By MARK McLAUGHLIN
In DOHA
22 November 2009
Jahannam is the Islamic word for Hell, and judging by my first few days in Doha I could be speeding my way there pretty soon.
Spent the first full night in Qatar in the Doha Sheraton Hotel "Irish Bar", which is licensed to sell alcohol - a proscribed substance nearly everywhere in the Arabian penninsula except in specially licensed clubs or bars.
Women are also forbidden from displaying their shoulders or knees (as well as the other obvious taboo body parts) outside these licensed areas, so they make the most of it in the hotel bars by wearing as little as possible.
There is, however, a high cost for breaking these prohibitions, even in licensed premises. Apart from the risk of losing your soul to Shaitan (that's Satan to you and me), it costs 38 Qatari Riyals (over six quid) for a pint of Guiness. The penalty for non-maritial relations is a year in prison.
Friday night also introduced me to a taxi ride on Doha roads. The driving is wild and I'm reliably informed that by the time my visit is over I will see, or be involved in a (hopefully non-fatal) road accident. Crossing points are also very rare on the main roads, meaning you may have to walk half a mile to find a place to cross or risk you life during a break in three lanes of constantly weaving traffic.
In contrast to Britain's sparing use of the horn (which is normally used to indicate imminent danger and occassionally to express frustration at the kind of driving that is customary in Doha), the horn in Doha appears to be a form of driver communication, like the twittering of birds. During particularly frustating episodes of gridlock, where any movement is impossible and frustrated horns therefore futile, they nevertheless become a cacophony akin to a herd of trumpeting elephants.
Hopefully I'll make it home alive.
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
DOHA: Castles Made of Sand
By MARK McLAUGHLIN
in DOHA
20 November 2009
My first impression of Doha was to note just how massive it is. Coming from Edinburgh I'm accustomed to a whole city contained within the space of few square miles. Doha is a sprawling mass that eminates outward from a horseshoe shaped harbour, flanked at its northern edge by a futuristic cityscape that puts Blade Runner to shame.
At the northern tip of the harbour stands the toblerone shaped Doha Sheraton Hotel, and to the south is the newish Museum of Islamic Art, a lego shaped building full of artifacts from 1000 years of Islamic history (might do a full review later).
From there the city expands outwards in concentric circles, marked out by circular motorways called simply Ring Road A through to E.
Outside of the Blade Runner metropolis at the shore, the rest of Doha architecture consists of simple, flat roofed buildings the colour of sand, as though they were whipped up in a sandstorm by an industrialist djinn. Conical spikes stick out every half mile or so signifying the ubiquitous mosques, which five times a day cry out in unison for the call to prayer. Most expats grow tired of this regular interuption to their day (especially the sunrise call at 4.30am) but to the ininitiated they have a haunting quality.
in DOHA
20 November 2009
My first impression of Doha was to note just how massive it is. Coming from Edinburgh I'm accustomed to a whole city contained within the space of few square miles. Doha is a sprawling mass that eminates outward from a horseshoe shaped harbour, flanked at its northern edge by a futuristic cityscape that puts Blade Runner to shame.
At the northern tip of the harbour stands the toblerone shaped Doha Sheraton Hotel, and to the south is the newish Museum of Islamic Art, a lego shaped building full of artifacts from 1000 years of Islamic history (might do a full review later).
From there the city expands outwards in concentric circles, marked out by circular motorways called simply Ring Road A through to E.
Outside of the Blade Runner metropolis at the shore, the rest of Doha architecture consists of simple, flat roofed buildings the colour of sand, as though they were whipped up in a sandstorm by an industrialist djinn. Conical spikes stick out every half mile or so signifying the ubiquitous mosques, which five times a day cry out in unison for the call to prayer. Most expats grow tired of this regular interuption to their day (especially the sunrise call at 4.30am) but to the ininitiated they have a haunting quality.
DOHA: Santa Clause in Saudi Arabia
By MARK McLAUGHLIN
at Amsterdam Schipol Airport-Dammam-Doha
19 November 2009
Set off for Doha in the early hours of this morning, with a five hour stopover at Amsterdam Schipol Airport. Having never been to Amsterdam, but heard many a story from my reprobate friends, I was disappointed to find the airport devoid of strippers. I did, however, find the "slag room", which much to my annoyance turned out to be Dutch for "whipped cream".
The airport has a casino, which I stayed well clear of preferring to keep my cash, and at the time of flying also an art exhibition featuring paintings by the Brueghel family of artists, who are apparently quite well known if you're Dutch and into art.
I set off again for a quick stopover in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, to pick up the final passengers set for Doha. An Arab family boarded the plane. The father was sporting a jet-black beard and a gleaming white dishdasha, and the elder son was similarly attired with a wispy bumfluff moustache which I found quite amusing. The women, presumably his wives and/or daughters, followed dressed in black burqas and they were followed in turn by throng of happy looking children, dressed in simple jeans and t-shirts and as yet unencumbered by the strict Saudi dress code of their elders.
The culture shock was complete when the Dutch air-hostesses, a spirted bunch who had teased me for most of the flight for trying to pay for the complimentary alcohol (who knew!), arrived with complimentary toys for the children.
"Santa Clause is here," said one of the air-hostesses, apparently unaware of her cultural faux pas.
I don't think Saint Nick would be too welcome round these parts!
at Amsterdam Schipol Airport-Dammam-Doha
19 November 2009
Set off for Doha in the early hours of this morning, with a five hour stopover at Amsterdam Schipol Airport. Having never been to Amsterdam, but heard many a story from my reprobate friends, I was disappointed to find the airport devoid of strippers. I did, however, find the "slag room", which much to my annoyance turned out to be Dutch for "whipped cream".
The airport has a casino, which I stayed well clear of preferring to keep my cash, and at the time of flying also an art exhibition featuring paintings by the Brueghel family of artists, who are apparently quite well known if you're Dutch and into art.
I set off again for a quick stopover in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, to pick up the final passengers set for Doha. An Arab family boarded the plane. The father was sporting a jet-black beard and a gleaming white dishdasha, and the elder son was similarly attired with a wispy bumfluff moustache which I found quite amusing. The women, presumably his wives and/or daughters, followed dressed in black burqas and they were followed in turn by throng of happy looking children, dressed in simple jeans and t-shirts and as yet unencumbered by the strict Saudi dress code of their elders.
The culture shock was complete when the Dutch air-hostesses, a spirted bunch who had teased me for most of the flight for trying to pay for the complimentary alcohol (who knew!), arrived with complimentary toys for the children.
"Santa Clause is here," said one of the air-hostesses, apparently unaware of her cultural faux pas.
I don't think Saint Nick would be too welcome round these parts!
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
HOLIDAY
I'm off to Doha for the next two and a half weeks and will not be blogging...unless I can sneak in a cheeky update or two.
FEATURE: The Most Stylish Woman in Edinburgh?
By MARK McLAUGHLIN
Edinburgh Evening News
17 November 2009
This article is proof that could make a Grazia style writer one day. After the week I've had putting corsages on Christmas trees and writing about handbags I really need some beer, steak and football.
SHE'S living proof that it can pay to get dressed to the nines for an afternoon stroll.
When Megan Cunningham pulled on her leather-look leggings, strappy shoes and exclusive Alexander McQueen scarf for an afternoon's shopping on Princes Street, she turned some very influential heads.
The 20-year-old hairdressers' receptionist from Morningside has just been voted one of Britain's most stylish women, following a chance encounter with women's magazine Grazia.
The glossy sent a team of "style hunters" to 11 UK cities in August, and Edinburgh hunters were won over by Megan's bold but understated style.
Megan, who works at Cheynes hairdressers in Bruntsfield, said: "It was completely random. They just came up to me and started asking questions about my look, and taking some photographs.
"I thought it was just market research but I was surprised when they called me two months later and said I'd made it through to the regional finals of a competition and had to get people to vote for me.
"I didn't expect to win. People always say that while I look really glamorous I wear too much black, but I think it looks good on me."
The former James Gillespie's girl was inspired by her mum Donna, 46, a Standard Life receptionist, particularly in the shoulder-padded Warehouse top she was sporting on the day.
She said: "I love shoulder pads. I used to laugh at pictures of my mum in the 1980s but they're totally back in fashion.
"The rest of my outfit was quite simple.
I like to call the bag I'm carrying 'vintage Warehouse' because I bought it so long ago but I still use it all the time.
"I did get some really negative comments on the website about the leggings. A lot of people said they looked trashy and cheapened the outfit, but everyone's got different tastes, I suppose.
"While most of her outfit is high street fashion, the genuine Alexander McQueen scarf would normally set you back more than £350.
Megan added: "My cousin brought it back from the States. It was only £120."
The 11 winners of the first Grazia Style Hunter Awards are featured in today's Grazia.
