14/02/2014 Reporting Scotland

Tonight on Reporting Scotland. The police helicopter which crashed

into the Clutha pub in Glasgow, killing ten people, suffered double

engine failure. There are still questions and answers to come. But

this is a major one. Some kind of closure on it. I am sure it will

help families who have lost people. Also on the programme...

What currency would we use in the event of an independent Scotland?

Both sides in the debate remain at loggerheads.

Bridging the gap - how this new railway bridge could be about to

transform the economy of a Speyside town.

Despite misfiring in the Six Nations, the boss of Scottish Rugby

is still targeting World Cup success. We have romantic

interludes! And a heart-warming tale on

Valentine's Day. Do this couple have the secret to keeping romance alive

through the decades? Good evening. Investigators say a

police helicopter which crashed on the Clutha pub suffered a double

engine failure, apparently because of a fuel supply problem. Ten people

died, including the three on board the helicopter. It's still not clear

what caused the fuel supply failure. Our reporter Julie Peacock is

outside the Clutha pub tonight. Yes, this latest report I the Air

Accident Investigation Branch brings us closer to finding out exactly

what happened in November. The AAIB are keen to point out that these are

just facts they are bringing out. They say they have not come to any

conclusions about exactly what happened. However, it is showing

that they are focusing their investigation on the fuel supply,

and what it was that caused that supply to stop in given to the

engines. Two and a half months after the crash, people are still asking

why. But it has all been hoped that a thorough investigation of this

wreckage would give up answers to what happened at Friday night in

November. Today's updates tell us what they have found out so far.

They know that both engines stopped working, despite the fact there was

76 kilograms of fuel left in the engine. The fuel pumps were working

and there was no evidence of blocked fuel lines. However, they found a

fault in one of the display systems, but investigators are still trying

to establish what that fault means. Ten people lost their lives in the

crash, including the pilot. Dozens more were injured. For the

survivors, knowing even a little more about the events of the night

is important. There are still a lot of questions and answers to come,

but this is a major one. There is some kind of closure on it. I am

sure it will help the families who have lost people. Today's report has

ruled out a number of possible reasons for the crash. There were no

faults found with the rotor blades and no damage caused by a bird or

another object hitting the engine. At Glasgow city Chambers, the

Speaker of the House of Commons paid his respects today to those who lost

their lives. The families are still looking for answers. The AAIB say

this investigation is very much ongoing. What they will be looking

at next is what was it that caused the engines to stop working and why

was the pilot unable to make any kind of controlled landing? But it

will be many more months until we find out exactly what happened.

A childminder has been banned from looking after children after a

14-month-old boy was injured in her Edinburgh home. The boy is currently

in hospital, being treated for a brain injury following last

Saturday's incident. It's understood the childminder, Halima Nassif, from

Limefield, left the child with a member of her family who wasn't

registered. The Care Inspectorate has imposed the ban while a police

investigation is carried out. The Chief Secretary to the Treasury

has written to the First Minister, calling on him to set out

alternative plans for a Scottish currency as a matter of great

urgency. It follows the Chancellor's rejection yesterday of

monetary union with the rest of the UK if Scotland votes for

independence. Alex Salmond has accused the main UK parties laugh,

plaster and bullying. -- of bluff, bluster.

Today means or bouquets and lots of cash swapping hands, but with

renewed questions over Scotland's currency, uncertainty about what it

all means. People come into the shop and I asked their opinion. Sometimes

they support independence, then someone else is not for it, they

give me their point of view. I am very confused! She is not the only

one. After the Chancellor ruled out the currency union the Scottish

Government once, if voters back independence. It has been dismissed

as bluster by the yes campaign, who say the political weather will

change if the Scots folk yes. The First Minister is sticking to his

plan to keep the pound. What our campaign needs to do is explain our

case in reasonable fashion and save why logic is on our side. That is

because the cause of the Stirling area in the interests of Scotland is

also in the interests of England as well. That is why it is logical and

reasonable, that is why it will convince voters. Those opposed to

independence say his stance on the currency is not credible. He is a

man without a plan. There will not be a currency union as he wants, so

he has to tell us what his alternative is. At the month, or he

can promise is uncertainty, and instability. He cannot seriously

expect us to go into the polls not knowing what currency we will use.

There is mounting pressure on those who back independence for a plan B.

