Thousands of women who leave their abusive partners are being turned away from the safety of refuges despite government pledges to tackle domestic abuse

Terrified Scottish nuns were left trapped in their missionary compound in Kenya yesterday, sheltering some 1500 men, women and children from the marauding machete gangs roaming the streets of Kericho.

A genetic test to screen for a heart condition which is the most common cause of sudden death in young athletes could be available within a decade.

Wendy Alexander only questioned the illegal donation to her leadership campaign after she personally thanked the Jersey tycoon at the centre of the row for his cheque.

Former Labour leader John Smith was rebuffed by the Treasury when he suggested devolving control of income tax to the Scottish Assembly. The late Labour leader, who was a junior minister in the 1970s, believed the government had "much to gain" from adding financial levers to the home rule package.

Civil Servants wanted Labour ministers to ditch their Scottish devolution policy in the 1970s, as they feared the plan could break up the United Kingdom, according to newly-declassified documents.

The happy new year? Optimism – Scotland’s bursting with it if you believe Alex Salmond’s new year’s message and recent public opinion polls. But are we really so confident about the coming 12 months?

The new head of Scotland's leading anti-smoking charity has called for cigarettes to be taken off shop shelves as part of efforts to dissuade the next generation from taking up the habit.