Office park secures major tenant

28 July 2011 Last updated at 18:21 GMT Sepa is taking an entire block at Maxim on a 20-year lease The struggling Maxim office park in Lanarkshire has been given a major boost with the announcement it is to let an entire block to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa).

The agency is taking the 60,000 sq ft 'Maxim 6' building on a 20-year lease.

The move will allow Sepa to run several of its operations under one roof.

Maxim park was saved from financial collapse only a few months ago by the sale of Lloyds Banking Group debt to an American private equity investor.

The debt restructuring involved Cerberus Capital Management, a New York-based investment house.

The park, which offers 750,000 sq ft of office and retail space across 10 buildings on a prominent site by the M8 motorway, opened in 2007 but has secured few tenants until now.

David Gebbie, from commercial property asset managers Arisaig Property Partners, said the recent financial restructuring of Maxim had allowed Sepa and Maxim to achieve a leasing deal that previously could not have been achieved.

He added: "Both Maxim and Sepa have economically benefited from a review of the original terms without impacting the actual net present value of the lease.

"The news is a great boost for Maxim and the Lanarkshire area."

Sepa will relocate 350 staff to the office, including 200 from East Kilbride - where they are closing down two neighbouring offices - and others from Stirling and Perth as well as scientific staff from Edinburgh.

Sepa's headquarters will remain in Stirling.

Sepa chief executive Campbell Gemmell commented: "I am extremely pleased to be able to announce that Sepa has secured an excellent new facility, which will not only mean more efficient and effective environmental protection for Scotland, but which also provides better value for money for the taxpayer.

"It will provide the operational base for our regulatory teams for west central Scotland, an excellent working environment for several related national functions and a brand new, first class laboratory facility."

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Barrier call for level crossings

28 July 2011 Last updated at 23:45 GMT The rail regulator said high risk crossings should be fitted with barriers or closed The railway regulator has called for barriers to be fitted to more than half of Scotland's open level crossings.

A Rail Accident Investigation Branch safety review said some crossings should close completely if Network Rail could not install automatic barriers.

The review was prompted by a crash in Caithness in 2009, when three members of the same family died after driving onto an ungated level crossing.

Scotland has 23 open crossings, and 21 of these are in the Highlands.

The regulator said more than half of these, including the site of the 2009 crash at Halkirk, posed a high risk to drivers and should be fitted with barriers.

Two crossings at Ardrossan are also in need of upgrading, it claimed.

Network Rail said it was implementing a substantial programme of activity, aimed at reducing the level of risk by a quarter by 2014.

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Man, 80, in eight-peak challenge

30 July 2011 Last updated at 11:27 GMT Lorne Brown will be 80 three days before the climbs begin A man from Cumbernauld is to attempt eight climbs in eight days in the Italian Dolomites, just three days after his 80th birthday.

Lorne Brown intends to scale the dramatic heights using the Via Ferratas or "iron roads" on 2 September.

These will take him up overhanging cliffs and precipitous slopes to the high and most dangerous parts of the Dolomites.

He will be raising money for Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.

By a coincidence the charity is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year.

A Via Ferrata is a mountain route which is equipped with fixed cables, stemples, ladders, and bridges to assist climbers.

Allowing only eight days for the eight climbs, in what he terms the "8x8 challenge", Lorne hopes to raise ?8,888 for the guide dog charity.

'Bit daunted'

Each day he will have to walk and climb about 3,000 feet (900m) - the height of a Munro - to get to the start of each Via Ferrata.

He will then don a safety helmet, harness, karabiners and safety kit before clipping on to the first cable and setting off.

Mr Brown, who lives in Dullatur, explained why he was doing the climbs for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

"If we didn't have guide dogs all these people would be sitting at home going nowhere," he said.

"A dog can take them out and help them take part in everything that is going on."

He added : "I'm a little bit daunted by the challenge but I wouldn't do it unless I thought I could do it.

"I've been going to the gym three days a week and climbing once or twice a week to make sure my muscles and stamina get stronger."

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Prison term for 'callous' conman

29 July 2011 Last updated at 10:55 GMT At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Tyre said Kenneth Tait was 'cold' and 'callous' A conman who preyed on vulnerable women for cash has been jailed for six years and four months after a judge condemned his "cold, calculated callousness".

Kenneth Tait, 44, from Manchester, duped a series of women out of a total of ?155,229 in Edinburgh and at Glencare, Perth, between 2000 and 2007.

One victim even agreed to sell her home under extreme pressure from him.

He was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh after earlier admitting carrying out three frauds and a theft.

Outside the court, nurse Lesley Munro, 54, from whom he stole ?104,160, said: "I am relieved. He literally stole everything.

"I am here for all the other victims. It is a brilliant outcome. Yes, I have lost my house, I have lost everything but he has got justice now."

Lord Tyre told Tait he would have faced an eight-year prison term for his crimes, but for his guilty plea.

The judge said he took into account the length of time over which he perpetrated his crimes and the determination with which he pursued them and the severe effect on the victims.

"The degree of cold, calculated callousness which you exhibited to these women, who looked to you for friendship and love, is shocking," he told Tait.

