Opinion

Fraser Lynes explains why Cruden Homes' age-exclusive development is a new example of a low-carbon-footprint community. When it comes to finding the perfect home, everyone has their own list of essentials, whether that’s a home office, proximity to transport links, space for family get-togethe

Immigration experts Jamie Kerr and Alex McLean provide some practical information on how the construction sector can benefit from the expansion of the Shortage Occupation List. In an attempt to address skills and labour shortages in the construction sector, a new report has recommended a number of c

Brian Gallacher, FCIOB, is the chairman and business development director at Pacific Building, a construction and fit-out business operating across Scotland. He has been a CIOB member for more than 30 years, and a Fellow for more than 20 of them, and says his FCIOB status gives his clients confidenc

Scottish Land Commissioner Sally Reynolds explores the importance of realising community benefits when setting out the relationship between nature finance and communities in Scotland's just transition to net zero. To achieve our net zero ambitions, the way we’re using land in Scotland is chang

The Spring Budget included an announcement of real potential benefit to the UK construction industry for the recruitment of overseas skilled workers. Mark Templeton, director at law firm Anderson Strathern, unpacks what it means for businesses. In his Spring statement, chancellor Jeremy Hunt announc

New Clyde Gateway chief executive Martin McKay outlines his future vision for the area, particularly in relation to achieving net zero, and reveals how the green transition also presents an opportunity for job creation, economic growth, and sustainable development, whilst addressing climate cha

Chris Dougray, executive director at CBRE Scotland, provides his take on whether rent controls are a good or bad thing for the housing market. Over the last four decades, the number of homes in Scotland has increased by 34% to 2.65m (in 2020). Within the Scottish housing market, 15% of househol

To mark Stress Awareness Month 2023, accredited employment law specialist Laura Salmond considers the duty of employers and offers tips on identifying and managing work-related stress. Saturday 1st April marked the beginning of Stress Awareness Month 2023. An estimated

BDP architect and principal Christoph Ackermann explores the impact Scottish architecture has on global design. The proud architecture of Scotland has always reflected social movements, imitated prevailing ideas and influenced design trends across the world. Today, Scottish architecture has to work

Neil Kirk discusses the unintended consequences of rent freezes in Scotland, which have negatively impacted tenants, caused a shortage of rental properties, and deterred investment in the residential property sector. During a cost-of-living crisis, it might be difficult to feel sympathy for landlord

For the monthly SCN column from the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Emma McKay shares information about the organisation’s CIOB Assist programme.

Jo Gilroy, group sustainability director at Balfour Beatty, shares an update on the company’s ongoing journey towards the Zero Carbon Construction Site of the future at the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh. We have some exciting news to share. For the first time on a live Balfour Beatty site, w

FMB’s Scotland director Gordon Nelson welcomes a recent initiative on construction quality and shares the latest on licensing the construction industry. Quality and high standards. Easily said, much harder to practice and consistently deliver across and within the construction industry. Both a

Guy Marsden examines how the rise of energy prices has forced businesses to bring forward investment into net zero technology and how Clyde Gateway's first Green Regeneration Innovation District will deliver Scotland's most innovative heating and cooling to existing and future offices at Magenta Bus

The launch of the Construction Quality Improvement Collaborative (CQIC) is a proud moment for Scottish construction and shows how far the sector has come in tackling attitudes towards error and quality control, says Cliff Smith. It's been six long years since the Edinburgh Schools problems, which tr