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Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Another venue in Ireland may host the Open before it returns to historic Scots courses
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE OPEN Championship will be held at a SECOND Irish venue before it returns to two historic Scottish courses, according to top golf chiefs. Royal Portrush returned to the Open rota in 2019 and the famous tournament is taking place there once again this week. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Trump Turnberry is one of Scotland's best and most famous golf clubs Credit: Les Gallagher 5 But despite efforts to bring the Open back there, it looks unlikely Credit: PA The island of Ireland had gone 68 years without hosting golf's oldest and most prestigious event, in large part because of the effects of The Troubles. Portrush was well-received by fans and golfers alike and the R&A has strongly suggested that the Open could be played at another Irish course in the near future. Portmarnock just outside Dublin is the venue being lined up by the governing body and it could host the Open as soon as 2028. Next year's tournament will be held in England at Royal Birkdale before it returns to Scotland in 2027, with the OId Course at St Andrews due to welcome golfers for the 155th Open. Scotland is the home of the Open but two of its most renowned courses are in danger of being forgotten when it comes to hosting the championship. For several years, Trump Turnberry has been ranked as one of the best - if not the best - golf course in the UK. Due to the fact it is owned by US President Donald Trump, the R&A insisted that they would never take the Open there because of the controversy it could bring. Former R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers adopted a hard-line stance on the Open going back to Turnberry, believing that focus would be detracted from the tournament itself due to Trump's profile. New R&A chief Mark Darbon has been much more receptive to the idea of the Open coming back to Turnberry, going as far as saying it was indeed BACK on their rota of courses. But he has now poured cold water on that happening any time soon - and revealed that another proud Scottish venue is unlikely to be awarded the Open in its current form. Watch moment Scots golf ace Robert MacIntyre wins new fans with 'pure class' gesture after US Open heartbreak That course is Muirfield, a course that has hosted the Open 16 times but not since 2013. The North Berwick venue is one of the fairest links tests and 18-time major winner Jack Nicklaus once called it the best golf course in Britain (he even named his own marquee course, Muirfield Village, after it). Ayrshire coast site Turnberry has held the tournament four times in its history, most notably as the venue for 1977's Duel in the Sun between Nicklaus and Tom Watson. Despite their history and popularity, they will be passed over until they can solve certain infrastructure problems, Darbon says. Darbon cited transport and accommodation as issues Turnberry must overcome. The A77 is the only main road for buses and cars to the village and the nearest train stations are Girvan and Maybole, which are five and 13 miles away respectively. He said: "I think we have been extremely clear on our position in regard to Turnberry. We love the golf course but we have some big logistical issues there. "You've seen the scale of the set-up here and there's some work to do on the road, rail and accommodation infrastructure around Turnberry. "We've explicitly not taken it out of our pool of venues but we'd need to address those logistical challenges should we return. "Unless we address the logistical challenges, it's difficult for us to go back. "I met a couple of months ago with Eric Trump and some of the leadership from the Trump golf organisation from Turnberry. We had a really good discussion. "I think they understand clearly where we are coming from. "We talked through some of the challenges that we have so we have a good dialogue with them." While Turnberry's main obstacles are away from the course itself, Darbon says the main challenges for Muirfield are the inadequate practice facilities. 