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| Your most-read Scottish stories of 2019 | Your most-read Scottish stories of 2019 |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| The BBC Scotland news website has looked back at our most-read stories of the year. This is the top 20 for 2019, with the ranking based on the number of page views. | The BBC Scotland news website has looked back at our most-read stories of the year. This is the top 20 for 2019, with the ranking based on the number of page views. |
| 1. Alex Salmond | 1. Alex Salmond |
| Former Scottish first minister Alex Salmond appeared in court in January charged with a number of sexual assaults. | Former Scottish first minister Alex Salmond appeared in court in January charged with a number of sexual assaults. |
| The 64-year-old appeared in court again in November and denied all the allegations, which include one attempted rape, one intent to rape, 10 sexual assaults and two indecent assaults. | The 64-year-old appeared in court again in November and denied all the allegations, which include one attempted rape, one intent to rape, 10 sexual assaults and two indecent assaults. |
| His QC, Gordon Jackson, said Mr Salmond was pleading not guilty, and judge Lady Dorrian set the trial date for 9 March next year. | His QC, Gordon Jackson, said Mr Salmond was pleading not guilty, and judge Lady Dorrian set the trial date for 9 March next year. |
| Alex Salmond accused of sexual assaults on 10 women | Alex Salmond accused of sexual assaults on 10 women |
| 2. Prorogation court case | 2. Prorogation court case |
| In September, Scotland’s highest civil court ruled that Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s suspension of the UK Parliament was unlawful. | In September, Scotland’s highest civil court ruled that Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s suspension of the UK Parliament was unlawful. |
| A panel of three judges at the Court of Session found in favour of a cross-party group of politicians who were challenging the prime minister's prorogation move. | A panel of three judges at the Court of Session found in favour of a cross-party group of politicians who were challenging the prime minister's prorogation move. |
| The case was sent to the UK Supreme Court, which agreed that it was wrong to stop MPs carrying out duties in the run-up to the Brexit deadline on 31 October. | The case was sent to the UK Supreme Court, which agreed that it was wrong to stop MPs carrying out duties in the run-up to the Brexit deadline on 31 October. |
| 3. First day at school | 3. First day at school |
| When Scottish children went back to school in August, many parents posted photos on social media. | When Scottish children went back to school in August, many parents posted photos on social media. |
| But a before-and-after picture of five-year-old Lucie got more attention than any of them. | But a before-and-after picture of five-year-old Lucie got more attention than any of them. |
| She looked immaculate before she left her home in East Renfrewshire but by the end of a day of playing with her friends it was a completely different story. | She looked immaculate before she left her home in East Renfrewshire but by the end of a day of playing with her friends it was a completely different story. |
| Girl's before-and-after school photos go viral | Girl's before-and-after school photos go viral |
| 4. New prime minister visits Scotland | |
| Days after he became prime minister in July, Boris Johnson travelled to Scotland to meet First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. | Days after he became prime minister in July, Boris Johnson travelled to Scotland to meet First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. |
| During his visit, Brexit was top of the agenda and Mr Johnson said the existing withdrawal agreement negotiated by his predecessor was "dead" and had "got to go". | During his visit, Brexit was top of the agenda and Mr Johnson said the existing withdrawal agreement negotiated by his predecessor was "dead" and had "got to go". |
| He pledged to "hold out the hand" and "go the extra thousand miles" to strike a new Brexit deal. | He pledged to "hold out the hand" and "go the extra thousand miles" to strike a new Brexit deal. |
| Ms Sturgeon said he had set the UK on an "almost inevitable path to a no-deal Brexit". | Ms Sturgeon said he had set the UK on an "almost inevitable path to a no-deal Brexit". |
| Johnson to 'hold out the hand' for Brexit deal | Johnson to 'hold out the hand' for Brexit deal |
| 5. Vegetable joke | 5. Vegetable joke |
| Swedish comedian Olaf Falafel won Dave's "Funniest Joke of The Fringe" award in August, with a gag that should maybe have stayed buried in the ground. | Swedish comedian Olaf Falafel won Dave's "Funniest Joke of The Fringe" award in August, with a gag that should maybe have stayed buried in the ground. |
| He took the title with the zinger: "I keep randomly shouting out 'Broccoli' and 'Cauliflower' - I think I might have florets". | He took the title with the zinger: "I keep randomly shouting out 'Broccoli' and 'Cauliflower' - I think I might have florets". |
