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Daily Record
a day ago
- Science
- Daily Record
Scotland's dramatic volcanic landscape 'once rivalled the fiery activity of modern-day Hawaii'
Some of Scotland's most iconic islands were born from a network of erupting fissures, just like those found in Hawaii and Iceland Scotland's dramatic, rugged landscape is famed the world over. Several movies have utilised places like the Highlands and islands as a filming location precisely for this reason, including Braveheart, Harry Potter, Prometheus, and Skyfall. But now, a discovery "likened to finding a needle in a haystack" has confirmed that Scotland's dramatic volcanic landscape "once rivalled the fiery activity of modern-day Hawaii". Geologists from the University of Aberdeen have confirmed that cracks in the Earth, called volcanic fissures, helped create many of the Inner Hebrides. Scientists have long understood that islands such as Skye, Mull, Eigg, Canna, and Staffa, as well as parts of the mainland were formed from lava flows. However, the way the lava came to the surface has been debated by scientists for over 100 years. In contrast to the calm, picturesque scenery of today, 60million years ago, the west coast of Scotland was erupting with lava fountains and other volcanic events. The new discovery by geoscientists from the University of Aberdeen provides the strongest evidence yet that some of Scotland's most iconic islands were born not from a single large volcano, but from a network of erupting fissures, just like those found in Hawaii and Iceland. The research, published in The Journal of the Geological Society, appears to settle the century-old debate over how the lava fields of the Inner Hebrides islands were formed. The team has, for the first time, uncovered physical proof of an ancient volcanic fissure that fed lava into the surrounding landscape. The site, a 5km-long stretch near Calgary Bay on the Isle of Mull, reveals preserved deposits from one of these fissures, where magma once erupted in spectacular displays. Project leader Dr Jessica Pugsley, from the University of Aberdeen, said: "For over 100 years, scientists have debated whether the lava flows on Skye and Mull came from a single volcano or from many fissures like those we see in Iceland and Hawaii today," . "Finding a preserved fissure is a bit like discovering a dinosaur fossil with skin - it tells us far more than lava alone can. Typically, a very small fraction of a lava field contains these fissures, so it's an extraordinarily significant find." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The volcanic activity occurred as the Atlantic Ocean began to form, ripping apart ancient land and allowing magma to surge up through the crust. This zone of volcanic remnants is called the British Paleogene Volcanic Province and reaches from the west of Scotland over to parts of Northern Ireland, including the famous Giants Causeway. The preserved fissure found by the Aberdeen team through fieldwork aided by 3D drone modelling technology, shows exactly where lava once fountained out of the Earth, before being buried by later eruptions and finally revealed by millions of years of erosion. "To be able to stand and walk on a feature that played such a key role in shaping Scotland's geography - and to realise it erupted like Iceland and Hawaii's volcanoes do today - is pretty incredible," said Dr Pugsley.
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Stephen Colbert's The Late Show cancelled after 8 years as fans fume at decision
The popular US late night talk show host previously comically "backed" Scottish independence in one of his 2014 skits The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will disappear from TV screens in a year's time after being cancelled. Stephen rose to fame presenting the satirical news show The Colbert Report on Comedy Central from 2005 until 2014. He succeeded David Letterman as presenter of The Late Show on CBS, a subsidiary of Paramount Global. On July 17, CBS announced that The Late Show will end its " historic run" in May 2026 at the end of the broadcast season. "We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire the 'THE LATE SHOW' franchise at that time," a CBS spokesperson said. "We are proud that Stephen called CBS home. He and the broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late-night television." The broadcaster explained the reasoning behind the move, stating: "This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night. "It is not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount." Colbert himself delivered the news to his viewers during Thursday's programme, announcing: "Before we start the show, I want to let you know something I found out just last night. Next year will be our last season. "The network will be ending 'The Late Show' in May." Supporters flocked to social media to voice their outrage over the programme's axing. "I'm absolutely not ready to NOT have Stephen Colbert on my TV at night," one fumed on X, previously Twitter, while another said: "CBS letting Stephen Colbert go is BS! Boycott CBS," reports the Mirror. Back in 2014, Colbert comically backed Scottish independence and even played out the famous scene from Braveheart of Mel Gibson on his programme - with a minor edit to the dialogue. "Folks, any time people are angrily demanding something and I don't entirely understand why, I am with them," Colbert said in a night segment on The Colbert Report. "I stand with my secessionist brothers... Today, I, Stephen Colbert, am a proud Scotsman. Ich bin ein Edinburgher." He added: "They may take our lives, but they will never take our freedom to calculate pension benefits, rates of inflation or earnings. Whichever is higher." Multiple viewers have speculated that the programme's termination could be connected to the broadcaster's recent legal agreement with President Trump, considering Stephen's vocal condemnation of the President. Paramount Global is presently combining with Skydance Media, a transaction that needs approval from the Federal Communications Commission. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "Just days after Paramount announces it settles the lawsuit Trump brought against them, they announce they are cancelling Stephen Colbert. Can't help but think the cancelling of Stephen Colbert's show was part of the settlement that Paramount agreed to. It's so obvious," one viewer remarked. Another expressed their unease: "I'm not going to pretend that Stephen Colbert is perfect or anything, but it really does not sit right with me that this news comes just after Paramount settled with Trump and in the midst of merging with Skydance Media. This just feels like textbook censorship, plain and simple."
