DRIVING TO HIGHLANDS WITHOUT A REAR WINDOW

Bev Lyons

I have driven the future and I’m not looking back, quite literally. 

Let me explain… I drove from Glasgow to the Highlands in the first electric car without a rear window and it was an experience I won’t forget. 

In fact, as I go back to drive my current petrol fuelled vehicle, I can’t help but notice how clunky and heavy it feels compared to the smooth slender handling of The Polestar 4. 

The Polestar 4, an SUV cross, is a Swedish EV whose parents are from the Volvo family which reassured me it is a safe bet of a car, despite the lack of a rear window. 

Volvo was always known for its safety rating, and you can of course still see what is behind you via a screen which replaces the mirror. 

It just means you can’t apply any lippy in it bit apart from that it does the same thing. 

The Polestar 4 is of course what is referred to as a luxury vehicle and with sleek lines and a Scandi style lounge like quality interior it’s easy to see why. It even comes with a responsive light strip along the back and front of the bodywork which would give veteran fans of  Knightrider a run for their money. 

The strip welcomes you as you approach the car and as it reverses from your parking spot it also emits an orchestral hum - vibrationally purring in a very space age fashion as if to energise you for the road ahead. 

I navigated the tight bends of my car parking space with the help from the warning sounds of front, rear and side cameras and took the car wide on corners as advised. 

The Polestar theme is continued inside the car with an onscreen planetary system allowing you to choose whatever ambient lights you’d like to accompany you on your journey.

 It is galactical - and if you like that sky, day or night, a vast panoramic roof allows you to gaze upon it as you relax in your reclining seats, both front and back - a lack of rear windows means more space for those in the back seat and a wide, movable arm rest gives it a relaxing feel. It’s the perfect place to chill as you charge the car for twenty minutes at an EV stop. It’s the first time I’ve driven an EV and it took me a couple of days to get used to the idea that I might have to recharge it from time to time. 

I live in a flat and have no charger. It also took a couple of failed attempts to attach public electrical chargers to the fast charge system - some still don’t work so it can be frustrating as you attempt to load up your card details to get yourself on one of the online systems that will accept payment. Ironically I used a Tesla app in the end as they have a helpful map on their app which alerts you to the nearest EV chargers. 

I found to my pleasure that the car also has this ability through its Google maps feature which also gives it access to lot of extra details. It’s also voice controlled. 

I charged up from an initial 50 per cent to eighty per cent on my journey spending £20 and spent another £20 on the road up, when it reached fifty per cent again,  arriving at my final destination with thirteen percent left. The official range is 367 miles but I found it nearer the 235 mark in the windy, rainy Scottish weather we experienced that day. Heated seats and electric heaters don’t help to conserve the power. 

The only thing I might suggest is that EV charge points should have coffee stops nearby as it’s nice to go for a little stroll while you charge up, unless it’s raining heavily. 

The drive itself is so quiet you need to remind yourself the engine is running, and the power will take you from zero to sixty in a matter of seconds - 3.6 I believe. In rain and in rougher terrain as I reached the windy roads to the Highlands it held the road beautifully, and at speed, and although it’s a longer car, it felt easy to drive. 

It is understated elegance and just feels so good. A two litre engine gave it extra power. 

We drove to the Torridon hotel, at one of the further most points north of Scotland, and the scenery was like a living car advert, with landscapes changing from green to desert like plains overlooked by mountainous regions. 

It was Gods natural racetrack. 

The five star Torridon which is located on one of the clearest locations on Earth even charged our car overnight as we gazed at the stars with help from their resident astronomer Stephen Mackintosh and indulged in a five course tasting menu. 

The Polestar 4 is an exciting car to drive and like its namesake it is pretty magical. It’s something you look forward to, and you really feel that you are embracing the future whilst also giving back in some way to the environment. Eco friendliness is at the heart of the cars messaging -  and with a lesser carbon footprint than most, it’s nice to see a large company taking social responsibilities seriously. 

The Polestar 4 is available starting at £58,000 from Silverburn in Glasgow who also will deliver it your door for a test drive. 

GLASGOW’S ILI WRITES FOR EUROVISION

Beverley Lyons 

Scots singer Ili is heading to Basel for the Eurovision Song Contest after co-writing the entry song for Switzerland. 

Glasgow born Ili, 26, whose real name is Emily Middlemas has been performing since the tender age of nine and admitted it was a dream come true as she revealed she is behind the Swiss entry Voyage, sung by Zoë Me. 

And she admitted she also sings backing vocals on the catchy anthem which was co-written while vocalist Zoe was on a trip to Scotland.

Emily who was on the 11th and 13th series of X Factor in 2014 and 2016 and has written platinum selling songs for other artists since, was recently a finalist for BBC Introducing Scottish Act of the Year. 

She exclusively told the Scottish Sun: “I co-wrote the Eurovision song for Switzerland and it’s a real pinch me moment. It has been one of my biggest dreams for years. Imagine it in an arena.”

 Emily also revealed the irony that she and fellow writer Tom Oehler were in Switzerland at the SUISA Songwriting Camp while they made video calls to Zoe who was visiting Scotland on a similar writing trip.

