Bill for Holyrood Parliament Building Soars Again
The cost of the new parliament building at Holyrood has escalated yet again, this time by £37 million, bringing the total cost to a new forecast of £375 million. Pie-in-the-sky estimates of £40 million were given initially, but after the site had been chosen and the amount of space required doubled, an estimate of £109 million was announced in May 1999. Since then, costs have spiralled. The latest forecast is the tenth official price rise since the project started and is a 10% rise on the January forecast. The extra money is needed to ensure that the building is ready on November - two years behind the original schedule. Even if the handover takes place then, it will be next May before fitting out of the new building has been completed.
You Must Listen to the Queen
Labour Party chiefs put pressure on their Members of the Scottish Parliament to turn up for a visit to the Scottish Parliament this week. A number of the Labour MSPs have republican views and would have liked to join the Scottish Socialist Party and the Green Party in staying away from the event. The official Scottish National Party line on the monarchy is one of reluctant support - just so long as the majority of the electorate is in favour of the status quo. Some high profile SNP members, however, refused to turn up. In the end, 19 MSPs out of 129 boycotted the event, so there were enough MSPs spread around the chamber to give it the appearance of being full. The members gave the Queen's address polite applause and even laughed as she referred to the Parliament becoming her near neighbours when they move to the new parliament building across the road from the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Bomb Squad Blow Up Car at Waverley
Just hours before the Queen arrived in Edinburgh, bomb squad personnel blew up a vehicle in the car park at Waverley Station after staff raised the alarm. The car had been in the short stay car park for a number of days and, after examination, it was decided to blow it up in a controlled explosion. But the action resulted in Edinburgh's main railway station being closed for several hours with incoming passengers being forced to leave their trains at Haymarket, a mile down the line. So far, there have been no reports of the owner of the vehicle coming back to where he left his car.
Scottish Nationalists Reduce Spin Doctors
It is being reported that a lack of cash has forced the Scottish Nationalist Party to reduce the number of their support staff in the Scottish Parliament - five out of ten researchers and press officer posts are being cut. The SNP lost eight of their seats at the last election and that means a reduction in allowances from the Parliament amounting to £94,000, which is nearly 25% of the funding from that source. The Nationalists are still the largest opposition party and there is concern that their effectiveness in that role will be impaired by the cutbacks. The coalition government have the support of civil servants and opposition parties are paid "short money" from the public purse to help to make up for this.
Plunge in Inward Investment
Scotland used to have an excellent record of attracting inward investment from overseas companies. Although some local companies complained about the amount of cash incentives often offered to the newcomers, the Scottish economy certainly benefitted from the increased employment and resources - at least for as long as the companies stayed in this country. However, last year the number of new inward investment companies in Scotland declined by 30% in Scotland and the overall share in the UK total declined from 9.3% to 6.7%. The head of Scottish Development International, however, says that the recent figures only give numbers of projects, not value. The UK is still the top investment location in Europe.
Scottish Enterprise Chief Resigns
Robert Crawford, chief executive of Scottish Enterprise, the economic development organisation, has shocked the business community by tendering his resignation. The highest-paid public servant in Scotland says he will fulfil the one year notice period required by his contract. Mr Crawford gave up a post as head of a foreign direct investment practice where he was earning twice as money, to head the enterprise agency at the start of 2000. He has restructured the organisation and curbed the autonomy of the local enterprise network. But during his tenure, the economic climate has resulted in major plant closures, a decline in technology-related industries and the creation of new businesses has been far short of the target. Although he cited "personal reasons" for the resignation, there is speculation that he was unhappy with the lack of support from government ministers in recent years.
The illustration shows the Glasgow HQ of Scottish Enterprise.
Car Sales Soar
Scottish drivers spent £170 million on 17,455 new cars last month, an all-time high for May. The 2.1% increase reversed a downturn of 4% in May. The Scottish figures bucked the UK trend in May which saw an overall decline of 4.7% in sales. Thanks to government pressure on the motor industry, new car prices in the UK are considerably lower in real terms than they were 2/3 years ago.
Billion Pound Makeover for Aberdeen
Aberdeen City Council are reported to be drawing up plans for a redevelopment plan for the city centre which is aimed at taking the granite city through to the 22nd century. Finance for the billion pound visionary project would come in part from the sale of council property and from private investment. The plans include the demolition of the present council HQ building at St Nicholas house to create a civic square and a move to rent Marischal College (pictured here), with closure of much of the authority's £650 million property portfolio around the city. The creation of a centre of sporting excellence on the council-owned Linksfield site has already attracted interest from Aberdeen Football Club.
Inverness Pedestrianisation Plan Puts Brakes on Traffic
A £2 million project to pedestrianise Inverness city centre to reduce traffic there by up to 75% was unveiled this week by Highland Council. It is estimated that 2,500 cars, 350 delivery vehicles, 330 buses and 200 taxis pass through the city centre of the "capital of the Highlands" each day between 8am and 6pm. The proposals have now been put out for public consultation.
