Latest news with #Dougal
Glasgow Times
10-07-2025
- Glasgow Times
Kilsyth man raped 13-year-old girl on Christmas Day
Robert Dougal, 62, plied the teenager, who can't be named for legal reasons, with alcohol before preying on at an address in North Lanarkshire on December 25, 2022. The High Court in Edinburgh also heard how Dougal, of Kilsyth, kept photos of the child on his phone. He was caught when police learned about his crimes and launched an investigation which resulted in them gathering enough evidence to bring him to justice. Dougal was convicted of rape and making and possessing indecent images following a trial before judge Lady Ross earlier this year at the High Court in Stirling. He had pleaded not guilty to the charges. Sentence was deferred for the court to obtain a report on Dougal's background and character. On Thursday, he appeared at court in the Scottish capital. Passing sentence, Lady Ross made references to admissions made to court appointed social workers by Dougal. She added: 'I understand you struggle to acknowledge what you have done, that you refer to it as the 'r word'. 'However, it is important to state what you have been found guilty of - rape. I have read the complainer's victim impact statement and it is clear that your actions have caused her to suffer significant psychological injuries. 'In the circumstances, it is clear that only a substantial custodial sentence is appropriate in the circumstances.' READ NEXT: This Glasgow estate is 'an island' with no shops, post box or decent bus service READ NEXT: Man accused of trying to murder toddler by stepping in front of moving train Earlier in the hearing, defence advocate Frances Connor told the court that her client still maintained he was innocent of any wrongdoing. She also said that he had been drinking heavily on the night in question and had been dealing with trauma in his personal life. Ms Connor added: 'He has attempted suicide due to the death of his wife.' Lady Ross also placed Dougal on the Sex Offenders Register for life.
Scotsman
03-06-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Vets save dog's life after his heart stopped following car crash
A dog owner has thanked vets for their lifesaving actions after his beloved pet was injured in a road accident and his heart stopped multiple times during surgery. Free weekly newsletter Join our weekly YourWorld newsletter for updates, behind-the-scenes insights from editor David Summers, and your chance to shape what's next. Free weekly newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Six-year-old cocker spaniel Dougal was on a walk when he slid off an icy pavement and was hit by a passing car. He was referred to Linnaeus-owned Veterinary Specialists Scotland (VSS) in Livingston, where the expert team discovered his front leg was fractured badly, involving the wrist. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Dougal underwent surgery to fuse the wrist, called pancarpal arthrodesis (PCA), but while under anaesthetic his heart stopped several times and surgery was postponed. Dougal Anne French, specialist in veterinary cardiology at VSS, carried out an investigation which found bruising to Dougal's heart which was sustained when he was hit. Anne said: 'Dougal was hospitalised with us for several days to give time for any bruising of the heart to improve. A few days later, the PCA surgery was attempted and again under anaesthesia Dougal developed a slow heart rate and his heart kept stopping for prolonged periods. 'We had to use an external pacer to look after Dougal's heart while we completed surgery on his leg. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The leg recovered well, however, tests revealed Dougal's heart continued to stop for up to 10 seconds at a time. After discussions with his owner, the decision was made to implant a permanent pacemaker which has now helped resolve his heart problems. Dougal Owner James Springthorpe from Broxburn said: 'When we were told his heart had stopped and surgery had to be postponed, we were devastated. We knew, however, he was in good hands at VSS. 'The surgery to repair his leg was very complex and with the added concern over his heart it was an awful time for my wife and I. We thought we would lose him but Anne French and her team did an amazing job under very difficult circumstances.' Due to his active nature, Dougal was calmed with sedatives in the weeks after his pacemaker was implanted to ensure the lead did not become displaced. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad James added: 'Thank you to VSS, they are a wonderful, dedicated team who have got Dougal back to his old self. Nothing gets in his way now!' Dougal at VSS VSS is a specialist-led multidisciplinary referral hospital offering services in cardiology, dermatology, emergency and critical care, internal medicine (feline and canine), neurology, orthopaedics, and soft tissue surgery, supported by specialists in diagnostic imaging and anaesthesia and analgesia. For more information about VSS and the services it offers, visit or search for Veterinary Specialists Scotland on social media.
