Michael Alexander - Journalist -The Courier

07/03/2025

John Scot Barrowman MBE will be Laid Bare in Dundee – but first, a selfie with Desperate Dan!
The and star is heading to The Whitehall Theatre, Dundee with his no-holds-barred new show, but not before taking in some classic city sights!
I spoke to John about his forthcoming show - and he revealed why a selfie with Dundee's Desperate Dan statue might be on the cards first!
Read the full interview in today's The Courier UK What's On and online here.

The Doctor Who and Torchwood star is heading to Dundee’s Whitehall Theatre with his no-holds-barred new show, but not before taking in some classic city sights.

06/03/2025

Broughty Ferry charity stalwart and special constable Alex Alexander MBE, dies aged 98.
The former Community Council member who set up her own charity was a dedicated volunteer who was awarded an MBE in 1994.
She was a former chairperson of Hillcrest Housing Association.

The former Broughty Ferry Community Council member who set up her own charity was a dedicated volunteer who was awarded an MBE in 1994.

05/03/2025

Professor Fiona Raitt: champion of legal reform and women’s rights, dies at 68.
The -raised co-founder of Dundee's first feminist law firm was a trailblazer, instrumental in advocating for the rights of survivors of sexual offences.
She became a highly respected University of Dundee academic.
Read the tribute in today's print The Courier UK and here:

The Perth-raised co-founder of Dundee's first feminist law firm was a trailblazer, instrumental in advocating for the rights of survivors of sexual offences.

04/03/2025

Peter Cura: Tribute to the Cupar businessman and campaigner who ‘saved’ Stratheden Hospital.
The chip shop and bookies legend, who's died aged 92, served on Cupar Community Council for 30 years and is remembered for his cheeky smile and humour.

The Cupar chip shop and bookies legend, who's died aged 92, served on Cupar Community Council for 30 years and is remembered for his cheeky smile and humour.

03/03/2025

Lindsay Heron: hypnotherapist and Strathallan School alumnus dies at 81.
-based Lindsay Heron helped countless individuals overcome personal struggles, including addiction and and was credited with saving lives.
Read tribute here in The Courier UK:

Murthly-based Lindsay Heron helped countless individuals overcome personal struggles, including addiction and PTSD and was credited with saving lives.

03/03/2025

Tribute to 102-year-old woman Margaret Overend who photographed the devastation of WW2 bombings in the days after VE Day in May 1945.
The woman, who was in the , has died just short of her 103rd birthday.

Cupar-based investigative journalist and former RAF Scotland PR man Michael Mulford pays tribute to the Strathkinness heroine who's died aged almost 103.

27/02/2025

Alice Wheeler: North East Fife community midwife who delivered hundreds of babies, dies aged 79
The -raised resident is remembered for her decades of service in Kirkcaldy & NE where she touched the lives of countless families.
Read the tribute piece in today's print The Courier UK and online here:

The Cowdenbeath-raised Cupar resident is remembered for her decades of service in Kirkcaldy and North East Fife where she touched the lives of countless families.

26/02/2025

Colin Mayall: Renowned historian, genealogist and rugby club stalwart dies at 83. The retired surveyor and estate agent, who dodged bullets during the Iranian revolution, was famed for his love of history, genealogy and culture.
Read tribute in today's print The Courier UK and online here:

The retired surveyor and estate agent, who dodged bullets during the Iranian revolution, was famed for his love of Strathearn history, genealogy and culture.

