Writing

Joseph Bell was a renowned surgeon and lecturer, but remains best known for inspiring his student, Arthur Conan Doyle. Picture: Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images

Exclusive A light shone on Edinburgh's 'real' Sherlock Holmes

Martin Stewart

Loose Threads by Martin Stewart review

Mairi Kidd, director of the Saltire Society.

Newes of Witches by Mairi Kidd review: 'Devastating and compelling'

Kérastase Elixir Ultime Hair Oil is designed to smooth frizz, boost shine and help reduce the appearance of split ends.

This bestselling Kérastase hair oil transformed hair immediately

Ad Feature The Balmoral unveils a new chapter to celebrate literary heritage

KIKO Milano's Self Tan Water is designed to deliver a gradual, natural-looking glow with a lightweight, non-sticky finish.

KIKO’s self-tan water, ‘great for a subtle glow’, is half price

The University of Dundee is set for further job cuts (Alamy/PA)

Philosophers unite to save threatened degree at Dundee University

Harriet MacMillan is director of Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature.

'Readers in residence' to appear around Edinburgh

Novelist and journalist Matt Haig's new book, The Midnight Train, is out now. He will be at Edinburgh International Book Festival this summer.

“I was convinced I would be dead at 25.' Matt Haig celebrates life

The National Library of Scotland is to appoint a Shaetlan Scriever.

Applications sought for first ever Shaetlan Scriever

Four of the best performing primary schools in Angus.

Top Angus Primary Schools 2026: The 11 best performing primaries

Four of the best performing primary schools in Dumfries and Galloway.

Top Dumfries and Galloway Primary Schools 2026: 12 best performing

The vocalist for rock band Santana, Alex Lingertwood, died at his Santa Monica home.

Scottish-born former Santana singer Alex Ligertwood dead at 79

Four of the best performing primary schools in East Ayrshire.

Top East Ayrshire Primary Schools 2026: 10 best performing primaries

Deidre Brock

Deidre Brock: SNP candidate calls education criticism 'ridiculous'

Four of the best performing primary schools in the Highlands.

Top Highland Primary Schools: 11 best performing Highland primaries

Four of the top performing primary schools in Scotland.

Top Scottish Primary Schools 2026: 10 best performing primaries

The iconic lunchtime plays will be performed at the Assembly Roxy in Edinburgh.

The A Play, A Pie and A Pint shows to be performed at Fringe venue

The Edinburgh literary hotspots that appear in new book

Author Maggie O'Farrell, whose nine novels to date are being republished this year.

Maggie O'Farrell talks manuscripts, motherhood and Paul Mescal

Douglas Henshall as Jimmy Perez

Exclusive Shetland hero Jimmy Perez 'unlikely to make return to small screen'

Sally magnusson author

'I appreciate making things up' - Sally Magnusson's latest novel

Anna Tuchinda has been shortlisted.

Scottish schoolgirl, 17, shortlisted for BBC Young Writers’ Award

Molly Farquhar in Hairy B*stard

Edinburgh Fringe Theatre reviews: Hairy B*stard | Bad Immigrant + more

Zainab Johnson

Edinburgh Fringe comedy reviews: Zainab Johnson | Charlie Mulliner

Ad Feature Singapore slings top talent at Festival – catch the season of six acts

Pleasance Courtyard.

Winner of new prize to see play performed at next year's Fringe

Eat The Rich (but maybe not me mates x), Pleasance

Fringe Firsts: five winners of our prestigious theatre prizes revealed

Rift

Edinburgh Fringe Theatre reviews: Rift | | Red Like Fruit + more

Kindle Scribe or reMarkable Paper Pro – which is best for students?

Booker Prize winners Ian McEwan and Samantha Harvey, will both be at the 2025 Edinburgh International Book Festival.

Here are 25 Booker Prize nominees at the 2025 Edinburgh Book Festival

Author and podcaster, Sophie Gravia.

'I self-published online, woke up and it was number one.'

The Hozo Neoruler Go is such a clever tool for just £49.99 - if you can catch the Amazon deal

Hozo Neoruler Go review: laser ruler brings digital precision for £50

Uncommon Ground: Rethinking Our Relationship With The Countryside, by Patrick Galbraith, is out this week

Uncommon Ground by Patrick Galbraith review: 'uncomfortable truths'

Lewine Mair pictured receiving the PGA of America Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism from PGA of America president Don Rea jnr. Also pictured are Mair's Global Golf Post colleagues John Hopkins and Ron Green jnr as well as Jim Nugent, the digital publication's publisher

Edinburgh-based golf writer honoured alongside Scheffler at Masters

Ad Feature Meet the author behind much-loved illustrated stories

Comedian Kate-Lois Elliott was resigned to renting for life

A lifelong renter became an estate agent to buy her first home

The new Scots Scriever will be from Dundee and Angus.

Authors writing in Scots in this Scottish region sought for residency

Jenni Daiches' novel, Somewhere Else, has been shortlisted for the Women's Prize.

'Epic' Judaeo-Scottish novel longlisted for literary prize

Emily and Rachel outside Kitchen Table

The team behind pioneering Scottish bakery share their secrets

Actor Alan Cumming hosted a DJ set at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre, where he is artistic director. Jane Barlow/PA Wire

Watch as Alan Cumming and Kirsty Wark host DJ set at Scottish festival

Sheep graze near the lighthouse on North Ronaldsay, Orkney (Picture: Adrian Dennis)

Why Christine Muir's writing about Orkney puts her alongside Orwell Ronnie Kerr

A study of 2,000 fans to celebrate the 30-year anniversary of the hit US comedy revealed some of the most iconic scenes from the show, featuring the antics of roommates and neighbours Ross, Rachel, Joey, Phoebe, Monica and Chandler

Top Friends moments revealed as show celebrates 30-year anniversary

Jessica Gunning and Richard Gadd, winners of the Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series for Baby Reindeer during the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards.

All the winners from the 2024 Emmy Awards as Baby Reindeer wins big

R.F. Kuang

Reviews: Rebecca F. Kuang | Marion Keyes | Peter Pomerantsev

Phoebe Waller-Bridge won a Scotsman Fringe First Award for the stage version of Fleabag in 2013.

Exclusive The new era for Fringe awards that launched Billy Connolly

Exclusive Writing memoir therapeutic but some people will hate it, says Sturgeon

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