Hospital Waiting Times Improved?

In parts of the world where patients do not have lengthy waits for treatment, it may come as a surprise to find that the Scottish Executive is proudly proclaiming that nobody now has to wait longer than six months between a GP referring a patient to hospital and their first appointment with a consultant. And the waiting time for those who have been diagnosed has been cut to a maximum of 24 weeks. Of course, many patients are dealt with in much less time. But four years ago, the wait to see a consultant, even for some heart conditions, could be over a year and 11,000 patients had been waiting for treatment for over six months. Since then billions of extra pounds have poured in to the service. Andy Kerr, the Scottish Executive health minister announced the latest figures this week and claimed that the National Health Service was driving down delays further, with new targets for 2007. But critics point out that 34,977 patients (representing almost a third of those on the waiting list) are excluded from the official figures because they have low-priority conditions or failed to show up for treatment at the appointed time. The number of these has grown by more than 5000 since 2002. And although the new target for 2007 is to cut waiting times to 18 weeks, the maximum wait in England for an outpatient appointment is already down to 12 weeks.

Toll on Erskine Bridge to be Scrapped?

Although the Scottish Executive will not finally decide until next week, it is looking increasingly likely that the toll paid by drivers using the Erskine Bridge (pictured here) across the river Clyde will be scrapped, after a long campaign by the local authorities and businesses on both sides of the river. Ten million vehicles a year cross the bridge - private cars pay 60p and commercial vehicles more. Since the toll in the Forth Bridge only applies in one direction, that made the Erskine Bridge the most expensive in Scotland for those making a return journey. Business leaders claim that although the government will lose around £5.6 million in toll revenue, the local economy would save £20 million a year and jobs would created.
It is also expected that the government will not allow an increase on the Forth Road Bridge meantime - that crossing copes with around 25 million vehicles a year, twice the design capacity. The Executive want to wait until experts have reported on how the corrosion on the cables supporting the bridge can be fixed. This will take a considerable amount of time - probably until after the next Scottish Parliament elections - and there are concerns that if a "quick fix" cannot be found, it could be too late to build a new bridge before the present one has to be closed, at least to commercial vehicles. There were complaints from some folk in Fife, who say that the only remaining tolls in Scotland are on the bridges over the Forth and the Tay in the north of the county. Some Members of the Scottish Parliament representing constituencies in the "Kingdom" called that "discrimination against Fifers." However, it would be foolish to encourage more traffic by removing the toll on the overloaded Forth Bridge. The tolls on the bridge to the Isle of Skye were removed in January 2005, but with less than 800,000 vehicle crossings in a year, the government revenue implications were not major.

Visitor Numbers to Scottish Attractions

The Association of Leading Visitor Attractions in the UK has reported a slump in the numbers going to the UK's top attractions in London following the terrorist bombings there on 7 July, although that led to some sites outside of that city benefiting from displaced visitors. Numbers to the London Eye, for example, were down by 30% after the bombings, but Kew Gardens on the outskirts had an increase of 25% in their numbers. In Scotland, numbers were down at both Edinburgh and Stirling Castle in 2005, said to be because of the G8 protest marches, although weather last year may also have been a factor. However, the Museum of Scotland in the capital saw numbers rising by 9% while the Falkirk Wheel, which was not affected by the G8 protests, slumped by 30%. The Museum of Flight had a 116% increase in visitor numbers - but that was due to the arrival of the Concorde supersonic aircraft.

National Trust Chief Resigns

Dr Robin Pellew, the chief executive of the National Trust for Scotland, the largest conservation charity in the country, has astounded members of the board by resigning. He is quoted as saying that he had "simply had enough of balancing the books" and could not "face another term sorting out its financial difficulties". The Trust is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its creation (in April 1931) and Pellew is credited with modernising the organisation and getting its finances onto a firmer financial basis. Before he took over, there was a continuing cash crisis and declining visitor numbers. Although many of the Trust properties will never cover their cost of maintenance, he has managed to significantly trim the losses and has increased membership of the Trust and has seen overall visitor numbers grow - particularly at gems such as Culzean Castle (seen here). But he has described his five years at the helm as a "roller-coaster." There was concern that his departure might affect some high profile projects such as rescuing the Burns Heritage Park in Alloway (at the request of the Scottish Executive) and Abbotsford, built by Sir Walter Scott as his home in the Scottish Borders. The Trust looks after more than 100 famous castles, country houses and gardens as well as 185,000 acres of countryside.