Daily Record
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Outlander's Dougal star issued 'complicated' advice to Blood of My Blood successor
Outlander: Blood of My Blood star Sam Retford has opened up about taking on the iconic role of Dougal MacKenzie Outlander: Blood of My Blood star Sam Retford was given some sage advice from original Dougal MacKenzie actor Graham McTavish when he joined the new spin-off. The forthcoming prequel on Starz will delve into the captivating love stories of Claire (portrayed by Caitriona Balfe) and Jamie Fraser's (Sam Heughan) parents. Spanning two separate timelines, the 10-episode drama follows Ellen MacKenzie (Harriet Slater) and Brian Fraser (Jamie Roy) in 18th Century Scotland and Julia Moriston (Hermione Corfield) and Henry Beauchamp (Jeremy Irvine) set against the backdrop of WWI. In addition to expanding the narratives of these two iconic couples, Blood of My Blood will also showcase some familiar faces from Jamie's lineage. Among them is English-Australian actor Retford, stepping into the beloved role of Dougal, previously played by Scottish actor McTavish, reports the Scottish Daily Express. "It's very easy to play Dougal because you can kind of just do whatever comes into your head," the newcomer confessed at the recent Outlander and Blood of My Blood: The Gathering panel. "Everyone else has to exercise temperance when someone frustrates them in a scene, whereas Dougal would either get up and leave or, I don't know, pull a knife out." Despite his performance coming naturally to Retford, he received some vital words of warning from his predecessor about portraying Jamie's formidable uncle. "Graham gave me a lovely piece of advice which was that Dougal is entirely complicated in everything he does and everything's always for a reason," he revealed. "I think, to develop a character that eventually becomes so passionate about his country and freedom, so much so that it compromises his own self, despite on the surface looking inherently selfish, I think he becomes the exact opposite." Dougal became a pivotal figure in build-up to the Battle of Culloden, where the patriotic Jacobites clashed with the British in an attempt to reinstate the Stuart monarchy. Over 1,000 Highlanders were killed or injured, including Dougal himself in Outlander's second season finale when he mistakenly thinks Claire and Jamie are planning to assassinate Charles Stuart (Andrew Gower). After a heated confrontation, Jamie is compelled to kill his uncle, stabbing Dougal in the throat. He dies choking on his own blood in Jamie's arms. While Dougal recently made an unexpected return earlier in his life during Outlander's seventh season, fans will undoubtedly be touched once they encounter him as a younger man. "Young Dougal is someone who I've always felt emotional when reading him on the page because you almost feel sorry for him not being able to see the bigger picture," Retford continued. "But that's something that's always been super interesting and I get to punch loads of people so it's pretty good fun!" In addition to the revealing new prequel, Outlander enthusiasts also have another instalment of the flagship drama to anticipate.
RTÉ News
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Careful, now - the 10 best Father Ted episodes, ranked!
