Karin Goodwin

🔴NEW: Former tour guides have come forward with allegations of 'intimidation' and discrimination at Stirling Castle, adding to mounting scrutiny of Historic Environment Scotland. 

Read: https://www.theferret.scot/intimidation-and-discrimination-allegations-keep-coming-at-scandal-hit-heritage-agency

UK ban on Palestine Action unlawful, high court judges rule Protest group’s co-founder wins legal challenge against decision to proscribe it under anti-terrorism laws

UK ban on Palestine Action unlawful, high court judges rule www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

Books are being challenged in Scottish schools. Librarians fear a 'chilling effect' on freedom of speech Dozens of complaints about reading material in school libraries have been received, with campaigners warning that "book bans" could increase.

Books are being challenged in Scottish schools. Librarians fear a 'chilling effect' on freedom of speech. “While hopefully librarians will not remove books, they may feel pressure to remove some from open collections and limit access”. www.theferret.scot/books-scotti...

“There are a lot of questions about this money that need answered. I’m glad OSCR will now look into it.” Yesterday we reported OSRC was launching an inquiry into the CCA following concerns raised from former staff. https://www.theferret.scot/cca-to-be-investigated-over-financial-governance-concerns/

🔴 Posts on social media claimed Swinney had stayed in Mandelson’s residence last year when on a trip to the US.

Thanks to former staff who've been speaking to me in recent weeks about financial concerns at the CCA, and questioning especially what happened to ring fenced project funding. Good news for them that OSCR has now decided to launch an investigation into the CCA's "financial governance". 👍

Great investigation here on what’s going on in Scotland. And pleased to be able to share my thoughts with the Ferret team.

A person removes a book from a library shelf. Text overlay: "Books are being challenged in Scottish schools. Librarians fear a 'chilling effect' on freedom of speech."

🔴NEW: Books are being removed or restricted in Scottish school libraries following complaints, creating a “chilling effect” that campaigners warn threatens both freedom of speech and inclusive education.

Read the story: https://www.theferret.scot/books-scottish-schools-librarians/

Thanks for sharing it Thom and glad it felt useful.

This is a really useful read...
It doesn't solve anything itself, but it helps provide understanding - and without that, we can't even start to solve the issue of GPs, appointments and best use of limited funds.

A woman sits on a couch looking frustrated, with text asking, "Why can't I get an appointment with my GP?"

“Why can’t I get a GP appointment?” has become a national refrain. Our latest De-noiser looks at the data behind the 8am scramble – and asks whether new funding and walk-in clinics will change anything
https://www.theferret.scot/why-cant-i-get-an-appointment-with-my-gp/

🔴 Farmed salmon were treated with a lot more drugs than the industry said, leading campaigners to question the credibility of the salmon farming industry. Read our latest investigation: https://bit.ly/4bt4mLq

FBI executes search warrant at Washington Post reporter’s home The reporter, Hannah Natanson, covers the federal workforce and has been part of The Post’s most sensitive coverage of the first year of the second Trump administration.

This is not normal

wapo.st/4pFh6lw

Supreme Court judge appointed new chair of Sheku Bayoh inquiry Lord Colbeck will succeed Lord Bracadale as chair of the inquiry into the death of Sheku Bayoh in Kirkcaldy in May 2015.

Great to see a new chair in place for the Sheku Bayoh Inquiry. The family have been waiting a long time for answers so delighted for them that the work continues from March. #ShekuBayoh www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

2025: A year of British politics in pictures 2025 the year of wars, of Trump's America, political upheaval, and extreme weather... while here, it was Labour's first full year in government.

2025: A year of British politics in pictures
www.channel4.com/news/2025-a-...

It’s Christmas in Bethlehem. But children in the West Bank face violence and fear Mohammed was 17 years old when he was shot by an Israeli sniper in Bethlehem. Two years on, his family say there is no accountability for his death. Their story is one of dozens from across the West B...

