26/08/2011 Reporting Scotland

Welcome to Reporting Scotland. Tonight on your national news: The

mother whose family were murdered in a deliberate fire as they slept,

tells of the moment she finally accepted her husband and children

were dead. I think it was my sister and what's

face that made it. I thought, this is true. Today, Angela Sharkey

appeals for help to find whoever murdered her family.

The price of a degree for students in England that one Scottish

university. Here come the Household Cavalry -

the world famous regiment are in Scotland to perform one of their

celebrated displays. And what's gone wrong with Scottish football?

We look back at a disastrous night in Europe for our clubs.

A woman whose husband, son and daughter were murdered in a house

fire in Helensburgh last month says she's lost the three people she

loved most in the world. Angela Sharkey and her family were asleep

when their home was deliberately targeted in an early morning attack.

Mrs Sharkey was critically injured and has only just been allowed home.

She lost all her family - her husband Tommy, her son, Thomas, and

eight-year-old Bridget. She's been telling Aileen Clarke about the

night before the murders. Then it was a normal night. Bridget had

been at a friend's for a sleep over but she did not really do sleep

over as well. At 10pm, the phone rang and it was her friend's that

saying she was not settling, I will bring her home. Thomas was in bed

because he was coughing in the morning. My husband was a cross at

the local pub for a pint. It was just a normal night. And when did

you become aware of the fire? What are your recollections? Absolutely

nothing. My next recollection, I think it was, three weeks later,

two and a half weeks later in intensive care. My sister actually

told me four times that Thomas, Bridget and Tommy were all dead.

Each time I was like, don't be daft. One day I thought, this is true.

That what may be realise it was happening. She was just right in

the middle of everything, everywhere. Typical girl. She had

everybody where she wanted them. I don't know what it was about her,

she was just brilliant. Everybody thinks their kids are brilliant but

she was. He loved his golf, he was doing brilliantly. I'll never know

how well he could have done, because he was going for it. He

only ever wanted to be a golfer from one he was a young boy. Do you

have any ideas as to who could be responsible? If I had any idea, and

reason, a motive, anything - I would say. There are three things I

loved the most in my life are dead. My daughter should be in primary

five, my son should be back playing golf in America. Thomas should be

going to his work, I should be going to my work. None of that is

happening. I don't know how someone can carry on with their life

knowing that they have done this. Mrs Sharkey was speaking to our

reporter Aileen Clarke, who's in Helensburgh now. A harrowing story.

How hopeful are the police that this will persuade somebody to come

forward with information? Well, of the police are sincerely hoping

that that this will help. What they are hoping is that somebody will

see this interview with Angela Sharkey and it will prick their

conscience. The police remain absolutely convinced that the

answer to what happens here lies a and this Helensburgh community. I

understand the main line up of the investigation is still Mr Sharkey's

business dealings. Regardless of whether we ultimately establish

whether somewhere in Mr Sharkey's past lies the motive for this

attack, we have seen Angela Sharkey and how devastated she is. We have

seen as she has lost her husband, 18 -- eight-year-old daughter and

21-year-old son. Misplaced loyalty should not come into it. Someone

must know what happened. None of us can have any idea what it took for

Angela Sharkey to sit down today in front of a television camera and

speak about what happened to her family. None of us can imagine what

it is like to be in that position. She had the courage to do so and it

was an immense effort. This is a woman who has lost everything that

was the rest in the world to her, and tonight, she and the police

will be hoping that her huge effort top pay off.

Aberdeen University is to charge English students �9,000 a year in

tuition fees. It's the same as the maximum amount English universities

are allowed to charge for their courses. But the University is

offering a four-year degree for the price of a three-year degree -

�27,000. The move signals a new era for Scottish higher education, as

our Education Correspondent Seonag Mackinnon reports.