The court heard Tait at first appeared "charming, affable and very supportive" of his targets including those who had left unhappy relationships.

But once he gained their trust he engaged in "a ruthless campaign to get funds" using emotional blackmail, claiming he was in danger or ill, and offering financial incentives alleging he had lucrative investment opportunities.

Marriage proposals

The court heard he appeared to wield huge influence over some victims and had no qualms about leaving them "financially and emotionally wrecked".

Tait had originally faced a further 12 charges involving a total of 10 people and in excess of ?300,000, but the Crown accepted his not guilty pleas to those charges.

He married in 2002 but separated from his wife in 2006.

During the marriage he engaged in relationships with other women who he duped into believing he was single or separated. He asked two of them to marry him.

He claimed to work as a self-employed private investigator, but failed to keep up his registration with his professional body and there were no records of him working in a full-time capacity since 2003.

Tait, a registered bankrupt, was caught after his sister went to police and named others she believed had been conned by him.

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Burnt-out flat 'draws tourists'

29 July 2011 Last updated at 10:20 GMT Books are still stacked in the shelf on the wall of the destroyed flat A town centre building left gutted by a fire has become an unlikely draw for photographers.

Clothes store CeeGees and the flat above on Crieff High Street, Perthshire, were destroyed in the blaze on 7 June.

The building was demolished following the fire, but a shelf - complete with books and melted hi-fi - remains fixed to the second-floor wall.

An intact mirror and fireplace also appear suspended above the rubble.

A window with a blind and pelmet - seemingly untouched by the blaze - can be seen on the far wall as well, next to a framed print.

Locals said there was a regular stream of people stopping to take pictures of the strange sight, many of them posting their shots on photo-sharing websites.

The debris from the demolition is expected to be cleared soon

Steve Rodgers, who owns the Pretoria Bar opposite the destroyed building, said: "It's a daily occurrence. You see tourists and locals with their cameras. It's becoming quite an attraction for folk.

"I think it's the mirror above the fireplace that people like."

A man and woman had to be rescued from the flat above the shop during the blaze, which closed the main road through Crieff for several hours.

A local shopworker, who did not want to be named, said it was "upsetting" that the building was being constantly photographed.

He said: "To call it a tourist attraction would not be fair. It's an eyesore on the High Street. It's become quite depressing to look at.

"You can see a bookshelf and mirror still fixed on the wall and I can see why people would take pictures of it. But it's someone's life in ruins. It's sad."

Traffic has remained restricted through the centre of Crieff since the fire almost two months ago because of the debris from the demolition.

A spokesman for Perth and Kinross Council said the authority had been informed by the building's owner that the rubble would be cleared soon.

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Asbestos concern in factory fire

30 July 2011 Last updated at 08:45 GMT Firefighters have spent most of the night tackling a blaze at a linen factory in Fife.

They were called to the premises of Peter Greig & Co, in Kirkcaldy's Clair Street, at about 23:00 on Friday.

A spokesman for Fife Fire and Rescue said a decontamination team was brought in because of fears about asbestos.

The fire was eventually extinguished with the aid of an aerial rescue pump, and firefighters using breathing apparatus and a thermal image camera.

The extent of damage to the building is not yet known.

Fire crews in Fife were also called to fire at a derelict church in Dysart.

When they arrived at about 04:00 the building, Barony Church in Norman Road, was reported to be "heavily smoke logged".

The fire was extinguished and the building was ventilated.

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Probe into Don crossing purchases

28 July 2011 Last updated at 14:54 GMT A public inquiry has been called into the potential use of compulsory purchase orders for the planned third River Don crossing in Aberdeen.

The local authority has had long-held plans to build a bridge linking Tillydrone and Grandholm.

Many people own property along the way, and Transport Scotland said a hearing would be held in response to the number of objections.

The council said the inquiry would not consider the crossing plan itself.

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: "Due to the volume of statutory objections received, this matter is being dealt with by way of a Public Local Inquiry.

"As such, the case has now been passed to the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals to make arrangements for the inquiry.

"The scheme remains the responsibility of Aberdeen City Council and it is a matter for them to work towards resolving these objections."

The aim of the crossing is to improve access to the north of the city.

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Gers fail with new Goodwillie bid

By Jim Spence
BBC Scotland Goodwillie is understood to be attracting the interest of 10 clubs Dundee United have rejected a third bid from Rangers for David Goodwillie, but the striker will not be moving to Blackburn.

Rangers' latest offer for the 22-year-old is believed to be around ?1.6m, plus ?600,000 in add-ons.

That is ?600,000 less than Blackburn offered on Friday.

The English top-flight outfit had hoped to conclude a deal on Saturday, but that move is now off after Goodwillie failed to agree personal terms.

United had ageed a fee of ?2m up front with ?800,000 in add-ons with the Ewood Park side on.

A second bid from Rangers had been rejected on Friday, with the player's agent at that time concentrating on the Blackburn deal.

"We have not been given permission by Dundee United to speak to any club yet, so at the moment we are waiting on that permission being given," agent Liam O'Donnell told BBC Scotland.