Campaign Begins Against Aberdeen By-Pass Plan

A road to by-pass Aberdeen and reduce congestion in the city has been debated for decades. Finally, it took five years of campaigning by business leaders and politicians in the north-east to get the Scottish Executive to commit the finance to the project in January 2003. There have been a range of routes and options under consideration since then and last December the Scottish Executive announced what they claimed was a "compromise" solution. They claimed this addressed some of the major objections to the five routes which were under consideration. It also happens to be the cheapest option and will take a year less to build than the other routes. But now residents who are directly affected by the chosen route are organising a campaign to get it changed and are pledging to take the issue to the European courts if they do not get the result they want from a public enquiry. The surprise decision to have a spur from Stonehaven seems to be causing the greatest volume of objections as it has an impact on a number of up-market residential properties. The aim of the spur was to take traffic going north of Aberdeen away from the coastal road between Stonehaven and Aberdeen. The Scottish Executive claim that upgrading that road would have affected property along that route and created greater engineering challenges and greater disruption during construction.

Drop in Road Accidents Involving Children

The number of children under the age of 15 injured on Scottish roads has fallen from 12,035 in 2002 to 10,108 last year. The number admitted to hospital after road accidents fell by nearly 25%, from 923 in 2002 to 699 in 2005. Some of that reduction may be due to improvements in treatment so that fewer children need to be admitted to hospital - and a sedentary life style means fewer children out playing on roads. However, campaigners say that there is a greater awareness of safety measures and accident prevention initiatives. Many schools now have the roads in their vicinity with 20mph speed restrictions imposed when kids are going to or from school at the start and end of the school day and at lunchtime. A large number of minor roads in residential areas also have permanent 20mph advisory speed limits. Statistically, Aberdeen has more hospital admissions per 1,000 children than any other part of Scotland with Dumfries and Galloway recording the lowest such figures.

Thrifty Scots

The reputation of Scots for thriftiness was gained in the days when most folk in the country were not earning very much. These days, salaries are much higher but in a society where conspicuous consumption is an important element in the lives of many, savings are not rated a very high priority. So maybe the Bank of Scotland's survey of the savings habits of its customers should come as no surprise. The report says that the average Scot has a nest egg of around £6,000 set aside for a rainy day. That's about 31% of gross annual average earnings. But in Glasgow, savings are only £4,270 on average, which equates to 22% of annual earnings in Scotland's largest city. Shetland, on the other hand, tops the league table with average savings of £8,587 which is equivalent to around 46% of local gross average earnings. Only West Lothian comes out worse than Glasgow - although average earnings are high at £22,500, savings amount to only £4,106. Of course, these figures were compiled from customers savings accounts - maybe the high flyers of West Lothian have stocks and shares or other investments? On the other hand, averages can be deceptive - another survey claims that over 30% of Scots have only £100 or less in savings, including savings and shares. Consumer debt in the UK has now reached £1.1 trillion, of which Scots will account for around 8%.

Edinburgh Commuters Bus to Work

Figures released by the Scottish Executive this week show that more people in Edinburgh travel to work by bus than anywhere else in Scotland. 26% of residents in the capital use a bus to get to work - that's double the national average and higher than in Glasgow and Dundee where 20/21% of people make their journeys to work on a bus. Whether that is because the public transport service is better in the capital or because of policies aimed at keeping cars out of the city - or a combination of both factors - is a matter for debate. Overall, Scots make 16% more local bus journeys than the British average - again, this may be due in part to a lower car ownership level north of the border. Local bus trips increased by 2% last year - the sixth consecutive annual increase in the number of journeys. Even so, overall passenger numbers are 9% lower than they were ten years ago. About 80% of those aged over 60 have a concessionary bus pass which allows them free travel at off-peak times.

