03/01/2012 Reporting Scotland

Welcome to Reporting Scotland. Tonight on your national news:

violent storm-force gales batter the country. Winds of more than 100

mile close motorways, bridges, airports and the railways. There

has been extensive damage to homes and vehicles across central

Scotland, but so far, few reports of serious injuries. We will be

live with the latest from the street in Glasgow, where residents

have had a very lucky escape from the Dales. -- the Dales.

It's thought to be the worst storm for at least a decade, and at its

height it left 130,000 households without electricity.

So where did this huge storm come from, why was it stronger than

expected, and how lucky are we that today is a bank holiday?

Later in sport, more on the injured list for Rangers. And another

player leaves the club for Norway. Violent storm forces winds wreaked

havoc across central Scotland today. Edinburgh recorded the highest

winds at over 100 miles an hour. Buildings were damaged and travel

was severely disrupted, with all of the main bridges closed, rail

services cancelled and flights and ferries also affected. The police

and fire services were inundated with calls as people reported

structural damage to homes and buildings and fallen trees blocked

roads and rail routes. Catriona Renton compiled this report.

The wind may have eased now, but the devastation they caused in just

a few hours will take much longer to recover from. Cars were crushed,

Reeves were damaged, and chimney had came down. It is pretty scary

to be evacuated from your home, but there is worse things that can

happen! It is not very nice, because we're not sure when we can

get back in. The chimney stack went through the roof of this flat,

leaving bricks and masonry everywhere. On the other side of

the city, the steady watched as part of her home collapsed.

next thing, the Brit and all that all came down. The storm came in

overnight and batted the coast. Scotland woke to howling gales. The

country was put on red alert, as severe wins back above the to the

central belt. In Glasgow, a blast at the 91 mph hit the city. The

River Clyde burst its banks. For those on foot, it was almost

impossible to stay upright. In George Square, the Christmas tree

toppled over. There was trouble chaos across the country as cranes

were suspended, leaving people stranded. -- trains were suspended.

We got to Motherwell, we sat for half an hour, moved on to, train

turned around go back to Glasgow. We have been his tent at 7am, I

have got to get to London, desperate to get to London. My

husband is desperately ill, I have got to see my children, this is

just awful, I can't tell you the amount that has disrupted.

Throughout the day, bridges and roads were closed. And more

overturned lorries caused havoc on the and nine. At Aberdeen airport,

this plane had to abandon edge landing, and Glasgow airports

suffered severe disruption. We came here at 6am this morning to travel

to London, to go to Chicago, where we teach, and we have missed our

connection to stop we have waited in line for five-and-a-half hours.

It may have started off worse in the West, but as the storm headed

east, dangerous buildings forced road closures come and people

watched as the wind read tabard. -- In Dunoon, this was a scene at a

caravan park. Three people here had to be airlifted to hospital. And

foreign trees everywhere are hampering the efforts to get the

lights back on. -- have fallen trees. Over 57,000 households

remain without power. We will feel the ill-effects of this wind long

after it has blown away. Let's go to our correspondent Jamie

McIvor, who is in Springburn in Glasgow, and a scene of devastation.

Indeed, this is one of the worst examples of storm damage anywhere

in Scotland. One of the police officers at the scene described it

to me as looking like something from a film. If you took a closer

look crossed the road, it is miraculous nobody has been injured.

What happened is that at about 80 him this morning, as the storm in

Glasgow was at its worst, a gust of wind lifted the cladding from the

roof of a tower block -- at about 8pm. He troubled about 200 yards

through the air, and as you can see, there is a huge amount of debris on

the front of the house, on the pavement, and on the road. The road

has been blocked all day. Fortunately, there were no

pedestrians on the street, but there was a man inside the house,

he wasn't injured, fortunately. We still don't know how much damage

there actually is to the house itself beyond the superficial. You

can see that the chimney pot has been knocked over, and they Iraq

slides off the roof. But frankly, people here are just breathing a

sigh of relief that nobody was injured. A lucky escape, thank you.

