Nicola explains what life is like four days after her kidney transplant On Friday 15th September, one week ago, Nicola Liddell was driving her daughter,

Nicola explains what life is like four days after her kidney transplant On Friday 15th September, one week ago, Nicola Liddell was driving her daughter,
By Lauren Crooks A new energy efficient Council housing development in Bonhill is moving forward after planning permission was granted. The 26-home site, in Pappert, will
By Democrat reporter Members of the National Union of Journalists in Scotland who work at The Scotsman, Scotland on Sunday, Edinburgh Evening News as well
By Bill Heaney It is a widely held view that most things handled by the SNP government and their local councillors are yet another bourach.
Two men, aged 16 and 17, have been arrested and charged in connection with the assault in Helensburgh Police: Two have been arrested following the
By Bill Heaney The Co-op had stores everywhere in West Dunbartonshire – Dumbarton Equitable Co-operative Society, Valeco, Helensburgh and Clydebank Co-op for a start –
By PETER DIAMOND THE Irish Voice was treated to an evening reception at the Irish Consulate in Edinburgh to celebrate the newspaper’s 10th anniversary. On
By Lucy Ashton The Scottish Conservatives have won the Girvan and South Carrick by–election, gaining the seat from the SNP. South Ayrshire resident Alan Lamont becomes
By Lucy Ashton Strikes that will close schools across Scotland are set to go ahead after UNISON unsurprisingly rejected a new pay deal which the
By Bill Heaney Getting a straight answer to a question in the Scottish Parliament can often be like pulling teeth. And so it was when
Deputy First Minister Shona Robison and Labour leader Anas Sarwar By Bill Heaney The consultation on the council tax multiplier is looking at how we
Lynn Smith discovered that she had kidney failure two years after giving birth to her now 17-year-old daughter, Erin. Five years later she had a
Price of drink up again as SNP roll out a 65p minimum unit price The Scottish Government wants to ‘hit responsible drinkers during a cost-of-living
They are now ‘demanding’ strike suspension as ‘best and final’ offer made Most primary and secondary schools in Scotland face closures from Tuesday, September 26,
Hospitals and health centres which serve patients from West Dunbartonshire. By Bill Heaney Read this and weep. All the main hospitals and health centres serving
By Bill Heaney Deputy First Minister Shona Robison took over from Humza Yousaf for First Minister’s Questions in the Scottish Parliament today. And was the
By Lucy Ashton Humza Yousaf has been accused of “giving up” on the North Sea sector after he said that Scotland will no longer be
The A82 from Tarbet and Inverarnan, which runs adjacent to Loch Lomond and the River Falloch, is the focus of the proposals A82: The West
Man thanks NHSGGC team for kidney transplant … by jumping out of a plane A man whose life was transformed by a transplant after years
Views sought on increased level of 65p for alcohol in Scotland Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Elena Whitham and LibDems’ Willie Rennie. By Bill Heaney
Roundstone is one of more than 40 harbours and piers on Ireland’s west coast that Nimmo designed Alexander Nimmo: his harbours and piers are dotted
September 18, 2023 Looking towards Rimplas from the Col St Martin in the Mercantour National Park. By Nick Kempe of Parkswatch Scotland *NB this post
Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain said Alister Jack, the Scottish Secretary, had failed to raise any concerns about the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill at Holyrood.
By Bill Heaney Scottish Labour has today accused the SNP-Green government of using “dodgy data” to justify flawed plans to sell off Scotland’s natural assets.
Police Scotland Argyll & West Dunbartonshire E-scooters: We have had several recent incidents from across West Dunbartonshire Council and Argyll and Bute Council areas where
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde launch 2023 Student Campaign NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde is encouraging all Freshers and returning students to ensure they have access
Tory MSP Jamie Greene, Minister for Victims and Community Safety, Siobhian Brown and Stirling MSP Stephen Kerr. By Bill Heaney It’s the Kenny Dalglish answer.
Police Scotland Argyll & West Dunbartonshire Do you have information on people selling drugs in your community? We are often asked what we are doing
It’s 10 years since Hit the Road was born and we have officially launched this year’s initiative. Big THANK YOU to some of our past
By Bill Heaney The average cost of travelling abroad for an assisted death in Switzerland has increased by a staggering 50 per cent in the
By Bill Heaney ‘Alarm bells should be ringing’, Scottish Labour has said today, as recorded crime increased by two per cent in just one year.