Highland Airports Passenger Numbers Take Off

Although the numbers of passengers do not compare with those of Scotland's main airports at Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, there has been growth also at the 10 airports operated by Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (Hial). Wick showed the biggest gain in the last year, with numbers up by 41%. The passengers using Inverness grew by an impressive 28% and even the number of air travellers to and from Islay and Tiree went up by 18%. In total, the airports have handled 975,876 passengers in the last ten months - a 12.4% growth over the same period last year. The statistics were published in a week in which the first direct air service between Inverness and Leed/Bradford airport in the north of England was announced by Eastern Airways. The new route will start on April 24 and is another success for the government's Route Development Fund, which subsides new air services from Scotland.

Boulders Fall from Edinburgh Castle

Part of the rock face below Edinburgh Castle had to be shored up and a road was closed last week after large rocks fell onto Johnstone Terrace. Nobody was injured and it has been suggested that during recent cold weather water may have seeped into cracks and frozen, fracturing the rocks. Historic Scotland, who look after the castle, say that they have specialist maintenance and conservation teams to check the volcanic rock beneath the castle on a very regular basis. They assess its condition, monitor any damage caused by weather, ensure that there are no loose sections, and assess if any work is required. In the aftermath of the fall, Historic Scotland said they were considering covering part of the rock with safety nets as public safety had to take precedence over the beauty of the castle's setting. Hopefully any such measures will only be temporary.

Freedom of Aberdeen for New Regiment

The Royal Regiment of Scotland is set to be conferred with the Freedom of the City of Aberdeen. The recommendation will be discussed at next week’s meeting of the City Council. This will enable the regiment to march through the city on Saturday, July 1, after returning from overseas duties in Iraq, with "bayonets fixed, drums beating and colours flying". The Freedom of the City was granted to the Gordon Highlanders in 1949. Officers of the Royal Regiment of Scotland consider that there is no automatic right of 'inheritance' by the Royal Regiment of the Freedom granted to the Gordon Highlanders, so a new conferral of the Freedom is required.

Impact of Relocation on Scottish Natural Heritage

The chief executive of Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has reported that the move of the agency from Edinburgh to Inverness continues to pose a risk to its ability to do its work, due to the loss of experienced personnel. Documents released under the Freedom of Information Act show less than 20% of the 270 staff currently based in the capital have agreed to move, despite a generous relocation package. A new £15 million HQ has been built in the Highland capital - see artist's impression of the new building. The revelations came as scores of staff at the national sports agency Sportscotland have threatened to quit if its HQ is moved from Edinburgh to Glasgow. The moves are part of the Scottish Executive's policy of dispersing public sector jobs throughout the country, to spread the benefits of devolution.

Scotland Walks the Walk

A study commissioned by the government agencies VisitScotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Enterprise and Forestry Commission Scotland has shown that Scotland is regarded as a top destination for walkers who come to Scotland for its scenery, easily accessible walks and "safe" wildlife as well as its culture and heritage. VisitScotland has just produced a new guide to promote the country for outdoor holidays. "Walking in Scotland" lists 50 routes of varying levels of difficulty, from the Borders to the Shetland Isles, as well as walking events and festivals. It is estimated that tourists who go walking as part of their holiday in Scotland spend almost £1bn each year.

Government Rejects Support for Perth City Status

There was disappointment amongst civic leaders in Perth when the Scottish Executive announced that it would not support moves by the "Fair City" to be given official "city" status. It was pointed out that the UK government had not brought forward any plans to have a competition for city status (as they had in recent years when Stirling and Inverness in Scotland had won this award). In the past, being a city was largely a status issue, but since the introduction of the government's "Cities Growth Fund" other towns have become more interested. See Scotland's Cities on the background to Scotland's current cities - and those aspiring to the title.

Flying Scotsman on Pakistan TV

A senior teacher from Keith, in Moray, went on an exchange posting to north-east Pakistan recently and taught the pupils at Lahore Lyceum School Scottish country dancing as well as English. Cathy Francis was in the middle of a dance class when a local Geo-News team turned up and filmed the dancing of a Virginia Reel and The Flying Scotsman. The item was broadcast on national TV the next day. Pupils in Keith are now getting ready to welcome a teacher from Lahore next month. The cultural link began in 2004 when pupils at the two schools exchanged messages and photographs. Since then, there has been frequent communication as the youngsters learn about each other's country.

