Finding the Finnish way
A frozen lake in the Koli National Park, photo Rob Bruce (Exhibition Edinburgh Dundas Gallery April 24-18) So Finland has done it again. It topped the international happiness rankings for…
Should You Judge a Cover by the Book?
A deep dive into why the aesthetics of a book cover shape our reading experience — and whether that judgement is fair.
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Why the Scottish election could be closer than it looks
Scottish Greens are sprouting. Image Rob Bruce – check out his forthcoming exhibition at the Dundas Street Gallery, April 24-28 Polling for the May 7 Holyrood election shows SNP support…
Is the “Inverness Castle Experience” too dumbed down?
The Castle at night, photo Rob Bruce Scotland has a new castle to visit! Last month, the Inverness Castle Experience officially opened after a £47 million restoration. The good news…
Is the BBC delivering for Scotland?
Scotland makes a pretty good backdrop. Photo by Rob Bruce – see his forthcoming exhibition at Dundas Streets Gallery, Edinburgh, April 24-29 There are real issues in Scotland’s relationship with…
Compassion for Epstein’s victims – but what about those closer to home?
The Edinburgh Academy last week Picture the scene. A class of ten-year-old boys sit in their smart blue and grey uniforms at one of Scotland’s best-known private schools, the Edinburgh…
Scotland has a proudly mongrel tradition
Artist Nicola Gear burns a Mandala in the Highlands, photo Rob Bruce Rishi Sunak told the Guardian yesterday that he is: “British, English and British Asian”. Of course he is…
Gold is up – and AI is going down
We just returned from a visit to friends in the United Arab Emirates, passing through the busy gold souk of Dubai on the way back. There, at the junction of…
The history behind Scotland’s million deer problem
Glen Docherty looking towards Loch Maree, photo by Rob Bruce I wrote last month about Scotland’s million-deer problem and how that is affecting the Highlands. The animals crash onto the…
A shot that was heard around the world
Statue of George Washington in Boston, photo Rob Bruce The shots that killed Renee Good last week in Minneapolis were heard around the world. Government agents meted out death on…
Farewell to 2025 – hello 2026
Winter sunset, photo by Rob Bruce A Happy New Year when it comes! Thank you very much for your interest in this blog in 2025. I enjoyed writing and sharing…
Deer are destroying Scotland’s ecosystem
Doe on Maol Cheann-Dearg (bald red head), photo Rob Bruce Venison is cheaper than beef or lamb and makes a brilliant festive winter stew. I like to add mushrooms, red…
Mary Queen of Scots and the massive land grab that set the scene for Scotland today
Dunottar Castle, Aberdeenshire, photo Rob Bruce. The childhood home of Elisabeth Keith. Mary Queen of Scots visited the castle on three occasions. Why is Scotland’s history so often presented to…
Would the story of North Sea oil have been different in an independent Scotland?
Aberdeen harbour, photo Rob Bruce I was in Aberdeen this week. It is reeling from the UK budget. The evidence of human and capital flight is all around: battered “for…
The BBC should stand up to Trump and his fascy bros
Arnold Kemp Last week the news that Donald Trump is suing the BBC for a billion pounds for defamation was widely discussed. This week, after consulting its American lawyers, the…
A week of ‘Flower of Scotland’
At Stirling Castle this week We had visitors to our Highland cottage last weekend and, apart from a wee dip in the cold blue sea, Saturday was dominated by sport…
Peace by piece
Note: We have two events for “Take Me to the River” coming up – Thursday Nov 21, Kinlochewe village hall and Thursday Nov 27, Waterstones, Glasgow Xmas shopping event Photo…
On solo travel, and Athens
As a young woman, I never really travelled alone – I didn’t have the nerve or the inclination. But in recent years, I have started to do this in a…
Edinburgh should reopen its ghost line
With Halloween – or Samhain, as we Celts apparently call it – approaching, Edinburgh city centre is still heaving with tourists. They’re not wrong to come at this time of…
Is Scottish Water Better Than English Water?
Water in its natural state, Abhainn Coire Mhic Nobuil, photo by Rob Bruce Like every country, Scotland faces huge challenges when it comes to managing drinking water and sewage. But…
Robert Wedderburn came a long way to find out that his father was a bastard.
Robert Wedderburn came a long way to find out that his father was a bastard. Born in Jamaica, as a young man Robert made his way to London. He was…