Black Watch to Join US Troops Near Baghdad

Following a request from US military leaders, 650 members of the Black Watch Regiment, equipped with Warrior armoured vehicles, plus 200 support personnel, will move soon from Basra to an area south-west of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. Despite moving into a US-controlled area, the Scottish regiment will act under British military rules of engagement. This will free-up US troops for an anticipated assault on the rebel stronghold of Falluja. There had been speculation for some time about such a move, which came as a disappointment to many of the soldiers as they were scheduled to return home soon. However, the Prime Minister announced in Parliament that the deployment was for a limited period and he assured concerned relatives that they would still be "home for Christmas". There remains a suspicion that although the deployment is said to be for "military reasons", it is politically motivated in the run-up to the US Presidential elections.
The illustration shows the band of the Black watch performing at the Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle.

Inward Investment Leaps 50%

Oil and gas projects were a major factor in a surge of 50% in foreign investment in Scotland in the first half of 2004, compared with the same period last year. The UK remains one of Europe’s top regions for foreign direct investment destinations, attracting 50% more projects than nearest rivals France and Hungary. Even so, east European countries pulled in manufacturing firms eager to take advantage of cheap labour and so the UK's share of total foreign investment in Europe fell from 24% to 22%. In Scotland, the number of new investment schemes rose strongly from 25 to 45, the second largest increase in the UK. Scotland attracted over 14% of all ventures coming into the UK, compared with 9% in the first six months of 2003.

Scots Die Younger

According to figures produced by the Office for National Statistics, men in Scotland are continuing to die younger than those in the rest of the UK and those living in Glasgow had the UK's shortest life expectancy - 69.1 years for men and 76.4 years for women. Eight of the ten areas across the UK with the lowest male life expectancy were in Scotland - the only areas in England in the lowest category were Manchester and Blackpool in Lancashire. Glasgow's population has been at the foot of the life expectancy table for the last ten years, despite improvements which have meant that they are living longer. It's just that the rest of the country keeps improving too. Most of the 100 local authority areas where male life expectancy was highest are to be found in the south-east of England.

Scottish Economic Statistics 2004

The annual publication "Scottish Economic Statistics" was published this week, bringing together data on the Scottish economy from a wide range of sources and providing a comprehensive range of official information on the Scottish economy. There are six chapters containing key macroeconomic indicators, and statistical information on enterprises, innovation, the structure of the industrial sectors, the labour market, household income and expenditure and the public sector. For those with an interest in the facts and figures of Scotland's economy, the publication may be viewed at this Scottish Executive Web page.

More Visitors for North of Scotland

VisitScotland, the country's tourism agency, has published figures showing that accommodation providers in Aberdeen, Grampian and the Highlands were busier in June and July compared to last year. Hotels saw the biggest rise, amounting to 3%, while self-catering accommodation had a 2% rise at a time when there was a fall of around 1% across Scotland in this type of occupancy. Room occupancy is a standard indicator for gauging the influx of visitors to the area as, regardless of whether visitors attend events, drive around the countryside, or visit attractions. Accommodation occupancy levels are recorded monthly via a postal survey which is carried out by an independent research agency, on behalf of VisitScotland.

Scots Shoppers Lead UK

According to the Royal Bank of Scotland’s latest retail sales monitor, like-for-like sales in Scotland rose from 3.9% in August to 5.5% in September. By comparison, UK like-for-like sales growth was up by only 2%.

WOOSH! Christmas Celebrations

Glasgow's George Square is to be transformed into a winter wonderland over this year's festive period, with one of the largest outdoor skating rinks in Europe. A show called WOOSH! has been created by Britain's Olympic skating champion Robin Cousins and it will star some of the UK's top skaters on the rink on three dates in the run-up to Christmas. The entrance will be created to look like a stunning Soviet Palace facade. There will be stadium-style seating for an audience of 2,000 and a cafe/bar will serve hot drinks to those with a rink-side view. On other days, the public will be able to hire skates and join in the fun. Costume staff in character will add to the family-friendly feel of the square's attractions and special themed nights and carol concerts will be held for both adults and children throughout December. In previous years, the George Square rink has attracted around 30,000 skaters over the festive period. The rink and cafe will open from November 26 to December 24 and WOOSH! will run from December 19 to 21.

