Latest news with #RobertBurns
The Herald Scotland
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Guess the reason behind New York cabbie's claim to fame...
The Diary is now eagerly awaiting the Scottification of other notable works of fantasy. Very soon we are sure to be watching an improved movie version of C.S. Lewis's classic yarn… The Highland Cow, The Witch and the Wardrobe. And instead of hobbits travelling to the evil land of Mordor, there will be an iteration of The Lord of the Rings where a fellowship of small hairy men called the nesbitts make their way from Glasgow into the heinous kingdom of England. Of course, Scotland doesn't just specialise in fantasy fiction. We're also a dab hand at gritty realism, as you'll now discover by reading the following classic tales from our archives… Waterworks don't work A Canada-based reader visiting Scotland was on the train from Oban to Glasgow where two chaps were in a desperate hurry to get past the refreshment trolley in order to get to the toilet. 'After some shuffling and shunting,' said our reader, 'the Glesga wummin in charge of the trolley managed to let them past, interrupting her sales patter just long enough to announce to everyone in the carriage, 'Thae men – their prostates are a' gone', then carried on selling coffee and sandwiches.' Added our reader: 'I sat with my legs tight crossed until we got to Glasgow.' Foreign affairs A woman in a Glasgow coffee shop was heard telling her friend that she went to see her doctor about a back pain, and he recommended she see a chiropractor. 'I swear,' she added, 'for a few seconds I thought he was wanting to send me to Egypt.' The fame game An East Kilbride reader got into a cab in New York and noticed from the driver's licence that he was named Robert Burns. Making conversation, our reader said: 'That's a famous name you have.' 'It should be,' replied the chap, 'I've been driving a cab here for nearly 40 years.' Horsing around Will the poor folk at Tesco never catch a break? A reader told us: 'Seen leaving Lochgilphead last Saturday… the white articulated Tesco delivery truck with the additional text, graffiti-style, along the length of the trailer, hand-written in the traffic grime: 'Caution – horses in transit'.' The absolute goat A reader found herself living on the outskirts of New Orleans, and once glanced out the window and spotted a goat grazing in the garden. She chased it away, then a short while later a neighbour rung the doorbell and said: 'I know you're from a foreign country, so I thought I'd let you know that the animal in your yard this morning is called a goat, and it's relatively harmless.' Our reader thanked him kindly.
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Scotsman
The most serene hidden gems to visit in Scotland this summer
Discover a different side of Scotland. While iconic sites like Edinburgh Castle and Loch Ness draw the crowds, a new report has highlighted some equally impressive but lesser-known destinations. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The alternate destinations are perfect for travellers seeking tranquillity, charm, and authentic local experiences which are a little further from the tourist trail. This shift aligns with the growing travel trend known as JOMO (the 'Joy of Missing Out'), which encourages visitors to embrace slower, more meaningful journeys focused on personal interests and peaceful moments rather than rushing through popular tourist hotspots. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad To uncover the best Scottish destinations that capture the essence of JOMO, FlixBus conducted a study comparing over 30 Scottish towns and villages, considering factors like the number of nature parks, spas, wellness centres, minimum temperatures, sunshine and rainfall, as well as how locations are cropping up in Google searches. St Monans Five Alternative Scottish Destinations for JOMO Travel This Summer 1. St Andrews Renowned for being the 'home of golf', the seaside town of St. Andrews comes in first place as the ultimate Scottish JOMO destination. Approximately an hour away from Fife, the coastal town scored an overall 55 out of 100 due to its abundance of JOMO experiences. With 6,100 travel-related Google searches per month, St. Andrews has solidified its position as a go-to destination for relaxation. 2. St Monans Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad If village life is calling your name, St Monans offers a prime escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Scoring 53 out of 100 in our index, this quaint village ranks highly for average hours of sunshine (1,574) and outdoor activities, proving the power of nature-based experiences. 3. St Abbs Natural beauty and wildlife go hand in hand in St Abbs, a small fishing village on the southeastern coast of Scotland. Coming in at third place with a 52 out of 100 ranking score, it's the ideal place for a JOMO trip, offering a rugged coastline, dramatic cliffs, and clear waters to explore. St Abbs is home to two stunning nature parks, the highest number per capita in the study - but it only has 350 travel-related Google searches per month, showing it is a true hidden gem. 4. Ayr With a rich literary history and links to famous poet, Robert Burns, the seaside town of Ayr offers a peaceful escape for JOMO travellers. Scoring 51 out of 100 within our index, Ayr still ranks highly for JOMO travel amongst Scottish towns and villages despite its larger size. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad With impressively positive reviews for its nature attractions (2,202 4*+ reviews) and wellness amenities (average of 4.5/5), visitors are bound to enjoy the full JOMO experience in Ayr. 5. Arbroath If you're looking for a JOMO trip where pure relaxation is the goal, Arbroath is the perfect destination. In Flixbus' analysis, this town on the North Sea coast scored the highest average reviews for spas, wellness centres, and spa hotels (average of 4.8/5), with an overall score of 50 out of 100. Top 15 Jomo Destinations 2025
