Scotland

Actor Brian Cox, Greens co-leader Ross Greer, SNP leader John Swinney and Greens co-leader Gillian Mackay prepare to set off on an independence march in Edinburgh. They are all holding a large white banner with "Believe" on it in pale green writing.

SNP and Greens join independence march ahead of Holyrood election

SNP leader John Swinney and the Greens co-leaders led thousands on an independence march down the Royal Mile.

5 hrs ago

Scotland

SNP to review party complaints after sex attacks by ex-council leader

Jordan Linden was found guilty of five assaults and sending unwanted sexual communications to teenagers.

1 day ago

Glasgow & West Scotland

Farage defends Scottish Reform leader Offord over homophobic joke

Malcolm Offord has apologised for the "crude" remark he told at a rugby club dinner in 2018 but denies he is homophobic.

2 days ago

Scotland

Health, education, tax and more - Has the SNP delivered on its promises at Holyrood?

As parties draw up their election manifestos, has the SNP ticked off the goals it set out in 2021?

3 days ago

Scotland Politics

A scenic picture of a nature reserve in China that has a similar terrain to the Scottish Highlands with a green bus travelling on a winding concrete road

China bus photo removed from Scottish Highlands travel campaign

Eagle-eyed social media users noticed that the road had bright green crash barriers and a green bus.

15 hrs ago

Scotland

Malcolm Offord is mid-speech. He has short white hair, and wears black round glasses and a grey suit with a pale green tie. He stands in front of a sky blue background

Offord says he is fit to be first minister after homophobic joke

Malcolm Offord denied being homophobic after apologising for a joke he made about George Michael during a Burns Night speech.

1 day ago

Scotland

A group of smiling people with SNP placards, with John Swinney - who is bald with glasses, standing at the forefront

Party leaders make pitches to Scots as they hit campaign trail

With the Holyrood election just six weeks away, hopefuls have kick-started their campaigns.

2 days ago

Scotland Politics

A man sitting at a table in a bar smokes a cigarette with a pint in front of him. Behind him, people are wearing t-shirts with a smoking ban symbol and the date of 26 March 2006

Smoking ban in Scotland's pubs was a 'PR war' - but has it saved lives?

Exactly 20 years ago, Scotland became the first part of the UK to outlaw smoking in bars, restaurants and offices.

Construction at Ardersier Port. The site is flat and sandy and there are a number of large structures including circular tanks.

Why was a £1.5bn Chinese plan to invest in a Highland yard blocked?

Ming Yang proposed building a wind turbine manufacturing plant at Ardersier.

Russell Findlay wearing a dark suit over a white shirt and blue and red striped tie while pointing in the air and standing in front of a white background with the words Scottish Conservative and Unionist on it.

Findlay felt capable of killing attacker but says 'I'm not a scrapper'

The Scottish Conservative leader discussed his visceral reaction to an acid attack in 2015 with the BBC's Scotcast.

Malcolm Offord, who has grey hair brushed back, in a close-up shot in front of a pale blue background.

Reform MSP backs Scottish leader Offord after his crude joke condemned

The party's leader in Scotland has admitted making a "clumsy" remark at a rugby club dinner in 2018.

A composite image of two women - an older woman with blonde hair and glasses holding a baby in her arms and a close up of a younger woman with brown hair.

NHS, bills and immigration: One constituency's election talking points

Six weeks from the Holyrood election, the BBC takes the temperature in one central Scotland constituency.

Features and analysis

A simple guide to the Scottish Parliament election 2026

Voters will elect the next Members of the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 7 May.

A composite image of outgoing MSPs Kate Forbes, Humza Yousaf and Douglas Ross

Outgoing MSPs leave Holyrood with relief, regret and unfinished business

A record 42 MSPs are stepping down, from grandees to first timers - they share their reasons why.

Three nurses in blue uniforms and wearing face masks pointing at a computer monitor

Has Scotland's NHS recovered from the Covid pandemic?

The sixth anniversary of Scotland going into lockdown also marks the final phase of a £1.2bn plan to help the NHS bounce back from Covid - did it work?

How could AI change Scotland's public services?

Ministers forecast an explosion in AI and want to reap the benefits for services and the economy.

Malcolm Offord, Leader of Reform UK Scotland holds up a copy of the manifesto after delivering a speech at Ingliston Country Club and Hotel on March 19, 2026 in Bishopton, Scotland

Reform UK's Scottish manifesto pledges analysed

BBC Scotland journalists have analysed some of the policies in Reform's manifesto for the 2026 Holyrood election.

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