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Press and Journal
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Mark Nicolson enjoying Brora Rangers' Premier Sports Cup campaign as he reveals it could be his last season
Mark Nicolson is determined to savour Brora Rangers' Premier Sports Cup campaign because he is almost certain this will be his last season. The Breedon Highland League champions take on League One side Kelty Hearts on Tuesday night at Dudgeon Park after starting their section with a 2-0 home loss to Kilmarnock on Saturday. This is defender Nicolson's ninth season with Brora Rangers, and the 37-year-old, who spent a decade with Elgin City earlier in his career, revealed this may be his final season. He said: 'It's good to be involved in the League Cup. Sometimes you maybe take these sort of games for granted and I've been fortunate to play in these type of games a fair bit during my career, and you've got to enjoy them. 'This is my ninth season at Brora. I'm getting on a bit and I'm 95% sure this will be my last season before retiring. 'I want to make the most of it and enjoy every minute, because I'm pretty certain this will be it for me.' This is the third time Brora have competed in the League Cup group stage. The Cattachs have yet to win a game – although they did record two draws in 2020, but lost the subsequent penalty shoot-outs for a bonus point. Nicolson is hopeful Brora can pick up that maiden victory and believes the clash with Kelty provides a decent opportunity to do that. He added: 'We don't have a particularly great record in the competition, but hopefully we can get that first win. 'This game against Kelty and East Fife next week are two teams we feel we can match, so I don't see why we can't win those games. 'We've got good players in our squad who could play at a higher level and hopefully we can show that. 'We're a confident team and we're comfortable playing anyone at home. 'I'm hopeful the Kelty game will be more even. 'We know they're a good side with some really good players, but we feel we're closer to them in terms of ability than we were compared with Kilmarnock. 'Kelty are part-time like us and hopefully we should have more of the ball and be able to create a few more chances than we did on Saturday. 'We won't underestimate Kelty, but we're confident in our ability playing at home.' Brora are set to welcome back James Wallace and Alex Cooper for the game against Kelty, while they have also secured winger Max Ewan on a new contract until the summer of 2028. The 24-year-old joined the Cattachs from Nairn County in August 2021 and has helped them win the Highland League, three R Davidson (Banchory) Highland League Cups and two North of Scotland Cups. Meanwhile, the Highland League's other Premier Sports Cup representative, Brechin City, are also in action on Tuesday night. The Hedgemen take on Championship outfit Queen's Park at Lesser Hampden. Brechin were beaten 7-0 by Falkirk in their opening League Cup fixture on Saturday, while Queen's Park lost 2-1 against Spartans.
The National
07-07-2025
- Business
- The National
Work to start on £8 million Gaelic cultural centre on Skye
Work is due to start in the following weeks on the new centre – Ionad Thròndairnis (Trotternish Centre) – which will be built at Flodigarry in Staffin on the North-east peninsula of Skye. The centre will include a large function hall, classrooms for language, music and heritage education, and a significant library and digital archive, with the hopes of creating 10 full-time jobs. The Trotternish Centre will also include a cafe-restaurant and a scalable development of quality accommodation to serve not only the users of the centre, but also address the 'chronic shortage' of bed spaces in Skye. READ MORE: Copper cables worth 'tens of thousands of pounds' stolen from 2 wind farms The Staffin area of Trotternish is an internationally acclaimed site for dinosaur footprints and is also popular with Hollywood, with Ridley Scott's Prometheus and Macbeth, starring Michael Fassbender, shooting in the area. However, for the island locals, Trotternish's greatest claim to fame is its success in maintaining a Gaelic-speaking community, with those involved with the centre hoping it will continue to preserve the language amongst Skye's residents. Margaret Nicolson, chair of Ionad Thròndairnis (The Trotternish Trust), said the centre will be a great boost for the Gaelic community. She said: 'Gaelic is still alive as a community language in this area. I can speak Gaelic to many people, every day, in the shops and in the community. 'There are people moving into the community and – although they don't speak it themselves – very often they will send their children to the Gaelic-medium schools, and so I can speak Gaelic to those children. 'This is still a Gaelic community, and the new centre will be a great boost for the language.' Nicolson added: 'It will give the Gaelic community confidence in their language and culture. 'For visitors and new residents, it will also provide a gateway to the language and the culture, boosting their interest, offering a great opportunity to learn the language or at least explore and enjoy the culture.' (Image: The Trotternish Trust) The Trotternish Trust, which is leading the project, believes that the centre will play a vital role in keeping Scotland's language heritage thriving. 'The new Ionad Thròndairnis will provide a great economic boost,' Nicolson added. 'It will provide around ten new full-time jobs, which is very big in rural Skye, and further seasonal and part-time jobs.' She continued: 'And, as a community-run trust, money will stay in the community.' Although funding has not been fully committed, the trust believes the new centre will fit directly into Government policy, which could see the area designated an Area of Linguistic Significance, with plans for it to be operational by 2028. Linsay Chalmers, director of communities and operations at Community Land Scotland, the lead organisation representing community landowners across Scotland, added: 'This is a great project born of a lot of hard work by a lot of people from the community. "Supporting the rich Gaelic language and culture has always been a central part of our work with community groups. We all know the language adds significantly to the health of the communities where it is still used. 'A place like Trotternish is one of the Gaelic heartlands and it is fantastic that the community has taken the initiative to support and strengthen the language and in turn strengthen the economic and social wellbeing of the north Skye.'
