New Forth Road Bridge

RESULTS from a YouGov poll released last week indicate that just 34% of Scots support SNP plans for a new road bridge over the Forth, while 57% believe the existing Forth Road Bridge should be repaired.
According to the Scottish Government, the new bridge is currently expected to cost up to £2,300 million. The Forth Estuary Transport Authority estimates that repairing the existing bridge would cost just £122 million.
Later this month the Scottish Government is expected to publish legislation which would authorise the new bridge if approved.

Bagpipes run out of puff

SCOTSCARE, the London based Scottish charity has announced the shortlist for Scotland’s Greatest Contribution to the World with the winner to be announced to mark St Andrew’s Day.
The charity has previously conducted St Andrew’s Day searches for Scotland’s favourite Comedy Moment and Scotland’s Favourite Song.
Currently out in the lead is Penicillin which was discovered by scientist and Nobel laureate Alexander Flemming, in 1928. This is perhaps unsurprisingly followed closely by our national drink, whisky.
Others to make the short list of eight include Television, Rab C Nesbitt, Golf, and the Scotland’s favourite Irn Bru.
The most surprising contributions not to make the shortlist are surely bagpipes and the telephone which received no votes at all. Nessie, Robert Louis Stevenson and even the deep fried Mars Bar were also unfortunate not to make the final eight.
Votes can be placed on ScotsCare’s website, www.scotscrae.com.______________________________________________________________________