Martin, 70, and Jo Cousland, 69, the elderly couple who died in a car crash yesterday. By Lucy Ashton Police have named the couple who

Martin, 70, and Jo Cousland, 69, the elderly couple who died in a car crash yesterday. By Lucy Ashton Police have named the couple who
By Bill Heaney Say what you like about Labour’s Angela Rayner, and I am sure many of you do just that. But you have to
By Lucy Ashton The new SNP NHS recovery, health and social care secretary Michael Matheson must “rip up” up Humza Yousaf’s flimsy recovery plan, the
Donald Trump has become the first former US President to be charged with a crime By Heather Carrick, Imogen Howse Updated 31st March 2023, 17:13 BST Former
Transport supervisor shares top tips on saving fuel By Bill Heaney A total of 200 NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board drivers have now
Councillor Fiona Howard campaigning with Labour leader Anas Sarwar and Jackie Baillie MSP, deputy leader of Labour in Scotland. By Lucy Ashton Jackie Baillie and
By Bill Heaney If, like many of us, you keep a blanket handy to keep you warm watching the television in the evening then you
By Bill Heaney Assurances were given this week that everything possible possible has been done to ensure the safety of local people in the event
By Lucy Ashton On the one year anniversary of ScotRail being taken into public hands, Scottish Labour has accused the SNP of having “no vision,
Chic Wilson from Renton was found dead in his flat on Saturday morning. A 42-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the death of
The sewage works at Havoc/Ardoch are sited below the cliff at Westcliff in Dumbarton. By Bill Heaney It used to be the distillery that caused
By Lucy Ashton A team from the Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) have been given funding for an in-depth study into the Strep A outbreak
By Lucy Ashton Humza Yousaf has been urged to ditch “the familiar SNP playbook of deceit and spin” after starting his reign as First Minister
DUMBARTON LOSE TO FORFAR cinch League 2 DUMBARTON have missed the opportunity to resume top spot in cinch League Two after losing 1-0 at home
By Bill Heaney Update Friday 14.11 Pope Francis is expected to be discharged on Saturday after what will have been three nights of hospital treatment
The collection could go for thousands of pounds. By Lucy Ashton A whisky collection rescued by divers from a 128-year-old shipwreck is expected to fetch
By Lucy Ashton LibDem MP Wendy Chamberlain has today called on the government to bring forward plans for safe and legal routes for asylum seekers
By Bill Heaney If the conditions in Scotland’s police stations aren’t good for the officers then what must they be like for people locked up
By Lucy Ashton Disabled passengers across the country will be able to travel more confidently thanks to new laws that will boost accessibility for everyone.
Gill Timney, a physical education teacher at Vale of Leven Academy, with other winners and Council chief executive Peter Hessett. By Lauren Crooks A West
Humza Yousaf at his first FMQs in the Scottish Parliament. New First Minister described as ‘rambling mess’ by critics and accused of ‘ranting’ and avoiding
By Lucy Ashton Margaret Ferrier could face a by-election after the Commons standards watchdog recommended she should be suspended from Parliament for 30 days for
Ms Robison will be responsible for drawing up the annual Scottish budget in her new role as finance secretary. By Bill Heaney Updated on March
Published 29 March 2023 20:15 Cabinet of 10 will be supported by 18 Junior Ministers. First Minister Humza Yousaf has completed the appointment of his ministerial
By Lucy Ashton Jackie Baillie has branded Scotland’s record health inequalities a “national scandal” and called on new First Minister Humza Yousaf to make tackling
By Mark Daly, BBC Disclosure One of Scotland’s main police control rooms used a fake system to manipulate response time targets for eight years, according
First Minister Humza Yousaf unveils his Cabinet team with five members aged under 40 and, for the first time ever, a majority of women
Braehead pupils pictured with residents of Crosslet House care home. By Bill Heaney Braehead Primary School in Dumbarton has scooped a national award in recognition
By Lucy Ashton With only a few days left of the term before the school Easter holiday, NHS 24 are reminding the public to check
Alan Crawford threw a bottle at Celtic’s physiotherapist during an Old Firm match. By Lucy Ashton Picture by Spindrift An angry Rangers fan who left
The former finance secretary turned down a move to rural affairs in the new administration under the incoming First Minister. Forbes: The former finance secretary
What a night for West Dunbartonshire! Scotland beat Spain to go top of Group A with famous Hampden victory Locals Scott McTominay and John McGinn
Anas Sarwar, leader of Scottish Labour, pictured right, has offered Humza Yousaf his sincerest congratulations on being nominated as the next First Minister. This is
The Skylark at Balloch was a great restoration project of the type attracting grants. By Lucy Ashton Jackie Baillie is urging groups across West Dunbartonshire
Dear Democrat reader, Have you signed up to take part in our new active fundraising challenge, From Dalmally to Malawi? You can take part in
We are recruiting police officers in Police Scotland Argyll & West Dunbartonshire and encouraging those considering changing their careers to apply. Whether you’ve been running
Opposition parties ripped into the new First Minister’s record in government as he was elected thanks to ‘a backroom deal with the Greens to keep