The high winds had been predicted by the Met Office, who'd issued an

amber warning across central Scotland urging people to take

precautions. That didn't change to a red alert until 8.15am this

morning - as many areas were already being hammered. As Rob

Flett reports, it now looks as if today's bank holiday gave many

commuters a lucky escape. Trees were ripped out of the ground,

closing roads. Travel by any means was difficult. Edinburgh's Waverley

Station, one of the travel hubs forced to close for safety, as was

the Forth Road Bridge. The highest winds were recorded here, 97 mph

this morning. But the biggest winds in central Scotland were recorded

in Edinburgh, Blackbird Hill, at 102 mph. It was all because of this

book shaped weather system, an explosive area of low pressure

which delivered high winds. This is worth that we had -- worse than we

had of 8th December last year. This takes us back again to Boxing Day

Storm of 1998. It is too early to say whether it is worse than that,

but it is certainly close. Today's Bank Holiday meant roads were quiet

force of the red alert from the Met Office came at about 8:15am. That

would have been too late for most commuters to have changed their

plans. I think it is true to say that if we had more traffic on the

roads, it would have caused more problems. Many people were trying

to visit people, people waiting for hospital buses, so does present a

level of disruption, and it is more difficult if the warning comes late.

That was as soon as the Met Office could have issued a warning. Today,

it was wind, last year it had been volcanic ash, snow and ice. The

extremes, something we are all having to get used to. We have

experience of this, and we do what we can, but it is nature, and we do

what we can to take steps to prevent disruption when we can, but

we have just got to expect that these high wind occur, and we deal

with them as well as we can. worst of the storm had blown

through by mid- afternoon, allowing these drivers to get on the move.

Anyone preparing to travel tomorrow should still check for any knock-on

disruption which could affect their plans.

Our weather presenter Christopher Blanchet joins me. We're used to

windy weather in Scotland, but this last few weeks has been extreme -

where is it all coming from? storm we saw this morning was a

classic area of low pressure develops out of the Atlantic. We

take a look at the map, we can see yesterday, the mild at Tadic air

Reading into the cold Arctic air. - - the mild Arctic air running into

the cold Arctic air. If we follow the map through, we can see that

blow continuing to push in, not unusual for that to come to

Scotland, but it was rapidly deepening, an explosive low, and

with it, some storm-force winds. What was unusual was the track of

the low, funnelling those very strong winds through the highly

populated area through the central belt. The good news with this tour

is that it actually moved through pretty quickly. We can see it

whooping through Scotland, and by mid- afternoon go away out towards

the North Sea, picking their storm- force winds with it. -- picking

those storm-force winds. As we go through this evening, that low

pressure continues to pull away, taking those storm-force winds with

it as well. At their height, how strong were the gusts? We can see

that in Edinburgh itself, we recorded a gust of 102 mph. Through

much of the central belt, in excess of 90 mph. The good news is that

the winds have gone, but tomorrow, we do have a rain to contend with.

Very lucky it was that it was a Bank Holiday. Christopher will be

back at the end of the programme. You're watching Reporting Scotland

from the BBC. Still to come on the programme:

He's gone round the world on a bike and rowed the Arctic - now Mark

Beaumont is taking on the Atlantic. The dream is to get the world

record, but the big prize would be the number one crossing, to be the

first boat across the Atlantic in less than 30 days would be historic.

In sport, there may have been three goals and three points for Rangers,

but striking options are starting to dry up for Ally McCoist's side.

And he's already picked up Commonwealth gold but now this

Scottish swimmer is setting his sights on the top prize at London

There is a warning many schools won't be able to draft in relief

teachers in the early part of the new year the peak season for flu

and other illness. The Secondary Teachers Association says it's

because of radical cut in pay for temporary staff which is driving

many to take up jobs outwith teaching. More from our education

correspondent Seonag MacKinnon. Good, that will be an excellent one.

Many teachers at their posts, but in the peak period for blue and

other illnesses, some may not be, and their replacement could be

missing, too. A huge number of supply teachers have left the

profession. They are finding that five days' work stacking shelves in

Tesco is better for them than taking the risk of not getting five

days in a school, and being paid peanuts for the days they are

working. Earlier this year, experienced tempt teachers were

paid �145 a day, now all on a flat rate of �78 for the first five days,

and that is before tax. Many out- of-work teachers are still waiting

and hoping for that Kemp work. But others say it is not worth it once

they have paid for child care and travel. If we are earning less than

�37,000, last year, now we are only earning around �15,000. So they had

different commitments, like mortgages, or children, lots of

bills to pay, and now they are not able to manage that. Rural schools

are finding it to be got to get supply teachers, but it is also

hitting areas like West Lothian. Labour is calling for a national

survey. The settlement we reached with the teaching unions, local

authorities, earlier this year, was not idea, but it was the best in

the circumstances, difficult circumstances. At that education

authorities argue they need to make cuts. They say these are justified

as short-term staff don't tend to work the same house or have the

same responsibilities as long-term Plans for a big shake up of the

House of Commons - which will see a cut in the number of Scottish MPs -

are about to take a major step forward. A consutlation by the

Scottish Boundary Commission into the proposals ends tomorrow. It

could see some of the biggest political names having to fight for

their seats. Here's our Westminster correspondent, David Porter.