ICYMI: In late November I went to Bethlehem. The city was preparing for Christmas for the first time in two years. But for families I met in Aida camp, things were far from peaceful. www.theferret.scot/its-christma...

"No Israeli soldier or official was held accountable for his killing, as is the case with virtually every Palestinian child killed by Israeli forces"
www.theferret.scot/i...

This is heartbreaking. Among so many heartbreaking stories. We can’t become numb to this.

It’s Christmas in Bethlehem. But children in the West Bank face violence and fear Mohammed was 17 years old when he was shot by an Israeli sniper in Bethlehem. Two years on, his family say there is no accountability for his death. Their story is one of dozens from across the West B...

"There is a sadness inside that will never leave." I met families impacted by the violence that goes with the occupation of the West Bank.

There's a lot of pretty horrific stuff going on in the world today. But I think these stories need to be told.

www.theferret.scot/its-christma...

You're too nice. Thanks for always being supportive and helping me with the work too.

Mohammed was 17 years old when he was shot by an Israeli sniper in Bethlehem. Two years on, his family say there is no accountability for his death. Their story is one of dozens from communities across the West Bank

Read more: www.theferret.scot/i...

Graphic showing Israeli settlements and the separation wall in the West Bank. White text on red bars reads: "The day after Palestine's ambassador urged SNP to 'isolate' firms profiting from West Bank occupation, John Swinney met Airbnb's lobbyist"

The day after Palestine's ambassador urged SNP delegates to "isolate companies that profit from occupation, John Swinney had breakfast with Airbnb's lobbyist.

Airbnb is on the UN database of firms profiting from illegal settlements.

shorturl.at/p67Yt

Still here. Still waiting for HMP Bronzefield to call an ambulance for Qesser Zuhrah, who is on day 46 of her hunger strike and needs urgent hospital care now.

Aerial view of circular salmon fish farm pens in dark water. Overlaid text reads: “REVEALED: A fish farm breached animal welfare rules. The regulator still took firms there on a PR tour.” Smaller text explains that the Aquaculture Stewardship Council showcased a Scottish farm that had breached sea lice rules 11 times.

“What is the point of a certification system that looks the other way in the face of blatant breaches?”
www.theferret.scot/a...

A woman in a black dress and headscarf walks hand in hand with a young child towards the doorway of a temporary metal building in a rural setting.

In the West Bank village of Umm al-Khair, 24-year-old Hanady Hathaleen is raising three children alone after her husband Awdah was shot dead in settler violence. Now the family faces demolition orders on their home
www.theferret.scot/a...

Food bank holiday packs bags

“There is no other way to put it. They were trying to rip a food bank off.”

Energy giant SSE says it supports communities. Fort William's Lochaber food bank, which was faced with a £24k energy bill, finds that hard to believe.

Read the story here: theferret.scot/fort-william...

🔴NEW: The Lochaber food bank in Fort William claims energy multinational SSE tried to "rip them off". After a year of fighting – and questions from The Ferret – SSE has promised to re-issue the correct bill…but it is still unresolved. www.theferret.scot/f...

@theferret.scot is ten whole years old. It has a new look, a new website, and has switched from Wordpress to Ghost.

www.theferret.scot

The Ferret: birthday party and relaunch Come and celebrate with music, dancing and special Ferret guests

The Ferret is 10! We've spent a decade digging where others won’t — now we’re taking a night off to celebrate.

Join us for music, dancing and some very special guests. Get your tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-ferret...

How a six-year quest led to uncovering radioactive leaks at Scotland's Trident base Veteran environmental journalist Rob Edwards landed the Ferret's radioactive scoop

I was interviewed by the freelance journalist, Jackie Kemp, about the #FOI story revealing that Loch Long had been polluted by radioactive waste from Scotland's nuclear bomb depot at Coulport.

jackie125.substack.com/p/how-a-six-...