Publication

‘Our warnings about Courtney were ignored’

CONCERNED former friends of baby killer Courtney Gartshore have claimed they feel ignored by Aberdeenshire Council. The good samaritans say they told the local authority to remove children from the Peterhead mother after they found a dog dead in her...

Mum GUILTY of burning her baby to death

An Aberdeen woman has been found guilty of killing her threemonth-old daughter after applying heat from a hairdryer in Peterhead. Dahlia-Rose Gartshore was found dead by paramedics in her Buchan home on the morning of September 30 2023 and for the...

Free parking for shoppers could revive city centre

LETTING shoppers park for free could be the key to reviving Aberdeen city centre, a leading property expert has claimed. Eric Shearer, of Knight Frank, has suggested that Aberdeen City Council could introduce a scheme that would see people who spend...

ETZ boss tells of ‘frustration’ as projects delayed

THE chief executive of Aberdeen-based ETZ Ltd has expressed her frustration at delays to major energy transition projects across the north-east. Maggie McGinlay, pictured, believes slower-than-expected progress has held back investment that was...

Sheriff dials in on police for withheld phone calls

A SHERIFF has questioned Police Scotland’s use of withheld phone numbers after a woman unwittingly answered a call from a man who waged a campaign of abuse on her. Steven Whyte, pictured, was jailed for two years for his actions against his former...

University probe after ‘awful’ Ann Widdecombe post

ABERDEEN University has confirmed it is doing a “review” of social media posts made by a member of staff about the death of former MP Ann Widdecombe. Heather Herbert, a web developer at the university, posted on platform Bluesky on Friday before...

‘Union Street has been the springboard to shop boom’

AN independent shop owner has told how setting up on Union Street in Aberdeen has been such a success that he and his business partner have branched out to Edinburgh. Stuart Robb launched the Thistle Tavern board game and trading card store with...

Beach play zone visits boom ‘may spark traffic hell’

FEARS have been raised over potential traffic chaos if the new futuristic playpark at Aberdeen beach proves as popular as expected. The council is spending millions transforming the coastline into an attractive destination. And the free play area...

Accused mother in 999 call: ‘My baby’s skin is peeling off ’

A JURY yesterday heard that a mother accused of killing her three-month-old daughter by burning her with a hairdryer dialled 999 and told a call handler: “My baby’s dead. Her hands are black and her skin is peeling off.” Courtney Gartshore, 27, is on...

Baby death mum tried to get drugs, court hears

THE trial of a woman accused of killing her daughter with a hairdryer began in Aberdeen yesterday. Courtney Gartshore, 27, is accused of culpable homicide in connection with the death of baby Dahlia-Rose by burning her at a property in Peterhead in...

United demand to open up vital North Sea fields

MORE than 2,000 business and community leaders, charity bosses and politicians have united to call for the UK Government to award drilling licences for two vital oil and gas fields in the North Sea. Demands are growing for Labour to rethink their...

Labour MPs join call for a reset on oil and gas policy

A LABOUR-led group of MPs who scrutinise UK Government energy strategy say new oil and gas licences should be given the green light. The move comes just days after they visited Aberdeen and The Press and Journal called for a reset on North Sea policy...

Cala gets nod to build more homes amid row on shop

ABERDEEN City Council yesterday rubber-stamped plans for Cala Homes to keep building houses on the Oldfold development in Milltimber before constructing a promised shop – which they can’t find someone to run. The firm was obliged to have the store up...

High-flying city lawyer unmasked as violent and cruel abuser

● Mortgage and Property Centre director Alexander Hutcheon admits subjecting on-off partner to an 18-month reign of terror ● High Court hears disgraced 70-year-old assaulted woman at Meldrum House Hotel and repeatedly made sexual demands ● Judge...

‘I have seen people die as deadly drug floods city streets’

ABERDEEN is facing a potential drug deaths epidemic as a highly-potent substance is now being peddled on the city’s streets, a 999 worker has warned. Nitazenes, pictured, are being increasingly used by UK dealers, often mixed into other drugs...

