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Scottish Sun
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Matt Damon brands food at Scottish restaurant ‘best in world' after visit to ‘hidden gem'
The superstar has been spotted across Moray over the past few weeks STAR PRAISE Matt Damon brands food at Scottish restaurant 'best in world' after visit to 'hidden gem' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MATT Damon was hugely impressed by the food and service at a Scottish restaurant - saying it was among the best in the world. The Bourne Identity and Saving Private Ryan megastar has been in Moray for the past couple of weeks while filming The Odyssey. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 Hollywood superstar Matt Damon has been in Moray for the past couple of weeks Credit: Northpix 4 Locals have bumped into the megastar in places like the gym Credit: Facebook 4 The actor praised the food at The Seafield Arms as the best Credit: Google It's an eagerly awaited Christopher Nolan film which stars Damon as Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, as he journeys home following the Trojan War. Other big names in the film include Tom Holland, Zendaya, Charlize Theron and Robert Pattinson. The Hollywood superstar has been spotted out and about at local shops and heading to the gym. On Thursday night, the actor joined cast members for a meal at The Seafield Arms in Cullen. And he told staff that it was the best dining experience they'd had during their travels around the globe, The Press and Journal reports. Managing Director Charles Milne said in a post on social media: "It was Thursday evening, and as I walked through the dining room of The Beverly Hills Hotel, I recognised a famous face at every table. "One A-lister leaned in and said: 'The food here is the best we've had on our journey around the world - and the young staff are remarkable. We wish we could stay longer.' "Then I blinked... and realised I was still in Cullen. "The compliments weren't for Beverly Hills - they were for the outstanding staff, chefs and managers of The Seafield Arms Hotel." He then thanked director Christopher Nolan for bringing his crew to Banffshire. Scots streets transformed for huge blockbuster as A-listers JJ Abrams and Glen Powell spotted The Seafield Arms is described as a "hidden gem" in the heart of the village of Cullen. It offers guests a "luxurious and relaxing experience" during stays and dining. Last week, locals in a tiny Scots town were stunned when Matt Damon turned up at their local Motion Fitness gym. Regulars did a double take as the Hollywood superstar wandered in sporting a beard. Within seconds he was mobbed in the fishing port - with everyone wanted a snap taken with the acting legend. And many were shocked to discover he was holding a Buckie Thistle shirt as well. Huge greek ships have been spotted in Buckie Harbour - with historic Findlater Castle closed to the public while shooting is underway.
Scottish Sun
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Hollywood megastar Matt Damon spotted clutching Scottish football club's strip as he heads to gym on break from filming
MATT DAMON has been nailing his colours to the mast on location in Scotland - as he's spotted clutching a Scottish football club's strip en route to the gym. The Bourne Identity and Saving Private Ryan megastar is in Moray right now filming The Odyssey. Advertisement 3 Matt Damon Credit: Northpix 3 Matt Damon in the ice cream shop in Cullen Credit: Northpix It's an eagerly awaited Christopher Nolan film which stars Damon as Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, as he journeys home following the Trojan War. Other big names in the film include Tom Holland, Zendaya, Charlize Theron and Robert Pattinson. Only this week, locals in a tiny Scots town were stunned when Matt Damon turned up at their local Motion Fitness gym. Regulars did a double take as the Hollywood superstar wandered in sporting a beard. Advertisement Within seconds he was mobbed in the fishing port - with everyone wanted a snap taken with the acting legend. Chloey Ewen said: 'It's mental who you bump into at the gym. Buzzing.' Huge greek ships have been spotted in Buckie Harbour - with historic Findlater Castle closed to the public while shooting is underway. Buckie bare clearly the team of choice for Hollywood royalty after famous author Stephen King revealed he was backing his favourite team to bring Misery to Celtic. Advertisement The legendary author - whose books have spawned numerous films - is an unlikely superfan of Highland League minnows Buckie Thistle. The development came just a week after crews descended on Glasgow for a major Hollywood movie starring Glen Powell and Jenna Ortega. Hollywood hunk spotted on Glasgow street as filming for major blockbuster gets underway The flick known as the Ghostwriter, directed by JJ Abrams, will see the closure of several roads throughout the city. The city was also transformed into a dystopian New York back in November for The Running Man, a reboot of the classic Arnold Schwarzenegger film. Advertisement Glen Powell was spotted filming in and around the city, and he even popped into The Locale in Charing Cross for a wrap party. 3 The away strip is nice design Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scottish Sun