The Herald Scotland
07-07-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Work to start on £8million Gaelic cultural centre on Skye
It will include a large function hall, classrooms for language, music and heritage education, and a significant library and digital archive. The Ionad Thròndairnis (Trotternish Centre) project includes a café-restaurant and a scalable development of quality accommodation to serve not only the users of the centre, but also address the chronic shortage of bed spaces in that part of Skye. Siuated to the north of Portree, The Trotternish Peninsula is home to some of Skye's most spectacular scenery. The Staffin area of Trotternish is now an internationally acclaimed site for dinosaur footprints, with the 160 million year old evidence of ornithopods drawing visitors to the rocky shoreline. Additionally, Hollywood comes to visit occasionally to enjoy the other-worldly pillars of rock on the Storr pinnacles, with movies such as Ridley Scott's Prometheus and Macbeth, starring Michael Fassbender, shooting in the area. For some, however, Trotternish's greatest claim to fame is its relative success in maintaining a Gaelic-speaking community, while most of the rest of the country has seen a significant decline in numbers. Margaret Nicolson, chair of Ionad Thròndairnis (The Trotternish Trust), said: 'Gaelic is still alive as a community language in this area. I can speak Gaelic to a many people, every day, in the shops and in the community. 'There are people moving into the community and – although they don't speak it themselves – very often they will send their children to the Gaelic-medium schools, and so I can speak Gaelic to those children. 'This is still a Gaelic community, and the new centre will be a great boost for the language." Trotternish is the northernmost peninsula of the Isle of Skye (Image: Getty Images) Ms Nicolson added: 'It will give the Gaelic community confidence in their language and culture. For visitors and new residents, it will also provide a gateway to the language and the culture, boosting their interest, offering a great opportunity to learn the language or at least explore and enjoy the culture.' Ionad Thròndairnis (The Trotternish Trust), which is leading the Ionad Thròndairnis (Trotternish Centre) project, believes that the centre will encourage the community to keep the Gaelic language alive and thriving. Given the attractions of dinosaurs and the cinematic landscape, it is perhaps surprising that Trotternish is amongst the most deprived rural areas in Scotland when it comes to measures of income, employment and access to services. 'That statistic shows the need for support and development in our community', Ms Nicolson said. 'The new Ionad Thròndairnis will provide a great economic boost. It will provide around ten new full-time jobs, which is very big in rural Skye, and further seasonal and part-time jobs. So maybe 15 people employed. And, as a community-run trust, money will stay in the community.' The new centre – Ionad Thròndairnis – will be built at Flodigarry in Staffin (Image: Ionad Thròndairnis) Preliminary work at the new site will start within the next few weeks with archaeology checks, drainage work and further planning at the site. The funding – currently estimated at around £8million in total – is still being worked on. The community believe the new centre will fit directly into Government policy which could see the area designated an Area of Linguistic Significance. 'We have had much help from Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Highlands and Islands Enterprise', Ms Nicolson said. 'We'd like to think we can have it all up and running by end of 2028 but we'll need to see how it all goes. It is a fantastic project and a great opportunity to do something practical to preserve our community, our language and culture.' Linsay Chalmers, Director of Communities and Operations at Community Land Scotland, the lead organisation representing community landowners across Scotland, added: 'This is a great project born of a lot of hard work by a lot of people from the community. "Supporting the rich Gaelic language and culture has always been a central part of our work with community groups. We all know the language adds significantly to the health of the communities where it is still used. 'A place like Trotternish is one of the Gaelic heartlands and it is fantastic that the community has taken the initiative to support and strengthen the language and in turn strengthen the economic and social wellbeing of the north Skye.'