5 Phil Mickelson won the Claret Jug the last time the Open was at Muirfield Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd 5 The East Lothian venue has hosted the tournament 16 times Credit: Alamy He said: "We love the golf course at Muirfield. We're in discussions with the venue right now. "There are some things we need to evolve at Muirfield, the practice ground in particular is a challenge for us with a modern Open. "And there's some work to facilitate some infrastructure we need, but there's some good dialogue and we'd love to go back there in the future." So as more traditional locations such as Turnberry and Muirfield face being snubbed as Open venues for the foreseeable future, new sites like Portmarnock are firmly in the running. "Yes, we are thinking about Portmarnock," confirmed Darbon. "We think it's a wonderful links golf course and we've been really encouraged by the support in principle that we have had from the Irish government to work with us to understand if we can stage an Open Championship there in the future. "We're knee deep in feasibility work to help us answer that question fully We expect to have a clearer picture by the back end of this year." 5 Portmarnock Golf Club in Ireland could be the newest Open venue Credit: Getty Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scottish Sun
13-07-2025
- Climate
- Scottish Sun
Scotland's scorching 32C heatwave to come crashing to a halt as thunder and lightning hits this week
It comes amid a number of weather-related tragedies STORM WARNING Scotland's scorching 32C heatwave to come crashing to a halt as thunder and lightning hits this week Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SCOTLAND'S scorching 32C heatwave is set to come to a crashing halt ahead of thunder and lightning storms. The Met Office is forecasting heavy rain tomorrow in Glasgow and Edinburgh with highs of 19C. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Hundreds flocked to Troon Beach over the weekend to catch some rays Credit: Les Gallagher 3 Glasgow was hit with storms earlier this month as shoppers took cover Credit: Alamy Temperatures are due to drop slightly as the UK passes the peak of its third heatwave this summer. The mercury soared on Saturday, with Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales all recording their warmest day of the year so far. The Met Office said Aviemore hit 32.2C, adding that Scotland last exceeded 30C on June 13 2023, and that Saturday is only the seventh time since at least 1961 that the same high has been recorded in the country. Meanwhile, it was 30C in Magilligan, marking the first time the milestone had been reached in Northern Ireland since July 18 2022. And temperatures in Wales hiked to 33.1C in Cardiff's Bute Park, beating the 2025 record set on Friday of 32.4C at the same location. Although England was also hot, with maximum temperatures also hitting 33.1C in Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire, it did not break the country's current record for the year of 35.8C - recorded in Kent at the beginning of July. Temperatures are forecast to dip marginally on Sunday, with possible highs of 31C, before Monday brings some relief from the baking heat. Met Office meteorologist Kathryn Chalk said: "While we've seen the peak of the heat in this heatwave through today it's still going to be very warm on Sunday before turning cooler for many of us on Monday. "So we've got this ridge of high pressure extending across the UK, helping to keep things settled, but out towards the west an area of low pressure moving through Sunday night and into Monday. "So if you're not a fan of the heat temperatures will be falling away but also bringing some heavy spells of rain, or welcome rainfall, for many of us." Moment mass brawl erupts on UK beach as topless teens 'hurl glass at cops' Tennis fans will continue to grapple with the heat at Wimbledon following a few days where spectators needed medical attention amid high temperatures. Meanwhile, Scottish fire crews spent a second day tackling a wildfire in Perth near the M90 in the Craigend area, as an "extreme" wildfire warning is in place for much of the nation. Elsewhere, a man died after getting into trouble while in Loch Lomond on the hottest day of the year. In an unrelated death, a 15-year-old boy's body was pulled from the River Kelvin in Glasgow after he got into trouble in the water. 3 Portobello Beach in Edinburgh, was busy due to the warm weather Credit: Steve Welsh And a biker has died after a horror six-vehicle crash on a Scots road.