Blackburn's initial bid of ?1.7m had been rejected earlier on Friday, but the English Premier League club came in with a fresh offer later in the evening.

It is understood that a sell-on clause, which has been included in the deal with the club managed by fellow Scotsman Steve Kean, could net United substantially more than the ?2.8m figure.

Continue reading the main story Made Dundee United debut in 2005 at the age of 16Scored first goal for the club shortly before 17th birthdayFinished season 2010/11 with 19 goalsMade Scotland debut against Faroe Islands in March

Ten clubs had expressed an interest in Goodwillie after a rape charge was dropped this week against the product of United's youth system.

And United chairman Stephen Thompson insisted all along that he would not accept any less than his ?2m valuation for the player.

Ahead of Blackburn's improved offer, United manager Peter Houston stressed: "I've said all along and I'll repeat it - if somebody comes in and offers the money we think is due, he'll be away. As simple as that.

"What they'll be getting is a guy who can score goals in the Premier League for fun, a strong player, a guy who might well soon get international recognition.

"As far as I'm concerned, we're not asking over the top for David Goodwillie - for a guy who scores 20-odd goals a season."

Rangers boss Ally McCoist had revealed on Friday that he remained keen on the player.

However, Houston has previously warned Goodwillie against a move to Glasgow because of the media spotlight there and suggested that the striker himself would prefer a move to English football.

Goodwillie earned his one and only Scotland cap in November against the Faroe Islands and, earlier this week, national coach Craig Levein said he will consider bringing the striker back into the national team set-up now that the rape charge was no longer a factor.

For Levein's Scotland assistant, Houston, the likely confirmation of Goodwillie's transfer will mean he can progress his own plans to strengthen a squad depleted by several summer departures.

Houston has stressed that he needed the cash boost from another exit from Tannadice to fund his own moves in the transfer marker.

"I need to bring some players in, but the only way I'm going to bring players in is if David or any of our players move on," he said.

"At this moment in time, I have to wait. It's status quo for me at the moment."

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Fire murder police in email hope

29 July 2011 Last updated at 15:13 GMT The deaths of eight-year-old Bridget and 21-year-old Thomas Sharkey are being treated as murder Police investigating a deliberate house fire which killed a man and his young sister have set up a dedicated email address for their murder inquiry.

Thomas Sharkey, 21, and eight-year-old Bridget died following the blaze at their home in Helensburgh on Sunday.

Their parents, Thomas snr, 55, and 46-year-old Angela, remain in a critical but stable condition in hospital.

Police said they set up the email address and an extra phone number after a "huge response from the public".

Parents survived

The fire at the Sharkey family home in Helensburgh's Scott Court broke out at about 05:00 on Sunday.

Thomas Sharkey Jnr died in the blaze, while his sister Bridget died later in hospital.

Angela and Thomas Sharkey are being treated at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, where Mrs Sharkey has still to be informed of her children's deaths.

Angela and Thomas Sharkey are being treated at Glasgow's Royal Infirmary

The officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Chief Inspector Anne McKerchar, said officers had been "really encouraged by the response from the public who are clearly appalled at this cowardly and despicable crime".

"We are continuing to conduct door-to-door inquiries and are following a number of lines of enquiry," she said.

"We have always said that the key to this investigation will be someone in the community who knows who did this and the people in Helensburgh have responded to our call in great numbers.

"That's why we're setting up an additional phone line and dedicated email address.

"I continue to urge the public to come forward with information, it could be that small piece of information which completes the jigsaw and helps us catch the person or people who did this."

The additional number for people to call is 01389 822162. The dedicated email address is: operationendeavour@strathclyde.pnn.police.uk

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High earner wage rises criticised

28 July 2011 Last updated at 10:20 GMT A pay freeze was agreed earlier this year in order to avoid compulsory redundancies Senior executives at a Scots council have received pay rises at the same time as hundreds of lower ranking staff accepted a wage freeze, it has emerged.

Annual accounts for Scottish Borders Council reveal the salary increases for many of its top earners.

Unite union regional organiser Ian McDonald said it was an "intriguing and highly unfair way of sharing the pain".

Council leader David Parker said the difference was due to national negotiations which had taken place.

In March this year the GMB, Unite and Unison unions agreed to a three-year deal in order to help save the authority nearly ?5m.

The agreement was reached for workers earning more than ?21,000-a-year in return for a promise of no compulsory redundancies among union members during the same period.

However, figures for 2010/11 posted on the council's website show that high ranking officials still received large increases in wages from the previous year.

Outgoing chief executive David Hume saw his salary rise to ?123,008 from ?119,531 in 2009/10.

'Substantial increases'

Director of resources Tracey Logan picked up ?101,039 compared with ?96,470, while education chief Glenn Rodger and social work director Andrew Lowe also got rises of more than ?2,000.

Mr McDonald said: "Most employees in SBC had a pay rise of 0.65% in 2010, zero in 2011 and will get zero in 2012 which, with current and projected rates of inflation, is effectively a pay cut.

Continue reading the main story

I have already hard-pressed council tax payers asking about the massive pay outs that some employees are getting at SBC”

End Quote David Paterson Hawick councillor "Yet 107 already highly-paid officers get substantial increases in pay.

