Latest from The Courier
The Courier
5 days ago
- The Courier
EXCLUSIVE: Forensics at Perthshire house as part of Dunning death probe
Police have descended on a house in a Perthshire village as part of their investigation into the death of a man near Dunning, leaving residents shocked. Officers, including CID teams, were seen at a property on Allanwater Gardens, Blackford, on Saturday and Sunday. Locals described seeing officers in blue forensic suits at the address within the housing development. It comes as two men were charged in connection with the death of a 29-year-old man on the Dunning to Kinross road in Perthshire, around 15 miles away. Police have been carrying out extensive inquiries in the area since the man's body was discovered on Friday. The men, aged 36 and 42, are expected to appear at Perth Sheriff Court on Monday. A 40-year-old woman arrested during the inquiry has been released pending further investigation. Officers arrived in Blackford on Saturday morning and remained stationed outside the house in Allanwater Gardens on Sunday. One resident told The Courier: 'Police were there all day on Saturday and people living on the street were really shocked. 'Officers were coming and going, and then there was just one car left for a while before a police van arrived around 8.30pm. 'There has been quite a lot of activity.' Another said: 'We saw CID here and police at the house all day yesterday and today. 'We got woken up at about 7am on Saturday, and then a recovery truck took their van away, and people in hazmat suits were in and out of the house.' They added: 'You just don't expect something like this to happen in your street.' Police Scotland has not yet confirmed the nature of the investigation. The rural road between Dunning and Path of Condie, around a 20-minute drive from Blackford, remains closed as part of the probe. Police Scotland has also implemented a temporary airspace restriction over the area, applying to all aircraft, including drones. A spokesperson said: 'Around 7am on Friday, 13 June, 2025, we were called to the death of a 29-year-old man on the Dunning to Kinross road in Perthshire. 'Two men, aged 36 and 42, were arrested and charged in connection with the death. 'They are due to appear at Perth Sheriff Court on Monday, June 16. 'A 40-year-old woman was also arrested and has been released pending further investigation. 'Inquiries remain ongoing.'
The Courier
5 days ago
- The Courier
Man dies after major overnight fire at Perth flats
A man has died following a major overnight blaze at a block of flats in Perth. An 8-year-old girl and a 27-year-old man have also been taken to hospital for treatment following the blaze on Scott Street in the early hours of Saturday morning. Two firefighters also sustained minor injuries, with one injured by fallen masonry. Police have not confirmed the age of the man who has died. Twelve fire engines were called to tackle the blaze in a block of flats on the corner of Scott Street and South Street. Police said partner agencies were supporting the occupants of neighbouring flats. Around 40 local residents were evacuated from their homes and were taken to the nearby Salutation Hotel. Sections of Scott Street and South Street remain shut to traffic and members of the public. Witnesses said the roof of the Scott Street property was well alight, with thick smoke billowing into the air and visible from surrounding streets. Crews used an aerial appliance to battle the flames. Police and firefighters remained on the scene throughout Saturday, with members of the public urged to avoid the area. Emergency services had been called to a top floor property above the Royal Bar at just before 2am. Police officers had discovered the blaze whilst patrolling in the area. Chief Superintendent Nicola Russell, divisional commander for Tayside said: 'Our thoughts are with all those affected by this incident. 'Investigations are at a very early stage to establish the full circumstances of what has happened. 'We are conducting a joint investigation with Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. 'As part of our investigations a temporary airspace restriction is place in the Scott Street and South Street areas in Perth until 1pm on Wednesday for security and your safety. 'A police cordon remains in place and members of the public are asked to avoid the area.' Earlier, the fire service confirmed they had been alerted at 1.47am on Saturday to reports of a fire. Andy Girrity, deputy chief officer of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, said: 'On arrival, firefighters found the roof of a four-storey residential building well alight. 'Initially, three appliances were mobilised, but due to the severity of the blaze and structural collapses, a total of twelve appliances were involved at the height of the incident. 'Five casualties, including one firefighter injured by falling masonry, were passed into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service. 