Snowy Owls Home in the Western Isles

Movement of birds southwards from their usual territory is not what you would expect with global warming having such an impact. But the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) in Scotland has recorded the largest influx of snowy owls into the Outer Hebrides since the early 1970s. These large birds (they stand almost two feet tall and have a wingspan of over five feet) are normally found near the Arctic Circle - and are well known as the postal delivery mechanism in Harry Potter. A number of snowy owls have been spotted in North Uist in isolated areas - where there is a good supply of rabbits. Other individual snowy owls have been seen in Shetland, Wester Ross and Aberdeenshire. The photo shows a snowy owl in captivity at the Palacerigg Country Park.

Crofters Say Townies Ruin Country Life

The Scottish Crofting Foundation (SCF) says it has come across evidence of the increasing numbers of town dwellers moving to the countryside - and then complain about cows mooing, barking dogs, sheep wandering on the road and "noisy" tractors. While some of the stories just raise a laugh, some crofters have been taken to court for allowing sheep and cattle - or muck - on the roads and they are having to put up more fences to stop sheep wandering into gardens. The SCF says that the moan about noisy tractors by former urban dwellers was like a crofter moving to the city and complaining about buses running past his house. The organisation fears that urban courts are creating case law in favour of those who come to visit or live in the countryside and have their perception of country living clouded by urban values. In the past, if complaints had been made to the police about sheep or cows getting into gardens, they would have told the home owner to make sure the gate was shut or their fence was repaired. Now that has been turned on its head and it is becoming the responsibility of the owner of the stock.

Moths Decline by Over 30%

The Butterfly Conservation organisation has reported that the number of common moths in Britain has fallen by a third since 1968 - although Scotland has not suffered to the same extent. 75% of moth species in southern Britain have declined since 1968 but in norther Britain the fall affects "only" 55% of moth species. The cause has yet to be established, but habitat destruction, pesticides, pollution and climate change are the main suspects. The loss of such insects has serious implications for moth predators - such as birds and bats. The illustration shows a small magpie moth.

Sweeney Codd Wins National Title

A shop selling fried fish and chips (French fries) in Ness, the most northerly point of the Western Isle of Lewis, is described as "the last chippie before Canada". But its fish and chips have been voted in a national newspaper as the best in Scotland and one of the top ten in the UK. Called "Sweeney Todd - The Frying Squad" it is run by a couple who were originally from the island but who packed up a job in London to return to Lewis. When they were first told about the accolade, they thought it was a hoax and it is still a mystery how the remote outlet's fame had spread. There are tourists who visit the area and they may have been pleasantly surprised to find such facilities there - and the fish is bound to be fresh off the local boats.

Weather in Scotland This Week

Although temperatures this week were largely in the range 6-8C (43-46F) it has felt cold than this as a strong easterly wind has been blowing much of the time. That has meant that the east coast has been cloudier than the west and there has been shower activity in the east too. There has not been a lot of sunshine around although Aberdeen managed to record an appreciable number of hours on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The cold winds look like continuing into next week as there is a "Greenland Block" (high pressure over Greenland and also over continental Europe) which sends cold Arctic winds down over Scotland and the UK. Forecasters are predicting low overnight temperatures and possibly even snow as the wind chill factor makes it feel even colder, with the "real feel" below freezing point even during the day, until the end of next week.
Despite the colder weather, the spring flowers are continuing to burst forth - this is one of the first daffodils I've seen, photographed earlier this week.

This Week's Colour Supplement

This week's online photographs taken in Scotland to show the current season and its flora and fauna include a number of views of Loch Lomond and Ben Lomond, Canada Geese, Oystercatchers and Helleborus. See Colour Supplement - 25 February 2006.

Memorial Arch to Princess

The Earl of Strathmore has unveiled a plan to create a 16ft-high memorial arch to the late Princess Margaret in the grounds of Glamis Castle in Perthshire. The princess was born at the castle in 1930 - her father later became King George VI and her mother, born as Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, later became Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Princess Margaret was the first royal baby in direct line to the throne to have been born in Scotland for 300 years. Protocol in those days demanded that the Home Secretary had to be present at such a birth, so he had to travel from London for the event! The memorial arch will stand over an ornamental urn, beside a yew hedge close to the Italian Gardens, in a scenic part of the grounds which is open to the public. A proposal for new entrance gates and a piazza at Glamis in memory of the Queen Mother is also being progressed.
The photo here, taken many years ago and on display at Glamis, shows the Queen Mother flanked by Queen Elizabeth II on the left and Princess Margaret on the right.

