12/08/2011 Reporting Scotland

Welcome to Friday's Reporting Scotland.

And medical first for Scotland. Doctors replace a faulty valve in

this man's hard without the need for open heart surgery. For us to

be able to do this, his family could come in and visit him that

night, it was fantastic. Flood warnings are lifted and the rain is

easing. We look at how farmers are coping and ask if it is a shopper's

he will end up paying the price. Marching through the weather,

pipers at the World Championships look forward to the weekend.

Waiting for Brad, Glasgow starts to transform itself into a giant movie

Doctors have started using a pioneering procedure for heart

patients which avoids the need for open heart surgery. Medics replace

a faulty valve will by sliding a replacement in the through a vein.

The technique reduces a patient's recovery times. It has been carried

out at the Golden Jubilee Hospital. Alas to check before a this man

gets to go home. Two days after having his pulmonary valve replaced.

He is no stranger to open heart surgery having had a congenital

heart defect since he was a youngster. He says, in the past it

has taken him months to get over surgery, but this week's valve

replacement was pain-free. I will cut after surgery, and I was not in

pain. Elation is not have a strong enough word. How did they do it?

This doctor carried out the procedure. The veins that connect

from the leg up into the heart are in a relatively straight line. That

allows you to pass a catheter with a wire in it. There is an in a

balloon and an outer balloon which led to mould it into the optimum

position within the heart. As you do fleet of the blue in the valve

starts to work immediately. -- as you deflate the balloon. This is a

huge development for our patients. It is not just this man who has

benefited this week. This consultant has operated on two

teenage patients. Open-heart procedures are painful and need a

long hospital stay. These procedures are not particularly

painful. The patient is home the following day and do not have a

prolonged hospital stay. They are far less traumatised than

previously. It is expected there will be around a dozen operations

like the one carried out earlier this week, within the next year.

There is expertise here to curb similar procedures on other kinds

of heart valves as well. -- to carry out. Ernie is now looking

forward to getting back out on to the hills with his partner. He says

Detectives investigating the murders of a father and his two

children say they are disappointed by the numbers of calls they have

received from the public. Thomas Sharkey, his son and eight-year-old

Bridget died last month. Mrs Sharkey is still seriously ill in

hospital. We have had an encouraging response from the

residents of Helensburgh. Notably, in the last week there has been a

downturn in that information. At one to remind residents of

Helensburgh that we are very much still investigating this terrible

murder. Their information is absolutely crucial to us. Please do

not hold anything back. reporter is in Helensburgh. What

other police doing to encourage more calls?

They are taking their appeal right to the centre of Helensburgh. Just

a short while away from where the family home was set on fire. This

is one of the main roads in and out of the town. They are using it to

highlight those who died in the fire. Eight-year-old Bridget was

asleep when she was killed. So was her brother, 21-year-old Thomas. So

was his father, 55-year-old Thomas Sharkey. His wife, the mother of

the children, is still seriously ill in hospital. Detectives have

unveiled this advertising trailer to jog memories. They are certain

the key to whoever killed these people lies here in Helensburgh. If

local people believe detectives already have the answer to this

case, they are wrong. Anyone who is scared, they are asking them to be

brave and come forward. You were watching Reporting

Scotland. Still to come: Art and politics collide in Edinburgh.

The International Festival defends its policy of a freedom of speech.

Ally McCoist on tax issues and transfers.

Find out why Neil Lennon is angry with the FA. The Israeli FA.

We will have a Who's Who of Scots bosses in the richest league in the

River levels are falling and flood warnings have been lifted, but the

effects of the downpours this week are still being felt by Scotland's

farmers. It is feared more bad weather could destroy crops.

Grabbing an opportunity to harvest. Recently they have been few and far

between. The problem is the cycle of heavy rain followed by short,

dry spells. There are little yellow particles coming out of the seed.

That is bad news. It is using up the energy in the seed. If that oil

is gone, it will become worthless. For this man it is not just the

potential damage to his high-value oilseed, rising bills are an added

burden. When the window of opportunity opens, this crop has to

be harvested. In weather conditions like these, the seeds are carrying

a massive amount of water. You have to go 3 process powered by gas and

electricity. -- go through a process. The past few years have

not been kind. For some, they have been disastrous. Animal farmers are

not the only ones feeling the strain. The knock-on effects will

filter through to the livestock side in that there is a lot of the

straw from crops which has already been cut and is lying in the field

of deteriorating. A poor harvest can push up the price of a food,

hitting us all in the pocket. Spring barley crops are not that

far away now. You can start getting worried false stop NFU Scotland say

the problem has not yet reached crisis point. With more rain

forecast, farmers are waiting and worrying.

It has been a dramatic month for the newspaper industry. Here is

also fresh concern over the continuing fall in sales of the

Herald and the Scotsman. There is worry that the strong Scottish

flavour of the Daily Record may be watered down.

The culture of the News of the World may have helped the remaining

Sunday papers, but during the week there were in sales figures

continued. July is always a bad month with Uighurs on holiday, and

that has lent to bleak totals. -- with readers on holiday. The Herald

sold just over 47,000 copies. 5,000 down on the year. The paper that

used to boast Scotland's daily sale had its lowest sale for decades.