She laughed: “It was July 2022. It was the best time ever, and everyone there was so lovely. Zoe who was in Scotland while we were in Switzerland brought in a gorgeous, gorgeous kind of piano instrumental with a couple of ideas. We had a long chat about the song and what it meant, and she made sure that she translated every line in English for me so that I could kind of check over and make sure that it was okay and of course it was perfect, every single time. She blows my mind.

She is an amazing artist, an amazing singer, an amazing songwriter, just overall an amazing person, and I am so excited to watch her conquer that stage and live her dreams.

In a video online, Emily was also filmed as she was told by Zoe and Tom that her song had been chosen to represent Switzerland. 

Visibly shocked, she told her cowriters: “ Oh my god, no, stop! I'm gonna cry. Are you serious?”

Switzerland’s representative, Zoë Më, also said of her time with Emily: “I am Swiss and I was in Scotland. I started to write the song in Scotland. I created a first verse, a pre-chorus and a refrain and then I sent all my ideas to Tom, the producer. He said: ‘I love it, Zoë! That is exactly what we should do.’ And the other co-composer Ili, who is Scottish, was in Switzerland. So, its a rather witty story.”

GRADO AND JACK JESTER TRASH GLASGOW CITY CHAMBERS



Scots wrestlers Grado and Jack Jester shocked audience members as they slagged Glasgow’s Lord Provost and ran amok through the City Chambers, throwing and toppling bins over one another before being turfed out. 
And Scots TV host Laura Boyd also got swung about the ring after she ran in to defend her wrestling friend Jack.
Blockbuster and ICW Pros Grado and Jester were celebrating Glasgows 850th anniversary at the Birthday Bonanza charity bash for the Lord Provost’s Children’s Fund when the chaos ensued. 
Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren had welcomed local families to enjoy watching the sport which also featured wrestlers Jack Ripley, Colton Davis, Lewis Girvan, for the first  time at the prestigious council building when she was confronted by wrestler Jack Jester. 
After she took the credit for organising the match, he told her angrily: “Well well well, look what the cat brought in. I’m not talking about you. I’m talking about you. Who do you think you are swaggering about my show with your big fancy chain on?”
The Lord Provost pointed her finger and replied: “This is my show.”before proceeding to call him ‘’Dafty” and urging the crowd to chant it with her. 


During the title match, the Provost who had expected some ‘over the top high flying’ wrestling action on the night, admitted to being shocked when a seething Jester ran out of the ring and picked up one of the full rubbish bins  before throwing it and hitting Grado with it. Grado retaliated by dumping the contents over Jesters head. He then did it with a second one leaving the audience lost for words. 
Jack, who then smacked a chair over Grado’s back, said: “They are booing me the star of the show. Grado, I don’t care how much they love you or how much the Lord Provost loves you, you are going to get done in right here, right now and it’s going to be quick.”
STV Telly host Laura Boyd also got lifted in the air and swung around by Grado after marching into the ring to defend her pal Jester. Laura, who is a wrestling fan, jeered at the children watching the show before she was shown the door alongside Jester by the Lord Provost. 
Provost Jacqueline MacLaren said afterwards: “It was absolutely amazing and a great night in the City Chambers but I did get fed up with Jester smashing up my house so I just had to throw him out. He got what he deserved. I got him sorted. I was fed up with Laura too. She was giving it big time so I threw her out as well.”

Jack Jester admitted his £700 outfit was ‘ruined with bin juice’  following the bin fiasco, but said he was thrilled to do his bit for the charity.
And Grado added: “Fair play to the Lord Provost for letting a ring in there. Mind you, she did say afterwards she didn’t know we were going to throw bins about, but the weans loved it and the parents did too. We’re doing well. That’s twenty odd years we’ve been doing this so hopefully they’ll still be churning us out in years to come.”

SABRINA CARPENTER AND GRACIE ABRAMS HIT GLASGOW

TWO US superstars missed one another by seconds as they arrived and exited the same hotel in Glasgow at the same time. 

Sabrina Carpenter who played the Ovo Hydro on Tuesday has been staying in the Penthouse of Glasgow’s Blythswood hotel alongside her entourage. 

The singer admitted to her fans today that she is ill ‘sick like dog’ but still can’t wait to play Glasgow despite being holed up in her room since yesterday. 

And Gracie Abrams, the daughter of director JJ Abrams who recently toured with Taylor Swift, who plays the Hydro on Wednesday, arrived at the hotel shortly after lunchtime. 

As she went in the side door emerging from her tour bus, Sabrina made an escape from the back of the stylish five star hotel by black people carrier. 

 Gracie was keen to hide under a mask but you could still see her smile under the black cloth as fans called out her name. 

Gracie visited Glasgow just a week after her father JJ Abrams was also spotted in the city during Glasgow Film Festival. 

The singer was also impressed by the Scots scenery on offer as she viewed it from her tour bus as she told fans: “The most beautiful drive ever.”

She is recovering after being forced to cancel two tour dates on the Secret Of Us tour after she was struck down with an illness at the start of the month. 

