New Parliament Building Delayed to 2004

The moving target of the completion date for the new Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood in Edinburgh jumped again this week, into "some time in 2004." The unusual design of the large building has posed problems and late changes to make the building more bomb-proof after September 11 have all contributed to the delays - and rising costs. Some members of the project team are said to be working to a timetable which will not see the Scottish Members of Parliament in the new legislature and administrative structure until August 2004. The original target date was August 2001. Officially, the current entry date is late in 2003 but that is looking increasingly untenable.

Major Fire in Historic Heart of Edinburgh

A massive fire destroyed part of the historic "Old Town" of Edinburgh last weekend. Firefighters from Lothian and Borders were helped by colleagues from Fife as they fought to control the blaze in property between Cowgate and Chambers Street. Strathclyde Fire Brigade provided cover for Lothian while 19 fire crews fought to stop the fire from spreading. The tall, old buildings, up to eight storeys high, are a mass of interlocking walls and corridors. Fortunately, although many of the buildings date to the 18th century, most of those destroyed were not of great aesthetic value. But the whole area was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995. The fire appears to have started in a building which is used as a night club. However, a number of entertainment venues were gutted, including the Gilded Balloon, which is popular with comedy acts, especially during the Edinburgh Festival. By Monday afternoon, a small fire was still burning in the theatre premises as firemen could not reach it. The dangerous condition of the buildings meant that firemen were only able to use long turntable ladders, rather than risk lives entering the premises. With many of the buildings close to collapse, the roads in the area were closed off, causing massive traffic jams in the already overcrowded city. However, even before the smoke had cleared, arguments were raging about whether to save the historic facades, rebuild as closely as possible to the original if retention is not possible, or to create modern, new buildings in their place. There are already a number of recent buildings in Cowgate.

Scotland and Ireland Lose Euro 2008 Bid

Before the final vote in Switzerland this week, many people reckoned that the joint bid by Scotland and Ireland to host the finals of the Euro 2008 football championship was a possible winner. So it came as a bit of a shock when it emerged on Thursday that not only did the Scotland/Ireland bid not come out top (Switzerland and Austria will host the prestigious event) but it was not even in the top three. Later, it emerged that it had tied for third place but was dropped according to the complex voting structure of Fifa, the governing body for European football. In the aftermath, there were the usual recriminations. Should Scotland have gone ahead with a bid on it's own (at great financial cost)? Did the vacillation of the Irish government hinder the bid (a second stadium in Ireland is still not certain). Did the concentration of stadia in Glasgow (three out of the eight) prove a stumbling block? Or was it just better behind the scenes political maneuvering by the Swiss and Austrians. Austria had already lost out on two previous contests, and was desperate to win this time. They certainly had a strong bid - eight stadia with a capacity over 30,000, strong government support, good infra-structure of hotels, transport and security. And no ferry journeys for supporters between venues.

Forget Euro 2008 - It's Glasgow 2003

Scotland and Ireland may have failed to convince the European football moguls in Switzerland that Euro 2008 should be staged here. But on the day after the announcement, Glasgow fought off competition from Manchester, Berlin, Athens and Lisbon to be awarded the title of European Capital of Sport 2003. The irony that Glasgow's infrastructure was deemed inadequate by UEFA to host three Euro 2008 games will not be lost on anyone. The title is given to the European city that does most to involve its citizens in sporting and fitness activities. The Spanish and Italian judges were impressed by the city's network of sports facilities and health-related activities.

Fishing Flotilla Fires Flares

Around 30 fishing boats from North Sea ports sailed up the river Tyne in north-east England to demonstrate their concern about the draconian cuts in fishing catches being proposed by the European Commission. They fired hundreds of flares into the air to mark the number of jobs which will be lost if the restrictions are imposed. Unlike similar action taken this week by French trawlermen, which blocked the ports of Calais and Boulogne, disrupting cross-Channel ferry services, the protest on the Tyne was not designed to close the river. The European Commission argue that unless dramatic action is taken now, stocks of haddock and cod will never recover. Fishermen say that action already taken has helped the situation and that the scientific evidence is out of date.

