Number of centenarians in Scotland rises

By Cara Sulieman

MORE Scots than ever are reaching their 100th birthday.

The true extent of Scotland’s ageing population has been revealed in the newest figures out from the Registrar General.

The number of centenarians has risen by more than a quarter in the last six years, with a grand total of 720 people aged over 100 living across the country.

And not surprisingly, the vast majority of them are women – a staggering 90 per cent.

Scottish Zoo Enjoys Bumper Easter Weekend

The new arrivals - baby gelada baboons

By Cara Sulieman

THE credit crunch has helped the nation’s favourite animal park celebrate a bumper Easter weekend as stay at home Scots flocked to see Edinburgh Zoo’s latest attractions.

The bank holiday saw an amazing 26,015 people walk through the doors at the zoo – which is celebrating its centenary year – causing queues of traffic from drivers trying to find parking spaces outside.

It was almost double the number of visitors during Easter 2008, when just 13,589 sightseers passed through the turnstiles.