Scotland & Alcohol

Letter of the Day 📨

A fairer way to charge more for alcohol amid minimum price increase
There has been a lively debate on our Letters Pages over the past week on the topic of alcohol sales, sparked by the Scottish Parliament’s decision to raise the minimum unit price from 50p a unit to 65p - a reader has a solution

MSPs on a Holyrood committee have been urged to increase the minimum unit price (MUP) on alcohol to 65p.

MSPs on a Holyrood committee have been urged to increase the minimum unit price (MUP) on alcohol to 65p.

3

Expert urges MSPs to increase alcohol minimum price as change goes to vote

Sober And Curious alcohol-free wine tasting in Edinburgh

Sober And Curious alcohol-free wine tasting in Edinburgh

Scotland & Alcohol

Sober social? This alcohol-free wine tasting is making me feel quite drunk

Catriona Stewart's father died of alcohol abuse but his life - and death - were never spoken about

Catriona Stewart's father died of alcohol abuse but his life - and death - were never spoken about

Scotland & Alcohol

7

Catriona Stewart: Why does my father's death from alcohol cause me so much shame?

Glasgow Sheriff Court is hosts one of Scotland's alcohol courts

Glasgow Sheriff Court is hosts one of Scotland's alcohol courts

Scotland & Alcohol

How a specialist Scottish court is helping accused fight addiction and avoid prison

John Gillespie is one of the resident's of Glasgow's Managed Alcohol Programme

John Gillespie is one of the resident's of Glasgow's Managed Alcohol Programme

Scotland & Alcohol

21

Inside the Glasgow treatment programme giving alcohol to alcoholics

Empty alcohol bottles after a Scottish football match

Empty alcohol bottles after a Scottish football match

SCOTLAND & ALCOHOL

Scotland & Alcohol

1

Is 'out-of-date' alcohol legislation causing binge drinking and drug use in football?

Experts say that tackling Scotland's alcohol harms will require action on affordability, availability, and marketing – not just minimum unit pricing

Experts say that tackling Scotland's alcohol harms will require action on affordability, availability, and marketing – not just minimum unit pricing

Scotland & Alcohol

5

Beyond minimum unit pricing: Did it really work – and what else should we be doing?

Stromness in Orkney was once 'dry' but the community did not react well to a hotel turning alcohol-free

Stromness in Orkney was once 'dry' but the community did not react well to a hotel turning alcohol-free

SCOTLAND & ALCOHOL

Scotland & Alcohol

16

'Would I offer drugs?’: The 'dry' hotelier who faced backlash on Scottish island

Fraternity parties are loud, chaotic scenes where alcohol and underage drinking reign supreme.

Fraternity parties are loud, chaotic scenes where alcohol and underage drinking reign supreme.

Scotland & Alcohol

Alcohol in Scotland is a complicated issue, but at least there are no frat boys

Scotland & Alcohol

'It's time for Scotland to talk about alcohol the way we do mental health'

Annemarie Ward of FAVOR (Faces and Voices of Recovery)

Annemarie Ward of FAVOR (Faces and Voices of Recovery)

Scotland & Alcohol

16

'Middle-class virtue signalling' is contributing to Scotland's alcohol problem

An employee arranges bottles of sparkling wine at a supermarket in Moscow

An employee arranges bottles of sparkling wine at a supermarket in Moscow

Scotland & Alcohol

1

How Russia ditched vodka and hit the beers to address its alcohol problem

Lobbying: Scotch whisky prepares for a change at the top

Lobbying: Scotch whisky prepares for a change at the top

Scotland & Alcohol

Scotch whisky industry prepares for a Labour government

Herald journalist Vicky Allan with her friend Vroni Holzmann, left

Herald journalist Vicky Allan with her friend Vroni Holzmann, left

Scotland & Alcohol

Scotland & Alcohol

4

Why middle-aged Scots are struggling to give up their beloved booze

Naica Illies says Germany's relaxed alcohol laws 'have not caused her harm'.

Naica Illies says Germany's relaxed alcohol laws 'have not caused her harm'.

