Plenty of Scottish heroics in May, both home and abroad

The National

a day ago

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I THINK we could all learn a thing or two from Hiroshi Suzuki.
The Japanese ambassador to the UK visited Scotland in May, including official meetings with the First Minister and the Presiding Office.
But he also took to some tourist hotspots in Edinburgh, and partook in some Scottish delicacies, joking at one point that he had eaten some Tunnock's teacakes "for breakfast".
In a video posted on social media, he could also be seen trying Haggis and a dram of whisky, which he said he "enjoyed".
"It's fantastic!" he added, with a thumbs up to the camera.
It's Suzuki's boundless optimism that has made him a viral social media star. And perhaps we can all take a leaf out of that book.
And so, on that note, our positive stories in Scotland in May.
First up, I always love to see Scots thriving abroad. And last month, you can look no further than footballer Scott McTominay (below).
The Scotland international is a literal hero in Naples after his instrumental role in helping Napoli FC to their fourth ever Serie A title.
Crowned as the whole league's player of the season, the streets of Naples were literally draped in saltires and graffiti of the man they now call 'McFratm' – or McBro.
He even met the pope (above)!
On the more cultural side, a Scottish director's film set during the Highland Clearances has also made waves at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.
Ian Gordon, from Fife, travelled to the internationally renowned film festival in France to promote his fantasy adventure movie, The Gudeman, where he learnt to build animatronic 'creatures' from scratch.
And people working in the film industry from around the world were blown away at the festival by the dramatic scenery of the Highlands, which provides the backdrop for his adventure.
As they should!
I was also pleased to hear Edinburgh is now home to Europe's first museum of contemporary Palestinian art.
The Palestine Museum in Scotland features work from a range of Palestinian artists showcasing paintings, sculptures and installations.
The museum aims to counteract the 'dehumanisation' of the Palestinian people by illustrating their culture and narrative through art.
I mentioned it will be opening in my last newsletter but it is now open for business. I am yet to visit but my colleague, Laura, said it was deeply moving.
In business news, the UK's only female-founded wave energy company has secured more than half a million in funding to scale up its technology.
Aberdeen-based ZOEX secured £531,000 in funding including investment from Equity Gap, one of Scotland's leading angel investment syndicates, Strathclyde University and Scottish Enterprise.
Founded by entrepreneur, CEO Ash Penley (above), ZOEX aims to replace diesel generators with "clean, cost-effective wave power".
While I understand Scotland's fishing industry isn't best pleased by the new UK-EU deal governing post-Brexit arrangements, I was heartened to see some positive movements.
For example, while a return to freedom of movement has frustratingly been ruled out by Labour, they have agreed to look at a limited scheme aimed at young people.
The UK rejoining the Erasmus+ scheme, which sees students do part of their degree at an institution abroad, is also floated in the deal.
If finalised, this would be a win for young Scots.
If there's anything you think should be included, please don't hesitate to ping me an email: [e-mail]