Joy at graduation, but at what cost. Nothing for Scots, but a hefty hike

for those from England, Wales and Northern Ireland. I have a friend

who is from England and she is in so much debt anyway at the basic

fee. I'd pay higher fees but I do think they will have to raise the

fees for English students so that Scottish students have access to

the schools here. These students -- fees for students and the rest of

the UK now stand at �3,000 a year. At Aberdeen, that will soon be

�9,000. With extensions and grants, the total was �27,000. The same

fears down south. Ministers' meeting this afternoon said they

had no choice. Quite simply, the current situation of English

students paying only �120 to come to Scotland is not tenable. That is

why we have to reflect decisions that were made in England and our

fees for students from the rest of the UK. The Scottish government has

asked us to do that. On paper, the fees will bring in �19 million. But

with some money going to the Scottish government and a potential

drop in student numbers, the bottom line could be five or �6 million.

For student leaders, this is a bitter pill to swallow. It is a

very difficult decision the universities have been put in, by

Westminster and the Scottish government. It is a difficult

decision but we remain fundamentally opposed to fees and

bullied and the education. offer, pay for three years and get

one year for me, mean English students pay no more than at home.

The headline figure of �9,000 each year takes Scottish education into

uncharted territory. You're watching Reporting Scotland

from the BBC. Still to come before seven.

How plans to mine for gold in these hills have taken a step forward.

And in sport, as Scottish that all this is a collective hangover after

last night's European do battle, we remember the glory days and ask

what's gone wrong with the national game. We also look at why Celtic

might get back into their Europa League.

As David says, a little later he'll be exploring why Scottish football

has plumbed the depths. But first, Alasdair Lamont examines what

damage these embarrassing eliminations will mean for football

finance, and our sporting reputation.

They did abjection and anger was palpable last night, as Scotland's

European representatives took a tumble. Now, time to count the cost

of failure. When you take away European football you're focusing

on domestic football, and that is likely to have a detrimental impact

on attendances in the immediate term. If the cycle is repeated,

that may be a long-term threat. That is worrying because that is

what they need as their core and comfort up -- income. It is not

purely financial. The whole of Scotland wanted the teams to do

well last night, and it is disappointing. Supporters a

tremendously loyal to their clubs, and they will continue to go out

and support their clubs, I have no doubt about that. Hopefully, all of

us can come together as a nation and support the national team a

week tomorrow. The national team is experiencing something of a

renaissance, but is the outsider's perception of Scottish football as

a whole and negative one. Scotland will probably, because of fewer

people and less money, the second rate, as indeed almost to the clubs

in England, including the one I support. They are quite similar

teams, but ours look better in terms of style. Football is all

about money but you probably need a few more foreign oligarchs or

criminals to come and by Scottish football clubs. Money does seem to

be a recurring theme, but what may make the Scottish Football

Association believes is bidding plans in place is in this document.

Hopefully, it will address some of the game's bells in the medium and

long-term. The decision to halt the

controversial Edinburgh tram line at Haymarket will cost the city

millions of pounds. Edinburgh's transport convener says that's

because current costings don't include the building of a terminus

station in that part of the city. As Gavin Walker reports, the news

that the trams won't now come into the city centre has shocked many

people in the capital, including some of the councillors who voted

for it. Yesterday's decision with such a

surprise even a councillor who proposed it seemed stunned to have

one. I am a bit shocked to be honest. I thought it would be the

same as last month when each of the political groups when their own way.

She was not the only one to be taken aback. The whole thing is

just a white elephant. In a long term, it will disappoint a lot of

people. The council must now overcome a series of challenges.

First, the contract. The council has until next Thursday to provide

finalised plans and funding proposals for the new writ. If not,

the contractor could claim a breach of contract and sue for the full

amount owed. The council say a bid deadline cannot be met. We can get

an agreement in principle hopefully, but as I say, it depends on other

things and we have to do a lot of work on the detail between now and

then in order to get there. It has emerged that and actors may

consider extending the deadline although it is not known until then.

Each and every week until Thursday without a full resumption will

increase the cost of the project by �300,000. He has also been

political fall-out and question over the future of party leaders

within the Council and also over the future of the ruling coalition

there. The question has come as council leaders face one of the

biggest challenge is over prams - meetings to deliver the new term

targets under way. Finally, the issue of the city's reputation. The

business case was at the heart of Tam proposals with hopes of

boosting the city's damage. Leaders now believe that is unlikely.

is important now is to try to salvage the pram project. To ensure

it is delivering not just to Haymarket but beyond that in time.

