First Glimpse of New Glasgow Hospitals

The £770 million building plans of Greater Glasgow National Health Service will transform health care in the city over the next seven years. And to encourage patients and staff who are still struggling with facilities which were first created in Victorian times, computer generated pictures have been published of some of the new hospitals which are to be built. The plans have been controversial as they will reduce the number of accident and emergency facilities in the city from five to just two (for a population, including peripheral suburban areas, of 600,000). The new £235 million Southern General Hospital will be redeveloped and will open in 2008, but will not be fully operational until 2011. It will transform a hospital which first opened in 1872. Many of the existing buildings cannot be altered as they are listed because of architectural importance. So these structures will become administration blocks. Work has already started on a new cancer care facility at Gartnavel to replace the cramped facilities at the Beatson unit at the Western Infirmary; this is due for completion in 2006.

Labour Struggling in the Polls

The regular opinion polls of voters' intentions are now assuming more significance as the date of the election for the Scottish Parliament (May1) looms closer. In 1999, Labour took 39% of the "First Vote" (which is for 73 local constituencies where the candidate with the largest vote wins outright). That figure has fluctuated during the last four years. But as a result of the unpopularity of the Labour Party due to Tony Blair's stance on war with Iraq, that has dipped, according to the NFO/System 3 poll in the Scotsman, to 34% (though that is up on last month). On the "Second Vote" (which is for 56 seats under a "regional list system" - a form of proportional representation) Labour has fallen from 34% in 1999 to 27% this month. While the Scottish National Party has gained on the constituency vote, it is the Scottish Socialist Party (with a violent anti-war policy) which has gained most on the Second Vote. The Conservatives have also lost support, though that has been a steady decline, if more rapid in recent months due probably to their support of Tony Blair on the Iraq issue. If the poll results are translated into seats, the Scottish Socialist Party would have 10 Members of the Scottish Parliament - the same number as that predicted for the Conservatives (who currently have 19 MSPs).

New Era for Glasgow's Council Housing

After five years of argument and debate, the publicly owned housing administered by Glasgow City Council was transferred this week to the new not-for-profit Glasgow Housing Association (GHA). Over 81,000 houses are involved and the new body has an investment programme of £1.4 billion over the next ten years. This will be one of the largest public sector housing modernisation projects in Europe. GHA will also spend £7 million more each year on maintenance than the City Council allocated last year. Local housing organisations will be set up to ensure that the voices of the local communities are heard in running their homes.

£375 Million For Capital Tramcars

The Scottish Executive has awarded Edinburgh City Council £375 million to help build a new tram car network in the city. The scheme, which could be running by 2009, could include a metrolink service to Edinburgh Airport. The Transport Minister, Iain Gray, announcing the cash allocation, says that it would pay at least for the first phase of the tram route, linking the city centre with Leith, Newhaven and the Waterfront development area. Edinburgh City Council hope that it will also pay for a tram service to the airport. Edinburgh abandoned tramcars in 1956 because routes were inflexible and, as they ran in the middle of the road, they were a hazard and delay to other road users.

Scottish Politicians Hold Back on Tartan Day

The involvement of Scottish politicians in this year's Tartan Day events around 6 April in the US is being constrained by the parliamentary elections in Scotland on May 1. The Scottish National Party has already objected to members of the Scottish Executive being involved as they claim it would bolster the image of the government. Lord Watson, the minister for culture, is still likely to attend the New York celebration and Helen Liddell, the Scottish Secretary in the Westminster Cabinet is also attending. It has been stressed that support from political and business leaders in Scotland is still strong, even though attendance will be reduced.

New Parliament Flushed With Success

The toilets in the new Scottish Parliament building in Holyrood will be flushed with water from ancient springs from below the building, rather than the public water supply (which is treated to the same standard as drinking water). It is estimated that this will save 10.5 million litres of mains supply water at a saving of over £10,000 a year. The parliament will also use its own supply of water for the cooling system. The area in which the new parliament is being built was once called Watergate as it supplied much of the water for the old city of Edinburgh. But somehow, Watergate doesn't have quite the same ring these days....

