Churches

Paddington Bear.

Arts diary: Academic unlocks secrets of Paddington Bear

Donald MacDonald, Louise MacDonald and Svend McEwan-Brown at this year's festival.

'True visionary' to step down from festival he founded 20 years ago

This week is National Blood Week

Ad Feature Survey reveals the real reason people don’t give blood

Bainsford Parish Church in Falkirk closed last year. Pic: Michael Gillen.

Exclusive SNP Government 'had year to prepare' for church upkeep fund changes

Many Church of Scotland properties are up for sale due to expensive upkeep of buildings and dwindling congregations

With 850 churches at risk, our sacred heritage faces a real crisis Dr Brendan Wolfe

Bainsford Parish Church in Falkirk closed last year. Picture: Michael Gillen.

Exclusive SNP and Labour Governments in row over church upkeep funding

We're now at the start of Lent.

Lent 2026: Start and end date, why we mark Lent, what is Ash Wednesday

The Davidson's Mains Gala Queen being crowned in June 1963.

Davidson's Mains Heritage in Pictures: 27 pics from the 1950s and 60s

A view of Danderhall Village in July 1964.

Danderhall Heritage in Pictures: 14 photos from the 1950s and 1960s

Why is it called Boxing Day?

Why is it called Boxing Day? Reason for name and traditions

The Rt Rev Rosemary Frew

Kirk moderator: I get angry at doom and gloom stories about the Church

Mollie Harris helping children cross the road in Oxgangs in February 1962.

Oxgangs Heritage in Pictures: 25 photos of the from the 1950s and 60s

Burghead and Cummingston Community Council chairman Albert Main, left, is among the large group of locals hoping to relocate the memorials as soon as possible.

Residents fear war memorials 'inside a Scotmid' after church sold

I went to the Trentino region of Italy and explored The Dolomites

I saw a new side to Italy during a brilliant adventure holiday

Culross Abbey is for sale.

Historic 800-year-old abbey for sale for just £35,000

A fire at St Mungo's Church, St Mungo's Road, Cumbernauld.

Watch: Large fire at “iconic” B-listed Scottish church building

Someone looks at an empty wallet

The Hidden Crisis: mounting debts leaving people isolated and fearful

The Old High Church in Inverness, ancient in site and stone, is on the market for offers over £150,000.

Complaints made about church sales as locals overlooked for higher bid

St Mary's Cathedral on York Place

Historic 200-year-old Edinburgh churches win funds for urgent repairs

Tesco opened its doors on a Sunday in November last year

Campaign for the Sabbath as Tesco sees 'hundreds of Sunday shoppers'

Christmas decorations should be taken down by 12th night - but when is it?

When is 12th Night 2025? Why there are two different dates and history

The joys of Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, with Liam Kennedy and Tui. (pic by Dominic Scurr).

I visited Egypt's desert jewel and left with smile wider than Sinai

The Free Church of Scotland in Kenneth Street, Stornoway, on the Isle of Lewis

The day I joined the Sabbath on a Scots isle when everything was shut

The Scottish Government says it is committed to bringing forward a bill to ban conversion therapy.

The councillor leading calls to ban 'harmful' conversion therapy

Smailholm Church in Kelso

The historic village church that would be transformed into four-bedroom home

Ruins of Cammo House. Image: Adobe Stock

Here are 13 gorgeous forest walks near Edinburgh including Roslin Glen

Scottish ruins and abandoned sites that people want restored voted on

Peter Ross

Book review: Steeple Chasing, by Peter Ross

: Members of the General Synod react after blessings for same-sex couples was approved in a vote by the General Synod at The Church House.

Church of England votes to offer blessings to same sex couples

A morning session at the Church of Scotland's General Assembly in May. There was a palpable sense of anxiety, regret and fear at this year's gathering, where Kirk business is examined and decisions made on the way ahead, writes Stuart Kelly. PIC: Andy O'Brien.

We now know where the fault lines in the Kirk really are - Stuart Kelly

Andrew Yule

Adaptive reuse breathing new life into Scotland’s forgotten buildings - Andrew Y...

Culross Abbey, which dates to the 13th Century, is one of the Church of Scotland properties at risk of closure amid a major assessment of church buildings and the way worship is delivered. PIC: Kim Traynor/CC.