Grazia's Editor-in-chief Jane Bruton said: "We were overwhelmed by the number of super-stylish women we discovered and Megan is an outstanding and well-deserved winner."
Edinburgh Evening News
17 November 2009
This article is proof that could make a Grazia style writer one day. After the week I've had putting corsages on Christmas trees and writing about handbags I really need some beer, steak and football.
SHE'S living proof that it can pay to get dressed to the nines for an afternoon stroll.
When Megan Cunningham pulled on her leather-look leggings, strappy shoes and exclusive Alexander McQueen scarf for an afternoon's shopping on Princes Street, she turned some very influential heads.
The 20-year-old hairdressers' receptionist from Morningside has just been voted one of Britain's most stylish women, following a chance encounter with women's magazine Grazia.
The glossy sent a team of "style hunters" to 11 UK cities in August, and Edinburgh hunters were won over by Megan's bold but understated style.
Megan, who works at Cheynes hairdressers in Bruntsfield, said: "It was completely random. They just came up to me and started asking questions about my look, and taking some photographs.
"I thought it was just market research but I was surprised when they called me two months later and said I'd made it through to the regional finals of a competition and had to get people to vote for me.
"I didn't expect to win. People always say that while I look really glamorous I wear too much black, but I think it looks good on me."
The former James Gillespie's girl was inspired by her mum Donna, 46, a Standard Life receptionist, particularly in the shoulder-padded Warehouse top she was sporting on the day.
She said: "I love shoulder pads. I used to laugh at pictures of my mum in the 1980s but they're totally back in fashion.
"The rest of my outfit was quite simple.
I like to call the bag I'm carrying 'vintage Warehouse' because I bought it so long ago but I still use it all the time.
"I did get some really negative comments on the website about the leggings. A lot of people said they looked trashy and cheapened the outfit, but everyone's got different tastes, I suppose.
"While most of her outfit is high street fashion, the genuine Alexander McQueen scarf would normally set you back more than £350.
Megan added: "My cousin brought it back from the States. It was only £120."
The 11 winners of the first Grazia Style Hunter Awards are featured in today's Grazia.
Grazia's Editor-in-chief Jane Bruton said: "We were overwhelmed by the number of super-stylish women we discovered and Megan is an outstanding and well-deserved winner."
Monday, 16 November 2009
NEWS: The House Price Rollercoaster
By MARK McLAUGHLIN
Edinburgh Evening News
16 November 2009
Treat everything here with a pinch of salt. These house price surveys are ten a penny, and usually barely worth banking a penny on
HOUSE prices in Edinburgh have fallen by nearly 12 per cent in the last three months, it was revealed today.
The Capital's poor performance came as a surprise and goes against the trend of a modest house price recovery in the rest of Scotland, which has seen the average cost of home rise by 0.7 per cent in the last quarter.
The average home in Scotland now costs £153,605, compared with £152,561 three months ago, according to figures contained in the latest Scottish House Price Monitor by Lloyds TSB.
The report said: "Scottish house prices have stopped falling and have begun to increase. However, price movements in the latest quarter are particularly volatile."
Nowhere has this volatility been more apparent than in Edinburgh.
Despite the 12 per cent drop, Edinburgh house prices remain the most expensive in Scotland, with the average price of a home in the city costing £197,018.
Leslie Deans, senior partner in Leslie Deans & Co estate agents, acknowledged the number of houses being sold in Edinburgh had fallen steeply in the economic downturn, but said the picture on the ground looked slightly different from the figures contained in the report.
He said: "The ESPC's [Edinburgh Solicitors Property Centre] latest report indicated that Edinburgh house prices have actually stabilised following the recent difficulties so the Lloyds TSB report is running slightly contrary to that.
" Edinburgh was starting from a higher point than the majority of the country and I'm seeing Edinburgh house prices hardening again.
"I'm seeing greater demand. There are more buyers about and more transactions happening. The length of time taken to sell a house is also shortening."
Mr Deans said he had also seen evidence of Edinburgh buyers rushing through transactions before a change in stamp duty rules on December 31.
He added: "Stamp duty is currently only payable on properties of £175,000, but as of next month they will be payable on properties over £125,000, so I've seen evidence of buyers getting their skates on to close the deal before this rule takes effect.
"All of these factors means that from our point of view the activity level has been quite high.
"However, I wouldn't say things are going well for us just yet.
"Edinburgh property transactions by volume dropped considerably in the downturn and have to bounce back to anywhere near the pre-downturn levels.
"While things have improved over the last six months there's still a bit to go yet."
There were marked differences in price changes across the country, with rises in some areas and falls in others.
Aberdeen saw the biggest rise, with prices going up 13.4 per cent in the last quarter, and the north of Scotland as a whole experiencing a positive trend.
In Glasgow, however, prices fell by 9.8 per cent.
The north, excluding Aberdeen, has seen a 6.9 per cent rise, and the south-east, excluding Edinburgh, saw house prices go up by 2.7 per cent.
The 0.7 per cent increase in the latest quarter follows a fall of 1.4 per cent in the previous quarter and a drop of 4.3 per cent in the quarter before that.
Edinburgh Evening News
16 November 2009
Treat everything here with a pinch of salt. These house price surveys are ten a penny, and usually barely worth banking a penny on
HOUSE prices in Edinburgh have fallen by nearly 12 per cent in the last three months, it was revealed today.
The Capital's poor performance came as a surprise and goes against the trend of a modest house price recovery in the rest of Scotland, which has seen the average cost of home rise by 0.7 per cent in the last quarter.
The average home in Scotland now costs £153,605, compared with £152,561 three months ago, according to figures contained in the latest Scottish House Price Monitor by Lloyds TSB.
The report said: "Scottish house prices have stopped falling and have begun to increase. However, price movements in the latest quarter are particularly volatile."
Nowhere has this volatility been more apparent than in Edinburgh.
Despite the 12 per cent drop, Edinburgh house prices remain the most expensive in Scotland, with the average price of a home in the city costing £197,018.
Leslie Deans, senior partner in Leslie Deans & Co estate agents, acknowledged the number of houses being sold in Edinburgh had fallen steeply in the economic downturn, but said the picture on the ground looked slightly different from the figures contained in the report.
He said: "The ESPC's [Edinburgh Solicitors Property Centre] latest report indicated that Edinburgh house prices have actually stabilised following the recent difficulties so the Lloyds TSB report is running slightly contrary to that.
" Edinburgh was starting from a higher point than the majority of the country and I'm seeing Edinburgh house prices hardening again.
"I'm seeing greater demand. There are more buyers about and more transactions happening. The length of time taken to sell a house is also shortening."
Mr Deans said he had also seen evidence of Edinburgh buyers rushing through transactions before a change in stamp duty rules on December 31.
He added: "Stamp duty is currently only payable on properties of £175,000, but as of next month they will be payable on properties over £125,000, so I've seen evidence of buyers getting their skates on to close the deal before this rule takes effect.
"All of these factors means that from our point of view the activity level has been quite high.
"However, I wouldn't say things are going well for us just yet.
"Edinburgh property transactions by volume dropped considerably in the downturn and have to bounce back to anywhere near the pre-downturn levels.
"While things have improved over the last six months there's still a bit to go yet."
There were marked differences in price changes across the country, with rises in some areas and falls in others.
Aberdeen saw the biggest rise, with prices going up 13.4 per cent in the last quarter, and the north of Scotland as a whole experiencing a positive trend.
In Glasgow, however, prices fell by 9.8 per cent.
The north, excluding Aberdeen, has seen a 6.9 per cent rise, and the south-east, excluding Edinburgh, saw house prices go up by 2.7 per cent.
The 0.7 per cent increase in the latest quarter follows a fall of 1.4 per cent in the previous quarter and a drop of 4.3 per cent in the quarter before that.
FEATURE: The One To Watch for 2010?
By MARK McLAUGHLIN
Edinburgh Evening News
14 November 2009
IT WASN'T exactly the most auspicious of starts to what Alex Gardner is hoping will be a glittering pop career. Within weeks of leaving his native Edinburgh for the bright lights of London last year, he'd been mugged, was living off beans and was desperately searching for a job.
But then his luck changed thanks to a curious invitation. "I was invited to the house where Alice In Wonderland was written," recalls 18-year-old singer Alex, a former Edinburgh Academy pupil who is being tipped as the music industry's one to watch in 2010.
The invitation came via a band Alex had auditioned for, but he had little idea what he was letting himself in for.
"I was bit apprehensive about being invited to this strange house in the country, but I did my research and found it belonged to pop producer Brian Higgins."
The Kent mansion is the former home of Alice Liddell Hargrieves, the inspiration for Lewis Carroll's children's classic Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, but its present owner is no stranger to spreading a bit of magic himself.
Higgins' production house Xenomania has produced tracks for Sugababes, Girls Aloud, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Dannii and Kylie Minogue, Cher, Saint Etienne and now Alex, who is preparing for launch as Higgins' next pop wunderkind.
