Gabriel McKay

Kilmarnock

Journalist @heraldscotland and @killiechronicle. Previously @glasgow_times, @record_sport, @football_SCOT, @footballitalia, @glasgow_live.

Articles

Presiding officer Alison Johnstone to quit politics ahead of 2026 election

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | Gabriel McKay

File photo dated 27/05/21 of Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament Alison Johnstone during (Image: PA) The Scottish Parliament's presiding officer will leave politics ahead of the 2026 Holyrood election. Alison Johnstone, who was elected as a member of the Scottish Greens before giving up her party affiliation to take on her current role. She told The Times: "I was elected in 2011 and it was always my intention that this would be my last term in Holyrood.
£18k per term Edinburgh private school says it may be forced to cut staff

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | Gabriel McKay

£18k per term Edinburgh private school says it may be forced to cut staff (Image: Stock) A private school in Edinburgh which charges up to £18k per term has said it may have to make staff redundancies due to financial pressures. Fettes College counts Tony Blair, David Murray and, fictionally, James Bond as alumni and was established in 1870.
New research suggests first kings of Poland may have had roots in Scotland

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | Gabriel McKay

The coronation of Bolesław I, Poland’s first king (Image: Chronica Polonorum) New research suggests the first kings of Poland may have had their origins in Scotland. The Piast dynasty ruled from the 10th to the 14th Century when Casimir III the Great died with no heirs and a union was formed with Hungary. The origins of the Piasts is unclear, however, and has been debated by scientists for decades.
The mysterious Glasgow company at the centre of a £350m Italian tax fraud probe

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | Gabriel McKay

A car belonging to Italy's Guardia di Finanza (Image: Wikimedia) Prosecutors in Italy have blocked €400million (£342m) worth of tax credits as part of an investigation into alleged fraud involving a company registered in Glasgow. An investigation by the public prosecutor's office of Taranto in Puglia alleges that companies and individuals bought non-existent software from the Glasgow-registered Global Services 2 Ltd in order to obtain tax breaks.
Is there a heatwave in Scotland? The Met Office rules which make it official

1 week ago | glasgowtimes.co.uk | Gabriel McKay

It's been described as a 'mini-heatwave', with temperatures forecast to fall again on Sunday. What has to happen for a heatwave to officially qualify as one? As it happens, there are specific criteria. For a heatwave to be official, the Met Office must record three days above a 'temperature threshold'. As one might expect, that threshold differs depending on where in the UK is being monitored.
Hollywood star visits Glasgow cinema as he takes a break from filming blockbuster

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | Gabriel McKay

Glen Powell visits the Grosvenor in Glasgow (Image: Glen Powell/Instagram) Actor Glen Powell paid a visit to a cinema in the West End of Glasgow during a break in filming a blockbuster currently shooting in the city. The 36-year-old, who is known for such films as Top Gun: Maverick, Twisters and Hit Man paid a visit to the Grosvenor on Ashton Lane on Thursday. Mr Powell is filming Ghostwriter, the latest feature film from director JJ Abrams in the city.
Ayrshire bus strike officially over as drivers accept pay deal

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | Gabriel McKay

The action led to the cancellation of most routes and a reduced service on others, including some in Glasgow and Lanarkshire, with some towns and villages having no bus service at all. Drivers were being offered a 4% pay rise which union Unite said came with "strings attached" which included longer hours, fewer breaks and the loss of a week of annual leave allowance.
MPs vote to pass assisted dying bill at Westminster

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | Gabriel McKay

Similar legislation passed the first stage of debate at Holyrood, but must still clear two further phases of parliamentary scrutiny. As with the debate in the Scottish Parliament, MPs were given a free vote on the issue, meaning they were not whipped by their parties or the government.
Is there a heatwave in Scotland? The Met Office rules which make it official

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | Gabriel McKay

People enjoying the hot weather (Image: PA) Scotland is experiencing its hottest day of 2025 so far, with temperatures climbing above 25 degrees across the country. It's been described as a 'mini-heatwave', with temperatures forecast to fall again on Sunday. What has to happen for a heatwave to officially qualify as one? As it happens, there are specific criteria. Read More: Will the heatwave set to hit parts of UK reach Scotland?
March and rally to be held in Glasgow to mark World Refugee Day

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | Gabriel McKay

There, a free family-friendly music carnival will take place with speeches from campaigners and music acts from bands and musical artists including former Scots Singer of the Year Iona Fyfe. The demonstration calls for an end to the scapegoating of refugees and migrants, safe routes for those seeking asylum, an end to the deportations the Labour government is ramping up and to lift the ban that prevents asylum seekers from working.