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Inside Scotland's last RAF base – from £3.5BN submarine hunters to Top Gun jets poised to intercept Russian attack
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RAF Lossiemouth is poised to play its part in the spiralling Israel-Iran conflict with RAF Typhoon fighter jets being sent to the Middle East. But it's just the latest war the brave men and women at the Scots military base in Moray have put their lives on the line for over the decades. 9 RAF Lossiemouth is poised to play its part in the spiralling conflict in the Middle East Credit: Northpix 9 RAF Lossiemouth is the home of the £3.5bn Poseidon submarine hunter project Credit: Northpix 9 Sun reporter Matt Bendoris explores behind the scenes at RAF Lossiemouth Credit: Northpix Today, we take you behind the scenes to show you how it ticks. Chief Features Writer MATT BENDORIS not only meets the Top Guns, but many of the backroom staff that help protect our country from the air in these increasingly uncertain times. Behind the scenes at RAF Lossiemouth THE sign above the entrance to 9 Bomber Squadron HQ reads: 'Welcome to Gotham'. I was expecting more Maverick from Top Gun rather than the Caped Crusader, but it turns out their badge is a green bat to highlight the unit's night-bombing exploits. And I would get to feel like Batman himself when I had to don 16kgs — that's two and a half stone — of a Typhoon fighter pilot's high-tech kit. Just getting into it was a work-out in itself, even with the help of survival equipment technician Corporal Claire Weston. Claire, 36, from Wiltshire says: 'You're wearing an anti-G (anti-gravity) jacket and trousers. 'When the pilots are in the aircraft they inflate so the blood remains in the right places and they don't pass out.' Lastly the 4kg — nearly 9lb — helmet was squeezed on, making me feel and look like a bobblehead toy with ear defenders that rendered me completely deaf. Real pilots sometimes have to wear this clobber for 16 hours at a time, which begs the question — what do they do when they need a number one up there? RAF pilots will get NUCLEAR bombers for first time in 30 years as Keir Starmer says UK must prepare for threat of war Flight Lieutenant Rob 'Cheese' Smith, 30, from Winchester, says: 'We have a contraption called Skydrate, which is basically a bag with a hose that makes having a wee pretty easy.' But less said about No2s the better, Rob adds: 'Yes, that would be bad, especially if you've got no option.' Now, fully kitted out, 'Bendy 1' was reporting for duty. Base commander Sarah Brewin, below, explains: 'Our mission at RAF Lossiemoith is really clear. 'We defend the skies of the United Kingdom. We defend the seas of the United Kingdom. And we deliver on global operations for the benefit of the country.' Of course not only do our forces have to keep an eye on what's going on with Mad Vladimir Putin in the East, since 9/11 our pilots also have to intercept any unidentified aircraft entering our airspace. Scrambling the jets is called a Quick Reaction Alert so when the alarm sounds I spring into action, legging it as fast as the restrictive clobber would allow to No2 hanger. Waiting for me was a Typhoon with the call sign F-MOG — which eagle-eyed viewers may have spotted in the current series of Top Guns. And it turns out the Channel 4 show has done probably more for recruitment than any slick RAF promo videos. 9 'Welcome to Gotham' - the sign welcoming visitors to 9 Bomber Squadron at Lossiemouth Credit: Northpix 9 Our reporter Matt Bendoris climbs into the cockpit of a high-tech Typhoon fighter Credit: Northpix 9 RAF Typhoon jets are scrambled to intercept aircraft during Quick Action Alerts Credit: Northpix 9 Wing Commander David Higgins in front of 'submarine hunter' Poseidon(P-8A) aircraft Credit: Northpix Wing Commander Dave Higgins - Squadron Leader of the neighbouring 120 Bomber Squadron - says:: 'Top Guns has seen a huge amount of interest in the RAF's operations. It allows people to see the important work being done at our bases.' After my mock QRA I return to the changing rooms where I have sweat dripping from, well everywhere, onto the floor, making me more of a Plop Gun. Even Corp Claire remarks: 'Our pilots don't sweat that much.' But when it comes to pilot's nicknames, apparently there is only one rule. Dave explains: 'You're not allowed to choose your own. 