Scotsman
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
James Cosmo: Scottish actor on 'incredible' incident at Braveheart premiere - and his love of whisky
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... James Cosmo is known for many great roles, usually in historical epics and fantasy dramas. His standout characters include Jeor Mormont in the HBO series Game of Thrones, Angus MacLeod in Highlander and Campbell in Braveheart, which he has called ' one of the last real epic movies'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But more recently, he has turned his love of blended whisky into his own bottling, Storyman, in collaboration with borders distillery Annandale. The name was chosen given how much of a wonderful raconteur Mr Cosmo is, and no more so when talking about his acting roles, as well as Scottish food and drink. In one of his compelling tales, Mr Cosmo told us, on the most recent episode of Scran , of his 'secret' private jet flight from the south of England to Scotland to attend the Braveheart premiere, which took place at Stirling Castle in 1995. Mr Cosmo was not going to go to the premiere as he had other filming commitments. But at the last minute, the actor decided to book a private jet and fly to the event, returning very early the next morning. This night flight culminated in the actor and his wife transporting a human heart. Annandale distillery Speaking of the night, Mr Cosmo said: 'We hired a plane and flew up. We landed, a car picked us up, we went to the premiere and the after party in Stirling Castle. It was unbelievable. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'They had fire eaters and jugglers and all sorts of medieval stuff. It was the most wonderful party. Eventually at three o'clock in the morning, we needed to get back because that same plane was waiting to take off. 'I said goodbye to everyone and I got in the car and we're driving to the airport and the driver had one of these old brick phones, which rang. He says, 'oh, it's for you'. I thought 'oh Jesus what's happened', and it's the police. They said: 'Do you have a plane leaving for London?' I said, 'yeah, we are about 20 minutes away from the airport'. 'They said 'would you mind taking a human heart on the plane for a transplant?' Because in those days, it was very, very time critical. I said, 'no, it's OK'. They said 'just keep on the motorway'. Then within ten minutes this ambulance pulled in front of us and then two motorcycle cops came down [with the heart], so we just got on the plane with it in a big yellow box. 'Annie and I put it between us and we flew down, landed at the airport, and an ambulance and police [were] there, and it went flying off somewhere. I thought it was fate. We really wanted to go [to the premiere] and somebody got a heart that night.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Storyman whisky from Annandale distillery | Annandale distillery While early morning flights of mercy may be a thing of the past, Mr Cosmo is still very passionate about cooking, whisky and his love of Scotch pies. Luckily, there's a good family bakery near Annandale that keeps Mr Cosmo going with these traditional Scottish savouries. ' I'm an aficionado of Scotch pies,' he said. 'I travel to many places to eat them. In fact, there's one wee place in Annan, near the distillery. It's one of those family bakeries and they do all the old traditional things like potato scones, cakes and Scotch pies. So I go to the distillery, have a few drams, then collect the pies from the bakery and have someone drive me home.' The drams he is referring to will be of his own Blend, Storyman, which launched in 2023. The blend was specially created for the Game of Thrones actor by Keith Law, Annandale's master blender, and owner, Professor David Thomson. The blend features a carefully chosen selection of their award-winning single cask, single malt whiskies. These include various vintages and spirit types from a range of Fresh and Refill Ex-Bourbon, and Ex-Burgundy STR casks. The whisky came about after Mr Cosmo met Prof Thomson at the distillery after filming Outlaw King. Looking for something personal to gift to people at the end of a job, Mr Cosmo asked Annandale if they wouldd bottle something special for him, and the team decided to go one better - create his own whisky. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Annandale distillery Mr Cosmo said he wanted a blend as this was his favourite kind of whisky. He said: 'There's a huge number of aficionados who are single malt people, but I would never pretend to be an expert in whisky. 'If I like a whisky, I like a whisky, that's it. I always preferred a blend to a single malt, really. I was brought up in Clydebank, although I moved to London when I was quite young. But being Scottish, it was the thing everyone drank. 'I remember working in a pub in Clydebank. The ship breakers was just down the road and before we opened at five o'clock, about half past four, we would just start pouring halves [of whisky] and half pints of beer - dozens and dozens of them - because nobody ever asked for anything else.' Speaking of creating the whisky with Mr Law, who Cosmo called 'astonishing', he said: 'Keith is one of these people, he's got just such a knowledge of whisky. It's astonishing, he has a wonderful nose. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'There was one day when there were six samples of whisky , then I had to decide which one was going to be the one to bottle. Then we started the first run of it and it has been a fantastic experience just seeing that first bottle there.' Mr Law said: 'The blending process took a great deal of time to get right. It was a process that involved speaking with James, having in-depth conversations to identify the types of whisky James likes to enjoy. What we created is a smooth and complex whisky, with notes of vanilla, honey, citrus and smoke. What we wanted to do is capture the essence of James's whisky memories and make it tangible and that's what we have done with Storyman.'
