oorNews

In a move described as a “historic justice reform,” the Scottish legal system is set to undergo its most significant transformation in three centuries. Starting 1 January 2026, the “not proven” verdict will be officially abolished in all new criminal trials across Scotland, bringing an end to a unique legal quirk that has defined Scottish…

As the last notes of Auld Lang Syne fade and Burns Night approaches, the Scots language prepares for its annual cameo. For a few weeks in January, the “mither tongue” is dusted off, performed with a flourish, and then quietly returned to the cupboard of “quaint heritage” once the shortbread tins are empty. We rightly…

It began as a quiet dinner among friends in July 1801 to mark the fifth anniversary of Robert Burns’ death. Now, 225 years later, the “Burns Supper” has transformed from a local memorial into a global cultural phenomenon. To celebrate this milestone, the Centre for Robert Burns Studies (CRBS) at the University of Glasgow has…

We believe the world is ready for a fresh perspective. Too often, the news feels like a loop of outrage. We are pushed to pick a side: “Nat” or “Yoon,” “Woke” or “Based.” Complexity is flattened into slogans, and honest debate is replaced by prejudice. At oorNews, we are opting out of the culture war….

A quiet revolution in funeral care, championed by a Scot and utilized from Florida to Johannesburg, is finally docking in its home port. The Scottish Government announced today that it is introducing regulations for alkaline hydrolysis—widely known as “water cremation” or “Resomation”—marking the first time in over 120 years that a new alternative to burial…

As celebrations for St Andrew’s Day take place across the country, Scotland marks a pivotal cultural moment today with the Gaelic and Scots languages officially gaining state recognition. The historic designation comes as the first wave of measures from the Scottish Languages Act 2025 enters into force, signaling a new era of support and growth…