27/11/2015 Reporting Scotland

and we now join the BBC's news teams where you are.

As France pays homage to those killed in the Paris terror

attacks police here say there's no specific threat to Scotland.

A BBC investigation finds that Scottish councils have cut spending

on library books by nearly a million pounds.

A quiet Black Friday as the chaos of last year is avoided as shoppers

Gartcosh, I love it. It's cheap. The shop things they wouldn't normally

sell. But on the other hand a lot of shots have good deals. Day off work

being dragged around the shops! Andy Murray levels the Davis Cup

final as Great Britain bid to win the competition for

the first time in nearly 80 years. And after Celtic's European campaign

is ended the club admits it can't Police Scotland has been spelling

out what it's doing to counter Senior officers say they're already

adjusting their plans following But they say there's no specific

intelligence of a threat against Scotland at the moment,

as our Home Affairs Correspondent, The after math of the attacks in

Paris, 130 people were killed in a theatre and as suicide bombs were

exploded. But could it happen here? Police say their planning has been

going on for several years. Armed police officers patrolled Glasgow

after analysts identified the Commonwealth Games as a possible

target. It was thought attacks might happen in two occasions. Prestwick

airport was the focus of a major exercise three days before the

attacks. The Ryanair plane was said to be the centre of a hostage

situation. That involved hundreds of people at the location, back in the

exercise control room, the people making the command decisions,

testing their thinking, testing and challenging some of the decisions

and making sure that we were as prepared as we could be for such an

event. The Paris terrorists are believed to have planned their

attack in Belgium. Police say that is something should be aware of. The

Glasgow airport attack was as a result of an operation in London.

Police accept they can't nullify every threat, but while they say

today that they are continuing to gather intelligence and would urge

people to pass on any suspicions they might have about unusual

activity, they say they are prepared to deal with any incident which

might happen. The UK security threat has been at the second highest level

since August last year and it is kept under review. Police say there

is no intelligence to suggest a specific threat against Scotland.

Two men remain in hospital with serious injuries to the head

and face following disturbances in the Gallowgate area of Glasgow

before last night's football match between Celtic and Ajax.

Police say in total seven people were injured

Officers say the suspects were dressed in black with hoods

Scottish councils have cut spending on library books by nearly

a million pounds, according to figures obtained by BBC Scotland.

Critics fear libraries could be a soft target for savings.

But others say modern services can be better value.

Our local government correspondent Jamie McIvor's been

Libraries are an important local service.

BBC Scotland asked councils how much they're spending on new books.

They spent ?7.6 million last year between them.

All this at a time when all council spending is under pressure.

Or is the service evolving as tastes change?

Is time running out for the traditional library? In Fife there

is a proposal to shut 16 libraries. Campaigners are not happy. I feel so

strongly, because it is not just about books and information. It is

about a key part of children's development, it is about a life

looiven for job seekers and a social area for elderly people. The council

still has to reach a final decision. But it says the need to save money

is clear. We are not picking out the library service in isolation. We are

looking across all the services that are provided through the local

authority. Because our costs of maintaining the services we

currently provide are far in excess now of the money we receive. While

currently provide are far in excess rows over closures can be passionate

is there more to the cuts. Two thirds of councils have cut spending

on new books and the number in stock is down. You don't walk in a library

and find there are no books. But over time stock deteriorates and

becomes less attractive and you end up in a tail spin. There has always

been more to a library than lending books. Now this more of an emphasis

on being part of community. In Haddington this library is popular,

although fewer books are being lent. A children's group, special events

and electronic books broaden the appeal. They vote with their feet

and our visitors have increased since 2012. And we are constantly

having people asking you can we participate in this and do that and

we can, even as a venue. ? . Libraries face the challenge with

the pressure on council budgets and changing tastes. Often though the

two arguments simply end up becoming mixed. Thank you.

You're watching Reporting Scotland from the BBC.

Still to come on tonight's programme:

With four weeks to go until Christmas,

a toy bank to help parents struggling to afford presents.