"It is an intriguing and highly unfair way of sharing the pain."

Hawick councillor David Paterson also criticised the situation.

"A loaf of bread costs the same for an ordinary employee as it does for a chief officer," he said.

"I have already hard-pressed council tax payers asking about the massive pay outs that some employees are getting at SBC."

Mr Parker said the difference in pay awards to staff in 2010/11 was due to different national negotiations that took place.

He explained: "Teachers and chief officers received a high rate of pay increase because they were in the final year of a three-year deal.

"A similar pay increase and three-year deal had been offered to all other staff but the unions representing them rejected that offer and chose to go for one-year agreements instead, which ultimately led to them receiving a worse deal than the one they had been offered and rejected three years previously."

Depute leader Alec Nicol added: "As part of the deal signed with the trade unions in March, we ensured over 2,000 staff - mostly women - earning less than ?21,000 per year were entitled to their normal incremental progression in 2011/12.

"Also over 600 employees - again mainly female staff - are to benefit from the establishment of a 'living wage' of ?7.15."

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BSkyB gives £1bn to shareholders

29 July 2011 Last updated at 12:52 GMT BSkyB chief executive Jeremy Darroch: "We've invested a lot in terms of what we put on screen and people like that"

Satellite broadcaster BSkyB is returning ?1bn to shareholders angered by the recent fall in share prices.

Its shares have fallen sharply in the past month after News Corporation abandoned its bid for BSkyB amid the phone-hacking scandal.

The company said it had gained 426,000 customers over the past year.

Operating profits, excluding earnings from non-core activities such as investments, rose 23% to ?1.07bn, while pre-tax profits fell 15% to ?1.01bn.

On Thursday, BSkyB's board confirmed that James Murdoch would stay on as company chairman, despite the phone-hacking scandal at News International, a News Corporation subsidiary where Mr Murdoch is also chairman.

Continue reading the main story BSkyB chief executive Jeremy Darroch told BBC News he did not think Sky's broadcasting licence was at risk, regardless of what the investigations into News International and News Corporation found.

"The licence is held by the company (BSkyB) and the company is controlled by a majority of independent directors at board level," he said.

"We have got strong systems of control and strong standards right throughout Sky. It just makes me even more determined to ensure that they stay in place."

BSkyB is raising its dividend 20% to 23.28 pence per share and has announced a ?750m share buyback.

This should help to placate shareholders, as the value of their shares has fallen 15% since in the past month.

Triple-play Continue reading the main story

One member of the board told me that the decision to back Mr Murdoch could not be seen as being forever. If evidence were to emerge that damaged the credibility of Mr Murdoch then the board would have to reconsider whether he needed to stand down.”

End Quote Robert Peston Business editor, BBC News BSkyB increased its customer base by 426,000 in the year to give it a total of 10,294,000 subscribers.

Average revenue per customer grew ?31 to ?539.

One of the key targets for media companies at the moment is persuading customers to subscribe to more of their products, combining fees for television access with services like broadband internet access and landline telephone services.

"Critically, they've put on a 37% increase in triple-play, that's people who take pay-TV, telephone and broadband," said Steve Hewlett from BBC Radio 4's Media Show.

"That's the holy grail - that's what everyone is after, and they've now got 27% of their customers, 2.8 million people, taking all three services."

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Councils set for bus lane powers

27 July 2011 Last updated at 23:19 GMT By Magnus Bennett BBC Scotland news website Three Scottish councils have requested powers to enforce bus lane restrictions New laws granting local authorities powers to enforce bus lane restrictions could be in place by the end of the year, it has emerged.

Transport Scotland has confirmed it is working on draft legislation for decriminalising bus lane offences.

It is understood the proposals could be ready to be put to the Scottish Parliament from the autumn.

The move follows a consultation process launched after approaches by Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen councils.

The councils stand to raise considerable sums from the introduction of the secondary legislation as it would mean they, rather than central government, could collect revenue raised from bus lane penalties.

Currently, fixed penalty notices for bus lane offences are handed out only by the police.

'Maximum benefit'

A Transport Scotland spokesman said: "The consultation period has now completed and work continues to progress the legislation aspect of the bus lane enforcement regulations.

"We anticipate the regulations being made by the end of the year."

Continue reading the main story

Civil enforcement will allow the city to better respond to the problems created by the abuse of lanes by the minority of drivers”

End Quote Jim Coleman Glasgow City Council Glasgow City Council has already approved in principle taking over camera enforcement in bus lanes.

It expects to raise ?250,000 a year, after operating expenses, if the change is approved by parliament. The council said any money raised would be re-invested in transport-related projects.

Last year, Strathclyde Police issued 3,455 fixed penalty notices for bus lane infringements in the Glasgow area.

Jim Coleman, Glasgow City Council executive member for land and environment, said the council had invested heavily in public transport and was committed to ensuring "maximum benefit" for passengers, other road users and the city.

He added: "To do that, we have to ensure the valuable facilities we have provided are able to be used efficiently and for many years now have sought powers to deal with bus lane enforcement which is, perhaps understandably, not a policing priority.

