Scottish Beacon

From market days to hydropower: Community Wealth Building in Balerno - The Scottish Beacon On the second Saturday of April 2025, the main street of Balerno was unrecognisable. Where cars usually rush through to the Pentland Hills, stalls crowded the road. The sun shone, and over the course ...

As a community, Balerno risks becoming a dormitory village – a place where people sleep, but don’t really live.

But, by taking control of their energy Balerno is ensuring that it remains a place where people don’t just sleep, but truly live.
www.scottishbeacon.com/regions/loth...

Rebuilding community wealth through land ownership: the story of Tarras Valley Nature Reserve - The Scottish Beacon On the ridge line of Whita Hill, overlooking the River Esk, there are stone cairns that have stood silent witness to centuries of history. Every year, for over 250 years, the people of Langholm have r...

For the people of Langholm, the Tarras Valley has always been theirs. So when the land came on the market, they rallied to do the impossible and pulled off a 10,000-acre community buy-out.

This is Community Wealth Building in action: local people taking ownership of their land and their future

How Glenfarg rebuilt its bus service – and its future - The Scottish Beacon “You’re regularly told that ‘this bus has changed my life’.” Drew Smart is one of the founders and Chairman of the Glenfarg Community Transport Group (GCTG). He’s speaking from the front seat of one o...

When Glenfarg’s last commercial bus service vanished, it risked the viability of the village. So residents built their own. The result is a thriving community-run network – and a clear example of Community Wealth Building in action.

This is how Glenfarg rebuilt its bus service – and its future:

Tiree: Powering Community Wealth Building with renewable energy - The Scottish Beacon Approaching the wind-buffeted island of Tiree after a four-hour ferry journey, visitors and residents alike are greeted by the sight of Tilley – the community-owned wind turbine that rises fifty metre...

Approaching the wind-buffeted island of Tiree visitors and residents are greeted by the sight of Tilley – the community-owned turbine that rises fifty metres above the Atlantic. More than a landmark, Tilley has become a symbol of what happens when a community takes its future into its own hands.

Tiree: Powering Community Wealth Building with renewable energy - The Scottish Beacon Approaching the wind-buffeted island of Tiree after a four-hour ferry journey, visitors and residents alike are greeted by the sight of Tilley – the community-owned wind turbine that rises fifty metre...

On Tiree, a community-owned wind turbine has powered a decade of local investment, funding essential infrastructure and services. As Scotland debates how to embed Community Wealth Building in law, the island offers a glimpse of what that future could look like.
www.scottishbeacon.com/news/tiree-p...

Community Wealth Building isn’t new – Scotland’s communities have been doing it for years - The Scottish Beacon Across Scotland, people are quietly transforming their local economies. They’re running bus services, opening community spaces, regenerating town centres and creating jobs. Whether they use the term o...

Community Wealth Building isn’t new – Scotland’s communities have been doing it for years

From rebuilt transport services to revitalised energy, Scotland need only look to its communities to see what becomes possible when people are given the power to act.

www.scottishbeacon.com/news/communi...

The Herald is this week joining forces with nine hyperlocal Scottish news titles - through @scottishbeacon.bsky.social - to look at the impact the transition to green energy is having on communities.

Here, Netty Sopata, from Fios, the newspaper for North Lewis, looks at community developers👇

The Scottish Beacon: A Collaborative Approach to Telling Scotland’s Local Stories - The Scottish Beacon As someone who founded an independent, hyperlocal publication – Greater Govanhill magazine – I know how challenging it is to build and sustain local journalism on your own. The old commercial model no...

Scotland needs strong, connected local news.

That’s why Scottish Beacon links 25 grassroots outlets, sharing resources to tell deeper, fairer stories. If you’re building local media or care about informed communities, there’s a place for you in the Beacon.

🔗 www.scottishbeacon.com/regions/the-...

