportunity to equip people with the vital knowledge and skills to help them feel safer in, on and around water, and help their parents and family network feel confident and comfortable in their swimming abilities.”
The Learn to Swim National Framework is delivered by 38 leisure trusts and aquatic providers in 167 pools from Shetland to the Borders with the vision of creating “Generation Swim”, a generation of children who are confident, safer and competent swimmers, who will also get to experience the wider health and social benefits that swimming can offer.
The programme currently reaches around 82,000 children across Scotland who will have access to a new interactive water safety quiz that has been developed to improve water safety knowledge this year.
The Learn to Swim National Framework is committed to creating inclusive, supportive, and quality environments in which individuals can learn to swim regardless of their age, ability or skill level.
Drowning Prevention Week, organised by the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS), stands as one of the largest water safety campaigns in the UK and Ireland.
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