:00:00. > :00:00.and on BBC One we now join the BBC's news teams where you are.
:00:00. > :00:13.Tonight on Reporting Scotland: The flood waters are receding
:00:14. > :00:18.but for many communities the misery continues.
:00:19. > :00:26.There was frooding on Don today but better news for people on the dee
:00:27. > :00:31.side. They've had their worst flooding since 19193 in Perth. Homes
:00:32. > :00:38.have been evacuated after rivers burst their banks.
:00:39. > :00:40.And the Dee moves closer to 16th century Abergeldie Castle.
:00:41. > :00:44.We'll also be at the Rest and Be Thankful where they're
:00:45. > :00:46.working to remove a 150-ton boulder threatening the A83.
:00:47. > :00:48.Also on the programme: Police Scotland's new Chief Constable,
:00:49. > :00:51.Phil Gormley, is sworn in but with plenty of challenges ahead.
:00:52. > :00:53.SNP MP Phil Boswell faces a parliamentary standards
:00:54. > :01:03.investigation over company directorships.
:01:04. > :01:10.And, Erraid Davies, the Commonwealth Games swimming
:01:11. > :01:22.sensation, on her bid to win a place in the Paralympic team.
:01:23. > :01:26.It was the wettest December since records began -
:01:27. > :01:30.that statistic will come as no surprise to people in parts
:01:31. > :01:37.of Scotland still bearing the brunt of days of incessant rain.
:01:38. > :01:39.Today, in Perth, highways became waterways, whilst in parts
:01:40. > :01:42.of the north-east the floods receded but the misery
:01:43. > :01:43.for homeowners and businesses continued.
:01:44. > :01:52.Let's go first to Steven Duff in Ballater.
:01:53. > :01:58.Jackie, it's still raining here tonight but conditions have eased,
:01:59. > :02:03.giving some respite for those trying to get some order back to their
:02:04. > :02:07.lives after the flooding. Some news tonight about concern for a man
:02:08. > :02:13.Police Scotland believe may have been camping beside the River Dee at
:02:14. > :02:18.the height of the flooding. Terrence Kilbride, 48 from Warrington. His
:02:19. > :02:21.possessions, some of his possessions were found at the bridge of Dee on
:02:22. > :02:25.Saturday and divers have been looking for him today. There's been
:02:26. > :02:32.no sign of him. He was reported missing yesterday. So, as far the
:02:33. > :02:40.weather today, the River Don caused some problems but for people on Dee
:02:41. > :02:42.side there was some good news. Overnight this was the latest
:02:43. > :02:46.community to be affected by flooding.
:02:47. > :02:52.This morning, water was still threatening homes. Many residents
:02:53. > :02:57.had already left. The water was so high, it's coming down and it's
:02:58. > :03:02.under the floorboards, we are trying to get rid as much as we can. You
:03:03. > :03:09.have the Fire Brigade to help you? Yeah. I have a sweep here to try to
:03:10. > :03:14.pump it out and Government officials, I have spoke to them and
:03:15. > :03:18.trying to save some properties getting totally wrecked. The rural
:03:19. > :03:24.affairs Secretary visited this morning, speaking to those affected
:03:25. > :03:27.by the flooding. Clearly still it's distressing for those affected who
:03:28. > :03:31.have had huge damage to their homes and lost belongings or had to be
:03:32. > :03:34.rescued which is traumatic. Now it's about the aftermath and people
:03:35. > :03:36.clearing up and it's important everyone continues to work together
:03:37. > :03:41.to help those most directly affected. You mentioned Environment
:03:42. > :03:44.Agencies, you are cutting the budget by almost 7%, is that wise,
:03:45. > :03:49.Minister? Well, the Environment Agency's role in Scotland is to give
:03:50. > :03:53.warning and to understand the threat to communities from flooding and to
:03:54. > :03:57.make sure people are given proper information, that's their role. That
:03:58. > :04:02.will continue unaffected in terms of the budget situation. For
:04:03. > :04:08.communities along the River Dee some good news for a change. One bridge
:04:09. > :04:10.should be open again in two weeks. The village is currently
:04:11. > :04:16.inaccessible from the east because of damage to the bridge. Part of the
:04:17. > :04:24.A93 that was swept away by the floods should be replaced by a
:04:25. > :04:26.temporary road within a week. At last, thankfully, an improving
:04:27. > :04:33.situation there tonight? It is, Jackie. But rain is still forecast,
:04:34. > :04:38.people are being vigilant. I am joined now by Vincent Doherty from
:04:39. > :04:42.Aberdeenshire Council. It's been an awful week for people, particularly
:04:43. > :04:45.here, but some good news, people will be rehoused, those that have
:04:46. > :04:50.been staying in temporary accommodation? That's correct. Up at
:04:51. > :04:54.the local rest centre, there were up to 96 people during the week.