This week is National Rural Crime Week. Our national Rural and Acquisitive Crime Team are supporting us to tackle #RuralCrime in support. Today also saw
Be prepared for the Public Holiday Your GP practice will be closed for the public holiday on Monday, 25th of September and many pharmacies will be
By Mark Daly & Calum McKay BBC Scotland Investigations Celtic is seeking to settle legal claims of historical abuse at Celtic Boys Club. Lawyers acting
By Bill Heaney Scotland must have a large number of the most inefficient and incompetent politicians and public servants in Europe. No other country has
By Bill Heaney Scottish Labour has demanded better support for people with dementia as the death rate rises. A new NRS report has revealed that
By Bill Heaney Scottish champions Celtic have announced a pre-tax profit of £40.7 million for the year to June in a “record set of financial
Shortlist announced for Media Freedom Awards The shortlist has this morning been announced for the Society’s prestigious Media Freedom Awards 2023. Celebrating excellence across campaigning
By Lucy Ashton The SNP’s decision to turn action on Scotland’s drugs deaths crisis into a constitutional fight has cost lives and delayed progress, Scottish
By Bill Heaney On Tuesday 19th September, Scottish Liberal Democrat economy spokesperson Willie Rennie, RIGHT, will lead a parliamentary debate highlighting SNP/Green plans for the
UCU members first voted for strike action in October 2022 By Lucy Ashton BBC Scotland is reporting that strikes at universities across Scotland could continue
The men who made the famous Scotch whisky, which is now worth around £30,000 a bottle, in a distillery at Bowling in West Dunbartonshire. By
Scotland’s overcrowded prison estate includes HMP Barlinnie in Glasgow. By Lucy Ashton BBC Scotland News is reporting that the chief inspector for Scottish prisons has
By Lucy Ashton Councils and the Scottish government have not learned lessons from last year’s local government strikes, a union leader has warned. Roz
INVESTIGATION By Jamie Mann in THE FERRET Ministers must force public bodies to ditch land access restrictions and fees as high as £700, which have
An artist’s impression of the proposed ALDI supermarket By Bill Heaney Supermarket giant Aldi has announced plans for a new £4.7 million store in Dumbarton
By Bill Heaney Secret Scotland. The SNP are at it again. It has been left to the Scottish Liberal Democrats to reveal that a series
Heart recipient encourages others to ‘have the conversation’ By Lucy Ashton When Steve Donaldson (61) was 18, his dream was to be a cyclist and
Ian Blackford’s plan to force motor homes to pull over is ‘populist nonsense’ Ian Blackford has called for a new ‘code of conduct’ for camper
14 September 2023 STOP PRESS: September 18, 2023 Jim Paterson, Development Director for Lomond Banks, aka Flamingo Land, said: “Our plans have evolved considerably since
By Bill Heaney Chief Constable Jo Farrell is quietly settling in to her post as the new Chief Constable of Police Scotland. But there are
By Bill Heaney Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today revealed that thousands of pupils across Scotland are at risk from schools with
DEFEAT AT ELGIN cinch League 2 Dumbarton suffered their first league defeat of the season at Elgin this afternoon. Goals in either half from Connall
By Bill Heaney New statistics showing a huge rise incidents where fire and rescue appliances were unavailable last year reinforce the urgent need for an
The growth in population size, migration increases and ageing population were all revealed in the new census STV News: Key points: The census paints a
The prime minister hopes to ban the breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act by the end of the year American XL bully dog is a
MATCH PREVIEW: ELGIN CITY VS DUMBARTON Pictures by Jon Leino cinch League 2 Dumbarton return to cinch League Two action tomorrow afternoon with a long
Health Minister Michael Matheson receiving his jab. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Announces Flu Vaccination Drop-in Clinics Scotland’s winter vaccination programme has started in Greater
The Great British Beach Clean is underway. Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today urged the Scottish Government to do everything in its
By Bill Heaney The population of Scotland was estimated to be 5,436,600 on Census Day 2022, according to new data released by National Records of Scotland (NRS).
