Business diary: It looks like British Airways could end up sporting a black eye over the axing of the red- eye. First ScotRail sees an opportunity to capitalise over the ending of the 6.05am flight from Glasgow to Heathrow on October 27.

IT LOOKS like British Airways could end up sporting a black eye over the axing of the red- eye. First ScotRail sees an opportunity to capitalise over the ending of the 6.05am flight from Glasgow to Heathrow on October 27.

The train company, not previously known for aggressive tactics, is to launch a big advertising campaign next week heralding the end of the "red-eye" and trumpeting the benefits of "shut-eye" as it tries to attract more business types to the Caledonian Sleeper.

The company will also target members of the Institute of Directors and Confedera- tion of British Industry, pointing out its train arrives in London at 7.15am while passengers on BA's new, albeit larger, 7.05am flight will struggle to get into central London for 9am.

"Business people will be making tracks for the Sleeper," said our heavily punning man in the signal box.

Watch out! There goes the neighbourhood GIVEN his current woes, scanning online encyclopedia Wikipedia is probably not high on Sir Fred Goodwin's to-do list.

But the outgoing chief executive of Royal Bank of Scotland might want to log on to the internet in the coming days because some minx, or an enterprising local estate agent, appears to have tinkered with his entry. Goodwin and his family live in the "fashionable Niddrie area of Edinburgh".

Netting some money for charity A RARE opportunity exists for golf-hating executives to play a bit of friendly sport and raise money for charity at the same time.

The third Saffery Champness-RBS Corporate Team Doubles Challenge takes place on Novem- ber 7 indoors at the Craiglockhart Tennis Centre, Edinburgh. There are places for up to 24 teams and each must pledge a minimum donation of £150 split between The Murrayfield Centenary Fund for injured rugby players and Perth College Development Trust's Scholarship Fund.

Ronnie Ludwig, partner in the Edinburgh office of accountant Saffery Champness, said: "We started this event three years ago for those business people who don't play golf. It's a great opportunity for networking - no pun intended!"

Call Jane Young at Saffery Champness on 0131 221 2777, or e-mail jane.young@saffery.com.

Onion sellers cycling towards Livingston IF you are in the market for a stripey T-shirt, Business Diary knows just the place to go. A press release landed informing us that "Banded fashion retailer Republic" opened its redesigned store in Livingston this week. This is perhaps the first attempt by an English-based company to nail the Scottish market by dropping its Rs.

Look out for a place that resembles half power station, half Chinese restaurant. "Designed in Republic's utilitarian meets kitsch' inimitable style, the store will feature a striking fascia framed with iron girders, exposed brick and pipe work and natural materials offset by candy coloured chandeliers, metallic and flocked wallpapers and music fly posters."

Rush deliveries for Hallowe'en THE 100 employees of Port Dundas-based Eagle Couriers are learning how to handle human blood after taking over old rival QED, which has a strong hospital-related business.

Director Fiona Deas said: "Because of the very sensitive nature, our staff will need expert training in using the specialist carrying equipment and how to react properly in the very unlikely event of any sort of spillage."

The "blood run" sits alongside existing contracts such as Eagle Couriers' role in collecting samples from vets around Scotland for delivery to The Royal Dick Veterinary Hospital.

Deas said: "The staff refer to that particular contract as the cat pee run'."

Everything you never wanted to know ANY bankers still confused about whether the government will allow them to pay dividends before the end of the century or forcibly re-introduce 125% mortgages might want to take advantage of an offer by Treasury committee chairman John McFall.

The Dunbartonshire West MP is asking members of the public to send in questions they would like put to Chancellor Alistair Darling, Bank of England Governor Mervyn King and Financial Services Authority chairman Adair Turner when they appear before him in the coming weeks.

Email: bankingcrisis@parliament.uk.

businessdiary@theherald.co.uk