{"id":5,"date":"2024-11-13T18:44:38","date_gmt":"2024-11-13T18:44:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/home\/"},"modified":"2024-11-13T18:44:38","modified_gmt":"2024-11-13T18:44:38","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/","title":{"rendered":"Home"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<main class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-eed4adda wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-container-core-column-is-layout-119bc444 wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-query is-layout-flow wp-block-query-is-layout-flow\"><ul class=\"wp-block-post-template is-layout-flow wp-block-post-template-is-layout-flow\"><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17560 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-politics tag-farage tag-france tag-macron tag-trump\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/les-enfants-de-la-patrie-but-the-enduring-trap-of-populism-is-not-unique-to-france\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1073\" height=\"1431\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Le-Passe-Muraille.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Les enfants de la patrie \u2013 but the enduring trap of populism is not unique to France\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Le-Passe-Muraille.jpg 1073w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Le-Passe-Muraille-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Le-Passe-Muraille-768x1024.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1073px) 100vw, 1073px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/les-enfants-de-la-patrie-but-the-enduring-trap-of-populism-is-not-unique-to-france\/\" target=\"_self\" >Les enfants de la patrie \u2013 but the enduring trap of populism is not unique to France<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17548 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-economy tag-economy tag-scottish-government tag-uk-budget-2025 tag-uk-government\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/uk-budget-2025-get-real-the-world-has-changed\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1224\" height=\"1632\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WalkThroughWalls-rotated.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"UK Budget 2025? Get real. The world has changed\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WalkThroughWalls-rotated.jpg 1224w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WalkThroughWalls-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WalkThroughWalls-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WalkThroughWalls-1152x1536.jpg 1152w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1224px) 100vw, 1224px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/uk-budget-2025-get-real-the-world-has-changed\/\" target=\"_self\" >UK Budget 2025? Get real. The world has changed<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17515 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-politics tag-devolution tag-our-scottish-future tag-scottish-government tag-scottish-politics\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/enough-campaigning-is-the-next-scottish-government-prepared-to-govern\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"821\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1024px-Court_of_Session_53706130477.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Enough campaigning. Is the next Scottish government prepared to govern?\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1024px-Court_of_Session_53706130477.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1024px-Court_of_Session_53706130477-300x241.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1024px-Court_of_Session_53706130477-768x616.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/enough-campaigning-is-the-next-scottish-government-prepared-to-govern\/\" target=\"_self\" >Enough campaigning. Is the next Scottish government prepared to govern?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17488 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-economy tag-budget-2025\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/fraser-of-allender-takes-another-bite-at-the-budget\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/marb04.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Fraser of Allander takes another bite at the Budget\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/marb04.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/marb04-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/marb04-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/marb04-1024x512.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/fraser-of-allender-takes-another-bite-at-the-budget\/\" target=\"_self\" >Fraser of Allander takes another bite at the Budget<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17476 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-economy tag-regional-development tag-scottish-economy\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/muscatellireport-is-scotland-ready-for-radical-action-on-regional-economic-development\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"853\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JohnMcLaren.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"#MuscatelliReport: is Scotland ready for radical action on regional economic development?\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JohnMcLaren.jpeg 1280w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JohnMcLaren-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JohnMcLaren-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JohnMcLaren-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/muscatellireport-is-scotland-ready-for-radical-action-on-regional-economic-development\/\" target=\"_self\" >#MuscatelliReport: is Scotland ready for radical action on regional economic development?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17439 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-tributes-to-david-gow tag-brexit tag-europe tag-scottish-politics tag-scottish-referendum\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/well-tempered-steel-beneath-david-gows-jovial-irreverence\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"668\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/justin_reynolds_profile.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Well tempered steel beneath David Gow&#8217;s jovial irreverence\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/justin_reynolds_profile.jpg 668w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/justin_reynolds_profile-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/justin_reynolds_profile-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/justin_reynolds_profile-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 668px) 100vw, 668px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/well-tempered-steel-beneath-david-gows-jovial-irreverence\/\" target=\"_self\" >Well tempered steel beneath David Gow&#8217;s jovial irreverence<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/tributes-to-david-gow\/\" rel=\"tag\">Tributes to David Gow<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17424 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-tributes-to-david-gow tag-editorial-team tag-sceptical-scot\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/honest-rigorous-and-kind-david-gow-as-mentor\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1119\" height=\"953\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidMcAllister.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Honest, rigorous and kind: David Gow as mentor\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidMcAllister.jpeg 1119w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidMcAllister-300x255.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidMcAllister-1024x872.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidMcAllister-768x654.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1119px) 100vw, 1119px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/honest-rigorous-and-kind-david-gow-as-mentor\/\" target=\"_self\" >Honest, rigorous and kind: David Gow as mentor<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/tributes-to-david-gow\/\" rel=\"tag\">Tributes to David Gow<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17402 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-culture category-features category-media category-politics tag-europe tag-scotland tag-scottish-politics\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/david-gows-legacy-of-friendship\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"934\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidGow.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"David Gow&#8217;s legacy of friendship\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidGow.jpg 934w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidGow-274x300.jpg 274w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidGow-768x842.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 934px) 100vw, 934px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/david-gows-legacy-of-friendship\/\" target=\"_self\" >David Gow&#8217;s legacy of friendship<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/culture\/\" rel=\"tag\">Culture<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/media\/\" rel=\"tag\">Media<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17370 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-culture category-featured category-features category-media tag-ai tag-arts tag-scotland\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/ai-creativity-and-humanity-3-responsibility\/\" target=\"_self\" >AI, Creativity and Humanity (3): Responsibility<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/culture\/\" rel=\"tag\">Culture<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"tag\">Featured<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/media\/\" rel=\"tag\">Media<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17361 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-culture category-economy category-media category-policy tag-ai tag-arts tag-scotland\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/ai-creativity-and-humanity-2-obstacles\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"334\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/dougal2.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"AI, creativity and humanity (2): Obstacles\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/dougal2.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/dougal2-300x167.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/ai-creativity-and-humanity-2-obstacles\/\" target=\"_self\" >AI, creativity and humanity (2): Obstacles<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/culture\/\" rel=\"tag\">Culture<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/media\/\" rel=\"tag\">Media<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/policy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Policy<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17341 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-culture category-economy category-features category-media tag-ai tag-arts\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/ai-creativity-and-humanity-1\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"548\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Johnny5-Generated-Image-October-15-2025-3_51PM-e1760637339588.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"AI, creativity and humanity (1)\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/ai-creativity-and-humanity-1\/\" target=\"_self\" >AI, creativity and humanity (1)<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/culture\/\" rel=\"tag\">Culture<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/media\/\" rel=\"tag\">Media<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17324 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-features category-history category-inequality tag-slavery\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/two-worlds-collide-or-stories-geoff-palmer-told\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Prof_Sir_Geoff_Palmer_OBE-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Two worlds collide or stories Geoff Palmer told\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Prof_Sir_Geoff_Palmer_OBE-1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Prof_Sir_Geoff_Palmer_OBE-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Prof_Sir_Geoff_Palmer_OBE-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Prof_Sir_Geoff_Palmer_OBE-1-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/two-worlds-collide-or-stories-geoff-palmer-told\/\" target=\"_self\" >Two worlds collide or stories Geoff Palmer told<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/history\/\" rel=\"tag\">History<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/inequality\/\" rel=\"tag\">Inequality<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17309 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-features category-history category-international category-politics category-trump tag-gaza tag-israel tag-middle-east\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/israels-biggest-security-threat-netanyahu\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"482\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bibi.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Israel\u2019s biggest security threat: Netanyahu\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bibi.jpg 500w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bibi-300x289.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/israels-biggest-security-threat-netanyahu\/\" target=\"_self\" >Israel\u2019s biggest security threat: Netanyahu<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/history\/\" rel=\"tag\">History<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/international\/\" rel=\"tag\">International<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/trump\/\" rel=\"tag\">Trump<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17292 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-economy category-features category-housing category-policy category-politics tag-housing tag-scottish-government tag-scottish-politics\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/build-baby-build\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"421\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screenshot-2025-10-03-at-07.35.19-e1759657253329.png\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Build, baby, build\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/build-baby-build\/\" target=\"_self\" >Build, baby, build<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/housing\/\" rel=\"tag\">Housing<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/policy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Policy<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17285 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-elections category-features category-politics category-uk tag-uk-labour\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/does-starmer-have-a-vision\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/starmer1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Does Starmer have a vision?\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/starmer1.jpg 400w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/starmer1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/does-starmer-have-a-vision\/\" target=\"_self\" >Does Starmer have a vision?