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Action still needed to address Northwest Arkansas housing issues, study shows
(Photo by Getty Images) The need for regional leaders to work together to address Northwest Arkansas' worsening housing crisis is more urgent than it was five years ago, according to a report released Tuesday. The new study, 'Our Housing Future: A Call to Action for Northwest Arkansas,' builds on a 2019 report, finding that housing priority needs identified five years ago — a lack of regional housing policies, need for diverse housing options, limited choices for low-income households and weak links between housing and transportation — remain 'even more acute.' 05.27.25 NWA Housing Report The 2025 report also identified a new need: more intentional planning beyond the region's four largest cities — Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale and Fayetteville. Independent, nonpartisan national housing consultancy Enterprise Advisors wrote the report, which the Walton Family Foundation commissioned. 'While progress has been made in some areas, the challenges outlined in 2019 have only grown,' Walton Family Foundation Home Region Program Director Robert Burns said in a statement. 'Our region is at an important juncture, requiring action to ensure affordable and accessible housing for all residents.' Northwest Arkansas, one of the 20 fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the country, is expected to have more than 1 million residents by 2050, according to the Arkansas Economic Development Institute. The region is home to Fortune 500 companies like J.B. Hunt, Tyson Foods and Walmart, which unveiled its new 350-acre Bentonville campus in January. Northwest Arkansas' economic development has spurred population growth that has outpaced housing availability, according to the report. The University of Arkansas Center for Business and Economic Research reported a 70.9% increase in home prices over a five-year period, significantly higher than price increases in peer regions. According to U.S. Census data, between 2017 and 2022, median rent increased 30% in Rogers, 38% in Bentonville and 27% in Fayetteville, higher than the statewide increase of 22%. Meanwhile, the area median income has increased by 35%, from $69,900 to $94,400 for a family of four. The most recent numbers released in May by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development show the average median income is now $101,800. While the four largest communities' populations keep growing, land is finite, according to the report. Several affordable housing developers have focused on smaller nearby towns as land costs skyrocket in cities. According to the 2024 Skyline Report, 61% of growth is happening outside Northwest Arkansas' four largest cities. Critical actions identified in 2019 remain relevant today, according to the latest report, including establishing a regional housing vision, creating a regional housing trust fund, introducing development incentives to promote participation in regional and local housing initiatives, using publicly owned land for housing, and expanding and leveraging federal, state and local resources for affordable and workforce housing. Though work remains, strides have been made, including in local land use reforms, the creation of a regional housing organization and the philanthropic investment in more than 1,000 attainable housing units, said Stacy Jurado-Miller, a WFF Home Region Program senior program officer. Northwest Arkansas officials to address growth challenges with regional strategy 'But progress on the five critical actions identified in 2019 has been limited,' Jurado-Miller said in a press release. 'Challenges like clarity on legal parameters, limited funding, accessible resources, and unclear responsibility and accountability will require regional collaboration and a shared plan for creating the tools to build a better housing future.' Limited progress was also made on previously identified critical actions because many resources were focused on pandemic response efforts and development costs have increased, according to the report. Parts of Benton County are also being rebuilt after being struck by large tornadoes last May. Economic development has attracted people to Northwest Arkansas, but that trend could reverse if residents can't find affordable housing. Regional employers and employees have indicated housing 'is critical to economic competitiveness, workforce retention, and business growth,' according to the report. A recent nationwide survey found that 42% of employees have declined better job offers due to higher housing costs, the report states. 'Safe and affordable housing is critical infrastructure, essential to preserving the quality of life that makes Northwest Arkansas unique,' Burns said. 'Housing is a cornerstone of community stability and economic prosperity, and regional leaders will need to work together to adopt bold, collaborative measures to secure a sustainable future.' The full report is available here. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Action needed' calls report to address housing issues in Northwest Arkansas