Greenspace Scotland

A new body was launched this week - on Glasgow Green - to focus on developing open spaces such as rivers, canals, parks and derelict land so that all residents in towns and cities have green spaces within a 15 minute walk. Work is already underway to create nature trails in the Castlemilk local authority housing scheme and waste areas in the east end of Glasgow are being cleared and new pathways being built. The illustration here is over Glasgow from one of its many parks.

Pole Position

Scottish Executive plans to address Scotland's declining population include a drive to attract talented immigrants to boost the economy. A glossy information pack about Scotland and its quality of life will be circulated via British Embassies around the world. Already, there has been a response in Poland after newspapers there ran the story which has encouraged a number of economic migrants to contact the British embassy in Warsaw.

Bank Increases Market Share

Announcing an increase of 14% in its contribution to group profits, Lloyds TSB Scotland chief executive Susan Rice claimed that the bank had increased its market share in Scotland. The former Bank of Scotland executive took over at the bank in July 2000 when she became the first female chief executive in a major Scottish bank. Regarded as the fourth largest bank in Scotland, Lloyds TSB has produced larger profits than its closest rival, the National Australia Bank subsidiary, Clydesdale Bank. The illustration is of the Lloyds TSB Scotland head office in Edinburgh.

North Sea Oilfields Boosted

The UK Energy Minister Brian Wilson gave the North Sea oil industry a much needed boost this week by announcing the second phase of what is known as the "Fallow Initiative". Large companies, with exploration and drilling rights in sectors that have not seen activity in the last four years, have been told to either exploit them or sell them to other companies who will do so. Shell has 28 fallow blocks and BP and Conoco each own nine while other companies have a total of over 20 inactive blocks. The first phase of the release of fallow assets triggered new activity on 90 fallow blocks and 20 discoveries were developed. It is expected that this latest move will achieve similar results. Often the developments are at the smaller end of the industry but these suit the smaller oil companies.

100 Fishing Boats Disappear from Radar Screens

More than 100 Scottish fishing boats switched off satellite monitoring equipment for 24 hours this week, meaning that they could not be tracked by the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency. The move was part of a protest about the draconian reduction in the quotas of fish catches. But government officials said the fishermen could be prosecuted and could be liable for hefty fines. Fishing boats are required to register their position at sea every two hours and failure to do so can result in fines of up to £50,000.

Hold the Fort

Residents in Easterhouse are objecting to the name of a new retail park in their area. The developers of the £140 million project want to call it "The Glasgow Fort." But locals say that the name has negative connotations, conjuring up images of "Fort Apache," a violent holiday Western. They say the name is a reminder people in a fort defending themselves against the "natives" outside. It is also too similar to another east end retail park, the Parkhead "Forge". But the company say that Fort is a brand name used in other cities such as Edinburgh and Newcastle.

Free Museums Ignored by Low Earners

Introducing free admission to museums was a major initiative in the Labour government's social inclusion agenda, arguing that the lower paid could not so readily afford entrance fees. But while the introduction of free admission (paid or by £1.9 million government funding) has seen the number of visitors soaring by 40% at Edinburgh's Royal Museum and the Museum of Scotland (pictured here), a study by the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions has shown that most of the additional numbers are from middle and upper socio-economic groups. Lower-income groups are just not taking up the opportunities. Half of the museums in the UK began charging in the 1980s to cope with declining subsidies. As a result, there was a drop in the number of visitors in these museums but abolition of charges, paid for by taxation, was one of Labour's election promises in 1997.

Dedicated Home Store Opens

Fashion retailer "Next" has opened its first dedicated home furnishing store at Braehead retail park - within sight of the Swedish furniture giant Ikea. The company sells clothing in the high streets of Britain but the new 18,500 square feet "Next Home" will sell furniture and home accessories. It is the first time that the company has moved out of the traditional high streets where it made its reputation. But it faces a battle with the 300,000 square feet Ikea store which sells flat-pack Swedish furniture and household goods.