By Bill Heaney Jackie Baillie was delighted to welcome the Rev Heller Gonzalez of St Augustine’s Church in Dumbarton to deliver Time for Reflection at
By Democrat reporter Scottish Labour has blasted Humza Yousaf’s ‘record of failure’ as A&E performance is at its lowest level since January and amongst the
By Lucy Ashton Are you a parent or carer for a child with wheeze? Wheeze is a whistling sound from the chest which is mainly
Declan Gallacher died at Clydebank Police Office By Democrat reporter A fatal accident inquiry (FAI) is to be held into the deaths of two men
Chris Heaton-Harris blames ‘small number’ of individuals determined to use ‘politically motivated violence’ for escalating threat Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris told
Corbyn says he is not going anywhere after a move to formally oust him as a Labour candidate, and neither is his “determination to stand
Landmark study, found approximately 1.8% of the population sought help from the NHS for the condition Long Covid: It is thought around one in 50
The incident took place after a 1-1 draw at Broadwood on Monday night Alonso: Head-butted by Rangers coach after derby draw. By Peter Cassidy on STV
The author discusses her latest novel, Strange Sally Diamond, plus her ideal presidential candidate, the wisdom of Judge Judy and the book she threw into
Stirling Albion 2 Dumbarton 2 Pictures by Jon Leino cinch League 2 DUMBARTON took what could be an important point away to Stirling Albion after
27 March, 2023 Kinship children are defined as being looked after by a relative or family friend when their own parents are unable to care
Lorna Slater says she is ‘confident’ her recycling scheme will go ahead in August. By Bill Heaney Critics of the Scottish Government’s shambolic Deposit Return
Glasgow City Council Glasgow City Council are tightening parking enforcement across the city to improve road safety and efficiency, as several changes were approved at
By Bill Heaney Updated at 6.30pm Humza Yousaf is the new leader of the SNP and tomorrow will be confirmed as Scotland’s First Minister by
What’s happening – or happened – to the electric vehicles bought by West Dunbartonshire Council when the SNP were in power? Three months ago West
By Bill Heaney A young man who was found dead after police and fire brigade were called to a blazing flat at Tontine Park in
Fire crews were called to reports of a fire at a property in Tontine Park, Renton, early on Saturday morning West Dunbartonshire: Body found in
Flamingo Land’s third planning application on Loch Lomond in trouble March 26, 2023 I had hoped to cover the members debate that took place in
Heather Reid, Convener of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority. Newly elected National Park Convener Heather Reid shares her thoughts on leading the
Mountain Rescue workers were called out to a casualty on Ben Cruachan. By Democrat reporter A hillwalker was rushed to hospital by helicopter yesterday after
By Ferret Investigative Journalists Picture by ANDREW COWAN Nicola Sturgeon faced MSPs for the final time at first ministers’ questions (FMQs) on Thursday, ahead of
Sturgeon and Murrell have resigned as questions keep coming over ‘indyref2’ cash By Democrat reporter The Sunday Mail is reporting that SNP is being probed over
Who says journalists never take a long, hard look at themselves in the mirror? Fintan O’Toole in The Irish Times In all the reflections this
Splash the cash Forbes says she’ll increase childcare payments to £40, and pay £15 an hour for social care workers … By Bill Heaney Pledges
EIS member tells Labour council that transport decision risks drop in attendance and attainment By Lucy Ashton West Dunbartonshire Council cannot say they weren’t warned
By Democrat reporter A further three people have been arrested following an investigation into large-scale disorder in Dumbarton on Tuesday, 28 February, 2023. On Thursday,
Bernard McDonald is set to resign from his position in the music department. by Ariel Clark March 22, 2023 Dumbarton-born Bernard McDonald, Larsen Chair of
Funding has failed to keep pace with the growing demand on the force Rapes on the rise and more crime remaining unsolved in SNP’s skint
Local Government Scottish Joint Council Pay 2022/3 – Reimbursement of SSSC Fees The West Dunbartonshire branch understands that the SSSC have now written to members
Northern Ireland – still a religious divide by Malachi O’Doherty in The Tablet this week The 25 years since the Good Friday Agreement have seen
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Biomedical Science team. By Lucy Ashton NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Biomedical Science team have been recognised, alongside West of
By Bill Heaney The taxi trade plays a vital role in Scotland—it gets people from A to B; it protects vulnerable passengers; and it provides
By Lucy Ashton A patient has praised the use of innovative technology, which kept him out of hospital over the winter by allowing clinical experts
By Lauren Crooks Residents around West Dunbartonshire will be able to clean up their homes and gardens for free next month as part of the
Save Loch Lomond – Greens lodged record number of objections for a planning application. By Bill Heaney Over 55,000 objections have been lodged against the
By Lucy Ashton Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie, deputy leader of the Labour Party in Scotland, was not for letting First Minister Nicola Sturgeon away lightly
Labour leader Anas Sarwar and now resigned First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. By Bill Heaney We live in serious times, with the cost of living crisis