Edinburgh Live
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Succession's Brian Cox 'constantly' thinking about his own death
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Actor Brian Cox has candidly revealed that he's "constantly" contemplating his own mortality. The 79 year old Succession legend admits he frequently ponders exactly how his final curtain will fall. Brian's illustrious acting journey has stretched across more than six decades, featuring memorable performances in blockbusters like Troy, Braveheart, and Manhunter. However, the veteran actor has experienced a remarkable renaissance in his seventies, thanks to his powerhouse role in Succession. In the critically acclaimed series, Brian portrays Logan Roy, the ruthless CEO and founder of media conglomerate Waystar RoyCo, reports the Express. The programme chronicles the Roy dynasty's vicious power struggles as they vie for control of the empire whilst Logan's health deteriorates. Brian's commanding performance earned him both a Golden Globe and an Emmy award. The role's impact has been so profound that strangers now regularly stop him on the street, channelling Logan Roy's trademark aggression by telling him to "f*** off". Despite Succession propelling Brian's career to unprecedented heights, he remains almost "contemptuous" of wealth, according to The Times. (Image: Getty) Having emerged from a working-class Catholic upbringing in Scotland, Brian maintains he "hasn't changed" despite achieving stardom. Although Brian has long abandoned his Catholic beliefs, he continues to find the faith fascinating, particularly regarding what lies beyond. He revealed to The Times that he regularly catches himself speculating about his eventual death. He said: "My great fantasy now I'm in my late seventies is, 'How am I going to die?' I think, maybe I'll get run over, maybe I'll fall down stairs. A lot of people die by falling. So I'm constantly fantasising about my demise." (Image: Getty) Brian, who confesses he's "embarrassed" by the affluence that accompanies his acting career, has penned a one-man show about his life's journey from Dundee to Tinseltown, with all its accompanying highs and lows. Even before his stint on Succession, he was hailed as one of the finest actors of his era. A classically trained Thespian and a method actor, he boasts two Olivier Awards for his theatrical performances. (Image: Getty) His solo performance, All About Me!, will feature Brian taking the stage alone in the first act, followed by an interactive second act where producer Clive Tulloh joins him to field audience questions. The actor promises the venture will be "lots of fun". He commented: "I am looking forward to this tour as it marks something a little different for me - sharing the stage with myself. As the title indicates, the show will focus more than ever on my life and career. "In the second half, the tables are turned and the audience will have the chance to put their questions to me. It should be a lot of fun." Brian's tour is set to kick off in Northampton come October, wrapping up with a grand finale at the Adelphi Theatre in London's West End come November.