Edinburgh Clocks in to Chelsea Flower Show

The highlight of the horticultural year in the UK is the massive flower show at Chelsea in London. This year, for the first time, the Royal Horticultural Society has invited Edinburgh City Council to display a 12-foot wide replica of the floral clock which has been created in Princes Street Gardens for the last 100 years.It will take two council gardeners five weeks to set up the 30,000 plants into this year's design. Each year, the pattern reflects an important event such as the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002, the 175th anniversary of the birth of Robert Louis Stevenson and the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Bank of Scotland in Edinburgh. The clock keeps accurate time - despite the large hand alone weighing 80lbs and being covered in colourful plants. It is estimated that 160,000 people will see the replica clock at Chelsea.

Scottish Media Giant Posts Loss

SMG (Scottish Media Group) who own Scottish Television, Grampian TV, and the Glasgow-based broadsheet "Herald" newspaper, has reported a loss of £16.1 million after taking into account exceptional items and the writing down of goodwill. However, the TV companies continue to dominate peak time viewing with a 32% market share compared with BBC Scotland's 27%. The newspaper publishing arm increased operating profit by 5% to £15 million - but SMG are selling off this part of its business in order to reduce debt.

Cafe Culture for Royal Mile?

Plans to create continental-style open-air cafes in a pedestrianised stretch of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh are being considered by the city council. A ban on traffic would run from Cockburn Street to Parliament Square but might eventually be extended all the way down to the new Scottish parliament building. Platforms for street theatre or music performances would also be built and the roadway would be raised to the same level as the pavement to emphasise the pedestrian nature of the area. For the past few years a section of the Royal Mile (which runs from the castle to the palace of Holyroodhouse) has been closed during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe - as shown in this picture.

Stirling's First Windfarm

Stirling Council's planning committee has given qualified support to plans to build a windfarm with 50 turbines, each 60 metres high, on high ground north of Doune. The output from the development would meet the needs of over 70,000 households. But the council want reassurances about the visibility of the turbines from the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. The final decision will be made by the Scottish Executive in Edinburgh.

Shelling Out to Net Oyster Company

Employees at the Loch Fyne Oyster Company whose fish products and restaurant have become established across the UK, have bought over the business in a deal worth nearly £4 million. The firm was established in 1978, when 10,000 seed oysters were laid on the foreshore at Ardkinglas on Loch Fyne. Sales have now reached £8 million with customers including the Singapore Raffles Hotel, the Royal Opera House in London and the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow. There are now four million oysters sitting in mesh baskets under the waters of the loch. The sale was precipitated by the death last year of one of the founders of the company. It is thought that the bid by the employees, backed by an investment company and the Royal Bank of Scotland, was not the highest. But a sale to the employees was said to be a natural evolution of the company. The staff are delighted - just as they were when Clint Eastwood walked in to sample their Loch Fyne kippers.

Cold Shoulder for Nudist Beach in Aberdeen

Billy Connolly reduces audiences to tears with his stories of being forced to paddle in the freezing North Sea while on holiday in Aberdeen - while off-shore oil workers wouldn't step outside without survival suits. But the British Nudist magazine has had the bare faced cheek to call on Aberdeen City Council to designate part of its long beach for skinny-dipping. Visitors to the beach were asked by newspaper reporters what they thought of the idea. Huddled underneath scarves, anoraks and gloves, they were sceptical about how popular such an initiative would be, with suggestions that anyone trying it would die of pneumonia. The Meteorological Office also poured cold water on the idea, pointing out that the average summer temperature was 18C/64F at the warmest part of the day. Onshore sea breezes also make it feel even colder than that.

Brodie Clan Chief Dies

Ninian Brodie of Brodie, the clan chieftain, died in a nursing home this week aged 90. He had remained in apartments in Brodie Castle near Forres in Moray after he had sold the family seat to the National Trust for Scotland in 1978. The 25th Brodie of Brodie came into the public spotlight last year when his children launched a legal battle to win back the 15th century castle, asserting that the castle had been sold too cheaply and in breach of trust. But the judge hearing the case said she had "no difficulty" in concluding that there were no legal grounds to set aside the sale. The family were appointed Thane of Brodie by King Malcolm IV in 1160.
Photograph by Walter Logie whose Web site is at www.scotlandforvisitors.com.

