9am Briefing: Glasgow nightclub owner set to buy capital bars

SEVERAL of the Capital's best-known pubs and hotels are due to be sold to a Glasgow nightclub owner, it emerged today.

Key parts of the Festival Group business are expected to be sold by owner Kenny Waugh to Glasgow nightclub owner Stefan King in a deal worth around 30 million.

Among those expected to go are the Three Sisters in Cowgate, Biddy Mulligans in Grassmarket, the Bank Hotel on the Royal Mile and the Murrayfield Hotel.

• PLANS to sell off the Army's historic bases in Edinburgh and build a new super-barracks in West Lothian have been branded "ludicrous" by retired senior officer Clive Fairweather, who used to run large parts of the Army in Scotland.

He said: "There was military accommodation at Kirknewton until the late 1980s but it was desperately unpopular. The main problem was it was miles away from anywhere and it was difficult for them to come back at night.

"It is also now millionaires' row and I'm not sure they will welcome hundreds of squaddies on their doorsteps."

• ADAM Smith's former home is to be turned into a business and conference centre, despite opposition from campaigners.

Heriot-Watt University has been given the go-ahead for the scheme at Panmure House in Lochend Close.

Following a public inquiry, the Scottish Government has agreed to let the university build a glass-boxed atrium next to the building – the most controversial aspect of the scheme.

Heritage groups objected to the extension being added to the late-17th century building, where Smith spent his final days in the Old Town.

The 3 million scheme will turn the building into a teaching and research facility for the Edinburgh Business School.

• A NEW twist on the traditional kilt is to enable snowboarders to show off their Scottish heritage on the slopes.

The snowboarding kilt, created by Thistle Street-based Howie Nicholsby, has reversible, herringbone tweed on one side with waterproof nylon on the other. The design was commissioned by Canadian snowboard instructor Derek Quinn.

Mr Nicholsby said: "It's custom-built for snowboarding. There are sponges around the buckles so that you don't get hurt if you fall. It's more functional than a normal kilt."