15 September, 2023 The Rt Rev Sally Foster-Fulton, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. By Cameron Brooks A brand-new church at
15 SEPTEMBER 2023 Jackie Baillie invites Tourism Minister, Richard Lochhead, to meet with leading tourist businesses operating across the Loch Lomond area. By Bill Heaney
Warning: These measures apply only in England at present Parents of unvaccinated children in two London boroughs have received the warning as back to school
By Lucy Ashton Dame Jackie Baillie has accused the SNP of allowing the “creeping privatisation” of our NHS as damning new figures reveal a growing
Unison said the revised pay offer made by councils was ‘minuscule’ and ‘insulting’ By Democrat reporter The latest offer to avoid school-closing strikes across the
By Bill Heaney It sounded like a Mayday call at sea. Desperate situations require desperate measures to resolve them, and the ferries fiasco across the
By Bill Heaney During the Second World War it was labelled Dig for Victory. That was because the conflict prevented farmers and gardeners from growing
By Bill Heaney Jackie Baillie has welcomed an apology to residents affected by a blunder which saw 260 residents eligible for a Covid vaccination miss
Artwork by Jane Heaney By Lauren Crooks Long-serving members of West Dunbartonshire’s Children’s Panel have been rewarded for their commitment to children and young people at
Scotland football fans have been urged to ‘respect’ opposing teams following a backlash to God Save the King being drowned out Glasgow’s Hampden Park. Top:
14 SEPTEMBER 2023 The British Academy Book Prize for Global Cultural Understanding 2023 The British Academy Book Prize celebrates ground-breaking works of non-fiction that have made an outstanding contribution
Daily Express exclusive: Whistle-blowing former nurse Lesley Roberts has spent months being interviewed and going through the evidence with Police Scotland detectives – now her
Cars to be banned from more areas to allow extra space for cyclists, pedestrians and public transport … New civic plazas would be created at
First Minister Humza Yousaf and Pauline McNeill, Labour Justice spokesperson. By Bill Heaney The SNP must give police and fire services a fair deal in
Skylark IX Recovery Trust The nights may be drawing in, but what a gorgeous evening it was on Loch Lomond for these Voluntary Skylark IX
By Tara Fitzpatrick for STV News Peak rail fares are set to be scrapped next month in a pilot scheme, the Scottish Government has announced.
By Bill Heaney Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP has urged the SNP/Green Government to act now to tackle the steady decline in
COMING SOON OLD IRELAND IN COLOUR 3 JOHN BRESLIN & SARAH-ANNE BUCKLEY Often imitated but never equalled, John Breslin and Sarah-Anne Buckley are back with the third instalment of
Ally McCoist (right) Walter Smith and Tommy Burns, all pals together, King Charles and Hampden Park. By Democrat reporter The Royal Family’s popularity has plummeted
New strain of Omicron now detected in 15 countries worldwide By Maryam Zakir-Hussain The highly mutated new Covid variant Pirola has seen cases spike in the UK
This was the aftermath – burned out bins and graffiti on the Pavilion. By Bill Heaney Mindless vandals have struck at the £1.5 million Cafe
By Gillian Morrison As the new academic year is due to begin, NHS 24 is championing the health and well-being of students beginning their college
NOTEBOOK by BILL HEANEY I was delighted to be of assistance when I suggested that a new health centre should be built as part of
By Bill Heaney Scotland’s top law officer has given the green light for a trial of so called “safe” drug consumption rooms in Glasgow and
Investigation by Ally Tibbitt in The Ferret The UK Government offered a £5.9 million pay-off to Edinburgh council in an ultimately futile attempt to house
Then First Minister said it was ‘an honour to represent Scotland’ at the state funeral along with the other Holyrood party leaders, although they didn’t
By Bill Heaney The SNP have been warned that Scotland’s struggling tourism industry faces destruction unless ministers finally listen to businesses and pause the introduction
By Dumbarton Democrat reporter Liberal Democrat media spokesperson, Jamie Stone, has today written to the government asking for support for trainee journalists. The call follows
By Lucy Ashton Scottish Labour has demanded the SNP reverses its £331 million raid on IJB reserves as services across Scotland face swingeing cuts. Health
PUBLISHING SEPTEMBER 15th STAKEKNIFE’S DIRTY WAR The Inside Story of Scappaticci, The IRA’s Nutting Squad, and the British Spooks who Ran the War RICHARD O’RAWE
Dumbarton, Clydebank and the Vale of Leven Health Centres. By Bill Heaney GP surgeries are “falling apart”, Scottish Labour has warned as it reveals a
Dumbarton were knocked out of the SPFL Trust Trophy after a 3-1 defeat against Kelty Hearts Sons missed a load of chances and easily could
Democrat reporter The prime minister has confirmed that he raised the case of a local Sikh who has been held by Indian authorities since 2017,
Government says most damage occurred outside of cities and towns with many buildings reduced to rubble and dust A resident navigates through the rubble following