Pulling out of her show in Nottingham just hours before she was due on stage, the 25-year-old singer, who is rumoured to have split from actor Paul Mescal, left fans devastated by the news.Not only did she cancel her Nottingham gig, but she also cancelled her concert that was due to take place in Leeds on Tuesday March 4. 

Taking to social media to pen a handwritten note, Gracie - who is often referred to as a nepo-baby, told fans in the statement: "Nottingham + Leeds... I hate that I have to write this again so soon. Unfortunately, I am really still struggling with this illness and have been advised that I cannot perform these next two nights.

"I can’t tell you how much this breaks my heart.”

During Sabrina’s visit she was sent Caribbean ‘Short n Sweet’ tour cakes from Tropical Cafe in Glasgow’s Merchant City. 

KIRSTY YOUNG’S GLASGOW HOTEL STAY

Kirsty Young looked the picture of health as she visited Glasgow following the green light of her and her husbands new island project. 

The reclusive Scots radio presenter, who has suffered from ill health in recent years as a result of a fibromyalgia diagnosis, checked into her Glasgow hotel around 4pm this afternoon alongside a friend.

Kirsty who looks perfectly coiffed and wore a camel coloured coat even carried her own suitcase up the stairs of her Scot’s’ hotel as she and her friend arrived for her overnight stay. 

Kirsty has spoken before about the chronic pain she was left in after being diagnosed with fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis in 2018. 

She stepped down from presenting Desert Island Discs to receive treatment but has said over the last year that she is now "pretty good" but has little flares. 

She has said that she takes some medication to manage her arthritis and that keeping in routine has greatly helped her too and that a good sleep, lower stress levels, and walking every day all impact positively. 

Kirsty and her husband Nick Jones, recently won her years-long battle to build a holiday lodge on her £1.6 million 'Wallaby Island' in Loch Lomond. 

The 56 year old had faced objections from environmentalists since she and her Nick  first submitted plans in 2021 for the sprawling 103-acre site. 

The couple snapped up Inchconnachan Island in Scotland when it was put on the market for offers over £500,000.

Their blueprints to demolish a bungalow and replace it with a timber holiday rental and boathouse triggered campaigners to launch a petition to 'Save the Wallabies'.

The island is one of the few places outside of Australia to a wild population of the marsupials. 

It attracted more than 100,000 signatories but Young insisted she had no plans to 'eradicate' them.   The colony of the wild wallabies were released by the recordbreaking speedboater and local aristocrat Fiona Gore, the late countess of Arran. 

The Woodland Trust added to the increasing voices of discontent by raising concerns the development in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park would destroy native trees.

Now, nearly four years since the proposals were unveiled, the park authority has finally given the go ahead for the three-bed lodge despite admitting it will 'result in a small loss of habitat'.

OOMPA LOOMPA KIRSTY PATERSON’S ONLY FANS REQUEST

SCOTS viral sad Oompa Loompa Kirsty Paterson has been inundated by requests to join Only Fans - wearing her now famous Wonka outfit. 

Kirsty, who became a global star after Glasgow’s disastrous Willy’s Chocolate Experience hit the headlines a year ago, revealed she’s become a fantasy figure amongst anime fans. 

She admitted: “I’ve been sent so many hand drawn pictures of me as an erotic anime figure and I’ve had loads of requests to join Only Fans.  People like the idea of me being naked apart from my green wig and I’ve had offers from some who want me to draw me live, as well as play with chocolate online. Others have foot fetishes and want me to march around like an Oompa Loompa.  It’s so funny but it’s not something I’m keen to pursue.”

The Bearsden talent admitted she’s had ‘the worst and best year of her life’ on the twelve month anniversary of the event. 

Billed as a “celebration of chocolate in all its delightful forms”, it left children in tears and was abruptly cancelled as police were called due to its ‘rip off’ prices, lack of props and dire AI script. 

Kirsty became ‘a viral meme’ in an unflattering green wig and brown outfit as she prepared jelly beans in what was described online as a ‘meth lab’. 

She was hunted down by Hollywood producers to star in her own sell out show at The Edinburgh Fringe, as well as events across LA and New York. 

Her meme also inspired celebrities including Chrissy Teigen, appearances on The Last Leg, Good Morning Britain, Studio 54 in New York, billboards in Times Square and a portrait in GOMA. 

As she celebrated her first anniversary with friends and special Oompa Calipso cocktails at Glasgow’s Tropical Cafe, the yoga instructor and fire eater turned actress admitted: “This has been a rollercoaster. The worst time of my life has also turned into the best time. I’ve achieved more in the last year than I could ever imagine in a lifetime but I’ve only just started processing it now.”

She added: “There has been a lot of self growth and I’ve got even bigger stuff coming out.”

She says she went through the full gamut of emotions as the story unwound. 

She said: “Initially it was really not great for everyone involved. People paid a lot of money and we never got fully paid. 

But I had opportunities and worked really hard to make it into something better.”

Event organiser William Coull was exposed as a sex pest, and Kirsty admitted: “I found it difficult when people put me in the same line as the organiser because my story is completely different. I met him once and feel a lot of empathy for anyone involved but I don’t really want anything to do with someone like that.”

