Perthshire's independent schools benefited from summer exams result fiasco

made six years ago outside Crathie Kirk - the church nearest Balmoral - when she told a member of the public that she hoped Scots would "think very carefully about the future". It came just one week after a bombshell poll found support for Scottish independence had edged ahead of those backing the Union for the first time.

Scottish independence is "highly sophisticated", the SNP's economics guru has insisted. Andrew Wilson, who wrote a controversial report on the costs of splitting from the UK, said Scotland could no longer afford to remain in the UK.

Nicola Sturgeon has insisted the benefits of schools staying open “outweigh” their impact on the spread of coronavirus.The First Minister outlined the details of a new report from Public Health Scotland, which found three-quarters of all schools did not report a single case of Covid-19 in the first nine weeks of this term.In total, 1,621 pupils tested positive for the virus during that period, the equivalent of 0.2% of the total cohort.Scotland's largest teaching union has already threatened

Child Disability Payment is set to replace Disability Living Allowance (Child) and will be the next new benefit to be introduced by the Scottish Government.In an update to the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday, Cabinet Secretary for Social Security, Shirley-Anne Somerville, said Social Security Scotland will start taking applications from summer 2021 as part of a pilot scheme, ahead of a full roll-out across the country from autumn 2021.This will be followed by the introduction of Adult Disability

Social Security Scotland has outlined how they will deliver a range of new disability benefits through a series of policy position papers and explained how putting the needs and experiences of Scots claimants at the heart of it is a priority.“We regard social security as a human right and we are committed to ensuring that those who are entitled to Disability Assistance are able to access it whilst being treated with dignity, fairness and respect,” states the Gov.Scot website.Social Security

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,

independence referendum “must” take place next year. The First Minister said she would not be “diverted” from her daily covid briefing and said her thoughts on indyref2 will be set out in the SNP’s Holyrood manifesto.

Scottish independence could take place in spring 2022, a former Yes campaign chief has predicted. Blair Jenkins said the on-going fight against coronavirus meant it was unlikely that a major vote on the constitution could take place next year - despite a pledge from SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford, who said his party must plan for a plebiscite in 2021.

schools are a “hotbed” of covid infections amid growing concerns over safety in the classroom.In a letter to the Daily Record, she said pubs and restaurants have been blamed for coronavirus levels while claiming schools are in the “elephant” in the room.Her plea came as figures showed nearly 30,000 pupils were off school because of covid-related reasons.Education Secretary John Swinney originally planned for a mix of home and school-based learning, but a backlash forced Ministers into supporting

referendum on Scottish independence should not be held while the country “heals” from coronavirus, Gordon Brown said.

teaching union has called on the Scottish Government to "rethink" its position on schools remaining open full-time throughout lockdown.

education  secretary is under pressure to cancel next year's school exams after Wales decided to scrap them in full. John Swinney  has so far only confirmed limited plans to call off National 5 exams but press ahead with Highers for Scots pupils.

education secretary is under pressure to cancel next year's school exams after Wales decided to scrap them in full. John Swinney has so far only confirmed limited plans to call off National 5 exams but press ahead with Highers for Scots pupils.

Perthshire South and Kinross-shire.Jim, a lifelong campaigner for Scottish independence, announced his success on Friday, after a vote by nationalist party members.Racecourse among the "worst hit" by pandemic and faces "major cash deficit"He will now take over from Roseanna Cunningham as the SNP candidate for the Scottish Parliament at next year’s elections.Originally from Perth, Jim became a sheep farmer, shepherding for 13 years in the north east corner of the Ochil hills.He had the idea to

independence could help safeguard the Union.

independent but has warned that Nicola Sturgeon might not last long enough to see it as First Minister.The former Conservative Party deputy chairman and international bestselling novelist has acknowledged that polls currently suggest Scots are ready to break away from the UK.And he believes a second referendum is on the cards despite a similar vote in 2014 that resulted in a majority of Scots choosing to remain.Archer said: “It’s going to be very interesting to see what happens in May if Nicola

independence MSPs win a majority at Holyrood by a margin of almost two to one, a new poll has suggests. Pollsters asked if more than half the MSPs came from independence-supporting parties – such as the SNP and the Scottish Greens – if this would constitute a mandate for another referendum to be held.

comments from Alister Jack over the timing of another independence referendum as like something Donald Trump would say. The First Minister insisted the decision to hold any IndyRef2 in the future would ultimately be up to Scots and not politicians.

Kenmore to stay open throughout the rest of the year to deliver guided tours in a COVID-safe environment. The Perthshire attraction will also be able to run a number of small Yule events and workshops with help from the local crannog community of craftspeople and volunteers.