Turning Over a New Leaf

In the days of the Vikings, the northern islands of Orkney and Shetland had a dense covering of trees. But for a long time now, they have been a treeless landscape after most of the trees had been used up for building and heating homes. Much of the islands are now peat bogs, which have kept them treeless ever since. Most of the surviving woodlands are in deep defiles on the remoter islands and less than 0.5% of the land supports trees (compared with 17% on the mainland). Now plans are being drawn up to pay landowners, farmers and crofters grants of up to £3,000 a hectare in an ambitious project to plant trees to improve the look of the islands (though some may prefer the barren, windswept landscape). Experimental plantings have shown that trees can grow and thrive on the islands and there is a lot of local support for the initiative. Native trees would be birch, alder, willow, hazel, rowan and aspen. It is estimated that while the trees will be in woodlands scattered across the islands, up to 250,000 trees may be planted.

Scottish Finalist in Darwin Awards

The fact that a Scot is one of the twelve finalists in the annual Darwin Awards is hardly something to be proud of. They "commemorate those who improve our gene pool by removing themselves from it in really stupid ways. This honor is usually awarded posthumously." The Scot in question is/was a 53-year-old Glaswegian who decide to take quick way down a mountain by snap hooking himself onto an unused cable car wire so that he could slide down the mountain. Unfortunately, gravity took over and he slid 200 meters down the cable before he smashed into a pylon. Reports say that people tried to stop him before he plunged to his death.

Weather in Scotland This Week

Temperatures hovered around 9/11C (48/52F) for much of this week, though Edinburgh reached 12C (54F) on Tuesday. Fresh winds made it feel cooler, however. By Friday, the thermometer had dipped to 7C (45F) in Glasgow. There was a fair amount of rain this week, with sunshine in short supply, although Edinburgh had over six hours of sun on Thursday.

This week's illustration of current flowers in Scotland is of a bunch of crocus growing on an embankment near the entrance to the Clyde Tunnel in Glasgow.

Lifeline for Historic Ship

The Glenlee tall ship, which is moored on the river Clyde at Stobcross Quay in Glasgow, has become a city landmark as it is visible from the busy Clydeside Expressway. But the ship and the Maritime Museum beside it does not attract enough visitors and lacks the cash to carry out urgent maintenance. This is necessary before it is moved to a new location beside a relocated Transport Museum as part of the Glasgow Harbour development. So to help the Clyde Maritime Trust, the Glasgow City Council has agreed to wipe out a £750,000 loan. The Glenlee was built on the Clyde in 1896 and is the last sailing vessel of its type in the UK. The Trust has tried to operate on a commercial basis without financial support from the council or other public bodies. But with so many free visitor attractions in Glasgow, visitor numbers have not been sufficient to make the project financially viable. As part of the Glasgow Harbour and the new Transport Museum, however, its future as part of Glasgow's industrial and cultural heritage should be secure.

Mary Innocent of Darnley Murder?

The mystery of the murder of Lord Darnley, Mary Queen of Scots' husband, has intrigued historians for centuries. After a huge explosion at his Kirk o'Field house in the early hours of 10 February 1567, he was found, apparently suffocated, in a nearby garden. His marriage to Mary had broken down and her marriage to the Earl of Bothwell soon after, has led to her being implicated in the plot to kill Darnley. But a new book "Mary Queen of Scots and the Murder of Lord Darnley" by historian Alison Weir claims that Mary's reputation was blackened by powerful figures around her. She says that there is evidence that, prior to Darnley's death, Mary had nursed him during an illness and had tried to protect him from his enemies. She rejected advice from a number of Scottish lords who said that she should get rid of him either by divorce or death. Much of the evidence against Mary was the "Casket Letters" which were supposedly written by Mary to Bothwell three months before Darnley's death. But there are grave doubts over their authenticity - and they disappeared in 1584.

Historic College Back on Market

The historic Marischal College in Aberdeen is up for sale again. The plans to make it a headquarters of an international investment company fell through as part of the fall-out of the plunging stock markets. Developers are now hoping that the magnificent university building may be taken up by a North Sea oil company. Planning permission for a sympathetic conversion of the building to 168,000sq ft of air-conditioned office accommodation has already been granted. It would have retained the glistening granite facades of the A-listed structure. Marischal College was founded by King James VI in 1593, based on buildings created by Franciscan monks. But the 400 foot long frontage and 235 feet high tower were put up on 1906.

