From Rikers Island to Onthank, the joys of corporate capitalism
Sometimes I think that that the day of rationality has dawned and that humanity has finally achieved civilisation. I had one of these epiphanies when I heard the radio tell me that the Head Bean...
View ArticleThe bacon roll chronicles: The Howff, 16 Links Road, Port Seton
Every bacon roll has a story to tell. Where was it bought? Why was the purchaser there? Did is taste good, or could it have been better? What sort of premises produced it? What were the serving staff...
View ArticlePioneering epidural treatment offers hope for paraplegic patients
A paraplegic man who was completely paralysed below the chest in a car accident is now able to stand independently, to walk with assistance and move his legs voluntarily, thanks to pioneering epidural...
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Fred the Shred surely now the favourite to take over IMF
Cometh the man. Cometh the hour. With the International Monetary Fund’s reputation a tad tarnished after Dominique Strauss-Kahn’s resignation over a sexual assault charge, who, oh who can take up the...
View ArticleFriday song: New Scotland
The Sensational Alex Salmond Band have, for your pleasure and delectation, produced this video for their song New Scotland, to promote their new album. Want to discuss other issues? Join the debate on...
View ArticleWeir’s Week: Helicopter Sunday and another trophy/bus disaster
By Stewart Weir Saturday Manchester, red or blue, had cause for celebration today. A point secured at Blackburn winning United the Premier League title, a goal at Wembley enough to give City their...
View ArticleNetanyahu ponders Obama’s vision of a new Middle East
President Barack Obama’s vision of a new Middle East, unveiled this week in the midst of the Arab Spring and in the wake of the death of Osama bin Laden, has left Israel wondering how it is going to...
View ArticleVideo: Scottish coastal rowing – the story behind the St Ayles Skiff
The Scottish Coastal Rowing Project started at the Scottish Fisheries Museum at Anstruther in Fife, but has spread around the Scottish coast, down into England, across to the USA and into parts of the...
View ArticleIndependistas need to listen to the silent half of Scottish society
The big speeches have been delivered, the seats are being generously warmed, the gears of Scottish government crank back into action. The second SNP administration, having democratically secured a...
View ArticleFrom Arnie to Zip: alphabet spaghetti on the Cannes Croisette
For those who missed all the coverage from the world’s most famous film festival, here’s an alphabetical string of highlights. A is for Arnie. The Governator wasn’t at the festival, but ten days ago he...
View ArticleBlockade threat and election pledge lead to U-turn over A9 crossing
By Rob Edwards Walkers, cyclists and horse-riders who threatened to blockade the A9 on the west side of the Cairngorms have forced a government U-turn after the personal intervention of the first...
View ArticleAfter 5 May, what the Labour Party needs to do about independence
By Calum Wright That the SNP landslide was a momentous event in Scotland’s political history is almost beyond dispute. The seemingly impossible happened, taking almost everyone off guard. The Labour...
View ArticleBranches, blockages and a bit of the Big Society as gales hit Scotland
Well, that was quite a blow. It was several notches down the ferocity scale from what happened in the USA the day before, and it certainly wasn’t the end of the world, but it was a heck of a storm by...
View ArticleIt’s alright, Ma (he’s only ageing) – 20 facts to mark Dylan at 70
"May you grow up to be righteous, may you grow up to be true. May you always know the truth and see the lights surrounding you. May you always be courageous, stand upright and be strong. May you stay...
View ArticleUseful Gaelic word: rathad
Rathad – road Listen to the pronunciation guide The Gaelic word for road is rathad. It is similar to the English word, but the word is interesting because of its use in idioms. The phrase as an rathad...
View ArticleMalcolm Webster: mild-mannered sociopath and wife murderer
In 2008, Charles Lavery, the former Sunday Mail chief reporter, broke the world exclusive that Malcolm Webster would face murder and attempted murder charges after a global police investigation. Here...
View ArticleUseful Scots word: plook
By Betty Kirkpatrick Fernietickle, which I wrote about last time, and plook both refer to a mark that may appear on the face – but, apart from location, there is not much similarity between them....
View ArticleMuch-loved Edinburgh chess player Johnny Marr dies aged 93
Anyone who has played chess at a formal level – be it in evening leagues or at weekend congresses – will know that one of the more endearing/alarming/unnerving (delete as appropriate) features of the...
View ArticleThe Red River colony: Scotland’s Little Hoose on the Prairie
By Elizabeth McQuillan It was the experiences and adventures of Sir Alexander Mackenzie (Alasdair MacCoinnich, 1764–1820), a Scottish explorer from the Isle of Lewis, that inspired a fellow Scot to...
View ArticleCTB, ETK, BCD – superinjunctions and the idiocy of suing the internet
I’m bored with the superinjunction brouhaha, so after extensive research on the internet I’ve decided to reveal the identities of all the Scots personalities involved. I have not done this lightly,...
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