275,000 Scots bought the record. It has been losing ground for years to

popular UK papers that do Scottish editions, especially the son and

the Daily Mail. Critics claim the record is starting to get a bit too

similar to the Daily Mirror. A mirror image. The page on the

left is from today's Daily Record, the page on the right is the Daily

Mirror. The company is in the process of cutting 80 jobs in

Glasgow. Over the past few weeks, it started to share more stories

between at the record and the Mirror. Most pages are still a

different and the record strongly denies claims that there on the

route to becoming the Scottish Mirror in all but name. The plan is

to focus resources on Scottish news and sport. It is not hard to see

why publishers want to cut costs. Rivals are facing the same at

challenges. While some journalists and politicians may worry about the

changes to the record, the big test is how readers respond in the

months ahead. Some of the other stories across

Scotland: two more teenagers have been remanded in custody accused of

using social networking sites to incite riots in a Scottish city

centre. At Dundee Sheriff Court they made

no plea or declarations. A 14-year- old boy is expected to appear at a

later date. Police have arrested a 19-year-old

man in connection with comments inciting people to riot.

The Scottish qualifications Authority say 34 students who sat

hires and religious moral and philosophical studies were given

the wrong grades. They will receive grades and contact the admissions

service if necessary. The production has restarted at the

Shell oil's Brentfield after a seven-month shut down for safety

reasons. Brent Charlie will restart Three weeks of theatre, opera and

dance get under way in the capital tonight as the Edinburgh

International Festival begins. This year, the focus is on the Far East.

Many of the highlights involved Chinese artists and that has

attracted some controversy from the human rights activists.

The stage is set. Career in the fifth century. This is an adaption

of a Shakespeare play infused with some Korean folklore. It is one of

many productions that create an East Asian theme. This is also a

Shakespeare play. This time set in Taiwan. I think this character

should be reinterpreted in this modern era by modern actors. By out

the programme's strong Chinese content has attracted controversy.

The country's State Ballet are performing and it has sold out over

its three-night run. The inclusion of Chinese performers has led some

human rights groups to lead concerns about freedom of

expression. A there has been a real clamp down on people who speak out.

It is ironic that Chinese authorities have chosen to benefit

from a celebration of freedom of expression at the Edinburgh

Festival. The festival's director was unapologetic for the inclusion

of Chinese productions. Most people would agree it is unthinkable not

to include China. One has to accept and understand that to engage with

China and to engage with its artists is to work with the guv --

is not to work with the Government. The director says there will be

debate over artistic expression during the events, but

fundamentally the 65th International Festival should be

remembered as one that builds bridges between the cultures of

$NEWLINE Thousands of pipers from around the world are in Glasgow for

the World Pipe Band Championship this weekend. Hundreds have been

taking part in the traditional march through the city centre.

It may be pouring in Glasgow but there is a world championship

taking place, and only 24 hours left to practise. We start off in

October, we practise all year. It's all about Saturday. This is what

these bands are dreaming of, becoming a Grade One world

champions. 8000 pipers and drummers from 16 countries have travelled to

Scotland, they come from Canada, the USA and all-over. This is the

focus of our band for the last year. There is no comparison to this,

there are bands from all over the golf. It is a pleasure to come here

and compete. This band from New Zealand has had to cope with an

earthquake. They have had to borrow instruments after their band hall

was destroyed in Christchurch. They were determined to come.

Particularly with the challenges we face to, we do not want to come

here for five minutes and wander off home again. It would be great

to be able to stand up at the end of the day and filed -- and hold

our flag high. It is estimated this championship wins in �10 million to

this city. There's nothing that will dampen the spirit of these

Pipers. The big event is to know, we will see around 30,000

spectators come to watch the championships. They can of course

only be one winner. We will find out tomorrow. Now the sport.

The Rangers manager Ally McCoist says his quest to bring in new

players continues, regardless of the club's issues with the taxman.

Rangers are disputing a penalty of more than one million pounds with

HMRC. McCoist says as far as he's concerned his budget remains

unaffected. And he hasn't given up hope of bringing at least one

former star back to Ibrox. The Rangers squad remains unchanged.

That is despite their manager's best efforts. I would imagine the

situation with the taxman is exactly the same. It will not

affect our attempt to going get players. I cannot speak about that

situation. He was happy to discuss his attempts to freshen up the

squad. He has already brought in two players, he is hopeful of

bringing back Carlos choir. We are desperate to get him back. There

are one or two issues. He is not ready to play at the moment. He is

coming along great in terms of injuries. Another former player who

could come back is Danny Wilson. A deal for the second player appears

dead. There are work permits holding up the signing of two

players. Allen Quist is hopeful of all the signings happening. This

weekend they are going to Inverness. Neil Lennon says he's not given up

hope of signing Craig Bellamy. The Manchester City striker has

dismissed talk of a move to Celtic but manager Lennon says could make

a bid before the transfer window closes. Mmeanwhile Lennon is angry

with the Israeli FA after midfielder Beram Kayal picked up an

ankle injury whilst on international duty. The Parkhead

manager says he wasn't informed of the player's condition soon enough.