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon I have just concluded my 286th and final session of First Minister’s question time, and this is the final statement that
SPECIAL REPORT by BILL HEANEY Police officers up and down the country work tirelessly every day to keep us safe, and we thank them for
Good and bad, this chamber will debate her legacy long after her departure Responding to Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation statement in the Scottish Parliament this afternoon,
By Bill Heaney Nicola Sturgeon was told in the Scottish Parliament today that no amount of spin and secrecy could disguise her record of failure
Supporters believe the £90 price tag on the Scotland top is way too high The anniversary kit was launched to mark 150 years since the
Society ‘deeply concerned’ by proposed changes to media relations guidance The Society of Editors is “deeply concerned” by proposed changes to the College of Policing’s
By Lucy Ashton Only one in six reported fly-tipping cases in Scotland has been prosecuted, according to “deeply concerning” figures obtained by the Scottish Conservatives.
Richard Leonard and members of his committee touring the shipyard where the ferry fiasco is currently taking place. By Bill Heaney The people of Scotland
A young lad illegally adopted and sent to work on a farm in Australia in the 1950s. By Bill Heaney First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has
Avanti West Coast has struggled with punctuality and had to slash its timetables BBC Scotland News is reporting that rail operator Avanti West Coast has
Cyclone Freddy – thought to be the longest lasting tropical storm on record – has ripped through Malawi, causing devastation for many of the children
By Lucy Ashton The SNP leadership candidate was criticised after he admitted he did not regret voting down amendments that would have prevented male rapists
By Tom Chidwick in the Scottish Review In March 1971, the recently created British Tourist Authority (BTA) – established in 1969 to give the industry
By Democrat reporter Emergency services are dealing with an incident at dry dock after a ship listed dramatically at a 45-degree angle in Leith this
A large number of football fans are expected to travel from Glasgow Central ScotRail has announced extra train services and carriages for Scotland’s Euro 2024
Nicola Sturgeon’s dad joins SNP civil war and claims Ash Regan is trying to destroy the party Robin Sturgeon was also unimpressed with Kate Forbes
Paul Callanin was sentenced after a jury found him guilty of three rapes. By Lucy Ashton A rapist found guilty of attacking three women in
Saturday 25 March to Sunday 26 March ( 12:00 – 16:00 ) Levengrove Park , Training Suite Every Saturday and Sunday Levengrove Park Community Art Exhibition
BREAKING NEWS: Boris Johnson accepts that he misled Parliament but said there was “no evidence” he did so intentionally, insisting his statements to the Commons
By Democrat reporter Following Inquiries about the voting process from SNP leadership candidates, SNP President and Acting Chief Executive, Michael Russell has responded by issuing
By Lucy Ashton Jackie Baillie has congratulated seven local groups after they netted a total of almost £220,000 from the National Lottery’s community fund. West
Ibrox: Shutter doors were filled with expanding foam prior to an Old Firm game. STV News are reporting that two men have admitted filling shutter
Police Scotland · A new Emergency Alert mobile phone warning service is being trialed in Scotland from today by The Scottish Government The UK-wide system will
Cardross Parish Church Excellent menu at the Village Hub this week why not pop in. Takeaway also available. Come along to The Villlage Hub on
ACCOMMODATION FARM TOURS GIFT VOUCHERS ABOUT LOCATION TRAVEL TRADE CONTACT BOOK NOW Back to All Farm Tours Lambing On Loch Lomond Every spring we welcome
Published by The Democrat in co-operation with The Ferret INVESTIGATION by KARIN GOODWIN Migrant and refugee children have been left homeless – with one family
By Lucy Ashton Scottish Liberal Democrats are set to launch a digital ad campaign highlighting the SNP’s failure to support NHS dentistry. The campaign comes
Rupert Murdoch and girlfriend Ann Lesley Smith are engaged, just seven months after the News Corp chairman reached a divorce settlement with his now-ex-wife, Jerry
Church says many Scotland’s Catholics ‘feel marginalised’ by the infighting over religion and issues such as gay marriage, abortion and gender conversion, which could potentially
SNP President Mike Russell, back in charge. BBC Scotland is reporting that there is “tremendous mess” in the SNP over the party’s leadership race, the
Growing patient lists and unsafe working: patients and doctors speak out from the front lines of primary care Amid rising concerns over heavy patient lists
Patrick Harvie slated after confirming he would be protesting against King Charles during Coronation Scottish Green Party co-leader Patrick Harvie The Scottish Greens have announced that
It was a day to wear black at the Rock yesterday. Sons had that funereal look about them as they went down 5-1 to Albion
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Professor Jason Leitch both played huge roles in governing our lives during the pandemic. In a talk at a church
First Ministerial candidate met with Scotland’s top civil servant to lay out her vision for the country By Democrat reporter SNP leadership contender Ash Regan
