The Royal Regiment of Scotland is under-strength by more than a fifth as the army struggles to overcome an unprecedented recruitment crisis, it has been revealed.

Consumed by the certainty of the zealot, former first minister Alex Salmond spent much of the 2014 independence referendum campaign loudly denouncing anyone who dared suggest that breaking up the United Kingdom might come at a cost to Scotland as a scaremonger.

As a major international conference is taking shape, we consider how a global perspective can find ways to tackle issues around alcohol

Promoted by Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP)

The plastic bag charge is set to rise to 10p and be extended to every shop, according to reports.

Hearts are close to re-signing Manchester United full-back Demetri Mitchell, manager Craig Levein has revealed.

Stressing about his ultimate domestic test that arrives with a first derby experience at Celtic Park next Sunday is something Rangers manager Steven Gerrard won’t countenance, even when it is the culmination of an eight-day schedule of three punishing away fixtures, a programme that will see the former Liverpool captain face up to his old Anfield manager Brendan Rodgers little more than two-and-a-half days after returning from a Russian assignment in which Europa League group stage football will go on the line. This humongous double-header follows on from what has been presented as a battle royale at Motherwell this afternoon.

The coming together of these Tayside rivals produced fireworks last season in form of some feisty after-match contretemps featuring both managers. By contrast this was a damp squib.