Andy Tyrie obituary: UDA leader at height of the Troubles
Tyrie himself had no workplace to walk out from as he was drawing the dole. Yet he was never less than busy as the events of the Troubles unfolded. As the commander of Northern Ireland's largest paramilitary force, Tyrie would ultimately be accountable for murder, mayhem, racketeering and the infliction of misery on the lives of many ordinary Catholics and Protestants in the province.
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Daily Mail
15 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Trump backlash as rich Americans flee the States and bid for new life... in a Scottish castle
Wealthy Americans fleeing the US after the election of Donald Trump are driving a boom in sales of Scottish castles. In the six months since the most controversial and divisive president in modern history took office, top-end estate agents have witnessed a huge surge in interest for the country's oldest and most dramatic properties. And although buying a castle has long been the ultimate fantasy of many home-owners, prices are now soaring to a historic high – partly because of an exodus of millionaires from the States. So while many castles over the centuries have witnessed and withstood countless battles, skirmishes and attacks, these days they are more likely to find themselves at the centre of a bidding war. One recent sale went to a closing date with no fewer than three rich Americans all offering far in excess of the initial asking price. Cameron Ewer, head of residential property for Savills estate agency explained a spike in interest from the US was pushing prices higher. He said: 'There are definitely more international buyers in the marketplace. In the immediate aftermath of Donald Trump 's election, the number of American inquiries through our website went absolutely through the roof – and has now settled to a far higher-than-normal level. 'Not everyone is a Trump supporter, and those that aren't are keen to leave the country: there's definitely an element of that in discussions we've had with buyers.' Last month tax lawyers and immigration advisers told US broadcaster CNN they had seen a 'stampede' of Americans emigrating since the start of Mr Trump's presidency. One couple told the channel: 'We're getting away from the chaos … I feel like the America as we knew it growing up is slipping away pretty fast.' Meanwhile, more than 1,900 US residents applied for a British passport during the first quarter of 2025, the most since the Home Office began keeping records in 2004. Politics aside, Mr Ewer said there were also other factors behind the surge in interest in Scotland's castles. He said: 'Scottish castles have always had international appeal. There's a romance surrounding them – and there's always a smattering on the market. But there are definitely more for sale right now. One factor may be the increasing costs of running a castle – which isn't cheap. Another factor is simply that the market in Scotland is pretty buoyant across the board, and with more stock coming to the market generally, there's a feeling that this is a good time to be selling prize assets in Scotland.' He explained: 'The overarching reason for the uptick in interest is value: the quality of the properties, the culture, the heritage behind them that buyers can afford in Scotland is head and shoulders above what can be found in other places in the UK, Europe or elsewhere.' And with a flurry of castles newly offered to the market, even properties worth millions are being quickly snapped up. In just the past few weeks, three magnificent piles have gone 'under offer' – including Plane Castle in Stirlingshire (a manor house near Bannockburn with a 14th-century tower which was marketed for offers over £1.2 million); Keillour Castle (a turreted country house in Perthshire, offers over £1.8 million) and Cramond Tower (a restored mediaeval tower house outside Edinburgh, offers over £850,000). Glenborrodale Castle, a sprawling 16-bedroom sandstone castle in the West Highlands also sold this year – for more than £200,000 above the asking price – having been put on the market for offers over £2.35 million. Scotland has around 1,500 castles – ranging from mediaeval strongholds with towers and keeps, to fortified mansions, and even 18th century estate houses whose battlements are purely decorative. Many are ruins, while others have been converted into commercial ventures such as luxury hotels and wedding venues. Hundreds more, however, remain as private homes – and are eagerly sought after when they go up for sale, sometimes after decades or even centuries in the ownership of the same family. Estate agents believe the general level of interest in castles from property lovers on both sides of the Atlantic has been boosted by TV's The Traitors – hosted in the UK by Claudia Winkleman and by Alan Cumming in the American version – which was set amid the baronial splendour of Ardross Castle north of Inverness. Mr Ewer said increased demand was boosting the prices for castles. He said: 'Prices this year are at a height – both in terms of asking prices and also in terms of the final prices being achieved. Castles are a special type of property, and the values don't always follow trends in the general housing market. 