Rare Raeburn Paintings Saved for Nation

Historic Scotland has bought a series of paintings, including four by Sir Henry Raeburn (1756-1823), so that they can remain in Leith. The seven pictures were being sold by The Incorporation of Masters and Mariners of Trinity House in Leith in order to bolster its pensions fund. The most significant Raeburn portrait commissioned by the Incorporation was one of Napoleonic War hero Admiral Duncan, who was a mentor to Lord Nelson. The Incorporation dates back to the 15th century and is the last surviving guild in Leith. The paintings will continue to be displayed in the organisation's museum, where they can be enjoyed by the public. Some have been displayed in the same position since the current Trinity House building was completed in 1816.

Uncovering the Past

Architectural historians have been painstakingly scraping away the paintwork on shops in William Street in Edinburgh to try to establish the original colours used in the Georgian street. Edinburgh World Heritage is funding the exploration with a grant worth more than £350,000 with the aim of recreating an authentic period atmosphere on the street. It is hoped that the experts will be able to uncover the original patterns on windows and walls as well as where any shutters were positioned. Very little is known about the original shops of the New Town, which would have specialised originally in luxury merchandise, such as tea and popular confectionery for the growing middle class of the early 19th century. William Street has been particularly well preserved and has been used as the backdrop for a number of period dramas including a TV version of Micawber by Charles Dickens. The illustration was taken while filming for that programme was taking place.

Next Week in Scottish History

• February 26 1672 - Philip van der Straten, a Fleming, was granted Scots naturalisation and set up a factory in Kelso, thus starting the Border woollen industry.
• February 26 1931 - Scotland football manager Ally MacLeod born in Glasgow. Long remembered, unfairly, for the disaster of the World Cup in Argentina in 1978.
• February 26 1935 - Robert Watson Watt demonstrated radar for the first time.
• February 26 1950 - Entertainer and song writer Sir Harry Lauder died.
• February 27 1545 - Battle of Ancrum Moor in which Scottish forces, led by Earl of Douglas, defeated an English army twice their size.
• February 28 1638 - Second National Covenant signed in Greyfriars Churchyard.
• February 29 1528 - Patrick Hamilton, a Protestant martyr, was burned at the stake in St Andrews.
• March 1 1682 - The Advocate's Library (known as the National Library of Scotland since 1925) opened by its founder, Sir George Mackenzie, the Lord Advocate.
• March 1 1979 - Scots voted in favour of Devolution, but failed to reach the required 40% of the population in favour of implementing it - due to 36% of the electorate not voting.
• March 2 1316 - King Robert II born in Paisley.
• March 2 1838 - Clydesdale Bank founded in Glasgow.
• March 2 1990 - The Queen officially inaugurated Glasgow's year as Cultural Capital of Europe.
• March 3 1792 - Robert Adam, architect, died.
• March 3 1847 - Alexander Graham Bell born Edinburgh.
• March 4 1756 - Sir Henry Raeburn, renowned for painting the portraits of many of the citizens of Edinburgh, born.
• March 4 1890 - Forth Rail Bridge opened by Prince of Wales.
• March 4 1936 - Jim Clark, Formula I World motor racing champion, born Fife.

All of Glasgow's a Stage

A new experimental theatre show is being launched in Glasgow where performances are not held in a theatre but in the streets and buildings in the centre of the city. As the actors move from Queen Street Station to Waxy O'Connors bar and on to the Underground, the audience (maximum number is just 10) will move around the city with them. The play - a love story - is being staged by the National Theatre of Scotland Workshop in conjunction with Poorboy and the Arches Theatre. The final scenes take place in an office block at Atlantic Quay, the city's international finance district. The performance - entitled "Falling" will run from March 14 to April 15, (excluding Sundays and Mondays) at 7.55pm and tickets are available from the Arches box office.

