9am news briefing: Tributes paid to Hibs legend Willie Macfarlane

TRIBUTES were paid today to former Hibs player and manager Willie Macfarlane who has died, just one week shy of his 80th birthday.

During his short but illustrious career as manager during the 1969–70 and 1970–71 seasons, he took Hibs to Europe.

Today his family and former footballing colleagues paid tribute.

SNP up the ante in BBC row

THE SNP today lodged a formal complaint against the BBC over its refusal to include Alex Salmond in the televised leaders' debates in the general election run-up.

Mr Salmond wrote to the BBC Trust, the guardians of the corporation's charter, asking it to investigate the BBC's "editorial and creative direction".

The move came as the First Minister was due to hold talks with BBC and ITV bosses in Edinburgh today.

Thousands gather to remember Bill McLaren

RUGBY stars joined thousands of fans to remember veteran commentator Bill McLaren.

McLaren, from Hawick, who was known as the "voice of rugby" died peacefully on January 19, aged 86.

Last night's event at Murrayfield Stadium featured Scotland's cap centurion Chris Paterson and Wales legend Gerald Davies, among others.

McLaren's wife Bette was also in the crowd.

Beaumont waves goodbye to well-travelled bike

ROUND-the-world cyclist Mark Beaumont has said goodbye to the bicycle that carried him 13,000 miles across the Americas.

The Edinburgh-based 27-year-old took his custom-made bike for a final journey in Glasgow before finally parting with it.

The bike, a Koga-Miyata, carried him on his gruelling journey across the longest mountain range in the world.

The adventurer, who became the fastest man to cycle round the world in 2008, completed his latest epic journey in February.