Kevin Scott

3 days ago | news.stv.tv | Kevin Scott

Researchers have hailed the success of a predator management scheme that has doubled the number of endangered capercaillie broods in areas of Scotland where it has been deployed. With just over 500 of the ground-nesting birds left in the wild, the capercaillie, a large woodland grouse, is in danger of extinction in the UK. One contributor to the birds’ decline is the eating of eggs and chicks by predators – including the pine marten, another protected species.

1 week ago | news.stv.tv | Philip Petrie |Kevin Scott

One day you’re everyone’s hero, the next day you’re a villain. The life of a weatherman. We’ve brought lots of sunshine and high temperatures today, with those scorching conditions lasting into the first half of the weekend, but it’s all change come Sunday as things will turn cooler and we’ll all see some spells of rain. We sometimes hold off from using the term hot and try to lean more towards warm, but today has definitely been hot.

1 week ago | news.stv.tv | Colin Mackay |Kevin Scott

This is beyond damning. The principal and other senior managers at the University of Dundee knew their student numbers were falling and knew they were millions of pounds in deficit. But the fact that they not only failed to do anything about it but covered it up and kept spending is incredible. Attracting overseas students has been a big part of the business model for Scotland’s universities for quite a few years. It worked at Dundee University – until it didn’t.

1 week ago | news.stv.tv | Kevin Scott |Lynne Rankin

A scathing review into the University of Dundee’s finances has found its most senior leaders repeatedly failed in their duties as the institution edged towards a major cash crisis. Led by Professor Pamela Gillies, the report highlights serious concerns over governance and transparency at the highest levels of the university. It found the professors breached ethics rules, ignored financial red flags and operated in “isolation of facts”.

1 week ago | news.stv.tv | Kevin Scott

More than 720,000 pensioners across Scotland are set to receive increased winter heating payments this year, with households getting up to £305. Pension Age Winter Heating Payments will be made to all pensioner households with an income below £35,000 – £203.40 for most, rising to £305.10 for those where someone is aged 80 or over. The move, announced by social justice secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville, comes after the UK Government reversed cuts to winter fuel payments.