More than half a million tonnes of sewage sludge spread on Scotland's fields
Huge volumes of sewage sludge have been used to fertilise Scottish farmland. Studies show it contains microplastics, forever chemicals and cancer-linked pollutants.
More than half a million tonnes of sewage sludge spread on Scotland's fields
Huge volumes of sewage sludge have been used to fertilise Scottish farmland. Studies show it contains microplastics, forever chemicals and cancer-linked pollutants.
Has the Scottish Government changed its stance on oil and gas?
With a decision on the Rosebank oil field imminent – and lobbying around the windfall tax at fever pitch – some are questioning whether the Scottish Government's current stance on oil and gas is in step with their ambition to be a world leader in climate action.
‘Fighting age males’ and coded swastikas: How the far-right is using gaming to recruit the next generation of Nazis
Far right actors have used gaming to recruit youngsters for some time but experts say they are increasingly using codes and imagery to avoid moderation.
‘Weak’ salmon farm watchdog: 100 investigations and just two warning letters
Investigations into allegations of poor fish welfare at salmon farms by the UK Animal and Plant Health Agency have risen by more than ten times in six years, while site inspections have decreased.
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No evidence of viral Richard Tice quote on Reform's plans for Scotland
A quote attributed to Reform UK's Richard Tice has gone viral in recent weeks.
'Culture of fear': allegations of mismanagement keep coming at scandal hit heritage agency
New allegations at Stirling Castle dating back eight years have emerged following a string of complaints about its custodians, Historic Environment Scotland, in recent months.
Does Sharia law have an influence in Scotland?
Sharia law is a contentious issue in the UK. Some question whether it is compatible with so-called British values while claiming it's a separate legal system operating parallel to UK laws. In our latest De-noiser, we look at the facts.
Edinburgh Uni staff are losing their jobs. Their boss has two
Sir Peter Mathieson appears to have confirmed he is being paid for a board role at a university spin-off at the same time as many staff face uncertainty about their futures.
‘Backroom’ lobbying on Coul Links golf plan under fire
Scottish ministers have been privately urged to back plans for a golf course on a coastal wildlife site. This has been condemned as “backdoor lobbying that tries to bypass the rules”.
Communities were promised a share of Scotland’s wind boom. Some are being sold short
More than 20 wind farms are failing to pay an agreed amount to locals. That could cost Scottish communities over £50m.
Self-styled nightwatchmen patrol a Scottish village. Their leader is a Nazi
John Carroll says his nighttime rounds are protecting the community. Critics say his “abhorrent” views on Hitler, the Holocaust and race are incompatible with his adopted role.
Claim John Swinney stayed at Peter Mandelson's residence is Mostly True
The first minister has been criticised online for staying with Mandelson on a trip to the US last year. We looked at the truth behind the claims.
Investigations
'Culture of fear': allegations of mismanagement keep coming at scandal hit heritage agency
New allegations at Stirling Castle dating back eight years have emerged following a string of complaints about its custodians, Historic Environment Scotland, in recent months.
Edinburgh Uni staff are losing their jobs. Their boss has two
Sir Peter Mathieson appears to have confirmed he is being paid for a board role at a university spin-off at the same time as many staff face uncertainty about their futures.
‘Backroom’ lobbying on Coul Links golf plan under fire
Scottish ministers have been privately urged to back plans for a golf course on a coastal wildlife site. This has been condemned as “backdoor lobbying that tries to bypass the rules”.
Communities were promised a share of Scotland’s wind boom. Some are being sold short
More than 20 wind farms are failing to pay an agreed amount to locals. That could cost Scottish communities over £50m.
Fact Checks
No evidence of viral Richard Tice quote on Reform's plans for Scotland
A quote attributed to Reform UK's Richard Tice has gone viral in recent weeks.
Claim that video shows bagpiper playing over call to prayer in Scotland is False
A video showing a man playing bagpipes during a Muslim call to prayer was widely shared on social media this
Lord Offord's historical immigration claim is Mostly False
Reform UK's Malcolm Offord claimed one million people came to the UK in the 20th century, and seven million people have come to the UK since 2000. This is not accurate.
SNP claims about Rachel Reeves ‘chaos budget’ are Mostly True
Ferret Fact Service looked at SNP claims about the UK Government budget on energy bills, taxes and unemployment.
Long reads
Poland's Jewish revival: In the shadow of Auschwitz
We visited the Polish city of Krakow ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day which is held to remember the millions murdered by the Nazis – including six million Jews. Krakow's Jewish population was decimated then but the city is now home to one of the fastest-growing Jewish communities in the world.
Far-right agitators stand accused of stirring up trouble at asylum hotel protests. But anti-racists are standing firm
Following a sharp rise in far right activity, we’ve spent the last three months attending protests, speaking to activists under threat, and tracking anti-asylum seeker demonstrations across Scotland.
It takes a village: a new approach to living with flooding
Dr Fiona Work, a former nurse, remembers December 2012 vividly. “I had gone to my friends and had a call
Power struggle: The billionaire, the Chinese oil giant and Grangemouth’s forgotten workers
Grangemouth should have been Scotland’s big opportunity to realise its ambition for a just transition – moving workers into cleaner, greener jobs. But embittered power struggles got in the way, The Ferret finds.
De-noiser
Does Sharia law have an influence in Scotland?
Sharia law is a contentious issue in the UK. Some question whether it is compatible with so-called British values while claiming it's a separate legal system operating parallel to UK laws. In our latest De-noiser, we look at the facts.
Could AI misinformation sway the Scottish election?
Persuasive AI assistants, deepfakes and bots are now commonplace. But could they be used by bad actors to influence Scotland’s elections?
Why can’t I get an appointment with my GP?
The pressing need to address difficulties the Scottish public reports in getting an appointment with their GP was raised in last week’s budget. So will new funding and proposals for walk-in surgeries help? What are the underlying reasons for the issue?
Why are Scottish wind farms paid billions to switch off?
Despite Scotland’s booming wind sector, turbines are still routinely paid not to spin. The Ferret unpacks why this happens, what makes it so costly, and what it means for your bills.
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