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Scottish Beacon
@scottishbeacon.bsky.social
The Scottish Beacon is a collaborative journalism project, showcasing quality journalism from independent community-based local news publishers.

Visit our website: scottishbeacon.com
Our Newsletter: thescottishbeacon.substack.com
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📢Announcing: #ThePowerShift – a major new collaborative journalism project which will be investigating how Scotland’s green energy transition is reshaping land, communities, and power dynamics across the country.

Read more: www.scottishbeacon.com/regions/intr...
Introducing: The Power Shift – a collaborative investigation into impact of Scotland’s green energy boom - The Scottish Beacon
The Power Shift  is a major new collaborative journalism project from the Scottish Beacon which will be investigating how Scotland’s green energy transition is reshaping land, communities, and power d...
www.scottishbeacon.com
Reposted by Scottish Beacon
The Herald is this week joining forces with nine hyperlocal Scottish news titles - through @scottishbeacon.bsky.social - to look at the impact the transition to green energy is having on communities.

Here, Netty Sopata, from Fios, the newspaper for North Lewis, looks at community developers👇
November 19, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Scotland needs strong, connected local news.

That’s why Scottish Beacon links 25 grassroots outlets, sharing resources to tell deeper, fairer stories. If you’re building local media or care about informed communities, there’s a place for you in the Beacon.

🔗 www.scottishbeacon.com/regions/the-...
The Scottish Beacon: A Collaborative Approach to Telling Scotland’s Local Stories - The Scottish Beacon
As someone who founded an independent, hyperlocal publication – Greater Govanhill magazine – I know how challenging it is to build and sustain local journalism on your own. The old commercial model no...
www.scottishbeacon.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Who really wins in Scotland’s green energy revolution?

The Scottish Beacon asks the hard question: as renewables boom, are communities getting left behind?

“Our beautiful unspoiled land has been destroyed bit by bit. The benefits to locals are negligible.”

www.scottishbeacon.com/news/local-d...
The Power Shift: Renewables, Communities and the Question of Who Really Benefits from Scotland’s Green Energy Revolution - The Scottish Beacon
Published in partnership with The Herald As the world leaders gather in Brazil, to discuss the climate catastrophe facing us at COP 30, communities here in Scotland are trying to navigate the path of ...
www.scottishbeacon.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Reposted by Scottish Beacon
The Power Shift: Renewables, Communities and the Question of Who Really Benefits from Scotland’s Green Energy Revolution www.scottishbeacon.com?p=7836 @scottishbeacon.bsky.social
The Power Shift: Renewables, Communities and the Question of Who Really Benefits from Scotland’s Green Energy Revolution - The Scottish Beacon
Published in partnership with The Herald As the world leaders gather in Brazil, to discuss the climate catastrophe facing us at COP 30, communities here in Scotland are trying to navigate the path of ...
www.scottishbeacon.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Carsphairn Seeks Balance Between Renewable Development and Rural Life

With 80 percent of its land given over to forestry and wind farms, Carsphairn is carrying more than its share of Scotland’s net-zero ambitions – and locals say it’s time to find a fairer balance between energy and everyday life.
Carsphairn Seeks Balance Between Renewable Development and Rural Life - The Scottish Beacon
Published in partnership with The Herald Tucked between the Rhinns of Kells and Cairnsmore of Carsphairn, the parish of Carsphairn is the most northerly community in the Glenkens area of Dumfries & Ga...
www.scottishbeacon.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Reposted by Scottish Beacon
Shetland News shares this report from the northwest Highlands which was published in the @scottishbeacon.bsky.social last week.
@shetnews.co.uk is a founding member of the Scottish Beacon project
@greatergovanhill.com @lochsidepress.bsky.social
Kinlochbervie wind farm row raises questions over transparency – not turbines - The Scottish Beacon
Locals insist they’re not against renewables, but say their voices were silenced over how the project was handled. “Nobody was allowed to ask a question.” David was talking me through the Kinlochbervi...
www.scottishbeacon.com
October 28, 2025 at 10:19 AM
We're delighted to be partnering with The Herald to shine a light on how the shift to green energy is impacting communities across Scotland.
This week, The Herald is joining forces with @scottishbeacon.bsky.social - a journalism network that brings together community-based news publications to work on shared projects - to shine a light on how the shift to green energy is impacting communities across Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

MORE 👇
November 17, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Despite over-abundant renewable energy in Orkney, households are facing rising fuel poverty and soaring electricity bills — a “great energy heist” driven by outdated grid systems and unbalanced energy markets.

Publication: @theorkneynews.bsky.social

www.scottishbeacon.com/news/local-d...
The Great Energy Heist - The Scottish Beacon
Orkney has a long history in  the use of renewable sources of energy. In 1955 a wind turbine erected on the summit of Costa Head was connected up to the Orkney Grid. People in Orkney had been using wi...
www.scottishbeacon.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:35 PM
“Grand Theft Auto VI is expected to make upwards of $10 billion. Such a flagrant attack on workers’ rights...sends a very clear and shocking message to the world, that money matters more than people.”

- Chair of the Independent Workers' Union GB

www.scottishbeacon.com/news/communi...
Protests held after Rockstar games accused of ‘union busting’ - The Scottish Beacon
Edinburgh-based game developers, Rockstar Games, have been accused of ‘union busting’ after over 30 members of staff were fired last Friday, leading to a protest yesterday outside their Edinburgh offi...
www.scottishbeacon.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Edinburgh charity launches Christmas Card Campaign to curb loneliness this winter

From: @edinreporter.bsky.social

Vintage Vibes invites you to spread festive cheer and tackle loneliness by sending a personalised card to someone living alone in the city.

www.scottishbeacon.com/news/communi...
November 7, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Energy in Shetland: what's next for the islands?

