Exports of Scotch whisky hit a record high last year, according to new figures. Analysis of HMRC data by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) found exports grew 7.8% by value to £4.7bn. The number of bottles exported also reached record levels, growing by 3.6% to 1.28 billion.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Prime Minister Theresa May have met for talks in London after clashing over a second Scottish independence vote. The Downing Street summit was part of what Mrs. May called an “enhanced role” for the Scottish government in Brexit.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is heading to London for Brexit talks with Prime Minister Theresa May. Mrs. May is attempting to build support for her withdrawal plan and is holding talks with opposition parties and the Scottish and Welsh governments.
Brexit has “materially strengthened” the case for Scottish independence, Nicola Sturgeon has said. The First Minister said Scotland’s interests are being “completely ignored and sidelined” and that what has happened in the last two years has reinforced the case for it to leave the UK.
More than a third of vintage Scotch whiskeys tested at a specialist laboratory has been found to be fake, BBC Scotland has learned. Twenty-one out of 55 bottles of rare Scotch were deemed to be outright fakes or whiskeys not distilled in the year declared.
The Scottish Parliament has voted by 92 to 29 to formally reject the UK government's draft Brexit deal. SNP, Labour, Green and Lib Dem members at Holyrood backed a motion rejecting the proposals, as well as the prospect of leaving without any deal. However, the parties have not come to a consensus on an alternative plan.
The British government is due to publish its economic analysis on the long-term effects of Brexit on the UK. Various scenarios will be set out by the Treasury - with the Daily Telegraph saying it will predict £150bn in lost output over 15 years under no deal, with Theresa May's plan costing £40bn.
First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon has warned of broken promises overfishing as EU leaders agreed to Theresa May's Brexit deal. A document published by the remaining 27 EU countries made clear they hoped to negotiate access to UK waters based on existing rights.
Members of the Scottish fishing industry have called for clarity on the implications of the draft agreement on leaving the EU Scottish Secretary David Mundell backed the draft Brexit deal despite concerns about its impact on the fishing industry.
The Scottish government has demanded to see details of the draft Brexit deal set to be discussed by UK ministers, after a major breakthrough in talks. Prime Minister Theresa May is to hold a special cabinet meeting on Wednesday to discuss a draft withdrawal agreement.