Man dies after catching fire in fierce heather blaze on Scottish hills A tragic story to begin with today, I'm afraid. A 54-year-old man has died after his clothes caught fire on an estate in the south of Scotland earlier in the week. It is understood that the man was a part-time casual farm worker who was burning heather before the horrific incident occurred. Read the full story here. Archaeologists re-writing the history of the Picts are honoured If you have even the slightest interest in Scottish history and heritage news I suggest signing up to Alison Campsie's History and Heritage newsletter. Her latest story follows a team of archaeologists who are shedding new light on the life, culture and society of the Picts. Pioneering work led by Aberdeen University has radically altered understanding of the people who lived in the north and east of Scotland between roughly 300 and 800AD. Find out more about what has been learned about Scotland's long lost northern tribe. Shambolic Alex Salmond Inquiry shows need for overhaul of Holyrood committees It was astonishing to see Ken Macintosh, Holyrood’s presiding officer, declare the harassment committee’s work as an example of a “powerful parliament in action”, writes our investigations correspondent Martyn McLaughlin. In today's opinion section Martyn argues: "If anything, it has brought parliament into disrepute, and given fresh impetus to longstanding calls for the reform of a committee system which is singularly unfit for purpose." Read Martyn's column as he pulls no punches when aiming at the "shambolic conduct" of the harassment committee Thanks for reading, more headlines below, Sam Shedden, [email protected] | 