All Change for Directory Enquiries

After 47 years, the monopoly operated by British Telecom (BT) in providing a directory enquiry service for telephone numbers is coming to an end. In recent years, all we had to do was dial "192" and the operator would find the desired digits (or tell you that no-one of that name was listed). Now the telephone regulator has insisted that the service should be open to competitors - and already ten companies have taken up the challenge, and more may follow. Of course, it means that the simple "192" will be phased out, to be replaced by "118" plus another three digits for the individual companies. BT has opted for 118 500 which will run in parallel with the 192 number until next August. The various companies are introducing different charging structures and some will have additional services - searching for mobile phone numbers, foreign language services or connecting the number automatically, once it is found.

Journey Times Increase on Trunk Roads

Sensors on the main trunk roads between Glasgow and Edinburgh and Edinburgh to Aberdeen have shown that the large increase in the number of cars using these main arteries has resulted in longer average journey times. In 1998, it took an average of 50 minutes to drive the 47 miles along the two-lane M8 at 8am. By 2002, that journey time had increased to 57 minutes and is estimated to rise to 64 minutes by 2006. Similarly, the 125-mile journey from Edinburgh to Aberdeen, on a mixture of motorway and dual-carriageways, took 136 minutes in 1998 and 156 minutes in 2002. By 2006, that journey time is expected to increase to 179 minutes. Of course, part of the reason may be that the message "speed kills" is getting through and people are just driving a bit more slowly than they used to, even when traffic conditions allow higher speeds. But the A720 Edinburgh City bypass is described as being as bad as London's North Circular Road and the A8000, one of the main access roads to the Forth Road Bridge, is single-lane in each direction. It often has a tail-back, miles long, at traffic lights on a round-about just short of the bridge.

Fashion Houses Shun Edinburgh

Harvey Nichols, the up-market London-based retailer, was given a rent-free lease of the land on which to build its £20 million new store in the heart of Edinburgh. The aim had been to attract other high fashion shops to the same area, in the new Multrees Walk, off St Andrew Square. But so far only Louis Vuitton has taken up two of the units. Companies such as Versace, Hugo Boss, Emporio Armani and Lacoste (all with outlets in Glasgow) have declined to open in the capital. The situation is not helped by reports that Harvey Nichols is not achieving the hoped-for level of sales. There are a lot of people visiting the store and the restaurants appear to be doing well, but too many of those passing through the doors appear not to be buying any goods.

Airport Strike Threat Called Off

A threat by security and fire fighting staff at airports over the Christmas and New Year period was withdrawn this week after employers tabled an improved offer. It gives the staff an 8% increase over two years, 1% more than an offer rejected earlier. The union argued that staff workloads had increased following the September 11 terrorist attacks. If the strike had gone ahead, it would have meant closures at Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen Airports on 15 and 23 December and 2 January.

Airport Charges Cut to Encourage International Flights

British Airports Authority (BAA) is reducing its charges at Glasgow Airport for international flights by 19% during this winter, in an effort to encourage airlines to increase passenger numbers during the slack months of the year. 84% of all Glasgow's traffic is in the months from April to October, the peak months for holiday charter flights. BAA are also providing financial incentives to airlines planning to start new routes.

Budget Airlines in Dogfight

Low cost airline Buzz was forced this week to cancel plans for a service between Prestwick Airport in Scotland and Bournemouth in the south of England. Its bigger rival Ryanair had announced that it would be starting an identical service next spring. Last year, Irish-based Ryanair undercut rivals easyJet and Go on routes from Edinburgh to Dublin and Belfast and forced them to abandon some flights and reduce the frequency on others. Ryanair announced that its one-way fare to Bournemouth will be £9.99 including tax; Buzz was planning a fare of £19.

