23/12/2015 Reporting Scotland

That's all from the BBC News at Six, so it's goodbye from me,

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

Tonight, on Reporting Scotland - the Forth Road Bridge reopens

But lorries will still have to go the long way round.

Join me live at the bridge, where there is plenty of festive cheer

after it opened first thing this morning.

A court rules that government plans for minimum

prices for alcohol MAY breach European law.

Planes, trains and automobiles - the Christmas getaway

The Hoff claims to be a Partick Thistle Fan -

so what happened when he met team mascot Kingsley?

And meet Dancer the reindeer, who has taken some time out

250 scaffolders, 46 welders, 76 engineers and inspectors -

the workers that enabled the early re-opening of the Forth Road Bridge.

Traffic flowed well on the crossing today, following a closure that has

While the steelwork repairs are complete, lorry drivers

will have to wait until the middle of February until they can use

Our reporter Lisa Summers is at the bridge control centre

It is getting very gusty here. But a huge amount of work has gone on here

over the past few weeks to make sure that this bridge could open as

quickly as possible. So it is a very pleasing sight for most of the

regular traffic which uses it to see it up and running this evening, 12

days ahead of schedule. 5:20am, and the Forth Road Bridge

was back in action. Vans, cars, buses and bikes

make 90% of users. They had a clear run

across the water. It is nice to stretch your legs

and get back in the swing of things. It's even been too busy

to get the bike on. From paying nothing to the best part

of ?15 a day has been It will be another six weeks before

lorries can cross. Police officers were out to make sure they obeyed

the restriction. The industry claims the prolonged closure will cost them

?40 million, affecting businesses right across the country. We were

very disappointed yesterday to hear the minister announcing that the

bridge would reopen but not for HGVs. It is a kick in the stomach

for us now because we had expected to be like, road by the start of

January. Things appeared to be going well. The traffic actually has been

very light. We have not had any queues, any difficulties on the

network at all this morning. We are glad to see the cars using the

bridge again. On both sides of the Forth, they will now begin to count

the cost of the disruption. It has not been an easy year for Fife. It

has added to the timescales and added to uncertainty. There is some

worry that this might have a long-term effect on some customers.

Looking out across the water, it seems for many there will indeed be

a very Merry Christmas. The Scottish Government says it has set up a

helpline for hauliers and it is trying to keep the diversion routes

as clear as possible. But any talk of compensation will be ongoing. For

small businesses, it is back to business as usual. Stephen Gordon

was up at the crack of dawn this morning to join a butcher based in

Fife as it made its deliveries back into the capital. Succes, Claire

Mitchell and her husband, packing up the orders for a trip to market. The

family have been farming in West Fife for generations. But for the

last three weeks their butchery business has faced an entirely new

problem - the closure of the Forth Road Bridge. This morning at last

they could avoid the long way round. It feels quite a big relief. It is

lovely not to have to drive all the way around and Zhou and find

alternate routes. It has added a lot of time onto the journey to

Edinburgh. So this is lovely, very exciting actually. Shortly before

seven o'clock, on to the bridge, passing under the north tower and

the repaired steel truss a few metres below. It is a bit blowy but

hopefully we are safe. Which after all was why the bridge was closed in

the first place. Now it is reopened, there is a bit more time to consider

pre-Christmas consequences. It is such a busy time of year. We really

need to be back at the farm doing the production rather than spending

hours out-driving and delivering. Arriving in Edinburgh, she sets up a

stall for one final day of trading before the festive shutdown. With

the capital a bridge too far for many until today, there have been

upsides. A captive market has meant local Fife trade has been booming.

When you have a challenge, at the beginning you think it is

insurmountable, but after awhile you of ways around it. It makes you

realise that lots of things can be coped with. You just have to deal

with it the same as everybody else! Like many others in Fife and beyond,

this business will take stock of the bridge closure and hope the worst is

now behind them. But of course this is not quite the end of the story.

There is still some work to be done on the bridge in January which might

mean some restrictions. And of course that Parliamentary inquiry

will get under way to try to establish if anything could been

done to stop this closure happening in the first place.

The Scottish government and the Scotch Whisky Association

have both welcomed today's ruling by the European Court of Justice

in a case over the proposed introduction of a minimum

The court in Luxembourg said the policy, which the drinks lobby

Ministers say they will continue to argue minimum pricing

Our home affairs correspondent Reevel Alderson reports.