The passage from Edinburgh to Wonderland has been very short indeed for Alex, whose parents Richard, a solicitor with Drummond Miller, and commercial promoter Janet Gardner still live in Davidson's Mains.
"I left Edinburgh Academy at 16," says Alex.
"I saved up enough money for five months' rent in London and went for it. I had no idea what I was going to do but I was looking for something creative.
My parents were a bit sceptical to say the least."
And his parents' fears were quickly realised. Returning to his Paddington flat with two friends in his first week, they were mugged by six armed men. "They surrounded us and told us they were armed with knives so we gave them everything," says Alex.
"They took all my jewellery and a small amount of cash. One of the other guys was marched to a cash machine and told to enter his pin and they cleared him out."
It was a brutal introduction to the big city, but Alex soon settled in and began looking for work. He spotted an advert for a band and went for an audition. I really didn't fit in. They were twice my age with guitars and all I had was my voice, but we did a couple of songs and then I asked them to record one of my own.
"A few months later I got invited up to the mansion to meet Brian. He told me he had listened to my tape and realised I wasn't right for the band . . . which was a bit of a blow. But then he said I'd do better as a solo act. I was over the moon."
For the last year Alex has been going back to the mansion to write songs with Higgins.
"Although we're writing together, Brian always insists the songs are drawn from my own experiences, so most of them are about girls," says Alex.
Alex has now signed a worldwide record deal with Universal/A&M Records and has just completed a short tour with Paolo Nutini. And last night he played a homecoming show at Cabaret Voltaire in front of all of the friends and family he's been missing.
"The only song I've written that's not about a girl is about Edinburgh," he says. "It's called Where Were You? and it's a message to all my friends not to forget me."
For more info, visit www. myspace.com/alexgardermusic
Edinburgh Evening News
14 November 2009
IT WASN'T exactly the most auspicious of starts to what Alex Gardner is hoping will be a glittering pop career. Within weeks of leaving his native Edinburgh for the bright lights of London last year, he'd been mugged, was living off beans and was desperately searching for a job.
But then his luck changed thanks to a curious invitation. "I was invited to the house where Alice In Wonderland was written," recalls 18-year-old singer Alex, a former Edinburgh Academy pupil who is being tipped as the music industry's one to watch in 2010.
The invitation came via a band Alex had auditioned for, but he had little idea what he was letting himself in for.
"I was bit apprehensive about being invited to this strange house in the country, but I did my research and found it belonged to pop producer Brian Higgins."
The Kent mansion is the former home of Alice Liddell Hargrieves, the inspiration for Lewis Carroll's children's classic Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, but its present owner is no stranger to spreading a bit of magic himself.
Higgins' production house Xenomania has produced tracks for Sugababes, Girls Aloud, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Dannii and Kylie Minogue, Cher, Saint Etienne and now Alex, who is preparing for launch as Higgins' next pop wunderkind.
The passage from Edinburgh to Wonderland has been very short indeed for Alex, whose parents Richard, a solicitor with Drummond Miller, and commercial promoter Janet Gardner still live in Davidson's Mains.
"I left Edinburgh Academy at 16," says Alex.
"I saved up enough money for five months' rent in London and went for it. I had no idea what I was going to do but I was looking for something creative.
My parents were a bit sceptical to say the least."
And his parents' fears were quickly realised. Returning to his Paddington flat with two friends in his first week, they were mugged by six armed men. "They surrounded us and told us they were armed with knives so we gave them everything," says Alex.
"They took all my jewellery and a small amount of cash. One of the other guys was marched to a cash machine and told to enter his pin and they cleared him out."
It was a brutal introduction to the big city, but Alex soon settled in and began looking for work. He spotted an advert for a band and went for an audition. I really didn't fit in. They were twice my age with guitars and all I had was my voice, but we did a couple of songs and then I asked them to record one of my own.
"A few months later I got invited up to the mansion to meet Brian. He told me he had listened to my tape and realised I wasn't right for the band . . . which was a bit of a blow. But then he said I'd do better as a solo act. I was over the moon."
For the last year Alex has been going back to the mansion to write songs with Higgins.
"Although we're writing together, Brian always insists the songs are drawn from my own experiences, so most of them are about girls," says Alex.
Alex has now signed a worldwide record deal with Universal/A&M Records and has just completed a short tour with Paolo Nutini. And last night he played a homecoming show at Cabaret Voltaire in front of all of the friends and family he's been missing.
"The only song I've written that's not about a girl is about Edinburgh," he says. "It's called Where Were You? and it's a message to all my friends not to forget me."
For more info, visit www. myspace.com/alexgardermusic
FEATURE: Gift Wrapping Boot Camp
By MARK McLAUGHLIN
Edinburgh Evening News
13 November 2009
This was genuninely the most stressful story I've written this year. Despite an intense gift wrapping boot camp I'll still be mummifying my mum's perfume
'NOOOO!" shrieks the elegant woman as she pulls my fingers away before they and the sticky tape I'm holding can do any damage.
We are in Jenners, that grand dame of retailing in Edinburgh, and I'm brandishing a large strip of Sellotape, which could cause trouble if I was about to stick it on a designer mohair jumper, but as I'm wrapping a Christmas present, it's not the reaction I'd expect.
Mummifying my mum's bottle of perfume with Sellotape has always been part of my traditional festive build-up. I think I'd describe my method of gift- wrapping as "abstract".
Apparently, too much sticky tape isn't just a festive faux pas though, as Jane Hardie, of Jenners' gift wrapping service, explains: "One of the major sins of gift wrapping is covering your nicely folded paper in ugly strips of Sellotape."
A sin? Yikes! Well, Christmas is all about religion, I suppose, so I'd better listen up.
I'm in Jenners because the store is offering Christmas master-classes for anyone that doesn't know their bows from their baubles. The focus is firmly on all things festive and shoppers can learn how to dress the perfect dinner table, decorate the perfect tree, cook the perfect turkey, wrap a wonderful gift and how to dress to impress as the perfect host or hostess.
It seems it's the male of the species who may benefit the most from such expert advice.
"Men's lack of Christmas decoration skills probably stems from their student or bachelor days," explains Jenners' visual merchandiser Ewan Carmichael as he places an ornate golden corsage in the centre of his beautifully decorated tree.
"When you're a young guy you don't tend to bother with all the frills of Christmas as long as you've got a couple of cans of lager in the fridge, but it can pay off knowing how to spruce the place up in time for Christmas.
"It could be a chance to impress the new girlfriend and show off your sensitive side by bringing her home to a flat with a well decorated tree, a well set table and presenting her with beautifully wrapped presents."
So learning where to place my baubles could improve my pulling power? Hmmm.
But first there's that present to finish. "Gift wrapping isn't just something to throw round your presents like chip paper. They've got to sit in your living room for a couple of weeks in the run-up to Christmas so you want them to look nice," says Jane, as I learn to disguise that sinful sticky tape - double-sided is best but you can fold a piece of ordinary tape over to stick down the edges.
I didn't mention that I generally use a ready-made bow with more dreaded Sellotape when Jane moves on to the ribbon.
"I've been to crime scenes that have been less stressful," I tell Jane as I tie myself in more knots than the bow as I try to create something presentable. I think I've pulled it off.
"Beautiful," says Jane, to my visible relief - but my work is not yet done. I've got the Christmas tree to decorate now.
"Decorating the tree is not as straightforward as some people think," he tells me. Great!
"The first thing that goes on is the lights and it's important to start from the bottom and work your way up. A common mistake is starting from the top and finding that you've run out of wire half way down the tree." I want to ask what happens if you run out of wire halfway up the tree. But I don't.
"Also, the choice of lights is quite important. If you have a tree in the lounge you're not going to want dazzling flashing lights in the corner of the room as this could easily get on your nerves by the time Christmas arrives, so you might want something more subtle.
"On the other hand, if you keep your tree in the hall you might want something a bit more flashy to impress the visitors when they arrive."
Jenners has a Christmas tree starter pack for around GBP 80 that has everything you need to get your first stars and baubles on the tree, but it can take years to build up a decent collection of decorations.
"The most important thing is to personalise your tree," adds Ewan. "You don't just want an identikit tree that you would see in a shop window."
With that advice in mind I set about decorating my tree - a 6ft artificial pine.
Within half an hour my lights are twinkling, my baubles and white roses are in position and my golden corsage has pride of place at the front.
"That's not a bad job," said Ewan. "You've still got one decorative white rose left though. Perhaps you could wear it in your hair on Christmas morning?" Perhaps not, Ewan.
Christmas, Jenners-style, two-thirds done. I just had the Christmas table to tackle, which is always a challenge.
"You should always make room for everything you need at the Christmas table because the last thing you want to do in the middle of Christmas dinner is keep getting up to fetch things," said visual merchandiser Ruth Kennedy.