If we do not do that, there is damage to the city's a reputation

and a country's reputation. September 1st was to be this end of

the delays and the restart of pram work, instead it will signal the

start of a new uncertain chapter. Some of the other stories this

Friday. The whereabouts of the Lockerbie bomber remain a mystery

as violence continues in Libya. It's been reported that Abdelbaset

al-Megrahi may have fled his home in Tripoli as Colonol Gaddaffi's

regime crumbles. A provision of his compassionate release was that he

stay in contact with officials in A provision of his compassionate

release was that he should stay in contact with officials in Scotland.

Councillors have voted against closing or downgrading any of the

96 fire stations in the Highlands and Islands, despite difficulties

in recruiting firefighters in some of the smallest island communities.

By it is hoped a recruitment drive could boost the number of islanders

prepared to sign up as part-time The price of gold continues to

roses, and that is good news for one of the village.

After a wobble this week, the price of gold is on the up again. Good

news for speculators who want to mine for gold in Loch Lomond and

the Trossachs National Park. Scotgold says there is money to be

made in the hills near the village of Tyndrum in the southern

Highlands. And now it looks as if its plans to open a mine there

could come to fruition. Scottish Natural Heritage, which had opposed

the scheme, now says it is likely to withdraw its objection. We have

reduced the size of the facility and we will store some of the

material under ground and expanded on the techniques we are going to

use to ensure that the site retains a natural look after we have

finished. The plan to extract �20 of gold and half of that in silver.

It is what happens to be discarded silt which is left that is

concerning environmental groups. The application last year was

flawed in our respect. The one before has this time is a lot

better. There are still a few minor points to be resolved. The is

overwhelming local support. There is a lot of concern over

environmental aspects and there has been a big improvement since the

first proposal. If they can convince the authorities that they

will leave the site unblemished after the work, then the first

commercial gold mine in Scotland could end up being one of the

world's greenest. The Household Cavalry are in

Scotland this weekend. For the first time in ten years, the world

famous soldiers and their horses will perform one of their

celebrated musical ride displays. They do like their horses in the

Borders and this is something very special. The Blues and Royals of

the Household Cavalry. Each man and horses selected for specialist

training. When they are good enough, they can take part in this - the

regiments famous musical drive. It is a series of manoeuvres that

dates back 200 years. They will relate to battlefield movements.

Moving of the beats is again something they would have to do on

the spot. They have they cannot be delayed, because one follows the

other. Behind all the pomp and ceremony is a lot of hard graft.

There is a lot lot of spit and polish needed. And those who get

there in the end will look like this. With the book's been waxed

solid, there is no feel. There is a lot to taking. The horsemanship

will be on display here on Sunday. They will also parade in Kelso on

Saturday. They have also agreed to be a bride of honour at the local

wading. Now which you choose next summer -

the London Olympics or the Edinburgh Festival? Well, there are

concerns that next year's Festival could lose out on audiences, ticket

sales and even backstage staff. But as Pauline McLean reports,

Edinburgh is already making plans. For many people, Edinburgh Festival

is the Cultural Olympics. By next summer, they will face a real

competition when London hosts the Olympic Games. The yes, we would of

course encourage people to watch the elite sports people from all

over the world and then we would hope that people would come to

Edinburgh to see the up and coming people in the culture. So, support

people in London and then come up here. By not everyone is so

convinced. Organisers are worried in particular that the East 1,000

volunteers they used each year it will be depleted. If we have a lot

of rain, there is no doubt that people will be focused on the

Olympics. But then again, there is going to be so many extra visitors

coming to the United Kingdom that it it also presents as a great

opportunity. This is speed of light, which involves 5,000 people running

across Arthur's Seat. I think the Olympics are not just about sport.

