Transformation for Glasgow Cross

One of Glasgow's most historic areas is to be transformed by a £30 million shopping and housing development. Glasgow Cross, which marks the junction of High Street, Gallowgate (scene of executions in days gone by), London Road, Saltmarket and Trongate, contains the Mercat Cross, marking the historic heart of the city, and the 126ft high Tolbooth Steeple - all that remains of the original building created in 1616 to house the courthouse and prison. The new development will replace the north-east corner of the junction and provide restaurants, coffee houses, modern art galleries and designer shops in an area which has become derelict in recent years. Planning permission for the news transformation was granted this week by Glasgow City Council. The illustration shows an artist's impression of Glasgow Cross after the development has been completed.

Scottish Executive Criticised

As a nine-mile stretch of "expressway" was opened on the A1 artery, the main route between Edinburgh and England, the Scottish Executive were criticised this week for not upgrading the entire length of the road to two lanes in each direction. But they were also attacked by the Green Party who said that more money should be spent instead on public transport. It is astonishing that the main road between Scotland's capital city and the south is in part only a single lane in each direction, used by all traffic from heavy transports to pedal cycles. It is less surprising that the stretch of road upgraded to two lanes accounts for 60% of all fatal accidents on the road as motorists attempt to overtake slower moving traffic. One third of the A1 road in Scotland is still single carriageway, even after the upgrading of this latest section of the route.

Tartan Day in Pictures

The Tartan Day parades in Arbroath (Scotland), New York City - and Albuquerque (New Mexico) are illustrated on the Scottish Parliament Web site at www.scottish.parliament.uk/tartanday/2004 The site also has online films of the Tartan Day celebrations and other items.
The illustration is of the Tartan Day parade at Albuquerque, New Mexico. The piper is wearing the New Mexico tartan kilt.

Unemployment Lowest for 28 Years

The number of people claiming jobseekers allowance (the current name for unemployment benefit) fell by 3,900 over the last year to March, reaching 95,900, the lowest figure since 1976. On this measure, the unemployment rate is 3.6%. The numbers in work have also increased, by 11,000 in the twelve months to February. The UK currently has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the developed world.

Scottish Economy Strengthens

The latest Purchasing Managers' Index from the Royal Bank of Scotland reports that Scottish firms have been taking on staff following a revival in demand in Europe - a vital Scottish export market. But although the figures were positive, Scotland is still lagging behind the rest of the UK - only one English region had a growth rate lower than Scotland.

More Traffic Chaos for Capital

The road network in the east of Scotland is already under strain with the Forth Road Bridge down to one lane in each direction for sixteen weekends, from mid-April to 21 June. Now Edinburgh City Council has announced that the West Approach Road will be closed from 28 April for ten weeks to allow for essential repairs. This is one of the main arteries into the city from the west and as well as impacting on commuters, it will have affect fans travelling to football matches at Hearts Football Club's ground at Tynecastle. On Friday, as motorists anticipated the restrictions on the Forth Bridge, traffic built up on the Kincardine Bridge further up the river. And to add to the congestion, a stretch of the main road in Fife between the two bridges was down to one lane, controlled by traffic lights as engineers replace a gas main.

Scotland's Unhealthiest City Improving

It used to have the marketing slogan "Glasgow's Miles Better" but that certainly didn't refer to the health of many of the deprived areas of Scotland's largest city. Strenuous efforts have been made to improve the standards of health in the poorer parts of Glasgow, not just with exhortation to take more exercise and eat more healthy foods, but with practical help such as sports centres, free fruit and breakfast clubs for school children who don't get a decent breakfast at home. A detailed survey of 2,000 people in Glasgow is carried out every three years by Greater Glasgow Health Board. The most recent report shows a marked improvement. But there are still significant differences between deprived areas and those living in the affluent parts of the city, where better diet and frequent exercise are more likely to prevail.

House Prices Rise Faster in Scotland

According to official government figures, house price inflation in Scotland in the year to February 2004 was higher than in any other part of the UK with prices rising by 26.2%. Even so, average house prices in Scotland are still lower than in England. The average Scottish house costs £99,090 - compared with £243,231 in London. These government figures reflect the data published recently by the Glasgow Solicitors Property Centre which showed house prices in the west of Scotland rising faster than they have done in the last four years.

