Scotland

Movie-goers around the world watched as William Wallace despatched his enemies with a fierce-looking piece of armour on his left arm. Now fans of the film Braveheart have the chance to own the terrifying gauntlet sported by Hollywood star Mel Gibson in the blockbuster flick. The gauntlet, which is festooned with arrowheads, was worn by the Scottish warrior as he battled his English foes in the film's depiction of the Battle of Stirling. The prop, which is composed of fiberglass, leather, foam-padding, and four metallic arrow tips, is being sold in an auction of Hollywood memorabilia and could go for more than £6,000.

The chaotic flightpath of the Ryanair jet speaks to some dire misadventure - serious mechanical failure, perhaps, or a medical emergency onboard. The aircraft proceeds west after take-off from Edinburgh , traversing West Lothian, Lanarkshire and Ayrshire, then suddenly banks a few miles from the coast, enters a tight turn and heads back east across the country again. It circles three times over Peebles in the Scottish Borders before being cleared for landing on the same runway where it took off. The reason for the abortive holiday flight? Three men and a bottle of vodka.

A quarter of parents in the Outer Hebrides have decided not to have any more children because of a lack of childcare, a survey has found. Organised by Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan, the questionnaire also found that nearly a fifth admitted they were having to delay having more babies for the same reason. Throughout May, SNP politician Dr Allan conducted an online survey of 270 parents and carers of children aged under five across the Western Isles. Now he has shared the results on his website. The poll found that the majority of families with young children are concerned about accessing the childcare they require.

Dozens of police officers were paid to take part in a Pride parade through Scotland's biggest city despite the force slashing resources and cutting back on fighting crime. Last week it was revealed that uniformed officers were being urged to represent the overstretched force at the LGBTI event in exchange for either pay or a day off in lieu. While their colleagues were on duty at the parade to ensure order was maintained, police chiefs requested that other officers join in to show support for the marchers. The event was deemed a 'community engagement opportunity', with top brass declaring officers could attend on full pay as a result. Around 25 uniformed officers took part in the march through Glasgow yesterday, wearing special LGBT rainbow epaulettes, and flanked by a marked car and van draped in Pride flags.

He is no stranger to famous planes, ­having worked as an airframe mechanic which included a stint with the legendary 617 'Dambusters' Squadron. However, James Smith had never flown in his favourite, the iconic Spitfire, until finally achieving his dream last week - at the age of 94. And the pensioner, whose dramatic 30-minute sortie over Perthshire included a swoop over his home village, was not disappointed, describing the experience as 'beyond anything' he could have ­imagined. Taking off from Scone Airport, the first time that Spitfire ML-295 has flown from a Scottish airfield, he said: 'I told the family I'd found what I want for my 95th birthday which will be in October - and that was to fly in a Spitfire. 'The best moment was when I flew over my own village of Dunning. I'd told neighbours to look out for me and I gave them a wave as we flew over.

Somewhere in the region of 800 crimes will be recorded in Scotland tomorrow. In most cases, the victims of them will be distressed, even outraged. Some will remember tomorrow for the rest of their lives. A few may see it as the day things changed forever. Crime can do that to a person. In the 1970s, my recently widowed grandmother moved house not long after her home in Dundee was broken into. For her, life in Old Craigie Road could never be the same. Not after intruders had been in it. Today it may be a long-forgotten entry in the crime records of a now defunct police force, but it weighed on my grandmother's mind for decades.

No one knew who she was. She was found in a ditch with her head removed and with her hands and feet tied to her body. She wore only a short, pink nightdress. A massive police investigation spread to other countries and thousands of people were interviewed. The FBI and Interpol were asked to assist.

He is one of the world's most famous fantasy authors. But Game of Thrones author George RR Martin has revealed a science fiction event in Glasgow snubbed his offer to host a panel. The 75-year-old said he wrote to officials at The World Science Fiction Convention to discuss details of an official appearance but was told he would have to submit a formal application to appear on the programme. Mr Martin said he plans to turn up at the event at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) on August 8 regardless. He said 'it is not for lack of trying' that organisers have failed to respond to his emails despite the first being sent in January.

The graphic content and jerky camera work are reminiscent of chaotic footage beamed back from a war zone. In the brief yet numerous clips, however, there is nothing remotely heroic about these close quarters exchanges where fighting is dominated by flashes of terrifying brutality. In one, a hapless victim cowers as furious blows rain down on their head amid the sickening noise of contact between fist and skull; in another, the target screams as they are slapped and kicked and their hair is violently pulled.

There were 211 passengers and ten crew on board the Boeing 767-332 when it suffered a contained engine failure leading to a fuel leak in February 2023, according to a report published today by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch. Within half an hour of the plane taking off, an emergency was declared and crew diverted the plane to Prestwick Airport on the west coast of Scotland. Footage shot by one of the passengers on board shows flames enveloping the right-hand wing. Anxious passengers could be heard speaking in the background, while some were in tears.

Police Scotland is at risk of sex discrimination claims from female staff over controversial gender self-identification policies, experts have warned. MurrayBlackburnMacKenzie, a group dedicated to examining public body policy, issued the warning to the force, which it says 'has a track record of promoting gender self-identification principles'. They said the force's promotion of a Stonewall-backed 'Transitioning in the Workplace' policy leaves it vulnerable to complaints from female members of staff. It was revealed earlier this week that reminders of the controversial 2019 policy have been issued, with rank and file officers being threatened with gross misconduct if they reveal the gender identity of colleagues.

You will struggle to find a bobby on the beat, but don't worry - you might well spot one taking part in a gay Pride event near you. As the Mail revealed yesterday, officers in Scotland will be paid to take part in these parades, despite the force cutting back on fighting crime. They are being urged to represent the overstretched force at LGBT events - in exchange for either pay or a day off in lieu.

When Justin Rose rolled in a birdie putt on the Postage Stamp on Sunday afternoon, it felt like this could well be a red-letter day for a player who has given so much to European golf over the years. At that point, Rose moved into a tie for the lead at six-under par. It was his third birdie in his first eight holes. Sensing something special might be unfolding, the crowd roared Rose on. In that moment, it was easy to forget this was a man who had to come through final qualifying only a few weeks ago just to earn his place at Royal Troon.

Former Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has broken his own world record with his involvement in the £660,000 purchase of an unbeaten horse that is being tipped to be racing's next big star. The Old Trafford icon and some of his close friends bid on Regent's Stroll at the Goffs Sale in Doncaster on Monday. Sir Alex previously helped set the record for the most expensive jumps horse ever sold at public auction when Caldwell Potter was bought for £633,000 in February.