Scotland

Police Scotland will have to cut officer numbers to their lowest level in 23 years if it gets a “devastating” flat cash funding settlement, an oversight body has warned. The Scottish Police Authority (SPA) says recruitment would have to stop, taking officer numbers down to 15,600 – the lowest figure …

Penicuik Athletic are sure Tuesday’s Scottish Cup tie with Clyde will go ahead in front of the BBC cameras as the community rallies to clear storm debris from the pitch at Montgomery Park. Club president Andy Penman said around 30 volunteers have offered to begin the clear up on Monday …

Responsibility for rebuilding the fire-damaged Mackintosh Building should be transferred from Glasgow School of Art (GSA) to a new independent body, campaigners have said. The Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society said a special-purpose organisation would be better placed to lead fundraising, governance and reconstruction of the landmark, which was devastated by …

Garvock’s employer Kairdson Tyres – which provided vehicle recovery services to Police Scotland – was fined £9,800 at Aberdeen Sheriff Court in 2023. The Ellon-based firm admitted breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act. At the time, relatives said he was loved by his family and well-respected by colleagues. …

Two men have died following a three-vehicle crash in West Lothian during Storm Boelo. Police Scotland said the 20-year-old driver of a white BMW 116D and an 84-year-old man, who was driving a blue Peugeot 208, were pronounced dead at the scene. The collision happened on the B708 Lower Bathville …

Scottish FA chief football officer Craig Mulholland is reportedly forced to rethink his youth football plans, while Dundee’s Ethan Hamilton is not swayed by Aberdeen interest. Scottish FA chief football officer Craig Mulholland is making changes to the youth development blueprint he pitched to clubs after three Premiership outfits highlighted …

In a motion to a meeting of the full council on Thursday, external, the group said: “Postal household delivery in many parts of Highland is now infrequent, sometimes as little as once per week. “The consequences can be extremely serious, including missed medical appointments, late correspondence from banks, solicitors, as …

More than 30,000 homes across Scotland remain without power in the aftermath of Storm Boelo. One man died as the second named storm in a matter of days brought heavy flooding and wind gusts in some areas of up to 85mph (137km/h). Despite widespread travel disruption across the weekend Network …

In a motion to a meeting of the full council on Thursday, external, the group said: “Postal household delivery in many parts of Highland is now infrequent, sometimes as little as once per week. “The consequences can be extremely serious, including missed medical appointments, late correspondence from banks, solicitors, as …

A care home in Aberdeenshire has been given more time to make significant improvements – or risk closure. Bonnyton House, in Ellon, was served with an improvement notice by the Care Inspectorate earlier this year, setting out requirements for the home to meet. The regulator said issues involving gas safety, …

A review of the front page stories from the daily newspapers in Scotland. BBC News

With Hibs v Celtic and Motherwell v Hearts, plus action and reaction from Saturday BBC News

The severe weather brought strong winds and heavy rain to large parts of Scotland. BBC News

The body of a missing ferry passenger who fell overboard has been found on a beach in North Ayrshire. HM Coastguard responded to a report of a man going overboard from the MV Caledonian Isles near Arran about 20:30 on Sunday 18 October. The man was later named as 82-year-old …

A 58-year-old man who died after being hit by a lorry in Aberdeen has been named by police. Antony Millard, from the Torry area of the city, was pronounced dead at the scene of the incident which happened on Victoria Road at about 10:10 on Friday. Sgt Chris Bain said: …

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill explained Alistair Johnston “felt something again” after his substitute appearance in the win over Hibernian was cut short. The Canada right-back, 28, missed most of last season with hamstring issues and had been absent since early August with a recurrence of the injury. His appearance off …

Gary Knight, a Perth-based tour guide and author, said: “A Father Hayden, who lived there, told of raps on the front door and the sound of something throwing itself violently against the door. “Other witnesses reported footsteps, banging noises, a ghostly black spaniel, and a spectral nun.” Knight added: “In …

A review of the front page stories from the daily newspapers in Scotland. BBC News

Lewie Graham runs a cafe, restaurant and coffee bean roasting business in Kirkcudbright. BBC News

Cameron says pumpkin-picking has also grown into a major social media success, with young Scots flocking to the Cupar field “all decked out in white hats and leather boots” to take photos. She says Fife’s cold and often windy weather hasn’t put off the crowds. “Scots are intrepid,” Cameron says. …