Trade Blossoms

Traditionally, Holland has been a major exporter of bulbs to the UK and other parts of Europe. Dutch bulb fields are also a major tourist attraction in the spring. But for some years now, a farming co-operative in Grampian have been exporting daffodil bulbs to Holland and to other European countries and even North America. Although it might seem like a bit of "coals to Newcastle" sending bulbs to Holland, the cooler soils, longer daylight hours and Scottish climate suit daffodils - as can be witnessed by the acres of bulbs planted in public spaces in many Scottish towns. The farming co-operative in grampian produces 70 million blooms before Easter, of which 85% are exported.

Rough Seas for North Sea Ferry

The Superfast ferry service between Rosyth in Fife across the North Sea to Zeebrugge in Belgium has been in operation for nearly two years now. It has proved to be popular with tourists travelling between the two countries but has been making heavy weather of convincing Scottish freight companies that it is a better option than driving south through Scotland and England to the short sea crossing at Dover on the English Channel. It is the freight traffic which will make the service profitable - and ensure its long-term future. Road hauliers say that the 5pm departure time is not helpful to them but at least freight traffic has risen over the last year. The popularity of the passenger service has meant that the company has added extra cabins to its two ships on the service. Each vessel costs £70 million and can accommodate 1,550 passengers, 130 large trucks and 100 cars.

New Deal to Save Direct Flights to Belgium

Irish based airline Ryanair had threatened to abandon its service between Prestwick and Charleroi (south of the Belgian capital of Brussels) and other flights to the airport after the European Commission had ruled that subsidies it was receiving from the regional government in Belgium were illegal. The terms have now been revised, with any airline free to apply for similar subsidies if they open up new routes to Charleroi. It is hoped that this will be acceptable to the European Commission and allow the flights to continue.

New Air Service to Galway

Loganair, a franchise partner of British Airways, has announced that it is to commence a service to Galway in the south-west of Ireland. It will use 34-seat Saab 340 aircraft. Irish airline Aer Arann already operates a service between Edinburgh and Galway but the Loganair route will be from Glasgow. Loganair, which describes itself as "Scotland's Airline", operates the air services to the Scottish Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland and also to Irish destinations such as Derry and Cork. The Saab 340 illustrtaed here, although in British Airways colours, is operated by Loganair.

Edinburgh Airport Catching Up

The latest figures from the British Airports Authority show that Edinburgh Airport continues to grow passenger numbers at a faster rate than Glasgow - and the gap between the two hubs is closing. In the last twelve months Glasgow grew by 3.1%, handling 8.1 million passengers. But Edinburgh expanded by 7.2%, handling 7.6 million travellers. Short haul European services have been developing faster at Edinburgh, with low-cost budget airlines starting new services. While Glasgow has seen the recent launch of the Emirates Airways service to Dubai, Edinburgh has also seen the start of a direct route to Newark by Continental Airways - competing with the established Glasgow to Newark flights by the same airline.

Final Tests for Glasgow Tower

A massive new ball-bearing, which allows the 440ft high Glasgow Tower to rotate, is being tested to make sure that the problems which have plagued the attraction have indeed been resolved. Although Scotland's tallest free-standing structure opened in October 2001, it has been available to the public for only three months since then, after a series of technical faults caused it to be closed. It is the only tower in the world where the entire structure rotates 360 degrees.

Reel Success for Anglers

The river Carron in Wester Ross used to be a top location for trout and salmon anglers. But the reduction in the numbers of fish which was experienced by many rivers during the 1970s and 80s was catastrophic for the river Carron. There were hardly any fish in the river during much of the 1990s and two salmon farms at the mouth of the river were blamed for much of the decline. It was once pronounced technically dead at one stage. But in the last three years a restocking programme has transformed the river. The success has been so dramatic that the Carron now out-performs all other Scottish rivers. Even 2003, when a combination of wet winters and dry summers hindered the fish life cycle, anglers still caught nearly 600 fish (up from just two in 1999 and three in 2000).

A Caledonian MacBrayne Wave

Caledonian MacBrayne (usually referred to as "CalMac") operates the lifeline ferry services to 22 islands off the west coast of Scotland. Its management has always had an aversion to TV advertising. But research has shown that many potential tourists have thought about travelling to these lovely islands but have never got round to doing it. So the company has commissioned TV adverts aimed at short break visitors in the 25-45 age group who want to "get away from it all." The adverts were filmed on the small island of Eigg and feature a Lewis-born actress who stares into a washing machine - which transforms into a ship's portal with memories of Hebridean calm and quiet. The adverts suggests that she has just had a "Caledonian MacBrayne Wave."