New Company, Old Problems

First Scotrail, the new franchise holder for the rail network which provides services across Scotland, has promised a £40 million investment in improving services and punctuality. However, on Monday when it took over from the previous operator, the service came off the rails. Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong, with a mountain of cancellations, delays and station closures. Of course, it was all "circumstances beyond our control" because of late running track engineering works, signalling problems and a burst water main at Glasgow Central low-level platforms. As they say, things can only get better....

Scottish Natural Heritage Struggle for Staff

Prompted by a government policy to decentralise jobs from Edinburgh to other parts of the country, the Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) agency met with a storm of protest when it was announced last year that they were to move their HQ from the capital to Inverness. Despite bribes to staff of £10,000 if they agree to move and another £10,000 if they remain in Inverness for a year, many are refusing to relocate. That is causing staffing problems for the organisation and they are now approaching staff who are working for SNH in Perth and Stirling. Although many staff have not given a firm commitment either way, the organisation has a target of 35% of staff moving north. It is estimated that the redundancy costs will be in the region of £8 million and a new HQ building (seen here in an architect's drawing), plans for which were unveiled this week, will cost in the region of £14 million. The building project aims to be completed in March 2006.

Glenmorangie Whisky Company Sold for £300 Million

The Macdonald family who own a controlling stake in the Glenmorangie whisky company, have sold their holding to French drinks firm Moet Hennessy for about £300 million (433m euros). Another leading shareholder, US drinks firm Brown-Forman, has also sold their stake. Moet Hennessy owns some of the world's most prestigious champagne brands such as Moet & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot and Dom Perignon and is jointly owned by French luxury goods firm LVMH and British drinks firm Diageo. It is claimed that the deal will allow the company to "realise the full potential" of its brands, particularly in the export market. Glenmorangie produces the UK's best selling single malt whisky and a number of other popular brands. The Macdonald family helped form the company in 1893 and production of Glenmorangie malt whisky is said to be entrusted to the care of just sixteen people, known as the "Sixteen Men of Tain." Moet Hennessy said it would protect the employment and pension rights of the firm's 350 staff.

Cod Stocks Still Too Low

Experts from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (Ices) have recommended that no cod should be caught in the North Sea, the Irish Sea and west of Scotland in 2005. They say that the species is at historically low levels and should not be exploited as there is no clear sign that they are making a recovery. The scientists say that there is a substantial under-reporting of catches of cod which makes it difficult to get a true picture of the state of these stocks. The report will be bad news to Scottish fishermen as it will be part of the review of fishing quotas for next year. However, the scientists did have a much more positive view on haddock stocks.

Scots Buildings on Shortlist for Architecture Prize

Four new Scottish buildings have been shortlisted for the much-coveted RIAS Award for Architecture - the UK's biggest architecture prize. RIAS is the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland and professional architects will announce the winning building next week. An edition of the BBC Scotland programme, Artworks, will be broadcast on the evening of the announcement. But the public have been asked to give their vote too, via this RIAS Web Page. The buildings on the short list are Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre, Peebles; St Aloysius College, Clavius Building, Glasgow; Maggie's Cancer Caring Respite Centre, Dundee; and Lotte Glob House, Durness, Sutherland.

Architect Reveals Scottish Parliament Secret

The panels which are a feature of the external walls of the new Scottish Parliament building have been interpreted as apostrophes, anvils, triggers, hair dryers or the hammer from the old Soviet Union flag. Then everyone (well, nearly everyone) seemed to agree that the strange black shapes had been inspired by Sir Henry Raeburn's famous painting "Reverend Walker Skating on Duddingston Loch". That was the explanation given by George Reid, the Presiding Officer (Speaker) in the legislature. But now Benedetta Tagliabue, the widow of the Scottish parliament architect Enric Miralles, has revealed in the latest issue of the "Holyrood" magazine that they mimic the profile of a curtain opened next to a window. Some of the panels are between 20 and 25 metres in both length and height and each one took a squad of workmen a week to put in place. Although the walls of the building are liberally sprinkled with the motif, there are fewer than originally planned, in order to contain costs in the £431 million structure.

Songs of Praise Out of Tune?

A retired Church of Scotland minister from Inverness has launched an outspoken attack on the BBC's flagship religious programme "Songs of Praise", asserting that the songs are, for the most part, bland and ill-chosen. He accused the BBC of including nothing from the Scottish psalm book and even when a programme from Inverness was transmitted during the Gaelic Mod, there was not any reference to the Gaelic language. The programme is broadcast every Sunday from churches, cathedrals and chapels throughout the land. But the Rev Archie Black, who used to be the minister of Ness Bank Church in Inverness, claims that Songs of Praise is now simply being used as a vehicle to promote the English-based Anglican Church. A spokeswoman for Songs of Praise refuted the claims. She said: "The programme is always ecumenical in its nature. When we record in a church in the area, all the other churches around are invited to participate."