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/elections\/\" rel=\"tag\">Elections<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/uk\/\" rel=\"tag\">UK<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17266 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-education category-local-government category-policy tag-scottish-education tag-scottish-government\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/09\/scottish-education-genuine-partnership-or-pre-election-fix\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/swinneypic-e1757950180525.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Scottish education: genuine partnership or pre-election fix?\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/09\/scottish-education-genuine-partnership-or-pre-election-fix\/\" target=\"_self\" >Scottish education: genuine partnership or pre-election fix?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/education\/\" rel=\"tag\">Education<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/local-government\/\" rel=\"tag\">Local government<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/policy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Policy<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-query is-layout-flow wp-block-query-is-layout-flow\"><ul class=\"wp-block-post-template is-layout-flow wp-block-post-template-is-layout-flow\"><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17488 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-economy tag-budget-2025\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/fraser-of-allender-takes-another-bite-at-the-budget\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/marb04.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Fraser of Allander takes another bite at the Budget\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/marb04.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/marb04-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/marb04-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/marb04-1024x512.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/fraser-of-allender-takes-another-bite-at-the-budget\/\" target=\"_self\" >Fraser of Allander takes another bite at the Budget<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17560 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-politics tag-farage tag-france tag-macron tag-trump\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/les-enfants-de-la-patrie-but-the-enduring-trap-of-populism-is-not-unique-to-france\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1073\" height=\"1431\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Le-Passe-Muraille.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Les enfants de la patrie \u2013 but the enduring trap of populism is not unique to France\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Le-Passe-Muraille.jpg 1073w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Le-Passe-Muraille-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Le-Passe-Muraille-768x1024.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1073px) 100vw, 1073px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/les-enfants-de-la-patrie-but-the-enduring-trap-of-populism-is-not-unique-to-france\/\" target=\"_self\" >Les enfants de la patrie \u2013 but the enduring trap of populism is not unique to France<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17548 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-economy tag-economy tag-scottish-government tag-uk-budget-2025 tag-uk-government\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/uk-budget-2025-get-real-the-world-has-changed\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1224\" height=\"1632\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WalkThroughWalls-rotated.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"UK Budget 2025? Get real. The world has changed\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WalkThroughWalls-rotated.jpg 1224w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WalkThroughWalls-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WalkThroughWalls-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WalkThroughWalls-1152x1536.jpg 1152w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1224px) 100vw, 1224px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/uk-budget-2025-get-real-the-world-has-changed\/\" target=\"_self\" >UK Budget 2025? Get real. The world has changed<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17515 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-politics tag-devolution tag-our-scottish-future tag-scottish-government tag-scottish-politics\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/enough-campaigning-is-the-next-scottish-government-prepared-to-govern\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"821\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1024px-Court_of_Session_53706130477.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Enough campaigning. Is the next Scottish government prepared to govern?\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1024px-Court_of_Session_53706130477.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1024px-Court_of_Session_53706130477-300x241.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1024px-Court_of_Session_53706130477-768x616.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/enough-campaigning-is-the-next-scottish-government-prepared-to-govern\/\" target=\"_self\" >Enough campaigning. Is the next Scottish government prepared to govern?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17476 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-economy tag-regional-development tag-scottish-economy\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/muscatellireport-is-scotland-ready-for-radical-action-on-regional-economic-development\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"853\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JohnMcLaren.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"#MuscatelliReport: is Scotland ready for radical action on regional economic development?\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JohnMcLaren.jpeg 1280w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JohnMcLaren-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JohnMcLaren-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JohnMcLaren-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/muscatellireport-is-scotland-ready-for-radical-action-on-regional-economic-development\/\" target=\"_self\" >#MuscatelliReport: is Scotland ready for radical action on regional economic development?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17439 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-tributes-to-david-gow tag-brexit tag-europe tag-scottish-politics tag-scottish-referendum\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/well-tempered-steel-beneath-david-gows-jovial-irreverence\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"668\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/justin_reynolds_profile.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Well tempered steel beneath David Gow&#8217;s jovial irreverence\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/justin_reynolds_profile.jpg 668w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/justin_reynolds_profile-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/justin_reynolds_profile-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/justin_reynolds_profile-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 668px) 100vw, 668px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/well-tempered-steel-beneath-david-gows-jovial-irreverence\/\" target=\"_self\" >Well tempered steel beneath David Gow&#8217;s jovial irreverence<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/tributes-to-david-gow\/\" rel=\"tag\">Tributes to David Gow<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17424 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-tributes-to-david-gow tag-editorial-team tag-sceptical-scot\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/honest-rigorous-and-kind-david-gow-as-mentor\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1119\" height=\"953\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidMcAllister.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Honest, rigorous and kind: David Gow as mentor\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidMcAllister.jpeg 1119w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidMcAllister-300x255.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidMcAllister-1024x872.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidMcAllister-768x654.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1119px) 100vw, 1119px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/honest-rigorous-and-kind-david-gow-as-mentor\/\" target=\"_self\" >Honest, rigorous and kind: David Gow as mentor<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/tributes-to-david-gow\/\" rel=\"tag\">Tributes to David Gow<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17402 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-culture category-features category-media category-politics tag-europe tag-scotland tag-scottish-politics\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/david-gows-legacy-of-friendship\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"934\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidGow.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"David Gow&#8217;s legacy of friendship\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidGow.jpg 934w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidGow-274x300.jpg 274w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidGow-768x842.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 934px) 100vw, 934px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/david-gows-legacy-of-friendship\/\" target=\"_self\" >David Gow&#8217;s legacy of friendship<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/culture\/\" rel=\"tag\">Culture<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/media\/\" rel=\"tag\">Media<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17370 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-culture category-featured category-features category-media tag-ai tag-arts tag-scotland\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/ai-creativity-and-humanity-3-responsibility\/\" target=\"_self\" >AI, Creativity and Humanity (3): Responsibility<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/culture\/\" rel=\"tag\">Culture<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"tag\">Featured<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/media\/\" rel=\"tag\">Media<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17361 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-culture category-economy category-media category-policy tag-ai tag-arts tag-scotland\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/ai-creativity-and-humanity-2-obstacles\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"334\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/dougal2.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"AI, creativity and humanity (2): Obstacles\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/dougal2.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/dougal2-300x167.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/ai-creativity-and-humanity-2-obstacles\/\" target=\"_self\" >AI, creativity and humanity (2): Obstacles<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/culture\/\" rel=\"tag\">Culture<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/media\/\" rel=\"tag\">Media<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/policy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Policy<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17341 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-culture category-economy category-features category-media tag-ai tag-arts\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/ai-creativity-and-humanity-1\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"548\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Johnny5-Generated-Image-October-15-2025-3_51PM-e1760637339588.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"AI, creativity and humanity (1)\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/ai-creativity-and-humanity-1\/\" target=\"_self\" >AI, creativity and humanity (1)<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/culture\/\" rel=\"tag\">Culture<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/media\/\" rel=\"tag\">Media<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17324 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-features category-history category-inequality tag-slavery\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/two-worlds-collide-or-stories-geoff-palmer-told\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Prof_Sir_Geoff_Palmer_OBE-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Two worlds collide or stories Geoff Palmer told\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Prof_Sir_Geoff_Palmer_OBE-1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Prof_Sir_Geoff_Palmer_OBE-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Prof_Sir_Geoff_Palmer_OBE-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Prof_Sir_Geoff_Palmer_OBE-1-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/two-worlds-collide-or-stories-geoff-palmer-told\/\" target=\"_self\" >Two worlds collide or stories Geoff Palmer told<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/history\/\" rel=\"tag\">History<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/inequality\/\" rel=\"tag\">Inequality<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17309 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-features category-history category-international category-politics category-trump tag-gaza tag-israel tag-middle-east\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/israels-biggest-security-threat-netanyahu\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"482\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bibi.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Israel\u2019s biggest security threat: Netanyahu\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bibi.jpg 500w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bibi-300x289.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/israels-biggest-security-threat-netanyahu\/\" target=\"_self\" >Israel\u2019s biggest security threat: Netanyahu<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/history\/\" rel=\"tag\">History<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/international\/\" rel=\"tag\">International<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/trump\/\" rel=\"tag\">Trump<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17292 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-economy category-features category-housing category-policy category-politics tag-housing tag-scottish-government tag-scottish-politics\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/build-baby-build\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"421\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screenshot-2025-10-03-at-07.35.19-e1759657253329.png\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Build, baby, build\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/build-baby-build\/\" target=\"_self\" >Build, baby, build<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/housing\/\" rel=\"tag\">Housing<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/policy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Policy<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17285 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-elections category-features category-politics category-uk tag-uk-labour\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/does-starmer-have-a-vision\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/starmer1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Does Starmer have a vision?