By Lucy Ashton The SNP have been accused of “leaving behind” thousands of Scottish pupils from the most deprived backgrounds in the wake of new
By Bill Heaney NHS patients and staff could be at risk from “crumbling” RAAC buildings, Scottish Labour has warned. In a letter to the Health
By Lucy Ashton Jackie Baillie has spoken of her frustration that the Covid vaccination programme in Helensburgh has got off to a false start with
Jagtar Singh Johal, the Dumbarton man who has been held by the Indian authorities for six years. By Emaan Warraich & Kate Whannel BBC News
Yet another blow for shoppers in West Dunbartonshire By Michael Race Business reporter, BBC News Clydebank is one of the 52 Wilko shops set to
By Lucy Ashton A team from the New Victoria Hospital in Glasgow has raised thousands of pounds for kidney research by going for a walk
Fans organising their own buses for games has been part of Scotland’s culture for decades. By Bill Heaney Private coaches carrying football fans are a
By Lauren Crook A group of adult learners from West Dunbartonshire have been recognised nationally for their work to raise the profile of adult learning
By Peter Kearney The Catholic Parliamentary Office has called on parishioners across Scotland to lobby MSPs against dangerous proposals to legalise assisted suicide. A briefing,
River City Academy: January 2024 Cohort Editorial, Production & Programming Fixed Term – Full Time Dumbarton, GB, G82 2AP BBC Studios Production Job Closing Date: 13/09/2023
the public service union Get help now 08000 857857 Email us Energy Support Fund Important information The Energy Support Fund will open on 27 September,
Thousands of janitors, cleaners, caterers, classroom assistants and administrative staff, will walk out in an ongoing dispute over pay By Bill Heaney Schools are set
By Bill Heaney Speaking on World Suicide Prevention Day, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has called on the Scottish Government
Author: Ferret Journalists The full story and contact details are on The Ferret website Click here to view media. Our deaths by suicide rate is
NOTEBOOK by BILL HEANEY Politicians often ask their opponents to give them some “grown up answers” to the questions they ask in the Scottish Parliament.
NOTEBOOK by Bill Heaney If you really want to know about the “new” type of concrete that is giving so much grief to politicians –
There’s no Levengrove Parkrun on Saturday (9th Sept) because this family-friendly event will be busy getting set up at our usual time. The Blue Light
Martin spoke in the Westminster Hall Debate on the detention of British Nationals Overseas, raising the case of his constituent Jagtar Singh Johal. Here is
By Bill Heaney Bonnie Banks MSP Jackie Baillie was fighting the corner of business interests in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park area this
By Bill Heaney Now that the schools are back – that’s if the new concrete crisis does not lead to them being shut down again
The Lennox Heritage Society is a local community group that has been meeting for many years. The main aim of the group is to study and celebrate
By Aileen MacLennan Argyll and Bute Council are not being fooled by the scorching weather in the West Highlands right now. The members have agreed
By Lucy Ashton Eleven people have gone on trial accused of sexually abusing and assaulting a number of children in Glasgow. The seven men and
Frustrated passengers queuing for their flights. By Lucy Ashton Airline passengers at Glasgow Airport are facing major disruption following reports of a ‘national incident’ with
Top of page picture caption: Jagtar Singh Johal (right) arrives at court in India. By Damian Grammaticas BBC Political correspondent A cross-party group of MPs
By Gillian Morrison NHS 24 is delighted to announce the appointment of an NHS 24 employee as a Professor of Nursing Practice within the Centre
Former Scotland and Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths has been fined a total of £17,000 for booting a smoking flare into a crowd of rival supporters. The player
By Bill Heaney The leaders of ten of Scotland’s 32 local authorities, including West Dunbartonshire, have written to the First Minister criticising the lack of
Statement on the Scottish economy: We will continue to support equality and diversity in schools—for example, through our anti-racism in education programme and by promoting
Artwork by Jane Heaney THE FERRET INVESTIGATIVE JOURNAL Why does a good start matter for our children’s health? The Ferret investigates…the health gap podcast, part
By Lucy Ashton A slate of new figures exposing the growing chaos in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has sparked fresh calls from Jackie Baillie
View this email in your browser And just like that… Good morning, and hello September. How can it be a full week now since we
List MSP Pam Gosal at her desk in the Scottish Parliament. By Bill Heaney The Domestic Abuse (Prevention) Bill proposal brought forward by Scottish Conservative
By Bill Heaney COUNCILLOR Ian Dickson has a cheek on him, even for an SNP politician, whose reputation goes before them on that score alone.
