Drumalnrig: Jim Naughtie | Annabel Goldie

LISTENERS of Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme will this week wake up to the dulcet tones of Jim Naughtie (below) who is moving up from his slot on Radio 4’s Today programme ahead of next year’s referendum to cover Scottish affairs.

Annabel Goldie. Picture: Jane Barlow

For many listeners the arrival of such a gifted interviewer will surely be welcomed. But that’s not how it appears down at the Moan Factory on Pacific Quay. Sources are already muttering about how other presenters have been shifted elsewhere to make way for Jimbo. They also claim snarkily that, as “Jim doesn’t read the news”, GMS is having to copy Today by bringing in its own Charlotte Green-like newsreader. Is this true? Tune in to find out.

Yes, you can listen but No, you can’t watch

THINGS are getting a little paranoid at Yes Towers. A behind-closed doors event was held last week in Edinburgh for members of the financial services trade to hear contributions from each of the campaigns, as well as the “Don’t Knows”. However, sources tell us that Yes campaigners insisted beforehand that their opponents in Better Together were banned from watching their presentation. Whatever have they got to hide?

Baroness Bella has last word at lunch

ON THE day that Annabel Goldie was officially gazetted as Baroness Goldie of Bishopton in the County of Renfrewshire last week, she went for lunch at Holyrood with her successor as Tory leader, Ruth Davidson.

Unfortunately for the Tory ladies, their lunch was spoilt by some teuchters from Kirriemuir whose vulgar chatter on the next table owed more to their town’s celebrated “Ball” than the quiet decorum of the Members’ Restaurant.

The Thrums delegation had difficulty discussing anything other than making juvenile comments about the fine, upstanding shape of the cactus decorating the table (if That’s Life had still been on the telly, no doubt they would have sent it to Esther Rantzen).

At one point, conversation drifted on to less risque grounds. How should Goldie (below) be addressed now that she’s in the House of Lords? Madam? Her Most Serene Toryness? Her Majesty? “Just call me Bella,” came a voice from the adjacent table.