23/12/2013 Reporting Scotland

itself. Thank you. That is all

Tonight, on Reporting Scotland... The great festive getaway - as

thousands take to the trains, roads and air, travel warnings of storm

force winds and disruption. I am only Anine, where snow made

driving difficult today but it could be worse tomorrow.

Also on the programme... Tributes to two teenage footballers

who both died suddenly at the weekend.

Calls for Holyrood to mirror Westminster and offer free school

meals for primaries one to three. And a political heavyweight no more

- we look at the celebrity diet that means we're seeing less of the First

Minister. Good evening. The Christmas getaway

has begun. Weather conditions are making it more difficult journey for

many people. High winds have caused ferries and flights to be disruption

-- destructed. Some roads have been closed by snow and high winds have

caused problems on the railway network. We will get the latest from

Andrew Anderson and Katrina Renton. First, Katrina reports on today's

Christmas journeys. Whether it was last-minute shoppers

or weary travellers making their way home for Christmas, Glasgow putt

Central Station was bustling earlier today. Ice Glasgow's centrals

nation. We watched as the London trains came in and out as the stormy

weather down south brought advice passengers making a journey south of

the border should leave early. We had to get an early 20 London.

Was that retain you planned? Yes, but I don't know if it was for

everyone because there were people standing on the train to try and get

there on time. We got there early, they were

accepting the tickets so we jumped on.

We looked at the National Rail website and decided we could go

early, they are letting people on with the same ticket 's and you can

go at any point over the next day or tomorrow.

So, yes, we were able to hop on a train and come up straightaway. With

weather warnings for Christmas Eve heralding and tidings of stormy and

wintry weather, the advice wherever you may be heading on the trains is

to keep checking the website. If you are travelling in the

morning, you should check before you leave, make sure there is no

disruption on your line and that if you are coming into town you know

the time of the last trains. Especially on Christmas Eve, some

services finish earlier than they do during the week. If you are

travelling, leave plenty of time for your journey and check before you

leave. On the roads in Inverness this

afternoon, the A9, the main route between the north and south of

Scotland, saw difficult driving conditions as the weather turned to

snow. And it was a similar story for motorists across the central

highlands, in Perthshire, Aberdeenshire and Stirling Shire.

And with a drop in temperature expected overnight, ice on the roads

across the country will be a hazard to watch out for.

In Shetland, the ferry for Aberdeen left at noon today, five and a half

hours ahead of schedule, in an attempt to miss the worst of the

gathering storm. And as the day went on some other

services were disrupted, as were some flights from the mainland to

the islands, too. The storm force gusts predicted for

Christmas Eve could make for some unpleasant journeys. But when you

reach your destination, perhaps this will make you appreciate it all the

more. Let us go to Katrina now, just

outside Glasgow Central Station. Give us an update.

Well, it is very busy here this evening, but these are people

hanging around because of delays, people arriving and departing.

There are some delays on the West Coast line we were talking about

earlier from year to London. That is both on arrivals and departures, but

it is only about 30 minutes of delay, and a lot of people have been

heeding the warnings about travelling early. That will probably

avoid them being involved in those storms that are predicted for

tomorrow. Both Network Rail and Scott worked as Mike Ross got real

are monitoring -- ScotRail are monitoring the situation. You will

be able to get advice on bulletins on radio Scotland in the morning and

hopefully everyone travelling on Christmas Eve will make it home in

time to have a very happy Christmas. That is the way it is looking on the

rail network, let's turn our attention to the roads and crossed

as Michael Cross to play our full in Perthshire. Andrew, you have already

had some disruption on the roads. As Michael Blair Atholl.

Yes, but the good news is the A9 is fully open but because of this know

it is only possible with care in some places.

