Test pupils at 10 or younger

MSPs back numeracy and literacy assessment

Focus efforts on borderline pupils

Salmond to repeat budget threat to Opposition

Challenge to back First Minister or bring down government

Divers intensify search for missing cadet

Operation centres on loch close to home of Simon Macmillan on South Uist

Rankin lends a hand to Braille campaign

An excerpt in Braille from one of his novel's is being used in a £2m fundraising bid to save the Scottish Braille Press

A largely symbolic act, but at least it's a start

Scotland's age of criminal responsibility says a lot about judgmental attitudes

Minimum age of criminality set to rise

Plans to raise the age of criminal responsibility in Scotland received widespread backing

SNP accuses Labour as row escalates over Forth crossing

Labour would reintroduce tolls to finance bridge, says SNP

Salmond showers Sean with CDs and, er, a White Paper

Sir Sean Connery has received gifts from the First Minister

Brown chooses frugal recipe for favourite dish

Gordon Brown has let it be known that his favourite dish is an unsubtle peasant recipe containing reheated cabbage and potatoes

SNP sought Forth crossing loan days before telling Parliament

Opposition accuse John Swinney of cynical deception

Teacher who assaulted pupils subjected to 'harassment campaign'

Mike Barile puts home up for sale after series of incidents

Peter Howson backs campaign to stop hacker's extradition

Artist embarks on series of portraits of fellow Asperger's sufferer Gary McKinnon

Scottish government speeds up planning

Stewart Stevenson stresses importance of DPEA planning moves in climate of recession

I’ve made mistakes but I’m not wiped out, says Sir Tom Hunter

Entrepreneur who was once Scotland’s only billionaire vows he will still give £1bn to charity

‘Drunken bigot’ Burns a ‘bad role model’

Academic says there are better examples than the favourite bard to promote Scotland’s Year of Homecoming

Ban means crime will no longer pay

Victims of crime welcome change in law to stop villains cashing in on past offences

Big Yin’s ancestors give Edinburgh the last laugh

Billy Connolly’s roots are in the capital, not Glasgow, despite his mockery of its citizens

Jailed Scots bid for pardon in Gambia

Friend of missionaries sentenced to hard labour for offending Muslim government to petition president

Churches recruit spy parishioners

Parish watch schemes put in place to stop gangs targeting precious metals on church buildings