\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/starmer1.jpg 400w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/starmer1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/does-starmer-have-a-vision\/\" target=\"_self\" >Does Starmer have a vision?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/elections\/\" rel=\"tag\">Elections<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/uk\/\" rel=\"tag\">UK<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17266 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-education category-local-government category-policy tag-scottish-education tag-scottish-government\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/09\/scottish-education-genuine-partnership-or-pre-election-fix\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/swinneypic-e1757950180525.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Scottish education: genuine partnership or pre-election fix?\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/09\/scottish-education-genuine-partnership-or-pre-election-fix\/\" target=\"_self\" >Scottish education: genuine partnership or pre-election fix?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/education\/\" rel=\"tag\">Education<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/local-government\/\" rel=\"tag\">Local government<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/policy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Policy<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-query is-layout-flow wp-block-query-is-layout-flow\"><ul class=\"wp-block-post-template is-layout-flow wp-block-post-template-is-layout-flow\"><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17548 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-economy tag-economy tag-scottish-government tag-uk-budget-2025 tag-uk-government\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-19eabfb7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/uk-budget-2025-get-real-the-world-has-changed\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1224\" height=\"1632\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WalkThroughWalls-rotated.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"UK Budget 2025? Get real. The world has changed\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WalkThroughWalls-rotated.jpg 1224w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WalkThroughWalls-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WalkThroughWalls-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WalkThroughWalls-1152x1536.jpg 1152w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1224px) 100vw, 1224px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/uk-budget-2025-get-real-the-world-has-changed\/\" target=\"_self\" >UK Budget 2025? Get real. The world has changed<\/a><\/h1>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt has-medium-font-size\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">John McLaren explains in no uncertain terms why the UK Budget is such a disappointment, doing nothig when so much needs to be done, further eroding trust in mainstream politicians, pushing voters towards outlying parties&hellip; <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17560 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-politics tag-farage tag-france tag-macron tag-trump\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-19eabfb7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/les-enfants-de-la-patrie-but-the-enduring-trap-of-populism-is-not-unique-to-france\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1073\" height=\"1431\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Le-Passe-Muraille.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Les enfants de la patrie \u2013 but the enduring trap of populism is not unique to France\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Le-Passe-Muraille.jpg 1073w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Le-Passe-Muraille-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Le-Passe-Muraille-768x1024.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1073px) 100vw, 1073px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/les-enfants-de-la-patrie-but-the-enduring-trap-of-populism-is-not-unique-to-france\/\" target=\"_self\" >Les enfants de la patrie \u2013 but the enduring trap of populism is not unique to France<\/a><\/h1>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt has-medium-font-size\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">Trump has seized on opportunities Macron and Starmer have created. Macron and Starmer. alike in their determination to ignore politicians of the left, have allowed Farage and Le Pen to set the agenda, writes Tony&hellip; <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17515 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-politics tag-devolution tag-our-scottish-future tag-scottish-government tag-scottish-politics\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-19eabfb7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/enough-campaigning-is-the-next-scottish-government-prepared-to-govern\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"821\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1024px-Court_of_Session_53706130477.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Enough campaigning. Is the next Scottish government prepared to govern?\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1024px-Court_of_Session_53706130477.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1024px-Court_of_Session_53706130477-300x241.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1024px-Court_of_Session_53706130477-768x616.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/enough-campaigning-is-the-next-scottish-government-prepared-to-govern\/\" target=\"_self\" >Enough campaigning. Is the next Scottish government prepared to govern?<\/a><\/h1>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt has-medium-font-size\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">Hot on the heels of Anton Muscatelli&#8217;s hard-hitting report comes Jim Gallagher&#8217;s rigorous investigation into Scotland&#8217;s failing governance. Fixing Broken Government comes with positive recommendations for a radical re-set in time for the May 2026&hellip; <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17488 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-economy tag-budget-2025\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-19eabfb7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/fraser-of-allender-takes-another-bite-at-the-budget\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/marb04.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Fraser of Allander takes another bite at the Budget\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/marb04.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/marb04-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/marb04-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/marb04-1024x512.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/fraser-of-allender-takes-another-bite-at-the-budget\/\" target=\"_self\" >Fraser of Allander takes another bite at the Budget<\/a><\/h1>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt has-medium-font-size\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">&#8220;The proposed pay-per-mile charge raises important questions of fairness and is likely to be a source of public debate.&#8221; After the endless leaky build up, the 2025 UK Budget raises many questions and uncertainties about&hellip; <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17476 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-economy tag-regional-development tag-scottish-economy\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-19eabfb7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/muscatellireport-is-scotland-ready-for-radical-action-on-regional-economic-development\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"853\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JohnMcLaren.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"#MuscatelliReport: is Scotland ready for radical action on regional economic development?\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JohnMcLaren.jpeg 1280w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JohnMcLaren-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JohnMcLaren-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JohnMcLaren-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/muscatellireport-is-scotland-ready-for-radical-action-on-regional-economic-development\/\" target=\"_self\" >#MuscatelliReport: is Scotland ready for radical action on regional economic development?<\/a><\/h1>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt has-medium-font-size\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">Carried out on behalf of the Scottish Labour Party but after the 2026 election the Muscatelli Report is likely to fall to an SNP Government \u2013 judging from past behaviour how successful would it be? <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17439 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-tributes-to-david-gow tag-brexit tag-europe tag-scottish-politics tag-scottish-referendum\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-19eabfb7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/well-tempered-steel-beneath-david-gows-jovial-irreverence\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"668\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/justin_reynolds_profile.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Well tempered steel beneath David Gow&#8217;s jovial irreverence\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/justin_reynolds_profile.jpg 668w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/justin_reynolds_profile-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/justin_reynolds_profile-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/justin_reynolds_profile-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 668px) 100vw, 668px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/well-tempered-steel-beneath-david-gows-jovial-irreverence\/\" target=\"_self\" >Well tempered steel beneath David Gow&#8217;s jovial irreverence<\/a><\/h1>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/tributes-to-david-gow\/\" rel=\"tag\">Tributes to David Gow<\/a><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt has-medium-font-size\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">Under David&#8217;s editorship Sceptical Scot soon established itself in a crowded field, gaining a reputation for well written, thoughtful contributions to the debate. It is a testament to David&#8217;s determination that there was never really&hellip; <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17424 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-tributes-to-david-gow tag-editorial-team tag-sceptical-scot\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-19eabfb7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/honest-rigorous-and-kind-david-gow-as-mentor\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1119\" height=\"953\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidMcAllister.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Honest, rigorous and kind: David Gow as mentor\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidMcAllister.jpeg 1119w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidMcAllister-300x255.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidMcAllister-1024x872.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidMcAllister-768x654.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1119px) 100vw, 1119px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/honest-rigorous-and-kind-david-gow-as-mentor\/\" target=\"_self\" >Honest, rigorous and kind: David Gow as mentor<\/a><\/h1>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/tributes-to-david-gow\/\" rel=\"tag\">Tributes to David Gow<\/a><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt has-medium-font-size\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">&#8220;As an editor David was rigorous and kind, but most of all never patronising. He would never accept a pitch out of politeness, no matter how long you\u2019d been writing&#8230;&#8221; <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17402 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-culture category-features category-media category-politics tag-europe tag-scotland tag-scottish-politics\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-19eabfb7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/david-gows-legacy-of-friendship\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"934\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidGow.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"David Gow&#8217;s legacy of friendship\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidGow.jpg 934w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidGow-274x300.jpg 274w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidGow-768x842.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 934px) 100vw, 934px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/david-gows-legacy-of-friendship\/\" target=\"_self\" >David Gow&#8217;s legacy of friendship<\/a><\/h1>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/culture\/\" rel=\"tag\">Culture<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/media\/\" rel=\"tag\">Media<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt has-medium-font-size\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\"> <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17370 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-culture category-featured category-features category-media tag-ai tag-arts tag-scotland\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-19eabfb7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/ai-creativity-and-humanity-3-responsibility\/\" target=\"_self\" >AI, Creativity and Humanity (3): Responsibility<\/a><\/h1>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/culture\/\" rel=\"tag\">Culture<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"tag\">Featured<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/media\/\" rel=\"tag\">Media<\/a><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt has-medium-font-size\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">&#8220;AI isn\u2019t going anywhere. You interact with it many times a day whether you know it or not. You don\u2019t need to fear it and I encourage you to embrace it. But you should also&hellip; <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17361 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-culture category-economy category-media category-policy tag-ai tag-arts tag-scotland\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-19eabfb7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/ai-creativity-and-humanity-2-obstacles\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"334\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/dougal2.