NI village 'buzzing' at potential link to US Vice President who hailed his 'Scots-Irish hillbilly' heritage
The US Vice President has declared himself a 'Scots-Irish hillbilly at heart' – and now historians are scrambling to prove a link with the village of Coagh, writes Mark Bain
To watch an episode of Who Do You Think You Are? is to be taken on a journey down strange and unexpected paths through a family history. You never know where it might lead.
Should US Vice President JD Vance ever sit down with the experts, he has already indicated he expects he will travel through time and land on the shores of Ireland.
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Powys County Times
an hour ago
- Powys County Times
Swinney urges Hamilton voters to reject ‘gutter politics' of Reform
First Minister John Swinney has urged voters in the Hamilton by-election to reject the 'gutter politics' of Reform UK as polls open. The vote sparked by the death of Scottish Government minister Christina McKelvie in March will take place on Thursday, with a result expected early on Friday. The SNP and Labour were initially seen as the frontrunners in the race, but Nigel Farage-led Reform UK has surged in the seat and hopes to push for second place. One of the major talking points of the campaign has been the criticism levelled at Reform after an attack advert published by the party claimed Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar prioritises people from Pakistan over those in Scotland. The ad showed a speech from the Labour MSP where he urged more people from a south Asian background to enter politics, and it was later denounced as racist by Reform's opponents. Speaking ahead of polls opening at 7am on Thursday, Mr Swinney again claimed the contest is between the SNP and Reform, saying: 'Today, people in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse can reject the politics of Nigel Farage and elect a local champion by voting SNP. 'Farage doesn't care about Scotland – he wants to cut our budget, undermine our Parliament and introduce charges for the NHS. 'Labour have given up on the campaign and have barely even bothered to defend their record of scrapping the winter fuel payment and cutting support for disabled people. 'So this by-election is a two-horse race between the SNP and Farage. And today, people in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse can unite behind the SNP and defeat the gutter politics of Nigel Farage by voting for Katy Loudon.' The by-election presents the first real test of both Scottish Labour and the SNP since last year's general election, where the former returned to being the biggest Westminster party in Scotland and the latter haemorrhaged MPs, falling to just nine. Ahead of the vote, Mr Sarwar said the choice facing voters is 'more failure with the SNP or a local champion' with Scottish Labour's Davy Russell, accusing the nationalists of talking up Reform to 'distract from their own failures'. He added: 'Time and time again, the SNP has failed Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse. 'From our overstretched NHS to our declining education system to our crisis-hit housing system, almost all of what is broken in Scotland is run by the SNP. 'They don't deserve to win, but only Scottish Labour can beat them. 'The SNP wants to talk up Reform to distract from their own failures, but Scots will see through the spin. 'This is a chance to put this failing Government on notice and chart a new direction for all of Scotland – let's seize that opportunity.'
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Reform has shamefully dragged this by-election into the gutter with vile race baiting
Graeme Souness is a football legend who was feared and respected on the pitch. His contributions to politics have been rare but his intervention in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election is spot on. With Reform expected to perform well, Souness has issued a timely warning to voters that Nigel Farage cannot be trusted. He dismissed Farage as a 'chancer' who does not care one jot for the people of Scotland – an analysis we wholeheartedly endorse. The reality is Reform have shamefully dragged this by-election into the gutter with vile race baiting. Their online 'advert' falsely claiming Anas Sarwar will 'prioritise' Pakistanis was blatant racism – and totally made-up. Doubling down by shelling out even more money on that awful ad just showed how little they care for the truth. Reform have been a toxic presence in this campaign and it is heartening to see them called out by notable Scots. The reason some voters are tempted by Reform is dissatisfaction with the performance of the established parties. They are furious with the last Tory government and feel let down by decisions made by Keir Starmer's administration. Many voters also have concerns over the SNP government's record on public services. But nobody should fool themselves that Farage and his Reform rabble have any of the answers we need. Farage in power would destroy the NHS, tear-up workers' rights and cut tax for his super-rich pals. Voters have a chance to send Farage packing today and they should embrace this opportunity with gusto. Crisis on wards Scotland's NHS is in need of some major surgery to make it fit for purpose. And in reforming our health service, the Scottish Government could do a lot worse than listening to the frontline workers who save lives every day. Today, the Daily Record reports on concerns from NHS cancer specialists over staff shortages causing massive waiting times for diagnosis and treatment. The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) describes the situation as a 'ticking time bomb', with further shortages expected in the next five years. With so many families affected by cancer, it is vital we have enough trained medics to get people treated quickly. We all know early detection can be a life saver. Nobody should have to wait for treatment knowing every passing day could see their condition getting worse. There are no silver bullets that will fix our health service – which is in desperate need of resources and reform. But listening to warnings from frontline medics is vital to any solution.