It's one of the best sitcoms of all time, and certainly one of the most iconic and beloved Irish shows ever. If you want to spark a lively debate across a pub table, however, you need only utter the words: 'What's the best Father Ted episode?' With Ted, Dougal, Jack, Mrs. Doyle and the assortment of characters that first set foot on Craggy Island celebrating their 30th anniversary, it's as good a time as ever to put ten of the show's best episodes in order. And if you don't agree? Well, that would be an ecumenical matter. 10. Flight Into Terror The tenth episode of Season 2 was a doozy, not least because of the proliferation of various other characters (including the glorious return of Fr. Noel Furlong and Fr. Fintan Fay, aka the Monkey Priest), but because of the superb gags that continue to resonate in everyday life. Hands up if you've ever seen a big red button and thought of Dougal? The priests found themselves in mortal danger as they returned from a pilgrimage to a golf course where an apparition of the Virgin Mary appeared. When Jack steals the only two parachutes on board - one for him, the other for the drinks trolley - it's up to Ted to save the day (Watch here, via RTÉ Player) 9. The Passion of St. Tibulus The phrases 'Careful now' and 'Down with this sort of thing' have become legend amongst Ted fans, and this was the episode that spawned those rallying cries. Bishop Brennan arrives on Craggy Island to insist that Ted and Dougal protest against the local cinema's showing of a racy religious film. When their protest inadvertently ends up making it a hit ("they're coming from Gdansk!"), Brennan threatens to exile them to terrible parishes - until Jack finds an incriminating VHS tape. The subtle skewering of figures like Eamon Casey and Michael Cleary was the cherry on the cake (Watch here, via RTÉ Player) 8. The Mainland The Craggy Island contingent make a rare trip to the mainland to run a variety of errands, and needless to say, things don't quite go to plan. From Ted and Dougal getting lost in the Very Dark Caves (where they're tortured by Fr. Noel Furlong's rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody), to Jack being attacked by crows, to Mrs. Doyle ending up in jail (and Dougal trying to order a bag of chips and a can of Fanta at the Garda Station), Richard Wilson's guest turn is only one of the best things about this brilliant episode (Watch here, via RTÉ Player) 7. Old Grey Whistle Theft The fourth episode of series two saw one of the most enduring guest characters - Father Damo Lennon - make himself known to the audience in glorious fashion; 'Blur or Oasis?' has never been weighted with so much gravitas. As the rebellious Damo leads Dougal astray, Craggy Island is rocked by the scandal of a stolen whistle: who is the thief? The writing in this episode is astoundingly good, from the bullish couple that Ted and Jack encounter on their picnic (F-U-P-O-F-F) to Jack's ability to name 'Jacob's Creek chardonnay 1991!' from the clink of a bottle, to the helicopter scene and the references to Boyz N the Hood (Watch here, via RTÉ Player) 6. Kicking Bishop Brennan Up the Arse Both Graham Linehan and Arthur Mathews named this episode as their personal favourite, and it's definitely one of the best. In the previous episode (Escape from Victory), Ted's Craggy Island team had lost the Over-75s football tournament to his arch-nemesis Dick Byrne. The forfeit? Kicking Bishop Brennan up the arse. A likeness of the bishop has apparently appeared on a skirting board of the Craggy Island parochial house, and he arrives with Fr. Jessup - The Most Sarcastic Priest in Ireland - in tow to inspect it. From the 'very crude watercolour painting of a man in a bishop's hat', to the back-and-forth between Mrs. Doyle and Fr. Jessup, this episode is a total joy (Watch here, via RTÉ Player) 5. The Plague Another one that features the indomitable Bishop Brennan (Jim Norton), who arrives at Craggy Island to inspect the sleeping arrangements of Jack, who has taken to frightening the locals by sleepwalking nude. When he encounters Dougal's new pet rabbit Sampras - and Bishop Brennan is not a fan of rabbits, having been trapped in a lift with them once - Ted and Dougal's attempts to remove the bunnies prove futile. They eventually realise that the rabbits are attracted to Jack's scent, but by then, it's much too late. A farcical delight with a multitude of priceless one-liners (Watch here, via RTÉ Player) 4. Hell There are so many memorable moments in Hell that it quite simply deserves to rank within the top 5. Ted, Dougal and Jack go on holiday to the most depressing caravan in Ireland, where they inadvertently become the local peeping toms and have their trip gatecrashed by Fr. Noel Furlong and the St. Luke's Youth Group. Graham Norton's turn as the irritating priest is up there as one the funniest comedy characters in any sitcom, ever. It's also the episode that brought us the legendary 'small, far away' scene (Watch here, via RTÉ Player) 3. A Song for Europe It's not just because of the glorious My Lovely Horse, or because it so perfectly lampoons the Irish experience of Eurovision in the 1990s. Like most of the truly great Father Ted episodes, it's the little asides and in-jokes that keep the