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A report from the Walton Family Foundation has found increases in renting and housing in Northwest Arkansas, and calls for action in a Tuesday news release. An updated report of 'Our Housing Future' shows that there has been a nearly 50% rise in median rent for multifamily housing and a 70.9% increase in home prices in Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, and Springdale. 'Northwest Arkansas continues to face a growing housing challenge,' the release states. The 2019 report revealed that household income growth has not kept pace with rising rent and home prices in three of the four largest cities. Consequently, nearly 2,500 people, including over 1,000 children, lack permanent housing on any given night. Today, it is estimated that the region needs to have 9,300 rental units for low-income residents, up from the 7,100 estimated in 2019. Nearly 30,000 residents have to spend more than 30% of their income on housing costs. Fewer people's incomes were affected in 2019. 'While progress has been made in some areas, the challenges outlined in 2019 have only grown,' said Robert Burns, director of the Walton Family Foundation's Home Region Program. 'Our region is at an important juncture, requiring action to ensure affordable and accessible housing for all residents.' NWA 2050: School districts anticipate growth, seek millage increase The foundation is listing five action plans to help create affordable homes in the area. Establishing a regional housing vision including smaller, rapidly growing towns outside the four major cities – Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers and Springdale. Creating a housing trust fund Utilizing publicly owned land Leveraging federal and state funding Introducing development incentives to address the housing shortfall The area is at risk of losing 3,233 subsidized housing units by 2040 due to expiring federal subsidies, the report states. Housing authorities in the region still have long waitlists for housing assistance programs, totaling 472 in Siloam Springs (Benton County) and 304 in Springdale, leading the Springdale Housing Authority to close its waiting list. Per publicly available reports, the utilization of housing choice vouchers has decreased over the last five years. Local housing officials say public housing authorities are struggling to place families in units with low enough rents to qualify for federal voucher programs. Our Housing Future report states. Since 2019, cities have not offered any incentives to increase affordable housing in the area. The report states that there has been a 'lack of any regionwide housing policies and has limited housing policies at the municipal level.' Northwest Arkansas is expected to exceed 1 million by 2050, making it one of the 20 fastest-growing metro areas in the nation. 'Safe and affordable housing is critical infrastructure, essential to preserving the quality of life that makes Northwest Arkansas unique,' said Burns. 'Housing is a cornerstone of community stability and economic prosperity, and regional leaders will need to work together to adopt bold, collaborative measures to secure a sustainable future.' Read the full report here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Inside unique Georgian townhouse in Dumfries with colourful link to Robert Burns
Scotland's Home of the Year 2025 is entering its penultimate week with only one place left in next week's grand finale and this Georgian maisonette in Dumfries could be a contender. Scotland Home's of the Year 2025 is entering its penultimate week as judges Anna Campbell Jones, Banjo Beale and Danny Campbell visit three properties in the south as they continue their hunt to find the best property on the BBC programme. The three homes competing for the last available slot in next week's grand finale are a Georgian maisonette in Dumfries, an extended Victorian semi-detached property in Dalbeattie and a modernised U-shape home in Peebles. However, with just one place left in the Scotland's Home of the Year finale - which will be held at the House for An Art Lover in Glasgow - the three judges must decide which home out of the three will get their vote. The final episode kicks start with them exploring the historical Artful Townhouse in Dumfries which is proudly owned by Fiona Lee, who is a Development Officer at St. Michael Church in Dumfries and her husband Ben. The couple have lived at the home for seven years, stating that they were initially attracted to the architecture and generous proportion of the rooms. The architecture of this early 19th century Georgian maisonette is an art haven which celebrates a mixture of historical periods and characterful interior styles. The property dates from around 1820 and was first lived in by Dr. William Maxwell, who had been the friend and physician of Scottish poet, Robert Burns. The Artful Townhouse boasts a spiral marble staircase with a dome top, known as a cupola in architecture, which fills the home with light. The interior is described as "eclectic" with an "east meets west and vintage" style with a large amount of the furnishing inside reflecting Fiona's time spent living in Asia. Fiona added: "I enjoy art and my collection was largely built whilst running the Kirkcudbright Art Tour." Here we take a closer look inside this unique property which is a possible contender for next week's Scotland's Home of the year finale.. Daily Record Showbiz Newsletter Embeddable Solus More On Scotland's Home Of The Year BBC Robert Burns