"National Recycling Week"

Local Authorities across the country were given a new target to recycle waste on Monday - at the start of National Recycling Week. Councils already had a target to recycle and compost 25% of municipal waste by 2006. This will now be extended to 30% by 2008. The Scottish Executive have allocated around £350 million over the next three years to continue the work to improve recycling facilities and divert waste away from landfill.

Scotland's Indian Restaurants Face Staffing Shortage

Although referred to by the generic name "Indian", 85% of the restaurants offering Indian food in Scotland are actually run by Bangladeshis. But due to Foreign Office concerns about forged documents and fears that they will not leave the country when their temporary work permits run out, the visa rules for bringing staff from Bangladesh have been tightened. As a result, there is now a severe shortage of skilled staff. At least one restaurant owner has been forced to set up a training academy in Bangladesh so that prospective employees are not refused visas on the grounds that they lack experience. Even so, with paperwork and legal fees, it now costs £600 per permit - in a country where the GDP per inhabitant is only £1,000 a year - the equivalent figure for Scotland is nearly £15,000.

Clyde's Marine Machine on TV

The National Geographic TV channel is to show the work of the "St Mungo" on one of its programmes in the "Marine Machines" series. The St Mungo is a boat which clears rubbish from the river Clyde in Glasgow, collecting hundreds of tons of material floating on the surface. It scoops the debris into its barge and takes it to rubbish skips on shore. In addition to the usual logs and plastic bags brought down the river, it has lifted out more unusual items such as a white upright pianos and furniture. The boat also came to the rescue of the Pride of the Clyde excursion boat recently, when a log became trapped in its propeller. St Mungo tied up alongside and successfully took the stranded boat and its passengers back to its mooring at Braehead.

Porridge Power for Oat Cuisine

Scotland may now have an American-style coffee shop on every street corner, but it appears that a long-term Scottish staple is about to provide revenge. "Cereality" may not have quite the same resonance as Starbucks or Costa Coffee, but America's leading cereal groups Quaker, General Mills and Kellog's have launched a chain of outlets with that name, serving porridge to health conscious Americans. Purists of Scotland's gift to breakfast may wince, however, when they find that it comes with a range of toppings such as bananas and maple crystals. Staff wear a uniform which looks like pyjamas and customers can create their own favourite mix from 33 hot and cold cereals, 34 toppings, seven types of flavoured and unflavoured milk, cereal and yoghurt-based smoothies and fresh-baked breakfast bars. Customers' own "formula" can be stored on an on-site computer for their next visit. Grannie's porridge will never taste the same again.

Scared of Spiders?

If you don't like spiders, you may not think that stroking a tarantula is a good idea - but that's exactly what the Edinburgh Butterfly and Insect World south of Edinburgh is encouraging arachnaphobes to do as a form of "aversion therapy". Recent research has shown that more people are frightened of spiders than becoming a victim of a terrorist attack. That's probably because seeing a spider scuttling across the floor is a more usual occurrence than being a victim in a bomb blast - at least in the UK. To try to teach people to conquer their fear of spiders, the tourist attraction is running courses where attendees will learn about their webs, their food and how to catch them - with a special spider-catching kit provided, rather than a paper cup! Those taking part will get the opportunity to handle Chile Rose and Chile Beautiful tarantulas - and view the Goliath bird eater spider which can grow to the size of a dinner plate....

Who's A Luck Boy Then?

Lothian and Borders Fire Brigade described a parrot who was given oxygen after being saved from a burning apartment in Edinburgh as "a very lucky boy." The owner of the macaw and the parrot had to be rescued after the first-floor property filled with smoke when a pan of oil on a stove over-heated and caught light. The owner was given oxygen and then the fire crew noticed that the bright blue and yellow parrot was looking poorly and gave it oxygen as well. It’s apparently very rare for an animal to receive oxygen from firefighters. Both the parrot and the owner have made a full recovery.