The Scottish Government's and will be stronger if we have already at

least mapped out the ground around some alternatives, including an

independent currency. The reason I am butting yes is for a different

kind of economics. I would not be voting yes if I wanted to pursue the

same kind of policy in Scotland as we have seen from London. But among

voters in Edinburgh, mixed views. I would probably prefer Scotland to

have a separate currency, given the amount of yet that Westminster have

run up. The likes of myself travelling to and from Northern

Ireland, having to change money all the time would be inconvenient. I do

not think it is a good idea. Politicians will continue this

argument long after these flowers have wilted, because the pound in

your pocket may sway hearts come polling day.

You're watching Reporting Scotland from the BBC. Still to come on

tonight's programme... A backlash from the bookish, as

Scotland's national booktown faces cuts to its library service.

In sport, Scottish rugby is in the doldrums, so why is the head man

setting the national team the target of winning the World Cup?

And more drama involving sport at the Winter Olympics.

Plans to extend a steam railway from Aviemore to Grantown-on-Spey have

been taking a significant step forward today. One of the UK's

largest cranes is lifting a railway bridge into place across the River

Dulnain. It's hoped the linking of the two Highland villages with the

steam railway will bring millions of pounds into the local economy. Our

reporter Craig Swan is at Broomhill Station in Strathspey.

Well, currently, this is the end of the line for the Strathspey Steam

Railway, Broomhill station, or Glenbogle station, as it is probably

that are known to viewers of Monarch of the Glen. But for the passengers

who make the 11 mile journey here from Aviemore, there is not much to

greet them, particularly on a night like this. There is very little

here. The plan is to extend the railway four files are that way,

linking Aviemore the Grantown-on-Spey. The River Dulnain

blocks the route north for the Railtrack. The old bridge was

dismantled 50 years ago. Now they have had to bring in a massive

crane, one of the largest of its type in the country, to lift a new

bridge into place. The railway went during the 1950s, it was such a

beautiful part of the country. We are proud to be putting it back.

This is all being done by volunteers. Every penny has come

from fundraising, even the bridge itself was a donation. It was built

in 1953, and as a young man, I worked at evens Craig and shelter

from the rain underneath the bridge, many had -- many times. The last

beam is in place and the most risky part of the operation was complete.

The concern was the weather could prevent the cream from operating and

it would be months before the would get another chance. It was like a

spring day this morning, and it was bright and dry, so it is all now in

faster than we believed. Now it is a straightforward job. So, this is now

the new end of the line. The tracks are lain -- late and that river has

been crossed. The aim is to take the line all the way to Grantown. The

recession has hit hard here, with high street shops closing, more

tourist visitors could be a lifeline. The town has other tough

time for our business, it would be great to have people coming here. In

time, the steam Railway reckon they will bring 100,000 passengers to

Grantown each year, delivering an estimated ?6 million to the Spey

Valley. Communities across Scotland are facing wide-ranging cuts in

services. Controversially, some councils are targeting libraries,

with Dumfries Galloway Council, for example, planning to slash

opening times. One place on their hitlist is Wigtown, which is

Scotland's national booktown. Unsurprisingly, perhaps, that

proposal has sparked a considerable backlash, as Willie Johnston

reports. Which town flies the flag as

Scotland's National booktown. The annual festival attracts authors and

audiences from far and wide. Books and literature are the spine of the

time's economy. These are facts people cannot reconcile with a plan

to cut public library access to 17 hours per week. The decision will

ultimately undermine our status as the National booktown. Which town is

a town built on books. A library is a crucial part of that. -- which

town is a town built on books. The service is therefore young and old

alike. But it is not just the lending. There is a reference and

research, internet access and activities like this children's

club. Dumfries Galloway Council blames the need to slash the budget

by ?27 million over three years, saving here, part of a quarter of ?1

million contribution from the library service. A spokesman

stressed they were cuts, not closures, and the magnitude was

based on population and falling user rates. Book or I might be viewed as

incompatible with the buying, but that has not stopped the book trade

is here uniting behind the campaign to stop the library cuts. To an

extent as individual book-sellers, our concern is to make an honest

living. But as Scotland's National booktown, we represent something a

bit larger, we are ambassadors for the book, we have to be. A library

is not a symbol, but an indicator of a civilised life. But today, a

glimmer of hope. The council says a flexibility farm has been built into

the library's budgets to deal with individual cases, indicating that

Wigtown's library cuts may not yet be a closed book.