How the shift to green energy is impacting communities across Scotland This week, The Herald is joining forces with The Scottish Beacon - a journalism network that brings together community-based news publications to…

We're delighted to be partnering with The Herald to shine a light on how the shift to green energy is impacting communities across Scotland www.heraldscotland.com/news/2562372...

The Power Shift: Renewables, Communities and the Question of Who Really Benefits from Scotland’s Green Energy Revolution - The Scottish Beacon Published in partnership with The Herald As the world leaders gather in Brazil, to discuss the climate catastrophe facing us at COP 30, communities here in Scotland are trying to navigate the path of ...

Who really wins in Scotland’s green energy revolution?

The Scottish Beacon asks the hard question: as renewables boom, are communities getting left behind?

“Our beautiful unspoiled land has been destroyed bit by bit. The benefits to locals are negligible.”

www.scottishbeacon.com/news/local-d...

The Power Shift: Renewables, Communities and the Question of Who Really Benefits from Scotland’s Green Energy Revolution - The Scottish Beacon Published in partnership with The Herald As the world leaders gather in Brazil, to discuss the climate catastrophe facing us at COP 30, communities here in Scotland are trying to navigate the path of ...

The Power Shift: Renewables, Communities and the Question of Who Really Benefits from Scotland’s Green Energy Revolution www.scottishbeacon.com?p=7836 @scottishbeacon.bsky.social

Carsphairn Seeks Balance Between Renewable Development and Rural Life - The Scottish Beacon Published in partnership with The Herald Tucked between the Rhinns of Kells and Cairnsmore of Carsphairn, the parish of Carsphairn is the most northerly community in the Glenkens area of Dumfries & Ga...

Carsphairn Seeks Balance Between Renewable Development and Rural Life

With 80 percent of its land given over to forestry and wind farms, Carsphairn is carrying more than its share of Scotland’s net-zero ambitions – and locals say it’s time to find a fairer balance between energy and everyday life.

Kinlochbervie wind farm row raises questions over transparency – not turbines - The Scottish Beacon Locals insist they’re not against renewables, but say their voices were silenced over how the project was handled. “Nobody was allowed to ask a question.” David was talking me through the Kinlochbervi...

Shetland News shares this report from the northwest Highlands which was published in the @scottishbeacon.bsky.social last week.
@shetnews.co.uk is a founding member of the Scottish Beacon project
@greatergovanhill.com @lochsidepress.bsky.social

We're delighted to be partnering with The Herald to shine a light on how the shift to green energy is impacting communities across Scotland.

Who really benefits from Scotland’s green energy revolution? Across Scotland, communities question who profits from the green energy boom as foreign ownership rises and local benefits fail to materialise.

The first of our articles in the #PowerShift series by the @scottishbeacon.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2...

The Great Energy Heist - The Scottish Beacon Orkney has a long history in  the use of renewable sources of energy. In 1955 a wind turbine erected on the summit of Costa Head was connected up to the Orkney Grid. People in Orkney had been using wi...

Despite over-abundant renewable energy in Orkney, households are facing rising fuel poverty and soaring electricity bills — a “great energy heist” driven by outdated grid systems and unbalanced energy markets.

Publication: @theorkneynews.bsky.social

www.scottishbeacon.com/news/local-d...

Publication: midlothianview.com

Protests held after Rockstar games accused of ‘union busting’ - The Scottish Beacon Edinburgh-based game developers, Rockstar Games, have been accused of ‘union busting’ after over 30 members of staff were fired last Friday, leading to a protest yesterday outside their Edinburgh offi...

“Grand Theft Auto VI is expected to make upwards of $10 billion. Such a flagrant attack on workers’ rights...sends a very clear and shocking message to the world, that money matters more than people.”

- Chair of the Independent Workers' Union GB

www.scottishbeacon.com/news/communi...

Paddy, who was a champion go-carter, said: “Vintage Vibes is almost like having another family. Getting the Christmas cards helps people feel remembered.”