Happy days! Dinner ladies line up for a picture at St Peter’s in Bellsmyre. By Bill Heaney Mashed potatoes sloshing around in thin, greasy mince
List MSP Pam Gosal at her desk in the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Parliament is back today and I had a great first day on
The former SNP politician was found guilty of stealing almost £25k, although the ‘benefit’ of her ‘criminal conduct’ was agreed to be much higher. She
You can hear from the council’s Chief Executive Pippa Milne on a wide range of topical subjects in Pippa’s Podcasts. By Aileen MacLennan Argyll and
Gillian Keegan swearing: Accident-prone education sec compared to hapless Thick Of It character – but is that fair? Supporters of Ms Keegan will claim she’s
Sean Crighton scores for Sons and despite the best efforts of Fleming, his header found the net. LATE GOAL EARNS SONS THREE POINTS cinch League
By Lucy Ashton Jackie Baillie has thanked the hard working Scottish SPCA staff for helping to re-home 227 animals in West Dunbartonshire between January and
Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane has spoken with police regarding the alleged incident. By Lucy Ashton The Metropolitan Police have arrested a man after allegations
INVESTIGATION BY THE FERRET By Jamie Mann in The Ferret Nearly 50,000 wild animals spanning 84 species have been licensed to be killed by Scotland’s
By Lucy Ashton Dame Jackie Baillie welcomed the fantastic work being undertaken across Dumbarton and the Vale of Leven to help people who are living
Published 04 September 2023 By Democrat reporter Residents in Pappert will benefit from a brand new all-weather sports pitch after the Council approved additional funding
By Democrat reporter Parents and carers of pupils at a Helensburgh school have been informed that collapse-risk concrete is present in the building. Argyll and
Cove and Kilcreggan Community HUB Cove & Kilcreggan Community Council COME TO OUR VIBRANT AND INTERACTIVE 2 hour EVENT! on 9th September Arrive by 11am
By Bill Heaney Martin Docherty-Hughes, the SNP MP for West Dunbartonshire, has been given the role of the party’s defence spokesperson in the House of
Sir Keith Starmer and Angela Rayner, who put on a brave face when told her new role was to be the levelling up secretary in
Castle to Crane 2023 Results Saturday, September 2, 2023 10:30 (GMT+1) – Final results Race info Sport: Rowing Location: Dumbarton, United Kingdom Start type: Individual start
The Phoenix in Castlehill, Dumbarton We have some lovely home cooked food on our menu this week! Head down to The Phoenix on Wednesday and
Dumbarton’s dystopian 1960s-built town centre has been described as a “a concrete monstrosity” – but is it safe? Spin doctors stay silent as crisis unfolds.
The Kilcreggan ferry Chieftain on the Firth of Clyde. By Aileen MacLennan Work is progressing on giving piers and harbours in Argyll and Bute a
Scottish Daily Express: The Scottish Government has been urged to set out the future of the Port Glasgow shipyard as the workforce is now at
Dumbarton Cemetery: What music should be played? What should people wear? What poem should be read? We don’t discuss it much in the UK, but
Boats in the harbour at Oban in Argyll. By Aileen MacLennan Measures taken by the council to protect the Argyll and Bute’s outstanding natural environment
Unite confirmed that a consultative ballot indicated 92% of its members support strike action at Scottish Water By Bill Heaney When your boss is earning
August 2023 By Bill Heaney Asperges Me, a Gregorian chant in Latin which is sometimes heard at funerals, asks God to cleanse deceased persons from
Published 31 August 2023 Call for hosts to apply before 1 October The Scottish Government has reminded short-term let operators in West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and
Shona Robison leaving Bute House after she was appointed Deputy First Minister by now departed Nicola Sturgeon. By Bill Heaney Deputy First Minister Shona Robison
Top of page picture: Royal Hospital for Children Baby Piper is ready to take on the world following heart surgery In July 2023, at just
STENHOUSEMUIR 2 DUMBARTON 4 ACTION PICTURES by JON LEINO
MATCH PREVIEW: DUMBARTON VS EAST FIFE cinch League 2 Dumbarton are back at the Rock tomorrow when East Fife visit G82 for cinch League Two
By Lucy Ashton Almost a quarter of job vacancies at Scotland’s councils were never filled last year, according to new figures obtained by the Scottish
West Dunbartonshire refuses to disclose what the impact will be locally ‘We now have the absurd situation of government departments ringing schools days before term
Advocates in procession before an event in Edinburgh. Picture by Bill Heaney By Democrat reporter BBC Scotland is reporting that lawyers and judges have claimed
By Paul Dobson in The Ferret An arm of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) which oversees the UK’s nuclear weapons programme has refused to release
The former defence secretary warned that “the world will get more insecure” Ben Wallace talking to reporters in London today and (above) doing a tour
UNISON Scotland Want to work for Scotland’s largest public sector union? We currently have several Organiser jobs advertised. It truly is an exciting time to
Free ladies haircuts are back! These are appointments for residents of Dumbarton West (Brucehill, Castlehill and Westcliff) only. To book your slot please follow the
England’s autumn flu and coronavirus vaccine programme was pulled forward by a month due to concern around the new variant known as BA.2.86, or Pirola
Scottish sports journalists shd get a grip. They misled Rangers fans into believing they had a chance to win the PSV match. A bit like
It’s September tomorrow and, as the evenings draw in, we’ve got an incredible line-up for a cosy night at the library… Tuesday 5th September at