And? Fort -- in and sport Davis Cup joy for Andy Murray and Rangers pay

back a loan and what next for Celtic after another European

disappointment? It seems that so-called Black Friday

has not attracted the turn-out This is the day when many retailers

offer goods at big discounts. Last year saw chaotic scenes,

with some shoppers fighting over At half 5 in the morning, these

people braved the cold in Braehead. We were up for work any way. My wife

told me I was coming after work. And at 6 o'clock, the doors opened. In

Glasgow, early birds grabbed a bargain with some loading big

televisions into their cars. Police and security staff were on hand, but

only small crowds turned up. Last year, there were some ugly scenes of

disorder. Including one at a Tesco store in Dundee. Today at this store

in Glasgow, managers are up beat. I think it is the official kick off to

Christmas trade. It is triggering the customer mind set and it is

busy. And shoppers had a range of views. I love it. It is cheap. A lot

of shops sell things think probably wouldn't normally sell. But on the

operate hand a lot of shops have deals. A day off work being dragged

around the shops. Looking around this centre, black Friday for many

shops isn't just one day. Some have been discounting all week, while

others are having a black Friday weekend. Some shops have opted not

to take part. But the big movement seems to be to online. If we look at

the UK as a whole, compared with a regular Friday, the ten busiest

areas are all in Scotland. So looking at the UK in general, it is

generally a bit of an uplift, Scotland we are seeing up to four

times as much traffic as we would normally see. So it seems some of us

just can't resist a bargain. Our business and economy editor,

Douglas Fraser joins me now. Douglas, has Black Friday peaked

as a high street phenomenon? It probably has at least for

conventional shops and stores. It creates excitement. It builds and

boosts foot fall. People thinking what they might like to get if there

are discounts available. But it is very inflexible way of doing

business. Unless you're online where you can make offers for a limited

time and keep bringing offers out and that brings people back to your

web-site. One retailer has been running a black Friday sale for ten

days on that basis. Black Friday is an import from the United States,

where it helps launch Christmas shopping the day after thanks

giving. Here it starts after Hallowe'en. And if it is any guide,

in America the scale of Black Friday binge has been brought back. Some

retailers will be happy just to see the back of Black Friday? Yes

particular pi for those defined by bricks rather than clicks. It is an

unwelcome import. And it is a huge stretch for delivery firms. But for

many parts of retail the final few weeks of the year are vital. The

point at which many make or a profit or don't and they need to get people

through the doors and buying comfortable margins for the

retailers. Then they would off-load stock in January. But now the

January sales start before Christmas and a lot of Chrises shopping can be

tone -- Christmas shopping can be done then and some people are buying

things they would buy at another time at a higher price. And a lot of

trade is postponed to seams discounts past Christmas by the

gifting of vouchers as gifts. And for clothing, there is a big down

side to online retail, nearly a third of clothes get returned after

they have been bought and they have be sent back and repackaged. If

something is bought at a discount, the stock is then sent back not

available for much of December and makes no business sense to the

retailer. Thank you. Now other stories from across the country.

A programme to merge Scotland's colleges to create 20 so-called

"regional super colleges" has been deemed a failure by lecturers.

A survey by the Educational Institute of Scotland teachers'

and lecturers' union found that the scheme had failed to deliver.

A campaign is beginning to try to reduce the amount

of food waste produced in Scotland over the festive period.

It's estimated that around 50,000 tonnes of food ends up

The Scottish Government is encouraging people to think

It is not waste, we can use it and make left overs and broth and curry

and the sandwich. It is thinking of shopping better and using the right

portion control and then when you do have stuff left, utilising that.

The inaugural Dornoch Whisky Festival begins

The event will include tastings, distillery tours and concerts.

Organisers have staged the festival as an additional tourist attraction

and to remind local people of the range and quality

We have four world famous single maments within a 20 minute drive. We

thought that would be a lot of interest to a lot of people and we

put together the festival to celebrate that and to bring people's

attention that there are these great visits to be had and these great

malts on our doorstep. The Dutch-born writer,

who's been based in Scotland for more than 20 years, won the prize

for The Book of Strange New Things. 73 patches of snow have survived

on Scotland's hills from last winter, the most for 21

years, according to a photographer Iain Cameron's records are published

by the Royal Meteorological Society. The patches have lingered because

of the cool spring and frequent it's easy to forget that many

parents struggle to manage budgets Now one community

in Glasgow has set up a toy bank. It's hoping to play "secret Santa",

as Laura Maxwell reports. Hello, can I give you a hand?