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"AI, creativity and humanity (2): Obstacles\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/dougal2.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/dougal2-300x167.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/ai-creativity-and-humanity-2-obstacles\/\" target=\"_self\" >AI, creativity and humanity (2): Obstacles<\/a><\/h1>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/culture\/\" rel=\"tag\">Culture<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/media\/\" rel=\"tag\">Media<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/policy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Policy<\/a><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt has-medium-font-size\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">&#8220;As a creative producer, my team and I are able to do more, better, faster; we\u2019re expanding and experimenting with techniques we weren\u2019t previously able to do. Ideas I\u2019ve never had the time, headspace or&hellip; <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17341 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-culture category-economy category-features category-media tag-ai tag-arts\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-19eabfb7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/ai-creativity-and-humanity-1\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"548\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Johnny5-Generated-Image-October-15-2025-3_51PM-e1760637339588.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"AI, creativity and humanity (1)\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/ai-creativity-and-humanity-1\/\" target=\"_self\" >AI, creativity and humanity (1)<\/a><\/h1>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/culture\/\" rel=\"tag\">Culture<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/media\/\" rel=\"tag\">Media<\/a><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt has-medium-font-size\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">&#8216;\u201cI resisted ChatGPT for so long because I felt it was wrong to use it. But then I caved in and now I can\u2019t stop!\u201d one arts organisation CEO told me. She\u2019s hooked, having discovered&hellip; <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17324 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-features category-history category-inequality tag-slavery\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-19eabfb7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/two-worlds-collide-or-stories-geoff-palmer-told\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Prof_Sir_Geoff_Palmer_OBE-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Two worlds collide or stories Geoff Palmer told\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Prof_Sir_Geoff_Palmer_OBE-1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Prof_Sir_Geoff_Palmer_OBE-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Prof_Sir_Geoff_Palmer_OBE-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Prof_Sir_Geoff_Palmer_OBE-1-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/two-worlds-collide-or-stories-geoff-palmer-told\/\" target=\"_self\" >Two worlds collide or stories Geoff Palmer told<\/a><\/h1>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/history\/\" rel=\"tag\">History<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/inequality\/\" rel=\"tag\">Inequality<\/a><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt has-medium-font-size\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">&#8220;Geoff worked tirelessly to bring the hidden world of slavery &#8211; the subjugation and the struggle &#8211; into the light and to make people aware of the connections between the unpaid labour of slaves and&hellip; <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17309 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-features category-history category-international category-politics category-trump tag-gaza tag-israel tag-middle-east\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-19eabfb7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/israels-biggest-security-threat-netanyahu\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"482\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bibi.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Israel\u2019s biggest security threat: Netanyahu\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bibi.jpg 500w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bibi-300x289.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/israels-biggest-security-threat-netanyahu\/\" target=\"_self\" >Israel\u2019s biggest security threat: Netanyahu<\/a><\/h1>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/history\/\" rel=\"tag\">History<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/international\/\" rel=\"tag\">International<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/trump\/\" rel=\"tag\">Trump<\/a><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt has-medium-font-size\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">&#8220;Perhaps the most damning result of what is happening is the mass radicalisation of young Palestinians and of future Palestinian generations. As Israeli and US security experts have acknowledged, talk of Hamas being defeated is&hellip; <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17292 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-economy category-features category-housing category-policy category-politics tag-housing tag-scottish-government tag-scottish-politics\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-19eabfb7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/build-baby-build\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"421\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screenshot-2025-10-03-at-07.35.19-e1759657253329.png\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Build, baby, build\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/build-baby-build\/\" target=\"_self\" >Build, baby, build<\/a><\/h1>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/housing\/\" rel=\"tag\">Housing<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/policy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Policy<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt has-medium-font-size\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">The Scottish Parliament has just passed a new housing bill that, inter alia, removes the council tax cap on second homes but we need a much more consequential approach to solve the housing polycrisis. <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17285 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-elections category-features category-politics category-uk tag-uk-labour\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-19eabfb7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/does-starmer-have-a-vision\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/starmer1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Does Starmer have a vision?\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/starmer1.jpg 400w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/starmer1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/does-starmer-have-a-vision\/\" target=\"_self\" >Does Starmer have a vision?<\/a><\/h1>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/elections\/\" rel=\"tag\">Elections<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/uk\/\" rel=\"tag\">UK<\/a><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt has-medium-font-size\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">&#8220;Starmer, in his speech, said both Farage, the Tories, \u2018the extremes of the left\u2019 and the SNP want Britain to fail. But as the Prime Minister struggles on, the biggest risk is that Starmer will&hellip; <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17266 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-education category-local-government category-policy tag-scottish-education tag-scottish-government\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-19eabfb7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/09\/scottish-education-genuine-partnership-or-pre-election-fix\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/swinneypic-e1757950180525.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Scottish education: genuine partnership or pre-election fix?\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/09\/scottish-education-genuine-partnership-or-pre-election-fix\/\" target=\"_self\" >Scottish education: genuine partnership or pre-election fix?<\/a><\/h1>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/education\/\" rel=\"tag\">Education<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/local-government\/\" rel=\"tag\">Local government<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/policy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Policy<\/a><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt has-medium-font-size\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">&#8220;The Scottish educational establishment, over many decades, has been successful in resisting attempts to disturb its culture of complacency. Sadly, it may take a further decline in public confidence and trust before real change \u2013&hellip; <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-container-core-column-is-layout-119bc444 wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-query is-layout-flow wp-block-query-is-layout-flow\"><ul class=\"wp-block-post-template is-layout-flow wp-block-post-template-is-layout-flow\"><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17515 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-politics tag-devolution tag-our-scottish-future tag-scottish-government tag-scottish-politics\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/enough-campaigning-is-the-next-scottish-government-prepared-to-govern\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"821\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1024px-Court_of_Session_53706130477.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Enough campaigning. Is the next Scottish government prepared to govern?\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1024px-Court_of_Session_53706130477.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1024px-Court_of_Session_53706130477-300x241.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1024px-Court_of_Session_53706130477-768x616.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/enough-campaigning-is-the-next-scottish-government-prepared-to-govern\/\" target=\"_self\" >Enough campaigning. Is the next Scottish government prepared to govern?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17560 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-politics tag-farage tag-france tag-macron tag-trump\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/les-enfants-de-la-patrie-but-the-enduring-trap-of-populism-is-not-unique-to-france\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1073\" height=\"1431\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Le-Passe-Muraille.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Les enfants de la patrie \u2013 but the enduring trap of populism is not unique to France\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Le-Passe-Muraille.jpg 1073w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Le-Passe-Muraille-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Le-Passe-Muraille-768x1024.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1073px) 100vw, 1073px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/les-enfants-de-la-patrie-but-the-enduring-trap-of-populism-is-not-unique-to-france\/\" target=\"_self\" >Les enfants de la patrie \u2013 but the enduring trap of populism is not unique to France<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17548 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-economy tag-economy tag-scottish-government tag-uk-budget-2025 tag-uk-government\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/uk-budget-2025-get-real-the-world-has-changed\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1224\" height=\"1632\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WalkThroughWalls-rotated.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"UK Budget 2025? Get real. The world has changed\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WalkThroughWalls-rotated.jpg 1224w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WalkThroughWalls-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WalkThroughWalls-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WalkThroughWalls-1152x1536.jpg 1152w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1224px) 100vw, 1224px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/uk-budget-2025-get-real-the-world-has-changed\/\" target=\"_self\" >UK Budget 2025? Get real. The world has changed<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17488 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-economy tag-budget-2025\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/fraser-of-allender-takes-another-bite-at-the-budget\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/marb04.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Fraser of Allander takes another bite at the Budget\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/marb04.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/marb04-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/marb04-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/marb04-1024x512.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/fraser-of-allender-takes-another-bite-at-the-budget\/\" target=\"_self\" >Fraser of Allander takes another bite at the Budget<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17476 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-economy tag-regional-development tag-scottish-economy\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/muscatellireport-is-scotland-ready-for-radical-action-on-regional-economic-development\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"853\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JohnMcLaren.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"#MuscatelliReport: is Scotland ready for radical action on regional economic development?\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JohnMcLaren.jpeg 1280w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JohnMcLaren-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JohnMcLaren-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JohnMcLaren-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/muscatellireport-is-scotland-ready-for-radical-action-on-regional-economic-development\/\" target=\"_self\" >#MuscatelliReport: is Scotland ready for radical action on regional economic development?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17439 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-tributes-to-david-gow tag-brexit tag-europe tag-scottish-politics tag-scottish-referendum\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/well-tempered-steel-beneath-david-gows-jovial-irreverence\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"668\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/justin_reynolds_profile.