As she returned from filming Stateside, a fire also devastated her family home.

She added: “The house fire tore my world apart. Everything I invested in, like cameras, was wrecked. I had no clothes and lived in a hotel for two months. It was very hard getting my life back on track. Luckily enough, the insurance paid out although we are still not back home.”

 She said: “The one thing that kept me going is making something of myself. I’m so proud I turned something so bad into something life changing. I can’t wait to show people my documentary of the real Kirsty Paterson and just make people smile again.”

Kirsty is currently wrapping documentary Pure Imagination from Emmy winning director Todd Bieber and his company Goodfire Productions. 

She said: “The documentary is positive but there’s also a lot of ups and downs. I think it will relate to people who have been through things. It is emotional and impactful. It’s going to go big places so we are very lucky.”

JAMES BLUNT MEETS GLASGOW BUSKER FRANCIS BONDD

Singer Francis Bondd couldn’t believe it when he met James Blunt on a walk near Glasgow’s OVO Hydro - and began serenading him on the squinty bridge. 
Francis, who also performs at the new Tropical Café in Merchant City, is a huge fan of James and a year ago in March  even wrote on his social media  ‘See you in Glasgow’. “ 
Francis, who is from Lagos in Nigeria, said he’s sometimes been compared to James vocally and couldn’t believe it when he just saw the star walking beside him as he was shooting some content for his new single.
He reckons their meeting was down to Divine Intervention. 

He said: “I’ve always loved James Blunt and my voice has been compared to his in the past. He has inspired me when I’ve been songwriting. When I saw him, I had to go and speak to him immediately and ran up to him and told him about my new single LOML which is out today. We walked the whole of the bridge together and I even played a bit for him. I then asked him if I could sing You’re Beautiful to him and he said yes so I did. He was so warm and the nicest guy on the planet. My video has now gone viral online.“
James says in the video: ‘Sweet man, it’s so lovely to meet you’ as he listens intently to Francis singing the famous chorus of his hit song.

For Francis, his meeting with James is proof that the universe brings people together and he says he now has his eyes set on bigger stages with an aim to play the Hydro himself one day.
He added: “Meeting him today, definitely, it made me know that the universe is aware of my hustle and that it's gonna happen. What you see is what you become. I saw myself meeting him, and I've seen myself selling out venues, selling out the OVO Hydro.”

NICOLA STURGEON AND VAL MCDERMID PARTYING AT COMEDY LAUNCH

NICOLA Sturgeon looked happy and full of high spirits as she went out partying just days before announcing her divorce from husband Peter Morell. 

The First Minister announced on her Instagram this morning that she and Peter had called time on their marriage saying in a post titled Personal: “With a heavy heart I am confirming that Peter and I have decided to end our marriage. To all intents and purposes we have been separated for some time now and feel it is time to bring others up to speed with where we are. It goes without saying that we still care deeply for each other, and always will.We will be making no further comment.” 

However just on Friday Nicola and her pal Scots crime writer Val McDermid were full of high spirits as they enjoyed a night out at the launch of Glasgow International Comedy festival. 

Nicola who said she was not drinking on account of driving through from Edinburgh even revealed ‘plans’ to follow in the footsteps of fellow Scot and comedian Richard Gadd with an award appearance at the Golden Globes in two years time.

The former First Minister revealed her unexpected future ambitions and more as she announced her appearance at this year’s Comedy Festival. 

The former MSP, who will be cohosting a show with Val McDermid explained that she was chuffed to be ‘doing a gig’ at the fest in March.

And as she and Val got drinks from the free bar she said: “We are appearing at this year’s comedy festival which is as much as a joke to us as it is to anybody else. 

“We don’t have a double act name but watch this space - it might happen. 

We did a gig together, haha, ‘a gig’ together, before Christmas about books and it went well and we thought ‘why not’?” 

Asked to look at comedian Richard Gadd who won a double award for his own production of Baby Reindeer at this years Golden Globes she added: “Absolutely - Do you think we’ll be at the Golden Globes next year? Maybe the year after…”

Nicola, who drove to the launch party after passing her driving test at the age of 53 in October last year, ensured she was sticking to soft drinks on the night whilst Val went for something more spirited. 

Nicola said: “I’m driving so I’m going to have an Irn Bru.

Val then referred to Nicola’s newfound driving skills as she quipped: “I’m going to have a drink because it makes it easier to be driven by Nicola when I’ve had a drink.”

Nicola added: “She just slagged off my driving by the way. This duo might not make it to the comedy festival if she keeps insulting my driving.”

Nicola who will join fellow former Nat MP Mhairi Black and Scots comedians including Susie McCabe, Ashlie Storrie, Connor Burns and Rosco McLelland at the festival in March added: “We’re not going with the intention of telling jokes but there will undoubtedly be a couple that just come to us. We think we’re funny, but probably our nearest and dearest don’t think we’re funny.” 

“It’s books and banter. Val will be talking about books but will I be talking about politics? Not if I can help it.”