"This is where a centrepiece can serve a really useful purpose. Some people might think the centrepiece is just there to be decorative, but what it's actually doing is saving the space for the food to arrive.
"When the turkey is ready the centrepiece is removed and the bird and trimmings take pride of place at the centre of the table."
"Overall," she adds, "it's important to keep all of the colours matching or complimentary, with reds and greens the traditional colours of Christmas."
I get the impression my safe default attire of "all black" won't cut it as a Christmas colour scheme, which is a shame as I could have saved myself even more time by keeping the Hallowe'en decor up.
So, having invested in some festive red and green tablecloths, I'm now fully prepared for an elegant and tastefully decorated Christmas. All I need is a guest list - sadly something Jenners can't help me with.
Oh well, there's always a catch.
Top Ten Tips
1 Arrange the tree lights from the bottom up to ensure you've got enough length to reach the socket.
2 Start with the biggest tree baubles first andwork downto fill in all of the empty gaps.
3 Don't be afraid to personalise your tree with tasteful homemade baubles.
4 Have a sharp pair of scissors to hand on gift-wrapping day.
5 Size your paper first before you start to wrap.
6 Keep your folds neat andmake a quarter-inch seamon rough edges to keep them straight.
7 Use double sided or folded tape to stick your folds on the inside. Never cover your parcel in tape.
8 Use matching colour-schemes for your Christmas table-cloths and napkins.
9 Cover mismatched chairs with matching material, bows and ribbons to give them a uniform feel.
10 Create or invest in a Christmas centrepiece to put on the table
Edinburgh Evening News
13 November 2009
This was genuninely the most stressful story I've written this year. Despite an intense gift wrapping boot camp I'll still be mummifying my mum's perfume
'NOOOO!" shrieks the elegant woman as she pulls my fingers away before they and the sticky tape I'm holding can do any damage.
We are in Jenners, that grand dame of retailing in Edinburgh, and I'm brandishing a large strip of Sellotape, which could cause trouble if I was about to stick it on a designer mohair jumper, but as I'm wrapping a Christmas present, it's not the reaction I'd expect.
Mummifying my mum's bottle of perfume with Sellotape has always been part of my traditional festive build-up. I think I'd describe my method of gift- wrapping as "abstract".
Apparently, too much sticky tape isn't just a festive faux pas though, as Jane Hardie, of Jenners' gift wrapping service, explains: "One of the major sins of gift wrapping is covering your nicely folded paper in ugly strips of Sellotape."
A sin? Yikes! Well, Christmas is all about religion, I suppose, so I'd better listen up.
I'm in Jenners because the store is offering Christmas master-classes for anyone that doesn't know their bows from their baubles. The focus is firmly on all things festive and shoppers can learn how to dress the perfect dinner table, decorate the perfect tree, cook the perfect turkey, wrap a wonderful gift and how to dress to impress as the perfect host or hostess.
It seems it's the male of the species who may benefit the most from such expert advice.
"Men's lack of Christmas decoration skills probably stems from their student or bachelor days," explains Jenners' visual merchandiser Ewan Carmichael as he places an ornate golden corsage in the centre of his beautifully decorated tree.
"When you're a young guy you don't tend to bother with all the frills of Christmas as long as you've got a couple of cans of lager in the fridge, but it can pay off knowing how to spruce the place up in time for Christmas.
"It could be a chance to impress the new girlfriend and show off your sensitive side by bringing her home to a flat with a well decorated tree, a well set table and presenting her with beautifully wrapped presents."
So learning where to place my baubles could improve my pulling power? Hmmm.
But first there's that present to finish. "Gift wrapping isn't just something to throw round your presents like chip paper. They've got to sit in your living room for a couple of weeks in the run-up to Christmas so you want them to look nice," says Jane, as I learn to disguise that sinful sticky tape - double-sided is best but you can fold a piece of ordinary tape over to stick down the edges.
I didn't mention that I generally use a ready-made bow with more dreaded Sellotape when Jane moves on to the ribbon.
"I've been to crime scenes that have been less stressful," I tell Jane as I tie myself in more knots than the bow as I try to create something presentable. I think I've pulled it off.
"Beautiful," says Jane, to my visible relief - but my work is not yet done. I've got the Christmas tree to decorate now.
"Decorating the tree is not as straightforward as some people think," he tells me. Great!
"The first thing that goes on is the lights and it's important to start from the bottom and work your way up. A common mistake is starting from the top and finding that you've run out of wire half way down the tree." I want to ask what happens if you run out of wire halfway up the tree. But I don't.
"Also, the choice of lights is quite important. If you have a tree in the lounge you're not going to want dazzling flashing lights in the corner of the room as this could easily get on your nerves by the time Christmas arrives, so you might want something more subtle.
"On the other hand, if you keep your tree in the hall you might want something a bit more flashy to impress the visitors when they arrive."
Jenners has a Christmas tree starter pack for around GBP 80 that has everything you need to get your first stars and baubles on the tree, but it can take years to build up a decent collection of decorations.
"The most important thing is to personalise your tree," adds Ewan. "You don't just want an identikit tree that you would see in a shop window."
With that advice in mind I set about decorating my tree - a 6ft artificial pine.
Within half an hour my lights are twinkling, my baubles and white roses are in position and my golden corsage has pride of place at the front.
"That's not a bad job," said Ewan. "You've still got one decorative white rose left though. Perhaps you could wear it in your hair on Christmas morning?" Perhaps not, Ewan.
Christmas, Jenners-style, two-thirds done. I just had the Christmas table to tackle, which is always a challenge.
"You should always make room for everything you need at the Christmas table because the last thing you want to do in the middle of Christmas dinner is keep getting up to fetch things," said visual merchandiser Ruth Kennedy.
"This is where a centrepiece can serve a really useful purpose. Some people might think the centrepiece is just there to be decorative, but what it's actually doing is saving the space for the food to arrive.
"When the turkey is ready the centrepiece is removed and the bird and trimmings take pride of place at the centre of the table."
"Overall," she adds, "it's important to keep all of the colours matching or complimentary, with reds and greens the traditional colours of Christmas."
I get the impression my safe default attire of "all black" won't cut it as a Christmas colour scheme, which is a shame as I could have saved myself even more time by keeping the Hallowe'en decor up.
So, having invested in some festive red and green tablecloths, I'm now fully prepared for an elegant and tastefully decorated Christmas. All I need is a guest list - sadly something Jenners can't help me with.
Oh well, there's always a catch.
Top Ten Tips
1 Arrange the tree lights from the bottom up to ensure you've got enough length to reach the socket.
2 Start with the biggest tree baubles first andwork downto fill in all of the empty gaps.
3 Don't be afraid to personalise your tree with tasteful homemade baubles.
4 Have a sharp pair of scissors to hand on gift-wrapping day.
5 Size your paper first before you start to wrap.
6 Keep your folds neat andmake a quarter-inch seamon rough edges to keep them straight.
7 Use double sided or folded tape to stick your folds on the inside. Never cover your parcel in tape.
8 Use matching colour-schemes for your Christmas table-cloths and napkins.
9 Cover mismatched chairs with matching material, bows and ribbons to give them a uniform feel.
10 Create or invest in a Christmas centrepiece to put on the table
Thursday, 12 November 2009
NEWS: NATO Vs The Anti-Militarist Network: The final countdown
By MARK McLAUGHLIN
Edinburgh Evening News
11 November 2009
ANTI-WAR protesters are threatening to bring chaos to Edinburgh as they demonstrate at a major Nato summit later this week.
Two large-scale rallies are being planned to mark the visit of the Nato Parliamentary Assembly – a five-day meeting of MPs, military commanders, academics and civil servants at the EICC.
The protests will be the largest seen in the city since the G8, and it is understood police are concerned about the possibility of extremists "infiltrating" the largely peaceful demonstrations.
The events coincide with Scotland's rugby clash with Fiji at Murrayfield on Saturday, making the West End a virtual no-go area.
The weekend's protests include a "direct action" rally under the name The Nato Welcoming Committee on Friday, and a second rally by the Edinburgh Stop The War Coalition on Saturday.
The Nato Welcoming Committee has pledged to "shut down" the meeting on the first day and is keeping its movements a secret until the day of the protest, when activists will be mobilised by text.
Meanwhile, the Edinburgh Stop The War Coalition are up in arms after being told they cannot march past the conference centre.
Pat Smith, of Edinburgh Stop the War, said: "We agreed to move the march forward to 10:30am on the understanding that we could still march past the EICC.
"However, despite this, the police have still said we cannot march past the assembly's front door because of safety concerns. We believe the new location at Semple Street will be a bigger safety hazard as it is a smaller street and people could be crushed.
"Police also said they were worried about people 'infiltrating' our march, and the direct action march by the Anti-Militarist Network on Friday, with a view to causing violence."
