A new amber weather has been issued across parts northern Scotland and the Highlands from 6pm tonight.

Sun 04 Jan, 2.25 pm

The First Minister is warning us to only go to Accident and Emergency if it's a "genuine emergency", as demand on services is expected to surge over the festive period.



The head of Scotland's ambulance service has told STV News that system-wide pressures, including lengthy handover times at hospitals, are slowing services down - but the worst of the flu crisis is over.

Political Reporter

Laura Alderman

The worst of the flu crisis is over.

A&E warning as demand expected to surge over festive period

Today is one of the busiest days for food shopping in the run-up to Christmas.



But the price of some items, like beef, butter and chocolate, has soared this year.



Charities and businesses say they're seeing a change in what people are buying as a result.



They're now trying to switch people's habits to make sure everyone can eat better for less.

Finlay Jack

The price of some items, like beef, butter and chocolate have soared this year.

Consumer festive food shopping habits changing, says industry

The finishing touches are being applied to a piece of history that has been brought back to life on the banks of Loch Ness.



A house twice ravaged by fire and previously owned by both the famous and infamous will soon be opening its doors to the public.



STV News has been to Boleskine House for a sneak preview.

Iain Ramage

STV News has been to Boleskine House for a sneak preview.

House formerly owned by occult leader restored after fires

The health secretary has told STV News he's confident an agreement can be reached with resident doctors to prevent a planned strike over pay in January.



Neil Gray says there are areas for compromise, but any deal must be fair to all NHS staff.



Resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, say talks held this morning were "candid and constructive," and will continue over the Christmas period.

Health secretary says there are areas for compromise, but any deal must be fair to all NHS staff.

Neil Gray hopeful agreement can be reached to stop doctor’s strike

A patient who was harmed by a disgraced Dundee neurosurgeon has lodged a complaint with the police after NHS Tayside destroyed key evidence required for a public inquiry.



Jules Rose was the last patient that Sam Eljamel operated on in Scotland, before he was suspended in 2013.



Despite a "do not destroy" notice being issued by the chair of the public inquiry last year, 40 theatre log books were shredded during the summer.

Lynne Rankin

Jules Rose was the last patient that Sam Eljamel operated on in Scotland.

Patient harmed by disgraced surgeon lodges police complaint

Charities in the North East say they're facing unprecedented demand for support from those facing hardship this Christmas.



With many families struggling to make ends meet, the added pressure of the festive season is proving difficult to bear.

Oliver Wright

The added pressure of the festive season is proving difficult to bear for families.

Charities facing ‘unprecedented’ demand this Christmas

Native red squirrels are making a comeback across Tayside after a long-running reintroduction plan. 



It's seen as a vital area for preventing the spread of the invasive greys into northern Scotland.



Thanks to years of work by conservationists and help from the public - reds are reclaiming territory once lost - returning to woodlands.

Saul Sievwright

The range of red squirrels in the Highlands has increased by more than 25% in a decade.

Red squirrel revival following decade-long conservation  project

"Don't give up" - that's the message from home owners who are finally free of loans they were signed up to under a scrapped Green Deal scheme.After a 12 year fight, several former HELMS customers have had refunds and solar panel contracts cancelled. The company that took on the loans say historic complaints are being processed on a case-by-case basis. 



Those still waiting want clarity and a fair resolution.

Sharon Frew

Customers who signed up for a scrapped Green Deal scheme have won a victory. 

Green Deal homeowners freed from solar panel contracts

A “heroic” bus driver has helped safely deliver a baby on board after a journey to a Glasgow hospital took a dramatic turn.



The incident unfolded after a couple boarded the 23 bus at Nelson Street, having purchased tickets to travel to hospital on Saturday November 29.



Within moments, bus driver Pummy heard concerning noises from the rear of the vehicle and stopped immediately to investigate. She found the woman in significant pain and quickly realised the situation had reached a critical point.



Paramedics later transported the family to hospital, where both mother and child were confirmed to be in good health.

Reporter

Olly Dickinson

Bus driver Pummy helped deliver the baby on board the bus before paramedics arrived. 

Baby born on bus after ‘heroic’ driver acts swiftly in emergency delivery

The second ferry being built at Ferguson Marine, the MV Glen Rosa, has been delayed again.While docked at the yard in Port Glasgow, faults were identified in the vessel, specifically corrosion in its stern tubes and deterioration of the hull coating. 



The Scottish Government-owned yard announced the vessel, which is already seven years late, will now be delivered late next year. The estimated cost of the vessel has increased to £185m

Political Correspondent

Ewan Petrie

The overall cost of the much-delayed vessel is expected to be around £185.

Glen Rosa ferry delivery pushed back by another six months

For residents in care homes Christmas can sometimes be a lonely time of year. 



For those living in Erskine care home in Gilmerton, they've been celebrating the festivities with their families and members of staff with a special early party.

Lewis Michie

An early festive party help spread festive cheer for 

Special Christmas party brings festive cheer to Erskine residents

The parents of a teenager who took his own life after being blackmailed online say they have nothing to lose, as they launch legal action against the world's biggest social media company, Meta.



Murray Dowey from Dunblane was 16 when he became a victim of sextortion online.



His parents say they want to shame the trillion dollar company into providing better protection for young people on their platforms.



It's thought to be the first case of its kind in the UK.

Murray Dowey was 16 when he became a victim of sextortion online.