"Civil enforcement will allow the city to better respond to the problems created by the abuse of lanes by the minority of drivers who inconvenience thousands of travellers and threaten safety."

'Enhanced efficiency'

Aberdeen City Council said it welcomed the news that substantial progress was now being made in finalising the necessary secondary legislation governing the civil enforcement of bus lanes.

A spokesman said: "We have been pressing the Scottish government and Transport Scotland for several years to complete the paperwork and hope that Scottish parliamentary scrutiny of the draft legislation towards the end of this year throws up no last-minute snags.

"Decriminalisation will allow the city council to take over enforcement from the police and exert tighter controls on misuse of the bus lanes."

He added: "The city council has made a substantial investment in the bus lane network to help deliver reliable public transport.

"Stricter enforcement will enhance the efficiency of the bus lanes by reducing delays to buses and improving bus journey reliability."

Earlier this year, Edinburgh City Council launched a tender for five portable cameras in the expectation of legislative changes.

The authority said the cameras would allow the city to enforce "known problem sites" more efficiently while freeing up police resources.

It expects to break even on the expected initial ?293,000 capital cost of the cameras within a few years.

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Fletcher wants Smith at Man Utd

By Chick Young
BBC Scotland Fletcher and Smith first worked together when the former Rangers boss was assistant manager at Manchester United. Manchester United's Darren Fletcher says Walter Smith could be a future manager of the club.

The Scotland captain says he is impressed by Scottish coaching invasion of England's top division, and thinks Smith could return to England.

"Walter Smith would be a fantastic manager for any club in England and I mean any club," Fletcher told BBC Scotland.

"I think he deserves to be at a big club because he is that good."

Speaking exclusively to Sportsound on BBC Radio Scotland, Fletcher revealed that he thinks the former Rangers boss could replace Sir Alex Ferguson.

"He still has a lot to give and when Sir Alex eventually retires I would even love to see him at Manchester United. He would be a great replacement," Fletcher said of the 63-year-old who spent a spell as assistant manager at United in 2004.

"I would urge anyone down here looking for a manager to take him. I was delighted to hear that when he left Rangers he wasn't retiring from the game."

"Walter is just a fantastic manager, I have so much respect for him.

"My first experience of him was when he came to Manchester United as assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson and then of course with Scotland where he did a fantastic job.

"He put us in a great position to qualify.

"He is a great manager but I saw the other side of him as an assistant and he was brilliant at that.

"He took some great sessions at training and the Manchester United boys loved him.

"He was a breath of fresh air and that side of him was something I didn't really expect."

And Fletcher is pleased that the reputation of other Scottish managers is growing south of the border.

"Our coaches are really making an impact on the game in England and everyone has huge respect for them.

"The lads in our dressing room think it is the accent.

"People seem to pay attention when a Scots voice barks orders.

"There is something demanding about the Scottish accent," says Fletcher.

"Maybe one day I will be among them. I am doing my coaching badges now and some time in the future, you never know."

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Toxic drug seized in Fraserburgh

29 July 2011 Last updated at 08:56 GMT A highly-toxic class-A drug - which was the subject of a recent police warning after being linked to deaths - has been seized in Fraserburgh.

Grampian Police said a dealer quantity of ParaMethoxyMethylAmphetamine (PMMA) had been recovered.

The force said it was a white, solidly-compressed powder, similar in appearance to crack cocaine.

It is suspected it may have been supplied to users as either ecstasy or amphetamine.

'Extremely concerning'

Insp Andy Imray, substance misuse co-ordinator for the force, said: "It is very worrying that this drug has been found in the region. It has been linked with deaths in mainland Europe.

"Very little is known about this drug and the variety of forms it has been detected in is extremely concerning.

"Users of any controlled or uncontrolled substance, not only those taking recreational drugs, need to be alert to the presence of PMMA and the very serious risks it presents to their health and wellbeing."

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Levein happy with World Cup draw

Levein would rather have avoided Wales, despite Scotland's Carling Nations Cup win in May. Craig Levein says he's happy with Scotland's World Cup draw, after being paired with Croatia, Serbia, Belgium, Wales and Macedonia.

There are no minnows, with Wales, who have beaten the Scots twice in three meetings, the lowest-ranked team.

But the Scots missed being drawn with major nations like holders Spain, Italy, Germany and England.

"It could be a lot worse," the Scotland manager said.

""With every draw like this there will be a lot of homework to be done on our opposition - and I am not going to try and make predictions at this early stage.

"However, I am confident that this squad has the talent and the collective determination to succeed but we will have to work hard.

"Belgium was probably the toughest team we could have drawn from pot three and in Serbia and Croatia we have drawn two very accomplished teams and all of these games will provide a very tough challenge for my squad."

Croatia are the top seeds in the group and they will face Balkan derbies with Serbia and Macedonia.

Scotland, who had gone into the draw among the fourth seeds, would have been hoping to have come out of the hat with the likes of Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Andorra or San Marino from the pot six.

Instead, they face British Isles rivals Wales, who Craig Levein's side defeated 3-1 the last time they met in May.