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Well tempered steel beneath David Gow&#8217;s jovial irreverence\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/justin_reynolds_profile.jpg 668w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/justin_reynolds_profile-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/justin_reynolds_profile-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/justin_reynolds_profile-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 668px) 100vw, 668px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/well-tempered-steel-beneath-david-gows-jovial-irreverence\/\" target=\"_self\" >Well tempered steel beneath David Gow&#8217;s jovial irreverence<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/tributes-to-david-gow\/\" rel=\"tag\">Tributes to David Gow<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17424 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-tributes-to-david-gow tag-editorial-team tag-sceptical-scot\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/honest-rigorous-and-kind-david-gow-as-mentor\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1119\" height=\"953\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidMcAllister.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Honest, rigorous and kind: David Gow as mentor\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidMcAllister.jpeg 1119w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidMcAllister-300x255.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidMcAllister-1024x872.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidMcAllister-768x654.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1119px) 100vw, 1119px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/honest-rigorous-and-kind-david-gow-as-mentor\/\" target=\"_self\" >Honest, rigorous and kind: David Gow as mentor<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/tributes-to-david-gow\/\" rel=\"tag\">Tributes to David Gow<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17402 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-culture category-features category-media category-politics tag-europe tag-scotland tag-scottish-politics\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/david-gows-legacy-of-friendship\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"934\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidGow.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"David Gow&#8217;s legacy of friendship\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidGow.jpg 934w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidGow-274x300.jpg 274w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidGow-768x842.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 934px) 100vw, 934px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/david-gows-legacy-of-friendship\/\" target=\"_self\" >David Gow&#8217;s legacy of friendship<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/culture\/\" rel=\"tag\">Culture<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/media\/\" rel=\"tag\">Media<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17370 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-culture category-featured category-features category-media tag-ai tag-arts tag-scotland\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/ai-creativity-and-humanity-3-responsibility\/\" target=\"_self\" >AI, Creativity and Humanity (3): Responsibility<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/culture\/\" rel=\"tag\">Culture<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"tag\">Featured<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/media\/\" rel=\"tag\">Media<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17361 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-culture category-economy category-media category-policy tag-ai tag-arts tag-scotland\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/ai-creativity-and-humanity-2-obstacles\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"334\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/dougal2.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"AI, creativity and humanity (2): Obstacles\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/dougal2.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/dougal2-300x167.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/ai-creativity-and-humanity-2-obstacles\/\" target=\"_self\" >AI, creativity and humanity (2): Obstacles<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/culture\/\" rel=\"tag\">Culture<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/media\/\" rel=\"tag\">Media<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/policy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Policy<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17341 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-culture category-economy category-features category-media tag-ai tag-arts\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/ai-creativity-and-humanity-1\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"548\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Johnny5-Generated-Image-October-15-2025-3_51PM-e1760637339588.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"AI, creativity and humanity (1)\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/ai-creativity-and-humanity-1\/\" target=\"_self\" >AI, creativity and humanity (1)<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/culture\/\" rel=\"tag\">Culture<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/media\/\" rel=\"tag\">Media<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17324 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-features category-history category-inequality tag-slavery\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/two-worlds-collide-or-stories-geoff-palmer-told\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Prof_Sir_Geoff_Palmer_OBE-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Two worlds collide or stories Geoff Palmer told\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Prof_Sir_Geoff_Palmer_OBE-1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Prof_Sir_Geoff_Palmer_OBE-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Prof_Sir_Geoff_Palmer_OBE-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Prof_Sir_Geoff_Palmer_OBE-1-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/two-worlds-collide-or-stories-geoff-palmer-told\/\" target=\"_self\" >Two worlds collide or stories Geoff Palmer told<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/history\/\" rel=\"tag\">History<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/inequality\/\" rel=\"tag\">Inequality<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17309 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-features category-history category-international category-politics category-trump tag-gaza tag-israel tag-middle-east\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/israels-biggest-security-threat-netanyahu\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"482\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bibi.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Israel\u2019s biggest security threat: Netanyahu\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bibi.jpg 500w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bibi-300x289.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/israels-biggest-security-threat-netanyahu\/\" target=\"_self\" >Israel\u2019s biggest security threat: Netanyahu<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/history\/\" rel=\"tag\">History<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/international\/\" rel=\"tag\">International<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/trump\/\" rel=\"tag\">Trump<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17292 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-economy category-features category-housing category-policy category-politics tag-housing tag-scottish-government tag-scottish-politics\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/build-baby-build\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"421\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screenshot-2025-10-03-at-07.35.19-e1759657253329.png\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Build, baby, build\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/build-baby-build\/\" target=\"_self\" >Build, baby, build<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/housing\/\" rel=\"tag\">Housing<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/policy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Policy<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17285 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-elections category-features category-politics category-uk tag-uk-labour\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/does-starmer-have-a-vision\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/starmer1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Does Starmer have a vision?\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/starmer1.jpg 400w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/starmer1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/does-starmer-have-a-vision\/\" target=\"_self\" >Does Starmer have a vision?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/elections\/\" rel=\"tag\">Elections<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/uk\/\" rel=\"tag\">UK<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17266 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-education category-local-government category-policy tag-scottish-education tag-scottish-government\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/09\/scottish-education-genuine-partnership-or-pre-election-fix\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/swinneypic-e1757950180525.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Scottish education: genuine partnership or pre-election fix?\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/09\/scottish-education-genuine-partnership-or-pre-election-fix\/\" target=\"_self\" >Scottish education: genuine partnership or pre-election fix?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/education\/\" rel=\"tag\">Education<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/local-government\/\" rel=\"tag\">Local government<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/policy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Policy<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-query is-layout-flow wp-block-query-is-layout-flow\"><ul class=\"wp-block-post-template is-layout-flow wp-block-post-template-is-layout-flow\"><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17476 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-economy tag-regional-development tag-scottish-economy\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/muscatellireport-is-scotland-ready-for-radical-action-on-regional-economic-development\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"853\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JohnMcLaren.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"#MuscatelliReport: is Scotland ready for radical action on regional economic development?\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JohnMcLaren.jpeg 1280w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JohnMcLaren-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JohnMcLaren-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JohnMcLaren-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/muscatellireport-is-scotland-ready-for-radical-action-on-regional-economic-development\/\" target=\"_self\" >#MuscatelliReport: is Scotland ready for radical action on regional economic development?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17560 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-politics tag-farage tag-france tag-macron tag-trump\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/les-enfants-de-la-patrie-but-the-enduring-trap-of-populism-is-not-unique-to-france\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1073\" height=\"1431\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Le-Passe-Muraille.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Les enfants de la patrie \u2013 but the enduring trap of populism is not unique to France\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Le-Passe-Muraille.jpg 1073w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Le-Passe-Muraille-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Le-Passe-Muraille-768x1024.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1073px) 100vw, 1073px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/les-enfants-de-la-patrie-but-the-enduring-trap-of-populism-is-not-unique-to-france\/\" target=\"_self\" >Les enfants de la patrie \u2013 but the enduring trap of populism is not unique to France<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17548 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-economy tag-economy tag-scottish-government tag-uk-budget-2025 tag-uk-government\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/uk-budget-2025-get-real-the-world-has-changed\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1224\" height=\"1632\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WalkThroughWalls-rotated.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"UK Budget 2025? Get real. The world has changed\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WalkThroughWalls-rotated.jpg 1224w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WalkThroughWalls-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WalkThroughWalls-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WalkThroughWalls-1152x1536.jpg 1152w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1224px) 100vw, 1224px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/uk-budget-2025-get-real-the-world-has-changed\/\" target=\"_self\" >UK Budget 2025? Get real. The world has changed<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17515 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-politics tag-devolution tag-our-scottish-future tag-scottish-government tag-scottish-politics\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/enough-campaigning-is-the-next-scottish-government-prepared-to-govern\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"821\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1024px-Court_of_Session_53706130477.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Enough campaigning. Is the next Scottish government prepared to govern?\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1024px-Court_of_Session_53706130477.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1024px-Court_of_Session_53706130477-300x241.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1024px-Court_of_Session_53706130477-768x616.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/enough-campaigning-is-the-next-scottish-government-prepared-to-govern\/\" target=\"_self\" >Enough campaigning. Is the next Scottish government prepared to govern?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17488 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-economy tag-budget-2025\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/fraser-of-allender-takes-another-bite-at-the-budget\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/marb04.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Fraser of Allander takes another bite at the Budget\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/marb04.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/marb04-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/marb04-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/marb04-1024x512.