18/07/2012 Reporting Scotland

Tonight: A double-dip - latest economic figures show Scotland

slipped back into recession, but only just.

Same-sex marriage - are SNP ministers waiting for Westminster

to act first? The BBC sees a leaked email between civil servants. Also

tonight: Read all about it - how a North

East croft was saved by these old newspapers.

Not so much dib dib dib as drip drip drip! 1,000 Scots from all

round the world come to Blair Atholl to enjoy a jamboree in a

Scottish summer. It is absolutely freezing, but such a good feeling!

Scotland has entered a double-dip recession, but only just. Official

figures show the economy shrank slightly between October and March.

But unemployment also fell for the fourth month in a road. Our

business editor is here with more details. Scotland's economy faced a

deep contraction four years ago, and still has not made up ground.

There was a dip with the snow in Christmas, 2010, and then last

winter, look what happened. There was a 0.01 per cent contraction,

and by the same amount in the first three months of this here. The

shallowest of recession possible, and listed in the UK as a whole.

But it needs Scotland is a double- dip recession.

It looks as if Scotland has done relatively well compared to the UK.

Manufacturing has also performed well for that period. But the

construction industry continues to suffer.

Construction is pulling down the Scottish economy. The homes market

and investment confidence is weak. But the energy sector has been

doing well. The sector is very buoyant. We are seeing increasing

demand for our product and services, as the need for oil and gas

increases and the availability of that resource goes into subsidy,

then our expertise comes into play. In other figures, the number of

Scots seeking work was done. But the number in work was up. So, the

job market remains resilient but half the young people. This summer,

it is the fifth cohort of school leavers. At this castle, there is

the need for the heritage industry to develop skills. I graduated in

2009, and I knew there would not be any jobs. I study painting and

printmaking. Inside the old gunpowder store, trainees preparing

to impress industry big shots. They are getting experience, networks,

financial backing. It is fantastic. You have a bursary, and are

learning skills that all healthily hope you find work. There 100 of

people with a degree. This its peers looks great on the CV.

the news today about a double-dip recession is from the past rather

than how the economy is working now. We will not know the growth figures

for the summer until next year, but with mixed signals on the economy,

it still feels as if it is bumping along and far from a sustained

recovery. 25% of admissions to Scottish

intensive care units are related to alcohol, according to a survey of

all intensive care departments in Scotland. Researchers looked at 771

people admitted to intensive care during one month. They found one in

four had alcohol-related problems, the majority having chronic alcohol

disease. They estimate that alcohol-related admissions cost

intensive care units �9 million a year.

The SNP government will not introduce a Bill on same-sex

marriage until Westminster amends equalities law. That seems to be a

suggestion from the leaked e-mail. A correspondent is between civil

servants. So, why do they want the UK law changed before the Act?

Equality Act affects a hall of the UK. This leaked e-mail is their

attempt to get back help. One of the concerns raised in this debate

is that if you have same-sex marriage, could ministers be

challenged legally if they decide they do not want to play any part?

What the Scottish Government seemed to be doing is talking to the Home

Office about getting full protection to make sure those

challenges cannot happen. But also, we get a hint of what this might

mean for the potential timescale - the Scottish Government says this

is an issue for them, but if they are waiting for Westminster, that

could change the timetable. It does Is this why we did not get a

decision on this issue yesterday? One of the reasons. Ministers have

delayed this for another fortnight, until the end of the month. The

reason they have done that is to set up a sub-committee to look into

details. One of the Peebles on that is the lord advocate. This is the

legal advice he will be looking at. It is almost certainly one of the

reasons that they have delayed it. This evening, the Scottish

Government says it will happen by the end of the month. Whitehall

says they will work with the Scottish Government, but suspect it

is more about blocking, delaying the announcement, rather than

changing the equalities act. You're watching Reporting Scotland

from the BBC. Still to come on the programme: The Scots enterpreneur

who defied the odds to design and build his perfect wheelchair.

In sport: On the eve of the Open Golf championship, we're at Royal

Lytham with some of the seven Scots hopefuls.

And we're with some more high fliers as they travel to Edinburgh

for their Olympic training camp. The defence has finished his

closing speech in the trial of a man accused of conspiring to murder

Swedish shoppers by financing a suicide bomber. Nasserdine Menni

denies the charges. Arriving at court this morning,

under heavy security - Nasserdine Menni. For the first time, we can

show you his picture. He has been on trial for almost 12 weeks,

accused of conspiring to murder Swedish shoppers in December, 2010.

His friend was the bomber. He killed himself and injured two

others when he detonated a bomb strapped to his chest. Meanwhile,

Nasserdine Menni was living in Glasgow. He had successfully

claimed asylum. It is his finances at the heart of this case - the

Crown alleges that he transferred the money he earned up to his

friend to fund his terrorist activities. Today, the QC summed up

the case for the defence. He said that there was no dispute that

Nasserdine Menni had put money into the bank account of his friends.

