Herald Voices

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Nothing prepared me for the culture shock of going on placement
When I was at university studying to be a teacher, my lecturers were generally really positive about the fact we were going to be going on placement.

The Shearwater platform operated by Shell which made a find with Deltic Energy

The Shearwater platform operated by Shell which made a find with Deltic Energy

Mark Williamson: Scotland's dependence on oil and gas clear amid North Sea fears

John Swinney will be sworn in as First Minister on Wednesday

John Swinney will be sworn in as First Minister on Wednesday

2

Alison Rowat: Is John Swinney Scotland's first mid-life wobble First Minister?

Our cartoonist Steven Camley's take on John Swinney

Our cartoonist Steven Camley's take on John Swinney

3

Our cartoonist Steven Camley’s take on John Swinney

LETTER OF THE DAY 📨

Swinney's first task: Bin the indy papers and start again

Rod Crossan spotted this nifty mug and says he’s sure it will be very popular with customers, especially customers whose first name is Elon and surname is Musk.

Rod Crossan spotted this nifty mug and says he’s sure it will be very popular with customers, especially customers whose first name is Elon and surname is Musk.

Herald Diary: Rude behaviour from a Pig in the bedroom

Antwerp is very family-friendly

Antwerp is very family-friendly

Kerry Hudson: Why Antwerp made it on to my 'one day again' list

Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf have both been the subject of savage attacks recently, including in a recent Times cartoon

Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf have both been the subject of savage attacks recently, including in a recent Times cartoon

46

Neil Mackay: Hatred of the SNP and the left has reached absurd new levels

The Scottish Government has opposed Brexit

The Scottish Government has opposed Brexit

2

Ian McConnell: A very hard audience to please for new First Minister

Data reveals 55% of female entrepreneurs are struggling with soaring rates, rents and utilities with the result that many are closing their physical stores

Data reveals 55% of female entrepreneurs are struggling with soaring rates, rents and utilities with the result that many are closing their physical stores

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Positive change for women in business is a win for all

John Swinney has a go at sofa government in an interview with BBC Scotland's The Sunday Show

John Swinney has a go at sofa government in an interview with BBC Scotland's The Sunday Show

6

Alison Rowat: Decisions loom for Swinney and changes on way at BBC Scotland

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar holding an 'In Conversation' event in Glasgow

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar holding an 'In Conversation' event in Glasgow

1

Mark Smith: Yousaf falling. Labour rising. Is this really the dawn of something else?

Retail in Scotland accounts for one-fifth of business rates and 4,000 shops saw £31 million added to their rates bills last month

Retail in Scotland accounts for one-fifth of business rates and 4,000 shops saw £31 million added to their rates bills last month

New First Minister has real opportunity to work with business community

Scots do not have to pay over the counter to have prescriptions filled

Scots do not have to pay over the counter to have prescriptions filled

3

Letters: Scotland was right to abolish prescription charges

Alex Salmond announces his resignation as First Minister on September 19, 2014

Alex Salmond announces his resignation as First Minister on September 19, 2014

3

Letters: SNP should have had its retread a decade ago. It's too late now

Business owners in the industry understand they have to do more to make it a more attractive place to work

Business owners in the industry understand they have to do more to make it a more attractive place to work

Devising a new recipe is crucial for Scotland's hospitality sector

John Swinney (Jane Barlow/PA)

John Swinney (Jane Barlow/PA)

24

Kevin McKenna: Swinney must get rid of the SNP's ruinous Sturgeon cabal

Bob Wallace from Pollokshields admits being totally stunned that he missed the announcement of this remarkable scientific advance. “Turns out it was hair conditioning,” he says. “What a let-down.”

Bob Wallace from Pollokshields admits being totally stunned that he missed the announcement of this remarkable scientific advance. “Turns out it was hair conditioning,” he says. “What a let-down.”

Herald Diary: Should you get danger money for cutting the grass?

A CalMac ferry approaching Brodick

A CalMac ferry approaching Brodick

National government

Kirsten Gow: Taking a different look at Scotland's islands

1

Could AI help find the answer to our social care problems?

Facing up to the sorry plight of the Glasgow School of Art

Facing up to the sorry plight of the Glasgow School of Art

Glasgow School of Art

A solution to the Glasgow School of Art problem

A Post Office van parked outside the venue for the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry at Aldwych House on January 11, 2024 in London

A Post Office van parked outside the venue for the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry at Aldwych House on January 11, 2024 in London

Mr Bates vs The Post Office

4

Damning details of crucial Horizon meeting in Edinburgh are truly shocking

The Scottish Parliament at Holyrood as seen from Salisbury Crags

The Scottish Parliament at Holyrood as seen from Salisbury Crags

KEVIN MCKENNA'S DIARY

National government

2

Over-familiarity has not reduced my wonder at Holyrood - but it should be in Glasgow

John Swinney is preparing to take the helm from Humza Yousaf uncontested

John Swinney is preparing to take the helm from Humza Yousaf uncontested

National government

13

No Mr Yousaf, Scottish independence is certainly not 'frustratingly close'

A perhaps slightly idealised image of a Scottish summer

A perhaps slightly idealised image of a Scottish summer

Susan Swarbrick: Summer has been my nemesis - I am determined to love it this time

Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater, co-leaders of the Scottish Greens

Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater, co-leaders of the Scottish Greens

11

Letters: Scottish Greens must return to core principles, including women's rights

Ian McConnell: CalMac storm rages on but ownership question has clear answer

Ian McConnell: CalMac storm rages on but ownership question has clear answer

13

Ian McConnell: CalMac storm rages on but ownership question has clear answer

President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the CHIPS and Science Act at the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Syracuse, N.Y. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci).

