Animals

Donkeys like Lagdaf haul 400 litres of water to provide water for their community

Video of a working donkey shows demanding work and daily challenges

The snow leopard cubs are pulling in crowds to the Highland Wildlife Park

Adorable new faces lure visitors to Highland Wildlife Park

Mars is expanding its 2026 Global Adoption Weekend to over 30 countries

Ad Feature Study reveals uncertainty about pets' backgrounds deters adopters

Pet’s roaming antics haven’t gone unnoticed by their owners

Cambridge named the UK's 'cheating cat' capital for feline wanderers

The latest case of bluetongue was reported on a farm near Lockerbie, with two lambs testing positive

Animal controls increased as fifth farm hit by bluetongue

Mad cow disease has been detected in Scotland for what is believed to be the first time this year

'Mad cow disease' case confirmed on Scottish farm

Bluetongue known as BTV-3, which emerged in the Netherlands in September 2023, was first identified in Scotland last week.

Scotland farmers face up to four week wait for new bluetongue vaccines

Small changes, such as a tasty topper or new treat, can make familiar dog dinners more exciting. These changes are possible with Forthglade.

5 easy ways to make your dog's dinner more exciting

West Coast Wellness, near Otter Ferry

Hay's Way: Wellness, a shark up close and the Mull of Kintyre test

Edinburgh's Zoo's pygmy baby hippo has been named

Edinburgh Zoo's baby pygmy hippo has finally been named

Ben Supple, Deputy CEO at The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS)

Moments of joy matter more than ever for charities

A ranger at Historic Environment Scotland has issued concerns that a "very rare" habitat of the Northern Brown Argus butterfly which calls Holyrood Park home may have been severely damaged by the recent wildfire on Salisbury Crags

'Very rare' butterfly colony may have been damaged in recent wildfire

The Lion in the Trenches room

Clan heirlooms at heart of Loch Lomond Arms re-design by Russell Sage

Ancient woodlands are 'incredibly biodiverse landscapes'

Register of Scotland's ancient woodlands takes step closer to reality

Edinburgh man turns crustacean taxidermy hobby into global business

Dolphin breaches in front of sailors in Firth of Forth,

Spectacular moment dolphin breaches under Forth Bridges wowing sailors

Rocky was not fed properly by his owner and kept in a cage.

Animal ban for Oban woman who kept starving dog locked in cage

Data centres are an economic opportunity for Scotland, but are proving controversial with residents living close to the planned hyperscale developments (Picture: Yui Mok)

Politicians must show leadership and face down data centre naysayers Sandy Begbie CBE

Pret have faced criticism from Anima and Project Slingshot

Ad Feature Chris Packham 'won't set foot in Pret' after chicken welfare row

Scotland is a nation that cares profoundly about animals and overwhelmingly expects its government to protect them by law (Picture: Christopher Furlong)

How Scotland has fallen behind rest of UK on animal welfare Mark Bishop

The extra-large Pecute mat gives dogs a spacious cooling surface for warmer days at home or while travelling

This extra-large dog cooling mat is £16.50 cheaper at Amazon

More than half believe the contribution of working animals is often overlooked

Can you spot the working animals hidden in this scene?

Wildcat mother and kitten.

'Excitement' as Cairngorms trail camera image shows new wildcat births

Herds of feral goats roam Langholm Moor

Calls for closed cull season to protect Scotland's wild goats

Cats and dogs don't always have to be enemies.

Cats That Like Dogs: 12 breeds of cat who tend to get on with dogs

Two four-week-old mottled owl chicks born at Scottish Owl Centre, West Lothian.

Cute video shows tiny newborn mottled owls at Scottish wildlife centre

Fanta and Tango have been microchipped to be monitored after they are released.

Two tiny red squirrel kits rescued after being found in ditch

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Ad Feature Truly authentic worldwide travel adventures in amazing landscapes

Scotland’s first-ever baby sloth born at Edinburgh Zoo.

Cute video shows Edinburgh Zoo’s newborn baby sloth gripping onto mum

We're gonna need a bigger lap.

Biggest Cats 2026: Here are the 12 largest breeds of adorable cat

Energetic breeds of cat like the Siamese are always looking for adventures.

Energetic Cats 2026: 12 breeds of cat who need lots of exercise

A Harvest Mouse. Evidence of a nest has been found on Mull, with the species critically endangered in Scotland. PIC: Gary Chisholm.

First harvest mouse found on Scottish islands 'may have been stowaway'

An outbreak of 'cryptosporidium' at Craigies Farm in South Queensferry has seen NHS Lothian confirm 16 cases of the disease.

Sixteen fall ill in parasite outbreak linked to Craigies Farm visit

Nearly six in 10 think animals working with humans is something we’ve largely chosen not to think about in society.

Half of adults think animals working for humans is a thing of the past

A walrus that has been spotted in a harbour in north-east Scotland as it rests and recovers its energy

Onlookers urged to give walrus spotted in harbour space to rest

The Cadzow white park cattle herd in East Lothian

Last of the 'Celts cows' in Scotland as breed moved to 'priority' list

Four of the cats whose price has been rising fastest over the last year.

Cat Inflation 2026: 10 breeds of cat whose price has rocketed recently

SHEBA have teamed up with Brit-nominated musician Cat Burns to launch its Ignored to Adored campaign.

More than half of cat owners think their pet ignores them

Some landowners in the area say the feral goats are damaging the surrounding habitat

Panic on the moor after herd of feral goats reported missing

Doug Allan

Interview: Doug Allan, wildlife cameraman

Some cats just love a cuddle.

Most Loving Cats 2026: 12 breeds of cat that show most affection

Some cat breeds, like this Burmese, are great 'starter cats'.

First Cats 2026: 12 best cat breeds for inexperienced owners

Ripley and Rosa have found their forever home

Rescued Westies who had tough start in life find 'forever home'

The team from Assynt Mountain Rescue at the Allt nan Uamh Stream Cave after a caver was rescued from the complex PIC: Assynt Mountain Rescue Team

Caver rescued from one of Scotland's most complex underground mazes

Safari park's beloved elephant Mondula passes away at 54

Some cats have an issue with shedding hair - that can be an issue for allergy sufferers.

Top Hypoallergenic Cats 2026: 12 breeds of cat for allergy sufferers

Some cat breeds are more likely to need a trip to the vet than others.

Healthy Cats 2026: The 12 healthiest breeds of adorable cat

The Scotsman Top Stories

Scotland has failed to meet its latest target for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the latest official figures show. Picture: John Giles/PA Wire

Fail: Scotland misses climate target

Pro-independence protesters with Scottish Saltire flags (top) march for Scottish independence. Picture: Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images

Yousaf: Growing popular support for Yes the only way to Scottish independence

Nadine Dorries. Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

SNP MP cleared of bullying Nadine Dorries