Donations to the new polybag are always welcome, but this one is

special. Beatrice has just celebrated her 80th birthday and

instead of presents for her she asked her friends to buy toys.

Everyone who turned up for the birthday were absolutely brilliant,

absolutely brilliant. It is going to something like this and it is even

better. Somebody else can benefit. We do not need it. We are old. The

better. Somebody else can benefit. toy bag has been set up by

volunteers. They are working with local community groups and food

banks who will ask parents if they would like extra help this

Christmas. We recognise people are really struggling this Christmas

financially. We have seen explosions in numbers of people using food

banks and if people are struggling to feed themselves and their

children, they will have a poor Christmas. Many of the toys are

brand-new, but they do not have to be. As long as they are in good

condition they will be cleaned and wrapped up and ready for their new

owners. It means they know their kids will get something and that is

all mothers want, they want to give their children as much as they can.

They want to feed their kids and make sure they have something on

Christmas Day. Santa and his volunteers will begin their

deliveries the week before Christmas and it is hoped all these toys can

Let's get all the sport now, from David.

Andy Murray has won his opening match for Great Britain

He beat Ruben Bemelmans of Belgium by three sets to love.

That squares the final at 1-1 after after Kyle Edmund

lost in five sets to David Goffan in the first of the singles rubbers.

Kheredine Idessane reports from Ghent.

Andy, Andy Murray. Brits in Belgium bringing the noise.

Andy, Andy Murray. Brits in Belgium searches for everyone. Belgian house

music at the opening ceremony, but who would be all the rage?

20-year-old Kyle Edmund was almost the star turn. A Davis cup debutant

he started like of N, but he ran out of steam and the Belgian David

Goffin eventually one in five sets. Will he be too tired when he faces

Andy Murray on Sunday? Kyle Edmund's determined display has set

the tone for Britain. Can Andy Murray now maintained the mood

music? There was the usual fanfare for his arrival. His game was nicely

tuned right from the Ofcom hitting all the right notes to take first

set. Any hopes the Belgian would find Murray of key in the second set

were drowned off as well. Good job from Murray. Still needed to be

done. The Scot brought things nicely to a crescendo with a straight sets

win to level up the tie. One down, two to go.

John Collins says the current coaching team at Celtic want another

crack at European football but admits they have been given no

Fans are once again looking for answers after

the defeat to Ajax last night that brought an end to another campaign.

Here's our Senior Football Reporter Chris McLaughlin.

A wet, Black Friday at Celtic Park after another Thursday to forget. It

was a familiar European store away, the equaliser in the first half and

then this from the youngster who sealed Celtic's fate. Today it was

left to the manager's assistant to face the media. Are you confident

this coaching team will get another European campaign? Nothing is

guaranteed. I hope so. Talking of hope, Calum MacGregor provided it

early on with this. The two gold that followed sent the Scottish

champions out and left the manager once again exposed. They will stick

with Ronny Delia. They have already said that and Ronnie will be happy

to hear that from his chief executive. We have not heard from

Dermot Desmond, but Ronny Delia will be in the job I think up until the

summer anyway. Lee Griffiths took to social media to blame himself, but

who is to blame for another failed campaign? Colin McQuade said no one

individual is to blame, the entire club needs to re-evaluate their

ambitions. Another said poor coaching players making poor

coaching decisions which has been evident in the team for a while. It

looks like a simple lack of investment, leading to bad buying.

It has been a miserable European campaign for this club and the

coaching staff, promising it will get better next year. Fans are being

asked to be patient, but those fans have heard that before. For now it

is back to domestic business and back to the drawing board.

Rangers are to repay a ?5 million loan

The move was announced by the Rangers chairman Dave King

It's a U-turn on a previous position, but King has

told shareholders he now believes it's the best way forward.