“There’s definitely a lot of comparisons between politics and comedy but I’m a great believer in life that everything is political to some extent so 

I’m sure there will be the odd political reference. It joins up perfectly. We will have one liners but we’ve only got a limited number of them so if we tell you them now we won’t have more on the night. 

“I find lots of comedians funny. We’d better not name names but anyone that wants to work with us, they just need to come and enquire.”

Val said of their double act: “It’s funny sometimes, not intentionally, but sometimes. We’re quite funny when we get going. She takes the piss out of me and I take the piss out of her.”

There’s lot of laughs in politics not many of them intentional. I think everything is funny.”

LOVE ISLAND’S EKIN SCARED OF SCOTS TAP WATER

 

Love Island’s Ekin Su Cülcüloğlu was worried sick she might have caught something contagious from the ghost of King Henry VIII after drinking tap water at an ancient hotel during a trip to Scotland.

And she admitted she even ended up texting friends to see if she was OK.  

 The brunette beauty, who also starred in Traitors US, recently hit the headlines after denying she is dating Married At First Sight star Georges Berthonneau after the two were spotted together at a gym. 

Just this month she spent three days with pals visiting Scotland, exploring local sights and enjoying a sumptuous dinner at Glasgow’s AC Marriott hotel for their first birthday celebrations.

After being given a crystal bracelet to bring her ‘abundance, hope and money’ by Scot’s jewellery company Space to Create, and Dancing On Ice star Alex Murphy, Ekin told the Sunday Mail about her fears over the local tap water. 

Ekin, 30, who revealed she had been staying in a vast suite at Mar Hall hotel in Bishopton  had even written a text message about it which she later shared online:

It said:  “Hi guys I've brushed my teeth with this tap Water here.Is it safe? X”

Her Scots friend Victoria Halliday replied: “Hello Yes the water in Scotland is safe/great to drink xx.”

Ekin Su who also thought her hotel room was haunted by the ghost of Henry 8th, then responded: “Okay thank you I thought it was Henry V111 water. Just thinking it might have something contagious plague?”

Victoria later added: “Normal chat when you're staying in a haunted castle.”

During her time in Scotland, Ekin and a group of influencers including Saffron Barker, visited Sexy Coffee in Glasgow and also listened to a mix of traditional and modern songs by a harpist while enjoying a meal including fresh salmon blinis, duck, halibut and a chocolate dessert, at the Glasgow AC Marriott as part of their birthday dinner.

Ekin told her friends: “I’m single and ready to mingle. I’ve got this really nice bracelet and it means abundance and hope and money. I’m hoping that my life is going to be more successful.”

She was also seen at dinner in Harvey Nicks Edinburgh before heading back to London ahead of work commitments.

The star says she has some new telly projects lined up next year in both the States and UK. 

And she added that she is on the dating site Raya for any potential suitors now that she has turned thirty.

JAMES MCAVOY FILMING GLASGOW

Pics bev lyons 

James McAvoy has been spotted filming behind the scenes for the first day of his new film in Glasgow as he makes his directorial debut. 

Glasgow born James disguised himself with a small beard, wore a black cap and several layers in the cold air as actors Seamus Mclean Ross, the son of Deacon Blue stars Ricky Ross and Lorraine McIntosh,  and Bafta-nominated Samuel Bottomley talked and rapped for the scene in the East end of the city. 

California Schemin’ is a true life story about Silibil N’ Brains, the Scots born rap duo who duped the music industry in their hopes to become global superstars.

After pretending they were from the States, Dundee born Gavin Bain and Arbroath’s Billy Boyd were signed by Jonathan Shalit and rubbed shoulders wirh Madonna and Eminem before their elaborate hoax came crashing down. 

Seamus, who plays Bain is a graduate of London’s Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

His debut was in Payback, alongside Peter Mullan and he has been in three episodes of Rebus. He also portrays Colum MacKenzie in Outlander spin-off Blood of My Blood.

Yorkshire born Samuel who plays Boyd in the film first appeared in Paddy Considine’s film Tyrannosaur alongside Peter Mullan and Olivia Colman.

He has also been in Ghost Stories with Martin Freeman and the film version of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.

He received a Bafta nomination for his role as Aaron in Channel 4 drama Somewhere Boy.

Pics bev lyons 

In an interview with Deadline, McAvoy, who was recently spotted in Dundee mapping out scenes, said: “With California Schemin’ I’ll be telling a story about friendship, rap and glorious failure that has the potential to move, shock and entertain.”

The BBC documented the rise and fall of Silibil N’ Brains on its Storyville series in 2013.

