Death of a book
An update on a book I had been trying to write (and am now officially not doing).
Island Hopping
A new addition to my Books on the Horizon, this one actually based on a book I started then abandoned.
The House Without Windows, by Barbara Newhall Follett
The disappearance in 1939 of the writer Barbara Newhall Follett is both a mystery as well as the abrupt end to an incredible literary talent – including the novel The House Without Windows which I recently read.
King Brude’s Treasure
An introduction to the first in a series of young adult novels written by a friend, and which I’m delighted to have helped bring to publication.
Last Ones Left Alive, by Sarah Davis-Goff
A review of the haunting dystopian novel Last Ones Left Alive by Sarah Davis-Goff.
What the Scottish Government should have been doing
As we hurtle towards Brexit, here’s my take on what the Scottish Government should have been doing since the referendum.
All Strangers Are Kin, by Zora O’Neill
A review of the wonderful travelogue “All Strangers are Kin: Adventures in Arabic and the Arab World” by Zora O’Neill.
The war in Stroma
One of my photos from Stroma has been used in a newspaper’s Remembrance Sunday article about the island’s war dead.
What the second Yes campaign should look like
The second independence referendum looks like it’s happening, so here’s what I think the Yes campaign should look like.
We must revoke
A thoroughly depressing post on why Brexit needs to be stopped and why it won’t be.
Independence is boring
The idea of Scotland being independent is increasingly boring me. Here’s why that’s a good thing – and an opportunity.
Money, money, money
Why I don’t care what currency an independent Scotland will use, why that’s OK, and why that demonstrates a wider point about independence.
Scexit’s not Brexit
In which I offer five reasons as to why Brexit tells us nothing about Scottish independence.
Missing the point on Brexit
Do you think that Brexit is a cautionary tale for trying to make Scottish independence? Not surprisingly, I disagree. Here’s why.
Fantasy tram network for Inverness
An excruciatingly detailed walk-through of my imagined fantasy tram network for Inverness.
Review: Black Lamb and Grey Falcon, by Rebecca West (part 2)
The final piece of my 2017 reading project jigsaw – part 2 of my review of Black Lamb and Grey Falcon.
Brexit like it’s 1999
How an obscure party political broadcast from twenty years ago is a chilling prophesy of today’s ugly Brexit-era politics.
My United Kingdom
In the final post in a trilogy on Scottish politics, I imagine what the UK would have to look like for me to vote to remain in it.
Make The Best Of It
In the second of a three-part blog post series, I imagine a “blue skies thinking” political game called “Make The Best of It”. Fancy trying it out?
The Awful-Brilliant Game
In the first in a trio of posts on Scottish politics, I imagine playing a game called The Awful-Brilliant Game with Richard Leonard, the Scottish Labour leader. You can play too.