A SOLICITOR jailed for four years after being caught trying to smuggle phones and drugs into Saughton Prison was “heading for a fall for some time”, a long-time associate said today.

AN internationally acclaimed toxins experts is visiting Scotland next week to highlight the risks of unconventional gas extraction techniques such as “fracking”.

CREW members from HMS Edinburgh have paraded through the Capital to celebrate the decommissioning of the 30-year-old ship.

THE “sticking plaster” approach to fixing Edinburgh’s roads cannot go on, a leading MSP has warned.

CRISIS-HIT Lothian accident and emergency departments are set to be radically overhauled, with scaled back services expected to lead to an increase in pressure on the already over-stretched Royal Infirmary.

A WEEK-long gardening festival is taking place in the Lothians to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the renowned Chelsea Flower Show.

EDINBURGH Zoo will hold its first after-hours “adults only” event – featuring a beer garden and silent disco.

A CITY publisher has landed the licence to print books featuring the fictional detective Sexton Blake.

SHE may have heard the dreaded words – but Apprentice-hopeful Sophie Lau insists being sacked by Alan Sugar won’t stop her sinking her teeth in to a new venture.

HE is used to being booed as he stalks the stage as a panto villain or rolling back the years on Forth One’s golden hour – but now Grant Stott is out to show he has a serious side too.

Scotland’s cricket team is urging more people from south Asian communities to join the organ donor register.

A HEALTH worker has earned international praise for his innovative work in the field of prosthetic limbs.

A LEGAL challenge to false statements made by either side of the independence debate would have little chance of success, according to academics.

A CHARITY has become the latest organisation to back proposed strict liability laws that would see motorists held responsible for all collisions with cyclists.

THE Royal Bank of Scotland was under fire today after announcing 1400 more job losses just two days after defending £607 million of bonuses awarded to executives.

SIR Sean Connery faces possible arrest unless he answers questions about a disputed Spanish land deal.

ROYAL Mile retailers have spoken of their shock following an armed siege of a local chemist – and said the daily stream of methadone handouts from the pharmacy have been causing a significant problem.

A DIVING expedition is under way to uncover the secrets of giant horse mussels on Scotland’s seabed.

A SOLICITOR whose 30-year legal career lay in tatters after he was caught trying to smuggle mobile phones and drugs into Edinburgh’s Saughton jail was jailed for four years today.

SIX men from Pakistan and one from India have been found working illegally at the Mosque Kitchen in Edinburgh.