Chief Inspector Allison Strachan, who will be managing the police presence, said the force was confident the protesters would be peaceful but that more officers than normal would be on the streets. She said: "We expect trouble-free protests, gatherings and marches and have no reason to expect otherwise.
"There will be a police operation in place and we are very keen for any groups who are going to get their message across to get in touch with police beforehand."
She explained that due to increased numbers of marchers, plus the presence of rugby fans, Morrison Street would have to be closed off.
She said: "From a safety point of view there will be many groups around on the day. To make sure no damage or disruption occurs we will close the road in the name of public safety. We hope the protesters respect our decision."
BEHIND THE ASSEMBLY'S DOORS
INSIDE the Nato Parliamentary Assembly, members will be debating issues including the war in Afghanistan and security in Pakistan.
There will be speeches by General Sir Peter Wall, commander-in-chief of the UK's land forces, and Admiral James Stavridis, supreme allied commander in Europe.
St Andrews University professor of Iranian history Ali Ansari will explain the threats posed by the Islamic republic and its current president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Frank Cook, an MP who tried to claim £5 expenses for a church collection in remembrance of the Battle of Britain, will present a resolution on "Nato's enduring commitment to Afghanistan".
Edinburgh Evening News
11 November 2009
ANTI-WAR protesters are threatening to bring chaos to Edinburgh as they demonstrate at a major Nato summit later this week.
Two large-scale rallies are being planned to mark the visit of the Nato Parliamentary Assembly – a five-day meeting of MPs, military commanders, academics and civil servants at the EICC.
The protests will be the largest seen in the city since the G8, and it is understood police are concerned about the possibility of extremists "infiltrating" the largely peaceful demonstrations.
The events coincide with Scotland's rugby clash with Fiji at Murrayfield on Saturday, making the West End a virtual no-go area.
The weekend's protests include a "direct action" rally under the name The Nato Welcoming Committee on Friday, and a second rally by the Edinburgh Stop The War Coalition on Saturday.
The Nato Welcoming Committee has pledged to "shut down" the meeting on the first day and is keeping its movements a secret until the day of the protest, when activists will be mobilised by text.
Meanwhile, the Edinburgh Stop The War Coalition are up in arms after being told they cannot march past the conference centre.
Pat Smith, of Edinburgh Stop the War, said: "We agreed to move the march forward to 10:30am on the understanding that we could still march past the EICC.
"However, despite this, the police have still said we cannot march past the assembly's front door because of safety concerns. We believe the new location at Semple Street will be a bigger safety hazard as it is a smaller street and people could be crushed.
"Police also said they were worried about people 'infiltrating' our march, and the direct action march by the Anti-Militarist Network on Friday, with a view to causing violence."
Chief Inspector Allison Strachan, who will be managing the police presence, said the force was confident the protesters would be peaceful but that more officers than normal would be on the streets. She said: "We expect trouble-free protests, gatherings and marches and have no reason to expect otherwise.
"There will be a police operation in place and we are very keen for any groups who are going to get their message across to get in touch with police beforehand."
She explained that due to increased numbers of marchers, plus the presence of rugby fans, Morrison Street would have to be closed off.
She said: "From a safety point of view there will be many groups around on the day. To make sure no damage or disruption occurs we will close the road in the name of public safety. We hope the protesters respect our decision."
BEHIND THE ASSEMBLY'S DOORS
INSIDE the Nato Parliamentary Assembly, members will be debating issues including the war in Afghanistan and security in Pakistan.
There will be speeches by General Sir Peter Wall, commander-in-chief of the UK's land forces, and Admiral James Stavridis, supreme allied commander in Europe.
St Andrews University professor of Iranian history Ali Ansari will explain the threats posed by the Islamic republic and its current president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Frank Cook, an MP who tried to claim £5 expenses for a church collection in remembrance of the Battle of Britain, will present a resolution on "Nato's enduring commitment to Afghanistan".
READING: Warren, All The King's Men
Robert Penn Warren
All The King's Men
1946
A beautifully constructed Pulitzer Prize winning portrait of American politics and corruption. Governer Willie Stark is almost a premonition of Nixon a full 20 years before he rose to power and a quarter decade before his fall (partly through the work of this book's near namesake).
Every page is poetry, every character fully described. Penn Warren's language brings the book's American South setting alive, and allows Willie Stark to seduce you though his actions are so abhorrant, and in this way Penn Warren created a wholly believable politician.
Favourite Stark quote, "There's something on everybody. Man is conceived in sin and born in corruption and he passeth from the stink of the didie to the stench of the shroud."
I wonder if Nixon had this in mind when he sent out his "ratfuckers".
All The King's Men
1946
A beautifully constructed Pulitzer Prize winning portrait of American politics and corruption. Governer Willie Stark is almost a premonition of Nixon a full 20 years before he rose to power and a quarter decade before his fall (partly through the work of this book's near namesake).
Every page is poetry, every character fully described. Penn Warren's language brings the book's American South setting alive, and allows Willie Stark to seduce you though his actions are so abhorrant, and in this way Penn Warren created a wholly believable politician.
Favourite Stark quote, "There's something on everybody. Man is conceived in sin and born in corruption and he passeth from the stink of the didie to the stench of the shroud."
I wonder if Nixon had this in mind when he sent out his "ratfuckers".
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
NEWS: A Death in Spain
By MARK McLAUGHLIN
Edinburgh Evening News
9 October 2009
THE family of a young father who was killed by a car in Spain are demanding a fresh inquiry following evidence that he may have been attacked and robbed before his death.
Moredun roofer Thomas Patterson, 21, was killed on a dual carriageway near the coast at Playa Flamenca, in Alicante, in July.
Police ruled that Mr Patterson, father of an 18-month-old son, Thomas James, was killed in an accident involving a single driver, who was cleared of any wrongdoing.
Mr Patterson's mother, Agnes, 52, wants Spanish police to reinvestigate the case, but fears they will never discover the truth of what happened that night.
The family are now backing calls by one of Scotland's most senior judges, former Lord President Lord Cullen, recommending that inquiries are held in Scotland into the deaths of Scots abroad.
Mrs Patterson said today: "The Spanish police just dismissed my son as another British lager lout who died from acting like an idiot abroad.
"When they brought his body home, it was a mess. The undertaker said it looked like he had been hit by a truck going at 100mph, rather than a single car obeying the speed limit.
"However, he had scratches on his knuckles that looked like he had been fighting.
"He also had quite a bit of money on him before he died, following a big win at the bookies that afternoon.
"He should have still had about ¤300 on him, but when police recovered his body, all they found on him were two telephone numbers, for me and his girlfriend Allana."
She added: "We only want to get to the bottom of this so we can lay our boy to rest."
Friends who were with former junior boxing champion Mr Patterson, who was known both as Tam and Top Cat, reported seeing him arguing with an angry mob shortly before he disappeared. He had been just hours into a sunshine break with friends at the time.
He was found at 3:20am on 17 July near the Villa Martin Roundabout, in the coastal region of La Zenia, about a mile from where he had been drinking.
Mrs Patterson is upset that the question of her son's assault was never investigated, and that the driver involved was not breathalysed or questioned in more detail about how Thomas ended up on the road.
A Guardia Civil spokesman said that the driver was not arrested because the victim had crossed the road in an area where pedestrians were banned and he also stopped to help. However, they have yet to explain why Mr Patterson's companions were not interviewed, and why the alleged assault and robbery were never investigated.
Lord Cullen this week recommended an extension to the Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths Inquiry (Scotland) Act to empower the Lord Advocate to apply for an FAI into Scottish deaths abroad.
Mrs Patterson added: "If he was killed in similar circumstances in Scotland, the police would have questioned his companions, breathalysed the driver and looked at all of the circumstances leading up to the death, but the Spanish just wrote him off as a drunken lout.
"International FAIs are the only way to make sure that the deaths of Scottish people get investigated properly, wherever they are in the world."
Andrew Mackenzie, secretary to the Review of Fatal Accident Inquiry Legislation, said he could not comment on individual cases.
But he said: "In his report, he recommended that the Lord Advocate should have power to apply for an FAI into the deaths of persons normally resident in Scotland where the body is repatriated to Scotland.
"In reaching a decision, the Lord Advocate would require to consider, for example, whether there had been circumstances that called for investigation, whether there had been a satisfactory investigation and whether there was a prospect of an FAI yielding significant findings."
DIVERSION
THE family of Thomas Patterson told how their grief was multiplied when his body ended up being sent to Birmingham instead of Edinburgh.
Relatives had spent £4,500 paying to bring his body home and were hit with a further bill because of the diversion.
Mum Agnes said the mix-up had added "insult to injury". "His cousins had already paid to bring him home because he was travelling without insurance.
"We had to pay the Edinburgh undertaker £500 to collect him, and then we got a phone call from Spain demanding another 800 euros for sending him to Birmingham.
"I refused to pay them and they haven't been in touch since."