It’s time for a reset on the North Sea and Labour’s energy policy

Periods of political change like we are experiencing now are also moments of opportunity. As one leader gives way to another, it is time for a fresh start, where policies that no longer serve the country can be rethought. And if Andy Burnham walks...

Petrofac pays up £569k for Russia sanctions breach

A NORTH Sea services firm has paid a settlement of more than £569,000 to HMRC after breaching UK Government sanctions on Russia. Aberdeen-based Petrofac Facilities Management Limited (PFML) broke rules to prevent UK firms from funding Vladmir Putin’s...

Flynn: ‘We need serious talks on the NE rail line’

ABERDEEN MSP Stephen Flynn says he would love to deliver on rail and road infrastructure – but admits conversations will need to come first. The newly-appointed transport boss says that while improving roads like the A96 and introducing or reinstating...

City gets set for marafun party

RUNNERS taking part in next month’s Aberdeen Hydrasun Half Marathon will be able to celebrate their achievements with an all-day party, The Press and Journal can reveal. Organisers have unveiled a line-up of great events to bring a real carnival...

Police sergeant is guilty of stalking city social worker

A NORTH-EAST police sergeant has been convicted of stalking a social worker while on duty. Ricky Burr, 47, pictured, of Ellon, appeared in the dock at Aberdeen Sheriff Court to plead guilty to causing the woman fear and alarm by making repeated...

Geoscience conference has seismic city impact

A MAJOR geology and engineering summit delivered an estimated £13.2 million economic impact for Aberdeen, a report has shown. We told earlier this month how the European Association of Geoscientists (EAGE) conference at P&J Live helped book out every...

Timeline for store’s demolition is revealed

ABERDEEN City Council bosses are due to meet with representatives from Marks & Spencer in early July to discuss the shuttered St Nicholas Street store, The P&J can reveal. The national chain is “awaiting a meeting” with local authority planning...

Next PM ‘must support oil jobs and investment’

Mother and gran in dock ‘for torture of children’

A MOTHER and grandmother have gone on trial accused of torturing three children in Aberdeen. Shirley Freeman, 51, and Julia Stephen, 68, pictured, are facing multiple charges of systematic assault and neglect more than two decades ago. One of their...

Tide turns over North Sea fears

The Tories believe their resounding Aberdeen South by-election success sends a clear message in favour of ramping up North Sea oil and gas drilling. Conservative MSP Douglas Lumsden won 14,308 votes in the poll, with the result declared at around 2am...

Eight men in the dock over £1.37m drug raids

EIGHT men yesterday appeared in court in connection with alleged drugs offences in Aberdeen following multiple police raids in the city. Officers stormed 11 properties at the start of this week and found eight cannabis farms – seizing drugs worth a...

Raac detected at former M&S in city centre

DANGEROUS Raac concrete has been identified in the old Marks & Spencer store in Aberdeen city centre, leaked surveys have revealed. We told this week how the retail giant wants to demolish the empty former flagship shop in St Nicholas Street. Now...

‘Scrap North Sea windfall tax to end fuel poverty’

REPLACING the North Sea windfall tax next year could generate an extra £13.4 billion for the Treasury over the next decade and help eradicate fuel poverty. Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) chief executive David Whitehouse is due to give evidence to MPs...

M&S planning to demolish old flagship store

MARKS and Spencer bosses are aiming to demolish the former flagship shop in Aberdeen city centre – despite efforts to find a new use for the empty building. The huge department store had been part of St Nicholas Street since 1944 before it closed last...

SSEN’s vision for a £150m training hub in north-east

SSEN plans to build a new £150 million training hub in the north-east to help bring through the next generation of clean energy workers. The firm is going through a rapid expansion with major infrastructure projects under way, including the Netherton...