Inverness Music Festival

Running from 20 February to 11 March, this festival takes in competitive events in the major disciplines of instrumental music, vocal and choral classes, speech, Gaelic, piping and Scottish Country Dancing. It was established in 1922 and almost four thousand people of all ages will be taking part in the event - numbers have trebled in the last ten years. For more details, see Inverness Music Festival Web site.

Tonight's the Night

Tickets for a new musical "Tonight's the Night" at Aberdeen's HM Theatre from 6-11 March are reported to be "selling fast". The hit musical was written by Ben Elton and features more than 20 of Rod Stewart's hit songs, including Maggie May, Hot Legs and Sailing. The musical tells the story of a young man who finds it difficult to approach ladies in the glamorous clubs of Los Angeles.

Centre for Contemporary Arts Rescued

The Centre for Contemporary Art (originally called the Third Eye Centre) in Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street received £10.2 million of public funds and opened in 2001. But higher than expected running costs resulted in growing losses and it was suggested in 2003 that the centre might have to close, unless additional funding could be found. The £7.8 million capital grant contributed towards creating the CCA from the National Lottery Fund was the largest single award to an arts project in Scotland at that time. The CCA has staggered on but has had to be rescued again by the Scottish Arts Council after running up debts totalling hundreds of thousands of pounds. The Arts Council allocates £700,000 to the CCA each year but has had to step in to take over operations after the mass resignation of the centre's board members. Funding is also provided by Glasgow City Council as it is regarded as a key cultural venue for Glasgow.

Broom Festival Sweeps Up Visitors

The seventh 'Yellow's on the Broom' international music and arts festival at Sillyflatt Barn, south of Inverbervie, takes place on the weekend of April 29 and 30 at 7.30pm. This popular event, unique in the North-East, will again be presenting over 10 acts from several continents. The musical styles range from cheeky hornpipes and reels to the futuristic vibe of jazz-funk-dance with Celtic roots. Woven in between is African Bassa Beat and World, Rock music for kids, Japanese drumming, saucy samba, and guitareros' Rythm & Blues and classic Pop-Rock. The traditional Mearns seems to survive this each year and ask for more! Last year over a 1,000 people turned up for the event, which included a German rock band called "Geraldino and the Plomsters" who played at local schools as well as the festival. For details, see yellowsonthebroom.ifb.co.uk.

Sunday and Mid-Week Football Results

Dunfermline 1 Celtic 8
Rangers 2 Villareal 2 (European Champions League)

Scottish Cup Fifth Round - 25 February 2006

Falkirk 1 Hibernian 5
Gretna 1 St Mirren 0
Hamilton 0 Dundee 0
Heart of Midlothian 2 Partick Thistle 1

Bank of Scotland Premierleague Results - 25 February 2006

Dunfermline 1 Dundee United 1

Bell's Scottish Football League First Division Results - 25 February 2006

Ross County 1 Stranraer 1

Bell's Scottish Football League Second Division Results - 25 February 2006

Alloa Athletic 1 Raith Rovers 1
Ayr United 1 Peterhead 2
Greenock Morton 3 Forfar 0

BT Scotland Rugby Division 1 Results - 25 February 2006

Biggar 14 Heriots 9
Boroughmuir 19 Glasgow Hawks 24
Currie 36 Hawick 11
Melrose 22 Ayr 17
Stewart's Melville 18 Aberdeen 13
Stirling County 14 Watsonians 32

League Tables

Celtic's 8-1 defeat of Dunfermline last Sunday was the biggest number of goals in the history of the Scottish Premierleague. This Saturday, SPL (and First Division) matches were limited because of the involvement of teams in the Scottish Cup fifth round matches. So there has been little movement in the league tables. Celtic are way out in front of the SPL with 67 points, followed by Hearts (54 points), Rangers (46 points) and Hibs (45 points). Kilmarnock and Inverness are currently also in the top six. Livingston are trailing at the foot of the SPL, 7 points behind Dunfermline.

In the First Division, St Mirren are 5 points clear of Ross County who in turn are 2 points above St Johnstone. Brechin City remain fixed to the bottom of the table, 6 points adrift from Queen of the South. In the Second Division, Gretna are 8 points clear of Morton, despite playing 3 games fewer than the Greenock side. Partick Thistle are a further 10 points further back, but have played two games fewer than Morton.

