14/09/2012 Reporting Scotland

Welcome to a special Reporting Scotland, on the day we've been

celebrating our Olympic and Paralympic heroes, with a parade

through the country's biggest city. Thousands of people have been

lining the streets of Glasgow to welcome them home. While the

athletes themselves say it's given them the chance to say thanks to

the fans for their support. I'll be speaking to Britain's greatest

Olympian. What a spectacular way to end an

amazing summer of sport. The cheering behind me, you can hear,

is because it so chris foy has walked onto the stage to talk to

you. -- Sir Chris Hoy. These people were shouting for our athletes to

win. The parade went all the way through Glasgow.

Individually, their success spanned the spectrum of London 2012.

Together, the most successful group of athletes Scotland has ever

produced. Today's homecoming is a day to celebrate their achievements,

were 47 Scottish athletes will be paraded through the streets of

Glasgow on two floats. Among them, the rower who kick-started the

medal rush. The whole nation was behind us. It was incredible.

chance to celebrate in front of your Scottish fans. To it is lovely

to since Eric -- to bag everyone who supported me. On board these

two votes are 19 of the 24 medals won by the Scottish athletes.

Earlier this week, they had a chance to go to London. Today, it

is the turn of Scottish fans to say thank you. It has been a wonderful

event for the whole of Britain, to see all the Scots who have done so

well. Super. I saw the people wanted to sue. In it was brilliant!

We saw Chris Hoy, we shouted at him, he turned around. The star

attraction was Scotland's greatest Olympian. Fantastic, so many people

out, celebrating the achievements of both teams. Our chance to back

the public for their support. All the more special back in Scotland.

After a truly nationwide Games. mere 20 minutes into the journey,

travelling along Sauchiehall Street. What does it mean to be here today?

This is fantastic. The people who have come out to cheer us on, it

makes it worthwhile. As the parade ended the city centre, the crowds

got bigger. The volume increased. An appreciation of a life-changing

event. Until this event, it would have been ludicrous, this kind of

representation. Finally, it was time for the athletes to disembark

and take a bow. Another chapter written in an extraordinary summer.

Enjoying the enthusiasm of the crowds was Britain's must

successful Olympian, Sir Chris Hoy, who joins me now.

Thank you very much. How do you rate your welcome on home soil?

is unbelievable, incredible. Such passion, and energy, from the crowd,

they are unbelievable. None of the athletes thought it would be this

scale, people have been queuing for hours. It is our chance to thank

them for their support. It is easy to forget that life for athletes is

generally a lot of hard, hard work. The last few weeks must have seemed

so real? Yes, very true. We live a basic lifestyle of training,

sleeping and eating, you repeat that again and again. After the

Olympics and Paralympics, you have these incredible moments. Today is

a day I will remember for the rest of my life. It is like being Tom

Daley! You were in the city which will host the Commonwealth Games in

2014. Not many people have competed in a Velodrome named after them,

are you going to do it? I hope so. I will be competing in smaller

events leading up to the Commonwealth Games. Ideally, I will

be there to compete. To be in an Olympic Games on your home soil,

and Commonwealth Games on your home soil, would be a dream end to my

career. There are talented young Scottish athletes coming through. I

will have a few months taking its steady, then decide. You are an

ambassador for 2014, what are your best hopes? I hope that the

enthusiasm and passion today will carry through. If it does, we are

in for a Games to remember. Just incredible, so much support and

enthusiasm for sport. The game Dunne -- Games in London will be a

springboard. This has been the first chance for

Scots fans to show their support for the men and women who made it a

sporting summer to remember. Laura Bicker joined some of them lining

the parade route. The crowd noise is incredible,

these people have been here all afternoon to catch a glimpse of

Chris Hoy and his medal. Jamie, you have been here since 2pm, what is

it like to see him? Brilliant, fantastic. Absolutely brilliant.

What an amazing thing to inspire the younger generation. To see all

the people and the medals which had been one in these Olympics.

woman has been smiling at me since I have been on stage. What a

wonderful afternoon you have had. We are so proud of all the British

athletes, it has been an amazing fortnight, an amazing day to day,

we are proud of everybody. noise level when Chris Hoy came

onto the stage was incredible. was fantastic, we are so proud, it

has been a fantastic day. When you were sitting in your armchair,

shouted for these people... Did you do you would see them on stage?

did not, but I am so happy I'm here today, it has been a wonderful day.