laughs coming in A Song for Europe - like Ted's meltdown during their writing session ("Just play the f**king note!"), Jack's reaction to their performance (shooting Ted's guitar with a shotgun), even Dougal's penchant for wearing an Ireland jersey in bed. An episode that never gets old (Watch here, via RTÉ Player) 2. New Jack City Brendan Grace was just one of the famous names in comedy to make a cameo in Father Ted, but the late Dubliner's turn as Fr. Fintan Stack was undoubtedly one of the best. When Jack is consigned to St. Clabbert's Hospital after contracting Hairy Hands Syndrome, his replacement Fr. Stack - an obnoxious, uncouth, jungle-loving terror who enjoys drilling holes in the wall - sets the cat amongst the pigeons at the parochial house. Again, the little asides in this episode, from a very drunk Dougal ("We're all going to heaven lads, waheyyyy!") to the 'Sports Day' video that Ted and his friends are watching, are superb - as is Brendan Grace, who nails the sociopathic Fr. Stack (Watch here, via RTÉ Player) 1. Speed 3 It's a tough call, but it's the right one. Speed 3 is the best Father Ted episode for a multitude of reasons - the writing, the acting, the clever references and the sheer ludicrousness of the plot - but mostly because it's one you can watch over and over again. When local lothario milkman Pat Mustard (Pat Laffan) arrives on Craggy Island and starts knocking up the local housewives, Ted makes it his business to get him fired. His revenge? A bomb on a milk cart driven by Dougal. This is also hands-down one of the quotable episodes, from 'Is there anything to be said for saying another Mass?' to 'I love my brick' to 'Those women were in the nip!' It also characterised the relationship between Ted (the late, great Dermot Morgan) and the hapless Dougal (the superb Ardal O'Hanlon) wonderfully. You will never get tired of watching Speed 3
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Travelling caravan couple catch glimpse of rarely seen creature in shallows: 'Fascinating'
There's no shortage of fascinating wildlife in Australia. Sometimes, you just need to know where to look. For those travelling the continent like Mariella and Dougal, who are constantly on the lookout for animals, there's plenty to fill your days with. According to figures from the Australian federal Department of Environment, there is an estimated 566,000 living species in Australia, with only about 147,000 having been previously described. "Since hitting the road, we've made it a mission to photograph every species we come across," Mariella told Yahoo News Australia. "We're enthusiastic naturalists and passionate wildlife photographers, so any opportunity to document unique wildlife encounters is a real thrill for us." And it's been a thrill they've been chasing for years now, joining the growing number of people in Australia that live a nomadic lifestyle. "During Covid, we made the decision to buy a caravan and hit the road, and we haven't looked back since," she said. While Mariella is from Italy, she's been living in Australia for the past decade and met Dougal in his hometown of Airlie Beach in Queensland. "We left Airlie Beach about four years ago and have been on the move ever since," she explained to Yahoo. "We live full-time in our off-road caravan, which has been amazing. It gives us the freedom to change our backyard often." Travelling couple reveal 'hardest thing' about life on the road Aussie traveller's plea to every nine-to-five worker in the country Aussie man 'living out of a van' reveals hidden truth behind trend The couple is currently in Katherine, in the Northern Territory, before heading to Darwin to begin some work. Mariella is a qualified teacher aide while Dougal is a carpenter but has just been hired as a nature guide. "We usually take jobs that offer a place to park the van, or we connect with people happy to share their properties in exchange for a contribution. Sometimes we stay with friends, it's a flexible, community-based lifestyle and we absolutely love it." And, of course, it offers plenty of opportunity to have some wild encounters. One of those instances was shared on their social media this week, with the couple coming across the rather "amazing" algae octopus, which given the creature's camouflaging prowess, is easier said than done. "We're both underwater photographers and love chasing critters. We're equally obsessed with the big guys like manta rays, but it's the hidden world of small creatures that really captivates us," Mariella said. The pair managed to notice the nocturnal octopus underneath a piece of driftwood while enjoying a reef walk near a remote spot called Portland Roads, about 15 minutes from Lockhart River in Queensland. "They're such fascinating and intelligent animals, and it was a treat to spot one in the middle of the day since they're typically nocturnal," Mariella said. "The algae octopus (Abdopus aculeatus) is known for its ability to camouflage incredibly well, often mimicking algae or rubble on the seafloor. It's one of the few octopus species known to walk on two arms — almost like tiptoeing across the seabed. "Their behaviour and adaptability never cease to amaze us." Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