Scotland has a troubled relationship with alcohol. ?3.6 billion is the

estimated annual cost to the NHS. The devilment has proposed a 50p

minimum unit price for alcohol to help tackle alcohol misuse.

Following a complaint by the Scotch Whisky Association, the European

Court of Justice was asked whether this policy contravened European

trade laws. Their ruling today is far from definitive. Judges have

passed the matter back to the court of session in Edinburgh to determine

whether an alternative such as increasing alcohol duty would help

cut the problems caused by drink. The Scotch Whisky Association, which

brought the case, welcome to the ruling, which it says confirmed

minimum unit pricing contravenes free trade laws. It confirms 30

years of European case law. It says minimum pricing is a restriction on

trade in the EU and therefore it is illegal to choose minimum pricing

when there are other less restrictive means available. The

Scottish Government also welcome the ruling. Drink taxes are reserved to

Westminster. But ministers here say they will seek to persuade Scottish

judges that minimum unit pricing targets problem drinkers. Taxation

affects Pepsi drinkers and Pepsi drinks in the same way, whereas

minimum unit pricing targets of those cheap, strong products which

do the most harm. So actually we will argue strongly that it is

actually a less restrictive measure. It is more targeted and therefore

more effective, we will argue. Health campaigners say alcohol is

60% cheaper than it was in 1980 and it is vital that problem drinking

and the anti-social behaviour it causes are tackled. We are really

disappointed that this court case continues. We have 20 people a week

in Scotland dying of alcohol-related causes come and that is avoidable.

The best way to reduce those deaths is by getting this cheap, dangerous

product off the market. And minimum pricing is a way of doing that.

Minimum unit pricing is still a long way off. Once the court of session

has delivered its own ruling next year, it is likely the case will be

appealed to the UK Supreme Court. The great Christmas holiday

getaway is well underway. Today is expected to be the busiest

day for festive travellers, though strong winds and heavy

seas have been creating At Glasgow bus station today, the

Christmas getaway was well under way. We are taking the wee man to

Paris for Christmas to go to Disneyland. Almost a week in Paris

and we are away back to Aberdeen. I am going up to Inverness on the bus,

which will take about four hours, and I am going on from there.

Heading up to Inverness, taking four hours, hopefully. But the bus is

late at the moment. Travel is also proving to be a massively popular

option when it comes to the great festive getaway. Here at Glasgow

airport they reckon 15,000 people have been through its terminal

building. And that is just today. Many have decided to escape the cold

weather, in favour of somewhere warmer. Some of the popular sun

spots include Alicante, Gran Canaria, Spain, Dubai. But our

domestic services are also very busy, especially the flights to

London, Belfast, Manchester, Bristol. There is huge demand for

nearly every service which is leaving Glasgow airport over the

next day or two. Elsewhere, trains were running normally here at

Aberdeen station and at others around Scotland, with no major

problems. That is before services start to wind down tomorrow evening

before gearing up again on Boxing Day. But it was not good news

everywhere. Bad weather caused major problems on the ferries. Passengers

of all varieties were turned away from Clyde and Hebridean services,

most of which were cancelled or faced disruption. On the roads, a

last-minute flurry of Christmas shoppers only caused minor traffic

issues. So the message for festive travellers seems to be, so far, so

good. Not with warnings of severe weather over the next few days, the

public is being urged to be vigilant before travelling.

Many secondary school teachers in West Dunbartonshire are set

to strike for a day early in the New Year.

It is over plans for a shake-up which would cut the number

of principal teachers in schools there.

The strike by EIS members is scheduled for Tuesday 12th

The council says the system it is moving to is similar

to the one that already exists in many other areas.

A Highland mansion once used for occult rituals has been badly

Boleskine House on the shores of Loch Ness was owned in the 19th

century by Aleister Crowley, who claimed to have

The house was later owned by Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy

Police are treating the death of a man in Dundee as suspicious.

He was found at around three o'clock this morning in a common close

He was taken to Ninewells Hospital, but later died.

It is just over five months since a flood devastated homes

and businesses in the small Perthshire town of Alyth.

