Royal Bank of Scotland's $10.5 Billion Purchase

The ever expanding Royal Bank of Scotland has now become the 7th largest bank in the US through its subsidiary Citizens Financial. It paid $10.5 billion (£5.8bn) this week for Cleveland-based bank Charter One which has 616 branches in six Mid-Western states including the cities of Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland. Royal Bank has made 26 acquisitions in the US via Citizens Financial, most in the last 5/7 years, and now has assets there of almost $130bn with 24,000 employees in 13 states. The Royal Bank is the UK's second largest bank.

Call for Moratorium on Wind Farms

The Scottish Executive may see wind farms as a great way of generating renewable energy and so helping the UK to meet its environmental targets to reduce CO2 emissions. But there is opposition - from environmental groups - who think that wind turbines on Scottish hills would be a blight on the landscape. They are not only huge constructions, they are placed on the top of hills where they are highly visible. And the turbines and their large blades are noise polluters too. At a public meting in Perthshire, which heard about plans for five new wind farms in the Ochil Hills, there was a call on the Scottish Executive to bring all such developments to a halt "until a proper strategy has been worked out." But the Executive insist that there is already a good system in place controlling development. A spokesman commented: "Such energy schemes go through a rigorous planning process to ensure that they take account of their impact on local communities and environment. The Forum for Renewable Energy Development in Scotland - which is chaired by ministers and includes representatives from the industry and other stakeholders - helps provide national guidance and expertise on the development of the sector." Meantime, the companies trying to establish wind farms are expressing concern at the slow rate at which projects are being reviewed by local authorities. They warn that the reduction in the use of fossil fuels will not be met unless projects are approved more quickly.

Sun Shines on Tourist Spending

According to figures published this week by the tourism agency VisitScotland, the glorious sunshine experienced in 2003 resulted in a rise in spending by tourists last year. The number of tourists did not change much - but they spent more, encouraged by the good weather. There was an increase in the number of tourists from abroad, but visits by people living in other parts of the UK declined as they stayed at home to enjoy the sunshine in their own back yard. Edinburgh Castle retains its position as the most popular attraction with an entrance fee but with the closure of the Kelvingrove Art Gallery in Glasgow, the Blacksmith's Shop in the wedding capital of Gretna has become the most visited free attraction. Of course, with all that sunshine, some indoor attractions fared badly. But never mind - they'll make up for it (so far) this year!

Threat to Historic Edinburgh Department Store

Jenners on Princes Street in Edinburgh is the world's oldest independently owned department store and its attractive building overlooking Princes Street Gardens and the castle is a landmark for locals and tourists alike. But the owners claimed this week that plans to charge motorists £2 to drive into Edinburgh could close the business down. Congestion charging in London resulted in some shops losing 17% of their customers and if Jenners lost that - or more - it would be "terrifying". The comments came during an inquiry into the road charging plans by Edinburgh City Council. The inquiry also heard from the owners of the John Lewis department store that they would not have gone ahead with a £25 million development if they had known that the charging plan would be implemented. In a survey of 700 customers in the store, 70% of John Lewis customers said they opposed charges and 37% said they would shop elsewhere.

Edinburgh Loses Eight International Air Routes

When the small budget airline Duo called in the receivers and suspended its services last weekend, it meant the loss of eight direct international destinations from Edinburgh - to Bordeaux, Geneva, Milan, Munich, Nice, Oslo, Shannon and Zurich. The routes were to receive financial support from the Scottish Executive via its Air Route Development Fund which was set up to assist airlines in the early years of air new routes from Scotland to international destinations. The sudden closure of the airline meant that some passengers were stranded and had to make alternative travel arrangements. The airline has struggled to fill the seats on its small Canadair R.Jet aircraft from Edinburgh. But apparently there were even fewer passengers on the airline's services out of Birmingham.

Zoom Reaches for the Skies

New budget airline Zoom claims that it is grabbing a major share of the Scotland to Canada air travel market in its first year of introducing its service. With its low prices (Glasgow to Toronto for £326 compared to Air Canada's standard fare of £930) it is not hard to see why. Zoom flies direct from Glasgow to three Canadian cities - Calgary, Ottawa and Halifax and later this month there will be a through service to Vancouver via Calgary.

Will Doors Ever Open on New Store?