You are not the only person who has had a wonderful day, you have all

enjoyed it, haven't you? We reckon around 10,000 people packed the

streets, Bernd George Square, to catch a glimpse of a medallist. One

of the loudest cheers was for Katherine Grainger. To see someone

who has tried and tried again. Joining us now from the

celebrations in George Square is the man who became first Scottish

Paralympian to win gold in London, and who set a world record into the

bargain, track cyclist in the tandem blind and visually impaired

one kilometre time trial, Neil Fachie.

Things are a little bit chaotic in George Square. The athletes are

going to a special reception in the fruit market. We hope to join Neil

Fachie soon. But we have someone else for you.

A word about a special programme starting just after 7pm this

evening, over on BBC Two. We're going to continue our coverage

there, and chat to more of our athletes. We're also going to look

ahead to the Commonwealth Games, and the impact of this summer's

sporting legacy on Scotland as a whole. Taking part is Judy Murray,

who joins us fleetingly. Andy couldn't make it today,

understandably, but he knows the benefits of that sort of support

we've seen from the crowds. Yes, absolutely, the support during

the Olympics and prohibits from the British people, and for our

Scottish athletes, has been phenomenal. For us, it is a huge

opportunity to capitalise on that and get more people involved in

sport. Building on that legacy is something close to your heart. We

see all those youngsters behind you. I am up the tennis club where it

all started for us. The courts have been mobbed pretty much all summer.

We will be speaking to later, at 7pm.

Still to come on your national new: A full round-up of today's news

from across the country. In sport, the Olympic parade

celebrations continue, and I'll be chatting with one of the Scots

medallists in Team GB, Luke Patience. Luke Patience, with a

silver medal in sailing. Stay tuned for all the sports news, coming

soon. Now in other news today: It looks

increasingly likely that 1,700 jobs will be lost at the Halls meat

factory in West Lothian. The plant's owners, Vion, rejected a

Scottish government offer to buy the factory, and lease it back to

them, saying it would only delay its closure, not prevent it. Our

political correspondent, Raymond Buchanan has the story.

The tax payer takeover of the factory was an attempt to save jobs

and the local economy. Workers have known for months this place might

close. With time running out, ministers offered to bring the site

into temporary public ownership. Lease it back to Vion, in a

partnership to create a long-term future for the plant. I am

disappointed the company has not accepted the offer. Vion thanked

the government for the offer but said it would only have postponed

For the 1,700 strong work force, depressing news. Margaret is a

mother of four, 14 years of service, little hope of a future. I think

they will just close the gates and say, that is it. What will it mean

for Broxburn? A lot of folks off from Broxburn. A big employer in an

area with few big employers left. In the town, they are worried.

the VAT chigoes, a lot of other places will start closing down.

There's no money, small businesses especially, but not got the money

to keep going. The last major factory, it will be devastating.

are told there are two bidders for the factory who will be offered the

same deal Vion rejected. There are only three weeks left on

consultation on whether to close the factory. Time is running out

and the prospect for this place and the 1,700 people who depend on it

for their livelihood look The news editor of the Scottish Sun

has been reported to the procurator fiscal over alleged data protection

breaches. Jill Smith was reported by officers from Operation Rubicon,

the ongoing investigation into allegations of perjury and phone

hacking in Scotland. The 40-year- old was reported on Monday "in

relation to obtaining personal data of members of the public". She is

the fourth senior News International figure to be

questioned by Operation Rubicon Police have warned organised crime

could be infiltrating credit unions, which are seen as an accessible,

ethical alternative to banks. It's feared they could exploit weaker

security measures to launder money. The warning comes as the government

has announced �38 million to help the credit union movement expand.

Our Home Affairs Correspondent, Reevel Alderson reports.