West Dunbartonshire Council’s Convener of Educational Services, Clare Steel was joined by Cieryn Fisher from the under 20s team to officially open the Lennox Primary
Alison Leitch campaigned for more access to loved ones in care homes By Democrat reporter Families of care home residents banned from visiting their relatives
Published August 30, 2023 NOTEBOOK by BILL HEANEY Some politicians have a really brass neck. They are incorrigible when it comes to publicity. When it’s
Death rate in prisons trebled over last decade A new Scottish Government report shows that the rate of those dying in custody has trebled
Two re-homing centres run by the Scottish SPCA will close by the end of October. By Democrat reporter The Scottish SPCA is closing two of
By Bill Heaney A man has been arrested and charged after homophobic comments were alleged to have been hurled at Scottish Greens co-leader, Dumbarton man
Dying for a drink – and price of alcohol makes little or no difference By Bill Heaney The SNP Government have been warned that Scotland’s
SONS sensational at Stenhousemuir: This is what a 4-2 victory looks like for the fans. ‘Mon the Sons Cinch League 2 A clinical first-half performance
Tullichewan Tenants & Residents Association update for August by Chairman Harry McCormack The dry weather was not forthcoming but no matter as the Family Fun
Old Kilpatrick Food Parcels What can I say, this was our Molly’s last day of employment at OKFP as she heads off to college. This
Friends of Dumbarton Foreshore Update on the vans at Havoc recently. Report published yesterday on The Dumbarton Democrat. The workers were contracted by Scottish Water
The end of an era. The legendary broadcaster and historian Hugh Dan MacLennan hangs up his headphones after 40 years of broadcasting next month at
Food For Thought – West Dunbartonshire We are short on everything at the moment. Please donate any of these items if you can. Thank you
Inflation is running higher than wages in the public sector. Prices are still going up, and working people are struggling to pay bills and keep
By Lucy Ashton, medical reporter A new service evaluation on the use of intrathecal drug delivery (ITDD) by the Interventional Cancer Pain team at the Beatson
Paul Sweeney MSP and Health Minister Michael Matheson. By Bill Heaney Action must be taken now to provide proper mental health support to those in
Early morning drinkers are a familiar sight in Scottish towns. Picture by Bill Heaney By Bill Heaney Scottish Labour has warned that the SNP’s failures
By Lora Jones Business reporter, BBC News Redundancies at collapsed retail chain Wilko, which has a store in Clydebank town centre, have been suspended while
By Bill Heaney The SNP and the Tories are failing a record number of Scots, Scottish Labour has said today, as levels of homelessness in
By Lucy Ashton A team working within the Oral Health Directorate at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have been successful in securing funding to support
The former First Minister quit unexpectedly in February sparking an expensive leadership contest which caused the party’s already creaking coffers even more strain Nicola Sturgeon
By Bill Heaney Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and health spokesperson, Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has called on the Scottish Government to deliver urgent support for social
By Lucy Ashton A new Sustainability Strategy has been endorsed by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde as it continues its efforts to tackle the climate
29 August, 2023 Environmental education programme expands after successful pilot By Lucy Ashton Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful has announced the expansion of its Learning
By Lucy Ashton Scottish Liberal Democrat communities spokesperson Willie Rennie MSP has today called on the SNP/Green Government to take urgent action to combat homelessness
By Elaine Brewer A set of recommended changes to the Loch Lomond Bye-laws has been approved by the Scottish Government and the new bye-laws will
By Bill Heaney Dumbarton councillor David McBride has set out his ambition to see a new Dumbarton Health Centre relocated to the heart of the town
By Democrat reporter Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross will today [Tuesday] launch a stinging attack on the SNP’s mismanagement of the economy and public services
Dumbarton woman Susan Pym and her husband, Hugh Pym, who is health editor of the BBC News in London, have been celebrating the wedding of
This is Mill Dam in Silverton. It used to be lovely. Now it looks as though it’s been “butchered”, for want of a better description.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY MT RAINEY
By Bill Heaney Scottish students from deprived backgrounds are far less likely to get into university than their equivalents south of the border, new statistics
By Democrat reporter Minister for Higher and Further Education Graeme Dey’s inaction in supporting college workers is an ‘insult’ Scottish Labour has said today, after
Green Party co-leader was being interviewed for BBC when a man repeatedly shouted ‘deviant’ at him Probe: Patrick Harvie blamed ‘toxic forces’ for a rise
Lee James Dodds was only 32 when he died and his wife, Charmaine, hopes the inquiry will reveal why people like her husband lost their
Wilko has entered administration, putting 10 Scottish outlets at risk By Bill Heaney West Dunbartonshire took another kick in the teeth when the Clydebank store
By Lucy Ashton Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today accused Humza Yousaf of leaving a legacy of staff shortages,
Sheila Wilson, who is from Greenock, was previously a hairdresser and worked in salons before she decided to change career paths and get into nursing.
