THAT WAS OUR WEEK

MON March 25

■ The congregation of Blackhall St Columba’s Church in Edinburgh has raised £10,000 for children’s charity HopScotch. The donation, which will provide respite breaks for vulnerable and disadvantaged youngsters, brings the total awarded by the church to £274,076 since 1992 – with awards made annually to different charities. Members of Drylaw Parish Church also helped.

Actor Colin Firth has been pictured on set in Bathgate, West Lothian, of an upcoming drama series where he plays the role of a grieving father after the Lockerbie bombing.

TUE March 26

■ A Holyrood committee has sought clarification on Creative Scotland’s decision to award almost £85,000 to a “hardcore” sex project. The public arts body has since withdrawn the public funding and will seek reimbursement for the Rein project, which was recruiting actors to participate in real, explicit, sex scenes. But it has been asked to explain how the funding decision was made.

Five Sisters Zoo in West Lothian has announced the sad passing of ‘Boss’, a lion rehomed at the zoo in 2015, after being rescued in Belgium following years of suffering with a travelling circus.

WED March 27

■ A local campaign group has warned that Scotland’s environmental regulator is failing to tackle sewage pollution in the Water of Leith. Save Our Shore Leith said SEPA must investigate whether material getting discharged along with treated sewage poses a risk to human health. There is growing anger about sewage being discharged via “combined sewer overflows” during periods of heavy rain.

Another “creepy” doll has appeared in a Morningside charity shop window. Described as “one of the most sinister looking things ever”, the doll has been compared to Mrs Doubtfire.

THU March 28

■ Calls for a national compensation fund to help homeowners affected by a dangerous form of concrete have been backed by a West Lothian campaigner. “Ghost estate” campaigner Kerry Macintosh has fought for more than 18 years for fair treatment after reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete was discovered in her home on the Deans South housing estate in Livingston.

A group of blind armed forces veterans have ventured into the mountains for a life-changing winter survival course. The Scots trio headed into the Cairngorms for a two-day climb.

FRI March 29

■ Legislation to introduce assisted dying for terminally ill people in Scotland has been published at Holyrood – with the MSP behind it insisting there is “compelling evidence” to support the move. Liam McArthur said he is “confident” the Scottish Parliament will back his legislation when it comes to a vote, adding “robust safeguards” are included in the bill.

The new Perth Museum in the former City Hall will open its doors to the public on Saturday, with the Stone of Destiny as its centrepiece, back in Perthshire for the first time in more than 700 years.