Ultimatum on Building Redevelopment
The former main Post Office in Glasgow's George Square closed in 1995 and has been "under development" ever since. Half of the building has been converted to luxury flats. But the northern section of the building, overlooking Glasgow's main square, has had scaffolding carrying a giant advertising hoarding for the last four years - and no sign of any building work. Now the City Council has issued an ultimatum - start renovating the prominent building or have permission for the lucrative advertising hoarding withdrawn. The landmark building was constructed in 1879 and developers announced four years ago that they were to convert it to a hotel. That scheme has collapsed and now the listed building is likely to be converted into offices. The developers have applied to extend the advertising consent to 2005 - it seems that the advertising is more profitable than redevelopment. There is actually no need for the scaffolding - other than to support the 17 metres by 58 metres adverts.
Registrar Accepts Gaelic Names
When the Boyles of Erbusaig, near the Kyles of Lochalsh in the north-west of Scotland went to register the birth of their baby girl they were astonished to be told that her name, Aoife Loch Ailse Nic Bhaoille, would have to be converted to English before it could be accepted. Apparently it was the Gaelic version of her surname which caused the Registrar's objections, rather than the Gaelic first names. Since the name was different from the Anglicised version of the parents, the Gaelic surname would make tracing in the National Index more difficult. But after media publicity, the General Register Office for Scotland has now climbed down and allowed the Boyles/NicBhailes to register the Gaelic version. It is thought that it was European law which protects traditional languages was a major factor in persuading the Registrar to relent.
Scotland the Brand Faces Revolt
The marketing organisation "Scotland the Brand" became a private limited company this week and has unveiled a new membership charging structure. Previously, members paid £1,000 a year if their turnover was over £10 million a year. But now, companies such as bus company First Group and The Royal Bank of Scotland and BT Scotland, with sales above £100 million, are being charged £10,000 instead. A number of them are considering whether to continue and whether they get value for money. Scotland the Brand was set up in 1995 by Scottish Enterprise to promote Scotland's goods and services. It now has 300 members.
Prestwick Airport Increases Profits
Despite the world-wide slow-down in the growth in air passenger numbers, Prestwick Airport in Ayrshire recorded a 50% rise in pre-tax profits in the year to March 2003. Prestwick saw a significant contraction in its business when its government-imposed monopoly of trans-Atlantic flights was broken some years ago but has re-emerged, thanks largely to the Irish budget airline Ryanair. The facility is confusingly called "Glasgow Prestwick International" airport despite being 30 miles from Glasgow's main airport which is six miles from the city centre. Passenger numbers at Prestwick grew 14% last year to 1.48 million, making it Scotland's fourth busiest airport after Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. Budget airlines Aer Arann and flyGlobespan.com also operate from Prestwick and there has been good progress in air freight business.
Blue Flags for Fife Beaches
Blue flag awards for well managed beaches have been won by only four Scottish beaches out of 105 UK resorts - and all four Scottish winners are in Fife. The award is given to those beaches which have water clean enough to pass the toughest tests set down by European law, plus amenities such as life-guards, first aid and good access for visitors. Many Scottish beaches, particularly on the west coast, meet the water quality requirements but have not been developed to allow them to meet the other criteria. The four beaches in Fife are at St Andrews (West Sands), Elie harbour (pictured here), Burntisland and Aberdour Silver Sands.
Wedding Bells at the Pub
The new rules which permit civil marriages to take place in locations other than the local registry office, have led to a large number of stately homes and country house hotels being registered for nuptials to take place in them. But now a bar and club owner is seeking permission for patrons to get married in his chain of Glasgow pubs. There are 15 locations in Glasgow such as the Winter Gardens at the People's Palace which have been given approval for marriage ceremonies, but this is thought to be the first time that an application has been made for a cocktail bar. The request is said to have originated from customers who wanted to hold a wedding ceremony and reception in the same location.
Orpheus in the Underground
Glasgow's underground train system (known locally as the "Clockwork Orange" ever since the subway trains were painted a bright orange colour) may have classical music piped through the carriages in a marketing strategy by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra aimed at widening its appeal to young people. Whether Beethoven's Fifth Symphony or Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries will encourage passengers to go to the RSNO concerts or just turn up the volume on their personal stereos remains to be seen. The orchestra is also to e-mail 20,000 people and will appear at major rock concerts and club music festivals. Music on the subway is not new as far as the Glasgow transport system is concerned - jazz has been played on earlier marketing ploys.
Clouds Obscure Annular Eclipse
In the weeks before the eclipse of the sun on the morning of 31 May, there had been criticism of the tourist industry for not advertising the fact that the path of totality crossed over parts of the north of Scotland. But perhaps the locals knew more about their weather conditions than the critics. Those who had travelled to Caithness and Sutherland, caught only a few glimpses of the event due to the cloud cover over the entire area. Durness in Sutherland and the Western Isle of Lewis were one of the few areas where the clouds parted sufficiently to allow observers a hazy view of the "ring of fire" as the moon came in front of the sun. Four years ago, it was estimated that over a million people converged on Cornwall to see the eclipse there. They too were confronted with a solid cloud cover.