'So your friends and colleagues decide on one at the appropriate moment and that might stay with you for life.' Of course the real Top Guns not only have to be superfit, but extremely skilled too, as they pilot these £120million aircraft with a top speed of over 1,500mph. But Lossiemouth is also home to the £3.5billion Poseidon project — a maritime patrol aircraft that monitors the UK's waters, equipped with sensors and weapons systems for anti-submarine warfare. And if the aircraft shape looks familiar that's because they are a version of a Boeing 737, albeit with longer, reinforced wings to cope with the extreme turbulence while flying at 200ft above the sea. Squadron leader Dave, 44, from Warrington, Cheshire, says: 'Anyone who's flown with Ryanair will be familiar with the 737. 'Although the type of flying we do can be very low-level over the sea, dropping sensors that listen to submarines or torpedoes. That can get rough and leave even experienced air crew feeling queasy. 'But unlike the Typhoons, we do have a toilet, because some of our sortees can be nine hours long — even longer if we get some air to air refuelling.' 'The moral component' of fighting power REVEREND Wing Commander Adrian Dyer revealed how he gives RAF Lossiemouth personnel the 'moral component' to fight. The 58-year-old Welshman has been on the frontline with the RAF in Afghanistan while he's also served in the Middle East and Falkland Islands. He explains: 'The reason we're still in uniform as chaplains is because we contribute to the moral component of fighting power. 'It's quite a technical term, but it's about people's willingness to fight and their understanding of why they're doing what they're doing. 'In an ordinary job most people do it as a calling or there's a monetary incentive. That's never going to get you through a conflict situation. 'So part of what we do is help them to come to terms with what they're sometimes called upon to do in the armed forces.' And the padre believes that staff are more willing to open up to RAF chaplains rather than civilian ones. He explains: 'You go through the same sort of training and you have to be able to pass the officer course before you're commissioned. 'You're living alongside people and you're with them. So when they go on deployment, you go on deployment as well. 'But under international law you go as a non-combatant. You're there as a support function around the armed forces to help them to do the job they need to do.' It's not just about the dashing pilots on a base this size — and Lossiemouth covers 1,400 acres. There are over 3,000 staff including 2,000 military personnel, 1,000 contractors and 250 civil servants. And there's plenty to do in their down time with their own rugby team and extensive gym facilities, while its latest addition is an e-sports arena where RAF personnel can play Call Of Duty — talk about a busman's holiday. Chief technician Tom Gregson, 39, from London helped put the state-of-the-art centre together with the help of the NAAFI (Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes) fund. He says: 'We wanted to build somewhere all ranks and all trades can socialise and come together. 'So right now the PCs are set up for multi-player Call of Duty Black Ops. But because the PCs are high spec we can run any game requested.' 9 The RAF even has it's own eSports league Credit: Northpix 9 The state-of-the-art centre was created so "all ranks" could socialise together Credit: Northpix Lossiemouth has also recently undergone £700million worth of improvements including a new housing blocks where everyone is seemingly oblivious to the constant roar of aircraft. Boss Sarah says: 'We are the noisy neighbours in the area. 'But the local authority in Moray has given us their unwavering support, even for some of our antisocial flying activities. 'The amount of fuel that we draw each year is phenomenal — we're probably one of the biggest users of fuel in Scotland.' And Sarah, who joined the RAF 20 years ago aged 22, insists each one of her staff are as important as the high-flying air crew. She says: 'I actually originally joined as air crew, but embarrassingly, I was too light for the ejection seat. Despite my best efforts at eating pies and chips, I couldn't keep the weight on. 'But it doesn't really matter what your functional area is in the Royal Air Force. Whether you're on the frontline or behind the scenes we're all part of the same team.'