Cook's Hawaiian Spear

People bidding at the auction in Edinburgh later this month for the spear used by a native Hawaiian to kill the explorer Captain James Cook, may not be aware that, although the intrepid sailor was born in Yorkshire, his parents were both Scottish. Cook made the first recorded landing by a European on Hawaii in 1778, during his third expedition to the Pacific. On earlier voyages he claimed Australia and New Zealand for Britain. While he and his men were initially welcomed on Hawaii by the native population, on his return to the islands early in 1779, he was killed in a skirmish on the way back from a visit to the local chief. The spear was taken by one of Cook's fellow officers who turned it into a walking stick which was passed down through the generations.

National Library of Scotland Pursuing £40 Million Collection

A huge collection of manuscripts which was started in Edinburgh in 1762 by John Murray, an independent publisher. Now worth £40 million, it includes manuscripts by David Hume, Charles Darwin, Jane Austen, William Gladstone and Lord Byron. The collection is currently owned by booksellers WH Smith but it is thought that a charitable trust might be set up to conserve it and allow public access in the National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh. The library has confirmed that it is involved in negotiations to achieve this.

This Week in History

• March 9 1566 - David Rizzio murdered by Ruthven in the Palace of Holyrood.
• March 9 1776 - "Wealth of Nations" by Adam Smith published
• March 9 1895 - Soprano Dame Isabella Baillie, opera star, born in Hawick.
• March 10 - St Kessoc Day. St Kessoc was the patron saint of Scotland prior to the adoption of St Andrew
• March 10 1748 - John Playfair, clergyman, geologist, mathematician, born.
• March 10 1916 - Birth of James Heriot, author of "All Creatures Great and Small"
• March 11 1955 - Sir Alexander Fleming, discoverer of penicillin, died.
• March 12 1286 - Queen Margaret, Maid of Norway (daughter of King Erik II) crowned.
• March 13 1873 - Scottish Football Association founded.
• March 13 1973 - Scotland played Brazil to mark centenary of Scottish Football Association.
• March 13/15 1941 - Blitz of Clydebank by German Luftwaffe.
• March 13 1947 - The classic Lerner and Loewe, Broadway musical "Brigadoon" opened at the Ziegfeld in New York.
• March 13 1996 - Sixteen primary school children and their teacher murdered in Dunblane.
• March 14 1941 - SS "Politician" ran aground on Islay, creating the basis for Sir Compton MacKenzie's novel "Whisky Galore".
• March 14 1952 - First television programmes broadcast in Scotland.
• March 15 1921 - First women jurors in Glasgow Sheriff Court.
• March 15 1689 - Sir George Mackenzie of Rosehaugh founded Advocates' Library "equipped with works written by lawyers".
• March 15 1886 - Low-level platforms at Glasgow's Queen Street Station opened.

Another Book About Billy

It is reported that Pamela Stephenson, the wife of Billy Connolly, whose book about the actor/comedian has sold over 1.6 million copies, has signed a contract to produce three new books in a deal worth £2 million. The first book is due later this year and will recount her story of their lives during 2002. It was during 2002 that Connolly reached the age of 60 and held a birthday party attended by the Prince of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of York, Sir Paul and Lady McCartney and a galaxy of film stars that looked as if the Oscars had moved to Aberdeenshire. Pamela Stephenson was once a comedian herself, in sketch shows, in the 1980s. She then trained as a sexologist and clinical psychologist.

Little Shop of Horrors

The International School of Aberdeen is presenting "The Little Shop of Horrors" at the Aberdeen Arts Centre from the 6th to the 8th of March. It tells the story of Seymour Kreibourn, a florist's assistant who has his life turned around when he comes across an unusual plant after an eclipse of the sun. Seymour tries to grow the plant but to no avail . . . until he discovers its true diet - blood. The plant thrives, bringing Seymour fame and fortune, as a result of a Faustian pact. Based on Roger Corman's film, "Little Shop Of Horrors" took Broadway by storm with its offbeat humour and rhythm and blues numbers.