Some other stories from across Scotland: There has been a sizeable

increase in the number of people starting their own business.

The Federation of small businesses in Scotland says the numbers of

start-ups registered rose to 30,000 last year, a near 20% increase on

the year before. Shell is putting three of its North Sea assets up for

sale. The company told staff this week it

is looking for a buyer for a floating production vessel and two

platforms. But the company says it is still committed to its

developments in UK waters. A new operator for Scotland's only

follicular way away, in the Cairngorms, is a step closer.

Preferred bidder status has been awarded. The facilities will remain

in public ownership. People in Scotland between 17 and 21 are urged

to begin a lifelong career as a blood donor.

The Scottish National blood transfusion service says new blood

is needed. Research shows half of 17-year-olds only are where they can

become donors. The average age of donors in Scotland has now gone up

and we are now looking for some young blood because the earlier you

start, the more lines you are going to save. The other thing that makes

a big difference is that if you start early, it starts that lifelong

habit. High levels of cancer-causing radon

gas have been found at five schools in the Highlands. The schools in the

villages of Fort Augustus, Drumnadrochit, Halkirk and here in

Helmsdale will remain open. NHS Highland says the increased risk of

pupils developing lung cancer is very low.

There are plans to refurbish the Aberdeen home of the so-called

Scottish Samurai, Thomas Blake Glover. After falling into

disrepair, Glover House could be re-established as a museum. Glover

is revered in Japan, where in the 19th century he established the

engineering giant Mitsubishi. An extreme film-maker who spent five

months taking on some of Scotland's most difficult and dangerous

landscapes hopes his efforts will encourage others to take to the

mountains. An accountant to trade, Pete MacKenzie's film is being shown

this weekend as part of the Edinburgh Mountain Festival. Steven

Godden reports. Scotland's wilderness as very few

people get to see it. Last year, Peter MacKenzie climbed, cycled and

skied his way through some of Scotland's most spectacular

scenery. The film Five Months is he's offering to an old tradition.

When I was a student it was stories you heard from old boy Kleiber is

about staying in a steel hut and climbing across a bridge every

howling gale. You want to take part. Inspire and perhaps terrified people

is what he will do. His adventures were filmed at a time when a number

of deaths on Scottish mountains placed an intense focus on safety.

He said experience and common sense are vital. Be joy is when you get

there and everything is right, the conditions are right. You dig an

avalanche pit and you can see there is no layering. The snow packs are

well bonded. And then it is really not that dangerous. Four is one of a

number of films at the Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival, an example

of film-making within reach of people buying tickets. The

technology makes it easier for people to get out and fill their own

adventures. At the festival we combine the high budget movies with

the small ones. People relate to the places they have been that they see

in the films. The festival runs until Sunday.

Let's go to our extreme presenter. You could do that!

Good evening. Despite Scotland's poor start to the Six Nations

Championship, the Scottish rugby union chief executive says the

target is still to win next year's World Cup. That's been Mark Dodson's

mission statement for the last couple of years, and he's told the

BBC there's no reason to change it now.

He is the man at the top of Scottish rugby at a time when the elite game

is struggling. The national side has not won the Championship since 1999

and failed at the weekend to score against England for the first time

in 36 years. It managed six points in an opening two Six Nations

matches, and yet... Part of your mission statement was to win the

next World Cup. Is that still your plan? Absolutely. The truth is that

we were making a call to people in Scotland to realise that we have to

raise their sights. B Rugby World Cup takes place in England and Wales

next year. So how realistic is it to think that Scotland can go from

bottom of the table to champions of the world? Nobody will be worried

about Scotland or taking us seriously. 90% of the rugby public

in Scotland will not be taking it seriously either. The new national

head coach takes over in the summer, which gives him 15 months to

turn Scotland into world beaters. You can hear more of Mark Dodson,

interviewed by John Beattie in Sport Nation tomorrow at 11 on BBC Radio

Scotland. Now to the winter Olympics, and how

is this for another dramatic finish to a curling match? It's Team GB

versus Denmark, the final end. The Danes, trailing by one shot, have

the last stone. All he has to do is knock that red one out of the way to

win the match. David Murdoch's men win 8-6. They've now won five out of

their six round-robin matches. Now more news about what is happening in

sport: Japan's curl is conceded to GP's women after the seventh end of

their match. They were 7-3 ahead. It is

Valentine's Day, have you now all got dates? We are not telling you.

