Top stories in Scotland this week

BBC News Online Scotland looks back at the stories making the headlines over the last week.

---

On Monday, a one-day strike by bus drivers in Edinburgh forced thousands of passengers to find an alternative means of transport.

More than 1,400 drivers employed by Lothian Buses took action over pay.

Scotland's senior law officer overturned a decision not to hold a fatal accident inquiry into the deaths of two men on an oil platform.

Two men died on Shell's Brent Bravo platform

The pair were killed on Shell's Brent Bravo platform in the North Sea in September 2003.

Police on Tuesday sent leaflets to about 4,000 homes as they intensified the hunt for Emma Caldwell's killer.

The body of the Glasgow prostitute was discovered in a wooded area near Biggar, South Lanarkshire, in May.

It was also announced that the build up to Edinburgh's famous Hogmanay street party will adopt a Catalonian theme this year.

The Night Afore International on 30 December could be the biggest ever UK celebration of Catalan culture.

On Wednesday, a row erupted over plans for a 7mph speed restriction to be put in place across the central section of Loch Lomond.

Local businesses and water sports enthusiasts said there was no need for the blanket ban set to be introduced.

Teams from across the globe gathered in Edinburgh for the kick-off of the third Homeless World Cup.

A march in Edinburgh marked the start of the Homeless World Cup

Play began at a specially built 2,000 capacity venue in the city's Princes St Gardens.

Scotland's Royal Museum will get a major overhaul after a £16.8m Heritage Lottery Fund was announced on Thursday.

The inside of the museum's iconic Victorian home in Edinburgh's Chamber Street is currently described as dated and difficult for visitors to access.

It was also announced that more than 200 posts will be lost at three defence munitions centres in Scotland.

Defence Secretary John Reid said the moves were aimed at improving support for front-line troops.

On Friday, a high court judge jailed a man for eight years for raping a registered blind woman.

Stephen Stewart, 36, attacked the 42-year-old as she lay in her bed at an address in Inverness last August.

Also, a simple ingredient used to bake bread was revealed to be helping scientists unravel a complex problem in the fight against cancer.

Yeast, which is used by bakers to make dough rise, was studied to see how chemotherapy could be improved.