The Herald

Serial Killer Black Linked to 1981 Schoolgirl Murder; Accident Evidence Passed to Police by Former Officer

DETECTIVES are investigating claims that Robert Black, the Scots- born child serial killer, may have been responsible for the death of schoolgirl Pamela Hastie 23 years ago. Black, 56, is serving life, with the recommendation of a minimum of 35 years, for killing three girls and trying to abduct a fourth in the 1980s. The former van driver, being held in Wakefield prison, Yorkshire, has been linked to as many as 14 other murders in six countries over the past 21 years.

Mcgregor Takes Long Way Round to Talk About Trip

EWAN McGregor will finally make a journey home next month when he will come to Scotland to give a rare public talk about his motorcycle journey around the world. Last month, the actor and Charley Boorman, his best friend, had to cancel a series of events to publicise The Long Way Round, a book based on the diaries they made on their 20,000-mile trip, which they completed earlier this year.

Teacher Denies Sex Charges with Pupils

A PRIMARY school deputy headmaster went on trial yesterday accused of indecency towards 16 of his pupils. David Quinn, 43, is said to have administered "rubs and massages" to 15 girls and a boy.

Kilmartin Wins an 11th-Hour Reprieve; Minister Puts Financial Package Together Which Could Save Famed Archaeological Museum

ONE of Scotland's most important museums has been saved from closure by a (pounds) 100,000 investment package. Frank McAveety, the culture minister, helped broker the deal which will save Kilmartin House Museum in Argyll.

Number of Judges Rises to Record of 34

The number of High Court judges in Scotland is to rise to a record 34 with the appointment of two more to the senior benches, Cathy Jamieson, the justice minister, said yesterday. She announced the move in Holyrood as she set out the executive's legislative and policy plans for law and order.

Kidman Is No Legend yet,Snaps Bacall; She's Still Just a Beginner, Says Hollywood Veteran

SHE may be pushing 80 but Lauren Bacall, the screen legend, was in no mood yesterday to pass on her Hollywood crown. The former wife of Humphrey Bogart issued a stark reminder to her young co-star, Nicole Kidman, that it takes time - not just the occasional Oscar - for an actress to win truly legendary status on celluloid.

Hurricane Ruins Grapefruit Crop

(Pounds) 20,350 Is a Dandy Price for a Comic

Deal Secures Jobs at Land Rover

(Pounds) 80,000 Price for Subsiding House

Veterans Salute Fusilier Comrades

Holyrood Report to Be Revealed Next Week

Lord Fraser will publish his report into the Holyrood project next Wednesday, it was confirmed yesterday. The Tory peer will release it on the inquiry website after handing it to George Reid, the parliament's presiding officer, and Jack McConnell, first minister.

Sunken Forest Found After 6500 Years; Orkney Trees Evidence Discovered Under Beach

IT has all the ingredients of an Indiana Jones adventure: an academic, an old map, and a search for hidden treasure older than the pyramids of Egypt. This treasure, however, is a forest in Orkney, which was buried beneath rising sea levels 6500 years ago. Alistair Rennie discovered it while doing a PhD looking at the effect of rising sea levels in the area, which he hopes will inform methods of dealing with climate change. His studies, funded jointly by Scottish Natural Heritage and Glasgow U...

Hunter Unveils His Plan to Help the Disaffected; 'Caring Capitalism' to Help 20,000 Young

TOM Hunter, the millionaire businessman and philanthropist linked to plans by the Scottish Executive to engage the private sector in education, last night said he was not interested in funding "pockets of excellence" but wanted to invest in opportunities for all young people. The former retailer, who built a (pounds) 500m fortune, said he wanted to use the (pounds) 100m from his charitable Hunter Foundation to support the 20,000 youngsters who left school each year disaffected and disengaged....

Group Moves to Buy Listed Building

A seafood institution has joined a consortium to buy a landmark listed building. The City Merchant, one of Scotland's best-known seafood restaurants, the Dakhin Indian restaurant, and Bar 91, have joined forces to buy the four-storey, B-listed building opposite the City Halls in Candleriggs, Glasgow, where they are currently tenants.

Female Referee Is Invited to Dine at the International Table

SCOTLAND'S first female referee, who was told by one league manager that she should be at home making dinner, is to officiate at international matches. Morag Pirie, 28, has been nominated to join an elite list of referees held by Fifa, the international ruling body of football, after making a big impression in Scotland.

Top Pianists Fly in for International Contest

THE seventh Scottish International Piano Competition begins today, with 39 of the world's leading pianists competing for the first prize of (pounds) 10,000 and a grand piano. Pianists have come from 20 countries including Australia, Kazakhstan, Russia, USA and the Ukraine to compete in the 10-day event.

Tories Attack 'Window Dressing' by Executive

DAVID McLetchie, the Scottish Tory leader, yesterday described the executive's plans for education reform as window dressing. Earlier, Peter Peacock, education minister, promised to turn around failing schools through plans which include using public and private cash to turn the 20 worst schools into "schools for ambition".

Britons Left with Little Spare Cash

Britons are under pressure from heavy financial commitments which leave them with an average of only (pounds) 58 a week in spare cash, a survey revealed yesterday. The survey of 2000 people found that almost a third (31%) of those questioned had less than (pounds) 100 a month left over to live on after they had paid all their bills.

Hyperactive Children Show Mental Heath Risk

Hyperactive children are four times more likely than average to suffer mental problems in later life, new research shows today. The finding suggests a genuine difference between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and ordinary bad behaviour.