Pipers Blows in from Perth, Australia

Pupils from the prestigious Scotch College in Perth, Western Australia, called in at Perth in Scotland this week where they were honoured with a civic reception. The 38-strong pipe band, which also played for the public in Perth's High Street, is on a tour of the UK and France and will perform at the Anzac Day ceremonies in Villers-Bretonneux and Bulecourt. The event commemorates the ill-fated Dardanelles campaign. They will also perform at Edinburgh Castle, Portree on Skye, Glamis Castle and Harrow School.

Kilt With a Sting

It's enough to bring tears to your eyes, but the designers of Lochcarron of Scotland have created a kilt made from stinging nettles. However, the company have promised that there is no "sting in the tail" and that the process of extracting fibres from the stems of the wild nettle has meant that the sting has been removed. The fabric is surprisingly soft, so even Scots who wear their national dress in the traditional fashion have nothing to fear!

Whisky Bangalore

A new whisky will soon be on the shelves in Scotland. But it will not have been made from the waters of some Highland stream but from a distillery in Bangalore in India. The manufacturer has obtained clearance for " Amrut" single malt - it is named after the Sanskrit word for "drink of the gods". In blind tastings, some connoisseurs have mistaken it for a Speyside malt. It is aimed at the niche market of Indian restaurants in Scotland and Glasgow (the UK's acknowledged curry capital) will be the first part of the UK to experience the new product. There are 20,000 Indian restaurants in the UK and 70% are licenced to sell alcohol, so there is a significant market to exploit. The Scotch Whisky Association says it is relaxed about the new product but says that two-way trade should be on an equal footing. Scotch whisky is taxed in India at between 213% and 525%, making Scotch unaffordable to most Indians.

Garden Makeover for Ubiquitous Chip

One of the features of the Ubiquitous Chip restaurant in Glasgow's West End - apart from fine food - has been the relaxed atmosphere created by its indoor garden. Part of the restaurant is in a covered, cobbled court-yard and the open air theme has been enhanced by a large number of potted plants. But over the years the plant collection has become a bit tired and now the expert gardeners from a popular TV gardening programme have made it the subject of a full-scale makeover. The transformation featured in an episode in the long-running Beechgrove Garden series. The presenters had a real challenge as the indoor environment produced extremes of heat and cold and no direct sunshine. But the restaurant now serves up a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds of its customers.

Vintage Scotch Under the Hammer

A collection of rare Scotch whisky was being auctioned this week in Glasgow in the world's only dedicated sale of fine and rare whiskies. In a recent sale at McTear's auction house, a world record price of £22,000 was paid for a bottle of Dalmore single malt. While they were not expecting that price level at the auction this week, the highlights were a 50-year-old Macallan malt, a Dalmore of a similar age and a "black" Bowmore from Islay. Individual bottles sold for up to £5,000.

Edinburgh Hotel in Stylish List

The latest travel magazine Condé Nast's "hot list" of cool places to stay, features only one hotel in Scotland. The new five-star Glasshouse situated near Leith Walk has views over Calton Hill, a rooftop garden and a stylish, discreet interior. The hotel entrance is through the grey stone facade of the 150-year-old Lady of Glenorchy Church, ingeniously incorporating the historical building with contemporary architecture. It opened only last June but was a popular hostelry for artists who attended the MTV Awards ceremony in Leith last November. See also Great Places to Stay on the Glasshouse.

Pistols at Dawn for Line-dancers

Line-dancing is a popular past-time in Scotland with really keen performers travelling to the US to take part in contests there. But a new law coming into force in Scotland at the end of the month is threatening an important part of cowboy garb in which the dancers perform. Any self-respecting cowboy would have a pair of pistols, and until now the strict gun control laws in the UK have been circumvented by using a form of air pistols. But some of these realistic-looking guns can be converted to firing bullets and they will be banned from the end of April. People found to be in possession of them could be jailed for up to five years. Most line-dancers are unaware of the new legislation and may continue to take them to clubs and events where they are sometimes used for target practice and for "fastest-on-the-draw" contests.

Weather in Scotland This Week

Once again there was a dearth of sunshine in most places in Scotland this week. There were frequent showers and Glasgow had over an inch of rain spread over Thursday and Friday - and the heavy rain continued on Saturday. Temperatures in the west were only 9C (48F) on Thursday and Friday. Temperatures in Aberdeen were similar last Sunday but had risen to a milder 15C (59F) by Wednesday - only to fall back again later in the week. The outlook for the next few days indicates a continuation of the dull. showery weather.