A question mark now hangs over the grandiose plans to create a 200,000 sq ft Selfridges department store in the Trongate and Saltmarket area of Glasgow. The development was the centre-piece of the regeneration of this run-down area of the city. But since the takeover of the retail chain by Canadian billionaire Galen Weston last year, there has been no firm commitment on going ahead with the plans. A store building plan by the company has been scrapped in Bristol, Leeds and Newcastle and no progress had ben made with local traders who were reluctant to sell up to make way for the giant store in Glasgow. Planning applications were supposed to have been lodged earlier this year but have not appeared and company representatives remain tight-lipped saying "If Glasgow remains financially viable, then the new owners will go ahead."

Thread of Scottish History Breaks

The textile giant J&P Coats, which once employed 14,000 people in Paisley, is to close its last Scottish factory, ending 178 years of industrial history. The multinational company has moved all its manufacturing to England and abroad, including a thread-making factory opened last year in Romania. The company is following in the steps of many other textile manufacturers that have closed down in Scotland in recent years, including Daks, Simpson, Levi-Strauss and William Baird.

Floating Hotel Planned for Loch Lomond

A businessman who uses a 15ft Dutch barge on Loch Ness as accommodation for tourists has launched a project to move the boat to Loch Lomond where it would become the first floating hotel on the famous tourist attraction. The boat would have to sail up the river Leven to a weir and then be lifted over the barrier by giant cranes. Discussions are continuing with the national park authorities.

Blooming Marvellous Flowers of Scotland

A two-year survey of Scotland's favourite wild flowers, to find which ones should associated with each county, has produced some surprising results, ranging from the extremely rare plants which only botanists would find and recognise to the more common varieties seen on country walks. Edinburgh/Midlothian selected the sticky catchfly (Lychnis viscaria) and East Lothian opted for viper's bugloss (which has a reputation as an aphrodisiac). Glasgow's choice of broom (cytisus scoparius) seems almost boring by comparison. Dumfriesshire has opted for a typical Scottish plant, the harebell, while West Lothian has voted for the common spotted orchid (dactylorhiza fuchsii) which is pictured here. The survey was run by Plantlife International and the organisation hopes that the selected wild flowers will be used by local councils as emblems to help to make people aware of local wild flowers - many of which are endangered.

Future of Abbotsford in Doubt

The death this week of the great-great-grand-daughter of Sir Walter Scott has put into question the future of Abbotsford House, which the writer created after buying a farmhouse on land beside the river Tweed in 1812. Dame Jean Maxwell-Scott was the closest direct descendant of the novelist and it is understood that around 40 relatives around the world now have a stake in the future of the house. It contains many of Scott's possessions and is now a tourist attraction in the Scottish Borders. But visitor numbers have declined in recent years, despite the historic interest and the attractive gardens and riverside walks.

International "Debut" For Arbroath Smokie

The smokie (smoked haddock made in or near the Angus town of Arbroath), which recently joined a select band of European speciality products by achieving Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status, was just one of the seafood products from more than 40 Scottish companies on view to international buyers at the European Seafood Exposition (ESE) in Brussels this week. The Scottish Pavilion there is one of the largest at ESE, which claims to be the world's largest seafood exhibition. Processed fish accounts for around half of Scottish processed food exports, currently standing at £500 million. Almost 50% of UK fish processing employment is based in Scotland.

The Flight of the Bumblebee

The Scottish Executive's environmental agency Scottish National Heritage is to issue guidelines to gardeners urging them to plant more early and late flowering plants which are attractive to bees in order to halt the significant decline in their numbers. Local authorities, small farmers and crofters will be asked to allow hedgerows to become overgrown and grass uncut to leave more bee-friendly plants. It is claimed that modern gardens are "too tidy" for the wild insects which like to nest in leaf litter and unmown grass. In addition to being an attractive part of any garden, bees are important pollinators for agriculture and fruit growers as well as suburban gardens.

Love Birds Set Up Home in Dunbar

Although environmentalists voice concern about the loss of indigenous species in Scotland, there are times when a foreign variety establishes itself in this country. That may be the case with the peach-faced lovebirds with their exotic green plumage which have been seen for the last few years in Dunbar in East Lothian. The birds, a variety of parrot, appear to have successfully reared a family. They are vegetarians, eating berries, seeds and tree buds. They are popular in aviaries with their bright colours and the affectionate way the pairs snuggle up to one another.

Homage to King Magnus

A group of former drug addicts and alcoholics, who have been supported by the GalGael Trust charity, are this week sailing their self-built "birlinn" from Glasgow to a Viking festival in Northern Ireland which is commemorating the 900th anniversary of a Viking warrior king known as Magnus Barelegs. Although the birlinn is often mistaken for a small Viking longship, the design is actually Scottish and was used as the main form of transport in the west of Scotland over 500 years ago. The GalGael Trust teaches boat building, metal work and wood carving to long-term unemployed in Govan. The participants put their new skills to good use constructing the 35-feet long replica sailing boat which was also powered by a crew of oarsmen.