Vintage Vibes Friendships Coordinator, Emma, said: “Loneliness isn’t just at Christmas...Being part of Vintage Vibes makes a huge difference.”

Edinburgh charity launches Christmas Card Campaign to curb loneliness this winter

From: @edinreporter.bsky.social

Vintage Vibes invites you to spread festive cheer and tackle loneliness by sending a personalised card to someone living alone in the city.

www.scottishbeacon.com/news/communi...

Energy in Shetland: what’s next for the islands? - The Scottish Beacon People will get the rare chance to hear from a range of energy developers in the same room in what is being described as Shetland’s first collaborative engagement session on future projects. Represent...

Energy in Shetland: what's next for the islands?

Publication: @shetnews.co.uk

Shetland’s first ever energy-development drop-in session invites residents to learn about future energy proposals and help shape Shetland’s energy landscape on 9 September.

🔗 www.scottishbeacon.com/news/social-...

Fringe 2025: new crime thriller at Edinburgh Deaf Festival – also for hearing audiences - The Scottish Beacon Audiences for BBC’s The Reunion and ITV’s thriller Code of Silence were intrigued by these British Sign Language dramas and the insight into life as deaf person. Now a new crime thriller performed by ...

Find out more 🔗
www.scottishbeacon.com/news/sports-...

📸 by cottonbro studio

Fringe 2025: new crime thriller at Edinburgh Deaf Festival – also for hearing audiences - The Scottish Beacon Audiences for BBC’s The Reunion and ITV’s thriller Code of Silence were intrigued by these British Sign Language dramas and the insight into life as deaf person. Now a new crime thriller performed by ...

Fringe 2025: new crime thriller at Edinburgh Deaf Festival

Publication: @edinreporter.bsky.social

A tense new crime thriller premieres at the Edinburgh Deaf Festival during Fringe 2025, offering a fully accessible performance in BSL and English for both deaf and hearing audiences.

Explore low-carbon futures at Orkney International Science Festival

The programme includes visits to Burgar Hill to learn directly from the skilled efforts of communities – past and present – in building a sustainable and resilient Orkney.

Find out more 🔗
www.scottishbeacon.com/news/environ...

Campaigners and communities across Scotland, including Stonehaven, banded together to pressure governments into taking action against plastic pollution ahead of the #GlobalPlasticsTreaty negotiations in August.

Publication: The Bellman

Full story here 🔗
www.scottishbeacon.com/news/solutio...

The best stand up acts at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025 - The Scottish Beacon Marc Jennings: Bread and Circuses Monkey Barrel 4 at 7:50pm, from 28 July – 24 August (except 12 August) Get your tickets HERE. Following on from his debut stand-up special recorded at Glasgow’s iconi...

Find out who made the cut 🔗
www.scottishbeacon.com/news/sports-...

#EdinburghFestivalFringe #FringeFestival #Comedy #Arts

The best stand up acts at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025

Publication: Midlothian View

The Midlothian View shares its top picks for comedy acts performing at this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

📷 Marc Jennings photo by Rebecca Need-Menear

Concerns over oil firm’s involvement in teaching science to Shetland pupils - The Scottish Beacon Companies making money from oil should not be allowed to teach children about the environment, a Green MSP has claimed. Ariane Burgess has raised serious concerns about an initiative which sees Norweg...

📸 Pupils drawing eco-friendly symbols by Artem Podrez

Concerns over oil firm’s involvement in teaching science to Shetland pupils - The Scottish Beacon Companies making money from oil should not be allowed to teach children about the environment, a Green MSP has claimed. Ariane Burgess has raised serious concerns about an initiative which sees Norweg...

Concerns over oil firm’s involvement in teaching science to Shetland pupils

Publication: @shetnews.co.uk

“It’s not fair for companies that make money from oil to have a significant say in what kids learn about energy and the environment.”

Find out more 🔗
www.scottishbeacon.com/news/environ...

This has potential consequences for the #PowerShift @scottishbeacon.bsky.social