menu_open Columnists

Herald Scotland
We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

Brexit common sense a victim of political fears after Erasmus+ revelation

Brexit common sense remains a victim of political fears, says Business Editor Ian McConnell . He writes: “We must continue to hope that common...

yesterday 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Devolution is in a doom loop. The answer is to pay MSPs more

2026 is an election year and it looks as though the SNP will win a fifth straight term in office. With the Parliament’s performance under scrutiny,...

yesterday 3

Herald Scotland

Andy Maciver

Why politicians shouldn't always keep their promises

Election manifestos are often treated as binding contracts, but that’s a dangerous misconception. In a parliamentary democracy, pledges are...

previous day 8

Herald Scotland

Hugh Mclachlan

I wish you a good new year filled with kindness, good health and plenty of good songs

I was recently driving through the late-autumn countryside of Pennsylvania on my way up to New England. The two-lane road stretching ahead was...

previous day 5

Herald Scotland

Ian Houston

We must step up defence spending - and that's good news for Scottish jobs

In November, the 10th secretary general of Nato warned that this country was in grave danger thanks to the threats posed by a wide range of...

previous day 4

Herald Scotland

Peter Hourston

What can we expect for Scottish education in 2026? Probably more of the same.

When it comes to education, anyone can see that 2025 was yet another bruising year for the SNP and Scottish Government. A decade ago we were told...

previous day 4

Herald Scotland

James Mcenaney

Good riddance to 2025 - let's hope 2026 is the year our politicians see sense

As 2025 draws to a close, it will be remembered less for progress and more for chaos – a year marked by political folly, institutional failure, and...

wednesday 5

Herald Scotland

Calum Steele

Brigitte Bardot was a racist who abused her son. Does that revoke her icon status?

Discussion around Brigitte Bardot's death quickly descended into a game of pointing out the most problematic aspects of her life. Derek McArthur...

wednesday 20

Herald Scotland

Derek Mcarthur

This Glasgow shopping centre must be torn down - here's why

St Enoch Centre will not be demolished, the new director confirmed. This is a mistake, writes Herald columnist Marissa MacWhirter. In the...

wednesday 4

Herald Scotland

Marissa Macwhirter

Reform candidate Malcolm Offord is a glimmer of light in our stale politics

Scotland faces a turning point as 2025 closes, with the loss of key industrial sites echoing the devastation of the 1980s – and raising urgent...

wednesday 4

Herald Scotland

Marie Macklin

My dream for Scotland? To be the world's first non-binary, waste-inclusive nation

My dream for Scotland? To be the world's first non-binary, waste-inclusive nation

Here are the leaked details of John Swinney’s New Year message to the nation, as imagined by Herald columnist Kevin McKenna You know, as First...

30.12.2025 10

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

Calls to end 'barbaric' Scottish island hunt that kills hundreds of gannets

Calls to end 'barbaric' Scottish island hunt that kills hundreds of gannets

This article appears as part of the  Winds of Change  newsletter. For centuries, ten Men of Ness have gone out, yearly, to kill young gannets, not...

30.12.2025 6

Herald Scotland

Vicky Allan

Scotland counts cost of oil giant’s huge investor payouts

Scotland counts cost of oil giant’s huge investor payouts

Amid talk of a crisis in the North Sea an oil giant has underlined the appeal of assets in the area after making hefty job cuts which it blamed on...

30.12.2025 10

Herald Scotland

Mark Williamson

A customs union with EU could save Keir Starmer - and the British economy

A customs union with EU could save Keir Starmer - and the British economy

Labour figures are getting bolder about discussing Brexit, with cabinet ministers talking up a customs union with the EU. The economic arguments...

30.12.2025 3

Herald Scotland

Rebecca Mcquillan

My immigrant experiment 'failed’ but we still learned so much along the way

My immigrant experiment 'failed’ but we still learned so much along the way

We moved our whole life overseas but the dream was just that. Have we failed? It’s just a matter of perspective, says Herald columnist Kerry Hudson...

30.12.2025 1

Herald Scotland

Kerry Hudson

Dare we dream of better times for famous Scottish city thoroughfare?

Dare we dream of better times for famous Scottish city thoroughfare?

There has been much negative said about Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street in recent times. Business Editor Ian McConnell highlights the 'good chance' of...

29.12.2025 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Scotland's choices in January budget will determine our economic future

Scotland's choices in January budget will determine our economic future

November was a month of emotional whiplash for Scotland. We had barely finished celebrating our first World Cup qualification in nearly 30 years...

29.12.2025 8

Herald Scotland

Liz Cameron

Scottish kitchen disasters: 'Quiche and I have history - and it's not a good one'

Scottish kitchen disasters: 'Quiche and I have history - and it's not a good one'

With time on her hands, Herald writer Rosemary Goring decided to make a quiche. Would it go right this time? Of all the words that could be used to...

29.12.2025 2

Herald Scotland

Rosemary Goring

At last, the Scottish Government is doing something positive over renewable energy

At last, the Scottish Government is doing something positive over renewable energy

It didn’t get much attention, but in November the Scottish Government became a joint owner in an offshore wind development for the first time. The...

29.12.2025 6

Herald Scotland

Roz Foyer

Secure care sector warns against Scottish Government’s monopoly move

Secure care sector warns against Scottish Government’s monopoly move

The Scottish Government’s decision to fund a single secure care provider has sparked alarm among sector leaders, who warn it risks creating a...

29.12.2025 40

Herald Scotland

Roisin Mcgoldrick

The new military gap year could work, on one condition

The new military gap year could work, on one condition

Labour is proposing a form of national service but changes are needed before it can work for the men and women who sign up, says Mark Smith You can...

29.12.2025 10

Herald Scotland

Mark Smith