I think it is a question of respect. They should be straight on the

phone to our football club and let us know the situation. They should

give us an explanation. I am disappointed.

To the self proclaimed best league in the world - and definitely the

richest. It's the English Premier League. And the new season starts

tomorrow. More and more Scottish players are finding their way down

south these days. But there's an even stronger Scottish accent in

the dug out - with seven of the Premiership's twenty club's managed

by Scots - and they're all from in and around the Glasgow area.

Welcome to a virtual gallery, on display the English Premier

League's Glasgow of the ways. They are making a big impression down

south. Pride of place goes to Sir Alex Fergusson, he has masterminded

20 Premier League titles. There is no night could rock Liverpool's

Kenny Dalglish. He is a keen to Liverpool. -- a kink. Is the site

about the new season? We are all looking forward to it. David Moyes

has been charge at Everton for nearly 10 Machrie -- 10 years. He

is hoping for a better finish than last season. Owen Coyle is aiming

for a top 10 finish, having saved Bolton Wanderers from relegation

last year. Premier-league survival may be a more realistic

expectations were Blackburn Rovers. Paul Lambert has guided Norwich

City back to the top flight for the first time in six years. Nobody

will be under more pressure than Alex McLeish, he relegated

Birmingham last season, and went across the city to take charge of

their great rivals Aston Villa. What is it about Glasgow that makes

great managers? We are try years. We want to prove ourselves at the

highest level. This is the highest level. Not yet time to pull the

curtains -- pull the curtains back on me.

Scotland's Eilidh Child heads off to the World Athletics

Championships in South Korea next week with a firm target in mind - a

new Scottish record and a place in the 400m hurdles final. The

commonwealth silver medallist from Delhi last year has now become a

full-time athlete, with some help from her local BMW dealership in

Perth. Her long term goal is gold at Glasgow 2014. But for the

upcoming world championships, there's a more modest aim. My coach

and I have talked about it. We want a realistic goal of a medal. We

really want to get into the final, the top 12 will be great.

That is the sport. It's one of the biggest film

productions ever to come to Glasgow, and will transform the city into a

post-apocalyptic world terrorised by zombies. Brad Pitt's film

company will be based here for the next two and a half weeks, although

it will involve the closure of a number of city centre streets.

Being compared to a post apocalyptic American city is not

usually a compliment. He in Glasgow they are happy to rise to that

challenge, this is one of the biggest films to come to this city.

It is by Brad Pitt's production company, and is called World War Z.

They arrive in Glasgow but two weeks on Monday. As you can see

they are ready. They are going to add some shop fronts and American

cars next week to make it look authentic. Why Glasgow? We were

approached by the location manager at the start of May. We were able

to send some pictures which bit the belief that they were looking for.

They came to visit the city and liked what they saw off. Things

progress from there. It is going to be a huge challenge. Glasgow City

Council are on board. It is very exciting, but it will be difficult

to shut down pujas sections of the city centre. We are open for

business. People working in tourism in Glasgow, and tourists to come

here do so because they have seen the city on film. If this is a big

boost for the city, it will boost our profile. We are a can-do city.

Thank you very much. You can find out about the closures on the

council's website. It is a closed set up, you cannot get too close

and personal. There are extra has been signed up. -- there are extras

being signed up. being signed up.

Now the weather, over to you. It has been a wet week across

Scotland. This evening we are going to see some further rain, and it

may be windy. Let's take a closer look. We have a band or of rain

pushing in. There will be some heavy burst. Overnight, it will

continue its journey east. We will see a legacy of cloud behind it. A

bit more be a mild night, quite sticky, 12-13 degrees. Tomorrow

morning, a wet start in the inner peace. That rain will gradually

move away over DC. -- over the sea. It will be a little bit cloudier in

the West. Much warmer everywhere, highs will reach 18 degrees. The

East Coast Macie 19 degrees. -- may reach 19 degrees. In Shetland with

that rain it maybe a bit cooler. 15 degrees there. Tomorrow is the pipe

band championship. It will be largely dry, quite a cloudy, summer

drizzle. If you're heading into the hills. Temperatures will be around

eight degrees. Wins of -- winds 35 mph. Force for, or force five in

the inshore waters. Wins may become -- winds may become more variable.

Tomorrow evening, a fairly similar picture. Sunspots a drizzle and a

few showers. Let's look at the pressure charts. Low-pressure

bringing heavy rain overnight. By Sunday we should see drive and more

settled conditions. The best of the bright as it will be towards the

east. 19-20 degrees. That is your weather, have a lovely weekend.

Now, a summary of tonight's top stories. Politicians and police in

England are hitting back at England are hitting back at

criticism of their response to this week's riots - insisting their

tactics worked. 1,600 people have now been arrested - and 800 have

appeared in court. Doctors in Scotland are now using a pioneering

procedure for heart patients which avoids the need for open heart

surgery. The new technique significantly reduces patients

recovery time. And detectives in Helensburgh investigating the