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/fraser-of-allender-takes-another-bite-at-the-budget\/\" target=\"_self\" >Fraser of Allander takes another bite at the Budget<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17439 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-tributes-to-david-gow tag-brexit tag-europe tag-scottish-politics tag-scottish-referendum\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/well-tempered-steel-beneath-david-gows-jovial-irreverence\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"668\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/justin_reynolds_profile.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Well tempered steel beneath David Gow&#8217;s jovial irreverence\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/justin_reynolds_profile.jpg 668w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/justin_reynolds_profile-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/justin_reynolds_profile-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/justin_reynolds_profile-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 668px) 100vw, 668px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/well-tempered-steel-beneath-david-gows-jovial-irreverence\/\" target=\"_self\" >Well tempered steel beneath David Gow&#8217;s jovial irreverence<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/tributes-to-david-gow\/\" rel=\"tag\">Tributes to David Gow<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17424 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-tributes-to-david-gow tag-editorial-team tag-sceptical-scot\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/honest-rigorous-and-kind-david-gow-as-mentor\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1119\" height=\"953\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidMcAllister.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Honest, rigorous and kind: David Gow as mentor\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidMcAllister.jpeg 1119w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidMcAllister-300x255.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidMcAllister-1024x872.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidMcAllister-768x654.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1119px) 100vw, 1119px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/honest-rigorous-and-kind-david-gow-as-mentor\/\" target=\"_self\" >Honest, rigorous and kind: David Gow as mentor<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/tributes-to-david-gow\/\" rel=\"tag\">Tributes to David Gow<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17402 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-culture category-features category-media category-politics tag-europe tag-scotland tag-scottish-politics\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/david-gows-legacy-of-friendship\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"934\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidGow.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"David Gow&#8217;s legacy of friendship\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidGow.jpg 934w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidGow-274x300.jpg 274w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidGow-768x842.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 934px) 100vw, 934px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/david-gows-legacy-of-friendship\/\" target=\"_self\" >David Gow&#8217;s legacy of friendship<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/culture\/\" rel=\"tag\">Culture<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/media\/\" rel=\"tag\">Media<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17370 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-culture category-featured category-features category-media tag-ai tag-arts tag-scotland\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/ai-creativity-and-humanity-3-responsibility\/\" target=\"_self\" >AI, Creativity and Humanity (3): Responsibility<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/culture\/\" rel=\"tag\">Culture<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"tag\">Featured<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/media\/\" rel=\"tag\">Media<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17361 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-culture category-economy category-media category-policy tag-ai tag-arts tag-scotland\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/ai-creativity-and-humanity-2-obstacles\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"334\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/dougal2.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"AI, creativity and humanity (2): Obstacles\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/dougal2.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/dougal2-300x167.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/ai-creativity-and-humanity-2-obstacles\/\" target=\"_self\" >AI, creativity and humanity (2): Obstacles<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/culture\/\" rel=\"tag\">Culture<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/media\/\" rel=\"tag\">Media<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/policy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Policy<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17341 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-culture category-economy category-features category-media tag-ai tag-arts\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/ai-creativity-and-humanity-1\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"548\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Johnny5-Generated-Image-October-15-2025-3_51PM-e1760637339588.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"AI, creativity and humanity (1)\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/ai-creativity-and-humanity-1\/\" target=\"_self\" >AI, creativity and humanity (1)<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/culture\/\" rel=\"tag\">Culture<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/media\/\" rel=\"tag\">Media<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17324 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-features category-history category-inequality tag-slavery\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/two-worlds-collide-or-stories-geoff-palmer-told\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Prof_Sir_Geoff_Palmer_OBE-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Two worlds collide or stories Geoff Palmer told\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Prof_Sir_Geoff_Palmer_OBE-1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Prof_Sir_Geoff_Palmer_OBE-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Prof_Sir_Geoff_Palmer_OBE-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Prof_Sir_Geoff_Palmer_OBE-1-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/two-worlds-collide-or-stories-geoff-palmer-told\/\" target=\"_self\" >Two worlds collide or stories Geoff Palmer told<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/history\/\" rel=\"tag\">History<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/inequality\/\" rel=\"tag\">Inequality<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17309 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-features category-history category-international category-politics category-trump tag-gaza tag-israel tag-middle-east\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/israels-biggest-security-threat-netanyahu\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"482\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bibi.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Israel\u2019s biggest security threat: Netanyahu\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bibi.jpg 500w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bibi-300x289.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/israels-biggest-security-threat-netanyahu\/\" target=\"_self\" >Israel\u2019s biggest security threat: Netanyahu<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/history\/\" rel=\"tag\">History<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/international\/\" rel=\"tag\">International<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/trump\/\" rel=\"tag\">Trump<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17292 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-economy category-features category-housing category-policy category-politics tag-housing tag-scottish-government tag-scottish-politics\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/build-baby-build\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"421\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screenshot-2025-10-03-at-07.35.19-e1759657253329.png\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Build, baby, build\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/build-baby-build\/\" target=\"_self\" >Build, baby, build<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/housing\/\" rel=\"tag\">Housing<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/policy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Policy<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17285 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-elections category-features category-politics category-uk tag-uk-labour\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/does-starmer-have-a-vision\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/starmer1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Does Starmer have a vision?\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/starmer1.jpg 400w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/starmer1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/does-starmer-have-a-vision\/\" target=\"_self\" >Does Starmer have a vision?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/elections\/\" rel=\"tag\">Elections<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/uk\/\" rel=\"tag\">UK<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17266 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-education category-local-government category-policy tag-scottish-education tag-scottish-government\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/09\/scottish-education-genuine-partnership-or-pre-election-fix\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/swinneypic-e1757950180525.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Scottish education: genuine partnership or pre-election fix?\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/09\/scottish-education-genuine-partnership-or-pre-election-fix\/\" target=\"_self\" >Scottish education: genuine partnership or pre-election fix?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/education\/\" rel=\"tag\">Education<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/local-government\/\" rel=\"tag\">Local government<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/policy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Policy<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-0633c792 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-query alignwide is-layout-flow wp-block-query-is-layout-flow\"><ul class=\"columns-2 wp-block-post-template is-layout-grid wp-container-core-post-template-is-layout-93e7e78d wp-block-post-template-is-layout-grid\"><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17439 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-tributes-to-david-gow tag-brexit tag-europe tag-scottish-politics tag-scottish-referendum\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/well-tempered-steel-beneath-david-gows-jovial-irreverence\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"668\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/justin_reynolds_profile.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Well tempered steel beneath David Gow&#8217;s jovial irreverence\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/justin_reynolds_profile.jpg 668w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/justin_reynolds_profile-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/justin_reynolds_profile-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/justin_reynolds_profile-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 668px) 100vw, 668px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-x-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/well-tempered-steel-beneath-david-gows-jovial-irreverence\/\" target=\"_self\" >Well tempered steel beneath David Gow&#8217;s jovial irreverence<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/tributes-to-david-gow\/\" rel=\"tag\">Tributes to David Gow<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17424 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-tributes-to-david-gow tag-editorial-team tag-sceptical-scot\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/honest-rigorous-and-kind-david-gow-as-mentor\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1119\" height=\"953\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidMcAllister.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Honest, rigorous and kind: David Gow as mentor\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidMcAllister.jpeg 1119w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidMcAllister-300x255.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidMcAllister-1024x872.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidMcAllister-768x654.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1119px) 100vw, 1119px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-x-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/honest-rigorous-and-kind-david-gow-as-mentor\/\" target=\"_self\" >Honest, rigorous and kind: David Gow as mentor<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/tributes-to-david-gow\/\" rel=\"tag\">Tributes to David Gow<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17560 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-politics tag-farage tag-france tag-macron tag-trump\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/les-enfants-de-la-patrie-but-the-enduring-trap-of-populism-is-not-unique-to-france\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1073\" height=\"1431\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Le-Passe-Muraille.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Les enfants de la patrie \u2013 but the enduring trap of populism is not unique to France\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Le-Passe-Muraille.jpg 1073w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Le-Passe-Muraille-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Le-Passe-Muraille-768x1024.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1073px) 100vw, 1073px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-x-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/les-enfants-de-la-patrie-but-the-enduring-trap-of-populism-is-not-unique-to-france\/\" target=\"_self\" >Les enfants de la patrie \u2013 but the enduring trap of populism is not unique to France<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17548 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-economy tag-economy tag-scottish-government tag-uk-budget-2025 tag-uk-government\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/uk-budget-2025-get-real-the-world-has-changed\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1224\" height=\"1632\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WalkThroughWalls-rotated.