Clan Currie at Dunkeld Cathedral

On Saturday, May 14, Clan Currie will hold a UK preview screening of a new film, "The Crafter's Song" as a benefit for the majestic Dunkeld Cathedral in Perthshire. One of Scotland's most picturesque houses of worship, Dunkeld Cathedral has strong Currie ties. It was Sir Donald Currie who financed the restoration of Dunkeld Cathedral in the early 1900's. The screening event will also include commentary from several of the crafters appearing in the film and musical performances. All proceeds benefit The Friends of Dunkeld Cathedral. The event will take place at the Birnam House Hotel in Birnam, at 8pm. Clan Currie will also be hosting clan tents at two gatherings in Scotland this summer. If your travels bring you to Scotland on holiday, plan on paying a visit at the Bathgate Highland Games on May 29 or the Bute Highland Games on August 21. For further information about these and other upcoming events, visit the Clan Currie website at www.clancurrie.com.

Hole in One for 93-Year-Old

Bob Fishwick of Granton, in the Scottish Highlands, has just entered the UK record books by becoming the oldest golfer to score a hole-on-one. Of course, the 93-year-old is getting used to such achievements, as this was the third time he had scored an ace at his local course of Craggan. He scored the first one at age 89, but this latest one beats the previous record made in 1984 by a 92-year-old in East Sussex. Bob's next target is to beat the world record for the oldest golfer to achieve a hole-in-one. But he has a few more years to hone his skills, as the title is held by a 101-year-old from Florida who aced the 108-yard 16th at Deerfield Country Club in May 2001.

Weather in Scotland This Week

The thermometer "soared" to 19C (66F) in Glasgow last Saturday but for most of the week temperatures across Scotland hovered around 12/13C (54/55F) which is average for Scotland in May. But Glasgow reached 15C (59F) on Friday with favoured spots in the west reaching even higher when the sun shone. But the west of Scotland was also hit by thunderstorms on Friday and a lightning strike set fire to a house in Milton of Campsie in East Dunbartonshire.

This week's illustrations from Scotland showing the current weather are first of all a deep pink cherry tree in Macrosty Park in Crieff, Perthshire - the blue sky is just visible behind the blossom. Below is an unusually coloured rhododendron growing as a specimen at a garden centre in Crieff. Finally, there is an illustration of the hills behind Crieff in Perthshire which had a light covering of snow on the top when that picture was taken on Wednesday, 5 May.

Napoleon - Exile in Dumbarton?

According to documents uncovered by a researcher, the British government gave consideration to imprisoning the Napoleon in Dumbarton Castle after the defeat of the French emperor at Waterloo. The castle had already served as a prison for French prisoners during the Napoleonic Wars. But although the idea was put to the prime minister of the day by Lord Castlereagh the foreign secretary, eventually it was decided that housing Napoleon at the castle would be too contentious. It was decided that Napoleon should spend his final days at remote St Helena instead.

Wind Power - 100 Years Old

Although wind powered turbines are seen as an innovation which will create electricity from renewable resources, the concept is far from new. It is being suggested that over 100 years ago at Marykirk, in what was then Kincardineshire, a lecturer at West of Scotland Technical College (now Strathclyde University) in Glasgow may have created the first house in Scotland to have electricity and the first in the world to be powered by wind. Prof James Blyth was guided by the eminent physicist Lord Kelvin and his experimental turbine designs provided power at his summer residence for 25 years from 1891.

Miniature King Charles II

The National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh bought a 500-year-old masterpiece "Venus Anadyomene" by Titian for a cool £11.6 million last year but that quite a dent in its acquisitions budget. But the Portrait Gallery's director says that he is "thrilled" by the latest purchase - even though it cost a mere £20,000. It is not just a miniature price, it is a miniature picture, measuring only 2.5 inches high. But the portrait is of King Charles II at a time when he was monarch of Scotland but not of England. He had fled to France after the execution of his father King Charles I, but returned to Scotland a year later where he was crowned at Scone on 1 January 1651. He did not become king of England until after the Restoration in 1660. While Charles was in Scotland, David de Granges was appointed "His Majesty's Limner" and painted the miniature - but was never paid for his work by the king.