Scottish Sun
10-07-2025
- Science
- Scottish Sun
Grim pictures show wall of jellyfish as sunseekers leave Scots beach deserted despite sizzling temperatures
They appear to be giant barrel jellyfish - one of the largest species found in UK seas WHAT THE JELL? Grim pictures show wall of jellyfish as sunseekers leave Scots beach deserted despite sizzling temperatures Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A SCOTTISH beach was left deserted this afternoon despite the sizzling weather due to a huge wall of jellyfish on the shore. In the popular Ayrshire hotspot of Ayr, temperatures reached 21C, which would usually see families flock to the beach during the school holidays. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 A wall of jellyfish were washed up on Ayr beach this afternoon Credit: Les Gallagher 4 They appear to be giant barrel jellyfish - one of the largest species found in UK seas Credit: Les Gallagher 4 Sunseekers stayed clear of the sea creatures on the shore front Credit: Les Gallagher However, pictures show hundreds of jellyfish dotted along the sand on the seafront. Many sunseekers opted to stay clear of the sea creatures which had been washed up. They appear to be giant barrel jellyfish - one of the largest species found in UK seas with some growing to nearly a metre across. The sting of the barrel jellyfish is not normally harmful to humans, though if you find one on the beach it's best not to handle it as they can still sting when dead. Visitors and locals are being urged to take extra care as marine heatwaves draw not only bigger but also more dangerous jellyfish closer to the UK's shores. Sea temperatures in parts of the Celtic Sea, English Channel and southern North Sea are currently 1.5C to 3C higher than normal – more like August than early July, according to the Met Office. Marine experts fear this warming is not just a one-off. Frankie Hobro, director of Anglesey Sea Zoo, warned: 'We're now turning on our water chillers in May. "Ten years ago it was in July. Not only are we starting them earlier, we're having to keep them going for longer.' She believes the jellyfish aren't getting bigger, but more of them are coming closer to shore. 'They are always big specimens out in deep waters,' she said. 'But as the sea warms they're venturing closer to coastlines, and so we're seeing more of these bigger jellyfish washing up.' Swarms of jellyfish 'the size of dustbin lids' have been spotted washing up on beaches across North Wales. Social media has been flooded with photos showing huge jellyfish along Gwynedd's west coast, with recent sightings in Conwy and Rhyl, Denbighshire.
Scottish Sun
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Noughties indie favourites to perform huge Glasgow show as part of comeback tour
The comeback tour will take them across North America, Europe and the UK RETURN TO THE STAGE Noughties indie favourites to perform huge Glasgow show as part of comeback tour Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A NOUGHTIES indie band are set to play a huge Scottish gig as part of their comeback tour. The Rapture will take to the stage in Glasgow later this year for their first proper headlining tour in 15 years. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 The Rapture will take to the stage in Glasgow later this year Credit: Getty 3 The gig will be held at St Lukes, located right next to the legendary Barrowlands venue Credit: Les Gallagher The American dance-punk band from New York City were formed back in 1998. They are best known for their hits such as How Deep Is Your Love? and Echoes. The comeback tour will take them across North America, Europe and the UK. And they will play a huge show in Glasgow on November 11. The gig will be held at St Lukes, located right next to the legendary Barrowlands venue in the east end. The band will also play shows in Manchester and London. Lead singer Luke Jenner said: "This has been a long time coming. "Years ago when I stepped away from the band I was needing time and space to piece together my life. "I needed to fix my marriage, be there for my son, and ultimately work on myself. "This tour marks a new chapter for me, one shaped by everything I've lived through and learned along the way. Ed Sheeran teams up with school pals AND 00s rock legend for epic performance "I've achieved everything I hoped to achieve through music, and now I get to use it to help anyone else who maybe needs it like I did back then." Limited fanclub tickets will be available from July 9 at 10am, use code 'RAPTURE'. Public tickets will go on sale on July 11 here.