Up in tough economic times, more people are turning to credit unions

as a way of getting loans. The movement has been growing and there

are 109 unions in Scotland with 280,000 members. They hold �210

million in savings and the vast majority is out on loan. There is

likely to be a further expansion with the Government announcing �38

million of extra funding for the movement. But while they are seen

as an accessible, affordable and ethical alternative to pay-day

loans and high street banks, police are concerned they could be

infiltrated by organised crime. They can Lauder money in credit

unions. It is the same as with banks. Unfortunately credit unions

don't have the income structure behind them like banks do. So

recognising organised crime, we have to be suspicion with what

happens and reporting that is important. At the moment police

stress it is just a threat but credit unions say it is vital that

the financial systems can cope. Credit unions are fully regulated

by the FSA as it stands, so we are looking to enhance the ability of

credit unions to spot any suspicious activity happening as

the Union grows as a competitor, hopefully in the long term, to the

banks. The credit unions insist they are not a soft touch and will

have a full range of fraud prevention measures to combat

Former residents of the last big orphanage to close in Scotland will

meet up again when they gather for a reunion this weekend. The

Aberlour Orphanage on Speyside was at one time home to as many as 500

children until it closed in 1967. And while its Victorian exterior

may have been forbidding, some retain happy memories of their time

Hipped be his children are being brought up without parents' --

these children. This 1960s film showed a stark image of an

institution founded a century before to provide a refuge for

motherless children. It had its own farm, laundry and cobbler and the

regime was strict, but based on a principle unusual for Victorian

times, that all children regardless of origin have the right to grow

and flourish in society. Yes, there was disciplined force of the kids

and there was the strap and things like that, but that was all part of

growing up in the 50s for any child in a situation. Most of the inmates,

and that is what they were called, were not actual orphans but were

taken into care for a variety of reasons. This weekend former

residents will return for a reunion as the village celebrates its

bicentenary. This is me standing here, at the back. The hero was, as

a youngster, but I was being fed regularly and I had clean clothes

and had a regular bath. People were keeping the active and doing things

and I remember enjoying it. Among his many other projects, it now

runs a respite centre in Elgin. Lynn Mackenzie says it is vital in

helping her care for her disabled son Jack. They offer you overnight

and day care during the holidays. You can get a rest. Sometimes you

can spend it with your other children or just go home and

collapse, which I often do. methods of dealing with children's

individual and social problems may have changed the the issues

Let's go back to George Square, and there is the man who became the

first Scottish Paralympian to win gold in London and to set a world

record into the bargain, it is the track cyclist in the one kilometre

race, Neil Fachie. Thanks for joining us. I know things are

chaotic. But what have the last few weeks been like? Pretty chaotic

themselves? Yes, it has been pretty special. I cannot get over the

support we had in London and here today. It has been phenomenal.

Winning a gold medal and breaking a world record in the Velodrome, the

atmosphere was amazing. Just the greatest moment of my life. Now

everyone is enjoying is with us and it is phenomenal. If everyone is

wondering why we can't show the race, we can't because weeks it

can't for contractual reasons, but how often have you really have it?

To be honest I don't remember that much of the race, except for the

last lap when both of myself and my pilot, Barney Storey, we started

diving in, and the crowd erupted. They have a big part to play in the

record we break. We are looking forward to seeing you in Glasgow.

He will be competing there now that the sports are integrated? Yes,

luckily both of my events will be at the Commonwealth games. That

will be my next big event. And a chance to draw on a Scottish jersey

and stand on top of the podium again, that is what will drive me

forward in the next two years. hope so too. Neil Fachie, thanks

all been with us. A look now at what else has been happening across

the country this Friday. The inquiry is under way into how a

two-year-old girl was unable -- able to find a way out of a

council-run nursery and onto a road in Edinburgh. The incident happened

at the grant and children and family centre. As a report calling

for fishing to be stopped to allow stocks to recover has been

dismissed as total rubbish by industry leaders. The think tank,

the New Economics Foundation, said it would mean no fishing for around

nine years and after that skippers would generate massive profits. The

Scottish Federation said the report had no understanding of the

economic realities of the industry. The First Minister has opened one

of Europe's biggest wind farms, the Clyde wind farm, covering an area

of 47 square kilometres which straddles the M 74 motorway. It has

152 turbines. The energy company claims it can produce enough energy

during the year to meet the needs of more than 250,000 homes.

Everything about this wind farm is huge. There are 152 turbines. They

are spread over 47 square kilometres, straddling the ms 74

motorway. But, incredibly, it is still not Scotland's biggest. The

Whiteleas wind farm, south of Glasgow, retains that title. More

than 5,500 Rams were auctioned today. The biggest sale of its kind

in that world. Farmers come from all over Europe for the event and

sales reach nearly �3 million. And there are more stories from your

area and the latest news 24 hours a Rhona McLeod, who if I remember

spend most of the summer hobnobbing with the sporting elite, is back in

familiar territory. Exactly. From a hot and sunny London to weigh

slightly cold Glasgow. But you would have to say there is warming

afterglow around these Olympic athletes, still quite

understandably basking in their success. A record-breaking 14 Scots

medalled in London. And I'm happy to say we have an Olympic silver

medallist in sailing, Luke Patience, here now. Describe what today has

been like for you. To day has been amazing. We have the London Parade

on Monday, and to come to Glasgow, I thought it would be smaller, but

I was totally wrong. So many people out in force. It is cold, as you

said, and it has been so welcoming. I am proud to be Scottish today.