This week's illustrations of current flowers and the weather in Scotland show, first of all, the blossom (cherry?) on a tree in Colzium Country Park near Kilsyth in North Lanarkshire in a spell of sunshine earlier this week. The white anemone below was also taken at Colzium. Finally, the rainbow was spotted after a heavy shower of rain at Tannoch Loch, Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire.

Kirkcaldy Links Market Celebrates 700th Anniversary

It was King Edward I of England who gave permission in 1304 for the Fife coastal town of Kirkcaldy to hold a three-day market every Easter on the links (the sandy foreshore). The town, more famous in the 20th century for producing linoleum (and its associated smells) has been celebrating the 700th anniversary in style this week. Kirkcaldy's nickname is the "Lang Toon" so it was appropriate that they should set up Europe's longest street funfair including a 140 feet-high Big Wheel. Traders from many European countries set up their stalls in a Continental Market. The town's history was not forgotten either, with an exhibition of photographs and paintings of the Links Market in by-gone years. Kirkcaldy Old Kirk (even older than the Links Market) was also open for visitors to climb to the top of the church tower and get a bird's-eye view of the town.

Scots and English Different for 10,000 Years

A new book by an Oxford professor, based on an analysis of genetic data, claims that the division between the Celts and the English goes back 10,000 years. The Celts of Western Scotland, Wales, Ireland and Cornwall are descended from an ancient people living in the Basque region of south-west France. The English are closer to the Germans, descended from Anglo-Saxons. The differences were established long before Britain was an island but instead was connected to continental Europe at a time when sea levels were much lower than today.

A Transport of Delight for 40 Years

The Museum of Transport in Glasgow celebrated its 40th birthday this week. Packed with automobiles, buses, tram cars, railway engines, cycles, motor bikes and 250 models of ships, many built on the nearby river Clyde, the museum has been a major attraction in the city. The museum also features a recreation of a 1930s Glasgow street, with cars parked outside shops "selling" products from that time and with a cinema showing films about Glasgow. There is also a typical underground station on the city's subway network.

Scottish Piper's Role at Alamo

The latest film on the battle of the Alamo acknowledges the part played by John McGregor, who raised the spirits of the defenders by playing his bagpipes in musical "duels" with Davy Crocket on his fiddle. Crocket also had Scottish ancestry and at least 50 of the 189 men who fought at the Alamo in March 1836 had Scottish forebears. McGregor was one of four native-born Scots who defended the stronghold against the 5,000-strong Mexican army for 13 days. McGregor was born in Aberfeldy and went to America after the Napoleonic Wars around 1815.

173 Year Wait for Publication of Novel

An unfinished novel by Sir Walter Scott is to be published for the first time, 173 years after the author's death, after research by university academics. It shows that the master novelist was still working hard right up to the end, despite failing health and suffering from a stroke. The title of the story is "Reliquiae Trotcosiensis" - the Latin means "the remains of Trotcosey" - the fictional abbey in Scott's novel The Antiquary. The book mocks his own collection of bibliophilia at his home in Abbotsford (illustrated here) and his antiquarian knowledge. It was written in a shaky hand and contains a series of literary in-jokes and allusions. It will be published by Edinburgh University Press later this month. Proceeds from the book will go towards the upkeep of Scott's library owned by the Faculty of Advocates in Edinburgh.