Ferguson Marine finance boss has quit amid backlash at ‘reprehensible’ bonus payments Chief financial officer George Crookston, who picked up £17,500 in ‘performance-related’ bonus cash,
Party President Mike Russell, a resident of Argyll and Bute, has been appointed as SNP chief executive in the wake of the resignation of Peter
Sturgeon’s husband was told he faced a vote of ‘no confidence’ if he failed to tender his resignation High Noon: SNP chief executive Peter Murrell
cinch League 2 DUMBARTON hope that two weeks out of action will finally end tomorrow, with Albion Rovers visitors to Dumbarton Football Stadium. Having waited
March 2023 By Lucy Ashton The attainment of school pupils in West Dunbartonshire has increased with many performing better than the national average, according to
Murray Foote said it had become ‘apparent there are serious issues’ with statements he had issued to the press Membership: Murray Foote said agreed party
Karma Lake of Menteith has a new Head Chef, and he’s keeping it in the family By Lucy Ashton The luxury lakeside hotel has welcomed
17 March, 2023 Anthem of the Seas at Greenock last year By Lucy Ashton GREENOCK is set to have its busiest cruise ship season –
Saturday 17 June ( 10:00 – 12:00 ) Loch Lomond , Moss O’ Balloch, Balloch Road, Balloch, G83 8LQ Saturday 17 June 2023 Run Loch Lomond
In The Tablet this week “Are we going to leave preaching basic morality to footballers?” Paul Dooling writes in the Letters pages this week. His isn’t the only
“Ringing the Bell is one of those big momentous things you see in the wards. It feels like an achievement. Lizzie’s journey isn’t over yet
By Bill Heaney The Scottish Conservatives have today written to the chief executive of the SNP demanding he takes action after the party’s communications team
Figure drops from 127,000 to 72,000 following pressure from all three SNP leadership candidates Membership: Nicola Sturgeon’s husband, Peter Murrell, was urged to release the
Happy St Patrick’s Day! How are you celebrating St Patrick’s Day this year? You might not be able to make it to Ireland for St
Ferries to be delayed for another six months and will cost even more money, says Swinney By Lucy Ashton The two ferries being built in
Douglas Ross told Nicola Sturgeon it was “a scandal” bonuses were being paid when the ferries were six years late and £350 million over budget.
Bank holiday will mean a four-day celebration for many people Henry Street trader Tony Mooney is all set for St Patrick’s Day. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
WESTMINSTER NOTEBOOK by Bill Heaney The Budget was not the only subject which gripped my attention at Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons
Home Hospital CfSD Research Hotel Current vacancies Vacancies Clinical Governance Support Officer 8 Mar 2023 **Please note this is an internal vacancy for employees of
Wednesday 15 Mar 2023 A £27 billion tax cut for business through radical ‘full expensing’ policy and capital allowances reform which will drive investment and
By Lucy Ashton Today [March 15, 2023] NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde will join the world in celebrating World Delirium Day to help raise awareness
Labour’s deputy leader in Scotland, Jackie Baillie, pictured right, Dumbarton constituency MSP, said: “Jeremy Hunt’s budget is far from great news for people in Scotland
Investigation by Karin Goodwin Private health firms operating in Scotland have financial links to politicians, been accused of mistreating staff and patients, and are charging
March 13, 2023 By Nick Kempe of Parkswatch Scotland Last summer the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National ParK Authority (LLTNPA) advised those who had responded
The BBC studio audience actually burst out laughing at the health secretary as he tried to defend the controversial deposit return scheme during the latest
By investigative reporter Karin Goodwin The number of patients registered to each GP has increased at almost one third of practices across Scotland in the
By Lucy Ashton Jackie Baillie has responded with concern after shocking statistics from an annual survey run by shop workers’ union Usdaw has shown high
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace could hardly believe what he was hearing. The Defence Secretary said the SNP would “reduce the Scottish armed forces to a rubber dinghy
We know that popes have read The Tablet – Cardinal Ratzinger regularly expressed alarm at the content – but can be reasonably certain that Pope Francis doesn’t
By Lucy Ashton Jackie Baillie met up with Loch Lomond Arms Modern Apprentice Conrad Hamilton during Scottish Apprenticeship Week. The Dumbarton constituency MSP spoke with
By Bill Heaney Jackie Baillie has congratulated West Dunbartonshire Community Foodshare after the charity was awarded £27,500 from the National Lottery Community Fund. The food bank,
Three candidates are in the race to succeed Nicola Sturgeon as SNP leader Ash Regan, Humza Yousaf and Kate Forbes have announced their candidacies. Three
Pralsetnib was accepted by the Scottish Medicines Consortium on an interim basis on Monday Drug to treat rare form of lung cancer approved for use
The NUJ revealed that Reach, which owns the Daily Record, Sunday Mail and Lennox Herald, among other titles, would be cutting 192 editorial rolesDaily Record
Data shows that 3.1% of people in Scotland aged 16 and over were out of work from November 2022 to January this year Scotland’s unemployment
Audit Scotland expresses concerns over the future viability of the publicly-owned shipyard The ferry fiasco has already cost the public purse millions of pounds.
