News from Scotland

IT’S a tiny island airport where most of the passengers know most of the staff. But the airline which flies in to Islay, off the west coast of Scotland, has lodged an official complaint about “overzealous” security.

FIRST Minister Alex Salmond has accused the BBC of acting like a “tin-pot dictatorship” and questioned its impartiality after being dropped from a BBC Six Nations panel at Murrayfield.

MORE than two million daily doses of Ritalin were prescribed to children in Scotland last year despite calls for doctors to reduce their use of the mood-altering drug.

ONE of Scotland’s top police officers has criticised prosecutors for allowing wealthy criminals to extend their jail sentences rather than being forced to sell their expensive crime-related assets for the benefit of the public.

SCOTTISH ministers have called for the UK government to “provide reassurance” that MoD plans to base a new 6,000-strong army brigade in Scotland remain on track.

A NEW state-of-the art microscope will revolutionise the detection and treatment of cancer in Scotland by giving scientists the ability to track rogue cells as they move around the body.

WHO let the dogs in? Well, a growing number of Scottish hotels are rolling out the red carpet for canine guests.

A SCOT is planning to become the first person to row solo from New York to Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides, and says he has not been put off by the dramatic Atlantic rescue of six rowers last week.

ALEX Salmond’s demand to set Scotland’s business tax rate from Edinburgh has taken a major blow in an authoritative new report which warns it would be “at best a calculated risk” that could leaving the country short of money to pay for its schools, hospitals and public services.

SCOTLAND’S first motorway hard shoulder section will open up for traffic near the Forth Road Bridge later this year to help cope with likely congestion due to the construction of the new crossing.

A NEW plan to save Britain’s rarest fish has been hatched by transplanting around 70,000 eggs into a remote Scottish loch.

One of Scotland’s leading restaurant owners has warned that the vital role of waiters is being overshadowed by the glamour surrounding the culture of top chefs.

A MAN had part of his ear bitten off in a “totally unprovoked” attack at a fast food outlet in Glasgow.

AN ELDERLY man who died after a crash between a car and a tractor has been named by police.

A LEADING Scottish law officer, at the helm of a new national cold case unit, has revealed she is driven to tackle unsolved crimes by the memory of scenes she has witnessed during her career.

BOYS and girls could be banned from competing separately at school sports days under plans being considered by a Scottish council.

SCOTLAND looked set to escape the worst of the bad weather last night as the heaviest snow fell across England.

FORGET the Oscars. A primary three class from Fife has been nominated for one of the UK’s most prestigious film awards.

A SMARTPHONE app showing people the effect too much alcohol can have on their physical appearance has been launched by the Scottish Government.

POLICE have released an e-fit image of a man they are searching for following the assault of an Argyll teenager last month.

Police say the man may able to assist with their investigation into the assault of a 14-year-old girl, which took place at 1am on January 14 2012 in Croabh Brae area of Tighnabruaich.