MPs are being told to slim down the House of Commons. More than 50 MPs

will go, seven, more than 10% of the total, from Scotland. The

jockeying for survival is already under way. It is musical chairs

with machetes. When the music stops, there will be a limited number of

seats and a large number of members and they will be grabbing each

other around the throat. In the Highlands, the three Liberal

Democrats MPs, Charles Kennedy, Danny Alexander and John Thurso

will be fighting the two seats. In Fife, normal political foes have

joined forces to prove what they believe are flaws in the

commission's recommendations. I'm concerned about is the

decisions about the size and shape of constituencies have got to be

taken based on the natural relationship between one community

and another. And not on a strictly an arithmetical basis. There's been

an issue about the size of some of the constituencies which are very

much at the top end and there is a feeling it is compensating for the

Highland constituencies which a 25,000. The area which has

attracted most attention is Fife. We have divided Fife into a number

of constituencies and one of the boundaries is around Glenrothes. In

drawing the line we seem to have stirred up quite a bit of

controversy. The Boundary Commission will move to make its

final recommendations. MPs have to agree the changes by 20th October

13 if they are to happen by the Other stories across Scotland:

Police in Aberdeen are appealing for witnesses after a sexual

assault on a 15-year-old girl. The attack happened last night in the

Torry Battery area of the city. Police are keen to trace a man

who's described as muscular, in his mid-30s to 40, and just over five

foot tall. They'd also like to hear from anyone who saw a silver car in

the area. Councils have paid out almost 1.8

million pounds in compensation over the last five years to drivers

whose vehicles have been damaged by potholes. Glasgow City Council had

the largest total compensation bill at just over 350,000 pounds - the

amount the local authority paid out last year was almost 900% higher

Labour say the Scottish Government will have to redouble its efforts

to reach homelessness targets set in 2003. The Homelessness Act

pledged to give "settled" accommodation" to everyone who

becomes unintentionally homeless by the end of this year. Labour, who

were in power in 2003, say Scotland is still 12% short of honouring

that commitment. The Scottish Government says it remains

committed to meeting the targets. It seems that circumnavigating the

world on a bike and rowing the Arctic just aren't enough for the

Scottish adventurer Mark Beaumont. As most of us try to drum up the

energy to recover from the festive season, he's starting the New Year

with his latest challenge - rowing the Atlantic in thirty days. The 29

year old and his team set out from Morocco and have just completed

their first full day at sea. Jackie O'Brien caught up with him before

he left. The man who cycled the world has

dumped his wheels and hopes to roll his way into the history books by

beating the world record for crossing the Atlantic. The dream is

to get the world record but the big prize is to get the first crossing,

in less than 30 days, would be historic. An Arctic expedition has

helped him prepare for the 3,000 mile challenge which has become

known as the four-minute mile of ocean rowing. Just like the first

to cycle, to get the first across the Atlantic, there is something

about the figures which is quite exciting to target. After cycling

around the world I was looking at the spaces in between, the watery

gaps I had not crossed. So, as journeys, I saw myself going into

ocean rowing as a period -- for a period. The adventurer will be part

of a six-man team and has been training in the Highlands where the

Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness provided ideal conditions. I am

doing a long sessions using my oars. I train every day on the rowing

machine but you cannot make up the spending 89 hours a day getting

from Fort William to Inverness and we're getting tough conditions. It

is a good test. Sailing in the Arctic may have been challenging

but rowing the Atlantic 24 hours a day for a month were not be plain

sailing. While they may gain a world record, it is estimated each

team member could lose up to three stone in weight.

I hope they did not meet the weather front we heard about. Let's

get tonight's sport now from Dougie. Thomas Bendikson has left Rangers

after refusing to sign a new contract. The 22-year-old Norwegian

midfielder is heading home instead to join Tromso. It could be bad

news for the Ibrox boss Ally McCoist who, after beating

Motherwell 3 - 0 yesterday, is facing something of an injury

crisis. There wasn't a blooming over Ibrox

but it is a start and a goal as rare as hen's teeth. As one

Northern Irish striker celebrated, another face the prospect of four

or five weeks out with a damaged hamstring. Stephen Craigan eased

the. Pressure with a well-finished own goal. The question facing Allan

McCoist is where other goals coming from now?

There was growing speculation he will leave in the transfer window.