However, the Welsh manager, Gary Speed, had been denied a number of his top players for that Carling Nations Cup meeting in Dublin.

And the Scots have lost 3-0 and 4-0 on their last two visits to the principality, in 2009 and 2004 respectively.

Levein said: "I would have rather avoided Wales because obviously it brings in that home international rivalry, which we probably could have done without.

"We have recent good experience of playing Wales, when we won against them over in Dublin recently, but also not so long ago we lost 3-0 to Wales, so it's a bit of a mixed bag.

"But I look at that group Wales were in and I don't think there's any doubt there are other teams in there I would rather have played."

The Scots might have preferred to have faced Norway or Greece from the group of top seeds.

Scotland drew 1-1 with Croatia in a 2008 friendly match

However, they missed being drawn with Spain, England, Netherlands, Germany, Portugal and Italy - and their record against Croatia is a good one.

The Scots have yet to lose after three meetings and three draws, the last being in a 2008 friendly.

From pot two, Levein's side also avoided potentially the most difficult opponents in France and instead will face Serbia for the first time.

"There is no coincidence that Croatia are in pot one and Serbia pot two," said Levein, who admits he does not know much about either of those sides.

"A lot of people don't maybe know an awful lot about them, but it's not a lottery - they have had to earn their places.

"They've obviously had very good results in competitions recently. We have to give everybody their due respect.

"Some of the dangers are that when people don't see a Spain or a Holland or an England come out in pot one, they think 'oh, that's an easy team to play against' without knowing the strengths of the opposition.

"That's something I have to get up to speed with very quickly.

"I know a bit about Belgium - they're improving, in particular with regard to the younger age groups - and Macedonia we have recent experience of."

The Scots have a poor record against Belgium, but the two sides have not met since Craig Brown's side lost 2-0 in Brussels to end their World Cup qualifying hopes in 2001.

Macedonia are the second lowest ranked side in Group A, but a 1-0 defeat in Skopje seriously dented the Scots' 2010 World Cup qualifying hopes despite a 2-0 win in the reverse fixture.

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Man dies after car strikes bridge

30 July 2011 Last updated at 14:33 GMT A 19-year-old man has died after the car he was driving collided with a railway bridge in Fife.

Fife Police said the accident involving a Citroen Saxo happened at about 09:45 on Station Road in Lochgelly.

The road has been closed while officers investigate the collision. They have appealed for any witnesses to make contact with them.

The identity of the man who died will not be released until next of kin have been informed.

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Search for new 2014 Games chief

29 July 2011 Last updated at 10:31 GMT John Scott resigned after breaking the rules on accepting hospitality and gifts Organisers of Glasgow's Commonwealth Games have begun a worldwide search for a new chief executive following the resignation last month of John Scott.

John Scott stood down after accepting, but failing to declare, an offer from a potential supplier.

His replacement will be appointed by a nominations committee, comprising Glasgow 2014 chairman Lord Smith and members from partner organisations.

The salary will depend on the experience of the individual selected.

Track record

Lord Smith said: "We have started our global search to get the best candidate possible to deliver an athlete centred, sport focused Commonwealth Games.

"With three years to go, we need someone with a proven track record at an international level and passion for sport.

"We are starting with an open book here and will consider anyone from home or away who meets the criteria.

"We want the best for Glasgow and the best for Scotland, and that's why we're looking as far and wide as we can to bring the best person to the table to make Glasgow 2014 the success we want it to be."

Short-listed candidates will be invited to take part in an interview process before the final decision is made by the nominations committee.

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Zara Phillips marries in Scotland

30 July 2011 Last updated at 14:55 GMT Mike Tindall and Zara Phillips emerge from Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh The Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips has married England rugby player Mike Tindall at a ceremony in Edinburgh.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were among those at the wedding in Canongate Kirk on a sunny Royal Mile.

Hundreds of well-wishers lined the streets for Scotland's first royal wedding in almost 20 years.

Prince Charles and Camilla, Prince William and Catherine, and Prince Harry were also attending the ceremony and reception at Holyroodhouse.

The Reverend Neil Gardner welcomed guests up the Royal Mile, including the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.

The bride's dress, an ivory silk and satin gown, was designed by Stewart Parvin, one of the Queen's favourite couturiers. This was accompanied by a veil, tiara and Jimmy Choo shoes.

It is Scotland's first royal wedding in almost 20 years

The doors of the Canongate Kirk were closed to the press and public, but hundreds of well-wishers gathered in Edinburgh's Old Town to watch the arrival and departure of the Royal Family.

After the ceremony the couple emerged arm-in-arm, stood on the steps to the entrance to the 17 Century kirk and shared a kiss.

The newlyweds arrived back at the palace as the Royal Scots Association pipe band played.

Among the crowds who turned out for the day was Jackie Rushton, 48, from Yorkshire, who told BBC Scotland: "I just love anything to do with the Royal Family, I'm a big fan, I have great respect for them."

Another well-wisher, Margaret Kittle, 76, travelled from Winona in Canada to see the wedding.

She said: "I've come to all the royal weddings since Princess Anne and Mark Phillips' wedding.

"I like to come to the weddings and all the royal occasions that I can, because the Queen is queen of Canada."