Parents to sue Meta after son took own life following online blackmail

A Scottish woman who underwent IVF treatment with donor sperm from Denmark says she's "lost all faith in the system," after it emerged a different Danish donor carrying a cancer-causing gene fathered almost 200 children.



Fiona Wark from Kinross is not affected by the scandal, but says it's created widespread fear and mistrust of Europe's fertility sector, which is worth €45bn a year.



Experts here say more Scottish donors are desperately needed to meet demand.

Experts say more Scottish donors are desperately needed to meet demand.

‘I’ve lost all faith in the sperm donor system, it needs to change’

Interest rates are at their lowest level for almost three years, as the Bank of England cut the base rate to 3.75%.



It's good news for homeowners, with cheaper mortgage deals on offer.



But in the coming months, decision makers will have to strike a balance between stimulating economic growth and keeping inflation in check.

Senior Reporter

Gordon Chree

It's good news for homeowners, with cheaper mortgage deals on offer.

Bank of England cuts interests rates to 3.75%

A report highlighting the danger of underwater breath holding has been released by scientists.



The report focuses on how anyone, including young, fit, healthy people, can lose consciousness underwater due to shallow water and hypoxic blackout.



George Baker almost died after he lost consciousness while swimming and holding his breath underwater while on holiday in 2022.

Vanessa Kennedy

George Baker lost consciousness while swimming and holding his breath underwater.

‘Holding your breath underwater can be dangerous, my son almost died’

A Fife charity says it's had "overwhelming" support from the community, as it helps families throughout the festive season.



Fife Gingerbread helps lone parents, and vulnerable, disadvantaged families across the region.



And says support is particularly important at this time of year, whether its help with heating costs, food shopping or toys for under the tree.

Fraser Nicoll

Fife Gingerbread helps lone parents, and vulnerable, disadvantaged families across the region.

Charity supporting disadvantaged families thankful for community help

With just a week to go until Christmas, retailers are experiencing their busiest time of the year.



Yet the season is becoming tougher for locally-owned shops, as people turn to online shopping for their presents.



In Inverurie, locals are staying put, however, as the town is becoming more popular with shoppers.

Locally-owned shops are finding the festive season tougher as people turn to online shopping for their presents.

Calls to shop local this Christmas to help out small businesses

The UK Government is investing £125m in the chemicals plant at Grangemouth to secure 500 jobs at Ineos and thousands more in the supply chain.



The plant produces ethylene which is crucial for the water industry, plastics and pharmaceuticals.



Rachel Reeves says it is good value for taxpayers' money and the country's security.



The chancellor says she is convinced the plant has a long-term viable future.

Political Editor

Colin Mackay

The chancellor says it is good value for taxpayers' money and the country's security.

UK Government announces £125m investment in Grangemouth

The justice secretary has publicly apologised to a grooming gangs expert after a row over misrepresenting her views in parliament.



Angela Constance said she made a personal call to Professor Alexis Jay to say sorry for involving her in the controversy.



However, Constance faced further questions over whether she had breached the ministerial code after admitting no government official was involved.

Angela Constance said she made a personal call to Professor Alexis Jay.

Constance apologises to grooming gangs expert

A gunman branded by a judge as a "paid assassin" has been jailed for at least 26 years for murdering an Edinburgh gangster.



Grant Hunter admitted shooting Marc Webley outside a pub in the capital on Hogmanay two years ago. 



He expected to be paid "a substantial sum".



At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Mullholland told Hunter his "cowardly actions will haunt you for the rest of your life".

Grant Hunter admitted shooting Marc Webley outside a pub in the capital on Hogmanay two years ago. 

‘Paid assassin’ jailed for murdering gangster on Hogmanay

Scotland could have a new, environmentally-friendly alternative to burial or cremation as early as next year.



Water cremation, or alkaline hydrolysis, uses a controlled chemical process that breaks down the body, leaving only the bones.



It's already used in countries like the United States, Canada and Ireland.



If approved, it would be the first new end of life option offered here in more than a century.



STV News has been to Dublin to find out how it works.

Amie Flett

Water cremation, or alkaline hydrolysis, uses a controlled chemical process that breaks down the body.

Alternative to burial or cremation could come to Scotland next year

Children with complex additional support needs in Clackmannanshire are experiencing the joy of riding a bike for the very first time.



The charity FEL Scotland partnered with Clackmannanshire Council to pilot a ground-breaking adaptive cycling project, which has seen pupils speaking and smiling for the first time during sessions.

Rahim Cham

FEL Scotland partnered with Clackmannanshire Council to pilot an adaptive cycling project.

Charity helps children with complex needs ride a bike for the first time

Plans for a controlled parking zone in Portobello have been thrown out by councillors after more than 2,000 residents objected to the move.



A long-running local campaign against the zones argued parking pressures in the area did not justify year-round restrictions and said local businesses would suffer.

Laura Piper

A campaign argued parking pressures in Portobello did not justify year-round restrictions.

Plans for controlled parking zone thrown out after 2,000 objections

SSEN says it will appeal a decision to oppose a new 200-acre substation on Angus farmland.



For a second time in a month, councillors have voted against the power giant's plans.



They also include a 66-mile 'super pylon' route from Aberdeenshire to Tealing.



But the company says it still plans to continue with the proposed site.

Callum Clark

For a second time in a month, councillors have voted against SSEN's plans.

Power company to appeal council decision to reject substation plans

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