The Scotsman

Centrica Drive to Import Liquid Gas

SCOTTISH Gas owner Centrica has put aside GBP 2.5 billion to import liquid gas to the UK as it seeks to conquer soaring energy prices and diminishing domestic output. The company, which sold the AA last month for GBP 1.75bn, said it was in talks with at least two potential partners to secure long- term gas supplies for UK customers as the country is set to become a net importer of gas for the first time over the next two years.

So Why Can't the Scots Learn to Be Happy? We Tend As a People to Be Cautious and Suspicious of What Life Brings ... 'Canny'. And We Have a Bias Towards the Pessimistic

EITHER we are a country with a serious psychological hang-up or we need to seriously re-examine our thinking about chasing economic growth as a priority. According to David Bell, economics professor at Stirling University, the Executive's policy emphasis on growth, performance and prosperity is not making Scots a happier or more contented people.

Look! Up in the Sky - It's a Linguistic Conundrum

IT ONLY HAPPENS once in a blue moon, they say ... and blue moons, astronomical, proverbial or in glowing Technicolor, have inspired everything from Elvis Presley hits to folklore. But they ain't blue: at least certainly not tomorrow's manifestation of what astronomers now call a blue moon, which is nothing to do with colouration, but denotes when two full moons occur within a calendar month, a phenomenon that only occurs every two and a half years. As 29.5 days elapse between full moons, the ...

Has Brosnan Seen His Final Secret Mission?

THE new James Bond film, due to start shooting in January, has been beset with "creative difficulties" between the makers and its star for months. But now, its producers have another headache on their hands because it looks as if they will be forced to go ahead without Pierce Brosnan - whose licence to make money in the last Bond film, Die Another Day, reached a record-breaking dollars 400 million world- wide.

Cd of the Week: Mark Lanegan Band: Bubblegum Low-Down and Dirty

MARK LANEGAN BAND: BUBBLEGUM **** BEGGARS' BANQUET, GBP 13.99

Cd Reviews: Martin & Messiaen: Unaccompanied Choral Music

CLASSICAL MARTIN & MESSIAEN: UNACCOMPANIED CHORAL MUSIC ****

Is the Coastguard All at Sea?

SUNDAY morning and the narrow roads veining the rocky knuckle of the Mull of Galloway are uncharacteristically busy with yellow-and- navy checkered Coastguard vehicles and Landrovers towing boat trailers. At the Coastguard station at Drummore, an assembly of expectant figures in red and blue overalls and fluorescent yellow jackets brightens up an initially dreich morning as Dave Shaw, HM Coastguard's sector manager for Galloway, briefs several dozen members of coastguard, mountain rescue and ...

Owing Nothing

SCOTT McCallum flips open his wallet to reveal a thick line-up of credit cards. The 35-year-old uses plastic every day to pay for his groceries, meals and petrol as well as for big-ticket items such as holidays and sports equipment. "I have seven credit cards and an American Express card," he says. "I'm sure I don't need all of them, I probably use only three or four regularly.

Britain's Gbp 1 Trillion Mountain of Debt

HOUSEHOLD debt smashed through the GBP 1 trillion barrier for the first time yesterday as consumer groups warned that six million families across Britain are struggling to keep up with repayments. The Bank of England (BoE) said that consumers now owe GBP 1.004 trillion through mortgages, personal loans, overdrafts, hire purchase agreements and on credit cards. This represents GBP 16,700 for each man, woman and child.

Schools Cash System Chaos Turned Round Monitoring Success

GROSS financial mismanagement within the Borders education service - which allowed a GBP 4 million overspend to go undetected until 2001 - has been replaced by the most rigorous and effective monitoring system in Scotland, say council leaders. The claim was made yesterday following the publication of Scottish Borders Council's accounts for 2003-4, showing a remarkable turnaround from the chaos of three years ago.

Revamped Bank Hq May Become Festival Venue

THE Bank of Scotland's historic headquarters in Edinburgh could be used as a Festival venue under the latest plans for a multi- million pound revamp, which also includes a new museum of banking. The grounds of the grade-A listed 19th century landmark on The Mound are to be landscaped to provide space for a marquee for special events.

Finnie Opts for Gbp 18m Beef Envelope

SCOTLAND will have a beef "envelope" from next year worth about GBP 18 million to suckled calf producers. The first ten beef-bred calves from a business will qualify for about GBP 70 each, all others about GBP 35. The Scottish Executive hopes these payments will help avoid a slump in quality beef production under new common agricultural policy rules.

Standard Payouts Halved in 3 Years

PENSION savers with Standard Life whose policies mature this year will receive a lump sum less than half the size of those enjoyed by savers with policies that matured just three years ago. The Edinburgh-based mutual yesterday knocked a further GBP 13,000 off the final payout of a 20-year, GBP 200-a-month, with-profits pension plan, its second cut this year. The cumulative impact of the cuts has reduced the final payout on this type of policy by almost GBP 140,000 since 2001.

Diverse Scotland Occupied by Host of Social Groupings

FORGET Yuppies, Dinkies and Empty Nesters. A whole new range of social groups has emerged in Scotland over the past decade, according to new research. In its report, Mosaic Scotland, market analyst Experian has identified 44 consumer groups, including New Suburbanites, Songs of Praise, College and Campus, and Scenic Wonderland.

Ici Paints a Glowing Picture to Boost Shares

SHARES in chemicals giant ICI raced ahead yesterday after the firm posted better-than-expected results, driven by strong sales of paint and starch which offset the impact of rising raw material costs. The Dulux paint maker said pre-tax profit was GBP 118 million in the quarter to June, 20 per cent up on the same period last year, and 23 per cent up at the half-year stage to GBP 185m. But it warned prices might have to be raised again.

Mps Stress Need for More Foreign Troops

THE war in Iraq has turned the country into a terrorist battleground that needs many more international troops to provide security and democracy, a House of Commons committee said yesterday. The Labour-dominated foreign affairs committee recommended that Britain and the US step up efforts to bring more countries into the coalition in post-war Iraq.

Isis Bounces Back Into the Black

INVESTORS in ISIS Asset Management, the fund house that traces its origins to Ivory & Sime on Edinburgh's Charlotte Square, should have no fear the dividend will be cut following its takeover deal with F&C. So said the combined company's new chief executive, Howard Carter, as he unveiled bullish interim results at ISIS yesterday. Turnover in the six months to 30 June came in at GBP 58.95 million, up 12 per cent on the first half of 2003.

Preacher Steals the Limelight

PALING in comparison to Bill Clinton was always inevitable for John Kerry, but as he prepared to address the Democratic National Convention last night, the presidential hopeful faced being eclipsed by oratorical stars from his own camp. John Edwards, the vice-president candidate, delivered a speech on Wednesday which drove the hall into a frenzy.

Personal Manifesto Points to a New America If Kerry Ousts Bush

THE jigsaw was, last night, finally complete. After months of agonising, John Kerry's advisers have laid out a manifesto for the Democrats to win back the White House; last night's speech was the final piece of the picture. They face a conundrum. Several million US voters are desperate to sack the president, George Bush, but are fearful of voting for Mr Kerry because he looks a bit dull and might not have many ideas of his own.

Profits Fall but L&G Sees Recovery in Uk Sales

LEGAL & General has reported a shallower-than-expected 20 per cent fall in interim profits but claimed yesterday that a recovery in the UK savings market has taken root, especially among small investors. Chief executive David Prosser said new business volumes for the second quarter were 27 per cent higher than last year, and its outlook appeared "encouraging" as individual investors return to bonds and equities for long-term savings.