:04:55. > :04:58.They've been rehoused now. We are standing down that centre as of
:04:59. > :05:03.tomorrow. All those people will be safely relocated. I have to say that
:05:04. > :05:05.all the volunteers and the Aberdeenshire Council staff working
:05:06. > :05:10.with partner agencies have done a remarkable job and it says a lot for
:05:11. > :05:14.the spirit of Ballater. I don't think anyone is having a go at
:05:15. > :05:18.people who have been helping on the ground. There has been some
:05:19. > :05:21.annoyance maybe about the early stages and lack of co-ordination,
:05:22. > :05:26.was Aberdeenshire Council caught out a bit? I think if you bear in mind
:05:27. > :05:31.this is an unprecedented event. This is something that happens once every
:05:32. > :05:33.100 years, it was a collection of unfortunate events naturally
:05:34. > :05:36.occurred. I think the council did everything that we could. We have
:05:37. > :05:40.had people on the ground. You must remember this is a holiday period
:05:41. > :05:44.which made it more awkward. We have had staff out during those times
:05:45. > :05:48.assisting locals with getting the place back to some semblance of
:05:49. > :05:52.normality. I think they've been very successful at that as we see around
:05:53. > :05:55.you now, there is stuff lying in the streets, these will be collected
:05:56. > :06:00.this week. We have done everything we can as a council to make sure
:06:01. > :06:05.that people return to normality as soon as they can. One problem that's
:06:06. > :06:13.caught the attention, there is problem for individuals here, but ap
:06:14. > :06:18.Abergeldie Castle, is work going to be done on that? A short time ago I
:06:19. > :06:23.spoke to the engineers involved now, all I can say is that structural
:06:24. > :06:28.engineers are working closely with the insurers and owner. Today
:06:29. > :06:31.they've put in a base of rock that prevents further erosion. All that's
:06:32. > :06:35.doing is buying them sometime to decide exactly what would be done
:06:36. > :06:39.with the Castle and that's all the information I have at this moment.
:06:40. > :06:42.Thank you very much. Jackie, it's going to take a while. We were
:06:43. > :06:46.speaking to one resident at the weekend who had been told it could
:06:47. > :06:50.be a year before they're back in their house. When this rain stops
:06:51. > :06:53.and respite and people can start getting some order back to their
:06:54. > :06:59.life. Let's hope so, thank you very much, Steven.
:07:00. > :07:02.People in much of Perthshire have also spent the day dealing with more
:07:03. > :07:04.rain and flooding from the Tay and its tributaries.
:07:05. > :07:07.At one point, Perth Sheriff Court decamped to the nearby police
:07:08. > :07:09.station after the cells were flooded.
:07:10. > :07:14.This was the centre of Perth this morning.
:07:15. > :07:21.A street four foot under water. After days of rain, the drains
:07:22. > :07:25.simply could cope no longer. Firefighters joined council teams to
:07:26. > :07:29.protect property and people. Ten homes were evacuated, mainly
:07:30. > :07:35.basement flats. Other residents choose to remain. Perth hadn't seen
:07:36. > :07:40.this kind of flooding since 1993. This is all caused by coming up
:07:41. > :07:48.through drains because the water can't get away. It's unusual. We can
:07:49. > :07:53.get away with some things, but water, I am afraid, it's the King of
:07:54. > :07:58.the country. Pumps were quickly put to work, firing the water away,
:07:59. > :08:02.turning this parkland into a reservoir. North of Perth, rain
:08:03. > :08:07.water was thundering down the rivers. This is the River Isla north
:08:08. > :08:12.of Perth, difficult to see where the river bank once was, it's a massive
:08:13. > :08:17.ex-pans of water, more like a loch than a river and with all the mud
:08:18. > :08:22.stirred up by the force of the water it's running chocolate brown. A
:08:23. > :08:27.number of homes in Perthshire have been flooded out. Those who work
:08:28. > :08:34.this now flooded land trying to get on with it. In Perth tonight, most
:08:35. > :08:38.of the water has now gone. They're hoping that's the last of it.