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Scotland's 10 best fish and chip shops for summer 2025 takeaway
The Daily Record has put together a roundup of the top chippies across the country. Summer has officially arrived, which means so has peak fish and chip season. While a good fish supper is tasty no matter what time of year, there is something extra-special about one when the sun is shining. As June kicks off, the weather will hopefully start to pick up in the coming weeks. Many Scots will be looking to celebrate by heading to a fish and chip takeaway. If there is one thing Scotland has no shortage of, it is chippies. While you can head to your local fish and chip shop and probably get a tasty supper, there are some takeaways that are a cut above the rest. In honour of the start of the warmest season, the Daily Record has put together a roundup of some of the top fish and chip shops around Scotland. From the Scottish Borders to the Inner Hebrides, there are top-quality takeaways in every corner of the country—you just have to know where to look. Read on for our picks for the 10 best fish and chip shops in Scotland for summer 2025. The Real Food Cafe, Tyndrum The Real Food Cafe is an award-winning road-side diner that serves up top-quality salads, soups, and homemade treats. Of course, it is its fish and chips we are interested in. All of the eatery's haddock is sourced from sustainable MSC certified stocks, and is traditionally battered. The fish can be breaded for an additional cost, while extras include mushy peas, homemade tartare sauce, and battered large prawns. Garioch Fish Bar, Inverurie Describing itself as Inverurie's "finest fish and chip shop" on its website, the Garioch Fish Bar sources the entirety of its produce locally to ensure that everything is as high-quality as possible. The chippy also prepares all of its food fresh to order. Customers can choose from haddock in a range of sizes, as well as lemon sole, rock turbot, and cod. Salt and pepper squid, fishcakes, scampi, and more are also available. Landy's Fish & Chips, Edinburgh Landy's Fish & Chips is a trendy venue in the Scottish capital that proves you don't need to sacrifice style for quality. While its interior is super modern and chic, its food is top-notch as well. In addition to classic battered or breaded haddock, Landy's Fish & Chips also offers Cajun spiced baked haddock and vegan options. All are served with twice-cooked chips and tartare sauce. The Seaforth, Ullapool Located in the heart of Ullapool in Ross and Cromarty, The Seaforth is a popular stopping point along the North Coast 500 scenic driving route. The venue offers both indoor and outdoor sitting areas, including a beer garden where visitors can admire the magnificent surrounding scenery. The award-winning eatery offers quality sourced seafood, with its Atlantic haddock fillet cooked in a crispy batter. Meanwhile, its chips are made from the highest-quality potatoes and are hand-cut and twice-fried. Oban Fish and Chip Shop, Oban Dating back to 2002, the Oban Fish and Chip Shop has been delighting both locals and visitors alike for decades. Over the years, it has received accolades from the Good Food Awards, National Geographic, VisitScotland, and more. The Oban Fish and Chip Shop's haddock and cod, which are sourced from Norway, are lightly battered or breadcrumbed and served with fresh-cut chips. Also available are local hake, local bass, and Mediterranean sea bass. The Bay Fish and Chips, Stonehaven The Bay Fish and Chips is another award-winning chippy that is both a local favourite and renowned across the country. It puts sustainability first, using only the freshest ingredients and sustainably sourced fish. Among the most popular dishes at The Bay Fish and Chips is its MSC certified North Sea Haddock—landed in Peterhead—that is hand-filleted. Customers can also enjoy fishcakes, scampi, fish burgers, and a range of other chippy classics. The Wee Chippy, Anstruther The family-owned Wee Chippy is one of the most popular fish and chip shops in the seaside Fife town of Anstruther, rivalled only by the famous Anstruther Fish Bar. It prides itself on serving up "the freshest of produce available" according to its website, with its food fried to order in vegetable oil. Visitors can enjoy battered or breaded haddock, as well as fishcakes, prawns, scampi, and more. In addition to its classic menu, The Wee Chippy also offers a gluten and dairy-free menu seven days a week for customers with dietary restrictions. The Chippy, Portree The Chippy has a lot of competition in Portree, but even amongst Skye's thriving food scene it stands tall. While unassuming from the outside, it has earned its reputation as a local favourite. If it is a simple no-nonsense fish and chips you are after, then this is the place. Set in a perfect position on Portree's harbour, The Chippy is the ideal spot to pick up a fresh supper to eat as you take in the beautiful coastal views. Alfonso's Takeaway, Earlston Alfonso's Takeaway is easily one of the standout fish and chip shops in the Scottish Borders, having previously been recognised at the Scottish Fish and Chip Awards. The family-run business specialises in fish, pizzas, kebabs, and burgers. The fish at Alfonso's Takeaway is perfectly cooked in a tasty crisp batter. The portions are also rather generous, perfect for those with a big appetite. Mcleod's Fish and Chips, Inverness If you find yourself in Inverness this summer, then you owe it to yourself to try out Mcleod's Fish and Chips. Fresh from the sea, all of the chippy's fish is fully sustainable and locally sourced. In terms of its seafood offerings, visitors can order haddock, scampi, scallops, and fishcakes with or without chips. Other options include fresh burgers, sausage suppers, and haggis pudding.
