Scot who left legacy to places that shared his name a “misunderstanding”

By Cara Sulieman

HE HIT headlines across the world when it was revealed he left his legacy to places across the globe that shared his surname.

But the claims baffled the solicitors of Eric Gordon Douglas – the mysterious Edinburgh philanthropist – as his will doesn’t show any such bequests.

It seems that the heart-warming story of generosity started after one of the beneficiaries misunderstood the terms of their donation.

Douglas Borough Council on the Isle of Man was bequeathed £10,887.73 and somehow thought that they were amoung 20 places around the world named Douglas that had benefited from his will.

The bachelor used to holiday on the Isle of Man and left money to the council, a museum and an old folks home on the island.

Panic as jet fire grounds Edinburgh flight

By Michael MacLeod

PASSENGERS had to flee across a runway after a plane engine caught fire just moments before take off.

Fire crews surrounded a Flybe jet at Edinburgh Airport after the pilot spotted smoke bellowing past his cockpit.

He grabbed a fire extinguisher and ushered all 24 passengers off the jet, which was bound for the Isle of Man.

The scare stemmed from a propeller motor which caught fire minutes before the plane was taxied to the Turnhouse runway on Tuesday afternoon.

Major repair work to Scotland’s lighthouses

By ALEXANDER LAWRIE

MAJOR REPAIR work to Scotland’s lighthouses is to begin with the oldest rock-based structure in the British Isles later this year.

The Northern Lighthouse Board is seeking contractors with a head for heights to carry out work on some the country’s most remote buildings.

And the first lighthouse to be given a makeover is the 200 year-old Bell Rock, situated 12 miles off the Angus coast.

The work will pose many challenges for tradesmen because of its, remote location, dangerous tidal conditions and isolation.

Thieves raid ship wreckage 134

By Martin Couper

HEARTLESS thieves have broken into the wreckage of a tragic sailing vessel.

The crooks boarded the Solway Harvester trawler as it sat in a harbour on the Isle of Man, having sunk just off its coast in 2002.

The robbers forced their way onto the once sunken vessel then made off with the trawler’s 12 inch brass steering compass before making their escape.

The compass is 12 inches in diameter, made from brass and bears the model name Sestrel and the makers mark John Lilley and Gillie Ltd.

Local police are now investigating the break in and are appealing to anyone with any information to come forward.

But officers face a difficult task of finding the culprits as officials are unsure as to when the robbery actually took place.

A spokesman for the Department of Transport confirmed police were called in on Monday after evidence of a forced entry was found on Sunday evening.

However, it is now believed the break-in may have occurred earlier in the week.

Director of harbours Captain Michael Brew said: “Evidence of a possible break-in was reported to the police on Monday morning. However, the extent of the break-in isn’t clear, nor is the reason behind it.

“Although we are not directly involved, we will continue to liaise with Isle of Man Constabulary.”

But Constable Graham Best of the Douglas Neighbourhood Policing team on the Isle of Man is confident of finding the thieves.

He has warned that those responsible will be severely punished when they are caught.

He said: “The wreck of the Solway Harvester is still subject to an ongoing inquest and under the care of the coroner.

“Any offences committed on the vessel will be thoroughly investigated and anyone convicted can expect to be severely dealt with by the courts.”

The Solway Harvester made the headlines in January 2000 when it capsized during rough seas.

Its seven member crew, Craig Mills, 29, brother Robin, 33 and cousin David, 18, Martin Milligan, 26, David Lyons, 17, John Murphy, 22, and Wesley Jolly, 17, Were all killed.