:08:39. > :08:42.The main route in and out of Argyll, the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful,
:08:43. > :08:49.It means a long diversion route for drivers.
:08:50. > :08:53.A 150-ton boulder is threatening to roll down the hillside
:08:54. > :08:55.on to the road and engineers are looking to blow it up.
:08:56. > :09:09.Five days ago here at the A83, the Rest and Be Thankful, there was a
:09:10. > :09:13.large landslide just on the hill, you may be able to see the hillside
:09:14. > :09:18.behind me, lots of rocks and debris came on to the road. The road was
:09:19. > :09:23.shut for a very short time. But what happened when engineers went up to
:09:24. > :09:27.see what damage had been done they found a 150-ton boulder hanging
:09:28. > :09:30.precariously from the hillside. All day engineers have been working to
:09:31. > :09:34.try and drill down into that boulder, hopefully to put it into
:09:35. > :09:38.tiny pieces and then tomorrow they'll do a controlled explosion
:09:39. > :09:42.and hopefully that will be it. It's not easy work. There is only one way
:09:43. > :09:46.up and that's on foot. That's the first challenge. The second
:09:47. > :09:51.challenge is obviously the weather, the wind. It's very cold up here
:09:52. > :09:54.just now. So, this is the reason that we can only work in daylight
:09:55. > :10:00.hours. At night, it's not safe to work up there. The main problems
:10:01. > :10:03.they've faced today have been bad weather, a very Rocky unstable
:10:04. > :10:07.hillside, and drill willing are to resume in the morning and hopefully
:10:08. > :10:12.that controlled explosion will happen around about 10.00am. After
:10:13. > :10:17.that, hopefully, again weather dependent, the A83 will once again
:10:18. > :10:17.be open. Sglp
:10:18. > :10:22.Still to come on tonight's programme:
:10:23. > :10:25.Westminster standards watchdog opens an investigation into the conduct of
:10:26. > :10:42.the SNP MP Phil Boswell. Dundee United leg des end fears the
:10:43. > :10:44.worst for his former side. And the smile that captured a nations heart.
:10:45. > :10:54.Will it be repeated in Rio? Scotland's new top cop has been
:10:55. > :10:57.formally sworn in during a ceremony at the Scottish Police College
:10:58. > :10:59.at Tulliallan in Fife. Phil Gormley will be paid around
:11:00. > :11:02.?212,000 a year as Chief Constable of Police Scotland and says
:11:03. > :11:04.the role is the pinnacle Here's our home affairs
:11:05. > :11:09.correspondent Reevel Alderson. Every police officer in Scotland
:11:10. > :11:13.must swear the oath of constable, even the new top cop. Repeat after
:11:14. > :11:17.me... I do Solemnly... Phil Gormley starts work today after a 30-year
:11:18. > :11:22.career in England and he knows the new job will be tough. I recognise
:11:23. > :11:28.the scale of the challenge and importance of the role which I have
:11:29. > :11:29.been appointed. I approach it with excitement and a certain
:11:30. > :11:31.been appointed. I approach it with humility, I will need the help
:11:32. > :11:37.been appointed. I approach it with beyond and I am determined together
:11:38. > :11:41.we can deliver a police service people of Scotland can be proud of.