Lonely Planet Rediscovers Glasgow

When the Lonely Planet travel guide first published its review of Scotland earlier this year it described Glasgow as "prone to periodic eruptions of sectarian football violence" and "surrounded by a hinterland of grey council houses." It did, however, comment that Scotland's largest city had "a unique blend of friendliness, urban chaos and energy". But now the company who produce the guide are now saluting Glasgow as a top tourist destination in its online survey, based on its bulletin board and e-mail feedback. It seems a lot of people around the world have said that Glasgow has a terrific nightlife, restaurants and pubs and also great museums and galleries to visit during the day. The growth in budget airlines is also providing low-cost air links from London.

Last Word in Luxury

At a cost of £141,000 a room, the latest extension to the five-star Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire is the last word in luxury. Braid House, (named after James Braid, the five times Open Champion and creator of the King's and Queen's courses at Gleneagles) boasts walnut flooring, electronics which control everything from the curtains to the living flame gas fires in the split-level lounge area. There's air conditioning at the touch of a button, high speed Internet access, of course, and video, hi-fi and interactive TV in each of the additional 59 rooms. The ambience in the new wing has been the responsibility of Scottish Designer of the Year, Amanda Ross. But one thing which didn't need her special touch was the view of the Ochil Hills from each bedroom.

500 Jobs Saved at Montrose

18 months of uncertainty ended this week at the GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) factory in the east coast town of Montrose. GSK had announced that it was to close the facility, but has now reached a deal to sell the factory to Dutch company Diosynyh BV, part of the Akzo Nobel group. Around 500 of the 700 staff employed will be retained and it is hoped that a good part of the reduction can be achieved by natural wastage.

Boost for Cafe Culture

In recent years, a number of cafes and bars in Scotland have spread into the pavements adjoining their premises, providing an al fresco environment. The Scottish weather is not always conducive to this sort of open air seating, so two restaurants in Glasgow's Italian Centre have proposed a glass structure with a fixed roof and moveable panels outside their premises. Bistro restaurants Frango and Cuba Norte already have tables outside in John Street, but these are not used when it rains or the weather is chilly. It remains to be seen whether the city planning authorities approve such a modern-looking addition to the classical surroundings of the Italian Centre.

Bin Disposable Nappies Forever

East Renfrewshire Council is to introduce a scheme which will offer cash to parents to switch from disposable nappies (diapers in some parts of the world) to the washable kind, in a bid to reduce the millions dumped in landfill sites each year - 8 million in the UK. Research shows that it takes 500 years for some disposable nappies to totally degrade (though it is a mystery how this can be calculated for such relatively new items). Environmental campaigners argue that parents can save money by using the washable kind and help the environment at the same time. The East Renfrewshire scheme pays £30 but requires applicants to provide proof of purchase of reusable nappies and that they wash them at home or have registered with a company that launders nappies. Of course, many parents will still opt for the convenience of the disposable kind.

Green Families May Get Tax Rebates

Scotland has one of the lowest rates in Europe for recycling rubbish - Austria recycles 64%, Belgium 52%, Germany 48%, the Netherlands 47% and Scotland a mere 6%. The government has set a target of increasing this to 25% by 2006 - and 60% by 2020. While bottle, plastic and paper banks located in car parks and beside supermarkets are well used, that requires people to transport these items to the collection points. To encourage householders to make the effort to recycle their household waste, ministers are said to be considering offering local council tax rebates to homeowners who instal up to five separate bins in their homes for specific items such as glass, metals, plastic and food waste. And, of course, there could be penalties for those who fail to recycle or who produce above average quantities of waste.