By Tara Fitzpatrick, of STV News A recovery operation has been carried out to lift a tugboat which sank in the Firth of Clyde leading to
You can cancel people who make stupid or ill-judged comments on social media. Or you can have a measured response Fintan O’Toole, Tuesday March 14,202
The outsider to replace Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister is working with Dr Tim Rideout to come up with a money plan for an independent
By Canon Gerry Conroy I wonder about the Samaritan woman at the well. Some people point out that she was at the well at midday,
JOHN DUFFY IT is with very deep sadness that we have learned that John Duffy, a long-time Dumbarton fan and former chair of the Sons
13th March 2023 LGBT+ organisations’ concern as two SNP candidates have not confirmed they would continue with government equality commitments By Harry Bell National LGBT+
Liberal leader Alex Cole-Hamilton and Ukrainian President Zelensky – more help required for refugees from Ukraine. By Lucy Ashton Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton
Chancellor set to announce new funding package for veterans across the UK at the Spring Budget £33 million package will increase availability of veteran housing
Sheep grazing peacefully in a field high above Loch Lomond while a convoy carrying nuclear weapons heads for HM Naval Base Clyde at Faslane or
Irish deliver one of the great Oscar moments James Martin (leopard print jacket) with An Irish Goodbye’s Academy Awards for best live-action short and Richard
By Bill Heaney The Scottish Conservatives have today written to SNP leadership candidate Kate Forbes asking for her permission to use footage of her “scathing
NHSGGC thanks fundraising former patients for latest donations By Lucy Ashton The Schiehallion Unit at the Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) has taken delivery of
By Lucy Ashton Jackie Baillie believes that the Scottish Government’s response to the recommendations made in the Cameron House Fatal Accident Inquiry do not go
By Democrat reporter Speaking as voting opens in the SNP leadership race, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has accused all three candidates of being
Co-leader Patrick Harvie said that his party would be taking part in Scottish protests against King Charles as he said that an independent Scotland would
COMING SOON Girl in the Tunnel My Story of Love and Loss as a Survivor of the Magdelene Laundries Maureen Sullivan When Maureen Sullivan was
Gary Lineker is set to return to Match of the Day this weekend following disruption across the BBC Sport schedules BY Democrat reporter The Scotsman
Artwork by Jane Heaney 13 Mar 2023 00:01 Peer support groups offer help, advice and emotional support to kinship carers … Cllrs Michelle McGinty and
Dumbarton-educated Marco Biagi, who is supporting Humza Yousaf in the SNP leadership contest, highlighted that an early May Scottish Parliament election could be held if
By Lucy Ashton Households in West Dunbartonshire and Argyllshire expect to see their annual energy bills rise by over £1,000 from next month. And that
By Bill Heaney The lambing season is underway and now the government has been asked by Emma Harper MSP what action it is taking to
By Bill Heaney BBC Scotland revealed that one in five people had paid for private medical care in the past 12 months, Jackie Baillie MSP
The scourge of drug deaths in Scotland requires SNP minister Angela Constance’s full backing for Right to Recovery Bill. By Bill Heaney The SNP leadership
HOLYROOD NOTEBOOK By Bill Heaney Labour leader Anas Sarwar brought the hilarity to a halt at Holyrood on Thursday when he accused First Minister Nicola
BBC has announced that Gary Lineker will not host Match of the Day this weekend By Matthew Mohan-Hickson Gary Lineker will “step back” from presenting Match of
Tory leader Douglas Ross and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. By Bill Heaney No one has so far died laughing in the Scottish Parliament, although that
Health centres across West Dunbartonshire are short of General Practitioners. By Bill Heaney Labour’s Paul O’Kane MSP asked the Scottish Government to provide numbers and
Snow in scenic Kincasslagh, home place of singer Daniel O’Donnell. Picture by Bill Heaney By Bill Heaney Loganair, the UK’s largest regional airline, is restoring
By Lucy Ashton Young people in Argyll and Bute, which includes Cardross, Helensburgh, Rhu and the Rosneath Peninsula, are achieving well according to updated 2022