Earlier today, the snow gates were closed today at where our full and

another -- a number of other points. -- the gates were closed

today at Blair Atholl. Many of us will be wanting to be out

on the roads to model to get to our Christmas Day destinations and there

is a warning of more snow tomorrow, forecasting storm force winds to hit

parts of Scotland. The police advise if you are setting out on the roads

to be fully prepared. Take warm clothing, make sure that is 90 of

fuel in the car, take food and hot drinks, have your mobile phone fully

charged, check the weather forecast and road reports regularly, plan

your journey accordingly and make sure you leave plenty of time to get

to your destination safely. Well, if you are still to head home

for Christmas, we were joined earlier in the studio by whether

presenter Christopher Blanchett. What is coming and why is it so

severe? Let's look at the eastern seaboard

of America. You can see the warm colours there,

it was 21 Celsius in New York on Saturday, but in Montreal it was

minus seven Celsius. That difference is giving power to the Jetstream, a

fast-moving ribbon of air up in the atmosphere skipping across the

Atlantic at around 280 mph at the minute. That is going across the top

of the low pressure system that normally develops in the Atlantic,

but it is so fast it is sucking the air word of it quicker than it can

be replaced, so the low pressure is deepening rapidly, and explosive

low, so it is very powerful indeed. It will continue to work across

towards the UK. You can start to see this swirl of cloud developing which

is the low-pressure centre heading towards Scotland. That is producing

a deep area of low pressure, high winds and some heavy rain to contend

with throughout tomorrow. The sort of conditions this will

cause - pretty nasty, really? Very much so.

We have a blanket yellow warning across Scotland for winds up to 70

mph, but across the West Coast and the Hebrides in particular, and

Amber warning, gusts up to 90 mph, potentially reaching 100 mph. These

are damaging winds, significant disruption to be expected and

potentially power cuts. There is a real threat that some communities

could be without power on Christmas Day.

Thank you, we will see you later. Tonight's other news. Tributes have

been paid to two young footballers who died suddenly.

13-year-old Jamie Skinner collapsed during an under 14th match in

Edinburgh -- under 14s, and Hibs youth player David Paul died

yesterday, he was 17. Jamie Skinner was described as a

talented and athletic footballer. He was playing an under 14s match

for Tynecastle football club when he collapsed on the pitch. Despite

efforts to save him he passed away. It is very rare, that is why I

suppose it is even more shocking for all of those around yesterday and

all of us involved that no Jamie. 13-year-olds should not have their

life tragically taken away from them. You had recently moved to

Tynecastle foot ball club from Hearts under 14 is where his loss is

also being felt. Was a great athlete, very, very

quick. He was a great lad around the park,

wanted to learn, a bubbly character and the boys loved him. On the other

side of the city, there was grieving for another young player,

18-year-old David Paul who played for Hibs youth team.

He died in the early hours of Sunday at his home in a number.

Something none of us were ready for. It is important now that we stick

together. -- died at his home in Edinburgh.

There were first-team players, especially, that were there for the

younger boys, who lived and played with David day in day out. We spoke

a lot about the Bernie and family and it is important that family

comes together now. -- the attorney and family. Football fans also

expressed grief at the death. It is tragic. You just can't take it

in, it is so sad, especially at this time of year. They were fit, at two

boys, and it shows, it doesn't matter how fit you are, these things

can happen. It is devastating, terrible, my

thoughts are with their families. The football community has been

saddened and shocked by the sudden loss of the teenagers.

Both young men were described as promising and talented players who

could have had a bright future in the game.

Still to come on the programme before 7pm...

Restoring the final resting place of generations of one of Scotland's

most influential families. And in sport, as Edinburgh and

Glasgow you up for rugby's festive derby double-header, is the tide

about to turn? And how is this for sisterly love,

we go shopping with the siblings Eileen Commonwealth glory.

Scotland's largest teachers union is calling on the government to fund

free school meals for all infants. The EIS says this could tackle

poverty. The government says it will look it the issue in the New Year.

Our correspondent reports. Around one in five primary school

children in Scotland get free school dinners. Most parents pay. But in

England things are changing. From next to come all children in the

first three years of school will be entitled to free meals. Scotland's

largest teachers union wants the same thing to happen here. The

research is clear, young people who are hungry or not good learners in

school. We note that these are austere times

for people and this would be a major step forward for tackling poverty in

schools. But it would not be cheap. If every child at primary one, two

or three got a free dinner, it may cost around ?50 million more per

year. Westminster says there is money for

Hollywood to do this, but the Scottish government says this cache

does not balance out other cuts. The extra money that has been provided

through the budget statement at UK level is something we will have to

consider in the New Year. There are competing claims for that

money, obviously, people have called for this money to be used for a

number of things. But who would gain the most from extending free meals?