Wind Farms May Be Blown Off Track

The expansion of renewable energy projects in the Highlands could soon be brought to a halt as a result of the inability of the electricity power grid to move the output to the centres of population. In the past, hydro-electric schemes in the north provided power to local users with only some fed further south. With the prospect of a significant increase in electricity being generated by wind farms, the grid cannot handle the greater flow. There could soon be 15 wind farms in the Highlands, with almost 250 turbines scattered across the area, including a recently approved project in Skye.These alone would generate 630 megawatts of electricity, the current capacity of the network. An announcement on plans for upgrading the grid are expected in the new year, but it will take time for these to be formalised, agreed and implemented.

Electricity Pylons Save Rare Butterfly

The Chequered Skipper butterfly, one of the world's endangered species, became extinct in England in 1976 and is now confined to a small area between Oban and Fort William on the west coast of Scotland. There are thought to be only around 200 of the butterflies left and there had been concern that the open woodland environment it favours would be reduced by current woodland management practices. But it now seems that about a third of the insect colonies have taken up residence in woodland clearings created when electricity pylons were being erected as part of the national electricity grid system. The scrub growing in the clearings is removed by the electricity companies every 15 years or so and this seems to suit the butterflies perfectly.

Fat Cat Wins Award

Tinker, a black and white cat which had ballooned to 8.2kg (18 pounds) on a diet of crisps and chocolate, was named Scottish feline slimmer of the year award this week, after losing 1.6kg (3.5 pounds). When Tinker was fat, he couldn't jump off the floor and spent most of his time sleeping - and eating. The competition for cat slimmer of the year is sponsored by a pet food company. A staggering 50% of Scotland's one million cats and dogs are considered to be obese.

Western Isles Businesses Press for Sunday Ferries

When two airlines began Sunday flights to and from Stornoway in the Western Isles, the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry company said that it had no plans to challenge the ban on Sunday sailings. But a number of business organisations on the island are understood to be trying to overturn the restriction which was imposed by the staunch Presbyterians who insist on maintaining the tradition of no work on Sundays. The ferry company has received a number of requests for a Sunday service, including an appeal from the three main fish farms on Lewis and Harris. The subject will be considered by the Shipping Services Advisory Committee (SSAC) in March. While the final decision is a commercial one by Caledonian MacBrayne, the company regard the SSAC as a good sounding board. But local Lord's Day Observance Society members are likely to bitterly oppose any change.

UK's Oldest Woman

A few readers wrote in after last week's item on Lucy Victoria d'Abreu, who officially became the UK's oldest woman when she was named by the Guinness Book of Records. In amongst all the details of how she was born when the Forth Rail Bridge had only been in use for two years and William Gladstone had been elected UK premier for the fourth time, I omitted to give her actual age. This was not a ploy to encourage readers to search the pages of Rampant Scotland to find when the Forth Rail Bridge opened (that information is in the "Did You Know" section). It was just an oversight. Lucy is 110 and was born May 24 1892.

Cabbies May Sue For Right to Wear Kilts

Edinburgh taxi drivers are threatening to take the City Council to court over a new dress code which is being imposed. They claim that it would prohibit the wearing of kilts. Not that many cab drivers wear a kilt, but they say it would infringe their human rights. Edinburgh Council licencing authority is insisting on flannel trousers (no jeans allowed) shirt and collar (no T-shirts). Representatives of the taxi drivers called it "fashion fascism" and "control-freakery" by the council.

Baby in Court on Speeding Charge

16-month-old Jay Mack races around the house on his pedal-car at a fair old rate of knots. But his parents were astonished when the toddler received a letter from Glasgow Sheriff Court, ordering him to appear for failing to pay a £200 speeding fine and threatening arrest! When Jay and his parents turned up in court this week, as demanded, all became clear. A speeding motorist in Essex in England had given the false name of Jay Mack. A computer search found only one Jay Mack in the UK - and so the speeding fine was issued, addressed to the little lad. His mother phoned court officials in Essex, but they didn't believe her and continued to issue the speeding ticket and then fines for late payment. Lawyers, court officials and police in Glasgow fell about laughing when Jay appeared in the dock - in his mother's arms. Unimpressed by his surroundings, the "youngest young offender" tried to climb into the sheriff's chair. Jay was soon able to prove his innocence too. He had an alibi - the family were in Spain when the offence took place.

