Scotland trending: Today’s most talked-about stories

Jose Mourinho was sacked as Chelsea manager earlier today, causing waves across social media. Picture: AP

Legal bid to remove Scottish independence campers

Legal proceedings have been launched in a bid to evict independence supporters who have set up camp on Holyrood grounds calling for a second referendum.

A Scottish Parliament spokesman said: “We recognise the importance of peaceful protests in a democratic society.

“However, by seeking to occupy this land on a long-term basis, and refusing our request to vacate, we have had no alternative but to commence legal proceedings to return the land to wider public use.”

Legal bid to remove Scottish independence campers

Nicola Benedetti backs free music tuition campaign

Celebrity violinist Nicola Benedetti has called on Nicola Sturgeon to cancel cuts to music lessons for kids.

Edinburgh City Council is considering cutting up to 75 per cent of the cash sent to schools to pay for musical tuition.

The move has been slated by campaigners who claim it would spell disaster for talented young musicians unable to foot the bill of private lessons – forcing them to hang up their instruments for good.

John Swinney defends income tax choice

The Deputy First Minister has defended his decision not to vary income tax rates after opposition MSPs claimed he had “bottled” the opportunity to end austerity.

Significantly, it was the first time the Scottish Government has had to set the new tax rate, which comes in from April next year as a result of the 2012 Scotland Act.

Scottish schools secretly include seaweed in school dinners

Almost half of Scotland’s councils have served up pizzas which, unknown to the primary school pupils, contain powdered seaweed from the Isle of Lewis.

Seaweed flavouring is much healthier because it contains just 3.5% sodium compared with table salt, which is 40% sodium.

The makers of the pizzas bake the seaweed powder into the base so that youngsters are none the wise

Jose Mourinho sacked by Chelsea

Chelsea have sacked manager Jose Mourinho after two days of crisis board meetings, according to reports.

The 52-year-old Portuguese boss is reported to have been relieved of his Stamford Bridge position just seven months after guiding Chelsea to the Premier League title.