Latest news with #ScotlandNews
BBC News
17-04-2025
- BBC News
Racing tipster Kevin Booth accused of offering woman money for sex
The millionaire owner of a Highland lodge has gone on trial accused of communicating indecently with a racing tipster Kevin Booth is alleged to have asked the woman intimate questions of a sexual nature and offered her money for sexual activity in denied the charges as the trial started at Wick Sheriff Court on 65, is separately appealing a civil court ruling earlier this year which stated that he trafficked and exploited women and violently whipped them both at Lochdhu Lodge in Caithness, and overseas. The court heard from a woman in her 40s via video link from overseas as the criminal trial said she had seen a job advert on a Facebook group chat about a position in Scotland, and that part of the job involved "giving massages". The woman visited Lochdhu with her husband and decided to accept the job in August said she would give Booth massages once or twice a week, but she soon began recording him on her phone after he became what she described as "naughty".The woman recalled that, on one occasion, Booth asked her to spank him and offered her extra also said at one point she was "afraid," adding: "There was fear in my chest but I tried my best not to show it."The trial continues. Booth was given a worldwide travel ban after a Scottish civil court heard he attacked women in an underground chamber at the remote Highland Scotland News has previously heard allegations from two women, who alleged that Booth beat them while they worked for him.A civil court case in February resulted in Police Scotland seizing his passport and imposing a ban on Booth travelling outside the UK - a judgement that he is appealing against.
BBC News
14-04-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Arran wildfire likely started by glass bottle
A park ranger has told the BBC a "devastating" wildfire on the Isle of Arran was likely caused by a glass bottle being discarded amongst wildfire - which started last Thursday - caused significant damage in the Glen Rosa area, destroying about 1,500 trees and killing much of the Sampson, senior ranger at Brodick Country Park for the National Trust for Scotland, said dry ground would have likely ignited when sun shone through a discarded glass bottle, focusing heat like a magnifying Scotland News understands it is too early for the Scottish and Fire Rescue Service to determine the cause of the blaze. Ms Sampson said she had seen no sign of any campers setting fires or of deliberate vandalism before the wildfire suddenly started told the BBC's Lunchtime Live programme: "We're fairly certain that it wasn't maliciously started, or people having a fire where they shouldn't have done. We really think it was litter."We think it was a glass bottle that started it all. I was in the glen doing a guided walk moments before the fire started and there was nobody there starting a fire or anything like that. "So it was probably purely litter that started it." The park ranger estimated around half of Glen Rosa had "gone completely up in black smoke" as a result of the to the popular Goatfell walk had to be temporarily blocked due to public safety Sampson said: "Lots of people have put in to help with habitat restoration over the past six years, and unfortunately we have lost about 1,500 trees."The wildlife itself in the glen has been devastated too. Yesterday I had the grim task of going to have a look at the impact, and I saw many carcasses of animals like adders and slow worms and frogs. It will have a huge impact on the ecology of the glen."On one side you'll see trees looking really lovely and you can hear birdsong, and on the other side it's completely black with smoke."Ms Sampson said the area was slowly returning to normal, with everything once again open, including the popular she warned another spell of good weather "would mean more chance of fires" happening again because of tinder-dry National Trust of Scotland's tree planting plan will resume with a "re-starting programme" event on 26 Arran fire was one of several to strike Scotland over past weeks, after a lengthy period of dry and warm weather.A large grass fire in Cumbernauld in Lanarkshire forced the evacuation of a dog kennel and cattery, while several walkers were rescued from Loch Dee in Galloway Forest fires have been reported in Thurso, Aberdeen, the Isle of Bute and on the Pentland Hills near Edinburgh.