Weather in Scotland This Week

The cold spell which gripped Britain this week, with snow showers in parts of England, resulted in bookmakers shortening the odds on a white Christmas as punters decided to place more bets on whether there would be even a few flakes of snow on 25 December. Maximum daytime temperatures in Scotland were generally around 6C (43F) but the strong, cold, easterly winds made it feel a lot chillier than that.There was some snow on high ground (Ben Nevis had a slight covering) but there was only sleet on lower ground. Although rainfall this week has been light, a feature of the weather has been the thick cloud cover over the country. Aberdeen has not recorded any sunshine from last Saturday to Friday and many other parts of the country have been similarly overcast. An exception was the west of Scotland on Wednesday - Glasgow had nearly five hours of sunshine.

In these dull days, the bright evergreen (and cream!) foliage of this Eunonymous shrub is very welcome to lighten the gloom. This type of plant is becoming increasingly popular as it provides a splash of colour throughout the year and there are a number of different varieties.

Historic Blackhouse Needs Urgent Repairs

Blackhouses were so named because the smoke from the open fires inside circulated and covered the inside in soot - there was no chimney, just an opening in the roof. Most of these old buildings have disappeared, but a few have survived. Efforts are being made to rescue one at Luib on Skye which has featured in many guide books. It has also been used as a location for a number of films. But since the folk museum housed in the building closed two years ago, it has deteriorated and is badly in need of being re-thatched and some of the roof trusses have also collapsed. The house is shown on a hand-drawn map produced between 1750 and 1760. It was named Lubgrienaig, possibly a mixture of Gaelic and Norse meaning "bay of the curve of the sun." The present owners are trying to raise funds to carry out repairs. A number of organisations such as Historic Scotland can often help under their Friends of Thatched Houses Maintenance Scheme.

Historic Scotland Criticised

Lex Brown is a millionaire who wants to restore Castle Tioram in Moidart to its condition prior to its destruction in 1715 - by the clan chief to stop it falling into enemy hands. This week Brown launched another bitter attack on the government agency Historic Scotland. The organisation has twice blocked the reconstruction which would create a home and a clan museum. Mr Brown describes Historic Scotland as a "maverick organisation full of self-appointed, so-called experts who work without any accountability, ignoring everyone and everything else. Historic Scotland make wholly unjustified decisions behind closed doors." Mr Brown has undertaken expensive legal action, presenting evidence to public enquiries and is now pursuing an action in the Court of Session. The plans for Castle Tioram were backed by Highlands Council, the local Member of the Scottish Parliament and by many local members of the public and the Clan MacDonald Society. The Scottish Executive have recently instigated a major review of the operations and performance of Historic Scotland and their attitude to the Castle Tioram situation is believed to have triggered the evaluation.

This Week in History

• December 16 1653 - Oliver Cromwell becomes Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland.
• December 16 1838 - Thomas Blake Glover, founding father of Japan's industrialisation (including Mitsubishi) and the Japanese Navy, was born in Fraserburgh.
• December 17 1502 - Marriage contract between James IV and Margaret Tudor signed by King James.
• December 17 1907 - Lord Kelvin, scientist and inventor, died.
• December 18 1780 - Society of Antiquaries founded in Edinburgh.
• December 18 1870 - Birth of Hector Munro. He wrote short stories under the pseudonym "Saki".
• December 20 1560 - First General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
• December 21 1988 - Pan Am 747 blew up and crashed at Lockerbie, Dumfries, killing 243 passengers, 16 crew and 11 Lockerbie residents.

