THE DEMOCRAT

Conservative spokesman Liam Kerr and Justice Secretary Angela Constance. by Democrat reporter SNP justice secretary Angela Constance must confirm she will urgently publish details of

by Democrat reporter With just a few months now before exam time, secondary students will be hitting the books to make sure they move onto

by Gillian Morrison NHS 24’s Breathing Space service has marked a major milestone with the unveiling of its 100th Breathing Space bench, installed in collaboration

by Democrat reporter A private school attended by children from wealthy Catholic families has announced it will close at the end of the school term,

An incredible impact for an entire school Dear Bill, Could 2026 be the year you change the future for an entire school? My name is Claire,

by Democrat reporter The supposedly “super hospital” which takes adult patients and sick children from West Dunbartonshire  is STILL unsafe despite the SNP Government’s repeated

By Bill Heaney Three NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde staff members and one nursing team have been named as finalists in the nationally recognised RCN

Disappointed members of the cast of TV soap opera River City. by Lucy Ashton End of the road for fictional Glasgow neighbourhood Shieldinch as the

Mandelson to step down after ‘shocking’ email allegations Peer faces police scrutiny after Keir Starmer orders officials to draw up legislation to kick him out

by Bill Heaney MSP Jackie Baillie has blasted the Scottish Government for failing to reveal when a decision on the controversial Flamingo Land development is

Helensburgh Community Hub Huge thank you to Minuteman Press Helensburgh and Lomond for our lovely Helensburgh Book Festival programme.  Get yours from the Book Nook

St Margaret of Scotland Hospice — Major Contribution to Our Building Appeal Our heartfelt thanks to our long standing friend and supporter, The W M

Dumbarton Notebook by Bill Heaney West Dunbartonshire’s crackpot council is facing industrial action over their plans to introduce a new work schedule for care workers.

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow Join us for an early International Women’s Day Celebration on Monday 2 March 2026. We’ll share a

Women United Against State Pension Injustice Take note, Pat McFadden over 50,000 people have spoken. We are organised, documented, and determined. We are halfway there.

Taste of Home – Catering by Roo Picture this!  You book us to cater your private dinner party for your special event We turn up

St Vincent’s Hospice Your compassion. Their peace. A role that truly makes a difference.  “The hospice gave Jane peace – and gave me memories I

by Democrat reporter First Minister, John Swinney, has officially opened Luss Distillery, the new multi-million-pound distillery and visitor experience by Loch Lomond Group, located in

Drop-off charges will increase on Tuesday by Bill Heaney Holiday costs are about to rise for West Dunbartonshire people as Scottish airports are raising their

Chief Constable of Police Scotland Jo Farrell. There are calls for Audit Scotland to launch an inquiry into the taxpayer-funded payout of more than £134,000

On BBC News tonight there is a report by Steve Rosenberg that Russia has become the most hostile place in the world to be a

China has agreed to halve its import tariffs on Scotch whisky, offering export gains for UK distillers. At home, however, a new rise in excise

Susan Dick runs a not for profit pony therapy business at Bowling. by Jonathan Geddes, of BBC Scotland A local woman was left stunned when

by Jamie Whitehead Lord Mandelson says he has resigned his membership of the Labour Party as he does not want to “cause further embarrassment” by

Celtic Connections has celebrated a stunning festival packed with live performances, record-breaking ticket sales and unique events, sending a message of hope and unity around the

by Bill Heaney The Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland has warned that workforce wellbeing in Scotland’s NHS is at a crisis point. Scottish

Professor  Caroline Hiscox (left) is the chief executive of NHS Lothian while Professor Jann Gardner (right) has the same role at NHS Greater Glasgow and

Molly Cuddihy died last year, aged 23, seven years after she had a hospital-acquired infection which her family say had long-term impacts on her health

by Bill Heaney More than 3,500 drink and drug driving tests were carried out by Police Scotland officers during the festive enforcement campaign. In West

Police said the officers were injured before Thursday’s match between Celtic and Utrecht BBC Scotland is reporting that four police officers were injured after missiles

by Bill Heaney Former Scotland, Nottingham Forest and Derby County winger John Robertson has been honoured by family, friends and former team mates at his

Reform making big impact in the polls for Holyrood elections Malcolm Offord and Nigel Farage. by Democrat reporter Reform UK has a five-point lead over

by Democrat reporter Junior Rate Submariners from HMS Ambush supported the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) through a dedicated volunteer

Health Secretary Neil Gray, Pam Gosal MSP and Jackie Baillie MSP. by Bill Heaney Health boards must ensure that all their facilities comply with relevant

Labour work and pensions secretary Pat McFadden apologised that women born in the 1950s were not sent individual letters about their state pension changes earlier,

by Bill Heaney The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital  and Royal Hospital for Children campus which replaced Yorkhill Hospital and serves West Dunbartonshire and Argyll  was

by Bill Heaney Anas Sarwar claimed today (Thursday) that he has found “damning evidence” that political pressure was applied to open super-hospital on time. Meeting

by Democrat reporter It’s more expensive for a person to stay the night in hospital or care home than it is to keep them overnight

by Bill Heaney John Swinney has been urged to rein in the SNP’s “unfair, unaffordable and unsustainable” benefits bill to deliver a tax cut to

by Democrat reporter Last year’s Tiree Music Festival contributed £1.6m to the Hebridean island’s economy, according to a new report. The event’s organisers said it

by Elizabeth McMeekin The University of Glasgow is to lead a new project which aims to improve fish welfare in the global ornamental fish trade,