SCOTLAND & ALCOHOL

Scotland & Alcohol

"I know my limits because I started drinking early': German teens and alcohol

David McColgan, 38, is among a growing number of adults in Scotland who are giving up alcohol by choice, and crediting the rise of zero-alcohol beers for making it easier

David McColgan, 38, is among a growing number of adults in Scotland who are giving up alcohol by choice, and crediting the rise of zero-alcohol beers for making it easier

Scotland & Alcohol

'I didn't have a problem with alcohol – but I've never felt better since quitting'

Adam Dempsey at Max Kolbe outdoor event, from The Ripple Effect by Anna Deacon and Vicky Allan

Adam Dempsey at Max Kolbe outdoor event, from The Ripple Effect by Anna Deacon and Vicky Allan

Scotland & Alcohol

Scotland & Alcohol

2

Young, sober and Scottish. The Gen-Zs and Millennials seeking alcohol-free kicks

A server balances beers at Germany's Oktoberfest. Beer is an important part of the country's culture

A server balances beers at Germany's Oktoberfest. Beer is an important part of the country's culture

SCOTLAND & ALCOHOL

Scotland & Alcohol

'In Scotland you are addressing your alcohol problems — unlike here in Germany'

Kevin McKenna at Buckfast Abbey

Kevin McKenna at Buckfast Abbey

Scotland & Alcohol

Buckfast Tonic Wine

1

Tonic wine and endangered bats: Kevin McKenna on the hunt for the real Buckfast

Minimum Unit Pricing captures the SNP’s deep loathing for Scotland’s working class communities

Minimum Unit Pricing captures the SNP’s deep loathing for Scotland’s working class communities

Scotland & Alcohol

8

Kevin McKenna: Minimum unit pricing for alcohol doesn't work and hammers the poorest

Mary Glasgow, Chief Executive of Children 1st

Mary Glasgow, Chief Executive of Children 1st

Scotland & Alcohol

Scotland & Alcohol

'A widespread and largely hidden harm' - the effects of adult alcohol use on children

Dougal Sharp, Innis & Gunn

Dougal Sharp, Innis & Gunn

SCOTLAND & ALCOHOL

Scotland & Alcohol

2

Scottish drinks trade at loggerheads with campaigners on advertising

Simon Erlanger of Isle of Harris Distillers

Simon Erlanger of Isle of Harris Distillers

Scotland & Alcohol

Highlands & Islands

1

Can whisky offer an economic lifeline for Scotland’s island and rural communities?

Minimum Unit Pricing risks inflicting pain for only theoretical gains

Minimum Unit Pricing risks inflicting pain for only theoretical gains

Scotland & Alcohol

10

Minimum Unit Pricing risks inflicting pain for only theoretical gains

'You are noticing the transformation of The Macallan estate – there’s lots of different things that are happening up there'

'You are noticing the transformation of The Macallan estate – there’s lots of different things that are happening up there'

Scotland & Alcohol

Scotland & Alcohol

6

Scottish tourism toasts whisky's growing contribution to visitor numbers

MUP is aimed at those who drink at hazardous levels, says Rebecca

MUP is aimed at those who drink at hazardous levels, says Rebecca

Minimum unit pricing

3

Rebecca McQuillan: Minimum alcohol unit pricing does save lives

Kevin McKenna and his friend, Thomas Lenaghan at Lauders in Glasgow city centre

Kevin McKenna and his friend, Thomas Lenaghan at Lauders in Glasgow city centre

Scotland & Alcohol

1

The lost joy of daytime drinking and the end of a Scottish drinking culture

The alcohol industry is promoting new products aimed at the young

The alcohol industry is promoting new products aimed at the young

Buckfast Tonic Wine

Letters: We must counter the alcohol industry's campaign to woo young people

Theatres make money from drink sales

Theatres make money from drink sales

Scotland & Alcohol

2

Herald poll: Should Scottish theatres sell alcohol?