A Victorian Christmas At Falkland Palace

Falkland Palace is the venue for a Victorian Christmas in an evening of music, drama and poetry from Scotland's travelling performers, Cameo, on December 14. Dressed in full Victorian costume, a five-strong group of singers, actors and musicians will perform a festive evening of Christmas songs and parlour music from the 19th century. Edinburgh-based Cameo, who specialise in themed productions, have become increasingly popular, and shows nearly always sell out. The performance is to take place in the palace's Chapel Royal. Visitors will love the medieval setting, with its wooden carvings, old fashioned light fixtures and special atmosphere. They will also be treated to mulled wine and mince pies, and will have a chance to browse the Palace shop, which will be open for the evening. Falkland Palace was the residence of the Stuart Kings and Queens when they enjoyed hunting in the Kingdom of Fife.

Scottish Opera Again in Financial Crisis

Despite repeated additional financial assistance from the Scottish Executive (that is, paid for by taxpayers), there are reports that Scottish Opera may have to become a part-time organisation and cut the number of performances unless their grant is increased significantly next year. Over the years, Scottish Opera has created a number of highly acclaimed productions, including Wagner's Siegfried at the Edinburgh International Festival earlier this year. But it had to have an additional cash injection of £2.1 million in 1999 to save it from bankruptcy and another sum of £1.9 million in 2001. The annual grant from the Scottish Arts Council in 2002-3 has been set at £7.47 million, down from £7.5 million the year before. But wages and insurance costs are rising and maintenance charges at the Theatre Royal in Glasgow are going up too. However, the chairman of the Arts Council has said that the "tantrums" of Scottish opera were damaging the cause of arts funding in Scotland.

'Santa's Special' Train Trip

A traditional steam train is taking nostalgic festive trip through Angus - complete with a visit and gifts from Father Christmas himself on selected dates in December. The Santa Special is travelling through the beautiful Angus countryside with the added Christmas ingredient of a visit, and a present, from every child's favourite festive figure of fun. While kids enjoy a chat with Santa and are given their eagerly awaited gifts, parents can relax with a drink from train staff and soak up the evocative eight-mile return train trip from Brechin Station to Bridge of Dun. The event has proved increasingly popular over the past few years and organisers have been forced to put on an extra coach to meet demand.

Useless Helps Festive Appeal

The canine star of the TV series "Monarch of the Glen" often lives up to its name, according to the story line. But the springer spaniel who plays Useless (her real name is Poppy) fronted an appeal this week by the Glasgow Dog and Cat Home which aims to give a treat to all animals in care of the SSPCA animal welfare society in central Scotland. The public are being asked to donate cash, petfood, a toy or a treat. It is the 15th year that the society has run the appeal.

Scot Wins Fame Academy Contest

An unemployed Scot won a BBC "Fame Academy" talent show this week, taking 3.5 million out of 6.9 million votes cast by the viewers. David Sneddon is a self-taught pianist and drummer and sang his way to victory with a number of Elton John songs. The ten week series involved one contestant being dropped each week, based on viewer's feedback. The contestants have been locked in a London mansion since the beginning of October, honing their voices and undergoing a harsh fitness regime and learning to dance. Sneddon will now have a recording deal with Mercury records and will have a car and apartment in London for a year. The Fame Academy students will tour various venues next year.

Mid-Week Football Results

Celta Vigo 2 Celtic 1 (UEFA Cup 3rd qualifying round. Aggregate 2-2. Celtic go on to the last 16 on away goals rule)

Bank of Scotland Premier League Results - 14 December 2002

Dundee 1 Motherwell 1
Hearts 1 Partick Thistle 0
Livingston 1 Hibernian 2
Rangers 3 Dundee United 0
Dunfermline v Aberdeen and Kilmarnock v Celtic will be played on Sunday.

