Britain's Queen Elizabeth II was on hand with fellow royals in the Scottish village of Braemar for a high-profile Highland Games event, organizers say. Braemar Gathering organizers said more than 15,000 people, including the British royal family members, were on hand Saturday for the Scottish event

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A CHICKEN factory worker who developed asthma after inhaling chemicals at work has been awarded pounds 24,890. Joyce Robson, 58, of Fyvie, Aberdeenshire, sued Grampian Country Chickens (Rearing), after her condition left her unable to do her job.

Councillors will rule soon on plans for a new north-east hotel and pub development which could create more than 50 jobs. The deadline for any objections to Fife-based Hermiston Securities' plans to build a 45-bedroom hotel on the outskirts of Peterhead is just two weeks away.

A West end star will be treading the boards in Aberdeenshire next month. Dan Greavey, 31, who has worked alongside stars such as Steven Gately and Darren Day, will play the lead role in the Deeside Musical Society's production of Cole Porter's musical comedy Anything Goes.