It is an area that can needs with the arts. Swimming and horse-riding

are both movement and art. A and the festival asked Gearing up for

the challenge. Tickets are going to go on sale earlier and marketing

next year's event is already under way. Us get

As Scottish football counts the cost of the failure in Europe, it

is maybe time to reflect on where it has all gone wrong. Every one of

our representatives in European competition has been knocked out

and it is not even the end of August - the first time that has

ever happened. Their national team manager says it is all down to

money, but not everyone agrees. Images from the glory days of

Scottish football. Lisbon in 1967 and Barcelona in 1972 and Sweden in

1983. Let us just say, at this here could not compare. Celtic lost 3-1

in Switzerland. We have to be realistic about things. We are not

where we want to be in terms of European football. Rangers also

went out. It was a very disappointing night for Scottish

football, of that there is no doubt. They were doubtless be enquiries as

to why we have all done so well in Europe. The amount of money

available for the managers nowadays is negligible. The quality of

players that you can sign dictates how far you will goal in Europe.

is a all down to money? I Braeside Shamrock Rovers have needed to be

League stages of the Europa League. Compare their turnover to that of

Rangers and Celtic. Shamrock Rovers turnover has just half a million

pounds a year and their top player is played �1,000 a week.

financing facilities are a problem. But they are not the only problem.

It is the attitude towards sport in general and this country. We are

talking about football. First of all, we have to admit that we do

not do this well any more. What are we doing wrong and what are we

missing that other countries are doing? Not many of us would expect

us to lift the European Cup in India future. But is reaching the

group stages of the Europa League too much to ask?

Celtic might still find themselves in the competition.They will find

out on Tuesday if they are being re-instated and their Swiss

conquerors Sion thrown out. Celtic have written to European football's

governing body protesting at the inclusion in the Sion squad of five

players deemed by Uefa to be ineligible. Should Celtic succeed,

their opponents would include Atletico Madrid and Italian outfit

Udinese. Scotland captain Darren Fletcher

has returned to the squad for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against the

Czech Republic and Lithuania. Fletcher has not featured for his

country in 2011 after being struck down by a virus in the spring. A

Scotland manager Craig Levein, who named his squad earlier today, is

keen for the Manchester United midfielder to feature. He played 90

minutes last night eight and I had somebody at the game so he is

looking great. He says it is the best he has felt for almost a year.

I am delighted to have come back. - - him back..

Time to brace ourselves for the weekend weather forecast. Here's

Whole, we saw some significant downpours today. There is the

weather warning for that rain to the area west of Glasgow - Paisley,

Dumbarton Show and lock lawmen. Many of these heavy showers will

continue overnight. We will also see that rain in the north coast of

Scotland. Most places will become dry and wispy clear spells

developing overnight, with temperatures dropping down to seven

are a degree Celsius. Tomorrow should be largely dried. But we

will see some showers developing during the day in some of these

could be heavy, especially around the Central Belt and lunchtime. Let

us take a look at the details. Temperature Wise, highs around 17

or 18 degrees Celsius. It should feel relatively pleasant in the

sunshine. In the north-east, we thought the north-east would be

affected by rain, but it should now at least stay clear of that. But

there temperatures not only getting up to 16 degrees Celsius. In the

mountains, wins will be pretty strong - 25 to 35 degrees in the

north. If you're heading into the inshore waters, the west of the

country, forced five or six. Towards the East, forced five to

force seven. Into tomorrow evening, the rain we thought would be shown

during the day is actually going to sink in overnight from the north.

It is going to stick around on Sunday as well. There is a weather

warning in place for the north of the country for that rain. Further

south, largely dry with sunny spells and temperatures getting up

to 18 degrees Celsius. The good news is that as we head into next

week, the high pressure should build money should be a bit more

settled. Just before seven o'clock, a

summary of tonight's top stories. A woman whose husband, son and

The remains sporadic fighting in Tripoli. A woman whose husband, son

and daughter whose were killed any house fire in Helensburgh say the

where she has lost a people that mean the most to her in life. It is

believed the House was deliberately targeted.

Aberdeen University is to charge English students �9,000 a year in

tuition fees - the same as the maximum amount English universities

are allowed to charge for their courses. But the university is