Weather in Scotland This Week

Maximum daytime temperatures were no higher than 6/7C (43/45F) on Wednesday but recovered by Friday, with Aberdeen reaching 15C (59F), although Edinburgh and Glasgow only managed 12C (54F). Sunshine was in very short supply this week, with cloud and showers predominating. Overnight between Wednesday and Thursday, there was torrential rain in the west of Scotland - Glasgow had almost a quarter of the normal monthly average rainfall in 12 hours - 22mm (0.9 inches) when the October monthly average is 100mm (3.9 inches). The rain caused flooded roads, which affected rush-hour traffic on Thursday morning. Main roads such as the A77 near Kilmarnock and the A737 between Johnstone and Linwood were closed and commuters had long delays as they were diverted to alternative routes along minor roads. Flooding also affected the Great Western Road near Gartnavel Hospital and the Bothwell Street off-ramp from the Kingston Bridge in Glasgow. Rail services were also hit with cancellations and, for the second time in the week, the low-level platforms at Glasgow's Central Station were flooded.

This week's illustrations of current flora and fauna in Scotland were hard to come by as a result of all the dull, wet weather. But the herbaceous border at Dirleton Castle is the longest in the world (according to the Guinness Book of Records) and so even at this time of year there are still flowers in bloom there. These pictures were taken earlier this week and they show first of all Astrantia Major. The pictures below are of Dahlias and Tagetes. You may be wondering why the picture of the Bass Rock off North Berwick has been included in this section. But that shows the changing season - a few weeks ago the rock was still white, covered in tens of thousands of nesting gannets. Now these birds are winging their way back to Africa for the winter, allowing the bare rock to become visible again.

Second Tapestry for Stirling Castle

The painstaking work to recreate a series of the massive tapestries which used to adorn the walls of Stirling Castle in the 16th century, has moved forward a further step with the completion of the second of seven tapestries in the Hunting of the Unicorn series. This shows a hunting scene in great detail - down to dragonflies in the grass. The designs are based on a series which are thought to have been originally commissioned by King James V. The work is likely to take ten years to complete. Each tapestry measures seven square metres but at a cost of £16,000 per square metre, it is likely to be the world's most expensive "wallpaper". The intention is to eventually decorate the bedroom chambers at Stirling Castle exactly as they were in 1542 after the death of King James V. Currently, the two tapestries are being displayed in the royal chapel, while the parts of the castle used as the royal palace are being renovated.

Ghostly Insight into Aberdeen's Tolbooth

Built between 1616 and 1629, the Wardhouse on Castle Street, Aberdeen, which is now the atmospheric Tolbooth Museum, was a prison for those awaiting either trial in the adjacent court, or punishment. Now the ghosts of the Tolbooth are to come alive this Halloween when brave souls can sign up for special tours of the jail and meet characters from the Tolbooth's grim past! In the dark and unnerving surroundings of the prison cells, they will learn about slavery, judicial torture and executions as well as exploring dark corners of Aberdeen's murky past. The spooky tours of the Tolbooth are being held on Saturday and Sunday, October 30 and 31 and will last for about an hour.

Next Week in History

• October 25 1951 - Conservatives won the General Election with a majority of 26, beginning 13 years of government.
• October 25 1960 - Elvis Presley touched down at Prestwick airport, his only visit to Scotland.
• October 26 1760 - George III crowned, beginning a 60 year reign, one of the longest in British history.
• October 26 1845 - Lady Caroline Nairne, songwriter and poet, died at Gask.
• October 26 1911 - Poet Sorley MacLean born on the island of Raasay.
• October 27 1728 - James Cook, circum-navigator of the globe, born to Scottish parents in Yorkshire.
• October 27 1854 - William Smith, founder of the Boys' Brigade, born.
• October 28 1562 - Battle of Corrichie, Earl of Moray defeated Catholic Gordons of Huntly who were attacking Aberdeen.
• October 28 1794 - Birth of Robert Liston in Linlithgow who was to carry out the first operation in Britain with the aid of an anaesthetic.
• October 28 1880 - Dr Henry Faulds, a Scots medical missionary working in Japan, published a letter in "Nature" which gave the first evidence that fingerprints could be used as proof of guilt or innocence in legal cases.
• October 28 1922 - Journalist and novelist Cliff Hanley ("Dancing in the Streets" etc) born in Glasgow.
• October 28 1965 - House of Commons passed the Bill abolishing the death penalty for murder.
• October 29 1740 - James Boswell, biographer of Dr Johnston, born at Blair's Land, Parliament Square, Edinburgh.
• October 30 1822 - Caledonian Canal opened.
• October 30 1925 - First moving image on a television screen when John Logie Baird transmitted the image of a 15-year-old office boy in his London workshop.