Supporters said it would end any risk of a stigma for children who

get free meals now, but they claim others could benefit, too.

A healthy end of day meal -- mid-day meal might help your stories --

youngsters concentrate and cut the risk of obesity, but critics argue

free school meals for all would be a so-called middle-class benefits.

What do they think of these ice this relatively at -- in this relatively

affluent town? I think parents can afford to pay

for school meals and it is better for the ones who cannot afford it to

get the free school meals. It is sort of causing an imbalance,

so I think if you see every school child should get free school meals

that would work. The Scottish government is expected to reach a

decision in the New Year. A man has been charged with attempted murder

linked to an incident in Fraserburgh.

Earlier -year-old man was not -- was named.

Care services are improving at the Private home in Edinburgh but that

is still looking at complaints. The latest report into the quality

of care shows that services are improving but more needs to be

done. The care Inspectorate says it is not yet operating at the standard

that requires but there is evidence of improvement. That improvement is

in its early stages and needs to be sustained. Last month inspectors

warned that the home could face closure of things did not improve.

Police are still investigating for deaths which happened here. The

Inspectorate is looking into other complaints not related to the police

enquiry. The final decision into the future of this home will be made in

the New Year. 2014 is going to be a big year for

the first Alastair. -- the first Minister. We seem to have been

seeing less of him recently. That is because he has taken up a diet. Is

it the healthiest approach? It is not often Beyonce and Alex

Salmond I mentioned in the same sentence. But they have something in

common. Alex Salmond is on the same diet as Beyonce.

Alex Salmond has lost two stones by following the diet.

It is the diet everyone is talking about. On five days of the meat you

eat normally. On two days of the week you fast. For a woman that

means no more than 500 calories. But Alex Salmond will half to address

more than just his diet if you want to stay slim and healthy.

This person used to be 27 stone. He had a gastric band fitted but also

to cap cycling. He says Alex Salmond will need to make changes. He will

need to think about how he will keep the weight off. Many diets fail in

the long-term. This man is now chairman of a

cycling to link club. Time to catch up with other stories

from around the country. Dundee Airport's only scheduled passenger

service is to end in the new year. CityJet are pulling out of the route

between Dundee and London City. Highlands and Islands Airports says

it's working with the Scottish Government and Dundee City Council

to safeguard the air link between the two cities.

The police have released the name of a man whose body was found on

Portobello Beach in Edinburgh at the weekend. He was 53-year-old Mark

Fraser, from Coillesdene Grove in Joppa. Police believe he fell down

steep concrete steps leading to the beach.

Telecomunications giant BT has signed a ?27 million pound contract

to lay subsea cables to boost broadband services in the Western

Isles. It's the biggest subsea project carried out by the company

in UK waters. The longest cable will run for almost 50 miles under the

Minch from Ullapool to Stornoway. Two paintings by the artist JD

Fergusson have been removed from display at the Scottish National

Gallery of Modern Art in Edinburgh, following a leak in the roof. The

gallery is currently hosting an exhibition by the Edinburgh-born

artist. It's being claimed that Orkney has

the best quality of life in the UK. A poll carried out by the Halifax

Bank found that the islands excelled in a number of areas - including

health, life expectancy, low crime rates and personal wellbeing.

Orcadians came out on top as amongst the happiest in the country.

And there are more stories from your area - and all the latest news, on

BBC Scotland's website. A million pound project is underway

to restore the final resting place of generations of one of Scotland's

most influential families. The chiefs of the Clan Campbell have

been buried at the Argyll mausoleum in Kilmun for centuries. Laura

Maxwell has the story. Sitting above the holy Loch there

has been a Church graveyard here for hundreds of years. The early Dukes

of Argyll even built a private mausoleum. You can see through of

the scaffolding and netting the vast cast Iron Dome. It was forged in the

Glasgow shipyards in the late 1800 but was never placed correctly. It

has been meeting ever since. That is why all this work has been carried

out. After a long campaign by locals it is being restored. The quality of

the stonework and the decorative features in the mausoleum at

exquisite. We have just finished a project at Rosslyn Chapel, on a

building that is 550 years old. This building is over 200 years old. The

common factor is that the stonework was carved with the same amount of

passion. Archaeological work has revealed more details about the

site's eider significance. This is one of the most important sites in

the West of Scotland. We have had a Christian presence here probably

since the time of St Columba. We are beginning to find other evidence to

prove there has been a continuous Christian presence from that time.

