By Alexander Lawrie A LETTER written by Scots racing legend Jim Clark just 18 months before his death is set to fetch over £1000 at auction next week. Signed by Clark on his own personal notepaper, the letter is dated September 1, 1966 and in it the former World Champion exclusively reveals his plans to [...]
By Alexander Lawrie A NINETEENTH century piano once played by Fredric Chopin is spooking guests and staff at a historic Scottish country home. Visitors, staff and even guest’s pet dogs have been left trembling as the ‘haunted’ piano plays by itself during the night. And while residents are tucked up in bed and staff go [...]
By Michael MacLeod FOUR tiny ducklings left abandoned in freezing conditions have been hailed as a “miracle” The baby birds are making a surprise recovery after being found shivering outside a health centre in Perth on Tuesday. Stunned Scottish SPCA inspectors say they have never heard of ducks being born in late October – up [...]
By Alexander Lawrie SCOTTISH movie The Wicker Man has been voted one of Britain’s top ten horror films of all time. The classic cult movie is set on the island of Summerisle, and tells the story of a Christian police officer in search of a missing young girl. The residents of the [...]
By Kate Smail TWO pals claim to have captured mysterious ghostly images on their mobile phones after an unsupervised visit to a graveyard dubbed the most haunted in Scotland. Damien Kielty and Steve Greenwood were in what is considered the spookiest graveyard in Scotland – the covenanters’ prison in Edinburgh’s Greyfriars Kirkyard. The pair felt [...]
By Alexander Lawrie COASTGUARDS had to laugh when flashing red and white lights in the sea caused panic – but turned out to be a birthday message in the shape of a model boat. An off-duty police officer reported he could see three of the strange lights off the beach at Staffin Bay [...]
By Kate Smail TWO Gladiators faced their fiercest competitors yet yesterday (THURS) – a group of ladies from the WRI. Tornado and Enigma arrived at a tiny hall in Selkirk in the Scottish Borders to put the elderly women through their paces in an active aerobics class. The group – aged up to 85 years [...]
By Kate Smail THE stakes are high at casinos around the country this week – thanks to the release of the latest James Bond flick. Quantum of Solace will hit screens today (Friday) and casino bosses are rubbing their hands in glee at the increase in custom in the run up to the [...]
By Paul Thornton A FOUR-YEAR-OLD boy crossed a busy dual-carriageway himself and wandered for over half a mile after he was left home alone. The youngster was spotted by concerned drivers who stopped to check he was okay when they saw him walking down the side of a road. Police were called, [...]
By Michael MacLeod A BUNCH of red roses is on its way to Chick Young – from the team of MSPs who kicked him off the park during a charity football match. A cheeky peace offering was made after MSP John Park left the BBC TV pundit worried he had a broken ankle. Park’s Labour [...]
By Michael MacLeod ARMED gangsters in Halloween masks kidnapped and held a teenager hostage after a drugs deal backfired. Terrified Aaron Hunter, 16, was bundled into the back of a 4×4 by thugs from Glasgow at lunchtime on Friday because they thought he knew about a £100,000 drug deal paid for by counterfeit cash. He [...]
By Paul Thornton A COUNCIL worker who was sacked after being caught with hundreds of indecent images of children on his home computer has been jailed. Sick Kevin Glancy, 45, was employed as a social worker with the Children and Families unit of the City of Edinburgh Council. But he was sacked after it emerged he [...]
By Alexander Lawrie AN INJURED tortoise is about to experience her first winter without hibernating after being attacked by the family dog. Gertrude, a 35-year-old Spur Thigh Tortoise, was set upon in her garden by her owner’s pet Labrador, Hamish. After suffering cuts and bruises which required stitches Gertrude is now recuperating [...]
By Alexander Lawrie A MENTAL health nurse has been struck off the nursing register after he jabbed his finger into an elderly patient’s face while shouting at him. James Fraser, 54, was working at the Udston Hospital in Hamilton when he lost it with a dementia-sufferer he was meant to be caring for. He [...]
By Paul Thornton HIBS star Filipe Morais has been charged with assault following an alleged Friday night Casino bust-up. The Portuguese striker has been banned from entering Maxims in Edinburgh’s York Place following the claims that he assaulted a doorman. It is claimed Morais – who has scored twice in 36 appearances for the Hibees – [...]
By Douglas Walker CANNY divorcees are taking advantage of record high gold prices and selling off their wedding rings to beat the credit crunch. One jeweller has received more charms in a fortnight than during the last decade with its own staff even trading in their unwanted items. The demand has led to shops extending [...]
By Michael MacLeod THE View’s baby-faced frontman Kyle Falconer was refused a drink because of his boyish young looks. The pint-sized rocker – who was fined £1000 for cocaine possession last year – had to race to his tour bus to find his passport when bar staff questioned his age. Kyle tried to point out [...]
By Alexander Lawrie BRAVE Borders men have stripped off for a calendar shoot to raise money for their village hall. Farmers, posties and footballers all agreed to pose in the buff, and were seen removing their uniforms in the name of art in various parts of Greenlaw last week. The calendar – [...]
By Alexander Lawrie A PAINTING described as “one of the most important Scottish portraits to be offered at auction this year” sold for almost £300,000 at auction yesterday (Thu). Art collectors from around the world descended on Edinburgh to bid for the rarely seen 18th century self-portrait of celebrated Scots artist Allan Ramsay. [...]
By Karrie Gillett Conservative party leader David Cameron visited Glenrothes today to show his support for the party’s candidate in the upcoming by-election. Mr Cameron joined Scottish leader Annabel Goldie and candidate Maurice Golden in discussions with local business leaders before addressing the press. Mr Cameron insisted the party was committed to helping [...]