Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon said a second vote in just two years on whether Scotland should leave the United Kingdom in now "highly likely".

Two thrifty students have hitchhiked over 650 miles across Scotland without reaching into their pockets once to spend cash on food or transport.

The Scottish pair are said to have tied the two-year-old naked to a chair in a room where they kept rats, snakes and a boa constrictor.

Under radical plans being considered by the Church of Scotland, the rites could be administered online via services such as Skype.

A high-tech marine drone scouring the depths of Scotland's Loch Ness for one of nature's most elusive beasts has found a "monster" - but not the one it was looking for.

A major Scottish child abuse inquiry is calling for victims now living in New Zealand to come forward and give evidence.

Schoolboy killed during a fight with another teen.

The largest exhibition of the Queen's clothes and accessories ever shown in Scotland will open at the Palace of Holyroodhouse to mark her 90th birthday.

Not a dog or a cat person? Then how about a fluffy bunny the size of a dog?

Gritty Glasgow, more known for grime and deep-fried chocolate, also has a sophisticated side, discovers Pam Wade.

Paul Davies stands atop Bidean nam Bian pleased to bag a Munro and learn four new words to describe rain.

Anne Gibson checks in at the Mercure Inverness, gateway to Scotland's Highlands.

Edinburgh's epic Festival Fringe brings out the best in this beautiful ancient city, discovers Stephen Jewell.

Anne Gibson checks into the stylish Hotel ibis Styles in Edinburgh, where the carpet teaches her to speak Scots.

A crew member on a bin lorry that killed six Christmas shoppers in Scotland punched the unconscious driver as it careered across a busy square and screamed, "You're killing people, Harry", an inquiry has heard.

With the Old Course one side and 300 whiskies on the other, Kevin Pilley is a happy man.

Fresh from a landslide victory at the general election, former Scottish National Party leader Alex Salmond declared that Scotland was closer than ever to separating from the UK.

Scotland has become a virtual one-party state following an astonishing performance from the SNP that saw the party win an astonishing 56 of the 59 seats available in the country.

Mhairi Black is 20 years old and has become UK's youngest MP in more than 300 years after inflicting humiliating defeat on Labour Party's chief strategist.

Senior Labour figures rounded on Ed Miliband over his "complacency" in Scotland as a poll found that the Scottish National Party is on course to win every seat north of the border.

Google has used its Street View cameras to search for the Loch Ness Monster - and one picture in particular will attract the attention of Nessie hunters.

Police have detained a 21-year-old as part of the investigation into missing Glasgow student Karen Buckley.

As a way to observe the wilds of Scotland, it's hard to beat the magic of rail travel, writes Anthony Lambert.

Och, witch room? Clash of the tartans and a wee dram later, Kevin Pilley is still deciding.

New Zealand coach Mike Hesson is tipping upsets during the World Cup - and that's part of the reason he slightly bristled at a description of tomorrow's opponents Scotland.

A wildlife cruise on the Isle of Mull is heaven for bird lovers, writes Richard Tulloch.

Resembling a fierce ancestor of the Loch Ness monster, the first fossil of a shark-like reptile has been found.

Gary Anderson might have just defeated the best-ever arrow thrower and landed a £250,000 cheque but he plans to celebrate with little extravagance.