SPEAKING TO THE Scottish Labour conference days after Scotland's longest serving first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, announced she was standing down, leader Anas Sarwar struck an optimistic note. He moved to reassure voters that the party, which had struggled since its ouster from government in 2007, was ‘grown up, reaching out and ready for government’.1 Scottish Labour, in … [Read more...] about Labour’s road to victory runs through Scotland?
Longer reads
Israel and Hamas: the debasement of discourse
The world is on fire and everything is wrong and right at the same time. Reading and watching the news, most of the phrases ring hollow, as if there were no words for what is right, no language to describe reality accurately. The horrific massacre by Hamas of more than 1,400 people, the vast majority Jewish-Israeli civilians, was immeasurable even by the standards of war … [Read more...] about Israel and Hamas: the debasement of discourse
Where are Orkney and Shetland?
Do Orcadians really want to become part of Norway? No, but Orkney Islands’ Council knows how to grab media attention by raising, provocatively, its ancient Nordic connections. The problem is that the Council’s leverage in dealings with Edinburgh and London is at its highest when Scotland’s constitutional status is top of the political news agenda. With the prospect of … [Read more...] about Where are Orkney and Shetland?
Scotland’s centres of power need reform: Part 2 (Holyrood)
But there is another centre that requires our attention. Our centre in Scotland needs to be addressed. Nigel (Smith) was perhaps over-optimistic back in 1992:Edinburgh, being more alive to our peripheral status, is likely to improve our transport and travel links with our markets and to widen the definition of infrastructure to ensure businesses are supported by all the … [Read more...] about Scotland’s centres of power need reform: Part 2 (Holyrood)
Rewilding the Highlands: Glen Affric and Dundreggan point the way
It’s an early evening in mid-April and I’m walking through a spring-green birch forest in Glen Cannich, a dozen miles west of Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. The trees are dripping with silver-grey lichen, and mosses abound; birdsong is everywhere, and the air feels strikingly pure and fresh. There are beautiful views through the trees and bracken to the river and fields … [Read more...] about Rewilding the Highlands: Glen Affric and Dundreggan point the way