It was good to get an early battle. Unfortunately we do not have dates

to go to. Team GB, team Scotland, team Huntley.

Two cross-country skiers from the Town finished 37th and 44th at

Sochi. It was absolutely horrible. It was so hard. Luckily, it was not

as sunny as it was earlier but still, not used to skiing in 15

degrees. Here is Edinburgh golfer David Drysdale putting in the

African open. The USA's Jon Hamm leads.

Another cracking shot. Andy Murray is through to the last eight of the

world indoor event in Boston, beating his opponent by 2-1. More on

the Winter Olympics and other sports on the BBC Scotland sport website.

That is all I have for you tonight. What did you have your wife today --

for your wife today on Valentine's Day? The garage is still open so I

will get something on the way home. We've been speaking to a couple in

Ayrshire who have been each other's valentine for more than 60 years.

Both served in the forces and are supporting the Royal British

Legion's campaign to encourage veterans to share their stories.

She is 90 now but at 19, during the Second World War, Nancy was still

single and in the women's eggs Hilary F force at Lossiemouth. I

used to cycle on a bicycle with all of these checks in my basket to get

the money out of the bank to bring back for the officers. Jim, a year

older, was serving abroad as a wireless mechanic with the RAF, and

was awarded the Burma Stop. We were awake out in the jungle. So it was

not until they returned to civilian life that they met and romance

blossomed, on the local bus. Gym very often missed his lust. He came

on my purse. Gym very often missed the bus. So he got onto my purse.

They married in 1951 and though Jim says he has maybe only bought a

Valentine on three of their 63 years together, he bought one this time. I

am not too bad a guy, really. Not bad, really. We have separate

bedrooms but we have romantic interludes. I do not think I should

ask any more! Here he comes again! Plenty of rain today. All of our

reporters and there are completely soaked. What can we expect for the

weekend? The wintry theme will continue

tonight. There is a yellow weather warning for snow, in force until

around midnight. Primarily for parts of southern and central Scotland and

on the higher ground. Southeasterly wind will be strong. Really quite

hazardous driving conditions for a time this evening. For the M8

corridor and parts of the A9. This will pull away to the North. Behind

it showers following in though there will be drier interludes and under

clearing skies for parts of the central and southern Highlands,

temperatures dipping to around freezing, a touch of frost possible

with the risk of ice on untreated roads and surfaces. Overnight the

wind will be strong across the Northern Isles and Western Isles.

Looking ahead to tomorrow, we start today on a cloudy note and there

will be a number of showers around as well. During the course of the

morning peace showers will tend to become confined to the North West.

Elsewhere there will be a lot of dry and bright weather around. Taking a

look in more detail, tomorrow afternoon, if you showers feeding

into the likes of Dumfries and Galloway and Argyll, and the showers

continuing along the West coast into the Western Isles. For more Eastern

and north-eastern areas as well, bright spells. Though we will have a

risk North West elite wind so it will feel quite cold tomorrow. If

you are heading to the hills tomorrow you can expect Gales and

the snow blowing around. Some dry interludes, severe here as well. If

you are going skiing tomorrow, severe gales across all the ranges

but mainly dry in the East with frequent snow showers in the West.

For the rest of Saturday, showers primarily for the North and West.

These will tend to die out during Saturday night. Into Sunday, we are

looking at this area of low pressure continuing to pull away. The next

low arriving on Sunday night. Did you say settled?

Now, a reminder of tonight's main news: Investigators say a police

helicopter which crashed on the Clutha pub suffered a double engine

failure, apparently because of a fuel supply problem. Ten people

died, including the three in the helicopter. It's still not clear

what caused the fuel supply failure. Parts of Britain are being battered

again by yet another huge storm sweeping in from the Atlantic.

Forecasters are warning that by the end of the day some places will see

well over an inch of rain - potentially flooding new areas. The

winds may reach 80mph along the south coast. And that's Reporting

Scotland. I'll be back with the headlines at 8pm and the late

bulletin just after the Ten O'Clock News. Until then, from everyone on

the team, have a very good evening.