Monica Lennon with a picture of her dad, Gerry Ward

Monica Lennon with a picture of her dad, Gerry Ward

Scotland & Alcohol

1

Monica Lennon: I had to ban my dad from my wedding over his drinking

Liam Mehigan, operations director for Abbeycare, said its residential rehab in Erskine is seeing an increase in publicly-funded referrals for treatment. However, a recent PHS evaluation found that, nationally, beds have increased by just 32 since 2021

Liam Mehigan, operations director for Abbeycare, said its residential rehab in Erskine is seeing an increase in publicly-funded referrals for treatment. However, a recent PHS evaluation found that, nationally, beds have increased by just 32 since 2021

Scotland & Alcohol

1

Recovery crisis: Rehab beds up by just 32 in three years amid alcohol deaths toll

Rod Anderson, now a recovery coach, has been sober for more than a decade after hitting 'rock bottom' due to alcoholism

Rod Anderson, now a recovery coach, has been sober for more than a decade after hitting 'rock bottom' due to alcoholism

Scotland & Alcohol

1

'I was completely clueless about recovery – I thought you just stopped drinking'

The King's Theatre in Glasgow, where comedian Adam Kay had an unwelcome dressing room guest

The King's Theatre in Glasgow, where comedian Adam Kay had an unwelcome dressing room guest

Scotland & Alcohol

Scotland & Alcohol

'If my wife wasn't here, I'd punch you': Has pressure to sell booze ruined theatre?

'I came to realise that embracing a power beyond myself was not merely appealing but essential'

'I came to realise that embracing a power beyond myself was not merely appealing but essential'

Scotland & Alcohol

Addiction, recovery and 12 steps to breaking the cycle in Scotland

SNP call on Chancellor to create no-VAT 'mini enterprise zones' to help pubs and bars

SNP call on Chancellor to create no-VAT 'mini enterprise zones' to help pubs and bars

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SNP call on Chancellor to create no-VAT 'mini enterprise zones' to help pubs and bars

Find every article from our Scotland & Alcohol series

Find every article from our Scotland & Alcohol series

Scotland & Alcohol

Scotland & Alcohol

4

Scotland & Alcohol: Find every article in the series here

'I’m not ashamed to say the central purpose of our whisky business is joy'

'I’m not ashamed to say the central purpose of our whisky business is joy'

Scotland & Alcohol

Scotland & Alcohol

'I’m not ashamed to say the central purpose of our whisky business is joy'

Christina McKelvie has spoken of the challenges of her new role tackling Scotland's alcohol misuse issues

Christina McKelvie has spoken of the challenges of her new role tackling Scotland's alcohol misuse issues

Scotland & Alcohol

Scotland & Alcohol

60

Scotland's new alcohol minister on the country's relationship with booze

What we drink, where we drink, how much we drink - and why. Scotland's drinking habits have changed dramatically in recent decades

What we drink, where we drink, how much we drink - and why. Scotland's drinking habits have changed dramatically in recent decades

Scotland & Alcohol

Scotland & Alcohol

1

Scotland's changing relationship with alcohol: In six charts

The availability of alcohol and attitudes towards its consumption have transformed in Scotland over the past 70 years

The availability of alcohol and attitudes towards its consumption have transformed in Scotland over the past 70 years

Scotland & Alcohol

Scotland & Alcohol

2

How did we get here? A short history of Scotland's changing drinking culture

Alcohol consumption in Scotland, and the rest of Britain, has soared in recent decades while falling on the Continent

Alcohol consumption in Scotland, and the rest of Britain, has soared in recent decades while falling on the Continent

Scotland & Alcohol

Scotland & Alcohol

11

Think Scotland has always been Europe's problem drinker? These graphs will shock you

'Join us for drinks and fun': the mantra of my university days, and beyond

'Join us for drinks and fun': the mantra of my university days, and beyond

Scotland & Alcohol

5

I'm a health correspondent – but if I'm honest, I've had a lot of fun binge drinking

A new five-day series launching on Monday will delve into Scotland's complicated and changing relationship with alcohol

A new five-day series launching on Monday will delve into Scotland's complicated and changing relationship with alcohol

Scotland & Alcohol

Scotland and Alcohol: The Herald series starts on Monday