Dear Bill and all your Democrat readers This Mother’s Day, join celebrity mum Izzy Judd by showing appreciation for the wonderful women in your life with one
10 March 2023 By Lucy Ashton Oban Harbour Master Vicki McKenzie is certainly making her mark as Argyll and Bute Council’s only female in the
By Harry Bell At the Scottish Liberal Democrat conference today, party leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP challenged the next First Minister to appoint a dedicated mental
Members of the EIS union, with West Dunbartonshire official James Halfpenny, have been voting on the latest pay offer By Democrat reporter BBC Scotland is
By Lucy Ashton A little kindness goes a long way, the saying goes. A quick word, a smile, a hand on the shoulder of a
By Lucy Ashton A FORMER public house which had once been the offices of the Procurator Fiscal, the Hiram Walker whisky distillery and McMillan’s shipyard,
Animal Welfare Commission says no new greyhound tracks Featured illustration thanks to iStock and insima Investigation by Billy Briggs The Scottish Animal Welfare Commission has
Humza Yousaf challenged Kate Forbes on whether she supported buffer zone protection zones outside abortion clinics Humza Yousaf, Kate Forbes and Ash Regan took part
By Bill Heaney UPDATED: March 10, 2023 Catholic primary school pupils at St Martin’s in the Renton will be prohibited from going through the same
Saturday 11 March ( 11:00 – 12:00 ) Blitz Memorial , Old Dalnottar Cemetery, Great Western Road, Clydebank There will be a Service of Commemoration to
By Lucy Ashton NHSGGC is supporting health charity ASH Scotland in urging residents across Glasgow and Clyde to consider giving up smoking this No Smoking
By Bill Heaney Leading a debate in the Scottish Parliament this week, Green MSP Ross Greer spoke of how he believes that a seven-year fight
INVESTIGATION by Billy Briggs in The Ferret Scottish farms and slaughterhouses should be licensed to prevent cruelty to animals because there is “widespread non-compliance” with
In a setback for all three candidates, a quarter of voters thought none of them would make the best first minister UPDATED at 11:10, 9
March 9, 2023 West Dunbartonshire Council is seeking residents’ views on plans to bring free school transport in line with the national statutory requirements. The
Thursday 9 March 2023 Douglas Ross, Katie Forbes and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. By Harry Bell at Holyrood Nicola Sturgeon today defended the SNP’s “appalling”
The University of Glasgow law clinic will provide legal advice to rape victims By Bill Heaney Plans for a new law clinic to support victims
John Halley was appointed junior counsel to the investigation into the safety of children in Scottish care homes in 2015 By Lucy Ashton An advocate
March, 2023 By Nick Kempe of Parkswatch Scotland On 13th February a further 42 documents were added to the planning application which Flamingo Land first
NOTEBOOK by BILL HEANEY Nicola Sturgeon may still be hiding behind the couch in the lounge of her ministerial mansion in grey granite Edinburgh’s St
International Women’s Day 8th of March, 2023 The Rev Rosie Frew said they are delighted to contribute to the groundbreaking project. By Cameron Brooks Two Church
Warring SNP candidates torched each other – and their party’s record – in STV debate Two of the three First Minister and leadership candidates committed
Passengers caught drinking alcohol on ScotRail trains could face higher penalties as part of moves to improve the safety of women and girls on Scotland’s
8th of March, 2023 By Cameron Brooks Two trainee Church of Scotland ministers have spoken about their deep passion for “souls and goals” to mark International
Morton’s flagship product is its traditional crispy roll By Bill Heaney I remember their salesmen for Morton’s going round the houses in their vans shouting
24 Best Pubs In Dublin: A Guide To The Finest Guinness, Snugs + Historic Dublin Pubs By Keith O’Hara March 3, 2023 The topic of the
cinch League 2 PICTURES BY JON LEINO Stranraer 0 Dumbarton 2 DUMBARTON have retained their five-point cushion at the top of cinch League Two by
MATCH POSTPONED
The Scottish Government launched their flagship free bus travel for under-22s initiative last year but it has been riddled with issues including claims it has
Tuesday 7 March 2023 By Bill Heaney MSPs from all parties in Holyrood have today signed a letter demanding action on electric shock dog collars.
