The Daily Thistle
The Daily Thistle – News From Scotland
Monday 13th November 2017
"Madainn Mhath” …Fellow Scot, I hope the day brings joy to you…." I looked at the clock and it said midnight, next second I'm looking at the clock with 3.30am on its face, not worth risking sleep when I get up at 4.00am so out of bed and get meet with wet kisses from Bella as I try to tie my shoes... so out into the dark of the early morning we go me with a wet face and her with a wagging tail ...we spend the next 30 minutes with me at the end of a leash and Bella dragging me to the next spot to sniff.. finally we make it home, the coffee has brewed, Bella's eaten and is now sound asleep on my foot and I've read the news, so would you like to see what I have discovered?.....
TRUMP 'BROKE SCOTS INVESTMENT PROMISES'…. Donald Trump has failed to honour his investment promises to Scotland, former First Minister Alex Salmond has said. Before his election, the US President said he would spend ￡1bn building a golf resort in Aberdeenshire.
Ten years after the planning application was called in by the Scottish government, much of that development has yet to materialise.
The Trump Organisation said it had made a long-term commitment and intends to continue building on the site.
It has given BBC Scotland first sight of its plans for the next phase of development on the Menie estate, north of Aberdeen.
Donald Trump was given permission to build there on the basis that any environmental damage could be justified by the scale of economic benefit being promised. It was supposed to be a ￡1bn investment, creating about 6,000 jobs. It was to include two championship golf courses, a 450-bedroom hotel and almost 1,500 holiday and residential homes. The development so far includes one golf course and a club house, a 16-bedroom boutique hotel and some lodges.
CORNCRAKE NUMBERS IN SCOTLAND FALL FOR A THIRD YEAR…. Numbers of one of Scotland's rarest breeding birds have fallen to their lowest level since 2003, according to RSPB Scotland. Corncrakes breed on islands including Lewis, Harris, Mull, Orkney and parts of the north-west Highland coast and Argyll. The birds are counted by listening for the call of males. Their number has declined for the third year running with only 866 recorded this year. The figure marked a drop of 17% from 2016, and down 33% from 2014's high figure of 1,289 males. RSPB Scotland said numbers had not been this low since 2003 when 836 males were recorded. The charity said the long-term survival of corncrakes as a breeding species in Scotland was now under threat. It has asked the wider conservation community and Scottish government to do "all they can" to work with landowners and crofters to increase protection of corncrakes.
CRACKDOWN ON DEER POACHING IN HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS…. Police wildlife crime officers are carrying out anti-deer poaching patrols in the Highlands and Islands. Illegal hunting of deer can become a problem in the run up to Christmas when the meat is offered for sale on the black market. Police Scotland said its Operation Moon was being targeted at known poaching "hotspots".
Wildlife crime officer Daniel Sutherland said poachers were also often involved in other rural crimes. Colin Shedden, Scottish director of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation, added: "Those who poach deer care little for their welfare and may resort to inappropriate firearms, illegal snares or even use dogs. "Nor will they respect the close seasons which are designed to offer protection for dependent young. "We would encourage all responsible deer stalkers and managers to let Police Scotland know of any suspicious activity or evidence of deer being taken illegally."
BEN NEVIS GETS AUTOMATIC WEATHER STATION…. Live weather data is being recorded again at the top of Ben Nevis, the UK's highest peak, after a 113-year gap. Researchers have installed an automatic meteorological station that digitally collects information on temperatures, wind speeds and rainfall levels. Until 1904, the same measurements were gathered by men who lived in a shelter at the summit. The weather station was carried up the mountain, in the Scottish Highlands, by a team of researchers on Tuesday. The new station means visitors to the UnEarthed exhibition in Edinburgh next week will be able to take a look in real-time at weather conditions on the mountain, something that was not possible previously.
FORMER NORTHUMBRIA POLICE OFFICER SHOT DEAD IN CANADA…. Abbotsford Police Department said it had "lost a hero"
A former British police officer has been killed while serving in Canada. John Davidson, 53, was shot dead while arresting a suspect in Abbotsford, British Columbia, on Monday. Originally from Hawick in Scotland, he worked for Northumbria Police for 24 years before emigrating. Acting Chief Constable Winton Keenen said the force was "very saddened to learn of the death of our former colleague who died bravely in the line of duty". "Today many of our officers who knew John well during his career with us and kept in touch with him over the ensuing years are shocked by the events in Canada," he said. "We all want to express our sincere condolences to his family at this tragic news.
On that note I will say that I hope you have enjoyed the news from Scotland today,
Our look at Scotland today is of the Corncrake…….
A Sincere Thank You for your company and Thank You for your likes and comments I love them and always try to reply, so please keep them coming, it's always good fun, As is my custom, I will go and get myself another mug of "Colombian" Coffee and wish you a safe Monday 13th November 2017 from my home on the southern coast of Spain, where the blue waters of the Alboran Sea washes the coast of Africa and Europe and the smell of the night blooming Jasmine and Honeysuckle fills the air…and a crazy old guy and his dog Bella go out for a walk at 4:00 am…on the streets of Estepona…
All good stuff....But remember it’s a dangerous world we live in
Be safe out there…
Robert McAngus