Next Week in History

• May 9 1170 - Arbroath Abbey dedicated to St Thomas à Becket.
• May 9 1860 - J M Barrie, author of "Peter Pan" born
• May 9 1918 - John MacLean, socialist revolutionary, first Soviet Consul in Britain in 1917, honorary president of the first Congress of Soviets, tried in the High Court for sedition.
• May 9 1957 - A spectacular blaze at Bell's Brae, Edinburgh, destroyed the premises of one of Britain's largest theatrical costumiers; around 90,000 costumes were lost.
• May 10 1307 - Battle of Loudon Hill, near Darvel. King Robert I comprehensively defeated English forces under de Valence.
• May 10 1809 - Andrew Bell, co-founder of Encyclopaedia Britannica with Colin MacFarquhar, died.
• May 10 1810 - Rev Henry Duncan opened the world's first savings bank in Ruthwell, near Dumfries.
• May 10 1850 - Sir Thomas Lipton, founder of the Lipton's grocery chain who was a millionaire by the age of 30, was born in Glasgow.
• May 10 1941 - Rudolf Hess, Hitler's deputy, descended by parachute into Scotland at Eaglesham.
• May 10 1967 - Breath tests for motorists suspected of drinking and driving introduced under the Road Safety Act.
• May 12 563 - Community of Iona founded by Colum Cille (St Columba) from Ireland.
• May 12 1725 - The Black Watch regiment was commissioned under General Wade to police the Highlands.
• May 12 1937 - Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth took place at Westminster Abbey.
• May 12 1994 - Rt Hon John Smith, leader of the Labour Party died.
• May 13 1568 - Mary, Queen of Scots, defeated at Battle of Langside.
• May 13 1995 - Alison Hargreave, a 33-year-old mother of two from Spean Bridge became the first woman to climb Mount Everest solo and without oxygen. She died three years later while descending K2, the world's second-highest mountain.
• May 13 1999 - Donald Dewar elected as First Minister of the new Scottish Parliament.
• May 14 1754 - St Andrews Society of Golfers constituted. In 1834 it became the Royal and Ancient Golf Club.
• May 14 1771 - Industrialist and social reformer Robert Owen born.
• May 15 1567 - Mary, Queen of Scots, married Earl of Bothwell at 4am.
• May 15 1800 - King George III escaped two assassination attempts in one day. In Hyde Park, London, a bullet intended for him hit a man standing alongside. Later, at the Drury Lane Theatre, two bullets missed him and hit the wooden panel behind him. His assailant was found to be insane.
• May 15 1887 - Poet and critic Edwin Muir born.

Rankin Wins Crime Writers' Oscar

Edinburgh-based crime novelist Ian Rankin this week won the Edgar Allan Poe Award, the top US accolade for crime writers presented by the Mystery Writers of America. The novel which won the prize was "Resurrection Men" a novel based on his Edinburgh detective John Rebus.

Joan Collins Performs in Glasgow

Mega-star Joan Collins flew into Glasgow this week to take part in a week-long production of the play "Full Circle" at the King's Theatre in the city. Her fifth husband, Percy Gibson, is the stage manager of the play. Even at 70 she was still able to attract a wall of cameras as she arrived at the terminal building. She said all the right things about the "incredibly successful" play but also admitted she was going on a shopping expedition to the Princes Square mall. She will also be meeting some of her husband's family - Percy Gibson's mother lives in Glasgow (she's 12 years older than the Hollywood star).

Eye in the Sky Over Glasgow

An application has been lodged to instal the world's largest mobile observation wheel in Glasgow's George Square over the summer months. George Square is well used to such entertainment - though the ferris wheel (illustrated here) which is used as part of "Festival of Love" in the city is much smaller than the one being proposed. The London Eye-style wheel with 42 gondolas, each capable of holding six people, was first used as part of the Millennium celebrations in Paris. But when it was later installed in Birmingham the commentary was still describing the view in Paris. Hopefully that will have been resolved for the Glasgow visit.

First Scot to Win UK Young Musician of the Year

Violinist Nicola Benedetti from Ayrshire became the first Scot in 26 years to win the prestigious "Young Musician of the Year" competition this week. 16-year-old Nicola began playing when she was only aged 4 and by the age of eight she was leading the National Children's Orchestra of Scotland. She entered the Yehudi Menuhin School for gifted musicians at the age of 10 and is said to practice seven hours a day. Nicola won the violinist section of the competition and then competed against other youngsters who had won playing their own speciality instrument, ranging from piano to percussion.

