9am Briefing: Blaze at 15th century tower

FIREFIGHTERS were called to a 15th century tower after a blaze broke out in the early hours.

Cramond Tower, a grade-A listed building which was restored to become a family home in the 1970s, was reported on fire at 1.40am.

Thirty firefighters tackled the flames at the height of the blaze, but no-one was injured.

Fire personnel were still at the scene this morning carrying out salvage operations.

* A TEENAGER needed stitches to a neck wound after having a knife held to his throat in what police believe was a case of mistaken identity.

The 19-year-old was walking up the ramp behind the Marks & Spencer store, near the old police station, in Livingston at 8.15pm on Tuesday when two men approached him, grabbed him and put a knife to his throat.

The men asked his name, and when he gave it they released him and apologised. The victim was left with a small cut on his neck which needed treatment at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

* BRITISH singer Adele has been nominated for six Grammys at next year’s awards.

The singer-songwriter, who is recovering from throat surgery which forced her to cancel a string of UK concerts last month, will take on the likes of Lady Gaga and Katy Perry in categories including song, record and album of the year.

English folk rock band Mumford and Sons are also flying the flag for British music, receiving four nominations including best song and record, while the late Amy Winehouse could be honoured with a posthumous Grammy after being shortlisted in the best pop duo/group performance for her collaboration with Tony Bennett on the track Body And Soul.

* THE First Minister will officially reopen the Scottish National Portrait Gallery today, following its £17.6 million renovation.

The Edinburgh gallery is the latest in a number of cultural sites to relaunch this year, following Stirling Castle Palace, the Burns Museum and the National Museum of Scotland.

The gallery, designed by Victorian architect Sir Robert Rowand Anderson, and featuring portraits of well-known Scots from throughout the ages, has been closed since April 2009 while restoration work took place.