Glenfiddich Piping and Fiddling Championship 2004

The Glenfiddich Piping Championship was established in 1974 to inspire and stimulate the world's finest individual pipers, and to seek the best overall exponents of ceol mor or piobaireachd (the great music) and ceol beag (the little music). Ten competitors have secured their coveted invitation to compete in 'The Glenfiddich' by winning, or being placed in, one of the senior piping events that take place throughout the year. Likewise, the Glenfiddich Fiddle Championship aims to encourage, stimulate and perpetuate the art of fiddle playing throughout the country. Each of the eight finalists gives a recital incorporating all the various styles of composition, including a set of pieces by a specific composer. Both competitions take place at Blair Atholl, with the piping on 30 October and the fiddle competition on 31 October.

Borders Banquet 2004

The 4th Borders Banquet is a ten day long feast of entertainment, local culture and fine food created to highlight the top quality produce from the Scottish Borders countryside for visitors and locals. All meal events are centred on creative chefs' menus using the superb natural ingredients that have given the Borders its reputation for excellence in food production. There are over 80 events to choose from, so participants will be spoilt for choice. Local specialities such as Selkirk Bannock, champion haggis and real ales are often featured in addition to live entertainment. The events this year range from art exhibitions with a Halloween dinner to a pancake party and tea dance or firework displays and "hell's kitchen" to tutored whisky "nosings". The events take place at various venues across the Scottish Borders from 29th October - 7th November.

Samhain Festivals

Samhain (which later became Hallowe'en), celebrated on the 31st October, is an ancient Celtic festival which celebrates both the beginning of winter and the beginning of the Celtic New Year. Samhain Festivals are held throughout Scotland between the 26th and 31st October. A well-known Scottish Samhain Festival is the burning of the Wickerman at Archeolink in Oyne, Aberdeenshire, on 31st October. Participants make masks to scare away the ghosts, enjoy combat and costume displays and let their blood run cold as they listen to the stories of the Celtic Spirits. The Wickerman is burnt to herald the beginning of winter. At the annual Celtic Samhain celebrations at the Scottish Crannog Centre in Kenmore, Perthshire, the lochside woods come alive during the evening of 31st October with swinging jack o' lanterns, an eerie torchlit procession, and a bonfire of ceremonial sacrifice to kick off the Scottish Crannog Centre's Celtic 'Samhain' or Halloween celebrations.

Muslim Radio in Glasgow Broadcasts for Ramadhan

For the ninth year running, Radio Ramadhan began broadcasting this week to Glasgow’s 30,000 Muslims during the holy month of Ramadhan. The station caters for the special month of fasting but it is also inviting non-Muslims to tune in to 87.7FM too, to hear for themselves what the Muslim community believes and talks about. Highlights include the Late, Late, Breakfast Show, which goes out at 4.30pm in the afternoon, timed to coincide with the breaking of the fast at sunset. Late Night Live is on at 9.45pm and includes a "30 things you wanted to know about Islam but were afraid to ask" feature. Radio Ramadhan also holds a charity appeal auction towards the end of the month, and on average £50,000 is raised for good causes.

Sting

The long awaited Sting tour arrives in the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow on 20 November, rescheduled from May. Sting’s career has spanned several decades since his early days in The Police and his legacy has produced 10 solo albums which have featured on various movie soundtracks. His own film roles and countless Grammy and BMI awards have earned him international superstar status and his popularity sees no sign of fading.

Sunday and Mid-Week Football Results

Motherwell 0 Rangers 2
Amica Wronki (Poland) 0 Rangers 5 (UEFA Cup group stage)
Feyenoord 3 Heart of Midlothian 0 (UEFA Cup group stage)
Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine) 3 Celtic 0 (European Champions League)

Bank of Scotland Premierleague Results - 23 October 2004

Aberdeen 2 Motherwell 1
Dundee 1 Dunfermline 2
Kilmarnock 2 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2
Heart of Midlothian v Hibernian, Livingston v Celtic and Rangers v Dundee United are all being played on Sunday.

