05/03/2012 Reporting Scotland

Welcome to Reporting Scotland. Still no deal at Ibrox. Rangers

players ask the administrators to consider a final proposal to avoid

redundancies. Also this evening, outspoken and

controversial, tributes continue to be paid to Paul McBride who has

died at the age of 47. We hear from his friend and colleague.

10 days to raise a million, the group that wants to buy the land

that was once a stronghold of William Wallace.

And game hunting in Gargunnock, villagers take up arms against a

flock of peacocks. They really are a pest. I imagine if they had hands,

they would be giving you two fingers.

Take a substantial pay cut or jobs will go, the ultimatum being

considered by Rangers players today. They have been locked in talks with

administrators who need to save �1 million a month to keep the club

going. The administrators have said the cuts players are being asked to

consider it our substantial and no consensus has been reached. The

players asked Duff and Phelps to He the weekend goal that defeated

Rangers and summed up the Ibrox club's current plight. Those in

blue were still in the dark about their futures. The manager could

give no guarantees about his players but as for the club,.

am 100% confident that our football club will absolutely continue. Am

not sure yet what shape or form it will continue in, but our club will

absolutely continue. Today, familiar scenes at Murray Park as

players and coaches arrived for yet more meetings about redundancies.

The union and administrators were once again involved. So far, the

players have failed to agree on a way forward. They discussed an

auction there could defer redundancies for around a month.

Top earners like Alan McGregor would be asked to take a cut of 75%.

Middle way each player's weight get 50% and lower salaries would get

cut by 25%. But a decision will have to wait, there was a statement

released this evening from the There was one agreement reached

today, Rangers had owned Dunfermline at just over �18,000

from this match last month. That matter has now been settled. As for

redundancies, well, everyone will be back at Murray Park for more of

the same tomorrow. Restrains me now from Ibrox. Do we

know what the players are proposing? It is my understanding

that the final proposal, the final throw of the dice for the Rangers

players. Administrators say they are not interested in deferrals,

they say they can defer wages but they cannot defer tax on that so

they have said in the past that they are not interested in

deferrals. My understanding is that this final proposal does have an

element of wage deferrals in it. Tomorrow morning if the

administrators do not go for it there will be redundancies at Ibrox.

Tributes continue to be paid today to the prominent lawyer Paul

McBride who was found dead in Pakistan yesterday. The 47-year-old

QC was on a business trip and had begun to feel unwell. The trial of

two men accused of plotting to murder him was postponed for the

day as a mark of respect. He made his name in criminal trials

but Paul McBride was better known out of court as a fearless,

colourful and outspoken lawyer. And time and again he weighed into the

debate. The verdict is completely and utterly inexplicable. On the

way Scottish football was run. wish the SFA would grow up and

behave responsibly. On the Lockerbie bombing. The way it has

been conducted his ham-fisted. Paul McBride was found dead at this

hotel in Pakistan. He had complained of being unwell. When

security guards broke down his door they found him dead. They have

checked and there was nothing suspicious, Paul died in his sleep.

He had been due back in Glasgow this week as a witness at the trial

of two men charged with trying to kill him with a parcel bomb. It was

adjourned as a mark of respect. is a very subdued place. Their

worry number of people I have seen this morning in tears, without even

speaking to them, because he was greatly loved and that building and

will be sadly missed. He was a guy who did not stand on his dignity,

he wasn't impressed by titles or anything like that. He treated

everyone the same. You could be a president of the Court of Session

or the guide who parked his car. He treated everyone equally. He would

never turn anyone away or turn anyone down who wanted help, friend

or foe. Before Paul McBride's body is returned home from Pakistan,

tests will be carried out to discover how he died. Whatever the

result, the justice system here has lost one of its strongest voices.

The Royal Bank of Scotland has announced that it is to cut 215

full-time jobs and 80 part-time roles with most of their back

office work being shifted to India. The biggest impact will be felt in

Edinburgh where 120 jobs will go at the Bank's Gogarburn headquarters

and the Gyle. Still to come, how way BBC reporter

registered herself as a farmer, allowing her to access a generous

public subsidies. And 10 days to raise a million, the

conservation groups who want to buy the land which was once a

stronghold of William Wallace. In sport, SPL clubs met to talk

about financial fair-play today with Rangers at the top of the

agenda. Plus, a 17-year-old from

Livingstone making a splash in the junior ranks will now be a good the

Olympic swimmers in 2012. Scotland international rugby player,

Max Evans, has been cleared of assaulting a man in an Edinburgh

nightclub. The 28-year-old told his trial that he had acted in self-

defence after he was punched by Alasdair McCaig in a nightclub.

