James Cook

First Minister John Swinney and colleagues mark one year until Scottish Parliament election on 7 May 2025 (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Readers' Letters: Make Scotland better in name of those who died for VE Day

A fragment of ‘lost’ music found in the pages of Scotland’s first full-length printed book is providing clues to what music sounded like five centuries ago.

'Eureka' moment as lost 500-year-old Scottish hymn heard once more

Education secretary Jenny Gilruth has been urged to put focus on climate change above all else in schools (Picture: Nick Mailer)

Readers' Letters: Don't let climate change take over curriculum

Maria Tolzmann and Andrew Jenkins help the Edinburgh Science Festival get ready to take over the Scottish capital for its 35th anniversary edition

Science festival embraces Pink Floyd, Minecraft, LEGO, Bake Off and The Traitors

The spears that were taken by James Cook back in 1770 (Photo: Cambridge University)

Australian aboriginal spears taken by Lieutenant Cook to be returned

Protesters demonstrate outside the Conservative Party leadership hustings in Perth on August 16. Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss and former Chancellor Rishi Sunak are vying to become the new leader of the Conservative Party and the UK's next Prime Minister. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Scotland on Sunday readers' letters: Condemnation on insults is 'too little too ...

Protesters outside the Tory leadership hustings in Perth (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Why shouts of 'Tory scum' are a threat to democracy – Scotsman comment

A screenshot of the video showing the abuse directed at the BBC's James Cook.

Nicola Sturgeon condemns 'disgraceful' abuse of BBC journalist by protester

Protesters outside the Tory leadership hustings in Perth. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Why ugly scenes outside Tory party leadership hustings should concern us all

Dr Malcolm Hole at Hole Peninsula, part of Rothschild Island in the Antarctic which has been named after the geologist given his pioneering work in the region. PIC: Contributed.

Scots geologist on the map after part of Antarctic named after him

Linlithgow Palace.

Concert at Linlithgow Palace 500 years ago recreated

New Caledonia referendum: why the French overseas territory voted on independence from France - and results explained (Photo by THEO ROUBY/AFP via Getty Images)

New Caledonia referendum: why the French overseas territory voted on independenc...

Gil Christie has died at the age of 77

Obituary: Gilbert Christie, inspirational organisational psychologist who never ...

Vanuatu in the Pacific Ocean has a burgeoning tourist industry with academics from Orkney now helping islanders access growing opportunities in the market. PIC:Flickr/Roderick Eime.

How Orkney is changing life on a volcanic island deep in the Pacific Ocean

BBC Scotland headquarters in Glasgow. Picture: John Devlin

Nicola Sturgeon defends BBC journalist from online abuse

Martin Geissler fronts BBC Scotlands new flagship news programme The Nine (Picture: Alan Peebles/BBC Scotland)

New BBC Scotland channel must beware parochialism – John McLellan

The Nine launched tonight. Picture: Alan Peebles

The Nine review: Assured debut for BBC Scotland’s flagship news show

The reporting and presenting teamfor The Nine, BBC Scotlands new flagship news programme. Picture: Alan Peebles

BBC unveil Nine team ahead of new channel

The tiny snails. Picture: Rex/Shutterstock

Rare snails freed in Tahiti in bid to halt extinction

Police Scotland officers go viral after pipe walk outside Donald Trump resort

Picture: AP

Letter: what links Rule Britannia and Scotland's slave trade involvement?

Supporters of Scottish independence have accused the BBC of seeking to discredit the SNP Picture: Robert Perry/PA Wire

BBC '˜discrediting SNP' over Charlottesville '˜nationalists'

On this day in 1990, Wallace Mercer, the Hearts chairman, dropped his Â£6.1 million takeover bid for Hibernian. Picture: Crawford Tait

On this day: Hearts chief Wallace Mercer drops Hibs takeover bid

Snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef

Travel: Glimpse another world at the Great Barrier Reef

On this day in 1987 the IRA arms ship, the Eksund, was intercepted by French police en route from Libya, with 150-tonne cargo worth £3.7 million. Picture: AFP/Getty

On this day: IRA arms ship The Eksund is intercepted

Naomi Williams tantalises the reader. Picture: Contributed

Book review: Landfalls by Naomi Williams

On this day in 1909 the first Boy Scout rally took place in Crystal Palace, London, led by Lord Baden-Powell. Picture: Hulton/Getty

On this day: First Boy Scout rally takes place

On this day in 1999 Michael Johnson broke the world record for the 400 metres with a time of 43.18 seconds. Picture: Getty

On this day: Michael Johnson breaks 400m record

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Broken promise

Sturgeon has long claimed Scotland never gets the government it votes for, but the unspoken truth is that a Tory victory could suit the SNPs long-term aims. Picture: Getty

Brian Monteith: Idea of SNP Tory support stands up

Colin Norris was jailed for 30 years in 2008 for killing four elderly patients, including Ethel Hall. Picture: PA

John Mullin: Justice is put in the dock

Jean Claude Juncker has been elected as the new President of the European Commission. Picture: Getty

Row as Juncker bars any new EU members for 5 years

Gunners from 105th Regiment Royal Artillery fire a 21-Gun Salute at Stirling Castle. Picture: PA

Midday 21-gun salutes mark Queen’s birthday

RBS chief executive Ross McEwan is overseeing a leaner operation. Picture: Getty Images

Comment: RBS cuts should be the last – for now

Gunners from the 105th Regimental Royal Artillery fire a 21 gun Royal Salute at Stirling Castle. Picture: PA

Queen’s birthday marked in Edinburgh and Stirling

This painting shows Captain James Cook taking possession of New South Wales on this day in 1770. Picture: Getty

On this day: Murders In The Rue Morgue| Freddie Mercury

Roger Cox: Despite deaths, climbers will forge on

Ex-Edinburgh councillor not guilty just days after wife’s death

Scottish QC is cleared of perjury over South Pacific ferry tragedy

Scottish QC is cleared of perjury over South Pacific ferry tragedy

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Gunners at Edinburgh Castle fire royal salute for the Queen

Edinburgh Castle gives 21-gun salute for Queen’s Jubilee
The Queen has been given a 21-gun royal salute at Edinburgh Castle to mark the anniversary of her coronation.

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Talk of the Town: Ure the one to help Gurr’s campaign

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Researcher to explore deep

Travel: Cook Islands

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Revealed: The acorn worms from which all life grew

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Wait a second …

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Bullet on target for Cecil but Timepiece begins to run slow

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James Cook on voyage of discovery

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Boxing: Gary Young falls at the first after Danish display

Experts reject Palin's claim over decline of beluga whales in Alaska

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