MARK WRIGHT’S TOUR OF GLASGOW

MARK Wright has spoken about his love of Glasgow as he spent time in a plush Scots country club and after filming his latest series. 
The former Towie star who is married to actress Michelle Keegan, has just completed filming on his new BBC series Clean It, Fix it, which sees him going to people’s homes and transforming rooms in their house as well as cleaning and fixing what they got. 
Mark who was a guest DJ at Ingliston Estate and Country Club in Bishopton Renfrewshire over the weekend was thrilled to return to Scotland and reminisced about his time in Glasgow over the years. 
Relaxing at the venue, which is just twenty minutes from Glasgow city centre, he said: “Glasgow and Scotland is my second home. My wife Michelle is always up in Glasgow and one of my best mates Arfan is from here too. I used to go shopping in the city centre and me and Arfan used to go partying together in the city when I was younger. I remember we went to Sugarcube club in Queen Street for a birthday party and it was brilliant. We went to the place opposite it too.” 
“The first time I was ever here we went to Jumping Jaks too. Actually that was for my first paid personal appearance here. Obviously Michelle’s family is from here so it’s a great chance to come up and just relax.”
Mark enjoyed a beer, chicken tenders and truffle fries at Palominos Italian restaurant in Ingliston before playing his latest set, ahead of Marvin Humes daytime DJ set with food at Ingliston on November 10.
He said:  “I’m staying overnight, so I’ll wake up for a bit of breakfast then I’m on my way. We’re in a Lodge. I love staying here and we brought all the family up last time. Michelle loved it and so did her grandpa who came last time. He is good. It’s such an amazing place and it’s becoming a second home.”
And Mark whose DJ set follows on from an appearance by Take That’s Howard Donald couldn’t resist a cheeky swipe at his fellow DJs. 

He laughed: “I’m DJing in between Howard Donald and Marvin Humes. What’s the best thing about a sandwich? It is the filling. Howard can be the granary bread,  Marvin can be the gluten free bread and I’m the cheese, ham, coleslaw and everything else.”
Tickets for Marvin Humes DJ appearance from 2pm-9pm November 10 are available here https://ingliston.com/events/marvin-humes-jls-day-club

BIG BROTHER STAR SAVED FROM TRAIN DISASTER

Bev Lyons 
A Scottish Big Brother star has reached out to thank the two passersby who saved his life after he fell onto a railway track just minutes before a train was due to pull in at a Glasgow station. 
Mikey Hughes, who is blind, was a hit on the telly reality show sixteen years ago and has subsequently started a career in stand up comedy as well as becoming an author of books about nazi swastikas. 
He was making his way to Partick on Monday morning to pick up his winnings from the new Big Brother housemates first eviction night but mistakingly took the train to Hyndland station where he ended up stepping off the platform and falling onto the track. 
Mikey, 48, who had been commuting independently by public transport for thirty years and  knows his way around the streets said he became confused after mishearing a tannoy on the train as a result of wearing his ear defenders. 
He explained: “I was on my way to Partick to cash in a bet after the first Big Brother eviction. I’d staked fifty on Ryan to go and was due to pick up £75 so was feeling pretty good. 
“The tannoy said something about approaching the station and I thought we had arrived at Partick and got off. There’s normally a wall beside the track at the station and when I put my cane in the air to touch it I couldn’t find it. I thought the wall had maybe given way and walked across the concourse and fell directly onto the tracks. It was a five foot drop and I couldn’t hear anyone screaming at me to warn me.

I didn’t even realise I was lying on the tracks at Hyndland because I was a bit dazed when I fell. Luckily two passenger's rushed over and helped me to get myself up before the next train came. It was around 7:28am and there  was one due just a few minutes later. It was a miracle I was not killed and pretty horrific thinking about it now.”
Mikey continued: “An ambulance came to check me over and I’ve  got a few cuts and bruises, and a sore leg but they told me my blood pressure was normal. 
It was so strange, but I did not really know what had happened, so did not feel scared at the time. Everything seemed to be in slow motion and it took me a while to understand what had happened. It’s very frightening looking at it now. I would have probably sat on the track longer or even moved about the track and onto trains had the two passenger's not helped me and come to my rescue. It was one male and one female and I did not even get their names, but they deserve a medal. They very probably saved my life.”

Mikey’s ear defenders and famous beret were left on the track but rail staff managed to reunite him with the items yesterday.  
Mikey, who is currently rehearsing for his next comedy gig at the Stand club on November 12, said: “I have been hobbling like a baddie in a James Bond movie but I’m keen to not let it put me off travelling on my own again and I plan to go a lot slower, and let people help me in future. It was so sweet that station staff came out with my ear defenders that fell onto the track and my white beret in a bag. I’ll make sure I keep my cane on the ground next time rather than waving it about like a Harry Potter wand and I won’t always keep my ear defenders on now. It sure was a near death experience.”

ALLY MCCOIST DOES DANIEL CRAIG ON BIRTHDAY

ALLY McCoist was compared by fans to Daniel Craig as he walked out of the sea bland bated his chest during his latest birthday celebrations. 
The Scottish footballer turned presenter was celebrating his 62nd birthday in Fascadale Bay on the West coast of Scotland when he decided to slip on his trunks and go for a dip in the freezing water there. 
Ally who was with his pal Steve in the water, attempted to walk out of the water smoothly as he adjusted his trunks for the camera. 
He told his followers online: “Last week's birthday celebrations included a trip to Fascadale Bay on the West Coast of Scotland I can 100% confirm it was freezing my friends Jeff, James & Neil bottled it, well done Steve who came in.”

