With strong winds and heavy rainfall, Storm Chandra swept across the UK from 26 to 27 January, washing up seven puffins and two auk — a small seabird found in the North Sea — on the shore of West Sands beach. All nine birds were found dead, and the West Sands Ranger Service worked to collect the bodies shortly after they were discovered.  This phenomenon is not unique to St Andrews. Following the past few weeks of extreme weather conditions, puffin birds have been found, both injured and...

Dame Anne Pringle has been elected to serve as the new Chancellor of the University of St Andrews after winning the majority vote of support against candidates Lord Mark Sedwill, Lady Walmsley, and Dame Barbara Woodward. A total of 5,210 votes were cast out of the University’s 7,000 registered alumni and senior staff, yielding a high voter turnout of over 73%. Succeeding the late Lord Campbell of Pittenweem, Pringle is the first woman in the University’s 600-year history to hold the office of...

Rape Crisis Scotland Chief Executive Sandy Brindley steps down After working for 24 years at the charity, Chief Executive Sandy Brindley announced her imminent resignation from Rape Crisis Scotland. Alev Taylor has been appointed interim Chief Executive while the charity considers long-term hires. Brindley has been pivotal in combating sexual violence within the UK, spreading awareness of the issue, and contributing to legal action. Notably, she was involved in a campaign to prevent boxing...