Today in 1990 Strathclyde Region Council applied for 250,000 summary warrants against rate payers refusing to pay "Poll Tax".

The tax was introduced in Scotland in April 1989 but was withdrawn soon after its introduction in England and Wales and subsequent nationwide opposition.

January 15 1973, Neil M Gunn, author of The Silver Darlings and many other books and short stories, died. Gunn keenly identified with MacDiarmid's attempts at a Scots literary renaissance and was involved with the new Scottish National Party in the 1930s.

Today's recipe: to mark the opening of salmon season on the Tay, try this simple and flavoursome fish dish. Steamed salmon with courgette ribbons.