President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the CHIPS and Science Act at the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Syracuse, N.Y. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci).

DAVID PRATT ON THE USA

National government

3

Why Joe Biden’s Gaza dilemma may lose him the US election

Lorna Slater is wrong over A96

Lorna Slater is wrong over A96

12

Alan Simpson: Dualling the A96 is a road safety issue - not a climate one

John Swinney speaks during the press conference confirming he is running to succeed Humza Yousaf

John Swinney speaks during the press conference confirming he is running to succeed Humza Yousaf

23

Mark Smith: New leader’s top priority should be to end the culture of 'free stuff'

Now the work begins for Swinney

Now the work begins for Swinney

35

Brian Taylor: Congratulations Mr Swinney - your troubles are just starting

There is more to a modern economy than STEM subjects, says Guy

There is more to a modern economy than STEM subjects, says Guy

Arts & Humanities

6

Guy Stenhouse: Actually, STEM subjects aren't all that important for our economy

Politicians rarely give straight answers

Politicians rarely give straight answers

4

Lennie Pennie: Why won't our politicians give us straight answers?

From As I Was Moving Ahead Occasionally I Saw Brief Glimpses of Beauty, a five hour home video collage by Jonas Mekas

From As I Was Moving Ahead Occasionally I Saw Brief Glimpses of Beauty, a five hour home video collage by Jonas Mekas

2

92 minutes is the 'ideal' film length? What nonsense

Sign up for the Unspun politics newsletter and receive exclusive analysis and opinion straight to your inbox

Sign up for the Unspun politics newsletter and receive exclusive analysis and opinion straight to your inbox

23

Neil Mackay: Swinney wanted election with Tory leader change. He should call one.

Humza Yousaf's resignation put the Scottish Government's relationship with business in the spotlight

Humza Yousaf's resignation put the Scottish Government's relationship with business in the spotlight

31

Ian McConnell: What on earth is the SNP’s big problem with business?

Tommy Sheridan with his then girlfriend Gail Heaney at the Scottish Parliament election on May 6, 1999

Tommy Sheridan with his then girlfriend Gail Heaney at the Scottish Parliament election on May 6, 1999

4

Gregor Gall: Can the pro-indy left ever repeat the success of Tommy Sheridan & co?

Kate Forbes and John Swinney

Kate Forbes and John Swinney

22

Kevin Mckenna: How will the John & Kate political romance pan out?

Should any offers to GPs be conditional on the restoration of an out-of-hours service?

Should any offers to GPs be conditional on the restoration of an out-of-hours service?

1

Letters: GPs must be made to do the right thing and resume an out-of-hours service

Anas Sarwar and Labour have been accused of several u-turns

Anas Sarwar and Labour have been accused of several u-turns

12

Letters: What would John Smith make of Anas Sarwar's behaviour?

Grangemouth and its refinery are an important part of the Scottish economy

Grangemouth and its refinery are an important part of the Scottish economy

Roz Foyer: Scottish and UK governments must not let Grangemouth refinery die

John Swinney speaking to the media in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday

John Swinney speaking to the media in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday

7

Letters: Who is going to save Scotland? It certainly won't be John Swinney

Sign up to the Food Matters newsletter and get a weekly update on food and drink writer Sarah Campbell's culinary journeys

Sign up to the Food Matters newsletter and get a weekly update on food and drink writer Sarah Campbell's culinary journeys

Food Matters 🍽️

Can you believe this used to be a Prezzo?

A scene from the film Quo Vadis: see

A scene from the film Quo Vadis: see

Herald Diary: Lesson: Never try to hurry a Govan boilermaker

A farmers' protest in Warsaw last month

A farmers' protest in Warsaw last month

3

Kirsty Hughes: It's not just us: the EU's politics is looking wobbly too

Home Office proposal would have disastrous consequences

Home Office proposal would have disastrous consequences

CITIZENS ADVICE

A proposal with disastrous consequences for advice

College lecturers on strike over pay

College lecturers on strike over pay

The State of Scotland's Colleges

'Industrial dispute is emotive and principled. It requires sacrifice.'

Andrea Bradley believes colleges are far too important to Scotland to be left to wither on the vine

Andrea Bradley believes colleges are far too important to Scotland to be left to wither on the vine

Andrea Bradley: Our colleges must be saved before it's too late

The Herald Letter of the Day: SNP has caused our GPs a great deal of pain

The Herald Letter of the Day: SNP has caused our GPs a great deal of pain

4

The Herald Letter of the Day: SNP has caused our GPs a great deal of pain

Sign up for Lessons to Learn and get a weekly expert insight into Scottish education

Sign up for Lessons to Learn and get a weekly expert insight into Scottish education

Lessons to Learn 🎓

4

Who was missing from our colleges special? The further education minister...

Kate Forbes and John Swinney could be a dream ticket for SNP

Kate Forbes and John Swinney could be a dream ticket for SNP

18

Andy Maciver: SNP has just made its smartest move in a decade

Have successive governments let down the elderly?

Have successive governments let down the elderly?

1

Letters: High time we properly addressed the failures in social care for the elderly

John Swinney in the Scottish Parliament yesterday

John Swinney in the Scottish Parliament yesterday

31

Letters: Hard luck, unionists: SNP is going to be more united than ever

The son of Carole Craig took this photo on a recent trip to Paris. Apparently it’s a cubicle where you can do your business...

The son of Carole Craig took this photo on a recent trip to Paris. Apparently it’s a cubicle where you can do your business...

Herald Diary: So who needs a sick note in this day and age?

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