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Happy Chinese new year – the year of the rabbit
Kung Hei Fat Choi! Or possibly Gong Xi Fa Cai! There are several transliterations of the Chinese for Happy New Year. This is the Year of the Rabbit which, in Chinese astrology, implies that we can...
View ArticleFive reasons why Scotland will win the Six Nations – maybe
“Money won is twice as sweet as money earned,” is the claim and, with that in mind, I took my winnings from Scotland’s victory over South Africa in the autumn and whacked a tenner of it back on...
View ArticleThe revolution will be Twitterised
Gil Scott-Heron once sang that the revolution will not be televised. The Tunisian revolution, and the continuing Egyptian uprising, would seem to refute the great man's chorus. But it's worth returning...
View ArticleWeir’s Week: Abu Dhabi do, transfer madness and Bob Carolgees
By Stewart Weir Saturday Blackpool Tower Circus was once home to Charlie Cairoli. Oh, and Mr Norman’s multi-coloured budgies. This weekend, it’s multi-coloured balls which are centre stage, as...
View ArticleScotland’s lopsided winter continues to defy standard template
There is no such thing as a standard Scottish winter – but, if there is something approaching a traditional format, one seen more often than others, it is roughly as follows. First comes wild-and-mild...
View ArticleThe best intimidating job in the world
Fifty-two malt whiskies, two and a half hours and a blind tasting. It was a tough job but someone had to do it. The occasion was the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival annual tasting. One of the judges...
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My tenner may have gone, but I’m still encouraged
WELL, that’s my tenner gone to fill the Ladbrokes coffers once again. Scotland can, theoretically, win the Six Nations but it is highly unlikely, improbable even, in fact it is all but impossible....
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The unequal scrap between Neds and George VI
This is a tale of two movies. One, The King’s Speech, you may know about, and the other, which you may also know about but only if you live in Scotland, is Neds (see end of piece for trailer). The main...
View ArticleA journey through the past and the world’s newest nation
By John Knox Like storm clouds on a weather map, planet Earth’s political isobars seems to be changing quicker and quicker every day. Revolutions of various colours are sweeping across the Arab world....
View ArticlePeering through the reality gap of the Superbowl
It may have looked “awesome” to some people, but to me last night’s garish Superbowl extravaganza between the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers seemed to underline the gap that exists...
View ArticleHealthy diet at three-years-old ‘means higher IQ’
Children who eat a diet rich in healthy foods at the age of three are more likely to have a higher IQ when they are older, according to researchers. Conversely, youngsters who live on processed foods...
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U16 Division 1: Haddington Athletic 4 – 2 Loanhead Miners
By Stuart Crawford At home again for Haddington this weekend, on the smaller of the two pitches at Millfield. The visitors have been propping up the bottom of the league table for most of the season,...
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Opinion: Responsibility levy doesn’t work without alcohol minimum pricing
Colin Borland, Federation of Small Businesses Cast your mind back a few years– when we thought top bankers were masters of the universe and credit crunch was a breakfast cereal. Back then, the big...
View ArticleUseful Scots word: pickle
By Betty Kirkpatrick Pickle appeared in my last article because it was deprived of its birthright by mickle. Just to remind you, mickle took pickle’s rightful place in an old saying which then gained...
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Financial fairy tales
Ever heard the one about the good banker? The idea is not a fairy tale – because Daniel Britton, this particular banker, is the author of a series of financial fairy tales with the aim of giving...
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Safer internet day
This, in case you didn’t know, is Safer Internet Day. It’s a Europe-wide initiative run by an organisation called Insafe. The idea is to promote safer and more responsible use of online and mobile...
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Swinney’s sharp moves put budget success within reach
The Scottish finance secretary, John Swinney, was tonight closing in on victory after appearing to secure enough opposition support to get his budget through its crucial parliamentary vote tomorrow. Mr...
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Megrahi revelations show, yet again, that Gordon Brown just didn’t get...
In April 2007, the then Chancellor, Gordon Brown, asked for two discreet meetings with Sir Menzies Campbell, the UK Liberal Democrat leader. The SNP appeared on the verge of winning the Scottish...
View ArticleLack of clarity dogs search and rescue after helicopter bid halted
It was just under a year ago that the Westminster government announced a major reorganisation of the UK’s search and rescue helicopter (SAR-H) provision. Whereas the military runs the existing...
View ArticleHelping the public sector negotiate the world of cuts
The Westminster governmen says that the need for spending cuts means that public authorities around the country need to find new, more efficient, ways of working. Although opponents argue that the...
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