Broxburn Athletic announce signing of Greg Nicol from Whitburn

Scottish independence is on the rise as voters back Nicola Sturgeon's response to the global pandemic ahead of Boris Johnson, a new poll has found. The percentage of Scots who say they would vote Yes at a future IndyRef2 now stands at 54 per cent - just one point lower than the total achieved by the No campaign in 2014.

The new academic year at Scotland’s Rural College will begin on September 28 with a combination of face-to-face and online teaching.The announcement comes as Scotland enters the first phase of its easing of lockdown restrictions.Applications are open for courses at its six campuses across Scotland including Oatridge at Ecclesmachan, while current students have been given details of when they can expect to return to their studies.To allow high-quality, socially distanced, on-campus delivery of

coronavirus crisis.It comes after the #LetTheMusicPlay campaign was launched this week, demanding support for venues that are in severe danger of closing down during the pandemic without government support.The new targeted £10 million fund, labelled the Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund, will support Scotland’s performing arts venues and comes as part of the Scottish government’s extensive £185 million Business Support Fund.Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop announced the new fund, saying: “Our

coronavirus meaning the hospital death toll has risen to 2,487. The number of positive cases of Covid-19 has increased to 18,264, a rise of five on yesterday’s figures.

coronavirus  meaning the hospital death toll has hit 2,485. The number of positive cases of  Covid-19  has risen to 18,251, an increase of 10 on yesterday’s figures.

safe at work in an open letter to the First Minister. The GMB union sent a petition to the Scottish Parliament on behalf of more than 1700 people who fear their lives are at risk.

coronavirus pandemic.A six-month exemption for the annual motor check was granted in March as the UK went into lockdown.But with measures now easing across the UK, MOT tests for cars, motorcycles and vans will once again be made mandatory in England, Scotland and Wales, bringing an end to the extension scheme.Roads minister Baroness Vere has announced that from August 1, MOT tests are madatory.Drivers with an MOT due date prior to August 1 will continue to receive a six-month exemption from the

quarantine restrictions on people who come to Scotland from other parts of the UK. The First Minister said the Government had “no plans” in this area, but insisted “all options” had to be considered if there was a spike in covid cases south of the border.

coronavirus lockdown continues. Zoos and safari parks will also be allowed to open their doors to the public, however only for members of the public who live closeby.

July 3: Scots can travel further than five miles for recreation July 3: self-contained holiday accommodation – for example holiday cottages and lodges, or caravans can open July 6: Beer gardens can reopen July 13: Non-essential shops in shopping centres can reopen July 15: People can meet indoors with one other household July 15: Childcare facilities, such as nurseries, can reopen July 15: Hairdressers can reopen July 15: All holiday accommodation reopens, with restrictions in place July 15: Ind

coronavirus restrictions. At her briefing yesterday, Sturgeon said there will be "further details on the timing".

Ryan Kent returned to Ibrox a different player to the one who ripped up Scotland in his loan spell. Steven Gerrard splashed the cash, believed to be upwards of £5m, on Kent after he starred during a season-long loan spell from Liverpool.

Black Lives Matter protest in Aberfeldy reveals racism splitMr Swinney said schools should prepare to go back fully if progress continues to be made in suppressing the coronavirus.In a statement to Holyrood, Mr Swinney laid out certain conditions for full-time schooling to resume and announced £100m of extra funding for a back-to-school plan.Schools had expected to use a 'blended' learning model with some face-to-face learning mixed with home schooling.In Perth and Kinross schools, some parents

Boris Johnson.The First Minister hinted progress has been made exactly three months to the day since the whole country was shut down.Sturgeon was speaking at her daily briefing on the day the Scottish Government sets out changes to its back-to-school plan.Meanwhile in England, Boris Johnson announced major changes by cutting the two-metre rule in half and confirming pubs, hairdressers and restaurants will open south of the border next month.The rules are not changing in Scotland - but Sturgeon

hereThe government figures do not include deaths of people with suspected Covid-19, only those who have tested postive.The actual number of deaths involving coronavirus is thought to have passed 53,000.NHS England announced 46 new deaths of people who tested positive for Covid-19.Public Health Wales said a further four people had died after testing positive for Covid-19, taking the total number of deaths to 1,475, while the total number of cases there increased by 31 to 15,001.In Scotland, a

Broxburn Athletic have signed midfielder David Greenhill from Lowland League outfit Spartans.The 34-year-old becomes the fourth new arrival of the off-season and will bring a wealth of experience to the East of Scotland Premier Division side.Greenhill enjoyed a lengthy spell in the SPFL having started his career at Clyde and Alloa Athletic before tallying around 200 appearances for Berwick Rangers during a six-year stint with the Borders outfit.He then joined East Stirlingshire where he spent

far-right " group clashing with police and protesters in Glasgow by saying "racist thugs shame Scotland". Police Scotland said six arrests had been made "so far" following the disturbance in the city's George Square on Wednesday evening.

Broxburn Athletic boss Chris Townsley believes making former Whitburn skipper Gary Brass his first signing shows a ‘sign of intent’.The striker spent seven goal-laden seasons at Central Park but the 28-year-old decided to move on in the summer and has put pen to paper with the East of Scotland Premier Division side.Townsley, who took over from Brian McNaughton last month, said: “We are delighted to get Gary on board.