:11:42. > :11:45.It's unlikely Phil Gormley will be doing much of this. These
:11:46. > :11:50.probationary officers are learning how to arrest a suspect. How is it
:11:51. > :11:56.going? Very well. Still plenty joined? OK. But the newest recruit
:11:57. > :11:59.has a number of problems awaiting his attention. The Chief Constable's
:12:00. > :12:02.already had a meeting with the chairman of the Scottish Police
:12:03. > :12:07.Authority to plan his way forward. The budget is at the top of the
:12:08. > :12:10.agenda. Police Scotland's likely to overspend by ?25 million this
:12:11. > :12:14.financial year. Staff morale is low with a recent
:12:15. > :12:17.survey showing high levels of dissatisfaction among both officers
:12:18. > :12:22.and civilian workers. And a series of controversies, stop
:12:23. > :12:25.and search, armed officers, and the M9 tragedy have sapped public
:12:26. > :12:28.confidence. I would say is that I don't think everything is broken so
:12:29. > :12:30.let's not leave this conversation with a sense this is an organisation
:12:31. > :12:33.in chaos. It is not. with a sense this is an organisation
:12:34. > :12:37.really significant challenges. You have described some of them, there
:12:38. > :12:41.are others we can discuss. Actually, what we need to do is work with
:12:42. > :12:44.communities and individuals to develop locally relevant services,
:12:45. > :12:48.improve the quality of people's lives and that's my commitment. He
:12:49. > :12:52.has given himself 100 days to familiarise himself with the force
:12:53. > :12:57.before he can plan how to take it forward. It is a very big job. Phil
:12:58. > :13:01.Gormley says it's the pinnacle of his policing career. He says he
:13:02. > :13:06.approaches it with excitement and humility. He is on a contract for
:13:07. > :13:07.three years. He has challenges and those challenges he will have to
:13:08. > :13:13.meet beginning today. Six men have appeared in court
:13:14. > :13:15.in connection with the alleged and former chief executive
:13:16. > :13:24.Charles Green attended a preliminary hearing at the High Court
:13:25. > :13:26.in Edinburgh after prosecutors The former club secretary
:13:27. > :13:32.Gary Withey, and David Grier, David Whitehouse and Paul Clark
:13:33. > :13:34.who worked for administrators Duff The men face a total of 15
:13:35. > :13:40.charges that include fraud, conspiracy and involvement
:13:41. > :13:45.in serious organised crime. The deadline to double the numbers
:13:46. > :13:48.of nurses specialising in motor neurone disease has been missed
:13:49. > :13:51.by health officials. The First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon,
:13:52. > :14:00.personally promised the expansion in response
:14:01. > :14:02.to a campaign by the MND patient Gordon Aikman, whose story featured
:14:03. > :14:04.in a BBC documentary The Government says health boards
:14:05. > :14:15.were given funding last June The MND nurses are the key personnel
:14:16. > :14:19.for people with motor neurone disease. They're the ones that can
:14:20. > :14:24.co-ordinate other services and know the disease. They're the ones that
:14:25. > :14:28.know how the progression of the disease will take place and can put
:14:29. > :14:32.in place services in advance of when they're needed.
:14:33. > :14:34.Westminster's standards watchdog has opened an investigation
:14:35. > :14:37.into the conduct of the SNP MP, Phil Boswell.
:14:38. > :14:42.It came after allegations that he breached parliamentary rules
:14:43. > :14:44.by failing to register financial interests.
:14:45. > :14:46.Our reporter, Andrew Black, joins me now.
:14:47. > :14:57.Phil Boswell was one of the new intake of SNP machines elected in
:14:58. > :15:01.last year's UK election -- SNP MP. Today it was confirmed the
:15:02. > :15:05.Parliamentary Standards Commissioner is looking into allegations made by
:15:06. > :15:09.a Liberal Democrat candidate that he flouted the rules relating to the
:15:10. > :15:13.registration of financial interests as he is required to do as an MP.
:15:14. > :15:20.There is absolutely no suggestion at the moment that he has done anything
:15:21. > :15:25.wrong but this has come at a time when two SNP MPs remain suspended
:15:26. > :15:28.from the party as part of an investigation into separate
:15:29. > :15:33.allegations of wrongdoing which they both deny. That hasn't happened in
:15:34. > :15:38.Phil Boswell's case. The SNP released a short statement tonight
:15:39. > :15:40.in which they said he had sought advice from the Commons register of
:15:41. > :15:45.interests and the statement added, as the rules set out by the
:15:46. > :15:47.commissioner for the standards make clear, the inquiry does not imply
:15:48. > :15:51.there has been a breach of the rules. Thank you very much.
:15:52. > :15:54.In exactly four months' time, we'll be voting to elect the people
:15:55. > :15:56.who will represent us in the Scottish Parliament.
:15:57. > :15:57.But politicians started their campaigning today.
