Edinburgh hooker Dave Cherry is given a surprise start as Stafford McDowall replaces injured captain Sione Tuipulotu at inside centre for Scotland's opening Six Nations match against Italy on Saturday.

Reporting Scotland presenter Sally Magnusson is to stand down from the programme after 27 years. The journalist and author joined the news programme in 1998, when it was broadcast from the BBC Scotland's former headquarters in Glasgow's Queen Margaret Drive. She will continue to present until April and then work with the BBC as a freelance.

Dave Cherry is a surprise starter for Scotland's Six Nations opener at home to Italy on Saturday. The Edinburgh hooker and Bordeaux lock Jonny Gray both earn their first caps in two years, while Stafford McDowall replaces injured captain and Glasgow team-mate Sione Tuipulotu at inside centre.

Scotland lock Jonny Gray will make his first Test appearance for nearly two years after being named in the starting team for Saturday's Six Nations opener at home to Italy.

One rail route north of the border remains closed following damage caused by the severe conditions last Friday.

Adventure doesn’t stop after dark in Scotland, from twilight kayaking along the River Tay to pitch-black bungee jumps in the Highlands.

Scotland is bracing for a deep freeze this February, with temperatures expected to plummet as low as -7C and forecasts warning of up to 29cm of snowfall. After weeks of freezing conditions and powerful storms, there’s little respite ahead, as more wintry weather looms on the horizon.

Culture secretary Angus Robertson said 251 organisations will share more than £200 million over the next three years.

Between 260 to 390 prisoners will be eligible for release under the latest move to tackle overcrowding in jails.

Scotland’s record try scorer Duhan van der Merwe is back in full training in a boost ahead of the country’s opening Six Nations Championship clash against Italy at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Head coach Gregor Townsend has named his matchday 23 for Scotland's opening Six Nations encounter against Italy at Murrayfield.

Film legend Harrison Ford is the star of a new worldwide ad-campaign for Glenmorangie Highland single malt Scotch whiskey. The campaign comprises a series of episodic movies.