The term neurodivergence covers a multitude of human experiences. What does it mean? In March 2026, within weeks of the May election, the Scottish Government produced a report which suggests a possible umbrella definition as it works towards a “learning disabilities, autism and neurodivergence bill” [LDAN]For example, learning disabilities, Down’s Syndrome, attention deficit … [Read more...] about Mind the (implementation) gap: Neurodivergence in Scotland
‘Epic Fury’ suffering continues even if Trump invents an end to his illegal war
Protect the Red Cross emblem. Enable Red Cross teams to save lives under international humanitarian law as US-Israel 'Epic Fury' recklessness spreads across the Middle East, and beyond. Sceptical Scot is sharing this urgent message from Gabriel Karlsson, British Red Cross Middle East Country Cluster manager, speaking from Beirut. The message repeated as Karlsson tracks the … [Read more...] about ‘Epic Fury’ suffering continues even if Trump invents an end to his illegal war
Let’s end public subsidies for commercial conifer tree-planting
The Scottish and UK Governments spend a significant amount of public money to incentivise tree planting and woodland expansion in the form of grants and tax reliefs. The policy basis for this is extensive, as reflected by Scotland having some of the world’s most ambitious net zero targets and prioritising national outcomes such as nature restoration, economic prosperity, and … [Read more...] about Let’s end public subsidies for commercial conifer tree-planting
Lies, damn lies and education stats
A week after the OECD published its latest (2022) findings in the Programme for International Student Assessment, a triennial exercise known by its acronym PISA, the SNP-led Scottish Government and the party itself are spinning a report purportedly showing the opposite of what the Paris-based think tank has discovered. As Profs Lindsay Paterson and Walter Humes, two of … [Read more...] about Lies, damn lies and education stats
Zombie Scotland must wake up to its future
For the co-editors it is more obvious that the Scottish polity – and parts of civil society – is simply not prepared to get out of its comfort zone, rethink Scotland's position within a rapidly changing geo-political environment, join in European and global debates on the way forward or, bluntly, abandon its parochialism and provincialism. There is simply a brick wall of often … [Read more...] about Zombie Scotland must wake up to its future