Scottish Sun
25-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Man arrested after ‘armed cops called out to siege' at Scots home
It's claimed workers on a nearby industrial estate were stopped from going home because of the incident 'STAND-OFF' Man arrested after 'armed cops called out to siege' at Scots home Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAN was arrested after an alleged stand-off with armed cops. Police and other emergency crews were called to the scene in Inverness. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Cops at the scene of the incident in Inverness Credit: Northpix 2 Emergency teams were called out to the scene in Inverness Credit: Northpix It ended when a 25-year-old man was taken into custody in the early hours of Wednesday. The alarm was raised by a member of the public at about 2.30pm on Tuesday. Emergency teams including cops, ambulance crews and firefighters were called out to deal with the incident. It's claimed traffic in the area was stopped for safety reasons. And it's believed workers from a nearby industrial estate were unable to go home at the end of the day. It's claimed they were held for about two hours before they were given the green light to drive away. It's understood no one was injured in the alleged incident. A spokesman for Police Scotland said: "Police were called to a concern for person at an address on Old Perth Road, near the Beechwood Business Park, Inverness. 'A 25-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with the incident. He is expected to appear at court at a later date.'
Scottish Sun
20-06-2025
- Climate
- Scottish Sun
Scots brace for a Midsummer Meltdown after country records hottest day at 29C
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Sweltering Scotland recorded its hottest day of the year today – with Midsummer Meltdown expected to be hot on its heels tomorrow. The mercury topped 29C at Drumnadrochit on the shores of Loch Ness, blitzing the previous 2025 record by more than three degrees Celsius. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Scots basked in temperatures of around 29C today Credit: Alamy 4 Many flocked to Drumnadrochit on the shores of Loch Ness to soak up some rays Credit: Northpix 4 Jack Russel Terrier Cherry cools down in the garden on the hottest day of the year 4 While others cooled down in Gourock pool this afternoon Credit: John Kirkby One of the hottest spots was Cullen on the Moray Coast, where the town beach proved a magnet for a number of locals. Stacie Wilson and Meghan Hutcheon were among a group who were having a fun day splashing in the waves. Stacie said: "It's fantastic weather today and we are having a great time.' Meghan added: "It's the summer solstice tomorrow and it looks as though we are going to have another hot day.' This was confirmed by Met Office forecaster, Aiden McGivern, who said: "It's the summer solstice, of course, so the sun doesn't get much stronger than that. 'Temperatures, as a result, will be in the low 30s Celsius across parts of central and eastern England, perhaps as high as 33C or 34C in one or two spots. It's the summer solstice, of course, so the sun doesn't get much stronger than that 'Edinburgh will be 27C, but all that heat may result in some severe thunderstorms. 'Expect large hail, gusty winds and frequent lightning as well. But not everywhere. Some places will avoid them entirely.' With the scorching weather guaranteed through Midsummer's Day, ASDA say they expect to sell over seven million litres of beer, the equivalent of 12.3million pints or enough to fill just under three Olympic size swimming pools. With BBQs in mind, Asda are preparing to dish out almost 350,000 packs of burgers and 600,000 packs of bread rolls. ITV's first female weather presenter Wincey Willis on Good Morning Britain in 1985 The supermarket says they will sell twice as many garden paddling pools, reduced to just £12 for the summer. Today, beer gardens were in high demand as Glasgow finished off the working week several degrees warmer than Rio de Janeiro in Brazil (27C) and even Los Angeles in California (25C). At the Orchard Park Hotel in Giffnock, East Renfrewshire, thirsty punters began packing tables in the beer garden. By mid-afternoon, a member of staff quipped: "There's a lot of red faces out there, now.' With the sun at its highest point in the sky, UV levels across Scotland's central belt will be 'high'. This means skin will burn in minutes without protection. The sun will also be blazing for the penultimate day of the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh. And later tomorrow, the Sex Pistols will kick off the Summer Sessions festival at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow, with ScotRail laying on extra trains for fans. Meanwhile, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency say above-average rainfall is still required for water scarcity levels to recover in the east of the country, where some parts have seen below-average rainfall for over a year. Recent downpours have allowed some river catchments to recover from 'moderate scarcity' to 'alert' on SEPA's warning graph.
