The Scotsman

Shoppers Are 'Subsidising' Binge Drinkers

ORDINARY consumers are subsidising binge drinkers because supermarkets increase the cost of everyday items to make up for discount alcohol sales, a leading doctor has said. Liver specialist Dr Chris Record said a minimum price of 50p per unit of alcohol should be introduced, a move he claimed could lead to a reduction in the cost of a weekly shop.

Bouncing Baby Survives 20ft Plunge

A TODDLER returned home from hospital yesterday after surviving a 20ft plunge from a bedroom window. Nicholas Lonie is believed to have fallen out of the window of his mother's first-floor flat in the Kincorth area of Aberdeen on Saturday while he was bouncing on his bed.

Critic's Choice

The Discovery of Spain; Goya to Picasso National Galleries Complex, Edinburgh, until 11 October

Rich More Prone to Blindness Defect

AFFLUENT people in Scotland are twice as likely to suffer retinal detachment as poorer people, according to new Scottish research. In a report that flies in the face of conventional wisdom, doctors discovered that richer, more financially secure individuals displayed much higher rates of the condition than people from more deprived areas.

Analysis: One Law for State Schools, Another for Private

THE law dictates all teachers must have a valid teaching qualification and be registered with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) which acts as both the professional body for teachers and also as its police force. Anyone who hurts children, is convicted of a criminal offence, or even someone who is a poor teacher, can be struck off the register and banned from teaching in any classroom.

Private School Head: I Interrogated Boy, 10

THE headteacher of one of Scotland's most prestigious schools has admitted interrogating a ten-year-old boy, on a false drugs accusation, for nearly two hours without informing his parents. Peter Brodie, rector of Glasgow Academy, yesterday received an official reprimand from teaching's ruling body for the incident.

Home Births Are As Safe As Hospital

GIVING birth at home is as safe as doing so in hospital with a midwife, according to major new research. The Canadian study of thousands of births found that women who planned a home birth had a lower risk of interventions, providing further credence to the arguments put forward by advocates of home birthing.

The Diary

Canny Harman woos the Scots INTERESTING to see Harriet Harman make an appearance at ScottishPower's reception for Scots MPs and activists. Her pep talk was liberally sprinkled with the word "fight". Labour's deputy leader was clearly gearing up for her own post-election match by trying to schmooze the Scots ahead of any internal contest. She batted her eyelashes at Jim Sheridan and thanked him for his fabulous work.Was that a blush detected on Sheridan's face?

Scots Scoop Hospitality Awards

GLENEAGLES has been named one of the UK's top hotels at a major industry "Oscars". The five-star Perthshire resort was named Scotland's best hotel at the annual AA Hospitality Awards in London. The Plumed Horse, a Michelin-rated eaterie in Leith, won best restaurant in Scotland, while the Inn at Inverbeg, by Loch Lomond, scooped best Scottish pub.

Scots Tourism Is Surviving Impact of the Economic Downturn

'Staycation' market and the Year of Homecoming help offset fall in visitor numbers from US and Japan, writes Brian Ferguson SCOTLAND'S tourism industry is set to withstand the impact of the recession - thanks to the UK's "staycation" market and the Year of Homecoming.

Arts Reviews: Aztec Gold

MOCTEZUMA: AZTEC RULER, BRITISH MUSEUM, LONDON **** ANISH KAPOOR, ROYAL ACADEMY, LONDON **

Art Review: Thomas Hirschhorn: This Gallery Is On Fire

THOMAS HIRSCHHORN: IT'S BURNING EVERYWHERE **** DUNDEE CONTEMPORARY ARTS

A Most Merchiston Melee Reaches Court

Couple claim drunk GP neighbour and wife terrorised them at their home A HOUSEWIFE from one of Edinburgh's most affluent areas told a court yesterday of her fear as she was confronted by her "very drunk" GP neighbour and his "wild animal" wife.

In Brief: New Students Snap Up Simple Foods

In Brief: Have a Referendum a Year, Says Mp

In Brief: Raf Remembrance Garden Opened

In Brief: Wwii Codebreaking Site Wins Funding

In Brief: Men Arrested Over Gbp 1m Drugs Haul

Bees Add to Argument As Developers Appeal Block On Building

TWO rare species of bumble bees have been found on a site earmarked for housing in the Cairngorms National Park. Developers have proposed eight houses on a former nursery site in Nethy Bridge and are appealing a decision by the national park authority to refuse permission.

Scots Fishermen Face More Cuts

SCOTLAND'S fishermen were last night left facing demands for a 10 per cent cut in the number of days they will be allowed to fish next year - despite face to face talks between European Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg and Scottish environment secretary Richard Lochhead. Mr Lochhead flew to Brussels yesterday for talks with Mr Borg ahead of the latest round of quota negotiations where next year catch limits and days at sea restrictions will be decided.