Drivers warned as Scotland is battered by torrential rain with high winds on the way

Get the stories that interest you straight to your inbox every day with our personalised newsletterScotland has recorded another 47 confirmed coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours - with one in Ayrshire.Latest figures from the Scottish Goverment show a total of 19,173 have now tested positive across the country since the pandemic began.The figure for cases in the NHS Ayrshire and Arran health board region is now 1,286.No deaths have been recorded in Scotland in the last 24 hours.

Get the stories that interest you straight to your inbox every day with our personalised newsletterA new report released today shows that five deaths last week were linked to coronavirus.The National Records of Scotland figures mean the COVID-19 death toll in Scotland stands at 4213.The five deaths mean it's the lowest recorded weekly total since the first death was recorded in March 2020.Across Ayrshire and Arran no new deaths linked to coronavirus have been registered since July 20 to July

Rowan Atkinson is among the high-profile figures to have signed a letter expressing opposition to the Scottish Government’s Hate Crime Bill.

limit freedom of expression.The comedy legend has joined more than 20 prominent cultural figures in signing a letter which calls on Holyrood ministers to make significant changes to the new legislation.Artists who have previously backed independence are also among those to sign, including crime writer Val McDermid, actress Elaine C Smith, and playwright Alan Bissett.Justice secretary Humza Yousaf has said the Hate Crime bill would strike the right balance between respecting freedom of speech and

Weather warnings issued for Scotland are expected to remain in place until the middle of the week as forecasters predict downpours and lightning. The Met Office said there was a chance of damage to properties by floods, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds and spray on roads would make driving conditions treacherous.

Aberdeen have been ordered to close following a large spike in coronavirus cases.

Dundee United star Ryan Edwards is unlikely to be fazed by the Scottish Premiership after bravely winning his own battle against testicular cancer. The 26-year-old signed a two-year deal with the Premiership side this week after making the switch from Blackpool.

rain and floods across parts of Scotland tomorrow. Nearly half of one month's rainfall will batter the country in yet another spell of bad weather.

weather warning for storms and flooding across many parts of Scotland tonight.Forecasters put the warning in place for large parts of the country until midnight on Friday, July 31.It comes after temperatures rocketed during the day with many soaking up the sun as lockdown restrictions were eased.Heavy rain is expected to cause flooding of 'few homes and businesses' with bus and train services also affected by the downpoars.Power supplies and other services may also be disrupted.A statement from

Duncan Bannatyne has warned he could be forced to close his health clubs in Scotland, putting 600 jobs at risk, if they are not allowed to reopen by the end of August. Bannatyne's health club and spa firm Bannatyne Group has 11 clubs in Scotland and he told BBC Scotland's The Nine show they are currently being subsidised by his outlets south of the border.

Kessock Bridge in Inverness. "Caution High Winds" warnings are forecast to be in place from 3pm today until 9am tomorrow.Other bridges on the same route further north, the Cromarty and Dornoch bridges, are expected to have the similar warnings in place covering the same timescale.The A87 Skye Bridge is also expected to have "caution" warnings from 6pm through to 9am tomorrow.The A9000 Forth Bridge could see warnings in place from midday to 6pm tonight, with a 40mph speed limit in place.

Boris Johnson cannot deny an IndyRef2 if the SNP win a majority of seats at Holyrood at next year's election, Ian Blackford has warned.The Nationalist MP hit back at the Prime Minister after he used a flying to visit to the north of Scotland to once again rule out the prospect of another referendum on independence.Blackford claimed Johnson would be a "democracy denier" if he refused to engage with SNP demands.The Prime Minister insists the issue of independence was settled at the 2014 referendum

Confused.com boss Louise O’Shea still urged drivers to shop around, as research shows those renewing with their current insurer are not seeing the same savings, despite being encouraged to stay home. In fact, a UK survey found 46 per cent of motorists who received their renewal notice between April and June saw their prices increase by £47 on average.

building site last week. Shea Ryan, 10, tragically died after falling into a well on the  Scottish Water  site in Glasgow as his friends raised the alarm around 10pm on Thursday July 16.