The Olympic games were your dream. Has your life changed as a result

of this? It has changed forever. I have been dreaming about this

moment for as long as I have been doing sport. To finally get the

opportunity to stand on the podium and get an Olympic medal round my

neck, I will cherish it forever. I can't wait to do it again,

hopefully. We saw some pictures of you standing on the board, waving

the flag. How amazing does that feel? It feels like nothing I've

ever done before. The home support has been just incredible. To stand

there with the Union Jack in your hand, waving it to thousands of

people as they roar back at you, it is just again, an amazing

experience I will keep forever. Thank you so much for joining us.

Well, Scotland had even more success on the water with a gold

and silver medal in canoe slalom. David Currie has been along to meet

Be exuberant reception is for them, team-mates and rivals, Tim baby --

Tim Baillie and David Lawrence, Bath is the fastest time we have

seen. This could be Gold dancing at -- Silva for Great Britain have.

Tim Baillie and Stott lead. -- this could be silver for Great Britain.

They have got the silver medal. Since then they have become a bit

of a double act. There has been just incredible to be part of a

home games in London and the support from everywhere in the

country has been an phenomenal. what are they doing beside a

disused canal? The hope is the area will be transformed into a top-

class watersports facility. That is if �2 million can be raised.

will give canoeing access to so many people compared to now.

Scotland has always had real success in canoeing. There is not

much in the way of facilities to actually get numbers into the sport.

Do you think these guys will inspire you to get involved in

canoeing? Yes, maybe. It was a magnificent scene, seeing people

that are so special. Wealthy and special. I don't know if they are

wealthy! What is the best memory today? Get in the autograph. And a

high five. I will never wash this and again. -- this hand again.

That's it from George Square, as the athletes have made their way

into the reception. Jackie, handing the baton back to you! Either

crowds came out, and so did the Sun. Let's see what is in store. More of

Let's see what is in store. More of the same tomorrow, but we will see

some wind and rain and some warm temperatures as well. As far as the

evening is concerned, we will lose the showers and there will be fine

evening sunshine for most places. During the night cloud or pick up

across the north where outbreaks of patchy rain pushing across the far

north. Clear spells across eastern Scotland allowing temperatures to

fall to around eight Celsius, but generally holding out 10 or 11

degrees. A strengthening south- westerly wind developing across

northern areas the lighter winds further south. Tomorrow's start of

nominally dry with lovely spot of sunshine across eastern Scotland --

and some bits and pieces of rain and fairly when the across the

North. Come the afternoon, predominantly dry with the likes of

the Hebrides seeing sunshine coming through. Some sunshine for the

south-west and in the Glasgow area. More in the way of cloud towards

North Argyll, the Outer Hebrides, but for Orkney it should brighten

up with the rain holding on Shetland until the evening

brightness coming through for Caithness and the highest

temperatures in Aberdeenshire, around 21 Celsius. In fact eastern

Scotland there's very well, holding on to the sunshine and warm

temperatures as well. It will be the eastern ranges that off their

best tomorrow. Dry, bright, spells of sunshine. At the tops we are

looking at gale force winds. Potentially gusts of around 55 mph

at times. Similar wind speeds across the West ranges. Some

drizzle across the north-west Highlands and extensive hill fog

first thing for the likes of Skype, but it should improve during the

course of the day. For the southern waters, we are looking at south-

westerly force of four or five. More northern range is looking at

moderate visibility although it should improve during the course of

Colin on to the dry and bright conditions in the east. The reign

of pushing and across north-west by the evening. A fresh south-westerly

wind. This weather front is coming in across Scotland on Sunday, some

are rather cloudy start -- so I rather cloudy start. The rain will

clear away to the south and brighten up, leading to -- feeling

a little cooler but holding on to a little cooler but holding on to

Don't forget to turn over to BBC Two where we will be joined by more

of our sporting heroes, present and past, as we look back on the