Beatles in Dundee

In 1963 and 1964 the Beatles performed live in Dundee's Caird Hall (pictured here) to an excited audience of screaming teenagers. Now the city is displaying a photographic record of those concerts in the McManus Galleries. There is a fascinating collection of still photographs and also a 4 minute film which shows the Beatles live on stage in 1964. The 16mm movie was discovered recently in Dundee's Central Library and conservation work by the Scottish Screen Archive has greatly enhanced the original. The exhibition will run until the end of June.

Braemar Telemark Festival

The 5th Telemark Festival is spread over a long weekend from the 7th until the 9th of March for 'free heel' enthusiasts. It provides an entertaining mix of ski and apres-ski events that take place in Braemar and at the Glenshee ski slopes. This is an international ski event, with competitions, demonstrations, instruction, talks and fun skiing. For further information see www.telemarkfestival.co.uk/.

Sunday and Mid-Week Football Results

Celtic 3 Hibernian 2
Livingston 1 Rangers 2
Dundee 0 Livingston 0
Hibernian 0 Dunfermline 2
Ayr United 0 St Johnstone 1
Falkirk 3 Clyde 0
Inverness 2 Arbroath 0

Bank of Scotland Premier League Results - 8 March 2003

Celtic 1 Rangers 0
Dundee 2 Kilmarnock 2
Livingston 1 Hearts 1
Motherwell 0 Aberdeen 1
Dunfermline v Partick Thistle and Hibernian v Dundee United will be played on Sunday.

Scottish First Division Results - 8 March 2003

Ayr United 0 Queen of the South 1
Falkirk 3 Alloa 1
Ross County 0 Inverness 2
St Johnstone 2 Arbroath 1
St Mirren 1 Clyde 2

League Tables

Celtic' win against league rivals Rangers on Saturday has brought the two teams closer together at the top of the Scottish Premier League. Rangers are still out in front with 78 points, three points ahead of Celtic, who have played one game less. Even if Celtic win their "spare" match, Rangers would still be ahead on goal difference. But although the SPL has become a two-horse race, at least there is a race for the championship. Hearts are in third place in the SPL, 25 points behind Celtic. At the foot of the Premier, Dundee United and Motherwell both have 24 points, with Motherwell currently marginally ahead on goal difference.
In the Scottish First Division, Falkirk have resumed their winning ways and are out in front with 59 points - five points ahead of St Johnstone who have played one extra match. Inverness are currently third but are only two points behind St Johnstone, having played one game less.

Scottish International Rugby Team Wins At Last

After losing their first two matches in the Royal Bank of Scotland Six Nations Championship, both Scotland and Wales were playing for pride at Murrayfield on Saturday in front of a crowd of 67,000 - and to avoid getting the wooden spoon. Scotland began well and despite scoring no tries in the two previous matches, were leading 17-3 after twenty minutes with two tries on the score sheet. At half time the lead was 20-10. Scotland extended their lead and towards the end of the match looked as though they would win comfortably. In the end, they did, but Wales scored two late tries in injury time to make the final score 30-22. Both Scotland and Wales scored three tries but it was the accurate kicking (and the third try) of winger Chris Paterson who scored 20 of Scotland's total points, that made the difference.

Mhairi Wins Australian Open Golf

Turnberry golfer Mhairi McKay realised an ambition last weekend when she won the AAMI Australian Ladies' Open Golf Championship, her first major tournament win - she has been second in four occasions. Her final round of five-under-par in Sydney gave her an 11-under-par total and a one shot lead. She has been playing golf since the age of four and comes from a "golf daft" family.

Mountain Boarding Heads for Scottish Hills

Three centres for "mountain boarding" are due to open this year in Scotland. The sport involves strapping an over-sized skateboard to your feet and hurtling down a hill at speeds of up to 50mph. Since it doesn't depend on the weather (snow, wind or surf) it is being predicted that the new craze will take off in Scotland. Early participants have already been told to leave Arthur's Seat in Holyrood Park in Edinburgh but enthusiasts have moved to the Hillend dry ski slope in the Pentland Hills. They take the ski lift to the top, ignore the smooth ski slope and career instead down the turf and rocks instead. The first official mountain boarding centre in Scotland has opened at Glendevon near Perth and occupies 50 acres.