His defence team said he was a decent, polite and reasonable young

man. The prosecution had said that the red mist had descended when he

was provoked in an Edinburgh nightclub. But a jury said that the

Scotland rugby international was not guilty of assault. He had been

charged with assaulting property developer Alasdair McCaig to his

Sofia injury and permanent impairment at Edinburgh's Lulu's

nightclub in August to 2010. During the trial, the injured man,

Alasdair McCaig, said he had been drinking at a bar when a man

appeared at his side and hit him in the face with a glass. Max Evans

said he was being provoked all night, assaulting him and his

brother. Mr Evans said he was trying to get away from the bar

when the attack happened, he said that Alasdair McCaig hit him first.

He was with a woman who was holding his right hand, he struck out with

his left hand. He said he struck out in self-defence and having a

glass in his hand was at unintentional. In a statement, Max

Evans said it had been a challenging time but that he was

putting it all behind him and focusing on his rugby. He he is

part of the Scotland squad but will face a Ireland this weekend.

The cyclist has died after a collision with a taxi on

Corstorphine Road in Edinburgh this morning. The man, believed to be in

his forties, suffered serious head injuries and was pronounced dead at

the scene. This is the second citing death this year. There are

now calls for his summit to look into cycling safety.

A BBC investigation has revealed how millions of pounds of public

money is being paid out to billionaire farmers in an abuse of

the agriculture system. The Scottish government has confirmed

it is handing out money to companies that are not doing any

farming in return. As part of the investigation, a report was able to

register as a farmer and was able to buy eligibility for subsidy.

This is a property developer in Edinburgh, his normal business is

doing a properties like this town house but he has a surprising

sideline. I own a farming subsidy which are bought in 2006. On an

annual basis I claim that farming subsidy. Although it seems a little

odd officially, I am legally if, as well. Do you own a farm? No, I'm

clearly not rule in any way. loophole he is using allows

speculators to buy the right to claim subsidy, rent land and

claimed money. Profits can be as much as 30% a year, well in excess

of stock market returns. We have established that the Scottish

government is paying anywhere between three and �30 million a

year to people who are not farming. You can get non- farmers to buy

these entitlements and rent land that produces very little. They

gain or on the subsidy. The to test the system, I registered as a

farmer and bought the right to claim subsidy. The man responsible

for the system agrees it is a major problem. This is exactly how it can

be abused. This is where put so much effort into trying to persuade

Europe to change the legislation. The man in charge and Brussels told

us that Scotland could have changed the loophole using existing rules.

The Scottish government have a possibility to have a definition of

the farmer and to eliminate the right of payments to people who

have the land but do nothing on it. This is way the responsibility is

split between the commission and local governments. The Scottish

government says it could not find a way to use those rules but the

system itself is due to be reviewed completely in two years' time.

You can see more on that story up on BBC One Scotland at 8:30pm.

A look at what else has been happening across the country this

Monday. An Aberdeen to a students says she

was shocked to find her image on children's clothing sold by Tesco.

She had not given permission to the supermarket chain for the picture

which was displayed on her fashion blog. The top has been taken off

sale until the matter has been looked into. The I would have

thought they would get in contact if they wanted to use my artwork, I

will see what they come back with. The UK's first dedicated car park

for electric vehicles is opening in Glasgow. The public are being

offered the chance to drive them and learn more about the technology.

The University of the Highlands and Islands is getting millions of

pounds of European money to help tackle youth unemployment. The cash

will support a wide range of projects designed to help young

people find work. They were assured number of cruise

ships are said to drop anchor this summer. 59 vessels carrying

passengers who are booked. It is estimated the cruise season could

generate thousands for the economy. Dumfries have set a record for the

longest match ever played. They beat the previous record by more

than four and a half hours. There is more on those and other

stories on the BBC Scotland website. The trial of a man accused of

killing the Edinburgh woman Suzanne Pilley has heard how he stopped

sending her text messages when she disappeared. Phone records produced

at the High Court in Edinburgh showed that David Gilroy had been

in contact with her in almost every day before she went missing, adding

up to more than 400 texts in a month. The messages stopped the day

she disappeared. David Gilroy denies all charges against him.