Scottish Sun
04-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Major decision that could plunge Scots' summer holidays into chaos is just weeks away
Passengers and planes could be grounded FLIGHTMARE Major decision that could plunge Scots' summer holidays into chaos is just weeks away Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SCOTTISH holidaymakers have been warned that they face travel chaos over the summer as hundreds of airport workers prepare to go on strike. More than 800 workers from five companies are currently involved in disputes over pay and working conditions. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Holidaygoers have been warned about travel disruption at Glasgow Airport Credit: Les Gallagher 4 Over 800 staff are being balloted on strike action Credit: Alamy 4 And it could cause chaos for those heading on their summer holidays Credit: Les Gallagher - The Sun Glasgow Unite the union said workers at Glasgow Airport Ltd, ICTS Central Search, Swissport, Menzies Aviation and Falck could be balloted for walkouts. And this could cause major disruption across several holiday routes as thousands of families prepare to jet off over the summer break. Staff at Glasgow Airport Ltd who are heading towards strike action include airport ambassadors, airside support officers, engineers and managers. While the ICTS Central Search staff involved are workers who usually deal with passengers during security searches and process them ahead of their flights. So it is feared that the strike action could impact departure and arrival times or could even "ground planes and passengers". Last month, the union said that if no successful resolution to the disputes were reached, it would move towards holding votes on industrial action. Hundreds of workers at Glasgow Airport are heading towards summer strike action which would ground planes and passengers Sharon Graham And now staff are officially being balloted on a pay offer on basic pay, shift allowances and overtime rates. The ballot is set to conclude in less than two weeks on July 14. Pat McIlvogue, Unite industrial officer, said walkouts could be held from the middle of July if voted for. Providing a breakdown of all staff involved, Unit said that over 100 Swissport workers are locked in a dispute about rotas and work-life balance, as many are "struggling with chronic fatigue". Flight Chaos in Europe: French ATC Strikes Disrupt Travel for Thousands It said the company "is demanding that workers at extreme short notice have to work shifts at various times and for various durations, which is directly impacting on their personal lives". A further 250 ICTS Central Search workers are currently involved in a dispute over understaffing, working conditions and pay. And a total of 120 workers employed by Glasgow Airport Limited have rejected a basic 3.6 per cent pay increase, This same 3.6 per cent pay increase was rejected by 50 Falck firefighters who perform fire safety functions at the airport. In addition to this, 300 Menzies Aviation workers, including dispatchers, allocators, airside agents and controllers, rejected a basic uplift worth around 4.25 per cent. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Hundreds of workers at Glasgow Airport are heading towards summer strike action which would ground planes and passengers. "The companies involved are all highly profitable and can easily afford to give our members better pay and working conditions. "The truth is that they are denying fair pay increases to cynically boost their profits." Mr McIlvogue said: "Unite is in dispute with companies at Glasgow Airport which could ultimately bring hundreds of workers out on strike. "The companies can resolve these disputes with Unite before that situation happens by addressing the legitimate concerns and pay aspirations of our members. MORE TRAVEL CHAOS IT'S not just strike action at Glasgow Airport that is set to cause chaos for Scottish holidaymakers. We previously told how over 100 Ryanair flights have been axed amid an air traffic control strike. French staff walking off the job has caused the budget airline to axe dozens of planes taking tourists abroad. The industrial action landed with the start of Europe's summer holidays, meaning airports and flights were set to be much busier, only adding to the chaos. French ATC workers will be off the job TODAY amid complaints about overworking, burnout and understaffing. The country's officials had asked airlines to axe the number of flights in Paris airports by 40 per cent to help them cope with the strike. A total of 170 Ryanair flights have been axed, throwing the journeys of over 30,000 passengers into chaos. But the chaos is also hammering punters who aren't even going to France. The strike means planes cannot even fly over French airspace to get to their destinations. This has seen flights to holiday hotspots like Greece and Spain all impacted. The popular airline said: "In addition to flights to/from France being cancelled, this strike will also affect all French overflights." Ryanair's CEO Michael O'Leary blasted the "abundantly unfair" strike for the chaos caused to passengers. He said: 'Once again European families are held to ransom by French Air Traffic Controllers going on strike. "It is not acceptable that overflights over French airspace en route to their destination are being cancelled/delayed as a result of yet another French ATC strike. "It makes no sense and is abundantly unfair on EU passengers and families going on holidays." "If the companies refuse to work with Unite to resolve these disputes, then we will have no option but to open strike ballots. This could mean strike action happening from the middle of July." A spokesperson for Swissport said: "We are in dialogue with Unite - the talks so far have been constructive and we remain focused on working together to address the issues being raised." Phil Lloyd, senior vice president UK, Menzies Aviation, said last month: "Following the rejection of recent pay award proposals, we remain committed to seeking a resolution. "And have in fact met with Unite today to make an enhanced offer, with a follow-up session scheduled. "We hope to reach an agreement which is workable for both the business and our employees at Glasgow Airport. "We continue to work towards an agreeable solution to protect services for our airline and airport partners and their customers." Glasgow Airport Ltd, ICTS Central Search, and Falck have been contacted for comment.