:15:58. > :16:03.Here's our political editor Brian Taylor.
:16:04. > :16:10.New year, hugs all round. But election year, embrace popular
:16:11. > :16:14.policies. Instead of defaulting left, Labour's fist big offer is
:16:15. > :16:20.extra help for first time house buyers. Labour values says their
:16:21. > :16:25.leader. We. Want to give young families about hope in Scotland.
:16:26. > :16:29.Save for their first home, do what their parents expected as a right. I
:16:30. > :16:36.think that's good Labour thing to do. She will give a bonus for those
:16:37. > :16:42.saving for a house deposit. Labour would add ?3,000 over three years
:16:43. > :16:47.Doubling the current benefit. Labour expects to aid 17,000 house
:16:48. > :16:51.purchasers each year at an annual cost of ?103 million. SNP leaders
:16:52. > :16:54.say they are already helping first-time buyers through shared
:16:55. > :16:59.equity and reduced tax on lower cost properties. Up next, the
:17:00. > :17:06.Conservatives with education reform plans, including new powers for head
:17:07. > :17:11.teachers. If you involve and empower schools themselves, the teachers,
:17:12. > :17:14.the education providers with the tools, money, resource and freedom
:17:15. > :17:17.to make the choices their children need. We have seen in other
:17:18. > :17:23.countries attainment goes up. We think that can happen in Scotland
:17:24. > :17:25.too. The First Minister forecast she would secure majority support for
:17:26. > :17:30.independence over the next few years. For now she pledged action on
:17:31. > :17:34.education, economy the, NHS and child kash. These plans will mark a
:17:35. > :17:38.new phase in Scotland's journey. They will see us take the next steps
:17:39. > :17:44.towards fulfilling our great national potential. The Lib Dem
:17:45. > :17:47.leader said targets for bringing two-year-olds into nursery education
:17:48. > :17:51.had been missed. How can we believe their promises on a massive
:17:52. > :17:56.expansion of nursery education if they can't even deliver the Tim mid
:17:57. > :18:02.and pathetic commitment that they have already given on two-year-olds?
:18:03. > :18:05.The First Minister said up dated figures were more promising. The
:18:06. > :18:11.Greens said local tax reform must bring in more cash to protect
:18:12. > :18:15.services. A tax cutting agenda would make that pressure on public
:18:16. > :18:26.services worse. Very Happy New Year. Very Happy New Year. They mean, it
:18:27. > :18:29.you know. The Hogmanay best wishes are swiftly evaporating.
:18:30. > :18:31.A look at other stories from across the country.
:18:32. > :18:33.Bereaved parents are calling for undertakers to be regulated
:18:34. > :18:36.and licensed nationally following the baby ashes scandal.
:18:37. > :18:39.Giving evidence to Holyrood's Health Committee, they called for funeral
:18:40. > :18:43.directors to be inspected and held to account for their actions.
:18:44. > :18:46.The Burials and Cremation Bill follows decades of babies' ashes
:18:47. > :18:49.being disposed of without their parents knowledge.
:18:50. > :18:52.250 families were affected in Edinburgh, Aberdeen,
:18:53. > :18:58.The airline Loganair is defending its reliability record
:18:59. > :19:05.and says it's to increase investment in services following a rise
:19:06. > :19:07.in profits and a dip in public confidence.
:19:08. > :19:10.Community leaders in the Western Isles have called
:19:11. > :19:14.for a change in the way the islands are served by air.
:19:15. > :19:16.It's also being suggested that the establishment
:19:17. > :19:23.of a state-run air service might be the best route to take.
:19:24. > :19:30.I understand that why that suggestion came forwarded it
:19:31. > :19:34.reflects the frustration and anger of people living on the islands the
:19:35. > :19:37.failure of the company to provide services at the appropriate times.
:19:38. > :19:39.Border Biscuits is expanding with a new production line
:19:40. > :19:43.The company produces more than 24 types of biscuit.
:19:44. > :19:46.The firm says the expansion forms part of its plans to grow its market
:19:47. > :19:52.An exhibition of Turner watercolours has gone on display
:19:53. > :19:55.at the National Gallery in Edinburgh.
:19:56. > :19:57.The pictures, which are only ever shown in January,
:19:58. > :20:08.range from dramatic European landscapes to Scottish scenes.