| Suzanne Dobson, from UK's Tourette's Action, called the joke "rubbish" and said her charity had been about to launch a campaign to stop using the condition as a punchline. | Suzanne Dobson, from UK's Tourette's Action, called the joke "rubbish" and said her charity had been about to launch a campaign to stop using the condition as a punchline. |
| Vegetable joke is funniest at the Fringe | Vegetable joke is funniest at the Fringe |
| 6. Shooting death | 6. Shooting death |
| In April, a man who had appeared as a gangland figure in the film T2 Trainspotting was shot dead in Edinburgh's west end. | In April, a man who had appeared as a gangland figure in the film T2 Trainspotting was shot dead in Edinburgh's west end. |
| Bradley Welsh was killed outside his home in Chester Street. | Bradley Welsh was killed outside his home in Chester Street. |
| A 28-year-old was later arrested and charged with murder. The case is yet to come to trial. | A 28-year-old was later arrested and charged with murder. The case is yet to come to trial. |
| 7. 'Asian doctor' | 7. 'Asian doctor' |
| In January, a GP praised the receptionist at a Glasgow surgery for silencing a patient who said they did not want to see an "Asian doctor". | In January, a GP praised the receptionist at a Glasgow surgery for silencing a patient who said they did not want to see an "Asian doctor". |
| Dr Punam Krishan took to Twitter to express her pride in her team - and described the positive response to her post as "uplifting". | Dr Punam Krishan took to Twitter to express her pride in her team - and described the positive response to her post as "uplifting". |
| She said the receptionist had explained that Dr Krishan was Scottish, only to be told: "She doesn't look Scottish." | She said the receptionist had explained that Dr Krishan was Scottish, only to be told: "She doesn't look Scottish." |
| The receptionist then replied: "What do Scottish people look like?" | The receptionist then replied: "What do Scottish people look like?" |
| Patient who objected to 'Asian doctor' silenced | Patient who objected to 'Asian doctor' silenced |
| 8. Lightning strike death | 8. Lightning strike death |
| A woman killed by a lightning strike while hillwalking in June, died as a result of a "freak accident", according to the mountain rescue team. | A woman killed by a lightning strike while hillwalking in June, died as a result of a "freak accident", according to the mountain rescue team. |
| The 55-year-old was among a group of seven walkers who were on Na Gruagaichean, near Ben Nevis, when the lightning struck. | The 55-year-old was among a group of seven walkers who were on Na Gruagaichean, near Ben Nevis, when the lightning struck. |
| Andy Nelson, from Glencoe Mountain Rescue team, said it was very rare for someone to be hit on a hill. | Andy Nelson, from Glencoe Mountain Rescue team, said it was very rare for someone to be hit on a hill. |
| Lightning strike death was 'freak accident' | Lightning strike death was 'freak accident' |
| 9. Something fishy about Loch Ness Monster | 9. Something fishy about Loch Ness Monster |
| In September, scientists caused a major ripple by claiming the creatures behind repeated sightings of the fabled Loch Ness Monster may be giant eels. | In September, scientists caused a major ripple by claiming the creatures behind repeated sightings of the fabled Loch Ness Monster may be giant eels. |
| Researchers from New Zealand have tried to catalogue all living species in the loch by extracting DNA from water samples. | Researchers from New Zealand have tried to catalogue all living species in the loch by extracting DNA from water samples. |
| Following analysis, the scientists have ruled out the presence of large animals said to be behind reports of a monster. | Following analysis, the scientists have ruled out the presence of large animals said to be behind reports of a monster. |
| Loch Ness Monster may be giant eel, say scientists | Loch Ness Monster may be giant eel, say scientists |
| 10. Ruthless | 10. Ruthless |
| At the end of August, the BBC ran a story saying Ruth Davidson was on the verge of quitting as leader of the Scottish Conservatives. | At the end of August, the BBC ran a story saying Ruth Davidson was on the verge of quitting as leader of the Scottish Conservatives. |
| Ms Davidson had been deeply unhappy with the prime minister's pursuit of a possible no-deal Brexit. | Ms Davidson had been deeply unhappy with the prime minister's pursuit of a possible no-deal Brexit. |
| The next day, she announced her decision to stand down, saying her personal priorities had changed. She said the prospect of spending hundreds of hours away from her baby son and her partner, during a possible election campaign, now filled her with "dread". | The next day, she announced her decision to stand down, saying her personal priorities had changed. She said the prospect of spending hundreds of hours away from her baby son and her partner, during a possible election campaign, now filled her with "dread". |
| Scottish Tory leader 'on verge of quitting' | Scottish Tory leader 'on verge of quitting' |