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"UK Budget 2025? Get real. The world has changed\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WalkThroughWalls-rotated.jpg 1224w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WalkThroughWalls-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WalkThroughWalls-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WalkThroughWalls-1152x1536.jpg 1152w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1224px) 100vw, 1224px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-x-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/uk-budget-2025-get-real-the-world-has-changed\/\" target=\"_self\" >UK Budget 2025? Get real. The world has changed<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17515 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-politics tag-devolution tag-our-scottish-future tag-scottish-government tag-scottish-politics\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/enough-campaigning-is-the-next-scottish-government-prepared-to-govern\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"821\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1024px-Court_of_Session_53706130477.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Enough campaigning. Is the next Scottish government prepared to govern?\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1024px-Court_of_Session_53706130477.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1024px-Court_of_Session_53706130477-300x241.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1024px-Court_of_Session_53706130477-768x616.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-x-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/enough-campaigning-is-the-next-scottish-government-prepared-to-govern\/\" target=\"_self\" >Enough campaigning. Is the next Scottish government prepared to govern?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17488 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-economy tag-budget-2025\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/fraser-of-allender-takes-another-bite-at-the-budget\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/marb04.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Fraser of Allander takes another bite at the Budget\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/marb04.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/marb04-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/marb04-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/marb04-1024x512.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-x-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/fraser-of-allender-takes-another-bite-at-the-budget\/\" target=\"_self\" >Fraser of Allander takes another bite at the Budget<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17476 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-economy tag-regional-development tag-scottish-economy\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/muscatellireport-is-scotland-ready-for-radical-action-on-regional-economic-development\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"853\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JohnMcLaren.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"#MuscatelliReport: is Scotland ready for radical action on regional economic development?\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JohnMcLaren.jpeg 1280w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JohnMcLaren-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JohnMcLaren-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JohnMcLaren-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-x-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/muscatellireport-is-scotland-ready-for-radical-action-on-regional-economic-development\/\" target=\"_self\" >#MuscatelliReport: is Scotland ready for radical action on regional economic development?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17402 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-culture category-features category-media category-politics tag-europe tag-scotland tag-scottish-politics\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/david-gows-legacy-of-friendship\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"934\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidGow.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"David Gow&#8217;s legacy of friendship\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidGow.jpg 934w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidGow-274x300.jpg 274w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidGow-768x842.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 934px) 100vw, 934px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-x-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/david-gows-legacy-of-friendship\/\" target=\"_self\" >David Gow&#8217;s legacy of friendship<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/culture\/\" rel=\"tag\">Culture<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/media\/\" rel=\"tag\">Media<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17370 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-culture category-featured category-features category-media tag-ai tag-arts tag-scotland\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-x-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/ai-creativity-and-humanity-3-responsibility\/\" target=\"_self\" >AI, Creativity and Humanity (3): Responsibility<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/culture\/\" rel=\"tag\">Culture<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"tag\">Featured<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/media\/\" rel=\"tag\">Media<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17361 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-culture category-economy category-media category-policy tag-ai tag-arts tag-scotland\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/ai-creativity-and-humanity-2-obstacles\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"334\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/dougal2.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"AI, creativity and humanity (2): Obstacles\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/dougal2.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/dougal2-300x167.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-x-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/ai-creativity-and-humanity-2-obstacles\/\" target=\"_self\" >AI, creativity and humanity (2): Obstacles<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/culture\/\" rel=\"tag\">Culture<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/media\/\" rel=\"tag\">Media<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/policy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Policy<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17341 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-culture category-economy category-features category-media tag-ai tag-arts\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/ai-creativity-and-humanity-1\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"548\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Johnny5-Generated-Image-October-15-2025-3_51PM-e1760637339588.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"AI, creativity and humanity (1)\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-x-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/ai-creativity-and-humanity-1\/\" target=\"_self\" >AI, creativity and humanity (1)<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/culture\/\" rel=\"tag\">Culture<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/media\/\" rel=\"tag\">Media<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17324 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-features category-history category-inequality tag-slavery\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/two-worlds-collide-or-stories-geoff-palmer-told\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Prof_Sir_Geoff_Palmer_OBE-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Two worlds collide or stories Geoff Palmer told\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Prof_Sir_Geoff_Palmer_OBE-1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Prof_Sir_Geoff_Palmer_OBE-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Prof_Sir_Geoff_Palmer_OBE-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Prof_Sir_Geoff_Palmer_OBE-1-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-x-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/two-worlds-collide-or-stories-geoff-palmer-told\/\" target=\"_self\" >Two worlds collide or stories Geoff Palmer told<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/history\/\" rel=\"tag\">History<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/inequality\/\" rel=\"tag\">Inequality<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17309 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-features category-history category-international category-politics category-trump tag-gaza tag-israel tag-middle-east\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/israels-biggest-security-threat-netanyahu\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"482\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bibi.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Israel\u2019s biggest security threat: Netanyahu\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bibi.jpg 500w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bibi-300x289.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-x-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/israels-biggest-security-threat-netanyahu\/\" target=\"_self\" >Israel\u2019s biggest security threat: Netanyahu<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/history\/\" rel=\"tag\">History<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/international\/\" rel=\"tag\">International<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/trump\/\" rel=\"tag\">Trump<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17292 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-economy category-features category-housing category-policy category-politics tag-housing tag-scottish-government tag-scottish-politics\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/build-baby-build\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"421\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screenshot-2025-10-03-at-07.35.19-e1759657253329.png\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Build, baby, build\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-x-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/build-baby-build\/\" target=\"_self\" >Build, baby, build<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/housing\/\" rel=\"tag\">Housing<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/policy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Policy<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17285 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-elections category-features category-politics category-uk tag-uk-labour\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/does-starmer-have-a-vision\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/starmer1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Does Starmer have a vision?\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/starmer1.jpg 400w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/starmer1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-x-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/does-starmer-have-a-vision\/\" target=\"_self\" >Does Starmer have a vision?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/elections\/\" rel=\"tag\">Elections<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/uk\/\" rel=\"tag\">UK<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17266 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-education category-local-government category-policy tag-scottish-education tag-scottish-government\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/09\/scottish-education-genuine-partnership-or-pre-election-fix\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/swinneypic-e1757950180525.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Scottish education: genuine partnership or pre-election fix?\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-x-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/09\/scottish-education-genuine-partnership-or-pre-election-fix\/\" target=\"_self\" >Scottish education: genuine partnership or pre-election fix?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/education\/\" rel=\"tag\">Education<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/local-government\/\" rel=\"tag\">Local government<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/policy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Policy<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-query alignwide is-layout-flow wp-block-query-is-layout-flow\"><ul class=\"columns-3 wp-block-post-template is-layout-grid wp-container-core-post-template-is-layout-f39bca43 wp-block-post-template-is-layout-grid\"><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17402 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-culture category-features category-media category-politics tag-europe tag-scotland tag-scottish-politics\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/david-gows-legacy-of-friendship\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"934\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidGow.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"David Gow&#8217;s legacy of friendship\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidGow.jpg 934w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidGow-274x300.jpg 274w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidGow-768x842.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 934px) 100vw, 934px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/david-gows-legacy-of-friendship\/\" target=\"_self\" >David Gow&#8217;s legacy of friendship<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/culture\/\" rel=\"tag\">Culture<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/media\/\" rel=\"tag\">Media<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17370 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-culture category-featured category-features category-media tag-ai tag-arts tag-scotland\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/ai-creativity-and-humanity-3-responsibility\/\" target=\"_self\" >AI, Creativity and Humanity (3): Responsibility<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/culture\/\" rel=\"tag\">Culture<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"tag\">Featured<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/media\/\" rel=\"tag\">Media<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17361 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-culture category-economy category-media category-policy tag-ai tag-arts tag-scotland\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/ai-creativity-and-humanity-2-obstacles\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"334\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/dougal2.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"AI, creativity and humanity (2): Obstacles\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/dougal2.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/dougal2-300x167.