Strikes and rising bills pose headache for Scottish independence campaign

Nicola Sturgeon faces challenges as she aims to persuade voters that Scotland should go it alone

As the cleanup of the litter-strewn streets of Edinburgh began on Tuesday morning after the conclusion of a punishing 12-day strike by refuse workers, one residence did not trouble those tasked with removing the piles of bursting bin bags.

Nicola Sturgeon's official residence, Bute House, like other Scottish government buildings, was not affected by the waste backlog, which has been deemed a public health hazard across the city. Rubbish at Bute House is collected by a private waste removal firm, it emerged last weekend. The news added another unflattering optic to growing criticism of the first minister's handling of escalating nationwide strike action.