Edinburgh Evening News
9 October 2009
THE family of a young father who was killed by a car in Spain are demanding a fresh inquiry following evidence that he may have been attacked and robbed before his death.
Moredun roofer Thomas Patterson, 21, was killed on a dual carriageway near the coast at Playa Flamenca, in Alicante, in July.
Police ruled that Mr Patterson, father of an 18-month-old son, Thomas James, was killed in an accident involving a single driver, who was cleared of any wrongdoing.
Mr Patterson's mother, Agnes, 52, wants Spanish police to reinvestigate the case, but fears they will never discover the truth of what happened that night.
The family are now backing calls by one of Scotland's most senior judges, former Lord President Lord Cullen, recommending that inquiries are held in Scotland into the deaths of Scots abroad.
Mrs Patterson said today: "The Spanish police just dismissed my son as another British lager lout who died from acting like an idiot abroad.
"When they brought his body home, it was a mess. The undertaker said it looked like he had been hit by a truck going at 100mph, rather than a single car obeying the speed limit.
"However, he had scratches on his knuckles that looked like he had been fighting.
"He also had quite a bit of money on him before he died, following a big win at the bookies that afternoon.
"He should have still had about ¤300 on him, but when police recovered his body, all they found on him were two telephone numbers, for me and his girlfriend Allana."
She added: "We only want to get to the bottom of this so we can lay our boy to rest."
Friends who were with former junior boxing champion Mr Patterson, who was known both as Tam and Top Cat, reported seeing him arguing with an angry mob shortly before he disappeared. He had been just hours into a sunshine break with friends at the time.
He was found at 3:20am on 17 July near the Villa Martin Roundabout, in the coastal region of La Zenia, about a mile from where he had been drinking.
Mrs Patterson is upset that the question of her son's assault was never investigated, and that the driver involved was not breathalysed or questioned in more detail about how Thomas ended up on the road.
A Guardia Civil spokesman said that the driver was not arrested because the victim had crossed the road in an area where pedestrians were banned and he also stopped to help. However, they have yet to explain why Mr Patterson's companions were not interviewed, and why the alleged assault and robbery were never investigated.
Lord Cullen this week recommended an extension to the Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths Inquiry (Scotland) Act to empower the Lord Advocate to apply for an FAI into Scottish deaths abroad.
Mrs Patterson added: "If he was killed in similar circumstances in Scotland, the police would have questioned his companions, breathalysed the driver and looked at all of the circumstances leading up to the death, but the Spanish just wrote him off as a drunken lout.
"International FAIs are the only way to make sure that the deaths of Scottish people get investigated properly, wherever they are in the world."
Andrew Mackenzie, secretary to the Review of Fatal Accident Inquiry Legislation, said he could not comment on individual cases.
But he said: "In his report, he recommended that the Lord Advocate should have power to apply for an FAI into the deaths of persons normally resident in Scotland where the body is repatriated to Scotland.
"In reaching a decision, the Lord Advocate would require to consider, for example, whether there had been circumstances that called for investigation, whether there had been a satisfactory investigation and whether there was a prospect of an FAI yielding significant findings."
DIVERSION
THE family of Thomas Patterson told how their grief was multiplied when his body ended up being sent to Birmingham instead of Edinburgh.
Relatives had spent £4,500 paying to bring his body home and were hit with a further bill because of the diversion.
Mum Agnes said the mix-up had added "insult to injury". "His cousins had already paid to bring him home because he was travelling without insurance.
"We had to pay the Edinburgh undertaker £500 to collect him, and then we got a phone call from Spain demanding another 800 euros for sending him to Birmingham.
"I refused to pay them and they haven't been in touch since."
READING: Maupassant, Bel Ami
Guy de Maupassant
Bel Ami
1885
I re-read this after hearing a pretty ropey adaptation on Radio 4 at the weekend. Maupassant's tale of the rise-and-rise of a Parisian journalist who gossips his way into high society is a rare book, if only for the fact that the villain wins out in the end.
However, perhaps the fact that the central villain George Duroy rises through a society of villains contains a deeper message on the corrupt nature of power.
Maupassant's reluctance to knock down his womanising, conniving journalist in the end perhaps stems from his own tortured life. The blurb at the back of my Penguin Classics edition states that at the time of writing Maupassant was "already under a sentence of death from syphilis". Perhaps he found a life of social and sexual debauchery that does not come with any consequences - and indeed positively leads to advancement - very appealing.
There is also a contemporary lesson in Duroy's means of financial advancement, when he cottons on to his editor's plan to manipulate the financial markets by whipping up the fervour for a war in Morocco.
Look how well some companies did when a gang of unscrupulous oil barons connived their way into power and, with the help of some acquiescent media editors, whipped up the fervour for war in another Islamic country recently.
Bel Ami
1885
I re-read this after hearing a pretty ropey adaptation on Radio 4 at the weekend. Maupassant's tale of the rise-and-rise of a Parisian journalist who gossips his way into high society is a rare book, if only for the fact that the villain wins out in the end.
However, perhaps the fact that the central villain George Duroy rises through a society of villains contains a deeper message on the corrupt nature of power.
Maupassant's reluctance to knock down his womanising, conniving journalist in the end perhaps stems from his own tortured life. The blurb at the back of my Penguin Classics edition states that at the time of writing Maupassant was "already under a sentence of death from syphilis". Perhaps he found a life of social and sexual debauchery that does not come with any consequences - and indeed positively leads to advancement - very appealing.
There is also a contemporary lesson in Duroy's means of financial advancement, when he cottons on to his editor's plan to manipulate the financial markets by whipping up the fervour for a war in Morocco.
Look how well some companies did when a gang of unscrupulous oil barons connived their way into power and, with the help of some acquiescent media editors, whipped up the fervour for war in another Islamic country recently.
Thursday, 5 November 2009
NEWS: Fear Cannot Be Caged!
By MARK McLAUGHLIN
Edinburgh Evening News
5 November 2009
IT STARTED as an innocent teenage romance and ended as many do following an argument over nothing.
But if Emma-Jane Robertson thought that was the last she would hear of ex-boyfriend Brian Nicolson, she was mistaken.
What followed was an incredible chain of events which culminated in 20-year-old Nicolson being sentenced this week to almost four years in prison. He pleaded guilty not only to setting fire to his ex-girlfriend's home but to following it up with chilling threats to Emma-Jane and her family from prison.
The family's ordeal is far from over. Emma-Jane's mother revealed today how threats from suspected associates of Nicolson continue to arrive, leaving them too terrified to stay in their Danderhall home.
It is all a far cry from when Emma-Jane, 20, first fell for Nicolson, who had wooed her with phone calls and texts in 2006.
"We met on the streets of Danderhall," said the former St David's High pupil.
"He was the local milkman, he asked for my number and we started texting, getting to know each other and becoming close."
Things soon took a turn for the worse, however.
"For the first six months he was all right, but over the next two-and-a-half years he tried to rule me.
"When he went out I had to stay home, and we used to argue over which friends I was and wasn't allowed to hang around with."
The relationship finally came to an end in April following a fight at a party in Dunfermline.
"It was just one of our usual arguments but I decided I'd had enough," she said. "I finished with him the following day and everything seemed fine.
"On the Monday he texted me asking if he could come and pick up a pair of jogging bottoms so I invited him round the next day – and that's when he set fire to the place."
On Tuesday, 20 April, neighbours watched as Nicolson arrived at the Robertsons' home in Arthur View Terrace, poured petrol on the mat and set fire to the door before running off.
Emma-Jane, who was inside the house with her mother Marilyn, 48, and friend Bev Shepherd, 19, saw the hall filling with smoke and realised that flames had engulfed their front door. The three terrified women fled out the back door.
Firefighters were on the scene within minutes and extinguished the blaze, but the house was left with serious smoke damage. Nicolson was arrested a few days later and remanded in custody.
However, the Robertsons' nightmare had only just started.
Emma-Jane received seven threatening letters, five sent from Saughton Prison and two postmarked from a local Post Office, warning her what would happen if she testified against him.
In one letter Nicolson warned Emma-Jane: "If you want to, keep going to the police. I'll make sure you and your mum won't make court. I'll be in here so I won't get the blame, so make your choice."
He also wrote saying: "Everyone is asking me if I want you killed, I've said not the now. If you don't come or write back you're going to leave me no choice. I don't want you to lose any of your family, but you know I can make it happen – so get the finger out."
The terrified mother and daughter took the letters straight to the police, and were issued with a panic alarm just in case.
"The police said we should take these threats very seriously," said Emma Jane, gravely.
"They said that you never know who he could have met in prison, and that he may have met people that were willing to hurt us.
"The fact that two of them were posted outside the prison meant that he obviously had someone on the outside that was willing to pass on his threats, and maybe carry them out as well."
While the letters have stopped, Emma-Jane has also received threatening e-mails and Bebo messages from associates of Nicolson. Her brother Scott, 28, and sister Lynn, 26, have also received threats of violence.