Daily Record
05-07-2025
- Daily Record
Gangland wake held at Scots restaurant after Lyons hoods gunned down in Spain
A Scots restaurant held the wake for Eddie Lyons Jnr and Ross Monaghan, who were shot dead in a targeted assassination at Monaghan's bar in Fuengirola, Costa Del Sol. A Scots restaurant has hosted the gangland wake for slain hoods Eddie Lyons Jnr and Ross Monaghan, who were gunned down in Spain. Nonnas Kitchen Dullatur in Cumbernauld held the two gangsters ' wake following their funeral yesterday (Friday July 5) at Bishopbriggs Crematorium in the north of Glasgow. An order of service, seen by the Record, read: "Every man dies but not every man lives. " Edward and Ross ' family would like to thank you for your support today and always. Thanks to Gordon for conducting the service and thanks to Margaret Fraser Funeral Directors. "The families would like to invite you to join them at Nonnas Dullatur." Nonnas Kitchen Dullatur and Margaret Fraser Funeral Directors declined to comment. Two silver funeral cars carrying two black coffins arrived at the Bishopbriggs Crematorium for the 3pm service, carrying floral wreaths, which had the words "Son" and "Dad" placed inside. A fleet of Mercedes vehicles carrying loved ones and the closest associates of the pair followed the cortege. A huge crowd, dressed in black and many draped in designer gear, queued to gain entry into the building as they waited for the cortege to arrive. A " guard of honour" was created by a number of male pals of the pair stood together to form two parallel lines at the entrance to the crematorium as women cried and held one another. Over 100 cars were seen at the premises, many of them large, dark SUVs with blacked out windows, as two private security guards in yellow jackets monitored the scene around the perimeter of the car park. The funeral service was filled to capacity and around 100 grieving attendees paid their respects while standing outside in the rain. Lyons godfather Eddie Snr, 67, and the clan's close associate Liam Boyle, Liam Boyle, 44, were both in attendance. Boyle, Lyons and Monaghan were all accused of carrying out a brutal attack outside the Campsie Bar that left three other men severely injured in April 2016 before the case later collapsed. The theme tune from Braveheart was played at the entrance to the crematorium while the Verve's Bittersweet symphony was later payed inside. A eulogy read to mourners said: 'Everyone in this room has been touched by Edward and Ross in some way. Let's remember them - the sons, brothers, husbands, dads cousins and the loyal and trusted friends.' On May 31, Senior mob member Eddie Lyons Jnr and key lieutenant Ross Monaghan were shot dead in front of horrified tourists, who were enjoying a drink after the Champions League final, in a targeted assassination at Monaghan's bar in Fuengirola, Costa Del Sol. Lyons Jnr and his holiday golfing buddies from the Dullatur Golf Club in Cumbernauld later headed to the Irish boozer owned by long-time pal Monaghan when he was shot dead outside after a masked gunman emerged from a car. The assailant stormed the boozer and fired bullets into Monaghan as pub-goers scrambled to flee the scene. Footage shared in the aftermath showed a woman trying to administer CPR to Lyons on the pavement as a panicked pal shouted "save him". CCTV from inside the bar showed Monaghan crawling across the floor in his bid to escape from the gunman inside the bar as blood from a stomach wound poured from his t-shirt. The 43-year-old quickly succumbed to his injuries. Harrowing images later showed Monaghan and Lyons ' bodies covered by white sheets following the fatal attack. The shootings came following the eruption of an explosive gang war in Scotland. The feud was sparked when cronies of Edinburgh cocaine kingpin Mark Richardson ripped off Dubai-based Ross McGill, a former Rangers 'ultras' leader, in a £500k drug deal. Richardson's henchman Michael Heeps orchestrated the transaction that scammed McGill after he was paid in fake notes. McGill retaliated by launching a relentless and violent vendetta of shootings and firebombings led by his sinister Tamo Junto group - dragging anybody associated with Richardson into the feud - including Glasgow's notorious Daniel crime clan. The Lyons gang, who both Monaghan and Lyons were senior members of, have been involved in a long-running feud with the rival Daniel family dating back almost 25 years. Spanish police chiefs investigating the double murder said it was linked to the Lyons and Daniel war. However, this claim has been refuted by Police Scotland, who insist the double deaths are "not linked" to the ongoing gang war on home turf. Michael Terrence Riley, 44, from Liverpool, has since been charged in connection with deaths. He faces an extradition hearing later this year. Around 18 years ago, Eddie Lyons Jnr survived a previous attempt on his life when he was ambushed by Kevin "Gerbil" Carroll in Bellshill, Lanarkshire. Trusted pal Monaghan also brushed with death a number of times throughout the course of his life. He was cleared of the murder of notorious Glasgow hood Kevin 'Gerbil' Carroll, who was shot dead in a brutal gangland assassination in Asda Robroyston carpark in 2010. Monaghan was tried for the killing of the Daniels enforcer, but was acquitted in May 2012 after it emerged there was no evidence which placed him at the supermarket at the time of the shooting. Then he fled to Malaga in 2017 after he was shot twice while pushing a child's buggy in a gun attack outside St George's Primary School in the Penilee area of Glasgow. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