‘Charity sacked me for whistleblowing’

FORMER Sport Aberdeen chief executive Keith Heslop is taking the leisure operator to tribunal for unfair dismissal – launching a fight to be given his job back or paid his full salary until his day in court. The city council’s arm’s-length body, which...

Bus gates battle shop ‘must quit city to survive’

A CLOTHES shop boss is quitting Aberdeen after struggling to recover from the impact of the city’s bus gates on trade. Victoria Mutch, pictured, is relocating her Style For Your Shape store from the Trinity Centre to Turriff in the next few...

Police alert as shire town hit by flash flood

Businesses were forced to close and traffic ground to a halt as Inverurie town centre was hit by flooding yesterday. The deluge came as the region was hit with a bout of extreme weather affecting Inverurie, Ellon and Oldmeldrum this week. Pictures...

‘Brent oil is key to meet the UK’s jet fuel needs’

AN energy expert believes ramping up North Sea oil production would help meet the pressing need for domestic jet fuel amid geopolitical uncertainty. Professor John Underhill, from Aberdeen University, says the potential to unlock the North Sea’s...

£1.4bn tourism boost to city and shire economies

THE Tall Ships Race in Aberdeen last summer spearheaded a near-£1.4 billion tourism boom for the north-east, figures out today reveal. The region’s visitor economy generated a whopping £1.375bn in economic impact during 2025. Almost 3.5 million day...

‘Traders are put off by high rates’

ABERDEEN’S very own “landlord detective” hopes The Press and Journal’s Fresh Start campaign can aid him and his colleagues in their efforts to breathe life back into the city centre. This week we launched a joint call with our fellow DC Thomson news...

Care home is still closed four years on from tragedy

A £3.2 MILLION charity-run care home remains shut four years after a resident died amid “significant concerns” over soaring temperatures in rooms during a heatwave, a Press and Journal investigation can reveal. Brian Macpherson, 56, passed away in...

WORLD CUP 2026

Includes fixtures wallchart SPECIAL PULLOUT INSIDE

Probe into £100k Sport Aberdeen ‘golden goodbye’

A CHARITY watchdog is investigating crisis-hit Sport Aberdeen over an alleged “golden handshake” given to the former managing director. The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator is conducting a formal inquiry into concerns raised about how Aberdeen...

Swinney: I welcome Fresh Start campaign

FIRST Minister John Swinney said he has “very much welcomed” The Press and Journal’s Fresh Start campaign calling for the relaxing of business rates rules on vacant properties. We have launched the joint mission with our fellow DC Thomson news brands,...

DC Thomson’s news brands unite to launch campaign to help save our city and town centres

Our high streets are struggling – but it doesn’t have to stay this way. For the first time, The Press and Journal, The Courier and The Sunday Post are joining forces and calling on the Scottish Government to relax business rates rules to give our local...

‘Marathon can go distance to fill city’s hotels’

THE man behind this summer’s City of Aberdeen Half Marathon believes the thousands of runners who will be competing in the event can help give the north-east a tourism boost. And Steve Gray told The P&J that extending the new 13.1-mile event to a full...

SNP universities chief to speak to unions over cuts

THE Scottish Government will send its universities guru to meet with trade union officials to discuss their ongoing battle to stop job cuts at Aberdeen University. John Swinney confirmed that Ben Macpherson, pictured, will meet staff at the...

‘I was told I had a bug – but I ended up in a coma’

A WOMAN who was put in an induced coma after staff at ARI dismissed early signs of sepsis has said she felt like she was “dying in the waiting room”. Katie Bain, left, was told she was suffering from a stomach bug and sent home from A&E without having...

‘Reform is looking to asset strip North Sea’

REFORM has been accused of wanting to use the North Sea as a “cash cow” for communities in England. SNP hopeful Richard Thomson made the claims ahead of the Aberdeen South by-election next month. He will be competing against Reform UK’s Jo Hart. Mr...