Ally who also posted footage of his accommodation and showed off a mouse that was holding behind a bin added: “ I can also confirm the mouse in my lodge room was also real, I never did see him again he vanished, great week and great company.”
Ally said during the video of his escapades : “I’m too old guys I cannot lie to you, but I’m glad I did it.”

Fans however loved his latest footage and many compared him to Daniel Craig - saying he was even better than the Bond star. 
One said: “Daniel Craig eat your heart out!! I'd have chosen Ally every time and still would - 40 years I've been besotted with you now thanks to that hat trick against Celtic in the Skol Cup final in 1984. I'll pass on your hotel recommendations right enough.”
Another added: “@allymccoist9 Daniel Craig watch out.”

Someone else told him: “Daniel Craig is that you?”
And a fourth added: “ The names McCoist, Alistair Murdoch McCoist.”
Another also told him he gave the Hoff a run for his money as they told him he looked better now than he did in the 90s and added: “The Hoff no got a look in.”

HOWARD DONALD REMEMBERS VICTORIAS AND MARDI GRAS

TAKE That star Howard Donald says he used to bring a hire van to Scotland to perform tiny club gigs in Glasgow with his band  - but he’s looking forward to a far more stylish visit DJing at Ingliston Estate and Country Club this month. 

The singing and dancing star who is currently on a world tour with his famous Back For Good bandmates has only a week off in between arena dates, but he’s chosen to come to Bishopton for a party day with lunch and fizz on Sunday September 29. 

Howard, who will join 500 revellers at the £55 a head party between 2-8pm explained: “The first time I came to Scotland was for one of our tours we did with Take that, and it was with these two guys, these promoters, and we did something like five clubs over the course of four or five days. I think we did this place called Victorias. Does it still exist? At least we didn’t close it down. And there was another where the dance floor came up and we were dancing and singing on it -the Mardi Gras.”

“So we did like a club tour, and we went all around Glasgow, and it was such a blast. It was so cool, so good. We were in a hire van, that we used to drive everywhere around the country, so we drove the hire van from Manchester to Scotland. It was like a road trip. It was an adventure, and we didn't know what was going to come from day to day.”

Bosses at the stylish Ingliston Estate and Country Club in Renfrewshire, just twenty minutes from Glasgow, are laying on a more lavish experience for Howard’s visit this time round. 

And the star, who ends his UK shows with the lads in Leicester on September 22 before heading off to Poland in October can’t wait to spend some of his precious holiday time in and around the stylish Scots estate which also welcomes former TOWIE star Mark Wright to play a Halloween DJ set with two course meal, dancers and a glass of fizz on arrival on October 26 from 6:30pm until 1am, and JLS and Hit List star Marvin Humes to DJ at Ingliston's Day Club, the ultimate party on November 10 for £45 including a delectable lunch and fizz on arrival.

Ingliston who are also hosting a spooky family rave on October 13 have played host to Denise Van Outen, and Judge Jules in past months in their purpose built Grand Marque, the biggest Indoor Wedding Marquee in Scotland, which cost a whopping £3.5 million to create.

The idyllic 90-acre Renfrewshire estate, called in specialists to help with the awesome build which also boasts a super amped state of the art sound system, glittering chandeliers, wall to ceiling fairy lights, and bespoke flooring.

A gold-plated bridal suite and gold finished toilets for guests also adjoin the luxurious draped venue which has its own separate VIP entrance and a separate green room for any performers.