Steven Naismith is not expected to play again this season. The answer

could come in the form of a fans' favourite. He has been training at

Murray Park and McCoist expressed an interest in bringing the

Spaniard back to Ibrox. But in the meantime, David Healey

and John Fleck will be expected to get Rangers' title challenge back

on track. The SFA's compliance officer will look tomorrow at the

clash between Ryan McGowan and Ivan Sproule in yesterday's Edinburgh

derby at Easter Road. The Hearts defender appeared to headbutt

Sproule in the stomach during the Tynecastle side's 3-1 win. Referee

Callum Murray took no action at the time but there could be

retrospective punishment. And you can see highlights of all

yesterday's SPL matches on Sportscene tonight at 10.35 on BBC

1 Scotland. One of Scotland's top swimming

stars says he's been dreaming of an Olympic medal since he was a child.

Robbie Renwick knows what it takes to top the Commonwealth podium but

he now has his sights on London 2012. Gold there could be a tall

order, but as he's been telling our Olympics correspondent Kheredine

Idessane, if you make the final, # I am on the edge of glory. # He

swims around seven kilometres every session.

He is in the pool by half-past five in the morning. But the kind of

dedication you need to succeed, especially when you are aiming for

the top. I have been dreaming of winning Olympic gold since I was a

youngster. To come away with a medal would be fantastic. I have to

be realistic. I have to pull something really special out of the

back macro to do that. I'm sure other get there. He will, if this

man has anything to do with it. His coach also has to put in long hours

as he prepares his protege for the biggest day of his life at London

2012. Home crowd, home advantage, using his experience and hopefully

we will be in the final and it is all about handling the pressure and

nerves. It is absolutely in the frame that any colour medal is

possible. That's our goal. struck gold at the Commonwealth

Games in Delhi and he is dreaming of a first ever Olympic medal.

it comes to the final, it is really he wants it the most. I am up at 5

o'clock every morning trading my heart out. No Scot has won since

1996, Robbie Renwick is working hard to change that. Finally

congratulations to Andy Murray who's in Brisbane preparing for the

Australian Open. He's thorough the first round of

the Brisbane International event, beating Mikeal Kukushkin in three

Just a reminder before the weather that our money expert Fergus

Muirhead will be joining us a week tomorrow. He'll be talking about

general problems, particularly coming out of the Christmas period.

If you want to contact him the details are on the screen now.

Now let's find out what the weather's going to throw at us over

the next few days Christopher. Hello, it was a very stormy day

across much of the country. Tonight, the wind is away from us, it will

still be windy, Gale Force with a heavy showers in western parts. We

can see the map, heavy showers in the West are turning wintry on high

ground. Dry and long clear spells in Dundee southwards. It will be

cold and the risk of ice patches on cold and the risk of ice patches on

untreated roads. As we head into tomorrow, there is the troublesome

feature, and tomorrow it will be rain rather than wind causing

issues. Zooming into detail, some brightness but rain pushes in from

the West and it pushes in from the west across the whole of the

country in the afternoon. A yellow warning from the Met Office. Heavy

and persistent rain turning to snow on high ground. Mid-afternoon, a

wet, breezy afternoon and a cold afternoon with temperatures fibre

six degrees. Later on, it may creep up to seven. Across the North, dry,

cloudy but rain is coming your way. Through the north and north-west,

wet and windy and cold. The rain will be heavy and persistent and

could cause problems. It continues see the evening before fragmenting

and disappearing. The pressure chart shows the isobars on Thursday,

straight down from the north. A cold blast for Thursday. Some

sunshine by the end of the afternoon. Temperatures six or

seven degrees. Gale force winds, nothing like today. Towards Friday,

the wind swings around to the south-west, cloud, heavy rain again,

temperatures eight or nine. Tonight, cold, tomorrow it will be wet.

just before 7 o'clock, a summary of tonight's top stories. Violent

storm forces winds have wreaked havoc across central Scotland today.

Edinburgh recorded the highest winds at over 100 miles an hour.

All of the main bridges were closed, rail services cancelled and flights

and ferries also affected. The police and fire services were

inundated with calls as people reported structural damage to homes

and buildings and fallen trees blocked roads and rail routes.

Two men, Gary Dobson and David Norris, have been found guilty of

the murder of Stephen Lawrence eighteen years ago. In a landmark

case that changed the rules on murder trials, the jury at the Old

Bailey decided that the two men were involved in the fatal stabbing

of the black teenager in 1993. There's a warning many schools

won't be able to draft in relief teachers in the early part of the

new year - the peak season for flu and other illness. The Secondary

Teachers Association says a radical cut in pay for temporary staff is

driving many to take up jobs outside teaching.

Police in Norfolk say they're treating the discovery of a woman's

body on the Queen's Sandringham Estate as murder. A dog walker made

the discovery on New Year's Day and officers are examining missing