INVESTIGATION by BILLY BRIGGS in THE FERRET The use of snares for catching animals is to be banned by the Scottish Government after years of
Responding to the changes in the energy price cap, Liberal Democrat Scottish affairs spokesperson Christine Jardine MP ., pictured left, said: “It’s a relief that
Drugs Minister Elena Whitham visits Enhanced Drug Treatment Service By Lucy Ashton NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde welcomes the reduction in drug related death figures
By Bill Heaney Scottish Liberal Democrats have today set out how the SNP and Greens will hammer households with a storm of council tax rises
By Bill Heaney The SNP must axe its planned council tax bombshell Scottish Labour has demanded, after an analysis by the party revealed that it
BLOG An Unconsummated Affair James Williams writes: The novelist Evelyn Waugh was perhaps the best known of the fugitives seeking shelter in Ireland from the
Published 27 August 2023 The majority of Apprentices at West Dunbartonshire Council will receive a substantial pay rise after the Council agreed to revise wages
Anne Enright: The author on her new novel, The Wren, The Wren, pretending to be a poet and the ‘male nastiness’ Sally Rooney encountered Anne Enright:
Council statement: On 20th December 2023 and 6th March 2024, West Dunbartonshire Council will meet to agree the budget for 2024/25. In this consultation, we
Ferries entering and leaving the port of Oban in Argyll. Pictures by Bill Heaney By Bill Heaney Scottish Labour has accused the SNP of betraying
Pam Gosal MSP I recently submitted a motion to the Scottish Parliament to applaud the efforts of Glasgow Indians, an organisation which has gone from
Published 25 August 2023 Three short films which tackle climate change from the young person’s point of view have premiered at Alexandria Library this past
By Lucy Ashton Scottish Charity, TechFest, is calling on West Dunbartonshirepupils to submit their ideas for improving their local high street through a nationwide school’s
By Lucy Ashton Scotland’s national clinical director has said he is concerned about winter amid a summer upswing in Covid cases. Professor Jason Leitch, left, also
By Bill Heaney Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has today warned that the new boss of the country’s Scottish Government-owned water company must work
Alexander McKellar, who was jailed for 12 years for killing ex Navy officer Tony Parsons. By Democrat reporter A drink-driver who killed charity cyclist
By Lucy Ashton Scotland’s biggest council union is planning strikes that could close schools across the country next month. Unison members backed action in 24
By Aileen MacLennan Council measures to encourage and expand the use of Gaelic across Argyll and Bute are continuing to pay dividends. At a meeting
Singer-songwriter Sinead O’Connor, who died last month, spent time at the An Grianan Training Centre in her teens By Steven McIntosh Entertainment reporter for the
By Bill Heaney Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Willie Rennie MSP has today warned that lollipop staff are becoming an endangered species, after new figures
By Bill Heaney When was the last time you saw two policemen patrolling Dumbarton High Street together? Or looked on in dismay as you witnessed
NOTEBOOK by BILL HEANEY Residents are being urged to give their views on the redevelopment of Dumbarton’s Artizan Centre as part of a consultation launched
By Lucy Ashton Two years on from the SNP launching their so-called ‘NHS Recovery Plan’ and the very existence of our health service is on
Already, Too Late – a boyhood memoir by Carl MacDougall. By Bill Heaney I didn’t hear that Carl McDougall had sadly died. I knew him
NOTEBOOK by Bill Heaney Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie has put the boot in to Dumbarton Football Club’s request for planning permission to construct housing in
By Aileen MacLennan Argyll and Bute Council has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling the poverty-related attainment gap in Argyll and Bute and to ensuring that
Glasgow Ice Centre said 40 curling clubs use the rink. By Lucy Ashton An ice rink earmarked for closure could be saved by a bid
By Bill Heaney West Dunbartonshire Council has enhanced its support for veterans by designating two properties and associated support specifically for allocation to those who
Humza Yousaf’s party suffered a tough 2022 finance wise as they slumped to a £800,000 deficit and membership numbers fell even more by 40,000 to
24 August 2023 By Aileen Maclennan Councillors have approved plans to update the future shape of education services for children and young people in Argyll