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/ai-creativity-and-humanity-2-obstacles\/\" target=\"_self\" >AI, creativity and humanity (2): Obstacles<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/culture\/\" rel=\"tag\">Culture<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/media\/\" rel=\"tag\">Media<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/policy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Policy<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17341 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-culture category-economy category-features category-media tag-ai tag-arts\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/ai-creativity-and-humanity-1\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"548\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Johnny5-Generated-Image-October-15-2025-3_51PM-e1760637339588.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"AI, creativity and humanity (1)\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/ai-creativity-and-humanity-1\/\" target=\"_self\" >AI, creativity and humanity (1)<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/culture\/\" rel=\"tag\">Culture<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/media\/\" rel=\"tag\">Media<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17324 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-features category-history category-inequality tag-slavery\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/two-worlds-collide-or-stories-geoff-palmer-told\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Prof_Sir_Geoff_Palmer_OBE-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Two worlds collide or stories Geoff Palmer told\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Prof_Sir_Geoff_Palmer_OBE-1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Prof_Sir_Geoff_Palmer_OBE-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Prof_Sir_Geoff_Palmer_OBE-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Prof_Sir_Geoff_Palmer_OBE-1-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/two-worlds-collide-or-stories-geoff-palmer-told\/\" target=\"_self\" >Two worlds collide or stories Geoff Palmer told<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/history\/\" rel=\"tag\">History<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/inequality\/\" rel=\"tag\">Inequality<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17560 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-politics tag-farage tag-france tag-macron tag-trump\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/les-enfants-de-la-patrie-but-the-enduring-trap-of-populism-is-not-unique-to-france\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1073\" height=\"1431\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Le-Passe-Muraille.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Les enfants de la patrie \u2013 but the enduring trap of populism is not unique to France\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Le-Passe-Muraille.jpg 1073w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Le-Passe-Muraille-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Le-Passe-Muraille-768x1024.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1073px) 100vw, 1073px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/les-enfants-de-la-patrie-but-the-enduring-trap-of-populism-is-not-unique-to-france\/\" target=\"_self\" >Les enfants de la patrie \u2013 but the enduring trap of populism is not unique to France<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17548 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-economy tag-economy tag-scottish-government tag-uk-budget-2025 tag-uk-government\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/uk-budget-2025-get-real-the-world-has-changed\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1224\" height=\"1632\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WalkThroughWalls-rotated.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"UK Budget 2025? Get real. The world has changed\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WalkThroughWalls-rotated.jpg 1224w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WalkThroughWalls-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WalkThroughWalls-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WalkThroughWalls-1152x1536.jpg 1152w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1224px) 100vw, 1224px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/uk-budget-2025-get-real-the-world-has-changed\/\" target=\"_self\" >UK Budget 2025? Get real. The world has changed<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17515 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-politics tag-devolution tag-our-scottish-future tag-scottish-government tag-scottish-politics\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/enough-campaigning-is-the-next-scottish-government-prepared-to-govern\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"821\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1024px-Court_of_Session_53706130477.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Enough campaigning. Is the next Scottish government prepared to govern?\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1024px-Court_of_Session_53706130477.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1024px-Court_of_Session_53706130477-300x241.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1024px-Court_of_Session_53706130477-768x616.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/12\/enough-campaigning-is-the-next-scottish-government-prepared-to-govern\/\" target=\"_self\" >Enough campaigning. Is the next Scottish government prepared to govern?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17488 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-economy tag-budget-2025\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/fraser-of-allender-takes-another-bite-at-the-budget\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/marb04.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Fraser of Allander takes another bite at the Budget\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/marb04.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/marb04-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/marb04-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/marb04-1024x512.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/fraser-of-allender-takes-another-bite-at-the-budget\/\" target=\"_self\" >Fraser of Allander takes another bite at the Budget<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17476 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-economy tag-regional-development tag-scottish-economy\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/muscatellireport-is-scotland-ready-for-radical-action-on-regional-economic-development\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"853\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JohnMcLaren.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"#MuscatelliReport: is Scotland ready for radical action on regional economic development?\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JohnMcLaren.jpeg 1280w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JohnMcLaren-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JohnMcLaren-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JohnMcLaren-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/muscatellireport-is-scotland-ready-for-radical-action-on-regional-economic-development\/\" target=\"_self\" >#MuscatelliReport: is Scotland ready for radical action on regional economic development?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17439 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-tributes-to-david-gow tag-brexit tag-europe tag-scottish-politics tag-scottish-referendum\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/well-tempered-steel-beneath-david-gows-jovial-irreverence\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"668\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/justin_reynolds_profile.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Well tempered steel beneath David Gow&#8217;s jovial irreverence\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/justin_reynolds_profile.jpg 668w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/justin_reynolds_profile-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/justin_reynolds_profile-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/justin_reynolds_profile-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 668px) 100vw, 668px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/well-tempered-steel-beneath-david-gows-jovial-irreverence\/\" target=\"_self\" >Well tempered steel beneath David Gow&#8217;s jovial irreverence<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/tributes-to-david-gow\/\" rel=\"tag\">Tributes to David Gow<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17424 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-tributes-to-david-gow tag-editorial-team tag-sceptical-scot\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/honest-rigorous-and-kind-david-gow-as-mentor\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1119\" height=\"953\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidMcAllister.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Honest, rigorous and kind: David Gow as mentor\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidMcAllister.jpeg 1119w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidMcAllister-300x255.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidMcAllister-1024x872.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DavidMcAllister-768x654.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1119px) 100vw, 1119px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/11\/honest-rigorous-and-kind-david-gow-as-mentor\/\" target=\"_self\" >Honest, rigorous and kind: David Gow as mentor<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/tributes-to-david-gow\/\" rel=\"tag\">Tributes to David Gow<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17309 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-features category-history category-international category-politics category-trump tag-gaza tag-israel tag-middle-east\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/israels-biggest-security-threat-netanyahu\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"482\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bibi.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Israel\u2019s biggest security threat: Netanyahu\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bibi.jpg 500w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bibi-300x289.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/israels-biggest-security-threat-netanyahu\/\" target=\"_self\" >Israel\u2019s biggest security threat: Netanyahu<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/history\/\" rel=\"tag\">History<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/international\/\" rel=\"tag\">International<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/trump\/\" rel=\"tag\">Trump<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17292 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-economy category-features category-housing category-policy category-politics tag-housing tag-scottish-government tag-scottish-politics\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/build-baby-build\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"421\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screenshot-2025-10-03-at-07.35.19-e1759657253329.png\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Build, baby, build\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/build-baby-build\/\" target=\"_self\" >Build, baby, build<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/housing\/\" rel=\"tag\">Housing<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/policy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Policy<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17285 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-elections category-features category-politics category-uk tag-uk-labour\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/does-starmer-have-a-vision\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/starmer1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Does Starmer have a vision?\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/starmer1.jpg 400w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/starmer1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/does-starmer-have-a-vision\/\" target=\"_self\" >Does Starmer have a vision?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/elections\/\" rel=\"tag\">Elections<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/features\/\" rel=\"tag\">Features<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"tag\">Politics<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/uk\/\" rel=\"tag\">UK<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17266 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-education category-local-government category-policy tag-scottish-education tag-scottish-government\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/09\/scottish-education-genuine-partnership-or-pre-election-fix\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/swinneypic-e1757950180525.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Scottish education: genuine partnership or pre-election fix?\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/09\/scottish-education-genuine-partnership-or-pre-election-fix\/\" target=\"_self\" >Scottish education: genuine partnership or pre-election fix?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/education\/\" rel=\"tag\">Education<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/local-government\/\" rel=\"tag\">Local government<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/policy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Policy<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-17336 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles category-climate-crisis-2 category-economy category-environment tag-climate-emergency tag-fisheries\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-81d5c4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/storm-amy-and-75k-escaped-scottish-salmon\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"317\" src=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/512px-Fish-farm-hero.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Storm Amy and 75K escaped Scottish salmon\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/512px-Fish-farm-hero.jpeg 512w, https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/512px-Fish-farm-hero-300x186.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/2025\/10\/storm-amy-and-75k-escaped-scottish-salmon\/\" target=\"_self\" >Storm Amy and 75K escaped Scottish salmon<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.4px\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Articles<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/climate-crisis-2\/\" rel=\"tag\">climate crisis<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/economy\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sceptical.scot\/staging\/category\/environment\/\" rel=\"tag\">Environment<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/main>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-no-title","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Home - Sceptical Scot Staging Site<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, 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