Publication: @shetnews.co.uk

Shetland’s first ever energy-development drop-in session invites residents to learn about future energy proposals and help shape Shetland’s energy landscape on 9 September.

🔗 www.scottishbeacon.com/news/social-...
Energy in Shetland: what’s next for the islands? - The Scottish Beacon
People will get the rare chance to hear from a range of energy developers in the same room in what is being described as Shetland’s first collaborative engagement session on future projects. Represent...
www.scottishbeacon.com
September 1, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Fringe 2025: new crime thriller at Edinburgh Deaf Festival

Publication: @edinreporter.bsky.social

A tense new crime thriller premieres at the Edinburgh Deaf Festival during Fringe 2025, offering a fully accessible performance in BSL and English for both deaf and hearing audiences.
Fringe 2025: new crime thriller at Edinburgh Deaf Festival – also for hearing audiences - The Scottish Beacon
Audiences for BBC’s The Reunion and ITV’s thriller Code of Silence were intrigued by these British Sign Language dramas and the insight into life as deaf person. Now a new crime thriller performed by ...
www.scottishbeacon.com
August 7, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Explore low-carbon futures at Orkney International Science Festival

The programme includes visits to Burgar Hill to learn directly from the skilled efforts of communities – past and present – in building a sustainable and resilient Orkney.

Find out more 🔗
www.scottishbeacon.com/news/environ...
July 23, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Campaigners and communities across Scotland, including Stonehaven, banded together to pressure governments into taking action against plastic pollution ahead of the #GlobalPlasticsTreaty negotiations in August.

Publication: The Bellman

Full story here 🔗
www.scottishbeacon.com/news/solutio...
July 23, 2025 at 2:00 PM
The best stand up acts at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025

Publication: Midlothian View

The Midlothian View shares its top picks for comedy acts performing at this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

📷 Marc Jennings photo by Rebecca Need-Menear
July 10, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Concerns over oil firm’s involvement in teaching science to Shetland pupils

Publication: @shetnews.co.uk

“It’s not fair for companies that make money from oil to have a significant say in what kids learn about energy and the environment.”

Find out more 🔗
www.scottishbeacon.com/news/environ...
Concerns over oil firm’s involvement in teaching science to Shetland pupils - The Scottish Beacon
Companies making money from oil should not be allowed to teach children about the environment, a Green MSP has claimed. Ariane Burgess has raised serious concerns about an initiative which sees Norweg...
www.scottishbeacon.com
July 10, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Reposted by Scottish Beacon
This has potential consequences for the #PowerShift @scottishbeacon.bsky.social
A consultation on making the Community Right to Buy more effective has just been launched. It is important that it results in effective change and enables more community ownership so plese respond. www.gov.scot/news/communi...
Community Right to Buy
Consultation on community ownership powers.
www.gov.scot
July 8, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Reposted by Scottish Beacon
Pioneers of Europe's Citizen-led Solar Revolution Sound Alarm Over 'Corporate Capture' sgq.io/wZU9Pm2 via @DeSmog #PowerShift @scottishbeacon.bsky.social
Pioneers of Europe's Citizen-led Solar Revolution Sound Alarm Over 'Corporate Capture'
This story was developed with the support of Journalismfund Europe.  For decades, advocates of renewable energy have argued that solar panels and wind turbines can be so much more than clean sources o...
sgq.io
July 9, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Sharing Scotland’s stories of anti-war activism & peace campaigning

"The project is about the many and varied experiences of peace work from across Scotland and its island communities"

Do you have stories to tell about your ancestors’ that might shed light on local contributions to global events?
July 4, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Scotland is in the throes of a massive expansion of onshore renewables.

But the level of community-owned onshore wind is way behind the Scottish Government's own targets.

The Power Shift explores how we can maximise this renewables revolution.

Read here 🔗
www.scottishbeacon.com/news/communi...
July 4, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Across Scotland there has been an increase in the number of children needing foster care at the same time as a fall in the number of foster carers.

Now Inverclyde Council are offering more money for foster carers in a bid to attract Scots to the vital role.

📸 Two kids playing by Kindel Media
July 4, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Reposted by Scottish Beacon
ViewPoint:
We know how much money can be made from wind farm projects, says Alice Mathewson of North Yell Development Council
@scottishbeacon.bsky.social @lochsidepress.bsky.social @bellacaledonia.bsky.social @ampaipear.bsky.social @bylines.scot @greatergovanhill.com

#ThePowerShift
‘We borrowed millions to build these turbines – but it’s paid off, big time’
We know how much money can be made from wind farm projects, says Alice Mathewson of North Yell Development Council
shet.news
June 30, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Rhinns Lighthouse Festival and Book Festival this August

From stories by the sea to celebrations of coastal heritage, two unique festivals on Islay — Rhinns Lighthouse Fest and Islay Book Festival — shine a light on Islay's cultural scene this summer.

Publication: The Illeach
📸: Alexey Demidov
June 27, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Retreat From the Sea: a last resort or a very real vision of the future?

As coastal erosion threatens Stonehaven’s shore, could a managed retreat from the sea become the town’s only viable future?

Find out more 🔗
www.scottishbeacon.com/news/local-d... #CoastalCommunities #Scotland
Retreat From the Sea: a last resort or a very real vision of the future? - The Scottish Beacon
Aberdeenshire Council took its first steps towards understanding how our communities should adapt to increasing sealevels and coastal erosion this week, when the Infrastructure Services Committee acce...
www.scottishbeacon.com
June 25, 2025 at 12:26 PM