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Zara Phillips is believed to be setting a royal precedent by not taking the surname of Mike Tindall.

Even when they marry commoners, Royal brides have always adopted the family name of their partners.

When Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones, daughter of Princess Margaret and the Earl of Snowdon, wed Daniel Chatto in 1994 she took on his name.

Zara's decision appears to be based on the fact she wants to preserve her sporting persona and business interests.

The former equestrian world champion is known throughout the sport as Zara Phillips and she has signed a number of deals which help fund her sporting interests.

Other guests included Prince Andrew and his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

The private afternoon ceremony will be followed by a reception at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

The couple hosted a pre-wedding party on the royal yacht Britannia, which is moored in Leith, on Friday night.

They had previously attended a rehearsal for the ceremony at the kirk with the bride's parents, Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips.

Princess Anne's second marriage, to Timothy Laurence, was the last Scottish royal wedding in 1992.

Zara, 30, will keep her maiden name when she marries. It is understood this is because of her sporting career in equestrianism.

Mr Tindall, from Otley in Yorkshire, plays for club side Gloucester and has been capped more than 60 times for his country.

He invited some of England's best-known rugby players to the wedding.

He and best man Iain Balshaw were part of England's winning 2003 rugby World Cup squad in Australia, where the couple were introduced by Zara's cousin Prince Harry.

Lothian and Borders Police said they had been working with the Palace and Edinburgh City Council to ensure the event's smooth running.

Supt Ivor Marshall, who is the Silver Commander responsible for overseeing security arrangements, said the kirk's location, close to both the Scottish Parliament and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, yet set on the busy tourist hub of the Royal Mile, presented unique challenges.

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Rail services get back to normal

29 July 2011 Last updated at 11:40 GMT Engineers worked through the night to get the train removed Trains in and out of Edinburgh's Waverley station, disrupted by a derailment, have returned to normal.

An empty train came off the tracks as it was passing through the Princes Street Gardens cutting on Wednesday night.

The carriages were removed overnight and the tracks reopened following an inspection.

The work was carried out after the majority of the services on Thursday's emergency timetable had run.

Network Rail said it had re-opened all four rail lines in Princes Street Gardens at about 04:30.

Disruption had been expected to continue until Saturday.

Rail investigation

A ScotRail spokeswoman said: "We are pleased to be able to fully re-open all four affected rail lines a day earlier than originally advised."

Nick King, spokesman for Network Rail, told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme engineers had managed to get onto the line at about 21:00 on Thursday.

The train was being moved when it slipped off the tracks, blocking the line

"We switched off the electricity to the power lines above the train and we were able to bring in a special vehicle which we used to jack up the bogeys that came off the rails," he said.

He added that engineers were then able to put the train back onto the rails allowing it to drive away.

"Because we got the works done quicker than expected we were able to bring forward the track and points repairs that were required," he said.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has been examining the site of the derailment.

The empty train was being moved from Cowdenbeath to Edinburgh Waverley station when it came off the tracks.

Neither the driver nor conductor were injured.

Network Rail apologised for any inconvenience caused to passengers and said the investigation into the cause of the derailment was ongoing.

Following the derailment, services to the west and north of Edinburgh had been terminating and starting at Haymarket Station instead.

Buses also operated between Waverley and Haymarket until end of service on Thursday night.

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New bid in ambulance 'break' row

29 July 2011 Last updated at 22:10 GMT A dispute is ongoing between the Scottish Ambulance Service and staff over meal breaks The Scottish Ambulance Service is expected to table a new proposal next week to resolve a dispute with its crews over breaks.

Unions have rejected an offer of a one-off payment and overtime if staff are called out during a meal period.

The row is centred on unpaid rest breaks taken by crews.

It follows a case in October last year where a woman died in Tomintoul despite there being a local ambulance driver less than half a mile away.

He was on a break and paramedics had to be dispatched 15 miles away in Grantown to the case of Mandy Mathieson, 33.

She died from a heart attack in the remote Moray village of Tomintoul in October 2010.

A few months later, a three-year-old boy died near Crieff in Perthshire while the local ambulance crew was on a rest break. The crew was not told there was an emergency nearby.

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The Scottish Ambulance Service suggested they were planning to put forward a written response early next week, containing fresh proposals on the subject”

End Quote Harry Donaldson GMB regional secretary Employers had been offered an annual payment of ?250 and 45 minutes compensatory overtime to provide cover during mealtimes, but union members from the GMB union, Unite and Unison turned it down.

Representatives from the three unions, the Scottish Ambulances Service and the government met in Edinburgh on Friday and there were indications a new solution would be out to the unions next week.

GMB regional secretary Harry Donaldson said: "There doesn't seem to have been a great deal to come out of the meeting. But the Scottish Ambulance Service suggested they were planning to put forward a written response early next week, containing fresh proposals on the subject."

However, an ambulance service spokesman said the meeting was "very constructive".

He said: "The Scottish Ambulance Service remains committed to working with staff to achieve a resolution to the rest-break issue."

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said she was "encouraged" by the meeting.