By Lucy Ashton As new Public Health Scotland statistics show thousands still languishing in Scottish hospitals due to delayed discharges remaining stubbornly high. Scottish Liberal
Home Secretary Suella Braverman says the new bill will “respond to waves of illegal migrants breaching our borders”. By Helen Silvis and Bill Heaney A
Police Scotland officers and staff are suffering from long covid, which has impacted on response times. Long Covid related illnesses have resulted in less staff
On every metric this Government is failing our NHS LibDem leader Alex Cole Hamilton and SNP leadership candidate Humza Yousaf. By Bill Heaney Scottish Liberal
By Lucy Ashton Local health board, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, says it’s proud to be supporting Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2023 taking place from Monday
Breaking News: The sun is shining in West Dunbartonshire and Argyll this morning, but the National Grid ESO has fired up its emergency coal stations as
Keep the SNP civil unrest out of the campaign says Labour’s deputy leader Jackie Baillie calls for SNP to be transparent about the leadership process.
The SNP leadership candidates took part in a hustings in Inverness on Saturday. ‘Absolutely no substance’ to independence plans of my rival contenders, says Ash
Teachers from Christie Park Primary in Alexandria. By Bill Heaney The EIS, Scotland’s biggest teaching union, said at the weekend that it would suspend school
Pensioners Agnes Donnelly, left, better known as Nancy, and Jill Symmonds – both badly bruised and traumatised while in care homes. By Bill Heaney
By Lucy Ashton Newspaper and magazine publisher DC Thomson is set to make widespread redundancies and close several titles. Employees were told at an all-staff
A little-known document not available to the public reveals all the secret interests of SNP and Scottish Green ministers – and it makes for VERY
Avid Parkrunner, Dorothy Woodger, hits the road yet again. By Lucy Ashton A 72-year-old grandmother who suffers from degenerative hand and foot conditions has been
By Ruth Crosbie The second phase of the £23 million investment to Helensburgh’s Waterfront has officially completed as a new improved public space opens to
By Bill Heaney Supporting communities through the cost of living crisis is at the heart of a new £1 million support package introduced as part
By Sean Batty of STV News I’ve been warning for a few weeks now that it looked like cold conditions would develop into March after
The outgoing SNP leader and her chief executive husband are urged to answer the question about whether or not they have a joint bank account,
Author Robin McAlpine accused Peter Murrell and Nicola Sturgeon of hand-picking audiences for the hustings and branded the Scottish Government ‘an unrelenting deluge of f**kwittery’
Nothing to see here! SNP leadership hopefuls Ash Regan, Kate Forbes and Humza Yousaf will be debating ‘behind closed doors’ on Sunday. ‘Woeful’ Humza Yousaf,
Humza Yousaf ridiculed for saying Nicola Sturgeon ‘will be immortalised in our history books’ The First Minister is ‘exceptional’ and her favoured successor wants to
Regan vows to publish SNP financial data if elected leader The SNP leadership hopeful made the pledge as police investigate the party over £600,000 crowdfunded
MSP to lead debate on ‘environmental and cultural vandalism’ of Loch Lomond Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer, pictured right, will lead a debate in the
By Bill Heaney Businesses were legally required to sign up to the Scottish National Party-Green deposit return scheme this week. But thousands of producers rightly
Reforms to strengthen representation and participation at Holyrood unveiled 3 March 2023 Over the last year, the Scottish Parliament has been carrying out an audit
Council agrees £50 million funding boost to improve social housing By Euan McLean Tenants in West Dunbartonshire are to benefit from a new £50 million
See More elsewhere on The Democrat at democratonline.net heaneymedia@btinternet.com heaneymedia@btinternet.com
By Lucy Ashton Speaking during First Minister’s Questions in the Scottish Parliament this afternoon, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP criticised Nicola Sturgeon for
By Jamie Mann Council decisions to reject new fish farms in protected beauty spots were overruled by the Scottish Government after appeals by multinationals, prompting
ByAileen MacLennan Argyll and Bute Council has reaffirmed its long-standing position that the Scottish Government must put a permanent solution in place on the A83 Rest
Young people missing out on bus pass, despite £1m campaign By Lucy Ashton Scottish Liberal Democrat spokesperson for connectivity Beatrice Wishart MSP has today revealed
3rd March 2023 Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Statement on the Relationship between Conscience and Politics Archbishop William Nolan, of Glasgow and West Dunbartonshire. Although the
By Lucy Ashton More than 86% of Argyll and Bute’s roads are in a good or fair condition according to the latest survey of the
By Aileen MacLennan The Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities Services has rated the services of Cardross Crematorium as excellent following a recent inspection. A
The Rest and Be Thankful over which there has been great controversy in Argyll. By Aileen MacLennan Following publication of a major review into plans
By Bill Heaney Council tax in West Dunbartonshire is to be increased by five per cent, the Labour administration decided on Wednesday Labour councillors were
By Lucy Ashton Police swooped on a street at Graham Road in the Brucehill housing scheme after a crowd of almost 300 people gathered there.