Churches are buildings most of us don't use, but some can speak to us all

The Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae is a highlight of any trip to Orkney. PIC: HES.

The new tour of Orkney that takes users headfirst into 5,000 years of history

Reverend Yousouf Gooljary, who is researching links between Scotland's churches and slavery. PIC: Contributed.

Church of Scotland has been urged to act on links to slavery

Chocolate Easter Eggs are a traditional gift at this time of year (photo: adobe)

Traditions of Easter ... historical meaning and significance explained

Worshippers have returned to churches in Scotland after a judge ruled coronavirus regulations that forced their closure were unlawful.

Scottish churches reopen for communal worship after ‘important’ legal victory

The Judicial review is expected to call in the Court of Session

Three-quarters of Scots oppose churches lockdown exemption

A priest will officiate Ash Wednesday by rubbing ashes in a cross-shape onto the head of church-goers, signifying the beginning of Lent (Picture: Getty Images)

This is why Christians observe Ash Wednesday - and what the ashes mean

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Churches should reopen as soon as possible - Readers' Letters

A group of Scottish religious leaders have written to Nicola Sturgeon. Picture: Maja Hitij/Getty Images

Sturgeon urged to reopen churches by more than 200 Scottish religious leaders

Nativity plays like this one performed before the Covid outbreak may not be possible this year, but the Christmas Windows project provides a different way for people to tell the story (Picture: Leon Neal/Getty Images)

How thousands of Christians plan to tell Nativity story this year –Jen Robertson

The majority of the new rules come into force on 16 October

What Northern Ireland's circuit breaker lockdown means for Scottish travel
First Minister Foster described the rising Covid-19 rates in Northern Ireland as “of grave concern”

Pubs, restaurants, and schools are set to close across Northern Ireland after the Stormont executive agreed to new restrictions in the early hours of Wednesday morning. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Northern Ireland imposes four-week lockdown on hospitality and schools

Visitors to Greece must now wear face masks in numerous public spaces, as officials have tightened rules in an attempt to stop the spread of coronavirus (Photo: Shutterstock)

Greece has brought in new face mask rules for tourists - and fines for those who...

Nicola Sturgeon: "Most significant milestone yet"

Nicola Sturgeon unveils 'most significant milestone yet' in lockdown exit

With Spain among the nations who have recently lifted some of their restrictions amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, a few other countries in Europe look set to follow suit soon (Photo: Shutterstock)

These are the European countries lifting lockdown restrictions

Easter Sunday, also known as Resurrection Sunday, is a Christian holiday that celebrates Jesus Christ rising from the dead.

The Easter story: what happened on Good Friday and Easter Sunday according to th...

Easter 2020 will be earlier than it was last year (Photo: Shutterstock)

When is Easter 2020? And why the date changes each year

All services have been cancelled from Wednesday

Church of Scotland cancels Easter services and issues guidance on funerals

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When is Easter 2020? when schools are off in Scotland and why the date changes

St Blane's Church, Isle of Bute.

Churches meet at historic Bute site

Baile na Cille Glebe became famous in the 1820s when as many as 9,000 people would gather there to take communion together.

Churches plan outdoor service at historic revival site

Same-sex marriage legislation was approved in Scotland in 2014, but until now, no mainstream church had permitted it to take place in a church.

Leader comment: Churches take the only viable option on gay marriage

The TIE campaign Is lobbying the Scottish Government to introduce a programme of LGBT inclusive education in Scottish schools. Picture: Steven Scott Taylor

Churches must tackle '˜bigots' over LGBT teaching in schools

Marlene Shiels, chief executive at Capital Credit Union

Marlene Shiels: Reassurance vital in anxious times

St Fillan's, Killin. PIC Contributed.

Six of Scotland's tiniest churches

The Scotsman Top Stories

Scotland has failed to meet its latest target for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the latest official figures show. Picture: John Giles/PA Wire

Fail: Scotland misses climate target

Pro-independence protesters with Scottish Saltire flags (top) march for Scottish independence. Picture: Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images

Yousaf: Growing popular support for Yes the only way to Scottish independence

Nadine Dorries. Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

SNP MP cleared of bullying Nadine Dorries