How was your 2022, Scotsman readers? Wonderful, good, bad… Horrendous? Regardless of where you sit emotionally on the topic, what’s for sure is that this year has been a chaotic one indeed.
From the death of Queen Elizabeth II, to navigating 3 prime ministers in one year on top of reports of energy crises and looming threats of war just as normality appeared to tiptoe back in following Covid-19, even the toughest amongst us can be affected by it all.
But what’s easily forgotten is that life goes on and life finds a way (no film reference intended) and we mustn’t lose sight of that amid any troubled times. That’s why we’ve assembled these 22 news stories from Scotland in 2022 that tell the tales of kindness, triumph, brevity and hope.
We hope you enjoy them as we approach Hogmanay and boldly enter 2023.
13. New methods discovered to protect endangered Red Squirrels in Scotland
Red Squirrels are an endangered species due to the invasion of Grey Squirrels driving them to near extinction across Scotland. Fortunately, this year scientists have studied non-lethal ways to depopulate Grey Squirrels by using ‘birth control’ solutions placed in food samples that only they can access - allowing the Red Squirrel population a chance to recover at last. Photo: Neil_Burton via Canva Pro
14. Solar Panel Engineer has brief chat with the Queen who later employed him
Businessman George Goudsmit had a 20-second chat with the Queen during an event in 2022. When her Majesty asked Goudsmit what his work was he replied that he made solar panels at AES Solar. The company’s Managing Director said that as the Queen “walked away she turned around and said ‘maybe I should have solar panels at Balmoral’”. Soon after she commissioned this panel installation job at her private Castle in Aberdeenshire. Photo: SWNS
15. Like mother like daughter: Scottish athlete smashes record at Commonwealth Games
Eilish McColgan celebrated her first major gold win at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. With an audience of 30,000 in the stadium, she won the gold medal in the 10,000m which is the same race that her mother (Liz) won gold for Scotland back in the 1986 and 1990 Commonwealth Games. McColgan also recorded a games’ record for the 10,000m as she finished in 30 mins 48.60 seconds. Photo: Submitted
16. The Big Yin himself, Billy Connolly, turned 80 years old
Following a legendary career in the film and music industry, comedy and even philanthropy, the iconic Scottish celebrity turned 80 years old this year - congratulations Big Yin! Photo: Submitted