'People don't say, 'I've got a budget of two million, I'm going to buy a Scottish castle.' They typically need far deeper pockets than that, to be able to ensure they can afford the maintenance and running costs. These aren't buyers with specific budgets. If you find the right buyer, they'll pay whatever it takes.' Earlier this month American actress Christina Hendricks hinted she was looking to buy a castle. After spending time in Scotland filming two series of period drama The Buccaneers – which features as locations Culzean Castle in Ayrshire, Hopetoun House, near South Queensferry, and Drumlanrig Castle in Dumfriesshire – the 50-year-old confessed in an interview: 'I am so in love with Scotland... I'm all about the historical stuff. I mean when we shoot at these estates and these castles... this is mind blowing to me.' Above, to help the actress – and any other would-be purchasers – track down a dream castle in Scotland, the Mail on Sunday reveals some of the most amazing examples currently on the market. Picturesque ruins Over the centuries, many ancient castles have fallen into disrepair. And although the damage may be beyond the reach of even the most ambitious restorer, the remains can still make a picturesque centrepiece for a larger estate. The ruins of Castle Cary in Creetown, Dumfries and Galloway, are currently on the market for offers over £9.5 million. The price tag may seem high for a derelict building but the estate also includes a holiday park business with swimming pool, and pub and restaurant. On the Isle of Skye, the ruins of Armadale Castle, the historic seat of the MacDonalds of Sleat, (above) is on sale at offers over £995,000. The Clan Donald Lands Trust said it had taken the 'difficult' decision to sell the square Tudor-Gothic mock-castle dating back to 1815 – and the adjoining 20,000-acre estate – because of financial challenges. Castle with Mod Cons Although Pirwindy Keep near Largo in Fife looks and sounds like a historic stronghold, it was actually built in 1998. To all intents and purposes it really is a 'modern' castle. The six-bed property – offers over £1.9 million – was designed as a replica of a fortified turreted keep. The main three-storey tower has an imposing stone façade and a protruding balcony which offers great views over the Firth of Forth to Edinburgh's Arthur's Seat – ideal as a lookout in case the house ever needs to take on a defensive role against marauding invaders! Historical dungeons! For some, a castle's true worth can only be measured in the number of centuries it has been standing – and in the tally of original features such as mediaeval battlements, dungeons, moats and arrow-slit windows. Earlshall Castle in Leuchars, Fife, still retains its 16th century musket loops for repelling invaders. With an asking price of £8 million, the house – which was visited by Mary, Queen of Scots and King James VI – also boasts a Great Hall and a 50ft gallery decorated with the coats of arms of European royalty and Scottish nobles. Cakemuir Castle in Tynehead, Midlothian, (above) also dates back to the 1500s and has distinctive crenellated walls and spiral staircases, plus a stone plaque commemorating the occasion Mary, Queen of Scots in 1567 sheltered there, as she fled Borthwick Castle disguised as a page boy. The eight-bedroom restored tower house is available for offers over £2.9 million. The original tower house features a projecting turnpikestair, gun loops and a parapet for guards. A pavilion contains a dining room opening to the lawned garden through three sets of French doors. The property also has a wine cellar. A £300,000 bargain Believed to be the cheapest castle currently on the market in Scotland, Little Tarrel Castle is for sale, offers over £299,000. The B-listed fortalice – a small fortified house – was built in 1559 by Alexander Ross who became chief of Clan Ross and Laird of Balnagown after his father was murdered. Determined not to meet the same fate, Alexander began attacking rivals, kidnapping neighbours, stealing church lands and defying the government. After decades of delinquent behaviour, he was brought to book and forced to hand his title to his son. The castle was fully restored in the 1980s but retains many original features, including arched stone fireplace, timber beams, thick wooden latched doors and shutters, as well as the original shot hole, gun loops and arrow slits.
The Independent
27 minutes ago
- The Independent
UK foreign secretary visits Syria, renewing ties after 14 years of conflict
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy met in Damascus on Saturday with Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, marking the restoration of relations after 14 years of tension during Syria's conflict and Assad family rule. Syria has been improving relations with Western countries following the fall of President Bashar Assad in December in an offensive led by al-Sharaa's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Islamist group. Al-Sharaa's office said Lammy and the president discussed mutual relations and ways of boosting cooperation and the latest regional and international developments. Lammy later met his Syrian counterpart, Asaad al-Shibani, state media reported. A statement issued by Britain's foreign office said the visit showed London's commitment to support Syria as the new government seeks to rebuild the country's economy, deliver an inclusive political transition and forge a path to justice for the victims of the Assad government. It added that there will be new U.K. funding to assist with the removal of Assad-era chemical weapons and provide urgent humanitarian assistance in Syria, to bolster U.K. and Middle East security and tackle irregular migration. The statement said the British government wants to ensure that the Islamic State group's territorial defeat 'endures, and they can never resurge.' IS once controlled large parts of Syria and Iraq, where it planned attacks worldwide. It was defeated in Syria in March 2019 when the extremists lost the last sliver of land they once controlled. The statement said Britain's support for Syria is set to continue, with the additional 94.5 million pounds ($129 million) package announced Saturday. It will provide urgent humanitarian aid to Syrians, support Syria's longer-term recovery through education and livelihoods, and support countries hosting Syrian refugees in the region. In April, the British government lifted sanctions against a dozen Syrian entities, including