:20:09. > :20:14.The state of preservation is superb. It's remarkable these waters colours
:20:15. > :20:18.are much as they would have been in Turner's own lifetime.
:20:19. > :20:27.One Dundee United legend has told BBC Scotland that he doesn't know
:20:28. > :20:30.anyone who believes his former club can avoid relegation this season.
:20:31. > :20:32.However, the fears of Maurice Malpas are not echoed
:20:33. > :20:36.Mixu Paatelainen says if his players toughen up mentally then they can
:20:37. > :20:47.Wrapped up against the elements, training today far from fun for the
:20:48. > :20:49.Dundee United players. The conditions probably the least of
:20:50. > :20:56.their worries though. Of greater concern - their position in the
:20:57. > :21:01.Premiership table. This club legend admits he's also a worried man. I'd
:21:02. > :21:05.like to meet somebody who doesn't think they will get relegated now. A
:21:06. > :21:09.better man will say they will get relegated. People like myself are
:21:10. > :21:18.staunch Dundee United we are really hoping now as opposed to anything
:21:19. > :21:21.else. It's a big, big ask, but I'm nervous comeback if it does happen.
:21:22. > :21:24.I hope it does happen. It's a big, big ask now. They have themselves at
:21:25. > :21:27.the bottom of a big hole. It's difficult to get out. What a
:21:28. > :21:33.difference a year makes for Dundee United. Exactly a year ago they were
:21:34. > :21:39.fourth in the top-flight, just five points off the lead. A year on, they
:21:40. > :21:45.have just 10 points to their name, 11 points adrift. We want to have
:21:46. > :21:50.tougher mentality, more determined mentality out on the pitch. Maybe
:21:51. > :21:53.one or two players, when we take the lead, they go - thank youfully we
:21:54. > :21:57.are in the lead now. Instead of saying - we are in the lead now,
:21:58. > :22:02.come on, we need to press even harder.
:22:03. > :22:10.COMMENTATOR: Brilliant goal. Dundee United have the breakthrough. We
:22:11. > :22:13.want to have a positive, determined aggressive reaction from scoring
:22:14. > :22:16.that goal and go for the second goal and kill the game. We don't have
:22:17. > :22:21.that goal and go for the second goal that. The boss believes his side can
:22:22. > :22:23.get themselves out of trouble but, to do that, they will need to stop
:22:24. > :22:28.doing this. As Glasgow City set their sights
:22:29. > :22:31.on a tenth Premier League title, they've signed Scotland's
:22:32. > :22:33.most capped player. Scotland's number one
:22:34. > :22:34.goalkeeper, Gemma Fay, Fay has 188 caps for Scotland
:22:35. > :22:42.and City say they are signing a player with a wealth of experience
:22:43. > :22:47.who's also a great leader. Few people can forget the beaming
:22:48. > :22:49.smile of Erraid Davies during the Commonwealth Games,
:22:50. > :22:53.the teenage swimmer from Shetland is also hoping to light up
:22:54. > :22:56.the Paralympics in Rio this summer. The 14-year-old won a Bronze medal
:22:57. > :22:59.in the Para 100 metre Breaststroke She's continuing to break records
:23:00. > :23:15.and is eyeing Brazil. Stunning. Look at that smile!
:23:16. > :23:27.Beautiful. It was a smile that won the heart of the nation.
:23:28. > :23:34.Erraid girl was the youngest Scottish competitor. I think she has
:23:35. > :23:39.a bronze. Brilliant. The 13-year-old from the Shetland Islands. Just
:23:40. > :23:46.really happy. I really wanted to get it. 16 months on, she's still
:23:47. > :23:51.training hard back home in Shetland and continuing to break records.
:23:52. > :23:58.She's been down to a few of the British para camps down in Plymouth.
:23:59. > :24:02.And has broken the 200 meter para record twice since the Commonwealth
:24:03. > :24:05.Games. At the moment we are working really hard to see if she can get
:24:06. > :24:11.Games. At the moment we are working qualifying time in April for Rio.
:24:12. > :24:15.Six days a week she practices here at her local swimming pool. With
:24:16. > :24:23.just three lanes, it's a third of the size of a 50 meter Olympic pool.