February 2023 The West Dunbartonshire Working4Business Awards are back this year to celebrate the achievements of local businesses who have made a significant contributions to
By Lucy Ashton THE Scottish Government is set to delay the flagship National Care Service with legislation being pushed back until June, according to reports.
The outsider in the leadership race has joined with Economist Dr Tim Rideout of the Scottish Currency Group, in helping to forward the ‘untested’ plans
Cover prices of national newspapers increased by 14% in past year By Hamish Mackay New in-depth research has revealed that cover prices for national newspapers
By Lucy Ashton Jackie Baillie has urged off-grid householders, care home residents and those staying in caravans to apply for government help to pay their
Leadership race: Ash Regan, Humza Yousaf and Kate Forbes are competing to become the next leader of the SNP. By Democrat reporter Journalists will now
The men’s bodies were recovered on Saturday after a search The two men who died after a tugboat capsized in the Firth of Clyde off
Busy brewery under threat – Jackie Baillie and Fiona McEachern with visitors to the Loch Lomond Brewery in Alexandria. By Bill Heaney Jackie Baillie has
By Lucy Ashton National LGBT+ organisations in Scotland (Equality Network, Scottish Trans, LEAP Sports Scotland, LGBT Youth Scotland, Stonewall Scotland and LGBT Health and Well-being)
By Bill Heaney Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader and Health spokesperson, Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has called on the Scottish Government to “abandon” their ministerial takeover of
McArthur: Urgent support needed as fraud rates soar by 97% By Bill Heaney With crimes of fraud increasing by an astonishing 97% since 2018,
Hapless Humza has presided over sky-high wait times in A&E, chaos with delayed discharge, sky rocketing cancer wait times and an increase in both out-patient
The Laphroaig team with Christian Porta, CEO of Pernod Ricard EMEA and Latan, the Chivas Brothers office in Glasgow, and the bottling plant in Dumbarton.
By Democrat reporter BBC Scotland reporter Jamie McIvor is reporting that teachers across Scotland are beginning another two days of strike action as their pay
High Court prosecutors said Bryson had “preyed” on vulnerable women By Democrat reporter A transgender rapist who raped two women while still a man has
Furious critics ask ‘has he been asleep?’ during all their self-ID warnings Humza Yousaf does the polar opposite of Nicola Sturgeon. By Jessica North, Politics
Top of page: An over-flowing bottle bank in St James’s Retail Park in Dumbarton. Small firms ‘could get year’s grace period’ from taking part in
174 people are being be placed at the Muthu Glasgow River Hotel – the former Esso Motor Hotel – as part of a settlement programme
Record orders amid “elevated threat environment” sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. By Lucy Garcia PLANS for the construction of a new warship building factory
Tickets now available to visit stronghold that once sheltered Mary, Queen of Scots By Bill Heaney Dumbarton Castle, one of Scotland’s most famous castles, is due
Baroness Betty Boothroyd, the first woman to be elected Speaker of the House of Commons, has died at 93. The current Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle
ALAN MELVILLE IT is with very deep sadness that we have learned that Alan Melville, a former groundsman at Dumbarton FC, has passed away. Alan
Pictures from the Sons’ match against Elgin City on Saturday when the home team LOST 2-1. cinch League 2 DUMBARTON have lost 2-1 at home
A SQUAD of Dumbarton legends will take part in a fundraising football match at Dumbarton Football Stadium in May – and YOU could play against
SPORT/POLITICS Alex Salmond’s party is hoping to take advantage of SNP chaos with a message for the anti-monarchy Celtic faithful Celtic fans hoping to see
By Lucy Ashton Police Scotland interviewed senior SNP members over fraud allegations, just days before Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation was claimed today. Former treasurer Douglas Chapman,
Kyle Sambrook was last seen with his beagle called Bane in the Lost Valley area last weekend Police have confirmed the body of missing hillwalker
By Bill Heaney Exports of Scotch whisky topped £6 billion for the first time last year, figures from the industry showed. Global export data from
Three candidates to become the new SNP leader will go head-to-head on March 7 Humza Yousaf, Ash Regan and Kate Forbes want to be First
The Ferguson shipyard was nationalised by the SNP government in 2019. By Lucy Ashton The troubled Ferguson Marine shipyard in Port Glasgow has been warned
Teachers in West Dunbartonshire campaigning for ten per cent. Scotland’s largest teachers’ union has defended its decision to stage three days of targeted strike action,
Drax said the strikes at its sites, including Cruachan, would not put supplies at risk. By Lucy Ashton Workers at three hydro-electric plants, including Cruachan