The National Museum of Scotland has seen his duty increase in the

number of people going through its doors. It has had more than a

million visitors since it reopened for months ago following a major

refurbishment. The million visit to mark was also reached by Glasgow's

Riverside Museum which opened last June. Edinburgh Castle remains the

Two conservation charities are hoping to raise more than a million

pounds to allow them to buy a vast tract of land in the Borders which

was once a stronghold for William Wallace and a battleground for the

Border Reivers. The Talla and Gameshope estate,

tamed by centuries of over gracing -- overgrazing. The John Muir Trust

and the Borders Forest Trust want to change that by restoring the

hillsides to how they would have looked when the forest here was a

royal hunting ground. But the conservationists know they will

almost certainly face competition, from farmers or potentially even

from renewable energy companies keen to develop the estate as the

site of a wind farm. This is the area of land that runs

down into the hills. This is the reservoir. It adjoins two other

properties. One by the Border Reivers trust and one by the

National Trust of Scotland. We think there is potential of linking

them up in order to provide a real landscape scale which you would not

find anywhere else in this part of the world. Ecological restoration

means more trees and ultimately more animals, including, perhaps,

some of our most spectacular species. There are a range of

plants which this area is recognised as containing but only

small fragments of sub-Arctic plants, which are rare in this part

of Scotland. You get much better biodiversity, which leads on to a

greater range of wildlife, black grouse, eagles, if the plans are to

succeed, the charities need financial support and quickly.

closing date for bids is just over a week ago.

Dougie is here with the sports news. The Scottish Premier League is to

investigate allegations of undisclosed payments made by

Rangers to players since 1998. The move was announced following an SPL

discussion over financial fair play. And the League will also look into

tightening its rules over so-called Phoenix clubs. Alasdair Lamont

reports. V SPL's decision makers were read

Hampden today with the Rangers' financial woes as a backdrop.

Allegations of undisclosed payments will be investigated as the league

tries to prepare for all eventualities.

The club has come under another of areas. What happens if a club can't

exit administration if it needs to potentially transferred its share

in the SPL. Those areas were included in the debate. The idea

that Rangers could go into liquidation could not be ruled out

so the SPL is looking at amending its rules to cope with such a move.

Clubs have gone into administration before so there has been a

possibility that a new company would be formed in order for that

club to continue its footballing activities, so it is something that

is not dealt with specifically at the moment so they Rhys's work

needed to be done. Work needed in the club as well. It looks like

Rangers will be rolled out of next season's qualifiers already but

there is a chance they will miss out on first place because they

continue to spill points at home. Tonight on BBC One Scotland, Jim

Traynor looks at the current state of Scottish football in A Match For

Europe. On the programme Jim speaks to many involved in the game,

including Craig Levein and Neil Lennon, to help assess where we are

and what is being done to improve our standards. That is tonight on

BBC One Scotland at 10:35pm. Scotland will take on Australia

this August as preparations continue for the 2014 World Cup

qualifiers. Craig Levein's side will complete the 2012 fixture

candour with an away match against Luxembourg in November. Easter Road

is the venue for the match against Australia on 15th August. And on

14th November Scotland will play their final match of this year at

the National Stadium in Luxembourg City.

Scotland's latest swimming sensation so as qualifying for this

year's Olympics is beyond his wildest dreams. -- says qualifying.

17-year-old Craig Benson from Livingstone is the world junior

champion at the 100 metres breaststroke but has made quite a

splash in the senior ranks by coming second at the Olympic trials

in London last night. Our Games correspondent Kheredine Idessane

was there to see it. R Hogg from mum to celebrate the

success. Coach and dad delighted as well.

He can't even drive but he is going to the Olympics. The family were

celebrating the swim of his young life as Craig Benson took British

championships silver in the 100 metres breaststroke to qualify for

the Olympics. He made the time in three

hundredths of a second but it always counts. -- I made. You have

set a new Scottish record. I have as well! I didn't even realise!