Some of those affected are still waiting to get

Our reporter Andrew Anderson has been back to Alyth to find out how

The Christmas lights are hanging above the Alyth burn like they do

every year. It was a very different picture back in July. After hours of

heavy rain, the burn burst its banks, sending a surge of water

through the town. A shocking demonstration of the force of

nature. This man and his daughter will not be back in their ground

floor flat before Christmas. They lost just about everything in the

flood. It was halfway up my door. I could not open the door to get out

because if I did, it would all just flood in. So it was really, really

scary looking back now, thinking, if I had not woken up, what could have

happened? Local businesses like this pooches also suffered as water and

mud came in through the door. The shop filled up to about 3ft. How

quickly? Within half an hour. The guys in the shop had to go upstairs,

they were stranded. Now it is almost back to business as usual. They are

hard at work getting the Christmas orders ready. One or two wholesale

customers are still closed and will not be open for a while. But you

really feel quite moved by the response we have had from people who

come and shop with you. There is still flood damage to be repaired in

Alyth. Leering up is still going on. When it mattered, this community

rallied round to help those made homeless. It was fantastic. The

whole community spirit. Also the story of this event, how the

community has pulled together and are still supporting one another

now. A report into why this burn are still supporting one another

burst its banks so spectacularly back in July concluded it was simply

down to the amount of rainfall and that such an event should only

happen once every 200 years. The people of Alyth will be hoping that

that is true and that they can look forward to a drier 2016.

Celtic manager Ronny Deila says he should be judged on results

Reacting to critics - in the form of some former players,

and some fans - Deila says winning all three domestic prizes

He adds that he is unconcerned Aberdeen have closed

to within a point at the top of the table.

Taliban I feel pressure all the time. I've said many times I know

why I'm here, to win trophies, and that's what I'm going to do. We have

every opportunity to win a lot of the trophies this season.

every opportunity to win a lot of certainly lost more goal this is

every opportunity to win a lot of season but we've probably lost the

ball in bad areas to lose it. There is not a great deal

ball in bad areas to lose it. There responsibility and go out and

ball in bad areas to lose it. There professional. And professional.

She's been heralded by Scottish badminton as Scotland's best

Today Imogen Bankier has announced her retirement

She medalled at world, European and Commonwealth level,

but says it was time to leave badminton before the Rio Olympic

Looking back, she remembers the highlights fondly.

Winning a medal in Glasgow was the special way to cap off my

international career and to make it with Robert, my long-standing

partner for such a long time. And winning a silver medal in the World

Championships in 2011 was an incredible experience and something

I will cherish for the rest of my life. So where do her achievements.

Sit within the history of the sport? Without doubt Imogen has been our

most successful female athlete ever. It must be said she's been a true

inspiration to the next generation of players that are now emerging. We

are very sad that she's retiring. Bankier admits disappointment with

London 2012, so was she tempted to carry on for Rio? When the

qualifications started it seemed quite unobtainable for me to make

it. I always knew the last six months or so it wasn't going

something I could take part in. So that affected my decision in the

end. After retirement there are diverse challenges ahead. Her

father, the Celtic chairman, has a business opportunity. I started

working for the whisky shop at the beginning of this year. They are

going to open a new shop in Paris, so I've been offered the opportunity

to go over there. It is completely different, a different world, a

different life. It is something I feel I can really get my teeth into.

I'm looking forward to ellishing that. Eth

I'm looking forward to ellishing that. -- relishing that.

The Glasgow and Scotland forward, Rob Harley, is set to miss the 2016

He injured his thumb in last weekend's win for Warriors over

He's been ruled out for up to three months because of the injury.

His Glasgow Warriors head coach, Gregor Townsend, says Harley will be

doubly disappointed to miss out, for Scotland, and for Glasgow

Obviously a blow for him. He's been if great form. It's a pity he's

going be out for two or three months. He knows the timescale for

his recovery. Injuries happen to every player. He's cracking jokes in

the team meeting yesterday, so he seems in good spirits.

We've been visiting Pantoland today in sport.

Because Partick Thistle have a new celebrity fan.

It's none other than David Hasselhoff, who has been

seduced by the mighty Jags during his panto stint in Glasgow.

