Dramatic whale rescue launched near Glasgow Airport as marine divers help stricken animal

coronavirus  death toll has hit 3,459, the  Scottish Government  confirmed today.

Nicola Sturgeon today confirmed 11 councils including Glasgow will go from level three to level four at the end of the week.It means only essential shops can open, while new restrictions will be imposed on hospitality and leisure.The level four rules will be imposed in Glasgow city, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, Stirling and West Lothian.Sturgeon, at the Scottish Parliament, said she

level two rules on November 24.The change depends on continued progress, but it was seen as a positive sign while Glasgow and 10 other councils were ordered into the highest level four lockdown.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the plan at the Scottish Parliament as part of the government's weekly review of the five-tier system.She said: "I am pleased to report that East Lothian and Midlothian have both seen a marked decline in infection rates – prevalence in these areas is significantly

Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s artistic director has been hailed for her talents by receiving a prestigious accolade.Elizabeth Newman clinched the award for best director in the Critics’ Awards for Theatre in Scotland (CATS) awards on Thursday, November 12.She was recognised for her outstanding direction of Brian Friel’s ‘Faith Healer’, the 2019 autumn production at the Theatre in the Hills, and an acclaimed tour across the Highlands and Islands in partnership with Eden Court theatre,

Nicola Sturgeon has vowed to keep schools open in the west of Scotland even in council areas placed at level four.The First Minister today gave her strongest indication yet that several local authorities will this week be moved into the Government's highest level of lockdown - meaning thousands of non-essential businesses will be forced to close.But both primary and high schools will stay open to ensure youngsters can still attend class.It comes as the country's biggest teaching union, the EIS,

Paisley, yesterday morning.

coronavirus vaccine could be available in Scotland, she hopes people will start receiving jabs before the end of 2020 or "certainly very early next year". Her comments at the Scottish Parliament came after drugs manufacturer Pfizer revealed earlier in the week that its Covid-19 vaccine is more than 90% effective at preventing the virus.

Nicola Sturgeon has said it is “highly unlikely” she will tomorrow announce a significant easing of covid restrictions for any part of the country.She said Scotland is in a “far better” position than it was, but noted there still needed to be a big decline in cases.However, she did not rule out tougher restrictions for some areas.The Scottish Government recently announced a five-tier system of restrictions for the country’s local authority areas.The first weekly review will be announced in

Scotland to try out a controversial treatment using magnets.Jo Arnold will undergo a form of therapy which involves bursts of magnetic energy being sent into her head.The 42-year-old has been left ­terrified to drive in case she knocks someone over.Now she hopes ­transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) will help her conquer her obsessive compulsive disorder.Jo said: “It’s the first type of medical treatment outside of therapy that I’ve tried.

Falkirk. The 16-year-old, named locally as Harley Smith, sadly passed away after being hit on the A803 Polmont Road at around 8.55pm on Friday.

Orkney. An RNLI rescue crew was scrambled to the scene at Orphir on Thursday morning after two-year-old Blue ended up in the icy waters.

Nicola Sturgeon has said the Government is looking at making travel restrictions mandatory.

hospitality premises will be able open across the central belt during the day under changes announced by Nicola Sturgeon.The controversial definition of a cafe is being removed by the Scottish Government, after a backlash, meaning all premises can operate in the day up to 6pm without selling alcohol.At level 2, which currently covers the rest of Scotland, hospitality premises can sell alcohol indoors with a main meal up to 8pm instead of 6pm, allowing scope for evening meals.Hotels and other

Islamophobia after he was grilled for more than an hour at Glasgow Airport. Campaigner Mohammad Asif, of the Afghan Human Rights Foundation, who adopted his nephew Mohammad Sudais after he suffered terrible facial injuries in a gas explosion spoke out after he was stopped when he arrived back from Dubai.

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.A vehicle has gone up in flames on one of Scotland's busiest motorways.The motor caught fire at around 7.45am on Monday on the M77 northbound carriageway.The incident sparked rush-hour chaos at junction two, near Glasgow's Silverburn Shopping Centre.One lane has been closed causing major delays for motorists heading towards Glasgow city centre.Traffic Scotland released a statement that read: "M77 northbound

Glasgow today as cops close off parts of the city centre.Officers from Police Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service raced to St Vincent Lane shortly before 8am after reports a man had fallen.The area has been cordoned off by police as ambulances arrived on the scene.As a result Wellington Street is closed between St Vincent Street and Bothwell Street while the emergency services deal with the incident.It is not known at this stage the condition of the man.A Police Scotland spokesman told

schoolboy who transformed into Nicola Sturgeon for Halloween got the seal of approval from the First Minister herself.The seven-year-old from North Lanarkshire donned his finest wig, heels and purple dress, complete with poppy badge, to dress up as the Ms Sturgeon for Halloween.In a short clip, the funnyman has a go at Scots comedian, Janey Godley's side-splitting voice overs of the coronavirus daily briefings that have gone down a storm wordwide.The 'wee star' from Coatbridge had the FM and

First Minister said the advice to the Scottish Government was that it was not "safe" to lift the curbs.The Government recently implemented a series of temporary restrictions which are due to expire on Monday.Across the country, pubs and restaurants have only been able to open indoors between 6am and 6pm, but no alcohol is allowed to be sold.The hospitality curb is even greater in five health board areas where pubs and restaurants have been closed, apart from takeaways.With a new 5 "tier" system