That is a massive achievement of Bisley. I never thought that would

happen. -- massive achievement obviously. Every coach wants

somebody to qualify for the Olympics. He came 9th this time

last year so it is a jumper to be ranked in the world's top 16. --

jump. There were Rother fine Scottish performers at the Olympic

pall over the weekend. -- other. But all the talk has been about 17-

year-old Craig Benson from Edinburgh, whose most famous son

was also a breast stroke or, who swam to Olympic glory.

For David Wilkie's goal in 1976 was one of Scotland's's great sporting

moments and he will be delighted that another Edinburgh swan neck is

on the medal trail. 17 years old and he is in the World

Cup 17. He looks so delighted!. Thank you.

Feathers have been ruffled in the normally sleepy Stirlingshire

village of Gargunnock. Residents there are up in arms - using water

pistols - after a flock of peacocks set up home in the village and

began rampaging through their gardens. Of course, we couldn't

possibly have sent anyone other than our aptly-named reporter Julie

Peacock! What is not to like about peacocks?

They look fantastic and they put on a great show. But it appears they

don't make the best of neighbours. They are beautiful birds but they

are repressed. There are droppings everywhere, they are eating

vegetables, climbing on people's conservatories. The streets of the

town have been overrun by the flock of peacocks with no respect for

boundaries and whose noisy mating cries have been keeping everybody

awake. This neighbour's cabbage Patch has been the latest victim.

put up a wire mesh French -- fence but they damaged it and got through.

They are very heavy birds so they do a lot of damage. All attempts to

scare them off have not so much as ruffled a feather. Water pistols

are no match for these birds. give them a squirt to dissuade them

from coming back, almost always unsuccessful. They pop up again at

the next day. It is thought that this flock started life as a pair

from a local country house and nature took its course and the

flock is in double figures. Nobody has claimed ownership so they are

free to roam. They have an attitude probably -- problem. They look at

you and I think if they had hands that would be giving U2 fingers.

The birds can't be destroyed or captured so and less a new home can

be found for them the town will have to put up with the new

neighbours. Now, if you are thinking about

buying your first home, you might have a question for our money

expert, Fergus Muirhead. He will be on our lunchtime programme a week

on Wednesday, looking at how changes to stamp duty are likely to

It is turning a bit more unsettled. Good evening. Yesterday was

probably the best of the week in terms of sunshine. It is turning a

bit downhill from tomorrow but from tonight the sunshine is giving well

-- giving way to clear Spark -- clear skies. Mainly dry with some

mist and fog. Temperatures down to minus one Celsius, a bit colder in

Aberdeenshire and the Borders. We will have a freshening southerly

wind and some spots of rain tomorrow. But most places it is

frosty but dry, but rain pushing across western Scotland through the

day. By the middle part of the afternoon quite a damp picture for

parts of Dumfries and Galloway. Some more persistent rain through

parts of Argyle and over the Isles. Much of eastern Scotland will hold

on to dry weather but there will not be much sunshine by the end of

the afternoon, but no more than a few patches of rain. Temperatures

tomorrow's seven or eight Celsius for most of us but the other main

factor will be the wind, strong everywhere with gales in exposed

areas. Gusts in excess of 60 miles an hour in the north, and that will

continue as it marches eastwards. Behind the rain we have a cold or

air mass and so on Wednesday the brain moves away from the east and

the Heinz -- behind it things will brighten up. Later recall be cold

enough to bring wintry mist even down to low levels. -- later it

will be. Temperatures eight Celsius in the sunshine but in the West it

will feel or in the winds. Thursday, and other weather front heads our

Now, just before seven o'clock, a summary of tonight's top stories.

Civilians fleeing the Syrian city of Homs have accused the army of

committing atrocities when they re- entered the city last week.

Families that have managed to escape have said that men and boys

have been killed in front of them. Negotiations between Rangers

players and the club's administrators over their future

ended a short time ago without agreement. The players are being

asked to take substantial wage cuts. They have asked the administrators

to consider alternative proposals, which will be discussed when talks

resume tomorrow. Tributes continued to be paid to

the prominent lawyer Paul McBride, who was found dead in Pakistan

yesterday. The 47-year-old QC was on a business trip and had begun to

feel unwell during a night out. The Deputy Prime Minister Nick

Clegg says ministers are to rethink how they introduce plans to cut

child benefit to higher rate taxpayers. There was an outcry when

it was discovered that some families on a single salary with

stay-at-home parents would be worse off than others with two incomes. -