Next Week in History

• April 18 1874 - Remains of David Livingstone interred in Westminster Abbey.
• April 19 1390 - Robert II, grandson of Robert the Bruce, died at Dundonald Castle.
• April 19 1689 - Earl of Angus forms the Cameronians into a regiment.
• April 19 1825 - Robert Byron (later Lord Byron) died at Missolinghi, Greece.
• April 19 1905 - Aviator Jim Mollinson who married Amy Johnson, was born in Glasgow.
• April 20 1934 - Scottish National Party founded with the amalgamation of the National Party of Scotland and the Scottish Party.
• April 20 1994 - Sir Walter Scott's home at Abbotsford was raided and priceless antiques stolen.
• April 21 1703 - Edinburgh Fire Brigade, one of the first in Scotland, formed.
• April 21 1838 - John Muir, pioneering conservationist and founder of Yosemite National Park, born in Dunbar.
• April 22 1869 - Rev Patrick Bell , inventor of mechanical reaper, died.
• April 23 1124 - King Alexander I died at Stirling Castle, succeeded by David I.
• April 23 1661 - Charles II crowned at Westminster Abbey.
• April 23 1945 - Blackout restrictions lifted as World War II heads to a conclusion.
• April 23 1968 - The new 5p and 10p decimal coins were introduced in anticipation of decimalisation (in 1971). They were used as one shilling and two shilling coins until then.
• April 24 1558 - Mary, Queen of Scots, married French Dauphin, Francis Valois (he was aged 14) at Notre Dame in Paris.
• April 24 1567 - First printed book ever published in Gaelic. It was "Forms of Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments and Catechism of the Christian Faith," translated from English by Bishop John Carsewell of the Isles.
• April 24 1633 - Warrant issued by the Privy Council to Sir John Hepburn to raise a regiment of 1,200 men to fight in the French service. The corps ultimately became the First Regiment of Foot, The Royal Scots.
• April 24 1825 - Novelist R M Ballantyne, who wrote 90 books, the best known of which was "The Coral Island," was born in Edinburgh.
• April 24 1949 - Chocolate and sweets (candy) were no longer rationed, a measure introduced at the start of World War 2. However, demand was so great that it had to be re-introduced.

Icelandic Ceilidh Band Festival

There are many cultural links between Scotland and Iceland (800 miles north-west of Scotland) but the first-ever Ceilidh Band Festival is being held on June 10 - 13 in the town of Seydisfjordur in Iceland's northeast fjords. The Seydisfjordur Ceilidh Band will be hosting the event, which will include the Rosehall Ceilidh Band from Sutherland in northern Scotland; Kristian Blak and Sharon Weiss and friends from the Faroe Islands, and a band yet to be named from Shetland. The visiting bands have been given free passage by Smyril Line - in return for playing several times on board the ferry during the trips to and from Iceland! The program will include workshops in folk dance, music, instrumental style and more, led by bands or individual members. The primary music will be the traditional folk music of each band's home area, and this will be traded back and forth over the four days and featured in the concert. For information on Seydisfjordur and on accommodation in town, see the town's website www.sfk.is - it has an English translation, so be sure to click on that! For more information, see www.geocities.com/mworden.geo or contact Muff Worden at muff@eldhorn.is.

Scottish Opera Staff Facing Final Curtain

According to the actors' union Scottish Equity, around 80 of the 240 staff employed by Scottish Opera could be facing redundancy as the company struggles to avoid bankruptcy. The entire 34-strong chorus could face the axe along with many musicians, technicians and administrative staff. The company, which has received critical acclaim for its productions, has been granted rescue finance on a number of occasions in recent years but has failed to reduce its costs to match its annual funding from the government via the Scottish Arts Council. It has been forced to ask for an advance of £4 million on its £7.5 million grant for next year to keep afloat.

Mull Music Festival

The beautiful island of Mull comes alive with the sound of music during the Mull Music Festival, which takes place from 24 to 26 April at various venues throughout the island. With ceilidh bands, Scottish Dance Bands and contemporary Scottish "Pub Rock" bands, there’s something for everyone.

Bute Jazz Festival

If Jazz is more to your taste, then the Isle of Bute is the place to be from 29th April - 3rd May 2004. With concerts, late night sessions, jazz cruises on board ‘The Cruiser’ around the beautiful waters of the Isle of Bute, a marching bands street Parade with Brolly Competition, and a jazz picnic at Rothesay Castle, what more could you ask for? For programme information, visit www.butejazz.com.

New £6 Million Arts Venue Taking Shape

A former Glasgow church, which had become derelict, is being transformed into a new arts centre for the city. The Kelvinside Church at the top of Byres Road and opposite the Kelvingrove Botanic Gardens, will become the Oranmór when it opens next month. The centre has five bars, an auditorium and a gallery area. It will provide a late-night venue with 400-capacity where ceilidhs and club nights can be held. The ceiling of the church has been painted with a mural representing "the celestial universe" with stars, the planets and phases of the moon.

Spirit Yourself Away on Speyside

From 30 April to 3 May a number of hidden distilleries will open their doors and will have ceilidh bands to come and play! You can join renowned whisky writers for tastings and whisky menus or take part in Distilleries from the Air with the Highland Gliding Club - and see how many distilleries you can spot from high above! Enjoy scones, some of which will be laced with whisky - identify which ones and you could win a bottle! The event takes place at the Moray Firth Wildlife Centre. And don't miss Chivas Regal's party with Wolfstone at Fochabers. For further information on the Spirit of Speyside, visit www.spiritofspeyside.com.