It’s ‘dark day’ as axe falls on shire butcher factory

THE new owner of butcher Donald Russell has confirmed a further 90 north-east job losses and the closure of the Inverurie factory. The famous brand and its direct-to-consumer website have been acquired by the owners of fine food producer DukesHill,...

‘Our mission to resurrect hidden gem of art scene’

CAMPAIGNERS have launched a bid to preserve an important piece of Aberdeen’s artistic heritage. The Sivell Murals which adorn the walls of Aberdeen University’s former student union have been hidden away since the premises shut in 2004. Now an...

‘Attack on North Sea is killing jobs’

TORY leader Kemi Badenoch said the SNP and Labour are “killing the oil and gas industry” as the Aberdeen South by-election battle ramped up yesterday. Mrs Badenoch, pictured, paid a visit to the Granite City to bolster support for her party’s...

‘Dating shows are a ticking time bomb’

AN Aberdeen recruitment consultant has said reality TV producers “encouraged” her to be intimate during her time on a controversial dating show, which she has branded a “ticking time bomb”. Sarah Gillanders exclusively spoke to The Press and Journal...

PM is accused of ‘decimating city to subsidise war’

SIR Keir Starmer has been accused of picking Russian oil over the North Sea after he rejected calls to ditch the drilling ban and changed sanctions against Russia. The prime minister’s moves mean that the UK can now import diesel and jet fuel refined...

Hotel plans ‘are threat to safety of school pupils’

BOSSES at Robert Gordon’s College have hit out at plans to open a plush hotel next door amid fears it represents a “serious safeguarding concern”. The Aberdeen private school has objected to the proposals to convert the former Robert Gordon University...

Firm fined £287k over North Sea rig tragedy

A NORTH Sea drilling contractor has been fined £287,000 after a worker fell to his death through the floor of an oil platform. Jason Thomas, 50, was reported missing in January 2023 while working as a crane operator and safety lead on the Valaris 121,...

Shock as thug freed after just 14 weeks in jail

RESIDENTS of an Aberdeenshire town are shocked after a brute who nearly killed a man in an unprovoked attack has been released from prison after serving just 15% of his sentence. Christopher Reid launched the assault on a total stranger on Union...

Jobs hope as Broch wind farm moves a step closer

PLANS for a major wind farm off the coast of Fraserburgh that could help support thousands of jobs have taken a huge step forward. Aberdeenshire councillors have granted permission in principle for the onshore part of the operation near Rattray...

New drilling ban is a ‘sad day’ for oil and gas sector

THE former head of an energy industry body has called Labour’s plan to ban new drilling licences in the North Sea “ridiculous”. Malcolm Webb, pictured, who led industry body Oil & Gas UK (now Offshore Energies UK), told The P&J that the announcement...

Drink-drive fears over World Cup night buses

ABERDEEN City Council chiefs were left dumbfounded yesterday after claims that putting on night buses for football fans enjoying late-night World Cup games could lead to a rise in morning-after drink-driving. The local authority has pledged £15,000 of...

Care home could close in as little as 13 weeks

ABERDEEN’S Balnagask House has been marked for closure, with officials saying it could happen within the next 13 weeks. A drop in demand for residential care, financial pressures and the condition of the building were given as reasons for the...

We will fight to ensure the SNP delivers for north-east

For the last six weeks, The Press and Journal has been asking difficult questions about the issues you feel are most important to the north and the northeast, and we now have the politicians in place at Holyrood for the next five years. The previous...

Blizzard boy racer jailed over winter roads terror

A SERIAL car thief went on a hour-long road rampage through icy Aberdeen streets – just nine days after being released from prison for a similar offence. Joshua Stewart put others’ lives at risks with a series of dangerous manouevres while the...

FULL RESULTS AND REACTION

John Swinney has said Downing Street has “a lot of listening to do” as he called for respect between the two governments. Speaking to the BBC as his party claimed it had “emphatically” won the Holyrood election on Friday, the first minister said...