| 11. Alesha murder | 11. Alesha murder |
| In March, the 16-year-old who raped and murdered Alesha MacPhail was sentenced to a minimum of 27 years behind bars after he finally admitted his crime. | In March, the 16-year-old who raped and murdered Alesha MacPhail was sentenced to a minimum of 27 years behind bars after he finally admitted his crime. |
| During his trial, Aaron Campbell had repeatedly denied he abducted, raped and killed the six-year-old on the Isle of Bute in July 2018. | During his trial, Aaron Campbell had repeatedly denied he abducted, raped and killed the six-year-old on the Isle of Bute in July 2018. |
| But he admitted his offences to a psychologist preparing a report to the court ahead of his sentencing. | But he admitted his offences to a psychologist preparing a report to the court ahead of his sentencing. |
| Judge Lord Matthews imposed a life sentence for the "brutal" murder. | Judge Lord Matthews imposed a life sentence for the "brutal" murder. |
| Alesha killer finally admits rape and murder | Alesha killer finally admits rape and murder |
| 12. No-deal Brexit in court | 12. No-deal Brexit in court |
| Politics was in court a lot in the autumn. | Politics was in court a lot in the autumn. |
| Following the UK Supreme Court ruling that Boris Johnson's prorogation of parliament was unlawful, there was another case which sought to force him to write a letter asking for a Brexit extension. | Following the UK Supreme Court ruling that Boris Johnson's prorogation of parliament was unlawful, there was another case which sought to force him to write a letter asking for a Brexit extension. |
| Campaigners argued that the prime minister could not be trusted to comply with the law, which had been passed by Westminster despite Mr Johnson's objection. | Campaigners argued that the prime minister could not be trusted to comply with the law, which had been passed by Westminster despite Mr Johnson's objection. |
| Dismissing the move, Scottish judge Lord Pentland said there could be "no doubt" that the prime minister had agreed to abide by the law. | Dismissing the move, Scottish judge Lord Pentland said there could be "no doubt" that the prime minister had agreed to abide by the law. |
| In the event, Mr Johnson did send a request to the EU for a delay to Brexit - but without his signature. | In the event, Mr Johnson did send a request to the EU for a delay to Brexit - but without his signature. |
| The request was accompanied by a second letter, signed by Mr Johnson, saying he believed a delay would be a mistake. | The request was accompanied by a second letter, signed by Mr Johnson, saying he believed a delay would be a mistake. |
| Judge dismisses no-deal Brexit court move | Judge dismisses no-deal Brexit court move |
| 13. Ben Nevis death | 13. Ben Nevis death |
| In March, an avalanche in an area known as Number 5 Gully on Ben Nevis claimed three lives. | In March, an avalanche in an area known as Number 5 Gully on Ben Nevis claimed three lives. |
| They were later identified as two Frenchmen, aged 41 and 32, and a 43-year-old Swiss man. | They were later identified as two Frenchmen, aged 41 and 32, and a 43-year-old Swiss man. |
| Swiss and French climbers died in Ben Nevis avalanche | Swiss and French climbers died in Ben Nevis avalanche |
| 14. Tourist attraction | 14. Tourist attraction |
| In October, a tourist told of her "life-changing" visit to the Camera Obscura in Edinburgh after one of its thermal cameras detected she had breast cancer. | In October, a tourist told of her "life-changing" visit to the Camera Obscura in Edinburgh after one of its thermal cameras detected she had breast cancer. |
| Bal Gill, 41, from Slough in Berkshire, was at the Camera Obscura and World of Illusions at the top of the Royal Mile with her family in May. | Bal Gill, 41, from Slough in Berkshire, was at the Camera Obscura and World of Illusions at the top of the Royal Mile with her family in May. |
| When she went into the museum's thermal imaging camera room she noticed her left breast was a different colour. | When she went into the museum's thermal imaging camera room she noticed her left breast was a different colour. |
| When she returned home she saw a doctor who confirmed she had breast cancer. | When she returned home she saw a doctor who confirmed she had breast cancer. |
| Tourist attraction scan detects breast cancer | Tourist attraction scan detects breast cancer |
| 15. Serial killer dies | 15. Serial killer dies |
| One of Scotland's most notorious murderers, Angus Sinclair, died in March at the age of 73. | One of Scotland's most notorious murderers, Angus Sinclair, died in March at the age of 73. |
| He was convicted of four killings, including the 1977 World's End murders, but was suspected of killing four more women in Glasgow the same year. | He was convicted of four killings, including the 1977 World's End murders, but was suspected of killing four more women in Glasgow the same year. |
| Sinclair had been in prison since 1982 after being convicted of a series of rapes and indecent attacks on children. | Sinclair had been in prison since 1982 after being convicted of a series of rapes and indecent attacks on children. |