Sunday and Mid-Week Football Results

Dundee United 2 Dundee 2
Dunfermline 1 Hibernian 1
Inverness 1 Brechin City 0
Livingston 1 Rangers 1
Motherwell 1 Dunfermline
Villarreal 2 Celtic 0 (UEFA Cup quarter-final. Villarreal go through 3-1 on aggregate)

Bank of Scotland Premier League Results - 17 April 2004

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

Scottish First Division Results - 17 April 2004

Brechin City 0 Falkirk 1
Clyde 4 Raith Rovers 1
Inverness 4 Queen of the South 1
St Johnstone 1 Ross County 1
St Mirren 4 Ayr United 1

League Tables

Celtic have the opportunity to put the disappointment of the UEFA Cup result behind them and clinch the Scottish Premier League title if they defeat Kilmarnock on Sunday. Celtic are currently 13 points ahead of Rangers, but have played two less games so far this season. After Celtic play their remaining fixture against Aberdeen next Wednesday, the SPL splits into two sections, with the top six (Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Dunfermline, Motherwell and Dundee United) playing each other once. The bottom six teams also play each other. Theoretically, Partick Thistle could still avoid coming last - and being relegated to the First Division. But they would need to win more games in the rest of the season than they have done so far since the start. Clyde are still firmly at the top of the First Division, 4 points ahead of Inverness. St Johnstone, five points further adrift, have lost any faint hope they might have had of winning the First Division title and gaining promotion to the SPL.

Celtic Reach End of European Road

The Spanish town of Vila-Real has a population of only 40,000 so the huge Celtic support who travelled there (estimated at around 5,000) made quite an impact on the resort. They made the stadium look almost like a home game for the Glasgow club but it was not enough to overcome a classy Spanish side. Going into the second leg of this UEFA quarter-final match 1-0 down, Celtic knew they had to pull out all the stops to win through. But although they fought hard, they lost an early goal after only six minutes. A second goal 20 minutes from the end by Villarreal put an end to Celtic's dreams of another UEFA Cup Final like last year. The goals were both the result of glaring mistakes by Celtic defenders which allowed two half-chances to be converted into match-winners. But the Celtic forwards didn't make much impression either, with the Spanish goalkeeper hardly forced to make a significant save.

Rangers Sign New Player

Signing a defender from Livingston who is on a free transfer at the end of the season may not be the way things used to be for a Rangers manager. But Alex McLeish says that he has other players in his sights as he tries to build up a team which might be more successful next season. Meantime, Martin O'Neill, his rival at Celtic, may have been more successful this season, but he has similar problems - the need for more first class players and a limited budget to pay for transfers and a squeeze on the salaries which can be paid to attract good new players. And to add to O'Neill's problems, Celtic are losing their star striker Henrik Larsson. Both clubs are trying to develop youngsters to come through the system and shine, but that is a slow process.

Plymouth Talk to Hibernian Manager

When Paul Sturrock left the job of manager of English Second Division club Plymouth Argyll, he is said to have recommended Hibs manager Bobby Williamson for the vacant post. Williamson remains the front runner for the job and he has been given permission by Hibs management to discuss terms with the English club - who are poised for promotion to the First Division. Williamson is reputed to earn more than any other SPL manager, apart from Rangers and Celtic. He is on a rolling one-year contract and the club would be entitled to compensation from Plymouth if he moves there.

Skies the Limit for Aberdeen

Although not much of the cash from a new £2.1 million sponsorship by airline bmi will reach the transfer budget of manager Steve Paterson, the cash will be a welcome boost for the Aberdeen club. There have had to be drastic cut-backs at the north-east side over the last five years. This latest deal, plus Danish brewer Carlsberg becoming the club's official beer supplier, will certainly help. Like all SPL clubs, Aberdeen are currently striving to get as high in the league as possible - each position up the table is worth an extra share of SPL revenue worth £60,000.

Most Valuable Golf Prize Money

Thanks in part to the rise of the pound against the dollar, the golfer who gets his hands on the claret jug at the end of the Open Golf Championship at Troon in July will get a higher amount than the winners of the Masters, the US Open or the US PGA. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club at St Andrews has always believed that the prestige of winning the Open was more important than the prize money. But being able to offer the largest purse for a major is an added bonus. The total prize money will be £4 million this year - up from £1.7 million in 1997, the last time it was played at Troon. If the present exchange rate holds until July, that will translate into over $7 million with the winner's cheque amounting to $1,260,000.