With only two games remaining in the BT Scotland Rugby Division 1 Glasgow Hawks are 13 points ahead of Watsonians - though the Glasgow side got a fright when they went in 19-7 down at half-time against Boroughmuir on Saturday. They had to fight back to finish 24-19 ahead by the end of the match. Of course, the league championship had already been won and the sides were playing for pride.

Scotland Defeat England to Win Calcutta Cup

It has been six years since Scotland has defeated England in the Six Nations rugby championship and indeed the Scots have only won the match three times in twenty years - but on each occasion (1990 and 2000) it denied England a Grand Slam. England have also won the last five Calcutta Cup encounters, averaging 38 points a time against the 'Auld Enemy' and came to Murrayfield with a heavy-weight team, expecting to push Scotland aside. But on a wet and windy pitch, the Scots held on in the first half and the sides went in at half time level 3-3, both sides having scored a penalty. In the second half Scotland's kicker Chris paterson edged the side ahead to a 12-6 lead. The worsening weather conditions meant that both sides were inhibited from moving the ball wide. But Scotland's Chris Paterson kept the Scots ahead with more penalties to produce a famous 18-12 victory. Scotland have games against Ireland and Italy to play while England have Ireland and France as opponents in the remaining matches. At this stage, a number of the teams - now including Scotland - have the opportunity to win the Six Nations trophy.

Gretna In Scottish Cup Semi-Finals

The 5th round of the Scottish Cup produced the expected wins for Hearts and Hibernian, but Second Division Gretna produced the surprise of the day, defeating St Mirren 1-0. Gretna were only promoted to the Second Division at the end of last season and St Mirren are currently leading the First Division and look set to be back in the SPL. But a second-half goal by Kenny Deuchar won Gretna a place in the Scottish Cup semi-final - the first Second Division team to do so since 1982. The other 5th round match between Hamilton and Dundee (both in the First Division) ended 0-0 and will require a replay.

Rangers Keep European Dream Alive

Rangers entered uncharted territory this week as they played for the first time in the last 16 of the European Champions League, the first time that a Scottish side has reached that stage. Villareal were 8th in the Spanish La Liga last year but in 2003 they won their first European trophy, the Intertoto Cup and reached the semi-fials of the UEFA Cup the following year. This year, they finished top of their group in the Champions League - Manchester United failed twice to score against them. In the match against Rangers, they went ahead early on, thanks to a penalty awarded after Dado Prso had inexplicably handled the ball. Løvenkrands pulled one back for the Ibrox club less than 15 minutes later but Villareal went ahead again in the same timescale with a goal which many thought was offside - but according to the complicated rules, was probably legal. Villareal were a fluent team but Rangers battled on and 8 minutes from the end got lucky as a Buffel cross was deflected by a Spanish defender into the net. Rangers are still in with a shout, but losing two away goals to the Spanish side probably means that they either have to do the same in the return match - or win.

Andy Murray Wins Open Tennis in San Jose

Scottish tennis star Andy Murray went from strength to strength at the SAP Open tennis tournament in San Jose last weekend. He defeated top seed and US Open champion Andy Rodick 7-5, 7-5 in the semi-final, the first time Murray had defeated a top-10 opponent. Andy then faced former number one Lleyton Hewitt in the final. Hewitt had not won a title for 13 months - and Andy made that barren spell even longer. Murray lost the first set but battled back to take the next two and win his first ATP title. Murray has now broken into the top 50 in the ATP rankings at 47th. The only British players ahead of him in the rankings are Tim Henman at 40th and Greg Rusedski at 43rd. But that is likely to change when the new ranking table is published early next week and Murray could well become the top-ranked British player, aged just 18 years 8 months.

Return of Charity Road Race

Shortly before the Glasgow Southern Orbital road in East Renfrewshire was officially opened to cars last April, a charity road race was organised along the motorway. To everyone's surprise, 10,000 people turned up for the event and raised £250,000 for Macmillan Cancer Relief and related charities. Now the race is being organised again - this time on May 14, along the Eaglesham Moor Road - which was the road which the Orbital route replaced. Around 7,500 are expected to turn up this time as the Moor Road is more undulating. Participants have the option of running, walking or cycling 5k or 10k to raise money for cancer support charities. For more details, see www.runtheroad.org.