She said: "I have been clear that current arrangements for handling rest breaks in the ambulance service cannot remain in place. I am encouraged by the positive meeting held today and pleased to see that dialogue is ongoing. All parties are aware of the need to find a satisfactory resolution as quickly as possible."

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Woman fined for assault on leader

29 July 2011 Last updated at 12:38 GMT John Stewart was assaulted in Aberdeen's Kirkgate Bar A woman who assaulted former Aberdeen City Council leader John Stewart in a pub as he was "cheeky" has been fined.

Council employee Sally Farrer, 37, hit Mr Stewart in the Kirkgate Bar, near the council headquarters, on 3 March, when he was leader.

Lib Dem Mr Stewart - who announced in June he was stepping down - was injured in the attack.

Morgue worker Farrer admitted the offence at Aberdeen Justice of the Peace Court and was fined ?160.

Fiscal depute Kelly Mitchell said Farrer approached Mr Stewart and told him she was unhappy with her living situation.

The court heard Mr Stewart gave Farrer advice and contact details for her local councillor.

However, the fiscal depute said Farrer returned to the bar almost six hours later and attacked Mr Stewart.

She said: "The accused punched him twice on the face, shouting 'you had no intention of helping me'.

"She was banned from the premises and police were called."

Defence agent Ian Merideth said: "She remembers being under the impression that the complainer had said something that she found quite cheeky and lashed out at him.

"She accepts that this is unacceptable."

Farrer was also handed an exclusion order banning her from the bar for three months.

She declined to comment as she left court.

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Regular flying ends at RAF base

31 July 2011 Last updated at 02:30 GMT RAF Kinloss was home to Nimrod surveillance aircraft Regular flying operations are coming to an end at RAF Kinloss.

Aviation facilities will be maintained until the RAF leaves the Moray station in 2013.

Defence Secretary Liam Fox announced earlier this month that nearby RAF Lossiemouth will be the only air base retained in Scotland.

Kinloss, along with RAF Leuchars in Fife, will become a base for the army as a result of changes Mr Fox described as a "coherent long-term strategy".

RAF Kinloss was home to Nimrod surveillance aircraft before all of those stationed there were retired in 2010.

The overall effect of the moves announced by the defence secretary will be to increase the number of service personnel based in Scotland.

At the time of the announcement, Mr Fox said: "The overall package I have announced today is good news for our armed forces and means that they can look forward to the future with renewed confidence."

RAF Kinloss began life in 1939 as a pilot training school.

It had been constructed in less than a year, as Britain prepared for the looming conflict in Europe.

Links with the local community were marked in 1962 by the station being given the freedom of the burgh of Forres, the first military unit to have been given the honour in the burgh's 1,400 year history.

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Council leader denies 'assault'

29 July 2011 Last updated at 15:38 GMT Derek Milligan has been the leader of Midlothian Council for more than four years An alleged assault by Midlothian Council leader Derek Milligan on a man in a social club is being investigated by the police.

The local authority's leader has strongly denied the allegations which are understood to have been made by a 40-year-old man.

Police said they were investigating an incident which took place at Bonnyrigg Rose Social Club on Monday.

The club said it had CCTV cameras and was helping the police investigation.

A police spokesman said: "Lothian and Borders police can confirm that they have received a report of assault which occurred during the early hours of Monday, 25 July outside the premises of Bonnyrigg Rose Football Club.

"Inquiries are continuing."

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Snooker club will be demolished

29 July 2011 Last updated at 14:27 GMT Parts of Victoria Road have been closed off for safety reasons A snooker club in Glasgow's south side is to be demolished after suffering a roof collapse on Thursday night.

Building control officers decided that The Q Club, in Victoria Road, should be taken down on safety grounds after assessing the damage.

Specialist machinery is being brought in from Ayrshire and work is expected to get under way on Friday.

Part of the road remains closed and some flats in front of the club have been evacuated.

A spokeswoman for Glasgow City Council said: "Safety is paramount. Residents evacuated from flats in front of The Q Club can not be allowed to return to their properties until the demolition is complete and their homes deemed safe.

"Victoria Road will also remain closed between Calder Street and Cuthbertson Street while the work takes place, as will Kingarth Street between Victoria Road and Pollokshaws Road. Diversions are in place."

No-one was in the snooker club at the time of the roof collapse and there were no casualties.

Emergency services were called to the scene on Thursday at about 18:00.

Gas and electricity workers were also called in.

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Death threat man gets eight years

29 July 2011 Last updated at 11:27 GMT A man who threatened to kill two former work colleagues in Aberdeenshire and illegally held a gun has been jailed for eight years.

Former heroin addict Joseph Russell, 31, was found guilty of the offences which were committed in Peterhead.

Russell was also found guilty of being concerned in the supply of the Class B drug amphetamine.

He was jailed at the High Court in Edinburgh, where Lord Pentland said they were "serious" offences.

The judge said he regarded the conviction for possessing a pistol, which was in working order, along with ammunition "as very troubling in view of your criminal propensities".

Defence solicitor advocate George Mathers said: "It has to be accepted that the combination of drugs, threats, guns and prohibited ammunition make this a matter of the utmost seriousness."

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