By Cara Sulieman MOURNERS have been slammed by the Church of Scotland for requesting cheesy songs at funerals. Reverend Ron Ferguson said popular tunes chosen for a loved-one’s funeral are part of a general disregard for death. He claims that families often want to keep the service jolly – even asking if the coffin can [...]
By Cara Sulieman A TAXI driver is taking his iconic black cab’s maker to court after his vehicle burst into flames. David Gillan had a dramatic lucky escape when his engine caught fire – and now he hopes to open a legal floodgate for hundreds of cabbies who have suffered similar problems. Clangers have blighted [...]
By Karrie Gillett THE Princess Royal has been given a guided tour of Edinburgh’s revamped City Chambers. Princess Anne was shown new stained glass windows at the building on the city’s Royal Mile before unveiling a plaque in the debating chamber. The Princess Royal – the Queen’s only daughter – was introduced to the architect [...]
By Paul Thornton A HEALTH and Safety Executive inspector has said he is “devastated” that a heating firm responsible for an asbestos scare was only fined £8,000. Jim Skilling said the penalty given to Lothian Heating Services Ltd (LHS) after they exposed three workers to the deadly substance was “no deterrent at all”. And he [...]
By Cara Sulieman A SINGLE mother has been told that her son cannot get a free bus to school anymore – because their house has “moved” 18 metres. Carole Woods is outraged that her 13-year-old son Matthew now has to pay for his bus fare after Fife Council said their house is now 18 [...]
By Paul Thornton A DRINK drive cop who smashed his car while almost three times the legal limit has been banned from driving. Gordon Glass, 45, crashed his Renault Clio into a barrier on a busy dual carriageway as he drove to Tesco to buy cigarettes. The former Lothian and Borders officer, who quit the [...]
Video by Oliver Farrimond A NEW book chronicling the life and loves of Scotland’s greatest poet has been launched in Edinburgh. The work – Between Ourselves – blends fact and historical fiction in an intimate account of Robert Burns’ infamous few months in Edinburgh. Author Donald Smith said: “We’re celebrating a very dramatic chapter in [...]
By Cara Sulieman CUSTOMERS at Pizza Hut had a shock at the weekend – when the restaurant ran out of dough and had to shut. Hungry shoppers had to rush to other cafés in the areas in a mad dash to get some food. A lonely sign on the front door of the Fountain Park [...]
By Cara Sulieman A SCOTTISH singer is set to hit the big time after her song was chosen to star on a popular TV programme. Amy Sawers’ Free Like The Sun will be featuring in the new series of Skins later this year. Her drummer Euan Henderson entered the song after a competition was advertised [...]
By Paul Thornton A LOOMIS security driver who pocketed over £5,000 of cash he was paid to pick-up from shops because he was struggling with mortgage repayments has avoided jail. John McPhee, 28, fudged collection forms detailing how much money he collected from Tesco and Woolworths stores before stashing the cash in his car. He [...]
By Alexander Lawrie THREE fit and healthy seal pups rescued from near death were released back into the wild yesterday. The seals, Glow, Ness and Lomond, finally tasted the freedom of the open water when they were released at Silver Sands, in Aberdour, Fife by the Scottish SPCA. The three seals were all born in [...]
By Alexander Lawrie THE VIEW’S lead singer Kyle Falconer has admitted he is “feeling the pressure” in the run up to the release of the band’s second album. Out on February 2, Which Bitch? features an unlikely duet between the Dundee rockers and Paisley pop star Paolo Nutini. The new material represents something of a [...]
By Alexander Lawrie FORGET about a romantic meal for two or handing your loved one a dozen red roses this Valentine’s Day. Because Scots lovers are being invited to throw their way to their partner’s heart – and win a brand new car in the process. One lucky romantic will win the £7000 motor if [...]
By Alexander Lawrie POLICE carrying out a routine drugs raid had a pleasant surprise – when they stumbled across a huge stash of cocaine, weapons and more than 10,000 counterfeit DVD’s. The Aladdin’s Cave of illegal goodies included the bags of coke, cannabis, swords, knives and a stun gun. During the search, cops also found [...]
By Alexander Lawrie FURIOUS parents have criticised school bosses for trying to cover up sicko headmaster Andrew Melville’s arrest – after the school janitor was ordered to buy up all the copies of the newspaper covering the story. The former head teacher was handed 150 community service order and was placed on the sex offender’s [...]
By Cara Sulieman A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD boy who refuses to eat has been living his whole life on a drip. Tyler Mill has been fed a solution of high-calorie milk through a tube during the night – because he won’t eat. Although there is nothing physically wrong with him, Tyler vomits every time food is placed [...]
By Cara Sulieman MOST of Britain’s singles are turning to the internet in search of a partner, a survey has revealed. Seven out of ten (68 per cent) of first dates find each other on the world wide web, and as a result have to spend more time preparing for their first encounter. And although [...]
By Cara Sulieman COUNCILLORS have been slammed after voting to give themselves BlackBerrys in a move that could cost taxpayers £37,800. North Lanarkshire politicians approved the move last week that will allow the 70 representatives to swap their current mobile phone for a shiny new BlackBerry. And the decision comes after a trial showed that [...]
By Cara Sulieman ELDERLY people in some of Scotland’s care homes are to be given their own healthy eating gurus. Staff in 50 of the country’s care homes have been trained to overhaul the dining experience for thousands of residents. And the group of health professionals are being dubbed “nutrition champions” as they set about [...]
By Cara Sulieman A SCOTTISH sailor is planning to break a world record later this year when he attempts to run a marathon in full combat gear. Craig McEwen is hoping to run the 26.2 miles of the London Marathon wearing his heavy boots, body armour and helmet. With his friend Myles Morson setting [...]