It is hoped the restoration work and a new information centre will

attract thousands of visitors every year.

And Jane has tonight's sport for us. The Edinburgh rugby coach Alan

Solomons maintains Glasgow should be considered favourites when the sides

meet twice over the festive period. The first part of the two legged

1872 Cup is on Boxing Day, with the return on New Year's Day. Glasgow

have dominated the fixture recently, but current form suggests that could

be about to change, as Alasdair Lamont reports.

A win over the defending champions Leinster underlined Edinburgh Zoo

recent revival. They are the form team. -- underlined Edinburgh's

rugby revival. We go into this game on the back of two very hard games.

That would make Glasgow the favourites. Glasgow have tolerated

this fixture lately. -- Glasgow have dominated this fixture lately. They

were close games last year. If an overdue derby victory is not

motivation enough for Edinburgh, the chance to move above their closest

rivals surely is. Here is a look at what else is

happening across Scottish sport. Fans will now be able to take

banners to McDiarmid Park. St Johnstone had initially announced a

ban to prevent them being used to let off smoke bombs.

Now the squeamish among you may want to look away now. Aberdeen are

hopeful that Mark Reynolds will recover from a facial injury for

their match against Motherwell on Boxing Day. That was the incident -

the defender then tweeted before and after shots. Ouch!

Hannah Miley admits it will be ''really hard'' defending her 400

metres Individual Medley Commonwealth Title. Miley was part

of the European Team who lost by a single point to the USA during the

weekend's Duel in the Pool in Tollcross in Glasgow, the same venue

for next summer's Games. There are a lot of youngsters nipping at my

heels. This season has highlighted that to me. I will stay positive and

focused. And Scottish show-jumper Scott Brash

has kept his world number one status, even though he failed to win

a medal at last night's Grand Prix finale at Olympia.

And there are more sports stories - plus the build up to the festive

fixture list on BBC Sport Scotland's website.

Further confusion on the banner story. Police have just told me that

the ban on taking banners and flags into McDiarmid Park still stands

despite the statement from Celtic. Scotland's athletes are already

preparing for next year's Commonwealth Games. Our reporter has

been to meet two wrestlers training for glory.

Meet Fiona and Donna Robertson. Twin sisters from Glasgow. They are not

quite what they seem. I think there is only one way to

settle this. These judo veterans are now

wrestlers. We normally give each other some

space. Just a few minutes. We have to drive home together. Sometimes

the journey can be quiet. They are targeting success. We do not get

asked our age very much. We do not think about age as being a

limitation. There's the gene to be standing on the podium? -- is the

dream to be standing on the podium. You have to imagine what that is

like. These twins are ready to fight for

glory in Glasgow 2014. Now back to the weather and

Christopher has the latest forecast. Now back to the weather and

Christopher has the latest Some severe weather heading our way.

Tonight our concern is for ice. I'm yellow warning is in force across

the country. There will be more rain this evening. It will clear by

midnight. Where the ground is wet it will be icy. The wind is starting to

strengthen, particularly on the West Coast and the Hebrides. A winter

storm is coming our way. Heavy rain, high winds, and for some,

heavy snowfall. Disruption is likely and should be expected. Warnings of

60 mph winds. A lot of rain and snow as well. Severe conditions on the

higher road routes. Wendy on the East coast as well as on the West

Coast. -- windy on the East Coast. We have an upgraded amber warning,

which means to be prepared. The wind is strong enough to cause some

disruption to travellers. Christmas Day will be windy and wet in the

Northwest. A white Christmas for some. For most it will not be. It

will be dry and much calmer. Boxing Day will be the best day of the

week. If you are planning to travel tomorrow check the latest conditions

before setting off. I will be back with the late

bulletin. Until then, goodbye.