'The incident has now been scaled back, and two appliances and one height vehicle remain on scene to dampen down hotspots.' First Minister John Swinney said the announcement a man had died is 'utterly tragic news'. He added: 'My thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased at this traumatic time.' Perth & Kinross Council confirmed it had a number of staff in attendance at the Salutation Hotel to provide support to those affected by the fire. The local authority also said Perth city centre streets would continued to be impacted on Sunday, with emergency services expected to remain at the scene. Eric Drysdale, deputy leader of the council, said: 'I would like to send sincere condolences to the family and friends of the man who has tragically lost his life in this incident. 'My thoughts are also with all the other people who have been affected by this very serious fire. 'I wish to praise the significant immediate response from all the first responders and especially our brave firefighters who hurried towards this major fire and put their lives at risk to rescue occupants from the building and tackle the blaze. 'National resources have been deployed including a dedicated height appliance which has been central to our brave firefighters' efforts. 'We are working to make sure that everyone who has been displaced has suitable alternative accommodation in place.' Shocked neighbours said they awoke to the sound of sirens rushing to the scene. One man said: 'I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It was a huge blaze, with what looked like an entire block of flats on fire. 'I could tell from the height it was the roof space, and it looked right in the middle of the city centre. 'I could hear sirens and saw more blue lights heading into town as additional emergency services arrived. 'The flames were reaching pretty high and the smoke was billowing straight up – it would have been visible from right across Perth. 'I just couldn't get over the scale of the fire and really hope everyone got out before it spread.' Slater Perera, who lives in the opposite block, said they felt the heat from the blaze. The 29-year-old said: 'We heard people screaming at around 1.45am and we saw the huge flames from our bedroom window. 'We literally felt the heat from the fire and called 999. 'I live in Loretto House and tried to wake everyone up at my flats to alert them to what was going on. 'We arrived at a friend's' flat nearby for shelter.'
The Courier
6 days ago
- The Courier
EXCLUSIVE: Three arrested after death of man, 29, near Dunning
A woman and two men have been arrested in connection with the death of a 29-year-old man near Dunning, Perthshire. Police were called to an area near the village at around 7am on Friday. The rural road between Dunning and Path of Condie has remained closed since, with a visible police presence expected in the area throughout the weekend. Residents reported seeing officers driving through the village as part of the ongoing investigation. A 40-year-old woman and two men, aged 36 and 42, are currently in police custody. The Courier reporter Lucy Scarlett was at the scene during the early stages of the inquiry on Friday evening. She said: 'I arrived at the police cordon just after 7pm on Friday, but residents told me it had been in place since the morning. 'From a higher vantage point, I could see what looked like an abandoned car on the road in the middle of nowhere. 'Two police vehicles were stationed beside it, with more coming and going while I waited. 'In the village of Dunning, people said they saw armed police passing through on their way to the scene on Friday morning.' Police Scotland confirmed there will be an increased police presence in the area while investigations continue. A spokeswoman said: 'Around 7am on Friday, June 13, we were called to the death of a 29-year-old man on the Dunning to Kinross road in Perthshire. 'A 40-year-old woman and two men, aged 36 and 42, have been arrested in connection with the death and inquiries are ongoing. 'There will be an increased police presence in the area and the road remains closed while investigations continue.'
The Courier
6 days ago
- Climate
- The Courier
10 pictures from a very wet Stirling Agricultural Show
Waterproofs and wellies were the order of the day at Stirling Agricultural Show. The elements were certainly unkind, but that didn't keep the event from going ahead at Gogar Mains Farm, Blairlogie. Those hardy souls who ventured out in the rain still had plenty to see and do. Cows, sheep, horses, vintage tractors, trade stands, a craft and lifestyle tent, kids' play corner and amusements defied the bad weather. Trade exhibitors included Gordon Construction,with one member of is 'hard core team' posted on Facebook they were 'here till the end'. The Courier photographer Kenny Smith was there with his camera.
The Courier
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Courier
28 great photos as Dundee Pride brings colour and cheer to city
Large crowds brought plenty of colour and cheer to Dundee city centre on Saturday for the return of Dundee Pride. Revellers enjoyed a carnival atmosphere as they paraded through the city centre, then enjoyed the Pride Village at Slessor Gardens. Acts and performers, including Cheryl Hole, star of Ru Paul's Drag Race UK, and actor/singer Claire Sweeney, entertained crowds while there were plenty of food, drink and crafts stalls from which to grab a treat. The Courier's photographer was there to capture the best moments from Dundee Pride 2025.
