First Minister Humza Yousaf dismisses criticism over IndyRef spending

Humza Yousaf has dismissed claims he is wasting taxpayers' money on independence campaigning.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack sent a letter to the first minister saying the government was putting its "obsession with independence ahead of pressing priorities in Scotland".

Mr Yousaf launched the latest in a series of papers setting out the case for independence this week.

He said the SNP were elected on a mandate to deliver a referendum.

Speaking to BBC Scotland, Mr Yousaf added he felt "comfortable" using public funds to promote independence.

The first minister launched a new Scottish government paper on Thursday that set out plans for citizenship and passports in an independent Scotland.

It is the fifth in the Building a New Scotland series, which was launched by former first minister Nicola Sturgeon last year.

Opposition MSPs have labelled the plans a waste of taxpayers' money.

29 July 2023

An image of two middle aged men holding a green and white Celtic football strip in a kitchen. They both have beards and short dark hair.

Two friends, a missing football strip, and the ultimate 25-year prank

After vanishing under mysterious circumstances, Kevin Hill's prized Celtic strip embarked on a trip across the globe.

Scotland

'We've raided this shop many times - we keep finding fake cigarettes'

There's been an “explosion” in the sale of illegal tobacco in Scotland, according to Trading Standards.

Scotland

Woman in jeans and pink shirt with white vest underneath

Commonwealth Games guests guess Glaswegian slang

BBC Scotland asked some of those attending the Games whether they knew any Glasgow slang.

Scotland

Firefighter dampening flames among rocks and grassland as plumes of smoke rise into the air

Firefighters 'doing everything they can' to extinguish wildfire

Crews are dropping water from helicopters and digging fire breaks to damp down the Cairngorm wildfire.

Scotland

A vivid scene from the Cairngorms wildfire, with a helicopter flying over the fire

Drone images show major Cairngorms wildfire

A helicopter is continuing to waterbomb a major wildfire in the Cairngorms that has been burning for three days and forced evacuations.

Scotland

Scotland fans reflect as they arrive back in Glasgow

Following the national team's defeat against Brazil, fans have flown back to Scotland.

Scotland

Former MP Hannah Bardell sits in front of microphone

Unregulated sperm donor use 'on the rise'

Former MP says women seek out unregulated sperm donors due to lack of NHS treatment

Scotland

On the left, a man with black glasses wears a blue hat. On the right, a woman wears a hat with the Scottish flag.

'Typical Scotland': Tartan Army give their verdict on Miami match against Brazil

Scotland's hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the World Cup are in peril after Brazil won 3-0 in Miami.

Scotland

Scotland fans fly 22 hours in tiny plane to World Cup

David Smith and Fraser MacIntyre flew across the Atlantic, with stops in Iceland, Greenland and northern Canada.

Scotland

Weather man Chris Blanchett holds a black umbrella

Where's the sun gone?

Rain is expected in early June, but the second and third weeks will see more sunshine.

Scotland

Stricter rules for new drivers?

Scottish ministers have urged the UK government to grant them the authority to introduce a graduated driving licence system for new drivers, aiming to address the high casualty rates among young people on the roads.

Scotland

SNP's free childcare plans branded a 'gimmick' in education debate

Scotland

Anas Sarwar smiles at the camera as he stands in front of a wide window. He has black hair and brown eyes and is wearing a red tie, white shirt and black suit.

Last gig? 'This shows I'm down with the kids. Kendrick Lamar'

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar takes on our quick‑fire challenge.

Scotland

Woman looking at camera on Buchanan Street

Devolved or reserved: What Scotland's public thinks

As Scotland prepares for the Scottish Parliament election we asked people in Glasgow how well they understand which powers are devolved to Holyrood and which remain reserved to Westminster.

Scotland

Doug Allan - selfie of man in puffer jacket and woolly hat, holding large camera in a snowy location surrounded by penguins

Pioneering wildlife cameraman Doug Allan dies in Nepal

The cameraman and photographer won eight Emmy Awards for his work on acclaimed series like Blue Planet alongside Sir David Attenborough.

Scotland

A composite image of two women - an older woman with blonde hair and glasses holding a baby in her arms and a close up of a younger woman with brown hair.

NHS, bills and immigration: One constituency's election talking points

Six weeks from the Holyrood election, the BBC takes the temperature in one central Scotland constituency.

Scotland

A curling stone being polished in a workshop

Why all Olympic curling stones come from a Scottish island

A small Ayrshire business crafts curling stones by hand using rock found on an island off Scotland’s west coast.

Scotland

Conor, with short brown hair, a moustache and short beard, mid-speaking, wearing a white t-shirt and black jacket. The background features a white wall a yellow locker to the left side and a world globe on the right.

The surprising history of LGBTQ+ laws in Scotland

As LGBTQ+ History Month begins, we take a look at when Scotland decriminalised homosexuality and other key dates.

Scotland

Man with blue tie, white shirt and black hair

Scotland's chilly forecast for the first days of 2026

A cold start to 2026 and snowy for northern Scotland with a Met Office snow and ice yellow warning in force.

Scotland

Sextortion: 'I don't want any family to go through what we are'

Mother of teenage sextortion victim Murray Dowey encourages parents to have uncomfortable conversations with their children.

Scotland