Scotland trending: Today’s most talked-about stories

Alcohol minimum pricing: EU ruling. Picture: Getty ImagesAlcohol minimum pricing: EU ruling. Picture: Getty Images
Alcohol minimum pricing: EU ruling. Picture: Getty Images
Today’s top stories on social media from Scotland and beyond

More than 100,000 homes in Scotland at risk of flood

More than four per cent of homes in Scotland are thought to be exposed to flooding with over 108,000 classed as being vulnerable to floods, according to a government report.

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A large number of the homes identified cover areas within the Forth Valley, as well as others in and around Edinburgh and the Lothians.

The Scottish Government report said that ”Climate change is likely to aggravate the frequency and severity of flooding in Scotland”.

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More than 100,000 homes in Scotland face flood risk

The Forth Road Bridge reopens to traffic

Long delays and diversions have been eased as the Forth Road Bridge reopened to traffic after repairs were completed ahead of schedule.

Cars were allowed to cross the bridge connecting Edinburgh and Fife just before 6am on Wednesday and operators said traffic is “running well”.

Ministers were forced to close the 51-year-old crossing to all traffic on December 4 after a crack was found in a truss end link during a routine inspection.

Caledonian Sleeper staff strike continues

The Caledonian Sleeper staff strike has entered its second day.

Workers walked out at 6.30pm on Monday, halting the overnight service that travels between Edinburgh and London. The strike is in regards to defects of trains which the union says poses safety risks.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has said that workers are “rock solid in their defence of passenger and staff safety.”

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EU courts find that minimum alcohol pricing may restrict trade

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that the Scottish Government’s plan for a minimum alcohol price would breach EU law if less restrictive tax measures could be introduced.

Judges at the Luxembourg court concluded that the policy would restrict the market, which could be avoided by the introduction of an alternative tax measure designed to increase the price of alcohol.

They said it was ultimately for the national court of an EU state to determine whether other measures would be as effective in achieving the desired public health benefit.

Former Jimmy Page ‘occult’ mansion destroyed by fire

A Scottish manor once owned by Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page and occultist Aleister Crowley has been largely destroyed by a fire.

Boleskine House, on the banks of Loch Ness near Foyers in the Highlands, is still ablaze and fire crews have been unable to get inside the building to check for casualties.

About 60 per cent of the building had been destroyed by the time fire crews arrived shortly after 1.40pm this afternoon.