For tickets please Book here: https://ingliston.com/ Sent from my iPhone

SHEENA EASTON FEELS WELCOME IN SCOTLAND

SHEENA Easton had revealed she feels welcome in Scotland despite being booed at a Glasgow festival three decades ago.
The Morning Train (9to 5) singer vowed to never perform in Scotland again after being pelted with bottles, some containing urine when she sang at Glasgow’s Big Day in 1990.
However, Sheena, who was spotted on a chocolate shop in Durness with two female friends just this week now appears to be more comfortable with her homeland. 
She explained: “Well, I haven't performed back in Scotland for a long time, but I was just back in the West End in London doing 42nd Street for the entirety of 2017. That wasn't that long ago. And I had tons of people coming from all over and lots of people from Scotland coming down on the train to London to see the show.
So I felt like I was welcomed back home to work. People were very kind to me and that meant a lot to me.”
The singer, who still remains sprightly at the age of 65, admitted the run of shows in London’s West end was exhausting and that it took her a while to recover. 
She said: “ The first role that I did on Broadway was Man of La Mancha with Ralph Julia. And then I did Greece. And then actually for all of 2017, I was over in London and I was in the West End doing 42nd Street.
She admitted: “I have to say, doing eight shows a week and the rigor of that is probably the hardest thing that I've ever done. And I have a great deal of admiration for people that go out there and do that year after year after year, because I don't know how they have the energy to do it.
A year of that at a time and I was wasted. I was tired. I had to take like a few months off after every time I did that, just because it absorbs your entire life and your entire being.” 
Sheena who has had success with a whole host of songs over the years including 
She Says she is now very much at one with herself and said: “My life is well balanced with having a good home life and then still out there working all the time, seeing the fans, doing the shows. And we get to go all over. I mean, we've been, this year we were in Switzerland doing a show, we were out in the Caribbean doing a show, we were up in Canada, we've been to different states all over.
So yeah, we get to see fans from all across the globe and it's wonderful because, you know, I haven't recorded in a long time, so the fans coming to see the shows, they know they're coming to see those legacy hits and they keep supporting me and they keep giving me a reason to go out and do gigs and I'm forever grateful for that.”
Looking. back Sheena says she owes it all to the documentary she starred in when she was at drama school. 
She said: “ I'll be honest, I didn't have to struggle. I mean, I was lucky that when I was at drama school, I get the chance to do this documentary.I guess nowadays they call it a reality show. But back then, reality shows didn't exist. And reality shows now are kind of scripted and set up.
There's not a lot of real about reality. This was real. This was six different documentaries.
And when I did that and it was shown on British television, my music got attention because I had television exposure and I was lucky that I had hits early on. So I won't claim that I had a long struggle. But I will say that yes, my dreams have come true.
I got to do everything that I wanted to do and again and again. So I have no complaints. I have had a great life and music has brought so much to me and so many wonderful people into my world.So yeah, I really feel blessed.”
These days she’s keen to have other artists cover her songs and laughs: “ Lover on me
You know, I think that would translate as a country song. I think it's something that, you know, some of these young artists out there should check out this old lady's portfolio and gassy them up. Well, gassy them up, give them a new treatment and get them out there
She also says she knew pretty early on that not everyone in her audience would be appreciative of her talents. 
She said: a”I decided that pretty soon I would audition for my first gig and went on from there. I think I didn't let it faze me because I knew that I would get a lot of people telling me, yeah, you've got no talent, you can't sing. You just know it's gonna happen.
Not everyone's gonna like you. I don't like everyone that I hear. I don't care how successful they are.”
Sheena who also has worn a variety of sparkling and revealing stage outfits in her time also admits that not everyone was appreciative of her style. 
Now a self confessed ‘Fao girl’ who is not a dresser upper,l and no binder gets fancy. she recalls the Royal verity performance  “.I felt like I was a sort of dress up doll. And I think that when you step up on stage, you have to be a slightly different character anyway. And so when you dress up in all these crazy outfits and all the crazy hairstyles, it's like a little kid again. So it was fun then. It was fun for the young me, but the old tired me, I'm like, uh-uh.
“I got in trouble, though, doing that. Did you hear about that?
I got in trouble because I was wearing a sassy little outfit with long black leather gloves. And apparently, that was not the thing to wear when you were meeting the royal family. And back then, that kind of thing counted.
So I got told off by some people in the media that I wasn't appropriately dressed. So there you go.
She still has a mountain of stories form her times with Prince. Jenny Rodger’s and bring a bond Girl singing the theme for your eyes only, but says she has no interest in writing a memoir. She added: “Not at all.No, I'm private. You know, that's why I don't do social media and document every thought that I have on a daily basis. No, no, I really, really value my privacy.”

SCOTS BOYBAND JUST THE BRAVE GET SEAL OF APPROVAL FROM TOP POP STARS

Scots boyband Just The Brave’s debut single has been given the seal of approval by songwriters Naughty Boy, Nina Nesbitt, MNEK, Eg White, Cathy Dennis and more after reaching the top ten so far in a global Song Academy Young Songwriter songwriting competition. 

It’s a dream come true for 15-18 year olds Seany, Kaiden, Arin, Danny, and Fin from Glasgow and Edinburgh who began making music last year. 

As a band the lads have battled various issues from Tourette’s and Autism to ADHD, and Bullying. 

They have been going around schools in Scotland talking about mental health, bullying, self esteem and more and have already played live gigs in Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall, St Luke’s, Dundee’s Caird Hall, and London’s 02 Academy, as well as appearing on CBBC. 

The boys, who got chatting and banded together after seeing one another sing online and in the flesh across various platforms, are set for big things this summer with festival announcements and gigs including Pride events across Scotland in their diaries. 

Their new single Summer Feelings, which they wrote following a school visit earlier in the year, was a bid to bring  something positive to their fans and listeners. 

Fin said: “There is nothing better than looking up at a clear blue sky and being full of hope for the summer.

Danny added: “It can really help you to feel so positive, and in Scotland where it rains a lot it’s awesome for everyone to celebrate the Summer.”

Kaiden said: “Our debut song Summer Feelings is a catchy feel good layered summer pop anthem with Kygo inspired EDM instrumentals.”

  The lads have already amassed a mass of followers on TikTok and Instagram and have been picked up for promo by companies including Stagecoach, and Toxic Waste. 

Their ‘celebrity‘ followers online including Helen Flanagan, Neil Jones, Forest Blakk, Emeli Sande, Emily Shak, and Nicola Sturgeon!

Seany said: “We have achieved a lot on a budget - our video was shot at Scotland’s scenic Ayr Beach, doubling for Ibiza.”

Arin laughed: “We even got stung by a jellyfish making it.

Summer Feelings by Just The Brave is released across all platforms on July 5 with presave available now

Pre save now on https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/justthebrave/summer-feelings-2