John Barnes, our very own Peter Pan of sport,

I'm here at the Clyde auditorium to meet Partick Thistle's latest

supporter. Not him, but him. David Hasselhoff. He's Captain Hook. We've

got 18 shows left. We've been supporting you guys over there,

Partick Thistle. Get some of the toys to support the show. Why

Partick Thistle? Because it is like Knight rider. You can make a

difference in your own life you can make a difference in somebody else's

life. That's what the team is about. It is not playing for a specific

city but playing for your honour. To do the best you can. We came over

here and they were making a joke about the worst team in the history

of the world. If they win the four games in a row, the best record for

40 years. That's strange. It is a wonderful thing when you can come

over and draw that energy. You are the lucky mascot. You know what, I

am. You know so much about Partick Thistle. Who is the manager? Alan

Archibald. When did they last win the League Cup? 1971. There we are,

definitely a Partick Thistle. They've been around since 1786. I've

been around since 1876. Knight Rider was real for me. When I got it I

called my dad and said dad, I've got the greatest show in the world. And

we are still living in dream. And with that it is back to our own

little Tinkerbell in the studio. Well, thank you very much to John

and "the Hoff." Have you had the Sportsnight out early or what? We

have. Merry Christmas from all of Sport to all of you. Thank you very

much. It may be just two sleeps

until Christmas, but Santa and his reindeer have taken some

time out of their busy schedule to visit children in

the north of Glasgow. Pupils at Saracen Primary

in Possilpark enjoyed breakfast Our reporter, Laura Maxwell,

joined them too. Everyone needs to eat. And when

you're getting ready for a busy night, some relaxing pampering is

welcome too. The children also enjoyed a hearty breakfast and a

last minute chat with Santa. What would you like for Christmas? An elf

A what, an elf? I want an elf. All of this organised by Santa's other

help hers, the staff and teachers. They are in a place they love to

come to. They are meeting Santa Claus. They are having a present,

having a brilliant time here and they are getting to see the

reindeer. That's an experience to most children don't get to do.

Hopefully today we are creating a lifetime memory. When the time came

Santa didn't dependent. Are you excited?

ALL: Yes! Gifts specially chosen from the lists the children had

written. And when they finally got through the wrapping paper, delight.

Thank you. Are you pleased with it? Yes. Has it been a really good

party? Yes. I like to take a photo of the reindeer. And get my presents

and got Santa some presents. I'm getting toys. And the reindeer. Some

time to get acquainted with their new toys. Mums and dads too give a

bag of Christmas treats. They've put a wonderful day on for the kids and

the kids have been looking forward to it. That's all they've been

speaking about all week, breakfast with Santa. Something different for

the kids as well. As Santa and his reindeer prepare to get back to

work, just time for one final message.

ALL: Merry Christmas! APPLAUSE.

We've got the wise man of weather with us. What have you got for us? A

bit of everything. Turning wet and windy overnight but for many it was

a reasonably windy overnight but for many it was

a reasonably calm start. But turning stormy. We do have a couple of Met

Office yellow be aware warnings in force for the strength of the wind

and the amount of wind we are likely to see, courtesy of Eva, our

fifth-named storm. Really it is giving a glancing blow to Scotland.

However, the trailing weather front will give a spell of very heavy rain

overnight. The tightly packed isobars, pretty high winds. Let's

look at the chart. You can see, if my graphics move on. Oh, we can't.

It is going to be a wet and windy night, with showers crossing the

country. Winds gusting to 70 miles an hour for a time around Skyk, the

north-west coast and the Western Isles. Those high winds transferring

to the Northern Isles first thing tomorrow. A lot of rain around. We

have warnings for parts of Argyll, Dumfries and Galloway, and the

Borders. Going into tomorrow, it's a wet and windy start, but as we head

through the day the winds will ease down the mainland but remain high in

the north-west coast, the western and Northern Isles throughout the

day. We are likely to see disruption on the ferries and bridges as a

result. For most of the mainland, a blustery day with sunshine. Showers

rattling through. You will see sunshine but the showers keep on

coming. A cool feel towards the middle of the afternoon.

Temperatures at 3 o'clock, 4 or 5 Celsius. As we head through

Christmas eve night everything comes a down. Christmas Day, the winds are

much lighter and much drier weather around as well. Spells of sunshine,

a few showers in the north-west of the country through the high.ds

those could be wintry, the odd flake or two. For most, it will be rain.

Christmas night, some heavy rain arriving from the south, marching

northwards as we head into Boxing Day. That rain will be quite he. A

further warning across parts of the borders and Dumfriesshire,

potentially localised flooding. Boxing Day wet and turning wired.

You are good, and with no computer. Where's that macle toe! Th

You are good, and with no computer. Where's that macle toe! -- missile

toe! And that's the last full-length

edition of Reporting Scotland We will, of course, be

here throughout the holidays on BBC Two Scotland a week

tonight at 11 o'clock.