The Herald Scotland
06-07-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Bucket list: Five Scottish islands you've probably not visited yet
Owned by the Nicolson family since 1937, this trio of now uninhabited islands hide away in the Minch between Skye and Harris. When tide and wind allows you dare a rocky landing on the narrow isthmus that connects Garbh Eilean and Eilean an Taighe. The isles house around 2% of the world's puffin population and thousands of gannets, guillemots, skuas, kittiwakes and those hulking sea eagles too. A flotilla of dolphins guided us in today too. You can ramble on land if you're very careful not to disturb the avian residents. And then admire the hulking basalt columns that are much higher than either Staffa or the Giant's Causeway. The Shiant Islands (Image: Robin McKelvie) Get there – Hebrides Cruises ( are the only small ship operator running live-aboard Hebridean cruises that offer overnights in the Shiant Islands. Foula The Romans declared their Ultima Thule here 20 miles west of the Shetland Mainland and this magical island retains a palpable sense of the end of the world today. It's easy to see why Foula was chosen as the doppelganger for St Kilda in the 'Edge of the World' film. There is nowhere in Scotland quite like Foula though as they run to a different calendar (the Julian) than the rest of us, celebrating Christmas on January 6. The islanders are in my experience both stoic and welcoming; the kamikaze bonxies less so when you're hiking the hills without another human in sight. I saw a minke whale on our approach the first time I flew in, then a bonxie rip apart a healthy lamb right in front of its mum. Foula is that sort of wild and untamed outpost. Foula (Image: Robin McKelvie) Get there – You can fly on a wee plane from Tingwall ( or catch the ferry ( It gets so rough that the ferry is often hauled out of the water to protect it. Fair Isle Yes we all know about the jumpers with geometric patterns supposedly inspired by waylaid Spanish Armada sailors, but where is it? Roughly halfway between Orkney and Shetland, that's where, with administrative duties taken care of by the latter. It's brilliant for birds with an RSPB reserve and the chance to get right up to puffins on the grassy cliffs. They've spent £7.4m on rebuilding the bird observatory destroyed by far in 2019. The scenery and the sea cliffs are epic too. Fair Isle (Image: Robin McKelvie) Get there – You can fly from Tingwall or catch a ferry ( Papa Westray There is far more reason to come to this northerly Orcadian wonder than taking the world's shortest fight from Westray – the journey distance is less than the length of Edinburgh Airport's runway. You'll rejoice in epic white sand beaches, a thriving community and one of the most impressive wee churches in our isles. Then there is the Knap of Howar, which makes Orkney Mainland's Neolithic wonders seem like IKEA. Northwestern Europe's oldest dwelling is a full half millennia older than Skara Brae. Savouring a dram here with our ancestors on a June Orkney night that refused to die is one of my most sublime travel memories. Papa Westray (Image: Robin McKelvie) Get there – NorthLink ( ferry you to Orkney, then you can fly island hopping from Kirkwall ( on that route. St Kilda I wasn't sure when I started writing this I would include this distant archipelago, but how could I not? Set adrift in the Atlantic 40 miles west of North Uist the geology has more in common with the Faroes and Tolkien than the rest of Scotland. It was the first place in the world to be recognised on Unesco's World Heritage list twice – both for its natural and its human heritage. Since we abandoned St Kilda in 1930 the wildlife has thrived with thousands of gannets, puffins, gulls and sea eagles enjoying the run of this epic outpost. I've been five times and been lucky enough to land on all but one. I wish you all the luck in landing on the granddaddy of the Scottish islands you probably have not been to yet. St Kilda (Image: Robin McKelvie) Get there – A number of small ship operators brave the Atlantic rigours on live aboard adventures out here. I love the eight-passenger Splendour from Argyll Cruising ( who welcome guests with an intimacy and authenticity that is the antitheses of the massive cruise ships.