Tributes to shire mum who died in car accident

THE family of an Aberdeenshire mum have paid tribute to her after she was killed in a car accident. Sara McPherson Burton Brown, from Kemnay, tragically died after the vehicle she was driving left the road. Sara moved to England and began working at...

German firm in line to buy part of Balmoral Group

A MAJOR arm of Aberdeen engineering firm Balmoral Group is the target of a takeover by a German industrial giant. Subsea specialist Balmoral Comtec is set to be acquired by Freudenberg Flow Technologies, part of Freudenberg Group. It is the main...

EIS to fight for cash to fix violence in schools

TEACHERS in Aberdeen are demanding extra cash be found to help tackle violence and aggressive behaviour in schools. The city council said there is no budget for extra staff and resources to tackle the problem as part of its action plan. But the EIS...

Buchan rail link plans backed by MSP contenders

CAMPAIGNERS fighting to restore Buchan rail links have been buoyed after every party candidate at a Press and Journal election debate said they would support the return of train services from Aberdeen to Peterhead and Fraserburgh. We invited six local...

SNP pledges to push for windfall tax to be ditched

JOHN Swinney has vowed to push the UK Government to drop the controversial windfall tax amid reports energy giants like BP could pull back their operations in the North Sea. The first minister visited Aberdeen ahead of Thursday’s Scottish Government...

‘Council may owe companies £1.5m’

HUNDREDS of firms in Aberdeen could be unaware they are owed £1.5 million in overpaid business rates, a senior property figure says. Eric Shearer, pictured, a partner at Knight Frank, said his company “accidentally” came across a city council document...

City council chiefs table draft deal for new Dons stadium

A NEW Dons stadium at the beach has moved a step closer as Aberdeen City Council has put a draft deal on the table, The Press and Journal can today reveal. Local authority chiefs have put together a “memorandum of understanding” with club bosses...

Council chiefs to grasp control at Sport Aberdeen

CITY council officials are expected to be named to the board of Sport Aberdeen today after a director-level walkout over the exile of chief executive Keith Heslop. Secretive talks were held at Aberdeen Town House yesterday over the temporary takeover...

New schools plan will change ASN support systems

NEW plans have been revealed to support neurodivergent children in Aberdeen’s schools. Aberdeen City Council is collaborating with the Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership to roll out Test of Change, which will move from a diagnosis-based...

New supermarket in north-east town would cost £7.75m

SUPERMARKET chain Sainsbury’s has revealed it would cost an eye-watering £7.75 million to build its planned new store in Inverurie. The retail giant has submitted a building warrant detailing the huge bill for the project, pictured, in the north-east...

‘Council failing to support teachers on class violence’

AN Aberdeen teacher has accused council chiefs of playing down the problem of violence in schools. The concerned educator has penned a letter, seen by The P&J, to education bosses as talks between union leaders and the local authority about aggressive...

‘Race against time to save my son Ben’

● Brave shire five-year-old is battling a rare condition known as ‘child dementia’ ● Mum Alicia opens up on his uncertain future as they await gene therapy decision

Girl, 15, guilty of school stabbing

The dad of a 13-yearold girl who was stabbed in the canteen of an Aberdeen school has spoken for the first time about the horrific incident. In a statement to The Press and Journal, he said he was pleased that a 15-year-old girl had pled guilty to the...

NHS blame game sparks backlash in election battle

A FURIOUS row broke out among Holyrood election candidates over the healthcare crisis at a hustings event in Aberdeen. The SNP’s Gillian Martin provoked a fierce response from rivals by claiming “NHS Grampian mismanagement and GPs acting like...

Green push ‘is ignoring UK need for oil and gas’

NORTH-EAST business chiefs have accused Ed Miliband of pitting oil and gas against renewables – as they instead insisted both are vital for the UK. Westminster Energy Secretary Mr Miliband yesterday unveiled a series of measures to clamp down on...