Scotland’s abandoned buildings leave communities to bear the burden
Derelict buildings across Scotland are creating a plethora of problems. Local communities are bearing the brunt.
Scotland’s abandoned buildings leave communities to bear the burden
Derelict buildings across Scotland are creating a plethora of problems. Local communities are bearing the brunt.
Fines for entering offshore marine protected areas don't go far enough, say critics
A total of 36 boats have been fined £140,000 in the last 10 months for entering Scotland's marine protected areas. But campaigners claim the fines are too small and may not be a sufficient deterrent.
Dundee university might have too much cash to qualify for its taxpayer bailout
The university has continued to argue staff cuts are needed to make ends meet. But a growing cash balance has raised questions about the need for more redundancies, and whether it qualifies for millions in public support.
Scotland has apologised for the 'Tinker Experiment'. So why do some Gypsy Travellers say it’s still going on?
Gypsy Travellers have been persecuted for centuries. But despite a Scottish Government apology last June for the Tinker Experiment – which tried to assimilate them into settled culture – some claim their cultural rights are still being denied.
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Latest
Boss of SNP-backed wind firm named in bribery scandal
The Scottish Government has continued to back Ming Yang’s proposed investment at Ardersier despite national security concerns. It’s now being accused of a “staggering” failure of due diligence on the firm.
Revealed: Scotland and Northern Ireland's rapidly expanding anti-immigration network
This summer we revealed that convicted loyalists from Belfast travelled to Glasgow for a far right protest. Further digging has unearthed a rapidly expanding anti-immigration network between Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The unremarkable Glasgow building linked to a fake news-peddler selling business schemes beloved by money launderers
Authorities tightened the rules around this Scottish business scheme after years of exploitation for financial crime. Moscow entities – and a man accused of facilitating child sex abuse – are still selling it to clients seeking “financial privacy”.
Sepa branded ‘toothless’ after salmon farm accused of 15 environmental breaches
The Scottish Government’s green watchdog sent seven letters over three years alleging multiple breaches at a fish farm – and then issued a final warning letter.
Revealed: 'dark' money pressure group helped man Scots anti-asylum protests
This US-style right-wing political pressure group keeps its funders a secret. Its members have helped man Scotland’s anti-migrant and asylum demonstrations.
Adult adoptees are taking desperate measures to obtain their family ‘health histories’
Adult adoptees are calling for access to genetic testing to address the ‘health gap’ caused by their lack of information about genetically inherited conditions.
More than 50 rivers polluted by toxic chemicals used to treat fleas on pets
Wildlife is under threat from water pollution caused by pesticides which are hazardous, widespread and persist for years.
Three-quarters of 'sustainable' salmon farms broke environmental rules. None lost their accreditation.
We looked at inspection reports from the body which certifies “highest standard” farms with a public-facing ‘green tick’ — and found there have been breaches of its rules at dozens of fish farms.
Investigations
Boss of SNP-backed wind firm named in bribery scandal
The Scottish Government has continued to back Ming Yang’s proposed investment at Ardersier despite national security concerns. It’s now being accused of a “staggering” failure of due diligence on the firm.
The unremarkable Glasgow building linked to a fake news-peddler selling business schemes beloved by money launderers
Authorities tightened the rules around this Scottish business scheme after years of exploitation for financial crime. Moscow entities – and a man accused of facilitating child sex abuse – are still selling it to clients seeking “financial privacy”.
Sepa branded ‘toothless’ after salmon farm accused of 15 environmental breaches
The Scottish Government’s green watchdog sent seven letters over three years alleging multiple breaches at a fish farm – and then issued a final warning letter.
Revealed: 'dark' money pressure group helped man Scots anti-asylum protests
This US-style right-wing political pressure group keeps its funders a secret. Its members have helped man Scotland’s anti-migrant and asylum demonstrations.
Fact Checks
Claim Glasgow City Council put up posters of ‘high risk’ areas for sexual assault is False
Posters appeared on social media purporting to be from the local authority, but they are fake.
Claim SNP government only increased teacher numbers by 75 is Mostly True
Conservative candidate Meghan Gallacher made the claim in a special education debate hosted by the BBC.
Claim Scottish GP numbers are at record levels is Half True
First Minister John Swinney made the claim in an SNP election leaflet
Claim 'abortion to birth' is now legal in the UK is Mostly False
Changes to abortion law in England and Wales have been misrepresented on social media.
Long reads
Revealed: Scotland and Northern Ireland's rapidly expanding anti-immigration network
This summer we revealed that convicted loyalists from Belfast travelled to Glasgow for a far right protest. Further digging has unearthed a rapidly expanding anti-immigration network between Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Is this former Viking outpost a model for a fairer Scotland?
The tiny Danish island of Bornholm was the site of one of the world’s first offshore wind turbines back in the 1940s. Now its citizens are fighting to build one of the largest community wind farms ever, and raise the benchmark of what’s possible for locally owned energy.
These women were abused by far right groups who claimed to want to protect them. But they fought back
Women have been leading the fight against the far right in Scotland but anti-racism activism has come at a high personal cost with at least 14 having been publicly abused and threatened. But they are resolute in the face of intimidation and say they will continue defending human rights.
Poland's Jewish revival: In the shadow of Auschwitz
We visited the Polish city of Krakow ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day which is held to remember the millions murdered by the Nazis – including six million Jews. Krakow's Jewish population was decimated then but the city is now home to one of the fastest-growing Jewish communities in the world.
De-noiser
The Guga Hunt: Why a centuries-old Hebridean tradition is facing renewed scrutiny
The Ferret did a deep dive to explain why a bird cull on Lewis dating back centuries is causing outrage amid claims it's a "blood sport"
Businessmen and wealthy donors are bankrolling Scottish politics. Who are they?
The Ferret did a deep dive into the Electoral Commission’s donation records to find out who was funding Scotland's political parties.
Luxury hotels and dinner dates: Who is lobbying our politicians?
High end dinners are a fraction of over 29,000 lobbying meetings in the last parliamentary term. But campaigners argue that because the lobbying spend is not declared, their significance is underplayed.
Has the Scottish Government changed its stance on oil and gas?
With a decision on the Rosebank oil field imminent – and lobbying around the windfall tax at fever pitch – some are questioning whether the Scottish Government's current stance on oil and gas is in step with their ambition to be a world leader in climate action.
“I turn to The Ferret far more than what you might call the mainstream news to find out what's really going on.”
CHRIS PACKHAM, BROADCASTER AND NATURALIST“We need more independent media asking the questions that the powerful don't want to answer. It's vital that The Ferret succeeds.”
PAUL WOOD, WEST HIGHLAND FREE PRESS