From our archives

5 years ago

An accountant has won his legal fight for the right to a Scottish baronetcy after judges ruled DNA evidence suggested he was the rightful heir. Murray Pringle, pictured, from Buckinghamshire, and businessman Simon Pringle, East Sussex, had both laid claim to the baronetcy of Pringle of Stichill, a village near Kelso. Seven judges analysed evidence at hearings of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council and yesterday ruled in Murray Pringle’s favour.

10 years ago

History was made yesterday when a passenger ferry crossed the Clyde at Govan for the first time in 45 years. The service crosses the river from Water Row in Govan to the Riverside Museum. Taking the Subway to Govan and using the ferry for the short journey to Riverside seems set to be a popular way of reaching the new attraction. Council leader Gordon Matheson said: “This marks another stage in the regeneration of the River Clyde and Govan.”

25 years ago

A Scottish Parliament could not justify the Secretary of State remaining in Cabinet and would have to consider reducing, by as many as 13, the number of MPS at Westminster, it was claimed yesterday.

These are among the main conclusions of an independent think tank which will broadly endorse the plans of the Constitutional Convention in a report to be published next Tuesday.

50 years ago

Mr Anatol Fedosseiev, a leading Soviet space scientist who disappeared from his Paris hotel, is in Britain and has been given permission to stay, it was announced yesterday by a spokesman for the Home Office and the Foreign Office. No indication of exactly where the scientist is was given but it is understood that he is staying with friends. The spokesman would not say how and when Mr Fedosseiev entered Britain. .

100 years ago

Moffat Hydropathic was completely destroyed by fire at an early hour this morning. The outbreak was first observed at one o’clock, the top of the building then being well alight. A brisk wind was blowing, and in a short time the whole of the upper storeys were involved. Fire brigades from Moffat and Gretna were soon on the scene, but the flames had secured a firm hold, and it looked as if nothing of the building could be saved.