21/02/2025

As politicians debate the geopolitics of European security and defence, it's been a fascinating privilege to spend the last four days in bitterly cold with the Leuchars-based Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, 4 Scots, medics and other soldiers involved with Exercise Steadfast Dart - ''s largest exercise this year which demonstrates how quickly allies can come to the defence of an ally under attack.
Could hardly be more topical - and the issues also feel very 'real' here, just 16 miles from the Ukraine border.
The international media day on Wednesday included a live firing exercise and battle simulation of an attack from the east.
As well as being attended by NATO VIPs, there were dozens of journalists from around the world.
Thursday was mainly a day with 4th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland (4 Scots).
Today, Friday, we spent a full on day with the Leuchars-based SCOTS DG.
Fascinating to contrast the well documented international geopolitical narratives of the last week with the multi-national training involving our locally-based soldiers on the frontlines.
Read my news story here. More in depth interviews featuring local soldiers will appear in coming weeks: https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/politics/5185987/leuchars-royal-scots-dragoon-guards-romania-nato/

20/02/2025

teacher Sheila McIntyre remembered for dedication and kindness as she dies aged 85: The retired Breadalbane Academy primary school teacher and hillwalker was a valued member of the Aberfeldy community, known to generations of former pupils. Read tribute in The Courier UK here: https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/obituaries/5183908/sheila-mcintyre-aberfeldy-teacher-breadalbane-academy/

20/02/2025

Thanks to -based Discovery Point and RRS Discovery
researcher and volunteer Matthew Ylitalo for sharing the 'forgotten' story of man Thomas Cosgrove who went from stealing rags as a boy to being an unsung hero in the rescue of Captain Scott & in 1904. An article appeared in Wednesday's print The Courier UK. See here:

20/02/2025

Graham Ritchie: Former councillor and farmer dies aged 73. https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/obituaries/5183827/graham-ritchie-fife-council-farmer-methil-levenmouth/

20/02/2025

Tributes to Ross Vettraino: Veteran councillor and ‘consummate gentleman’ dies aged 85. The former head of environmental services at North East Fife District Council had been councillor for Central and since 2007.

The former head of environmental services at North East Fife District Council had been SNP councillor for Glenrothes Central and Thornton since 2007.

12/02/2025

Tributes to Kenneth Pritchard OBE:
The former lawyer, Dundee High School FP captain, University of St Andrews graduate, Panmure Golf Club member & Law Society of Scotland secretary dies at 91. Read more here The Courier UK.

Tributes pour in for Panmure Golf Club member, St Andrews graduate and Dundee High rugby man Kenneth Pritchard, who helped shape Scotland’s legal profession.

11/02/2025

What’s it like living with legendary crime author Val McDermid?
Ahead of Pitlochry Festival Theatre Winter Words Festival, -raised University of St Andrews professor & Geographer Royal Scotland Professor Jo Sharp talks about life with Val, kayaks & the Perth Academy teacher who inspired her.
See feature in today's The Courier UK:

Perth-raised St Andrews University professor and Geographer Royal Jo Sharp talks about home life with Val, kayaking and the Perth geography teacher who inspired her.

11/02/2025

Ed Cook BEM: crash investigator, former community councillor and golfer dies at 83: Ed was involved in major Royal Air Force crash investigations, worked for St Andrews Links & volunteered at The Open and Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
See tribute in today's The Courier UK:

Cupar man Ed was involved in major RAF crash investigations, worked for St Andrews Links Trust and volunteered at The Open and Dunhill golf tournaments.

08/02/2025

's finest Val McDermid speaks to The Courier UK about her opposition to library closures, childhood roadtrips to , and the prospect of being 'interviewed' by Alan Cu***ng at Pitlochry Festival Theatre.
See interview in today's print Courier & online here:

The celebrated crime writer reflects on her Kirkcaldy and Perthshire upbringing, the power of reading and the prospect of being 'interviewed' by Alan Cu***ng.

07/02/2025

Should Dundee United Football Club take a stand against gambling sponsorship - even if it costs them?
Sponsorship is vital for struggling football clubs.
In Utd's case it's QuinnCasino.
But with English Premier league clubs set to ban betting firms as main shirt sponsors due to concerns about encouraging gambling addiction ,should SPFL clubs do the same?
We seek the views of Dundee United, Dundee United supporters, the SPFL and look at the gambling addiction evidence here in The Courier UK:

Sponsorship is vital for struggling football clubs, but should Dundee United set an example in Scotland amid concerns sports betting ads fuel problem gambling?