BBC News
25-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Isle of Skye clan estate and historic castle put up for sale
One of the largest estates on the Isle of Skye, which includes a famous castle and the historic lands of the Clan MacDonald, is being put up for charity which owns the land said it had taken the "difficult" decision to sell Armadale Castle and the 20,000-acre estate because of financial Clan Donald Lands Trust said it wanted to focus on giving grants to "Clan and indigenous Highland heritage projects".The sale came as a surprise to people living in the south of Skye, who have criticised the lack of community involvement in the decision. The estate covers much of the island's southern Sleat land is mostly used by tenant crofters and farmers, and has a history as a game shooting also includes Armadale Castle, the historic home of the MacDonalds of Sleat. This popular tourist destination includes a clan museum, café and walled garden. The land and castle have been owned since 1971 by the Clan Donald Lands Trust. This charity was formed by clan members from around the world following the death of Clan Chief Alexander Godfrey, the 7th Lord trust blamed a large increase in the costs of running and maintaining Armadale Castle for the decision to sell the a statement, the board of trustees said: "Due to the high-cost, low-income nature of Armadale, we have always been reliant on external grant funding to cover our operating costs."The availability of this funding has been reduced by the impact of ongoing investment market volatility."At the same time our core costs - including electricity, insurance and essential building repairs - have massively increased."The trustees said the sale of assets would allow the charity to "stand on its own two feet" for the first time. Visitors were assured that the sale should not negatively affect tourists during the 2025 is unclear what the announcement means for those who work in the visitor centre or on the Scotland News has contacted Clan Donald Land Trust's CEO, Alex Stoddart, for further of the sale caught the surrounding locals off Andy Williamson, chair of the Sleat Community Council, said no-one in the community had known the decision was being he was not "overly surprised" by the lack of consultation."The trustees aren't in the community. They're in London and the US," he Williamson said the lack of a relationship between the landowners and the community could be "detrimental to a good outcome" in the sale."Our fears are it could be packaged off or further broken up. Our fears are that people might want to buy it simply to put wind turbines on it," he said."How does that benefit the community? How does that benefit the people of Sleat and the Isle of Skye?" However, the estate agents hired to promote the sale said they were mindful of local McCulloch, from Strutt and Parker, said: "We recognise the deep connections that many feel to this land and the importance of a respectful approach to its future. "We are committed to managing the forthcoming sale process with sensitivity and integrity."The sale comes as the Scottish Parliament is to debate the Land Reform Bill, which would regulate how large land estates in Scotland are the measures under consideration are rules that would force landowners to tell the local community in advance of plans to sell large plots of Williamson said that the community might have been interested in a community buy-out, but that the sudden sale had made that all but impossible."It's going on the market on Thursday and today is Tuesday. So, how do we raise however much money it is? We don't know what the asking price will be."How would we do it? How would a community like Sleat generate that kind of money in the time involved?"
BBC News
02-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Star of Caledonia at Gretna: Border artwork divides opinion
The designs for a landmark artwork near the Scotland-England border has divided opinion after the plans were revealed last 33m (108ft) high, the £10m Star of Caledonia hopes to attract up to 250,000 visitors a year to the Gretna Green it secures planning permission it is hoped the giant winding sculpture - complete with illuminated spikes - could be open to the public by Scotland News readers have been delivering their verdicts on the plans. Liz Chasey, from Aberdeenshire, was among those in favour of the proposals."I think the star is a wonderful way to celebrate the diversity of nations within the UK," she said."Transitioning from one country to another should be marked by a significant monument, plus large public sculptures are exciting and so capture the public's imagination." However, Gavin Whittaker from the Borders, who lives closer to the proposed site of the structure, was less impressed."Truly awful sculpture," he said."I'm so tired of having ever larger sculptures and so-called 'art' imposed on our landscapes, particularly when they come with lighting to draw your attention at night."For me, it's very simple: if I want to see art I can go to a gallery, what I don't want is having it foisted on me." For former Borders resident Phil Hawes who now lives it Norfolk, it was more a question of priorities."I'm not against the project but I think given the housing crisis, the money would be better spent on affordable housing for local people," he said."The design? Well, what is pleasing to one is unattractive to another - I'm not a fan."Irene Allison from North Lanarkshire had similar concerns."I cannot understand why you would even consider spending this money on this eyesore when people are struggling to heat (their homes) and feed their kids with rising costs for both," she said."Also councils have been deprived of funds and basic services are struggling due to lack of funding." Ian Blois from Invernessshire was more worried about the appearance of the Star of Caledonia."Looks like something designed by an architect for a 1970s inner city revamp," he said."Wrong design for a rural setting. More suitable for a new town roundabout."The Angel of the North works because it reflects the industrial heritage of Newcastle and appears to have risen organically from the surrounding landscape." A number of readers described it as a "waste of money" with Brenda Wallace from the Wirral going further and calling it a "hideous monstrosity"."If you must waste money on the horrible thing, please don't light it at night," she added. "The countryside is beautiful, why blot it with this?"Simon Hyslop from Dumfries said it was "one of the stupidest vanity projects and waste of money our area doesn't need"."We had plenty of visual outdoor assets in the form of the spectacular vistas now despoiled by wind turbines," he said."Give the money to the NHS or to provide the homeless with homes and food, or support neglected horses, dogs or donkeys." 'Very original' However, others approved of the way the project had been expanded to include more than just the Bade from Kent said he found the design "very attractive and very original".He thought that it was a "good idea for the accompanying visitor centre to be added".There will still be time for the public to have its say as the project makes its way through the planning and Galloway Council will have to give the green light before the Star of Caledonia can hope to shine.
BBC News
22-02-2025
- BBC News
Police Scotland officer suspended in darts cocaine probe
A Police Scotland officer has been suspended after allegedly attempting to take cocaine into a major darts event in Scotland News understands the off-duty officer was searched by security staff at the Ovo Hydro venue earlier this of the world's top players were competing in the Premier League Darts tournament in the city.A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "A 32-year-old man will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal in connection with a drugs possession offence in the Glasgow area that took place on Thursday, 13 February, 2025." A spokesperson for the Ovo Hydro declined to comment on a police investigation.
