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Caitriona Balfe apologizes after insulting Shotts, staff report fire.

5/23/2026

38 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Actress Caitriona Balfe called Shotts an “armpit” and later said she was “very sorry” in a Gold Derby interview.
Spotlight Shotts chair Margaret McSeveney called Balfe’s comment hurtful and unrepresentative.
Former Shotts MSP Alex Neil called Balfe “pretty ignorant” and offered to show her the “real Shotts.”
Production staff reported a stolen quad bike was set on fire and ground was impenetrable, while Spotlight Shotts is launching a youth theatre.

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Story summary

Actress Caitriona Balfe called Shotts an “armpit” and later said she was “very sorry” in a Gold Derby interview.
Spotlight Shotts chair Margaret McSeveney called Balfe’s comment hurtful and unrepresentative.
Former Shotts MSP Alex Neil called Balfe “pretty ignorant” and offered to show her the “real Shotts.”
Production staff reported a stolen quad bike was set on fire and ground was impenetrable, while Spotlight Shotts is launching a youth theatre.