government departments and media outlets, to help the country rebuild after Assad's ouster. Weeks earlier, the U.K. had dropped sanctions against two dozen Syrian businesses, mostly banks and oil companies. Earlier this week, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order ending many American economic sanctions on Syria, following through on a promise he made to al-Sharaa. Syria's new leaders have been struggling to rebuild the country's decimated economy and infrastructure after nearly 14 years of civil war that has killed half a million people. In recent months, al-Sharaa visited oil-rich regional countries and France in May in his first visit to the Europe Union. Also on Saturday, Lammy met in Beirut with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and they discussed the situation along the Lebanon-Israel border following the 14-month Israel-Hezbollah war. A statement issued by Aoun's office, quoted the Lebanese leader as telling Lammy that Beirut plans to raise the number of Lebanese troops along the border with Israel to 10,000. Aoun added that the only armed sides on the Lebanese side of the border will be Lebanon's national army and U.N. peacekeepers. ___
Telegraph
29 minutes ago
- Telegraph
British law firm representing Hamas changes name to Riverway to the Sea
A law firm that tried to remove Hamas from the UK's list of proscribed terrorist groups has closed down in its current form after being investigated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Riverway Law will now reopen as the legal arm of a new organisation called 'Riverway to the Sea', which describes itself as 'dedicated to understanding and confronting the racist ideology of Zionism'. The firm's title is a reference to the pro-Palestinian slogan 'from the River to the Sea, Palestine shall be free'. The slogan has been interpreted in a variety of ways. Critics claim it rejects Israel's right to exist by asserting a Palestinian territorial claim to all land between the Jordan and the Mediterranean. Others characterise it as a call for the international recognition of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. The new firm states that its purpose is to use the British legal system to challenge Israel, whose name they render in quote marks, and Zionism 'through strategic litigation, legal education, and international co-ordination'. It cites asylum claims, employment tribunals and defamation suits as opportunities to further these goals. Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, who first called for an SRA investigation into Riverway Law, told The Telegraph: 'This isn't a law firm committed to upholding the rule of law – they are naked activists who seek to weaponise it. The SRA need to expedite their investigation so these disgusting individuals can be brought to heel.' Riverway Law made headlines in April when it launched an appeal to have Hamas taken off Britain's list of proscribed groups. In a submission to Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, it argued Hamas posed 'no threat to the UK people' and should be allowed to operate here on free speech grounds. Days later, Mr Jenrick reported the firm to the SRA, arguing the appeal potentially breached UK sanctions rules on terror groups. He also drew attention to apparent social media posts about the war in Gaza by Fahad Ansari, the leading lawyer in the case and the director of Riverway. 'A legitimate resistance movement' The posts included claims that Hamas is a 'legitimate resistance movement' protecting Palestinians from 'UK-sponsored Israeli genocide'. Mr Ansari has defended his firm's actions, saying it took advice to ensure it did not breach its duties under the sanctions regime. The SRA is understood to have opened its investigation into the firm in May and was still at an early phase last month. However, Riverway Law ceased trading on June 29, and therefore no longer functions as a solicitors' practice regulated by the SRA. In a statement on its website, the firm said: 'In response to escalating repression and growing global momentum for justice in Palestine, we are proud to announce that Riverway Law is undergoing a restructure whereby it will become the legal arm of the newly launched Riverway to the Sea – a movement-embedded legal organisation committed to confronting Zionism through strategic litigation, legal education, and international coordination. 'We have therefore taken the decision to close the practice in its current manifestation and will soon be reopening a new firm that will be better equipped to deal with the challenges of our times.' Riverway submitted its 106-page application on behalf of Hamas to the Home Office in April, accompanied by a video which was posted to its social media channels. The appeal, believed to be the first of its kind, was fronted by Mousa Abu Marzouk, Hamas's head of international relations and its legal office. Mr Ansari told The Telegraph: 'In the face of a live-streamed genocide, we are restructuring to meet the needs of the struggle. Riverway to the Sea will deliver radical legal education to equip the next generation of legal fighters while the forthcoming Riverway Law Centre – breaking with outdated divisions between barristers and solicitors – will form our legal wing to drive bold, coordinated challenges to Zionism. 'Riverway to the Sea has already held discussions on deproscription challenges with lawyers in the Netherlands, Austria, Sweden and Australia. We have been invited to speak about deproscription at an international lawyers' convention this summer, and are currently collaborating with other Jewish lawyers to provide training about the anti-Semitism within Zionism. 'While we appreciate that a low-grade politician like Robert Jenrick may want to bolster his fascist credentials by claiming he shut the firm down, there is not and has never been any investigation into Riverway Law.'
