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…
How Queen Victoria married her sexy Highland lover
October events Vicky and I will be discussing themes from Take Me to the River at: Body positivity: Soul Water Gathering, the Pitt, Newhaven, Saturday, October 18, 4.30 pm Is…
On being “debunked’ by the Daily Express
“Lord” Tiddles considers Scotland’s future – image by AI Last weekend, my tweets were grabbed and made into an article for the Daily Express – not with my consent. I…
Take me to the Firth of Forth
Photo by Gillian M Robertson O wad this braw hie-heapit tounSail off like an enchanted ship,Drift owre the warld’s seas up and dounAnd kiss wi’ Venice lip to lip,Or anchor…
How a six-year quest led to uncovering radioactive leaks at Scotland’s Trident base
Rob Edwards, an environmental investigative journalist for 40 years Below is a look at the patient work that lay behind this investigation. On another note – I have tried to…
Nager sauvage a Paris
I had the opportunity to go to Paris last week. Thanks to the generosity of my loyal band of paying subscribers on Substack, I was able to add a couple…
The healing power of wild swimming
Our wild swimming anthology is available to pre-order and will be published on September 11. We hope to see some of you at our September book events A Letter from…
Audio version of my EdFest Substack
Are you walking the dog later? Or doing some gardening? Here is a round-up of some of the things I saw at the Edinburgh Festival on my theme of Living…
Big Beasts at the Edinburgh Festivals
Usually I manage, for a couple of days at least, to be one of the arts marathoners who dash from show to show at the Edinburgh Festival and Fringe. I…
On Kate Forbes and stepping back
The Indian Rug by Anne Redpath This week the deputy leader of the Scottish government Kate Forbes announced on her daughter’s third birthday that she won’t be a candidate at…
The Sandy Peggie tribunal proves we can’t avoid difficult conversations
Image created with AI I’ve always argued that “no debate” is a bad approach when it comes to trans rights – or anything else. If you tell people they’re not…
American art gallery acquires painting by underappreciated Scottish artist
Norah Neilson Gray, self portrait 1918 After visiting the National Gallery of Scotland last week, one of my young associates asked what I knew of Norah Neilson Gray, to whom…
UK Turns Its Back on Energy Reform — and the Highlands Will Pay
Image created by AI After three years of consultation on reforming energy pricing, the UK Government has decided to do… almost nothing. A few minor tweaks. It’s putting a cherry…