By Christine Lavelle A TODDLER who trapped her pinky finger in a door had to be rescued by firemen after she locked herself, mum and baby brother in a bedroom. Elspeth McDiarmid, who turns two tomorrow, went to say hello to her mum, Christina, as she breastfed two-week-old Archie in their home at Easter Road, [...]
By Michael MacLeod A TODDLER who drowned after falling into a garden pond will be laid to rest on Saturday in what his parents hope will be a celebration of his life. Little Charlie Berry, three, died at Edinburgh’s Sick Kids Hospital after toppling into water while visiting a house in Murrayfield, Edinburgh. Medics tried [...]
By MARTIN GRAHAM HEARTLESS thieves have left a Scottish family ?devastated? after eight rare ducks were swiped from a pen in their garden. The four breeding pairs of Khaki Campbell ducks were looked after by 13 year-old Stewart Thornley, who raised them from eggs. Police fear the fowl were stolen to order and are calling [...]
By Martin Graham BOLLYWOOD landed in Fife this week as the cast and crew of the Indian movie ?Mausam? descended on RAF Leuchars near St Andrews for two days of filming. After filming across Edinburgh?s New Town, Portobello Cemetery, New College and the former Crolla?s store in Newhaven, the entire operation shifted over the Forth [...]
By Martin Graham A MAN who sparked a four-hour stand-off with armed police after a knife rampage has been ordered to do 80 hours of community service. Denim MacLeod, 28, left the walls of his girlfriend’s flat dripping with blood after cutting himself with a serrated kitchen knife. A neighbour fled the flat in terror [...]
By Christine Lavelle TWO unhappy tourists had their motorbikes stolen – leaving them with a loss of over £20,000 – after they were left unsecured in a guesthouse car park. A grey and silver BMW worth £15,000 and a black Yamaha worth £8,000 were taken from outside the guesthouse on Minto Street, Edinburgh. Both bikes [...]
By Michael MacLeod EDUCATION secretary Mike Russell has been accused of losing focus of the Scottish education system and having “far too much fun” in his job. The SNP minister was criticised for making transatlantic visits to the likes of whisky events, a golf tour firm and a visit to Apple’s HQ in California. His [...]
By Christine Lavelle SCOTTISH Secretary Michael Moore got to grips with some fake hands today as he visited the country’s most successful prosthetic limb company. The Lib Dem MP was treated to a tour around Livingston’s Touch Bionics, which specialises in making lifelike and functional hands for patients with lost limbs. He said he wasn’t [...]
By Martin Graham A HORSERIDING equipment firm which was placed into administration as part of the Slumberdown Group closure has been saved after being bought over. But there is little good news for former Slumberdown employees in Hawick, with administrators Ernst and Young merely saying that they are “still speaking to interested parties” about the [...]
By Oliver Farrimond A FURIOUS pensioner is suing her local council after one of its trucks destroyed her mobility scooter. Nancy Smith, 74, was making her way from her home in Millgate, Winchburgh, when the cleaning truck reversed into her scooter. She feared she would be crushed to death by the comparatively huge yellow truck, [...]
By Christine Lavelle LIVE 8 legend Midge Ure was on hand to help launch a new business initiative in Scotland, aimed at creating ‘world class’ entrepreneurs. Footdown is a support mechanism for those looking to start their own business, which offers advice to even the most experienced in industry. The project began in 1988 in [...]
By Christine Lavelle THE BIGGEST project in Edinburgh Airport’s 33 year history was declared officially complete today. The new departure lounge, which cost over £40m and took two years to extend, has doubled the size of the security hall and created space for new retail facilities, restaurants and seating. The overhaul means the airport will [...]
By Michael MacLeod BAY City Rollers star Pat McGlynn is being taken to court over an unpaid £15,000 bill for a house refurbishment. The guitarist refused to pay his local council after what he claims was “a cowboy job” refurbishing one of his homes in Edinburgh. He compared the six-year stand off to his former [...]
By Cara Sulieman A HOTELIER who was accused of smashing a glass over the head of an American tourist has been found not guilty of the attack. William Preston was charged over the incident last August but today (Weds) a jury decided that the 58-year-old didn’t carry out the violent attack. But he still faces [...]
By Michael MacLeod SAINSBURY’S have put the brakes on their home deliveries in Edinburgh – because they don’t want to get stuck in traffic jams during the city’s Festival. The supermarket giants claim summer-long road closures and diversions will spoil their “high standards” and result in a bad service, although rivals Asda and Tesco will [...]
By Martin Graham CARS could soon get the green light to drive in Edinburgh’s West End again – if council bosses finally agree to lift current tram restrictions on health grounds. Motorists have been banned from Shandwick Place since the controversial works began, forcing cars down side streets. Residents living nearby claim their health has [...]
By Cara Sulieman A MAN harassed his ex-girlfriend by breaking into her flat and pestering her with hundreds of phone calls, text messages and letters. Christopher Fowler, 27, admitted breaking into home of his ex Catherine Southcott just days after the pair broke up. He went on to subject her and her mother to a [...]
By Martin Graham A CHURCH of Scotland boss told an employment tribunal today how a member of staff had had ‘burst into tears’ because she was so upset about the risk of losing her job. Kenneth Ross was giving evidence at the tribunal raised by Patricia Johnston, 57, from Sauchie, Alloa, who is is claiming [...]
By Christine Lavelle THE world’s longest tapestry was unveiled today at a private preview for the 200 Scottish volunteers who helped create it. Stitchers from all over the country arrived to see their panels of work finally combined, together telling the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s early campaign. It measures 104 metres and consists of more [...]
By Oliver Farrimond Police are hunting a sex attacker after a teenage girl was subjected to a serious sexual assault in West Lothian. The 17-year-old girl was attacked on the B7010 Fauldhouse to Longridge just before 2am on Saturday morning. Police have issued a description of the attacker, and are appealing for information from anyone [...]