Latest news with #ofScotland
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Schoolgirl, 12, left terrified after being attacked by older woman at Scots beach
The child was left "extremely shaken" by the shocking incident BEACH ASSAULT Schoolgirl, 12, left terrified after being attacked by older woman at Scots beach Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) POLICE are hunting a woman who assaulted a 12-year-old child on a Scots beach. The schoolgirl was set upon by the woman in a shocking unprovoked attack on Girvan beach in Ayrshire at around 3pm on Saturday, May 17. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up Cops say they are still probing the attack and are calling for witnesses to come forward and help identify the woman who is described as being between 50 and 60 years old. The disturbing incident happened on the beach near to Louisa Drive, whilst the school girl was playing with friends in the sand. The woman is around 5ft 7ins, with short bob hair and of heavy build. She was wearing blue denim shorts and a black top with a floral design. Police say the attacker was in the company of two other women when she launched her assault on the child. The girl did not need medical treatment but cops say she was left "extremely shaken". Constable David Painter said: 'This was an unprovoked attack on this girl as she was playing with her friends on the beach. "She did not require medical treatment but was extremely shaken. 'If you witnessed this take place, were in the area at the time and have any information or recognise the description of the woman, please contact us.' It comes as Girvan was named as one of the five cheapest seaside towns to live in a new study. Shocking moment 'Brit' is attacked on a busy beach by staff 'after arguing over price of a lounger' The latest Bank of Scotland Coastal Homes Review has provided a rundown of the most affordable locations across Britain. Campbeltown took the top spot, closely followed by Rothesay. The other top five spots were awarded to Millport, where an average home costs £114,008, Port Bannatyne, with an average price of £115,421, and Girvan, with the average cost of £116,211. Information about he assault can be passed to officers by calling 101 quoting reference number 4211 of 17 May. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.
Scotsman
22-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
10 of the most expensive coastal locations in Scotland
The Bank of Scotland Coastal Homes Review tracks house price movements in 54 coastal locations in Scotland and 197 in total in Great Britain. The review is based on house price data from the Registers of Scotland and the Land Registry. This year, St Andrews has taken the top spot, with an average house price of £458,381 - eight per cent up on last year. The Fife town is well-known for its historical university and golfing heritage. Elsewhere, four towns and villages near Edinburgh made the top 10 - North Berwick, Dunbar, Musselburgh and Prestonpans. Isla Benzie, head of Bank of Scotland mortgages, said: 'Scotland's coastline offers something for everyone – from the historic streets of St Andrews to the island charm of Rothesay and Millport. While some of the most sought-after locations continue to command premium prices, there are still plenty of affordable options for buyers willing to look beyond the traditional hotspots. 'Coastal property prices in Scotland have risen over the past year, reflecting strong demand and the enduring appeal of seaside living. But it's also important to recognise the diversity of these communities – while some are thriving, others face real challenges linked to housing affordability, seasonal economies and access to services.' Keep reading to see where else made the list. 1 . St Andrews, Fife St Andrews was the most expensive coastal location. The average house price was £458,381.00 Photo: Fife Free Press Photo Sales 2 . North Berwick, East Lothian North Berwick was the second most expensive coastal location. The average house price was £419,723.00 Photo: Pixabay Photo Sales 3 . Dunbar, East Lothian Dunbar was the third most expensive coastal location. The average house price was £292,073.00 | Google Photo: Google Photo Sales 4 . Anstruther, Fife Anstruther was the fourth most expensive coastal location. The average house price was £267,367.00 Photo: contributed Photo Sales
The Courier
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Courier
Witches of Scotland: On 'viral' tartan and How to Kill a Witch
Dr Zoe Venditozzi and Claire Mitchell KC are known to many in Dundee as teacher and a human rights lawyer, respectively. They are also the founders of the Witches of Scotland, who in 2022 persuaded then Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon to formally apologise for the injustice of the country's witch trials between the 16th and 18th centuries. And this Saturday, the two self-avowed 'quarrelsome dames' will take their place on the Royal Mile for the capital's inaugural Tartan Parade, to promote a crowdfunded Witches of Scotland tartan, devised as a living memorial for those persecuted over that time. On an evening video call following the duo's Highlands trip to see the Witches of Scotland tartan start rolling off looms at the Prickly Thistle mill near Alness, Zoe admits that seeing the tartan come alive was 'wild'. 'Seeing it actually getting made was just mind-boggling,' she says. The tartan itself has gone viral, taking off across the pond as well as here in Scotland, with fans even getting the pattern painted on their nails. 'We knew it would be popular,' says Zoe. Witches of Scotland tartan. Image: Supplied. 'A lot of people follow what we do, especially in the US and Canada, they're really behind the campaign. 'But I don't think we had any real sense of how genuinely viral it had gone.' Claire, who was based in Dundee until recently, but now lives between Edinburgh and London, adds: 'Even now we're getting several messages a day asking where can I get the tartan, what's going on? Every time you pick up your phone, there are emails and Instagram and TikToks. You're like, 'Ahhhh!'' New book is 'accessible' non-fiction The tartan's popularity is no doubt in part due to the success of Zoe and Clarie's Witches of Scotland podcast, which has seen them gain hundreds of listeners around the world. And the duo are also gearing up to release a book on the subject of Scottish witches – the anticipated How To Kill A Witch – with a special edition decorated in their striking black-and-red tartan. More important, though, is the book's content – a clearly written breakdown of why Scotland's church and state hunted witches and so many women were persecuted. Both campaigners were keen on a non-fiction work, as they were already writers in different ways, Zoe explains. In 2012, the Newport-on-Tay-based teacher published a novel Anywhere's Better Than Here, while her collaborator's career involves what Claire describes as 'very dull' writing. The limited edition tartan cover for How to Kill a Witch. Image: Supplied. Zoe replies: 'But it's factual writing, not made-up, whereas my stuff usually is. 'I've always thought it would be nice to have another source of information people can pick up. It's an artifact that can galvanise readers in a different way.' 'To be a woman, you need a sense of humour' The book's many chilling descriptions of torture and executions, such as that of Girzell Simpson in Forfar, are balanced by the authors' dry wit – an important touch, Zoe believes, not least for themselves. She says: 'To survive being a woman, you need a sense of humour, cause otherwise you would just implode with rage.' Claire adds: 'Eminent experts have written about the Witchcraft Act and the trials, but because they're proper historians, some of their books are very big academic tomes and very dense. 'Our campaign is about making things as accessible as possible. 'We hope somebody that might not pick up an academic book picks this up and learns broadly about who brought the act in, how trials took place and their relevance today.' 'We have to be on our guard' says Zoe Zoe points out their work is not just a factual retelling, but 'a rallying cry' for contemporary women, as persecution against 'witches' still occurs in parts of Africa, including Nigeria, Malawi and Ghana. 'Our book is overtly feminist – it's a call to arms,' she says. 'The point is to say 'this is what happens and it's starting to happen again in different ways'. 'In the States, women's rights are under attack and everywhere humans try and find vulnerable people to blame when things go wrong, like immigrants in boats. 'We have to be on our guard.' How To Kill A Witch by Zoe Venditozzi and Claire Mitchell is published on May 15 2025. The authors appear at Toppings, St Andrews on May 16, and as part of Dundee Book Festival on June 14.
