BREAKING NEWS: Further cancellations for Scots flyers

By Michael MacLeod

THOUSANDS of Scots travellers will wake up this morning (Monday) facing the likelihood of being held hostage by the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud.

They were warned by the Scottish Government that the outlook would “worsen” today following dozens of cancellations on flights yesterday.

Speaking at an emergency briefing, finance secretary John Swinney predicted disruption would spread further in the next 24-hours due to the Eyjafjallajokull volcano’s continued eruptions and unpredictable wind directions.

And in a further sign of the dust’s impact on every-day life, the Met Office yesterday (Sunday) began issuing a five-day ash spread forecast as part of its standard weather announcements.

And late last night Easyjet bosses admitted they were as in-the-dark as their passengers as to which areas of the country would see planes grounded.

Lucky black cat saved from storm-force seas

By Rory Reynolds

A TINY pet cat and her owner are recovering after a daring rescue by lifeboat and coastguard crews from Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Two-year-old Sukie and photographer Dave Allison were sailing four miles off the Mull of Kintyre when their 22-foot yacht was battered by gale force eight winds.

The engine cut out and left terrified Sukie and Dave stranded onboard as savage north-westerly winds hammered the sides of the vessel.

Former merchant navy sailor Dave kept his beloved pet tabby safe from the elements inside his jumper while he called for help from Belfast Coastguard.