Teen rescuer steps up and Leitch steps down

YOUNG RESCUER’S FIRST CALLOUT

The youngest member of Assynt Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) has taken part in his first missions. Matthew Knapman, 17, who is in his sixth year at Inverness Royal Academy, attended his first callout on March 3 to assist an 83-year-old, struggling walker who was benighted in the Inverkirkaig Falls area.

This was followed when he helped conduct a search at John O’Groats for a missing person. The team has 35 volunteers covering the single largest MRT area, incorporating Caithness, Sutherland and part of Ross-shire.

SHETLAND WILL RETURN

Popular TV series Shetland has been recommissioned by the BBC for two new series and will film in Shetland and across Scotland in 2024 and 2025.

Filming the ninth series begins this month and sees Ashley Jensen and Alison O’Donnell reprise their roles as detectives Ruth Calder and Alison “Tosh” McIntosh. Jensen joined in series eight after the departure of Douglas Henshall, who spent almost a decade playing Jimmy Perez in the show, originally based on the novels by Ann Cleeves.

MUM’S THE WORD

A mum-of five from Ellon has won a top award for her work – after delivering her first grandchild.

Midwife Natalie Latham, who works at Peterhead Community Maternity Unit , helped bring granddaughter Scarlet into the world last month.

Natalie, whose children are aged 25, 23, 20, 11 and seven was at daughter Sasha’s side as she delivered baby Scarlet in the Sunrise Suite’s pool.

Now Natalie has been recognised for her efforts with a DAISY Award.

COULD TIKTOK BE BANNED IN THE US?

The US House of Representatives has passed a bill which could see social media platform TikTok banned in America.

The bill was overwhelmingly passed, however, it still needs to clear the Senate.

It would means app stores would not be able to distribute TikTok in the US if its owner ByteDance – which is based in China, does not sell its ownership of the platform.

The bill, which was sparked by security concerns, gives ByteDance 165 days to divest from the platform.

YOUSAF URGES WESTMINSTER TO ‘THINK AGAIN’

Legislation which will quash the convictions of subpostmasters as a result of faults with the Post Office IT system is due to be introduced – but cover only England and Wales.

First Minister Humza Yousaf said he was “greatly disappointed” that is the case, but stressed steps can still be taken to ensure the legislation comes into effect across the UK.

Speaking earlier this week, he urged the UK Government to “think again”, but said his own government is working on bringing forward a bill. But Scottish legislation will have to wait until the Westminster bill passes before it can be introduced, he said, to ensure there is no friction that could have an impact on offered settlements.

BARRA CAT COLONY

Efforts are under way to tackle a cat colony which has overrun Barra.

The group of more than 20 cats have congregated at a house on the island. They pose a threat to the local ecosystem because there is not enough food and they are forced to eat the natural prey of other wildlife.

An army of volunteers on behalf of Western Isles Support for Cats and Kittens (Wisck) is now working to trap and rehome them ahead of the breeding season.

Once caught, they are transported to the charity’s HQ – nicknamed Cat Central – in Stornoway for health checks and neutering.

LEITCH RESIGNS

Jason Leitch will leave his role as the Scottish Government’s national clinical director next month.

The former dentist led Holyrood’s response to the pandemic but came under fire following the UK Covid Inquiry in January.

WhatsApp messages showed he advised then health minister Humza Yousaf that he could avoid wearing a mask if he had a drink in his hand.

Announcing that he was stepping down, Mr Leitch praised the public’s willingness to comply with Covid legislation, and said he was “proud” of his colleagues.

He will also leave his role at NHS Tayside at the same time and announced he was looking for other work in healthcare.