| Kevin Scott, the brother of one of the murder victims, described the serial killer as a "monster". | Kevin Scott, the brother of one of the murder victims, described the serial killer as a "monster". |
| World's End serial killer Sinclair dies | World's End serial killer Sinclair dies |
| 16. Margaret Fleming trial | 16. Margaret Fleming trial |
| Edward Cairney, 77, and Avril Jones, 59, killed Margaret Fleming when she was 19 but their crimes were not discovered for almost two decades. | Edward Cairney, 77, and Avril Jones, 59, killed Margaret Fleming when she was 19 but their crimes were not discovered for almost two decades. |
| The couple were supposed to be Margaret's carers but she had not been seen by anyone since December 1999. | The couple were supposed to be Margaret's carers but she had not been seen by anyone since December 1999. |
| The authorities only became suspicious in October 2016 when concerns were raised about a benefits claim made by Jones on Ms Fleming's behalf. | The authorities only became suspicious in October 2016 when concerns were raised about a benefits claim made by Jones on Ms Fleming's behalf. |
| Carers guilty of murdering missing teenager | Carers guilty of murdering missing teenager |
| 17. Ben Nevis fall death | 17. Ben Nevis fall death |
| On New Year's Day, a climber died after a fall on Ben Nevis. | On New Year's Day, a climber died after a fall on Ben Nevis. |
| The student, who was studying at the University of Bristol, was climbing with three others when she plunged 500ft (152m). | The student, who was studying at the University of Bristol, was climbing with three others when she plunged 500ft (152m). |
| Student dies after 500ft Ben Nevis fall | Student dies after 500ft Ben Nevis fall |
| 18. Painted ladies | 18. Painted ladies |
| In August, large clouds of painted lady butterflies were spotted across the UK and Ireland - and experts said it was a mass emergence that happened every 10 years. | In August, large clouds of painted lady butterflies were spotted across the UK and Ireland - and experts said it was a mass emergence that happened every 10 years. |
| Weather conditions and food sources provided ideal conditions for the species to thrive. | Weather conditions and food sources provided ideal conditions for the species to thrive. |
| Sightings of painted ladies - otherwise known as Vanessa cardui - prompted countless pictures and videos to be posted to social media. | Sightings of painted ladies - otherwise known as Vanessa cardui - prompted countless pictures and videos to be posted to social media. |
| About 11 million of the butterflies were seen in the UK during the last "painted lady year" in 2009. | About 11 million of the butterflies were seen in the UK during the last "painted lady year" in 2009. |
| Butterflies emerge in once-a-decade phenomenon | Butterflies emerge in once-a-decade phenomenon |
| 19. Nuclear cracks | 19. Nuclear cracks |
| In March, the first pictures emerged of cracking in the graphite bricks which make up the core of nuclear reactors at Hunterston B Power Station in Ayrshire. | In March, the first pictures emerged of cracking in the graphite bricks which make up the core of nuclear reactors at Hunterston B Power Station in Ayrshire. |
| Reactor three has not produced electricity since cracks were found to be forming more quickly than expected. | Reactor three has not produced electricity since cracks were found to be forming more quickly than expected. |
| About 370 hairline fractures have been discovered which equates to about one in every 10 bricks in the reactor core. | About 370 hairline fractures have been discovered which equates to about one in every 10 bricks in the reactor core. |
| Owner EDF Energy says it does intend to seek permission from the Office of Nuclear Regulation (ONR) to restart. | Owner EDF Energy says it does intend to seek permission from the Office of Nuclear Regulation (ONR) to restart. |
| Hunterston B: Pictures show cracks in Ayrshire nuclear reactor | Hunterston B: Pictures show cracks in Ayrshire nuclear reactor |
| 20. Shark attack | 20. Shark attack |
| In November, a Scottish tourist was found to have died in a shark attack after his severed hand and wedding ring were found inside the animal. | In November, a Scottish tourist was found to have died in a shark attack after his severed hand and wedding ring were found inside the animal. |
| The 44-year-old man had been last seen snorkelling off the French island of Reunion, near Madagascar. | The 44-year-old man had been last seen snorkelling off the French island of Reunion, near Madagascar. |
| His hand, identified by his wedding ring, was found inside a tiger shark which was caught for research purposes. | His hand, identified by his wedding ring, was found inside a tiger shark which was caught for research purposes. |
| The man was later identified as Richard Martyn Turner, from Edinburgh. | The man was later identified as Richard Martyn Turner, from Edinburgh. |
| Scottish tourist's hand found inside shark | Scottish tourist's hand found inside shark |
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