First Album at Age 90

Jim Crawford from Fife was a close friend of the great Scottish country dance musician, the late Sir Jimmy Shand. At the age of 90 Jim still performs his molodian (a type of accordion) regularly with his band every Saturday night. Encouraged by friends and relatives, he has now published a CD of his music, entitled appropriately enough "Matured to Perfection". Jim has been playing since the age of 16 where he bought his first molodian from a music store in Dundee - where Jimmy Shand was the shop's star salesman.

Sunday and Mid-Week Football Results

Celtic 1 Dunfermline 2
Hibernian 1 Partick Thistle 2

Bank of Scotland Premier League Results - 8 May 2004

Aberdeen 0 Hibernian 1
Dundee 2 Kilmarnock 0
Heart of Midlothian 2 Dunfermline 1
Motherwell 0 Dundee United 1
Celtic 1 Rangers 0

Scottish First Division Results - 8 May 2004

Clyde 1 Inverness 2
Falkirk 0 Ayr United 0
Raith Rovers 1 Brechin City 1
Ross County 1 Queen of the South 2
St Johnstone 1 St Mirren 3

League Tables

Celtic were presented with the Premier League trophy last Saturday, though Dunfermline, their opponents on the day, slightly spoiled the party by defeating the champions. Dunfermline last achieved that feat in August 1997, though whether they can repeat the performance at the end of the month when they again face Celtic - in the Scottish Cup final - remains to be seen. In the final Celtic/Rangers clash of the season, Chris Sutton grabbed a late goal for Celtic to make it a clean sweep of victories this season over their rivals - for the first time for 30 years.

The defeat of Clyde by second-placed Inverness on Saturday means that the First Division title race will go down to the wire. If Inverness defeat St Johnstone next Saturday, in the final match of the season, they will win the title. But although the club has an acceptable ground-sharing deal with Aberdeen to allow them to play in the Scottish Premier League, they may turn down promotion if it is decided that it is not in the long term financial interests of the club. The chairman says "no decision has been taken." So Partick Thistle may survive in the SPL after all.

Ayr United will join Brechin City in being relegated to the Second Division. Although Airdrie United have won the Second Division, it will take next Saturday's final matches to decide whether they are joined in promotion by Hamilton, Greenock or Dumbarton - only two points separate the three teams.

Manager of the Year

When the Scottish Football Writers' Association members voted to select their "Manager of the Year" the result was perhaps predictable. Martin O'Neill the Celtic manager will collect the latest "trophy" of a successful season on Sunday. And he will see his defender Jackie McNamara collect the award for "Player of the Year."

Rangers' Debts Soar to £129 Million

Any hope that the Rangers manager would have a cash mountain to help build a team to challenge the best next season look very dim. The latest annual report from the club shows that debts in the parent company Murray Sports soared to £129 million last year. The club has published debts of £68 million but the parent company has a "soft" loan (on favourable terms) from another part of the Murray Group. But David Murray, the club's biggest shareholder, has said that consideration is being given to another rights issue. While there may be few investors willing to put their money into a company with such financial problems, Murray himself could take up much of the issue himself - he is estimated to be worth £450 million.

Ferguson Will Miss Next Two Internationals

Scotland's poor performances over the last few years have not been helped by injuries to some of their best players. For example, Barry Ferguson (formerly a Rangers mid-field player but latterly with Blackburn Rovers in the English Premier Division) suffered a knee injury last December. Berti Vogts the Scotland manager had hoped that Ferguson would have been fit for the friendly games against Estonia (in Tallin on May 27 and Trinidad and Tobago on May 30 at Easter Road in Edinburgh) but the player is to have another small operation. Goalkeeper Rab Douglas and winger Neil McCann will both miss these games due to injury.

Hearts Stay at Tynecastle - for One More Year

George Foulkes, the Heart of Midlothian chairman, has confirmed that the club will remain at Tynecastle - but only for one more year. Then they will play at the national rugby stadium at Murrayfield until a permanent home has been built for the club. At this stage, no location for the club's new home has been established. But selling the existing stadium to developers will, it is hoped, provide for a new stadium and clear some of the club's large debt.

New Saints Manager

John Connolly has been named the new manager of Perth club St Johnstone, following the dismissal of their previous manager, Billy Stark. Connolly, currently the manager of Queen of the South, enjoyed great success at Perth as a player in the 1970s. The club was third in the league in 1970/71 and as a result played in the UEFA Cup the following season. Connolly scored twice in that campaign which saw Saints advance to the third round. Following his appointment, he said that the club should be in the SPL and he would be trying to make it happen.