Edinburgh Reporter
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
The Elizabeth Emblem awarded to firefighter Ewan Williamson
Firefighter Ewan Williamson who died in service while fighting a fire in The Balmoral Bar on Dalry Road has been named as one of the recipients of the new Elizabeth Emblem. Ewan Williamson is remembered by the honour given to his next of kin along with seven other Scots including Gwen Mayor who was the Primary 1 schoolteacher killed by Thomas Hamilton along with 15 of her pupils in March 1996 in Dunblane Primary School. The design of the Emblem incorporates a rosemary wreath, a traditional symbol of remembrance, which surrounds the Tudor Crown. It is inscribed with 'For A Life Given In Service', and will have the name of the person for whom it is in memoriam inscribed on the reverse of the Emblem. It will include a pin to allow the award to be worn on clothing by the next of kin of the deceased. The Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray said: 'I pay tribute to all of those Scots who have been recognised today. Every one of these brave public servants gave their life to protect others. They are people who stepped forward when most of us would step back, and they paid the ultimate price. 'I am particularly pleased that Dunblane teacher Gwen Mayor has been recognised. No-one will ever forget the horror of the shooting at Dunblane Primary School in 1996, when Mrs Mayor was killed trying to protect her pupils. 'I hope that the families of all those recognised will take some comfort in knowing that their loved ones, and their service, has not been forgotten.' Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden, said: 'We owe an enduring debt to the public servants who give their lives to protect others. 'The Elizabeth Emblem is a reminder not just of the ultimate price their loved ones have paid in service of our communities, it is a lasting symbol of our national gratitude for their incredible sacrifice.' The First Minister said: 'I warmly welcome the awarding of The Elizabeth Emblem to these individuals and their families. 'This recognition enables us to remember their sacrifice and their lives dedicated to public service. They made Scotland a better place for us all and we continue to honour their memory.' The full list of Scottish public servants recognised are: Gwen Mayor, a teacher at Dunblane Primary School. Mrs Mayor was killed alongside 15 of her pupils on 13 March 1996. a teacher at Dunblane Primary School. Mrs Mayor was killed alongside 15 of her pupils on 13 March 1996. Roderick Nicolson, Tayside Fire and Rescue Service. Mr Nicolson, from Perth, died attempting to rescue two workmen from a silo of chemical dust at Perth Harbour. Whilst trying to free the workers Fireman Nicolson became trapped amid five tonnes of sodium carbonate ash. He died on 4 December 1995. Mr Nicolson, from Perth, died attempting to rescue two workmen from a silo of chemical dust at Perth Harbour. Whilst trying to free the workers Fireman Nicolson became trapped amid five tonnes of sodium carbonate ash. He died on 4 December 1995. Ewan Williamson, Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service. Firefighter Williamson was responding to a fire at the Balmoral Bar public house on Dalry Road in Edinburgh when he became trapped in the basement level with the fire. He was unable to escape and fellow firefighters were unable to locate him for a significant period of time. Firefighter Williamson died on 12 July 2009. Firefighter Williamson was responding to a fire at the Balmoral Bar public house on Dalry Road in Edinburgh when he became trapped in the basement level with the fire. He was unable to escape and fellow firefighters were unable to locate him for a significant period of time. Firefighter Williamson died on 12 July 2009. Richard Paul North, Tayside Police . Constable North was killed when on duty as a result of a collision with another vehicle, while driving near Perth in a marked police car. The other vehicle had crossed from the other carriageway into the oncoming traffic, and the driver was found to be under the influence of drink and drugs. PC North died on 17 March 1987. . Constable North was killed when on duty as a result of a collision with another vehicle, while driving near Perth in a marked police car. The other vehicle had crossed from the other carriageway into the oncoming traffic, and the driver was found to be under the influence of drink and drugs. PC North died on 17 March 1987. William Oliver, of the Glasgow Salvage Corps. Mr Oliver died in the Cheapside Street Disaster, a fire in a whisky bond. The warehouse contained more than a million gallons of whisky and 30,000 gallons of rum. As the temperature of the fire increased, some of the casks ruptured, causing a huge boiling liquid vapour explosion. This instantly killed Mr Oliver and 18 others. Mr Oliver died on 28 March 1960. Mr Oliver died in the Cheapside Street Disaster, a fire in a whisky bond. The warehouse contained more than a million gallons of whisky and 30,000 gallons of rum. As the temperature of the fire increased, some of the casks ruptured, causing a huge boiling liquid vapour explosion. This instantly killed Mr Oliver and 18 others. Mr Oliver died on 28 March 1960. Joseph Stewart Drake, Stirling and Clackmannan Constabulary . Constable Drake was killed when a stolen lorry being pursued by other officers intentionally struck his car as he tried to intercept it at Dennyloanhead near Falkirk. PC Drake died on 11 August 1967. . Constable Drake was killed when a stolen lorry being pursued by other officers intentionally struck his car as he tried to intercept it at Dennyloanhead near Falkirk. PC Drake died on 11 August 1967. Rodney (Rod) Moore, of the Scottish Ambulance Service. A retired ambulance paramedic of 40 years' service, Mr Moore, from Falkirk, returned to work with the Scottish Ambulance Service to assist with the Covid-19 pandemic response. Mr Moore contracted Covid-19 in October 2020 and died on 21 November 2020. A retired ambulance paramedic of 40 years' service, Mr Moore, from Falkirk, returned to work with the Scottish Ambulance Service to assist with the Covid-19 pandemic response. Mr Moore contracted Covid-19 in October 2020 and died on 21 November 2020. Alastair Soutar, HM Customs & Excise. Mr Soutar was crushed between a HM Customs and Excise vessel 'The Sentinel' and a smugglers' vessel the 'Ocean Jubilee'. Mr Souter, from Dundee, was taking part in Operation Balvenie off the Caithness coast to apprehend drug smugglers. Mr Soutar was airlifted to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness but died of his injuries on 29 July 1996. The next of kin may apply for the emblem to the Cabinet Office. Full details on the award, how to apply and who will be eligible are available here. Like this: Like Related