:24:24. > :24:30.I'm training 14-hours a week at the moment. Working hard and hoping to
:24:31. > :24:36.make it to Rio. If she makes the team for the Olympics in Rio next
:24:37. > :24:40.summer she will be just 15. Life without swimming for Erraid would be
:24:41. > :24:44.unknown. Can't imagine it not being part of her life. I can see it being
:24:45. > :24:53.part of her life for a long time to come. Given her performance in 2014
:24:54. > :24:57.many believe she's in with a good chance of winning a medal. That
:24:58. > :25:00.smile, that would win a medal itself? She's a lovely young lady.
:25:01. > :25:02.Thank you very much. Now, here's Shelley Jofrey
:25:03. > :25:08.with details of Scotland 2015. Tonight, we are look ahead to what
:25:09. > :25:13.promises to be a busy year in politics. And, after the wettest
:25:14. > :25:17.December since records began, we're asking if Scotland was well enough
:25:18. > :25:22.prepared for the deluge. Join me over on BBC Two at 10.30pm.
:25:23. > :25:24.Weather now, and it's over to Christopher.
:25:25. > :25:26.Chris, the rain still causing problems in many parts of Scotland
:25:27. > :25:30.You've got some figures about just how wet it has been?
:25:31. > :25:36.I have. Thank you very much. Good evening to you. This chart shows the
:25:37. > :25:41.amount of rain we saw last month. The white area is normal rainfall.
:25:42. > :25:44.The colours over and above that, the darker blues indicating double the
:25:45. > :25:47.normal rain we would expect for the month of December making it
:25:48. > :25:50.Scotland's wettest December on record. Those records date back to
:25:51. > :26:02.1910. For many today a cloudy and wet
:26:03. > :26:06.picture. This is from one of our weather watchers in Perthshire. That
:26:07. > :26:12.will continue this evening and over night. Here is the chart, we have a
:26:13. > :26:17.yellow be aware warning across the north-east and the Borders. Further
:26:18. > :26:20.west it will be dry, a windy night across eastern parts of the country
:26:21. > :26:23.coming in from the east or south-east. Temperatures three or
:26:24. > :26:28.four Celsius. Cooler in the countryside. Tomorrow actually all
:26:29. > :26:33.told a better day than today. Still, that wet weather across the
:26:34. > :26:37.north-east. Falling as snow across the hills and ground. The rain will
:26:38. > :26:45.be persistent and falling on saturated ground. Potentially
:26:46. > :26:49.further issues. The tomorrow afternoon cloudy, six or seven
:26:50. > :26:58.Celsius, a breezy day, strong, potentially gale force at times.
:26:59. > :27:04.Showery rain to Borders. The that yellow warning in force.
:27:05. > :27:12.Into this time tomorrow night the wet weather in the north-east will
:27:13. > :27:16.pep up again ahead of this area of rain edging in from the Atlantic. It
:27:17. > :27:21.will sweep in over night Wednesday into Thursday. Connected with this
:27:22. > :27:25.area of low pressure. You can see there other cold air mass on it is
:27:26. > :27:29.way. Not only turning wet and windy on Thursday, but a cooler as well.
:27:30. > :27:32.It's the rain that is causing us most concern. Early warning in force
:27:33. > :27:36.across parts of the north-east of the country. To start Thursday, wet
:27:37. > :27:42.and windy conditions. That rain slowly working it is way northwards
:27:43. > :27:46.through the course of the day. Wintry at times, snow perhaps even
:27:47. > :27:49.down to lower levels. One to watch. Hopefully, turning brighter with
:27:50. > :27:52.some sunshine. That's the forecast. Thank you Christopher.
:27:53. > :27:55.Now, a reminder of tonight's main news.
:27:56. > :27:58.David Cameron will allow ministers to campaign for either side
:27:59. > :28:00.in the referendum once a deal is reached on the UK's relationship
:28:01. > :28:04.A number of Cabinet ministers are thought to favour an out vote.
:28:05. > :28:07.Our next main bulletin is just after the Ten O'Clock News.
:28:08. > :28:28.Until then, from everyone on the team, have a good evening.
:28:29. > :28:29.You had Zoe, then you had a little boy.
:28:30. > :28:32.A toast - to happy families! Happy family!