The ongoing ordeal has left Emma-Jane's family in turmoil.
He mother told how she had quit her job as a sales assistant and had not been back to work since.
"I'm leaving this house next week and registering myself as homeless because I can't stay here any more," said Marilyn.
"I've barely slept a wink since it happened. I lie awake all night wondering if someone is going to set fire to the house again, or come into the house and kill me.
"I can't sleep without sleeping tablets, and I go to bed every night wondering if I'll ever wake up. At least the sleeping tablets knock me out, so that if someone was to kill me in my sleep I wouldn't know what was happening."
Emma-Jane's friend Bev Shepherd has also been put on medication, is undergoing therapy and has not worked since the fire.
"My boss told me that my presence was a danger to his customers and that he had to let me go," she said.
Emma-Jane insists that despite his controlling nature, Nicolson was never violent towards her and the fireraising attack and the threats came out of the blue.
The court heard how Nicolson, who was working as a plumber in East Lothian at the time of the attacks, was "horrified" by his actions in the aftermath of the break-up and had not intended to harm anyone.
Emma-Jane added: "Even after all this time I can't explain why he did it. Only he knows. It's a mystery to me."
POLICE SATISFIED WITH SENTENCE
LOTHIAN and Borders Police said they were satisfied with Nicolson's sentence and hoped it could as come comfort to Emma-Jane.
A spokesman said: "No-one should be made to live in fear for their safety, so we would urge anyone who receives a threatening letter to report it immediately to police."
A Scottish Prison Service spokesman said it was powerless to prevent criminals sending letters from prison.
He added: "We cannot open and read prisoners' mail under any circumstances.
"If a person is receiving threatening letters from inside the prison then it is a matter for the police."
Edinburgh Evening News
5 November 2009
IT STARTED as an innocent teenage romance and ended as many do following an argument over nothing.
But if Emma-Jane Robertson thought that was the last she would hear of ex-boyfriend Brian Nicolson, she was mistaken.
What followed was an incredible chain of events which culminated in 20-year-old Nicolson being sentenced this week to almost four years in prison. He pleaded guilty not only to setting fire to his ex-girlfriend's home but to following it up with chilling threats to Emma-Jane and her family from prison.
The family's ordeal is far from over. Emma-Jane's mother revealed today how threats from suspected associates of Nicolson continue to arrive, leaving them too terrified to stay in their Danderhall home.
It is all a far cry from when Emma-Jane, 20, first fell for Nicolson, who had wooed her with phone calls and texts in 2006.
"We met on the streets of Danderhall," said the former St David's High pupil.
"He was the local milkman, he asked for my number and we started texting, getting to know each other and becoming close."
Things soon took a turn for the worse, however.
"For the first six months he was all right, but over the next two-and-a-half years he tried to rule me.
"When he went out I had to stay home, and we used to argue over which friends I was and wasn't allowed to hang around with."
The relationship finally came to an end in April following a fight at a party in Dunfermline.
"It was just one of our usual arguments but I decided I'd had enough," she said. "I finished with him the following day and everything seemed fine.
"On the Monday he texted me asking if he could come and pick up a pair of jogging bottoms so I invited him round the next day – and that's when he set fire to the place."
On Tuesday, 20 April, neighbours watched as Nicolson arrived at the Robertsons' home in Arthur View Terrace, poured petrol on the mat and set fire to the door before running off.
Emma-Jane, who was inside the house with her mother Marilyn, 48, and friend Bev Shepherd, 19, saw the hall filling with smoke and realised that flames had engulfed their front door. The three terrified women fled out the back door.
Firefighters were on the scene within minutes and extinguished the blaze, but the house was left with serious smoke damage. Nicolson was arrested a few days later and remanded in custody.
However, the Robertsons' nightmare had only just started.
Emma-Jane received seven threatening letters, five sent from Saughton Prison and two postmarked from a local Post Office, warning her what would happen if she testified against him.
In one letter Nicolson warned Emma-Jane: "If you want to, keep going to the police. I'll make sure you and your mum won't make court. I'll be in here so I won't get the blame, so make your choice."
He also wrote saying: "Everyone is asking me if I want you killed, I've said not the now. If you don't come or write back you're going to leave me no choice. I don't want you to lose any of your family, but you know I can make it happen – so get the finger out."
The terrified mother and daughter took the letters straight to the police, and were issued with a panic alarm just in case.
"The police said we should take these threats very seriously," said Emma Jane, gravely.
"They said that you never know who he could have met in prison, and that he may have met people that were willing to hurt us.
"The fact that two of them were posted outside the prison meant that he obviously had someone on the outside that was willing to pass on his threats, and maybe carry them out as well."
While the letters have stopped, Emma-Jane has also received threatening e-mails and Bebo messages from associates of Nicolson. Her brother Scott, 28, and sister Lynn, 26, have also received threats of violence.
The ongoing ordeal has left Emma-Jane's family in turmoil.
He mother told how she had quit her job as a sales assistant and had not been back to work since.
"I'm leaving this house next week and registering myself as homeless because I can't stay here any more," said Marilyn.
"I've barely slept a wink since it happened. I lie awake all night wondering if someone is going to set fire to the house again, or come into the house and kill me.
"I can't sleep without sleeping tablets, and I go to bed every night wondering if I'll ever wake up. At least the sleeping tablets knock me out, so that if someone was to kill me in my sleep I wouldn't know what was happening."
Emma-Jane's friend Bev Shepherd has also been put on medication, is undergoing therapy and has not worked since the fire.
"My boss told me that my presence was a danger to his customers and that he had to let me go," she said.
Emma-Jane insists that despite his controlling nature, Nicolson was never violent towards her and the fireraising attack and the threats came out of the blue.
The court heard how Nicolson, who was working as a plumber in East Lothian at the time of the attacks, was "horrified" by his actions in the aftermath of the break-up and had not intended to harm anyone.
Emma-Jane added: "Even after all this time I can't explain why he did it. Only he knows. It's a mystery to me."
POLICE SATISFIED WITH SENTENCE
LOTHIAN and Borders Police said they were satisfied with Nicolson's sentence and hoped it could as come comfort to Emma-Jane.
A spokesman said: "No-one should be made to live in fear for their safety, so we would urge anyone who receives a threatening letter to report it immediately to police."
A Scottish Prison Service spokesman said it was powerless to prevent criminals sending letters from prison.
He added: "We cannot open and read prisoners' mail under any circumstances.
"If a person is receiving threatening letters from inside the prison then it is a matter for the police."
SPORT: The (blue) Mark of Kane
By MARK McLAUGHLIN
Edinburgh Evening News
3 November 2009
FORMER Hibs star Paul Kane today insisted it was business as usual after vandals targeted his Capital pub just three months after he took over.
The Four in Hand on Easter Road had every one of its windows smashed shortly after 4:30am yesterday.
Vandals also covered the outside walls, windows and pavement in blue paint, which could be seen trailing down Easter Road.
The former midfielder, 44, said the attack was a "mystery", but insisted he would not allow any disruption to his new business.
He said: "I got a call at 4:30am when the alarm went off and when I came down the place was secure, so it must have happened after that. I'll have to call my staff and the guy that was on and see what happened, but it's a complete mystery.
He added: "I just want to get everything cleared up and get back to normal – we'll definitely open as usual."
One neighbour, who lives above the pub, said she was shocked by the attack.
She said: "I didn't hear anything but my boyfriend said he was woken up by banging during the night. I can't quite believe it, there's been no trouble or anything before."
The pub is a favourite haunt of Hibs fans, where punters stand a chance of rubbing shoulders with sporting heroes.
Former Hibs stars Pat Stanton and Jimmy O'Rourke have been known to frequent the pub, as well as The Proclaimers.
Hibs legend Stanton, who also managed the club in the early eighties, said the vandalism was "a terrible shame", adding: "The pub is key meeting place for Hibs fans, and fans of any colour, being so close to the ground.
"It a shame for Paul though as he's only had the pub for three months. I'm sorry to hear it's been vandalised."
The pub was previously owned by Kenny McLean Jr, whose father and namesake was the former Hibs vice-chairman who played a leading role in the fight to stop Wallace Mercer buying the club in the 1990s. McLean sold the pub, along with the rest of his Brackens Inns chain, to Caledonian Heritable in 2006.
While the company stayed true to its pledge to maintain it as a Hibs fan pub, Kane's purchase restored its long-standing association with the club.
A police spokesman said: "Police are investigating an incident of vandalism.
"Anyone who witnessed the pub being vandalised should contact police immediately."
Edinburgh Evening News
3 November 2009
FORMER Hibs star Paul Kane today insisted it was business as usual after vandals targeted his Capital pub just three months after he took over.
The Four in Hand on Easter Road had every one of its windows smashed shortly after 4:30am yesterday.