But he said it was for the Crown to show beyond reasonable doubt that

it was used for the purposes of terrorism, and not to be given to

his parents in Algeria. Mr Taylor said many had only learnt of his

death from a phone call. The court has heard that he used a number of

different identities, and fraudulently claimed asylum and

opened bank accounts. His defence lawyer invited the jury to find it

Nasserdine Menni guilty of these offences. But with regards to

financing terrorism, the ground came up with very little. The jury

is expected to retire tomorrow to consider their verdict.

The funeral of one of the airmen killed when two RAF Tornado bombers

crashed in the Moray Firth has been held in North Wales. Flight

Lieutenant Howell Poole died in hospital after being airlifted from

the scene. The Ministry of Defence says that the remains of the other

two pilots who died have been recovered. The only survivor of the

crash remains in hospital. It was once the highest working

farm in Scotland. Tomintoul Croft is long abandoned now. But its new

owner has discovered a treasure trove of history inside. The

internal roof and walls are lined with newspapers from the turn of

the last century. Plans are underway to restore the property.

If you come through here, you will see some of the treasures. As we

step inside it is forgotten hillside Croft, we step back in

time. We were amazed. We came up the stairs ourselves and are having

a look, and we spend ages with a torch. All these little extract

from a hundred years ago. It is thought these newspapers we used to

strap a draught coming in from the walls, but the nature of the lining

suggests it also had a decorative effect. Its links with the royals

were strong, even then, as this edition shows preparations for the

coronation of King Edward. This picture hit is an illustration of

the King taking the oath. Here, we have a list of some of Pique can so

-- distinguished coronation guests. At the Croft nestles on a hillside.

It dates from the early 1800s. It is said to be the highest working

farm in Scotland. The occupants were the down the family, eight in

law, including Jesse. The building itself was almost lost when consent

was given to demolish it and build a new house, but the owner saw its

significance and planning authorities have agreed to a new

housing plot nearby with the craft been preserved. You have got a

perfect example of the box bed, where you still have the straw

mattress and place. It is 70 years since it is last used, but it is

still there. To find something in perfect condition is such a rare

find. At the owners are now working out how to best preserved this

little piece of history for many more years.

A look now at what else has been happening across the country. The

Legionnaires outbreak in Edinburgh has been declared officially over.

The disease has claimed the lives of 3 men and 101 people have been

treated as either confirmed or suspected cases.

Research groups at Dundee University have been awarded more

than �11 million in funding from the Wellcome Trust. The money's for

research into genetics and cell biology.

Robert Burns' mausoleum in Dumfries has re-opened after months of

conservation and repair work. The restoration of the poet's last

resting place in St Michael's Churchyard comes ahead of the

anniversary of the poet's death on Saturday.

The anniversary will also be marked through an open air play about

Robert Burns. Music fans at this weekend's

Wickerman Festival are being warned of the dangers of drugs misuse.

Police are especially concerned about so-called legal highs which

have been blamed for deaths at festivals elsewhere in the UK.

Dog owners are being warned to keep their pets under control to reduce

the number of attacks on postal workers. 320 post men and women

were injured by dogs in Scotland last year.

Anything from puncher would suit to bruising. People have been bitten

on their arms and on their thighs and legs. Others have been knocked

over as well and have had serious injuries.

An investigation is underway following reported sightings of two

non-native deer in the south of Scotland. Muntjac deer are said to

be among the most destructive animal pests in the UK and a

warning's been issued about the environmental and economic

consequences if they get a foothold. And there are more stories from

your area and all the latest news, 24 hours a day, on BBC Scotland's

website. A Scots entrepreneur who broke his

back as a teenager and has used a wheelchair ever since is about to

see his newly-designed wheelchair go into full production. For the

past four years, Andrew Slorance from Nairn has devoted almost all

his energies and money into creating what he regards as the

perfect wheelchair. His story is told in a BBC Scotland documentary

to be shown tomorrow night. Craig Anderson reports.

I remember falling through the branches. I must have been

paralysed instantly. Aged 14, Andrew Slorance fell from a treat

and has been a wheelchair user ever since. -- fell from a tree. But he

has always been dissatisfied with his wheelchair. There are lots of

things along with the chair. Firstly, they all look the same. It

is just a chair. So with a family to support, Andrew gave up his job

to create the perfect wheelchair. The documentary is a roller-coaster

ride through delight and despair. The project progressed up with help

from a Dragons dying presenter and from Aston Martin designers.

not have a picture that is superb and sexy looking? -- wheelchair.

Andrew put the �50,000 of his home money into Carbon Black and the

strain began to tell. I worry about the stress levels in the family.

What do we do next, how do we pay the next well, how long have I got

before it becomes too tough? with design accolades now under his

belt and a new investor in the wings, commercial production may

soon be a reality. Carbon Black could indeed be the perfect

wheelchair for the future. And you can see more on that on BBC

Two Scotland tomorrow night. Let's get the latest sports news.

Good evening. There -- there practising is over and so is there

waiting. The 141st Open Championship starts tomorrow

morning. Seven at Scots are playing at Royal Lytham. Some big names

have said that the course is too difficult.