Scottish First Division Results - 23 October 2004

Falkirk 0 St Mirren 0
Partick Thistle 0 Clyde 0
Raith Rovers 2 Hamilton 2
Ross County 1 Queen of the South 0
St Johnstone 1 Airdrie United 1

BT Scotland Rugby Division 1 Results - 23 October 2004

Currie 20 Boroughmuir 23
Aberdeen 32 Melrose 8
Gala 20 Hawick 25
Watsonians 20 Heriots 50
Ayr 29 Glasgow Hutchesons' 19
Glasgow Hawks 53 Biggar 16

League Tables

With the three SPL teams playing in European competitions in the middle of the week all having their league matches postponed to Sunday, there has been little change at the top of the Scottish Premier. Celtic are 5 points ahead of Rangers, who in turn are one point ahead of Aberdeen, though the northern club has played one more match. Aberdeen won their match against Motherwell with a stunning late 25 yard strike in the dying seconds of their match against Motherwell. At the foot of the SPL, Inverness are now only one point behind Dundee United.

With four games out of the five in the Scottish First Division ending in a draw on Saturday, there has been little change there too. Falkirk are in top position but only by goal average, as they have the same number of points as Clyde. St Mirren are just two points further back. Raith Rovers managed to double their points total (to two) thanks to a draw against Hamilton, who remain 8 points above them, in the second from bottom position.

Glasgow Hawks continued their winning ways and remain at the top of the BT Scotland Rugby Division 1, 9 points ahead of Heriots. Gala remain fixed to the foot of the division with 9 points.

Mixed Fortunes for Scottish Teams in Europe

Celtic's chances of qualifying for the next stage of the European Champions League look slim after losing 3-0 to Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk. Indeed after three matches in which they have scored no points and lost 9 goals, Celtic could be hard pushed to even gain a consolation place in the UEFA Cup. The defeat was Celtic's worst in Europe for three years. Celtic lost two players (captain Jackie McNamara and Chris Sutton) through injury by half-time and it was in the second half that the Glasgow side lost all three goals.

After only one match, Rangers have emerged favourites at the top of their UEFA Cup group after a convincing 5-0 win over Amica Wronki in Poland. After an initial battering of the Rangers' goalmouth by a spirited but inexperienced Polish side, Rangers turned back the tide with a goal from Levenkrands in the 17th minute. There were no more goals in the first half but after the break, Rangers broke loose with goals from Novo, Ricksen, Aveladze (penalty) and Thompson.

Heart of Midlothian struggled against Feyenoord in Rotterdam, but were also defeated by the referee who allowed a blatantly offside goal by the Dutch side to stand and later ruled that a goal by Hearts was offside when TV footage showed it was not. Although Feyenoord, with a side full of international stars and playing fluid football, would probably have won despite the refereeing decisions, at least the deficit would not have been as great.

Claymores Cut

The NFL Europe League announced this week that it is to discontinue running the Scottish Claymores American football team, despite achieving considerable success over the past ten years. Average attendances have been nearly 11,000 during their 10 seasons - far more than many Scottish Premier League matches. The Claymores achieved a franchise-record average attendance of 13,904 in 2001, with a high of just over 16,000. Under head coach Jim Criner, the club won the World Bowl in just their second season, defeating Frankfurt Galaxy in front of 38,982 fans at Murrayfield in June, 1996. They lost out in the play-off in 2000 and then moved from Murrayfield in Edinburgh to Hampden Park in 2001. In 2003, the Claymores hosted World Bowl XI with 28,000 fans attending, despite the Claymores narrowly missing out on appearing in the final themselves. But it looks as though NFL Europe will create yet another team in Germany, where games can attract 30,000 spectators on a regular basis.

Glasgow to Host Two International Athletics Meetings

Glasgow will be the only UK city to stage two major international athletics meetings in 2005. On January 29, the city will host an indoor event at the Kelvin Hall, in which Team GB will face Russia, Italy Sweden, and a further nation yet to be confirmed. Then on June 25, at the sports stadium at Scotstoun, there will be a GB v USA v Russia triangular match, with more prize money than for any other match on the world calendar.

Highest Break in the History of Professional Snooker

Jamie Burnett from Glasgow completed a total clearance of 148 during his 9-8 victory over Leo Fernandez in the second qualifying round of the Travis Perkins UK Championship last weekend. Normally, the maximum break (potting all the red balls with a black on each occasion) is 147, but Jamie was awarded a "free ball" after his opponent committed a foul. The 29-year-old potted the brown as the extra red, then another brown followed by the 15 reds and all the colours (not all blacks) to become the first player to make a break of more than 147 in a professional match. Several players have made breaks over 147 in practice or unofficial matches.