Vandals also covered the outside walls, windows and pavement in blue paint, which could be seen trailing down Easter Road.
The former midfielder, 44, said the attack was a "mystery", but insisted he would not allow any disruption to his new business.
He said: "I got a call at 4:30am when the alarm went off and when I came down the place was secure, so it must have happened after that. I'll have to call my staff and the guy that was on and see what happened, but it's a complete mystery.
He added: "I just want to get everything cleared up and get back to normal – we'll definitely open as usual."
One neighbour, who lives above the pub, said she was shocked by the attack.
She said: "I didn't hear anything but my boyfriend said he was woken up by banging during the night. I can't quite believe it, there's been no trouble or anything before."
The pub is a favourite haunt of Hibs fans, where punters stand a chance of rubbing shoulders with sporting heroes.
Former Hibs stars Pat Stanton and Jimmy O'Rourke have been known to frequent the pub, as well as The Proclaimers.
Hibs legend Stanton, who also managed the club in the early eighties, said the vandalism was "a terrible shame", adding: "The pub is key meeting place for Hibs fans, and fans of any colour, being so close to the ground.
"It a shame for Paul though as he's only had the pub for three months. I'm sorry to hear it's been vandalised."
The pub was previously owned by Kenny McLean Jr, whose father and namesake was the former Hibs vice-chairman who played a leading role in the fight to stop Wallace Mercer buying the club in the 1990s. McLean sold the pub, along with the rest of his Brackens Inns chain, to Caledonian Heritable in 2006.
While the company stayed true to its pledge to maintain it as a Hibs fan pub, Kane's purchase restored its long-standing association with the club.
A police spokesman said: "Police are investigating an incident of vandalism.
"Anyone who witnessed the pub being vandalised should contact police immediately."
READING: Coll, The Bin Ladins
Steve Coll
The Bin Ladins: An Arabian Family in the American Century
2008
With a title like that you would expect the family's cave dwelling, Yank-baiting uber-terrorist to be the star of the show, but Osama is largely eclipsed by his lesser known but equally larger than life elders and siblings.
By far the most enthralling book I've read this year. The level of research is frightening and Coll's style is informal and entertaining, although one would expect nothing less from the former Washington Post and New Yorker staffer.
Each new character is introduced like friends at a party, and some of the Bin Laden's did love to party.
If anyone could be said to stand out from patriarch Mohammed bin Laden's 50 children it would be his eldest son and heir to the Bin Laden empire Salem. Salem is portrayed as charming, funny and worldly. He was the life and soul of the party, with a limited but frequently belted-out repertoir of Western party tunes.
Osama was Mohammed's seventh son and the only child by his tenth wife. His destructive world-view is largely presented through the prism of his fast-deteriorating relationship with the Bin Laden family, which had already been severed before 9/11.
The Bin Ladens themselves remain perpetually in thrall of, and desperate to stay close to, Saudi Arabia's ruling Saudi kings.
Also revealed is the family's complex relationship with aeroplanes (Mohammed and Salem both died in one, Osama killed thousands with two), and there is a bizarre cameo appearance by everyone's favourite Scot Sean Connery.
The Bin Ladins: An Arabian Family in the American Century
2008
With a title like that you would expect the family's cave dwelling, Yank-baiting uber-terrorist to be the star of the show, but Osama is largely eclipsed by his lesser known but equally larger than life elders and siblings.
By far the most enthralling book I've read this year. The level of research is frightening and Coll's style is informal and entertaining, although one would expect nothing less from the former Washington Post and New Yorker staffer.
Each new character is introduced like friends at a party, and some of the Bin Laden's did love to party.
If anyone could be said to stand out from patriarch Mohammed bin Laden's 50 children it would be his eldest son and heir to the Bin Laden empire Salem. Salem is portrayed as charming, funny and worldly. He was the life and soul of the party, with a limited but frequently belted-out repertoir of Western party tunes.
Osama was Mohammed's seventh son and the only child by his tenth wife. His destructive world-view is largely presented through the prism of his fast-deteriorating relationship with the Bin Laden family, which had already been severed before 9/11.
The Bin Ladens themselves remain perpetually in thrall of, and desperate to stay close to, Saudi Arabia's ruling Saudi kings.
Also revealed is the family's complex relationship with aeroplanes (Mohammed and Salem both died in one, Osama killed thousands with two), and there is a bizarre cameo appearance by everyone's favourite Scot Sean Connery.
NEWS: A Woman Of Note
By MARK McLAUGHLIN
Edinburgh Evening News
2 November 2009
THE memory of Edinburgh's own Florence Nightingale, who fought death in foreign battlefields and inequality at home, is set to live on in your wallet.
Wartime hero and Suffragette Dr Elsie Inglis will feature on Clydesdale Bank's new £50 note, which enters circulation today.
Born in India in 1864, she was brought to the city by her father and attended the Edinburgh School of Medicine for Women in its first year of opening.
She set up the Scottish Women's Hospital movement in 1914 and was renowned for her work throughout Europe during the First World War. The movement set up field hospitals in countries including France, Belgium, Serbia, Romania, Greece and Russia, and was credited with saving the lives of many thousands of servicemen.
The release of the £50 note coincides with the 100-year anniversary of the Princes Street Suffrage March, which Elsie Inglis played a significant role in organising.
Janet Fenton, co-ordinator of the Edinburgh Peace and Justice Centre and organiser of last month's centenary reenactment of the march, said: "We wholeheartedly welcome anything that draws attention to the extremely important work Elsie Inglis did. It's significant that while she worked tirelessly to ease the suffering of the victims of war she was herself a staunch peace activist.
"It's important to remember her efforts to give women the vote, so they now have the power to use their vote in the coming general election to put peace on the agenda in today's troubled times."
The bank note is the second of Clydesdale Bank's new world heritage notes which will be available across the country from 10am.
As well as featuring Elsie Inglis on the front, the £50 note will depict the Roman-built Antonine Wall on the reverse.
Lynne Peacock, chief executive of Clydesdale Bank, said: "Clydesdale Bank's new £50 note reflects the diversity of Scotland's history.
"As a bank we are extremely proud to mark the achievements of both Elsie Inglis influence on the nation's Suffrage movement as well as her remarkable medical achievements.
"We hope the notes prompt people to take a further interest and to delve deeper into Scotland's history."
Malcolm MacNicol, a former surgeon and great-nephew of Elsie Inglis, said: "Elsie Inglis had a massive impact on Scotland's political and medical history.
"Marking the achievements Elsie made in her life, while coinciding with the anniversary of the Princes Street Suffrage March, with her inclusion on the Clydesdale Bank note is to be welcomed and I hope this increases the public's awareness of her work.
Edinburgh Evening News
2 November 2009
THE memory of Edinburgh's own Florence Nightingale, who fought death in foreign battlefields and inequality at home, is set to live on in your wallet.
Wartime hero and Suffragette Dr Elsie Inglis will feature on Clydesdale Bank's new £50 note, which enters circulation today.
Born in India in 1864, she was brought to the city by her father and attended the Edinburgh School of Medicine for Women in its first year of opening.
She set up the Scottish Women's Hospital movement in 1914 and was renowned for her work throughout Europe during the First World War. The movement set up field hospitals in countries including France, Belgium, Serbia, Romania, Greece and Russia, and was credited with saving the lives of many thousands of servicemen.
The release of the £50 note coincides with the 100-year anniversary of the Princes Street Suffrage March, which Elsie Inglis played a significant role in organising.
Janet Fenton, co-ordinator of the Edinburgh Peace and Justice Centre and organiser of last month's centenary reenactment of the march, said: "We wholeheartedly welcome anything that draws attention to the extremely important work Elsie Inglis did. It's significant that while she worked tirelessly to ease the suffering of the victims of war she was herself a staunch peace activist.
"It's important to remember her efforts to give women the vote, so they now have the power to use their vote in the coming general election to put peace on the agenda in today's troubled times."
The bank note is the second of Clydesdale Bank's new world heritage notes which will be available across the country from 10am.
As well as featuring Elsie Inglis on the front, the £50 note will depict the Roman-built Antonine Wall on the reverse.
Lynne Peacock, chief executive of Clydesdale Bank, said: "Clydesdale Bank's new £50 note reflects the diversity of Scotland's history.
"As a bank we are extremely proud to mark the achievements of both Elsie Inglis influence on the nation's Suffrage movement as well as her remarkable medical achievements.
"We hope the notes prompt people to take a further interest and to delve deeper into Scotland's history."
Malcolm MacNicol, a former surgeon and great-nephew of Elsie Inglis, said: "Elsie Inglis had a massive impact on Scotland's political and medical history.
"Marking the achievements Elsie made in her life, while coinciding with the anniversary of the Princes Street Suffrage March, with her inclusion on the Clydesdale Bank note is to be welcomed and I hope this increases the public's awareness of her work.
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