This is not the normal summer trip to the seaside. But the world's

best golfers are not here for a holiday. I am here for the novelty

factor of playing in my first big tournament. You do not realise how

big it is until you are actually here. This may well be the winner

here this week. Some players are calling the course brutal. Tiger

Woods has called it unplayable. do not know what he is talking

about. Hopefully, I do not hit it into the rough. If you hit a good

golf shots, you do not have to worry about it. Carnoustie was the

last place a golf tournament was unplayable. It did not end it too

badly for Paul Lawrie. The big boys are thirsty for success. As well as

checking out rivals. They are looking at you going, there is

Steven O'Hara. I doubt it. They are probably hoping I do not hit them

with the ball. They are all nice guys. Nice guys they may be, but we

all knows what happens when the going gets rough.

The latest man to buy into Rangers will be given a seat on the board

and over seat Booth development -- youth do that at Murray Park.

Nottingham-based a businessman Craig math there has paid around �1

million -- Craig Mather. St Johnstone have arrived in Turkey

for their Europa league qualifying match against Eskisehirspor

tomorrow night. But Saints' new striker Gregory Tade has not made

the trip. The former Inverness player has a hamstring injury. The

Saints will also be without their captain Dave Mackay who is also

injured. With just over a week until the

Olympics start, one of Britain's highest-profile teams has travelled

to Edinburgh to continue preparations. 44 swimmers will be

using the Royal Commonwealth Pool in Edinburgh to get ready for

London 2012. Our correspondent Kheredine

Idessane have followed them a North. This is the biggest swimming team

that Britain has ever had at an Olympics. 44 had been picked for

duty. We have been given exclusive access to them as they fly to

All it the hard work is done. What we need to do is try to stay

We are very aware of what the whole nation would like. I have got to be

a realistic. It has been a long time coming. And we are now about

10 days away. Very excited. I am just going to get a word with Pedro

Proenca -- Caitlin McClatchey. have been going out for many years

now. It is really nice. The posh and Becks of swimming.

It is definitely the weather for swimming. Rain and flood warnings,

you would be hard pushed to remember it is summer. It is

weather for ducks and for the boy and girl Scouts. 1000 of them from

all over the world are enjoying the mud and wet of their annual

jamboree in Blair Atholl in Perthshire.

A good Scout makes the best of every situation. They are

courageous in all difficulties. And they are supposed to keep

themselves clean. But in this weather, what is the point of that?

I came it two years ago and did it as well so I knew what I was in for.

Eddie is absolutely freezing, but it is such a good feeling. -- it is

absolutely freezing. There are over 1000 Scouts at this jamboree from

all over the world. But it is a special trip far at this group from

Japan. Many of them lost their homes in that Japanese is tsunami.

This is the best time for us to come to tell them that we

appreciate all the support from all over the world and to show them

that we are energetic enough to do all these activities. This is not

just about activities, it is about forging friendships that could last

a lifetime. It is important to get them together, bringing as many

countries as we can have to Scotland and broaden our horizons

as well. Camping for two weeks in the rain, it may sound like mad

this, but it is the highlight of the year for these young people.

It looks like a grey November day. Now last week you might remember

Christopher got a letter from a young lady complaining that there

was too much rain in his weather forecasts.

Well, he came face to face with Emma when she visited him in the

BBC Scotland weather office. Emma Willson and her friend got a quick

education on jet streams and low pressure fronts. But somehow, I

still do not think she will be very Yes, it has been very wet today.

Two inches of rain across parts of Perthshire. Some problems with

flooding across Fife and Stirling. The bright colours indicate their

heavy bursts. But it is the persistent nature of the rain that

has caused the problem today. But the Shetland has had some sunshine.

Tonight, that rain will be easing of. We have lost the amber warning.

Generally dry and cloudy overnight. A scattering of showers in the

north and temperatures no lower than 10. Tomorrow will be a better

day, drier, but still cloudy. Some brightness as well and a few

showers. By mid- afternoon, highways of 15 at Celsius. The wind

will be lighter compared with today. Perhaps a touch of pressure around

the coast of. For the rest of the afternoon into the evening, holding

on to the brightness. On Friday, not too bad, reasonably settled. In

at the West, more in the way of showers. What about the weekend? On

Saturday, high pressure is here. Almost a taste of summer. Dry,

bright and settled. Over the last few weeks, all we have been hearing

about is the jet stream. It has been acting like a divider with

some work down here. But it is moving and that means about that

some or whether one drift north. But we are on the cusp, so it is

not all good news. We will continue to see whether France are moving in.

Sunday is no exception to that. -- 0 weather fronts.

That jet stream does not look too good. Now, just before 7 o'clock, a

summary of tonight's top stories. In Syria, President Assad's

brother-in-law and the country's defence minister are reported to

have been killed when a bomb exploded inside the headquarters of

the National Security organisation. It follows four days of clashes in

the capital Damascus. Scotland has entered a double-dip

recession, but only just, and not as deep as that affecting the rest

of the UK. Official figures show the economy shrank slightly between

October and March. But figures also reveal unemployment fell for the

fourth month in a row. A leaked email seen by BBC Scotland

suggests the Scottish government will not introduce a bill on same

sex marriage until Westminster changes the law. The correspondence

between civil servants suggests ministers in Edinburgh want the UK