New York’s Róisín Wiley says event is about celebrating women and Irish culture Róisín Wiley said the festival and its participants were a true representation
Video posted online apparently showed jet trailing plume of smoke before slamming into ground and erupting in flames near Moscow By Lucy Ashton Yevgeny Prigozhin,
By Lucy Ashton Dame Jackie Baillie has reacted with concern to news that NHS24 does not record whether callers from Dumbarton, the Vale of Leven,
Sir Iain Livingstone, Tory spokesman Russell Findlay and First Minister Humza Yousaf. The former first minister was allowed to keep her security detail of six
Former SNP spin doctor who resigned in disgrace appointed as Peter Murrell’s replacement as party chief executive. Murray Foote resigned as head of media for
Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders ACF Cadets from E Company took part in a community open day at Clydebank fire station with the Scottish Fire and
Grass is growing thick and fast at the Church Street roundabout and remarkably around the seats at the new walkway on the riverside. West Dunbartonshire
Published 23 August 2023 ‘Reducing re-traumatisation will promote equality’ – report By Bill Heaney Work to reduce the re-traumatisation of victims and witnesses of crime
By Lucy Ashton Funding to help improve the health and welfare of cattle and sheep is now available for farmers and crofters. Up to £1250
By Lucy Ashton Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today claimed that the SNP have “done next to nothing” to
Dame Jackie Baillie, Health Secretary Michael Matheson, LibDem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton and First Minister and former Health Secretary Humza Yousaf. By Lucy Ashton An average
Angus MacNeil with Nicola Sturgeon in 2015 but the pair were rarely on the same page – and he’s not impressed with her successor either.
By Bill Heaney and James Cook of BBC Scotland Progress on Scotland’s drugs death crisis is welcome but action is still needed to avoid further
Tick bites can cause Lyme disease Summertime – and the scratching is plenty. Grass is growing rapidly – especially here in West Dunbartonshire – and
Tavish Scott, who was a Minister in the Labour/LibDem coalition government in the Scottish Parliament, claims he wants to stop the decline of wild salmon.
Monday 21 August 2023 First Minister Humza Yousaf and Conservative leader Douglas Ross. By Bill Heaney Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross is urging Humza Yousaf
It was lovely to be invited to the first SareeThon in Glasgow on Sunday afternoon, which included fantastic performances by a flashmob. As the first
The Edinburgh International Book Festival It’s almost been one full week of Edinburgh International Book Festival. So far, we’ve welcomed so many wonderful writers, performers
Jackie Baillie is pictured with staff from Dumbarton District Women’s Aid. By Lucy Ashton Jackie Baillie recently paid a visit to Dumbarton District Women’s Aid
Just two communities, including Helensburgh Woodland Group, bid for right to buy land in five years Author: Jamie Mann in Just two communities have applied
The last bank holiday of the summer falls on Monday, August 28 for people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. However, it will also affect
Face of evil – killer nurse Lucy Letby was today sentenced to jail for the rest of her life. Democrat reporter Sky News is reporting
By Lucy Ashton Prison staff “deserve greater protection” from organised criminals following a spate of fire attacks on cars parked outside Scottish jails. Research by
Pictures by Jon Leino The final two frames in the picture collage above are from Sandy Saddler’s baker’s shop in Forfar, which is world famous
Fire Service — There are plans to remove the 24 hour rescue boat on the River Clyde. By Lucy Ashton The Scottish Government must come
£millions sunk into BBC Alba but is anyone out there listening? By Lucy Ashton BBC Scotland’s Gaelic channel is offering a money-spinning contract to media
LEZ in disarray as SNP fail to make fresh air scheme work One unfortunate motorist collected £900 in fines in July alone as the SNP-led
By Bill Heaney Hang on one moment please. These are words seldom heard by people who call NHS 24 when they are feeling unwell. Indeed,
NOTEBOOK by BILL HEANEY There should be more than a few red faces and jangling nerves around this morning at West Dunbartonshire Council and beyond
Jackie Baillie and Neil Bibby campaigning with Dumbarton publican Tam Murray (centre) at the Glencairn Lounge in Bridge Street. By Bill Heaney The Scottish Government
Canon Gerry Conroy At the end of Matthew’s Gospel it has a strange little episode that tells of how the disciples meet Jesus in Galilee