Stirling Opts For Dog's Flourish
The conservation charity Plantlife tries to increase awareness of flowers by encouraging towns, cities and counties to adopt a floral symbol. Ayr has chosen the orchid to encapsulate the beauty of the town while the Orkney Isles have adopted the primrose. The citizens of Glasgow are choosing between broom and broadleaved helleborine and the choice in Edinburgh is harebell or the sticky catchfly. But Plantlife were surprised when Stirling, Scotland's newest "city", nominated the docken and dog's flourish (also known as sweet cicely). The docken is certainly useful - traditionally its leaves have been used to relieve the pain from stinging nettles. A spokesman for Stirling said that the variety of docken chosen was Loch Lomond dock which is only found in the Stirling area and which was used in the past to wrap young cheeses and butter. While these days non-cultivated plants are called "wild flowers" rather than "weeds" the selection of these rampant spreaders is certainly different.
Shortage Creates Highland House Price Spiral
According to a report published this week, a fall of 40% in the number of new houses being built in the Highlands, has been caused by planning officials making it too difficult for projects submitted by developers. This in turn has contributed to a 30% increase in house prices in the Highlands and Islands over the last 18 months. However, Highland Council say that they are keen to encourage the building of more affordable houses and point to an increase in planning applications in the north last year.
Making the "Dear Green Place" Greener
Glasgow, with its many parks and open spaces, is often referred to as the "Dear Green Place" despite its historical legacy of industrialisation. But now the City Council want to make the citizens help the environment and improve their "green" credentials by recycling more of their household waste. With only 5% currently recycled, Glasgow has a long way to go before it reaches the government-set target of 25%. But the city council have just approved a plan to supply 18,000 blue bins for the collection of glass bottles and jars. If this recycling initiative is successful, they hope to extend it to the rest of the city. And they also intend to reduce household waste collection to once very two weeks instead of once a week - even though they know this will be unpopular with householders. While in principle recycling is a good thing, having household waste lying around for extended periods may turn a few faces green as well.
Missionaries From Africa
The shortage of ministers in the Free Church of Scotland, caused by a decline in the number of young people going into training and the large number of retirals, is to be alleviated by recruiting ministers from Africa. Under the scheme, ministers from South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique and Namibia will serve a three year tenure in vacant posts in Scotland, before returning to their home countries.
"MacDonalds Revenge"
The massacre of 38 Macdonalds in Glencoe in 1692 by government forces led by Captain Robert Campbell, reverberates still in Scotland, especially amongst MacDonalds, many of whom blame the clan Campbell for the incident. The latest evidence for this cropped up this week when Andrew McDonald, general manager of the Edinburgh Dungeon visitor attraction, sent out letters to over 1,000 Campbells in the telephone directory to tell them about their new feature "Clan Wars" which is based on the massacre at Glencoe. But the letter went on to say that as an "act of extracting a modicum of revenge" the Campbells were being given a voucher which entitled them to "one ticket for the price of two". But instead of taking the letter as a publicity stunt, a number of the Campbell recipients complained and now Mr McDonald has been reprimanded by his head office. McDonald commented: "The fact that so many Campbells complained about the tongue-in-cheek letter proves the feud between the clans is still on-going." Of course, the publicity about the letter will probably mean more people going to the new presentation, so Mr McDonald may get a letter of commendation as well?
Strictly for the Birds
2,500 acres of flood plain beside the river Spey in Moray are to become a National Nature Reserve, owned and managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in Scotland. Insh Marshes is home to ospreys, lapwings whooper swans and boasts seven birds on the "red list" of those under threat. Half of the UK population of goldeneye breed there and there are over 500 species of plants. The area also acts as a natural means of protecting nearby Aviemore and Carrbridge from flood surges. Insh Marshes is one of the few areas in Britain which is a natural flood plain, where the river Spey overflows several times a year.
Weather in Scotland This Week
There was a warm spell across much of Scotland last weekend with temperatures rising to 23C (73F) and Lossiemouth, in Morayshire, reaching as high as 27C (81F). Last Sunday, Edinburgh enjoyed nearly 11 hours of sunshine and on Tuesday Aberdeen basked in nearly 12 hours of clear sunshine. But for much of the week there were showers and bright intervals and the thermometer hovered around 17/19C (63/66F). By Friday, temperatures had gone up a notch again to 20/21C (68/70F) in Edinburgh and Aberdeen but Glasgow, with more cloud cover, only managed 18C (64F).
This week's illustration of current flowers in Scotland were taken in the gardens of Falkland Palace in Fife on Thursday. The irises above were growing beside the fish pond and the yellow rose was one of many fragrant blooms to be seen in the extensive gardens.
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