Shareholders making their way into today's AGM anticipating a quieter

meeting than last year's stormy affair. The new board was warmly

welcomed, as was the surprise announcement to repay ?5 million to

Mike Ashley. It is a massive turnaround, 180 degrees from where

they were. I think there must be a reason behind it, whether it is a

legal reason or a political one. Absolutely delighted with the

outcome. Very positive. That is after what we have suffered for the

last few years. The lawyers are constantly fighting battles against

Mike Ashley and it takes that away and they can stop wasting money and

concentrate on the football again. The repayment of ?5 million will

mean that the number of securities revert back to Rangers, including

assets like the Murray Park training complex, trademarks including the

bad, and the majority shareholding and the retail deal between Rangers

and sports direct. Mike Ashley, the Newcastle owner and 9% shareholder

at Ibrox, has had a fraught relationship with Rangers.

Supporters must wait to see if and how this move alters that.

And BBC Scotland's coverage of the weekend's sport start tonight with

pro12 rugby and Premiership football. On Radio Scotland.

Now to a story of two very different worlds

A troupe of ballet dancers are offering their take on

the miners' strike, accompanied by members of the Whitburn brass band.

Those behind this Brassed Off meets Swan Lake

production say it offers a platform for part-time musicians to get

In the 30 years since it came to an end, the miners' strike has been a

source of inspiration for artists of all types. This is an unusual

retelling, combining ballet with brass music, and enduring legacy and

the way of life that has disappeared. They do this amazing

stuff across the country in Scotland, England and Wales and it

does not get the platform it deserves. These are essentially

amateur players, but they are playing to an amazingly high

standard. Different bands have accompanied the dancers from the

Rambert ballet company and in Edinburgh members

Rambert ballet company and in brass band, the reigning Scottish

champions, who have brass band, the reigning Scottish

challenge. Members work full time and nobody is full-time with the

band and we have been in the rehearsal room for the last 40

night, so it has been tough. It is very diverse in nature. It really

takes a lot of concentration and it is longer than any single piece we

play, but it is really good. Whitburn, like so many communities

across Scotland, experienced the Whitburn, like so many communities

harsh reality of the story being played out on stage. But for those

who do not remember the miners' strike and its impact, the aim is to

create a wider resonance. This is one of a number of dance works and

pieces which have as its subject the idea of struggle. That is what makes

it international, that is what makes it so that anyone can see what ever

their own struggle is in this particular piece. An unlikely

creative alliance, introducing an old addition to a new audience. --

tradition. A cold, wintry November night on the

cards. Today it was quite wet at times. Thank you to Ian sending in

this picture from the Isle of Bute earlier. This cold air is with us

overnight and night. It is quite windy as well with a strong westerly

wind, gusting to severe gale force at times across the Northern Isles

and Western Isles. Those wintry showers perhaps at low levels and it

is unlikely to land. Largely dry in the Borders, Chile and cold.

Temperatures in town or freezing and it is lower in the countryside.

Weekend is a cold one and a wet one. Across the hills that rain falls as

snow, and in the Highlands and Islands we could see snow on lower

levels, but elsewhere it will be rain. There a

levels, but elsewhere it will be degrees is the exception rather than

the rule. Add on the wind and rain and there is a pretty field. The

North East is reasonably dry with some brightness coming through.

Elsewhere the showers rattled through and in the north it is

wintry at times. If you are hill walking or climbing, there are gusts

up to 70 miles an hour. There are heavy snow showers and a severe

wind-chill, perhaps -12 or -13. Frequent snow showers and very windy

and in the border hills it is more like sleep. These are the inshore

waters. Rough seas and moderate visibility. In the east in the Firth

of Forth and in the Firth of Tay, we are looking at moderate seas and

moderate visibility. In the afternoon and into the evening it is

staying wet and windy with wintry showers at times to lower levels and

another cold night. Looking ahead towards Sunday and that westerly

flow brings in cold air and it is another unsettled and cold stay on

Sunday. A bit of a North-South split. Look at the temperatures, it

will be cold. Four or 5 degrees at best for most. That is the weekend

weather. I will be back with the headlines at 8pm and the late

bulletin after the ten o'clock news. Until then, have a good evening.