Stranded Cramond Island Revellers Rescued by Lifeboat

By Oliver Farrimond

A MIDNIGHT rave on Cramond Island almost ended in tragedy on Saturday night as revellers became stranded overnight.

Worsening weather meant that more than 130 people had to be evacuated by emergency services in the early hours of Sunday morning, with six being treated for hypothermia during the night by ambulance services.

Police also said that they are also investigating reports of a number of “minor crimes” being committed during the party.

A spokesperson for Lothian and Borders Police said: “During the evening of 5th June 2010 a number of people made their way to Cramond Island – it is believed that they were attending a party.

General Election 2010

Fans’ chance to party with Rankin at his 50th

By Michael MacLeod

CRIME writing king Ian Rankin has booked out a library to host his 50th birthday bash – and plans to serve up free booze to his fans.

The Rebus author is inviting readers to a free party in his local library in Edinburgh where he penned some of his most famous chilling scenes.

The generous novelist is even laying on free drinks to anyone who joins in the birthday celebrations.

The event next Tuesday (April 27) will see Rankin talking about his life and work with literary agent Jenny Brown.

He said he specifically chose to hold his party at the capital’s Central Library for its role in providing inspiration for his best-selling series of crime novels.

Hibs to celebrate the day they were “saved”

By Cara Sulieman

FAMOUS supporters of Hibernian FC will be coming together later this year to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the day they stopped a merger with arch rivals Hearts.

Hibs fans Craig and Charlie Reid of The Proclaimers will come together with fellow musician Fish and comedian Bill Barclay at a concert at Usher Hall which will be presented by Grant Stott.

Former Hibs legends Eddie Turnbull and Lawrie Reilly are expected to join past and present players and former managers at the celebration on June 6.

They will be marking the anniversary of the successful Hands Off Hibs campaign, which stopped Wallace Mercer – then chairman of Hearts – from taking over the financially ruined club.

Scottish police to use spy planes

By Cara Sulieman

SCOTTISH police forces could soon be using unmanned spy planes to keep tabs on citizens in a bid to crack down on crime.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles have already been trialled by Strathclyde Police who used one in rescue operations in rural Argyll.

And Scotland’s largest police force is keen to be at the forefront of the new technology, which is being looked at by all forces in the UK.

The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland has joined forces with their English counterpart to form the Unmanned Aerial Systems Steering Group, who meets regularly to discuss the use of the planes, and report to the Home Office.

100th birthday honoured by man’s local bookies

By Andrea McCallum

SCOTLAND’S oldest known punter celebrated his 100^th birthday in style yesterday– in his local bookies.

Sam Martinez was presented with a cake as well as £200 worth of free bets and a £100 charity stake.

The pensioner attended his local Ladbrokes in Wester Hailes, Edinburgh, with family and friends for a party held in his honour.

As a regular visitor to Ladbrokes, Sam was congratulated by staff and customers and was the centre of attention for the afternoon.

Murphy vows to smash far right party with local coalition

By Rory Reynolds

THE BRITISH National Party’s Scottish leader aims to contest Jim Murphy’s seat in the May election as part of PR drive to win a seat at Holyrood next year.

The far-right party will use the Westminster election campaign to gain publicity for the next Scottish Parliament election in 2011, where they believe they can win a regional list seat.

Murphy’s East Renfrewshire constituency will be one of the key battlegrounds north of the border, with the BNP even claiming that they could cost Labour enough votes to allow the Tories to take the seat.

The BNP admits they will lose in May, but hope to boost their support and will be fielding candidates against Gordon Brown, Alex Salmond and Alistair Darling as well.

However, Murphy has said he will unite Christian, Muslim and Jewish groups to battle the party, which he described as “abhorrent”.

Grandmother found frozen on doorstep

The doorstep where Jeanette was found

By Rory Reynolds

A GRANDMOTHER was fighting for her life in hospital last night after becoming locked out of her home for seven hours in sub-zero temperatures.

Jeanette Wright was discovered “frozen in a ball” by a 17-year-old neighbour after spending the night out in the open as blizzards raged.

Neighbours said the 60-year-old pharmacy assistant from Gorebridge, Midlothian, is thought to have put the wrong key into her own lock by accident after returning from a Christmas party in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The temperature dropped so low that Jeanette’s heart stopped with paramedics battling to save her at the scene.

She was rushed to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary shortly after she was discovered at 9am.

Scots not tested after one-night-stand

By Shaun Milne

SCOTS party-goers are the least likely to get checked out for sexually transmitted diseases they might have picked up on a one-night stand.

But one in 15 admit that they will still head to a Christmas party this year with the sole intention of picking up a partner for the night.

Almost a quarter of all Scots – 23 per cent – admit they sometimes get so drunk that they cannot remember parts of their night.

Andy Murray to be honoured with homecoming parade

By Michael MacLeod

TENNIS star Andy Murray will be treated to a spectacular homecoming party – whether or not he wins Wimbledon.

The Scottish Government are drawing up plans up to give the 22 year-old a hero’s welcome that he’ll never forget when he returns home from SW19.

The world number three would become the first Brit to win the exclusive championship since Fred Perry.

Far from hiding from the challenge, Murray even wore a t-shirt emblazoned with “1936” – the year Perry won the title – after his quarter final straight sets win against Spain’s Juan Carlos Ferrero on Wednesday.

He plays American Andy Roddick in the semi final tonight (fri) with the mouth-watering prospect of a final against former champion Roger Federer.

Scotland’s culture minister Michael Russell revealed that the Scottish Government want to embrace the Dunblane-born player with a special celebration.

He said: “Andy is a wonderful star and a tremendous sportsman.

“He will always deserve a homecoming celebration and he will always get one – win or lose, he is going to get one.”