The Scotsman

The History Every One of Us Should Know

WE MAY be well versed in the Viking invasion and the exploits of William Wallace, but we know far too little about what went on in between, one of Scotland's most eminent historians warned yesterday. The lack of knowledge about our own history is the Scots' shameful secret, and too many people are left with a "pop-up book" understanding of the country's past.

Green Energy Boost Over Connection Fees

SCOTLAND'S fledgling renewables industry will not be scuppered by increased charges to connect to the national grid, UK energy minister Malcolm Wicks pledged yesterday. Mr Wicks, who was in Stirlingshire to open a biomass energy plant, insisted he would not let high connection charges stand in the way of building green energy projects in remote places.

Vultures Circle Over Bradford & Bingley

ABOUT GBP 350 million was slashed from Bradford & Bingley's stock market value yesterday after larger than expected write-downs cut the company's full-year profits by about half. The figures immediately prompted some analysts to suggest that the bank could become subject to a takeover bid.

Early Warning System for High Winds

AN IMPROVED early warning system of high winds on the Forth Road Bridge is planned after a lorry was blown over last month, causing traffic chaos. Wind-speed readings will be fed into the Met Office so it can improve forecasts.

Flyovers to Take Traffic Across Bridge As Repairs Carry On Below

MINI flyovers will be installed over roadworks on the Forth Road Bridge in a bid to cut traffic chaos, it was revealed yesterday. The 300ft-long temporary ramps will transport vehicles 7ft over workmen on the carriageway below, reducing planned lane closures from two months to two weeks.

'Scotland Must Keep Nuclear in Mind'

BILL Coley, the head of nuclear operator British Energy, yesterday warned that it would be imprudent for Scotland to turn its back on the possibility of more nuclear power stations but conceded there was currently no need for them. British Energy, which is headquartered in Livingston and has power stations in Ayrshire and East Lothian, said it expected to outline plans for four new nuclear plants when it announced its full year results later this year. The company has said these will all be i...

Sweet Success Coca-Cola Profits Climb 79 Per Cent

'Harder Task' in Other Forces

MIDDLE and senior management posts in Scotland's police service are facing a growing squeeze amid a clamour from the public and politicians for more front-line officers. For each superintendent, up to three constables could be hired.

New Boss Hailed As 'a Breath of Fresh Air'

HE HAS only officially been in post for a few weeks, but Steve House has already made his mark on Scotland's biggest police force. Since replacing the retiring Willie Rae, the former Metropolitan Police assistant commander has spoken out about the terrorist threat facing Scotland and the need for more action to tackle domestic abuse. Raymond Pratt, head of the Scottish Police Federation in Strathclyde, said Mr House was a "breath of fresh air".

Fears Chief Was 'Pressured' Into Shake-Up

CHIEF Constable Steve House's pledge to shake up police ranks will be music to the ears of Kenny MacAskill, the justice secretary, who has repeatedly promised to deliver extra officers by "redeploying" resources. But last night, Pauline McNeill, Labour's justice spokeswoman and the MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, said:

The Diary by Alba

Whatever will Katie do next? A DATE for your diary: Katie Price, the pneumatic model formerly known as Jordan, will sign copies of her new book (her 45th published work) at WH Smith, Argyle Street, Glasgow, on Monday, between 1pm and 2pm.

Fivefold Jump in 'Eprocurement' Spending

THERE has been a five-fold increase in spending by the public sector via an online ordering service, the Scottish Government disclosed yesterday. The value of transactions carried out using the "eProcurement Scotland" system was GBP 1.7 billion in 2007, five times the previous year's total of GBP 321 million. It amounted to almost a quarter of all public sector procurement, which is worth about GBP 8 billion a year.

Mobile Tv Star Elonics Wins Gbp 2m Backing

HIGH-PROFILE entrepreneurs Sir Tom Farmer and Brian Souter are among the investors pumping GBP 2 million into a Livingston-based firm developing digital radio technology for use in mobile phones and laptops. Perth-based investment house Braveheart has led the funding round into Elonics, which has also received backing from Scottish Enterprise's Scottish Venture Fund.

Mitchell Legal Team Drops Interest in Jodi 'Suspect'

LAWYERS for Luke Mitchell have dropped their interest in one of two new "suspects" for the murder of Jodi Jones, it was announced yesterday. Attention continues to be focused on the other man, but a court heard that the person who had put forward his name had been hoping to sell the story to the media.

Biting the Bullet On Badger Cull

THERE is every prospect of a major row between farmers and a wide range of environmental organisations following an independent report by the Royal Society linking the growing incidence of bovine tuberculosis to badgers. TB has now reached an epidemic situation in some parts of England and Wales causing farms to be locked up for weeks. Tens of thousands of cattle slaughtered each year are being compensated at a very basic level, frequently way below their true worth, especially if they are fr...

'Red Meat Sector Next in Line for Recovery'

THE tide has turned and farmers' standing in the national economy will soon be highly valued, according to John Scott MSP, the Tories' rural affairs spokesman. Scott, a former sheep farmer in Ayrshire, was distinctly optimistic when he addressed the annual dinner of the Scottish region of the National Sheep Association in Edinburgh.

Highlights of the Week

CHRISTOPHER KANE KANE'S confident new collection sealed this young Scot's place right at the head of Britain's fashion pack. Loose, flapper-like dresses trooped down the catwalk, created in shades of nude, black and white - and their floaty, diaphanous and often trailing dimensions added an air of ethereal ghostliness to the show. Both trousers and chunky-knit cardigans were smattered here and there with sequins and elegant embroidery, all of it helping to make this Kane's most grown-up and g...

Sudden Death of Dissident Living in Fear Is 'Suspicious'

A BILLIONAIRE Georgian dissident who was found dead outside his Surrey mansion feared he would be killed by his political enemies. Police are treating as "suspicious" the death of Badri Patarkatsishvili, 52, whose body was discovered on Tuesday.

The Recipe for a Perfect Political Leader? Mix Charisma with Some Collaboration

SCOTLAND'S local-authority leaders will need more than just political charisma to succeed in the new council battleground of cross-party coalitions, according to new research. The study says council chiefs must draw on skills of charisma and collaboration to achieve results in an environment where conflict and disagreement are regular fixtures in the decision-making process.

A Recession? Not in My Backyard Say House Sellers

IT IS meant to be a gloomy period for the housing market, amid forecasts of weak sales, stagnant prices and repossessions as the credit crunch begins to bite. But the sellers of this flat in Edinburgh, which went for more than 40 per cent above the offers-over price, are among hundreds who continue to enjoy a Scottish property bonanza.