Talk of the Town: Proof that Scots are one of a kind

WE Scots are all too often pigeonholed as dour, austere and miserly types.

But a new study could help kill that myth by hailing the population in a national kindness survey.

Shattering the penny-pinching stereotype, when bakery firm Mrs Crimble’s asked Brits to name the kindest people they know it was the Scots who came out on top, eclipsing both our southern neighbours by a lofty 14 per cent.

The survey also highlighted how 77 per cent of Scots – more than the English (69 per cent) or Welsh (64 per cent) – think that benevolent souls don’t get the recognition they deserve.

Proving that, while we are a kind-hearted bunch, when our deeds go unnoticed, we’re also a bit resentful.

Startled Darling revels in his rare clap of honour

ALISTAIR Darling received loud and prolonged applause when he walked on stage as the front man for the new Better Together campaign to stop independence.

Looking a little startled, the Edinburgh South West MP told the launch rally at Edinburgh’s Napier University: “Thank you – I’m not used to that. When I was chancellor, I don’t recall getting any applause at all.”

Potter fan hunt is magic

HE’S the boy wizard who became an international phenomenon.

Now, 15 years since Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was published, a search has been launched to find Harry Potter’s biggest fan.

Publisher Bloomsbury has asked fans to write a 50-word letter explaining why they love Harry, with a family holiday to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort and a signed leather-bound edition of the book on offer to the winner.

Fans of the book, which had a first print run of just 500 copies, can post their entries at one of 1800 bookshops and libraries in specially designed postboxes.

All this fuss for a boy who was created in an Edinburgh cafe.

To quote another famous magician: “Now that’s magic.”

Trouble and Squeak

SHUT your windows and doors, there’s a panda on the loose!

Thankfully, it’s not Tian Tian or Yang Guang, but Squeak, a 20-year-old panda toy with a bust nose.

Squeak’s owner, Gilli Seymour, is on the hunt for her treasured six-inch keepsake, which was last seen on either an Airlink bus or in the Three Sisters pub.

Turn panda-tracker and there’s a generous reward for the person who finds her. E-mail [email protected] with any details.