Scottish First Division Results - 14 December 2002

Alloa 2 St Mirren 3
Clyde 3 Arbroath 0
Falkirk 1 Inverness 1
Ross County 1 Ayr United 1
St Johnstone 2 Queen of the South 2

BT Cup, 4th Round - 14 December 2002

Aberdeen 29 Kirkcaldy 12
Biggar 3 Peebles 17
Cartha 13 Jed-Forest 32
Edinburgh A 7 Heriot's 50
Glasgow Hawks 30 Currie 25
Haddington v East Kilbride was postponed
Hawick 22 Kelso 0
Hillhead 21 Grangemouth 6
Murrayfield 58 Berwick 0
Musselburgh 13 Gala 37
Selkirk 0 Boroughmuir 10
Watsonians 64 Dunfermline 12

League Tables

Rangers retain their lead over Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premier League with Hearts third, on 30 points, 19 points behind Celtic. Dunfermline also have 30 points but have played one game less. Motherwell continue to trail at the foot of the SPL with 14 points, one less than Dundee United.
In the First Division, Falkirk are one point ahead of Inverness at the top; Clyde are in third place, with further 18 points less than Inverness. Alloa continue the struggle against relegation, with only 10 points.

Celtic Battle On

It is 23 years since Celtic last survived in a European competition beyond Christmas. But after a nail-biting performance in Spain, they are now through to the final 16 in the UEFA Cup. Spanish side Celta Vigo scored first, wiping out Celtic's slender goal advantage in the first leg. But a John Hartson goal 12 minutes later gave Celtic a lifeline, as away goals count double in the event of a tie. That rule was their saviour in the second half when Celta Vigo scored a second goal. Celtic's stout defence was put to the test as the Spanish side desperately tried to score again. Manager Martin O'Neill took off Hartson and substituted Jackie McNamara to create a defensive 4-4-2 formation to hold on grimly to the slender lead and it paid off. This was the first time that Celtic had eliminated Spanish opposition from European competition after seven earlier failures. Celtic will now play German club VIB Stuttgart in the next round. Stuttgart defeated Hearts in the UEFA Cup competition in 2000.

Peace Breaking Out in Scottish Premier League

Last season, ten of the clubs in the Scottish Premier League announced that they were to resign, leaving behind Rangers and Celtic. The ten clubs were unhappy with the way in which Rangers and Celtic dominated the voting structure and, just as importantly, the large share of revenue allocated to the "Old Firm." Since then, tortuous negotiations have taken place. It now looks as though seven of the clubs have reached some sort of compromise with Rangers and Celtic. Although Aberdeen, Hearts and Hibernian are still not happy, these hawks are looking increasingly isolated. It appears that a new voting structure has been agreed which would require 8-4 on key issues (instead of 11-1). And the smaller clubs seem prepared to accept a smaller share of pay-per-view TV deals than they were originally demanding. There is now a hope that the war may be over by Christmas.

New Team Leading Aberdeen

Steve Patterson, manager of Inverness Caledonian Thistle, currently second in the First Division, has been appointed as the new manager of Aberdeen. There had been some doubt over the move as he was reluctant to relocate to Aberdeen from Moray because of his children. He had already turned down the managerial job at Dundee United earlier this year because of these commitments. Patterson will be joined at Aberdeen by his assistant Duncan Shearer, who turned down the offer of the managerial post at Inverness. There was speculation that they may be able to bring Inverness' leading goal scorer to Aberdeen too.

Dundee Teams Still Plan Shared Stadium

Despite the failure to bring the Euro 2008 football finals to Scotland and Ireland (see news item in main section above), Dundee and Dundee United say that they will still try to progress the creation of a joint stadium in Caird Park the city. Planning permission had been granted for the project but it was subject to some of the Euro 2008 finals being staged in Dundee. The Dundonian clubs are undaunted and say that they will review all the options - including a possible bid by Scotland to stage the Euro 2012 finals.

Celtic to Play in USA

Celtic Football Club is to participate in a pre-season tournament in the USA next summer. Other clubs involved include Manchester United, Juventus, Barcelona and the Mexican club America. The 13-day, four-city event will be held from 22 July to 3 August and Celtic face Manchester United in the 68,000-capacity Seahawk Stadium in Seattle in the opening match.