Scotland’s councils risk becoming financially unsustainable Whilst councils have made significant savings, the cost of delivering services is rising faster than available funding. This risks

Vale of Leven Academy For the past few months S2 and S3 at Vale of Leven Academy, pupils have been working on the project “Your

STOP PRESS 23.21 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2026 SNP MUST RESPECT WILL OF PARLIAMENT AND RELEASE QEUH COMMUNICATION – SARWAR Commenting after MSPs backed Scottish Labour’s

by Democrat reporter  The number of deaths registered in Scotland in 2024/25 rose compared to the previous year following the largest seasonal increase in influenza

NHS 24’s Breathing Space is inviting people to take a moment outdoors this Breathing Space Day, highlighting the positive impact that time spent in nature

by Democrat reporter NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is celebrating a major achievement as a new study using genetic tests to personalise treatments reached its

by Bill Heaney West Dunbartonshire Council’s Greenspace team is helping to facilitate a major environmental initiative bringing together local authorities, community volunteer groups, schools and

by Democrat reporter Following the news that Diageo will close the visitor centre at its Clynelish Distillery in Brora, Jamie Stone, MP for Caithness, Sutherland

by Bill Heaney Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has today raised the alarm over the crisis in social care as new figures revealed that

Dumbarton Harp Social Club Dumbarton Harp Social Club were honoured this week to be able to support two families by providing different types of funeral

Government backs British pubs with a major package of support on business rates and licensing reform, recognising the challenges they face and important role they

by Bill Heaney People in Scotland are less likely to die from cancer, with the risk falling by 12% over the past decade, according to

Scottish Maritime Museum Denny Ship Model Experiment Tank Visit the Denny Ship Model Experiment Tank, Dumbarton to discover how William Denny and Brothers’ innovative and

The Chair, Fara and Gnoss raised the roof at the famous Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom with a special sold out Orkney inspired anniversary concert to mark the midway point of Celtic

Scotland Scotland Politics Scotland Business Edinburgh, Fife & East Glasgow & West Highlands & Islands NE, Orkney & Shetland South Tayside & Central Alba John

Greater Manchester mayor has applied to stand for Labour, setting up potential fight for PM’s political future Kiran Stacey, Geraldine McKelvie and Harry Taylor in The Guardian Keir

ABCassidy Photography  It is a huge honour that, for the past few years now of Cherish the Ladies coming to play at Celtic Connections, I

Josie Duncan says she loves being part of the traditional music scenes but has turned down jobs because who she would be working with. by

Thank you to everyone who has already popped into 2 High Street to say hello. We have loved meeting you all and booking some amazing

Amey South West Trunk Roads Amey, on behalf of Transport Scotland, is undertaking essential carriageway resurfacing works on the A898 and M898 at Erskine Bridge

Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Bishops’ Conference of Scotland and Justice & Peace Scotland “You are the salt of the earth”: International Catholic Bishops Call for Justice and

PICTURE OF FLYING DUTCHMAN IN OBAN HARBOUR by Bill Heaney by Democrat reporter An exhibition exploring the realities of life at sea and ashore is

DumbartonHarp Social Club Tickets are now available at the bar and from the Bell Centre Butchers for our fantastic Mother’s Day afternoon tea on 15th

Vale of Leven Academy Our hardworking S6 students have completed their university applications and have had a variety of amazing offers, including degrees in Architecture,

Officers are appealing to the public to help trace 57-year-old Michael Watson who has been reported missing in West Dunbartonshire. He was last seen in

Kimberly Darroch’s daughter Milly Main died while being treated at the Royal Hospital for Children by Democrat reporter The mother of a ten-year-old girl who

Scottish Labour has written to the First Minister seeking assurances that WhatsApps and other communications relating to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital scandal have not

High profile Burnham prevented from standing in upcoming by-election in move that risks sparking civil war within the party Mahmood, left: ‘Voters won’t forgive Labour

by Bill Heaney Scottish Water has announced it is to hike charges by more than eight per cent – costing the average household around £42

by Bill Heaney Police in Italy have charged over 40 Celtic fans following a clash with Bologna supporters last night, according to local reports. Men dressed in

Promotional shot for the Help for Heroes campaign, of which he is a patron. by Bill Heaney Donald Trump was “wrong” to diminish the role

Whistleblowers came to me with devastating evidence that children had died due to infections in the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital — but their parents had

SNP Government presides over a cynical culture that is defined by arrogance, secrecy and cover-up, Russell Findlay (left) told John Swinney (right). by Bill Heaney

by Democrat reporter A volunteer team whose bravery has saved countless lives has been named Citizen of the Year at this year’s Provost’s Civic Awards.

Visitors to Loch Lomond Shores will introduce paid parking from Wednesday, January 28, as part of a plan to reinvest funding into its facilities and long-term

MSP Clare Haughey challenged Minister Richard Lochhead about meeting with credit unions. by Bill Heaney What is the Scottish Government doing in regard to its