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Catch up on the most popular stories on the BBC Scotland news website.

SUNDAY 4 JANUARY

Forth bridge payment plan blocked

The new Forth bridge will not be paid for with a cash advance from the UK treasury following a rejected request from the Scottish Government.

Salmond in call for euro rethink

The Scottish first minister, Alex Salmond, has said the time is right to look again at the option of the UK adopting the euro.

Woman and baby 'doused in petrol'

A 30-year-old Perthshire man has appeared in court charged with attempted murder. Ross Cameron is accused of dousing a woman and baby with petrol.

SATURDAY 3 JANUARY

More human remains found in bags

Police investigating the discovery of a human skull on a public footpath in Edinburgh said they have found more remains.

New Year city sex attacker hunted

Police have appealed for witnesses after an 18-year-old woman was raped in the centre of Glasgow in the early hours of New Year's Day.

Bright vests for offenders call

Offenders doing community service should be made to wear high visibility clothing so they can be more easily identified, a Labour MSP has said.

FRIDAY 2 JANUARY

Godly reckoning for home intruder

An intruder received a taste of divine reckoning as he was chased from the Edinburgh flat he was breaking into by a man dressed as the Norse god Thor.

More human remains found in bags

Police investigating the discovery of a human skull on a public footpath in Edinburgh said they have found more remains.

Security breach at Scots palace

Royal security chiefs have launched an investigation after plans of the Queen's official residence in Scotland were found near a footpath.

THURSDAY 1 JANUARY

Loony Dookers take the icy plunge

About 600 hardy revellers have blown away the Hogmanay cobwebs by plunging into the icy waters of the River Forth.

Head in bag 'likely to be female'

A human head found in a shopping bag on a public footpath in Edinburgh is likely to be from a woman, police said.

Fireworks cause fire at nightclub

About 400 people had to be evacuated from an Edinburgh nightclub after indoor pyrotechnics set fire to plastic netting stretched across the ceiling.

WEDNESDAY 31 DECEMBER

Mummified head found on pathway

A human head found in a bag in Edinburgh is that of an adult who may have died between five and 10 years ago, according to police.

Student's £100bn overdraft shock

A student from Ayrshire was left in a state of shock when his online banking statement showed him to be overdrawn by almost £100bn.

Boxer released early from prison

Former world boxing champion Scott Harrison has been released early from prison after serving four months behind bars.

TUESDAY 30 DECEMBER

Student's £100bn overdraft shock

A student from Ayrshire was left in a state of shock when his online banking statement showed him to be overdrawn by almost £100bn.

Couple jailed for Gambia sedition

A Scottish missionary and his wife, who pleaded guilty to sedition charges in Gambia, have been sentenced to one year in prison with hard labour.

Scots World Cup team 'provincial'

A British diplomat dismissed the Scottish football team as "provincials" who were out of their depth at the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, it has emerged.

MONDAY 29 DECEMBER

Man in court over 'nurse in boot'

A 35-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the attempted murder of a nurse who was discovered alive in the boot of her car on Boxing Day.

Jobs under threat after USC deal

Up to 300 jobs are under threat after Scottish-based fashion retailer USC was put into administration, it is confirmed.

Trump golf houses 'not on hold'

Donald Trump's plans to build 500 homes at his Aberdeenshire golf resort have not been affected by the slowdown in the property market, his lawyer said.