The Edith Wharton Summit at The Mount, USA I presented at the Edith Wharton Summit in the US on Wharton, Walter and Matilda Gay, on paintings of empty rooms, and imagined interiors. My last visit to Wharton’s house was 26 years ago.

This year I am joining WESTFEST to talk about ‘The Arlington Baths, The Alhambra and Owen Jones: Islamic Architecture and Design in the 19th Century’ on 16th June @ 7pm FREE

This year I am joining @westfest.bsky.social to talk about ‘The Arlington Baths, The Alhambra and Owen Jones: Islamic Architecture and Design in the 19th Century’ on 16th June @ 7pm FREE Full details here: tinyurl.com/45929yuw

Free Talk! WESTFEST 16th June @ 7:00 pm westfest.uk/event/herita...

Meet James Bembridge, the Reform candidate for Westminster in next month’s local elections. As well as this tweet, Temu Lex Luthor here, has also been quoted as saying "Most NHS nurses look like they're eating food banks out of business." Don’t let him get his deposit back.

Great idea! Link to petition in post below

Going by the snow that's currently pelting down outside my window, we have entered "third winter".

Very sad to see this part of the former Western Infirmary being held up by shipping containers. Is this an emergency fix? The road was closed on Monday due to a dangerous building. 62 Church Street, Glasgow, Western Infirmary Outpatients, Dispensary and Chapel, built c1913 by Sir John James Burnet.

#savetrongate103 Protest ongoing at GCC’s City Property at the hike in rents and forced signing of contracts for all the vital arts organisations. Why does Glasgow City Council not care about the arts which make this city great?? #protest #glasgowarts #artistsmakeglasgow #artmakeslife

“In societies where freedom is under threat, an informed citizen is countercultural and deep reading is an act of resistance. Just as protest and vigilance are essential, so is the ability to read and think.” newrepublic.com/article/2076...

Book now for 'The Arlington Baths, The Alhambra and Owen Jones: Islamic architecture and design in the 19th century’ with Dr Ailsa Boyd @ailsaboyd.bsky.social. Fri 13 Mar, 7pm, free! @glasgowheritage.bsky.social @glasgowschoolofart.bsky.social @victurk.bsky.social @thevicsoc.bsky.social

The Turkish sauna in the Arlington Baths Club, Glasgow is 150 years old, and I'm giving a lecture on the history and context of the baths on 13 March 2026 at 7pm.

Our beautiful Turkish bath is 150 years old! In this illustrated talk, art historian Dr Ailsa Boyd @ailsaboyd.bsky.social will discuss 'The Arlington Baths, The Alhambra and Owen Jones: Islamic architecture and design in the 19th century’. Fri 13 Mar, 7pm, free!

Sunshine ☀️ means that I can look up ⬆️ I have never noticed this pillar detail on what remains of Ashton Road in the West End of Glasgow. It sticks out at the gable end where the rest of the road was demolished for the Boyd Orr building of 1972.

Below, an update on our campaign. The Holocaust Memorial Bill has now received Royal Assent. Once the diggers move in there will be no going back, so we will now be campaigning for a fresh planning inquiry. www.crowdjustice.com/case/stop-go...

An essay I wrote in 2005 about Millais's landscape painting and working with contemporary artists.

I am involved in this hearing about the redevelopment around the Glasgow School of Art. With no progress on the GSA rebuilding, it makes it all the harder to decide on the fate of the rest of the site. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Wikipedia was once an impossible dream. Today, it is 25 years of humanity at its best. Join us in celebrating what has become the backbone of knowledge on the internet. Donate now ➡️ donate.wikimedia.org #Wikipedia25

In Hookland, many a folkloric tale starts not with ‘A long time ago’ or ‘Far, far away’, but with the line: ‘Out across the dark moor where strange songs are still heard …’ For folklore tells strongly of place and our relationships to it. – Dr. M. Benn #Folklore #FolkloreThursday

A wee wander round the Green today + spotted this banner someone has put at the front of the People's Palace - Elseth King RIP 🐦🌳🔔🐟

When you feel depleted of enchantment, walk the wood. It is where magic lives loudly. – #EmilyCBanting, 1982

My latest blog is some original research into art deco architect Gerald de Courcy Fraser (1873 – 1952) who was the company architect for Lewis’s department stores.

It's official! 🏛️ 🎉 The SF Board of Supervisors has unanimously declared October 22, 2025 as Internet Archive Day — celebrating our 1️⃣ trillion webpages preserved & our mission to provide universal access to all knowledge. Learn more & celebrate with us tonight! ➡️ blog.archive.org/2025/10/22/h...

Dr. Jane Goodall filmed an interview with Netflix in March 2025 that she understood would only be released after her death.

There’s a new piece on my website about my recent trip to the South West to a church designed by #OwenJonesArchitect in 1847, St Bartholomew, Sutton Waldron. I was asked to speak at the celebration of the completion of major restorations to the church wall decorations by Owen Jones.

Owen Jones in Dorset I am delighted to be speaking on Owen Jones in Sutton Waldron, Dorset, on Sat 26th September, to celebrate the completion of the restoration of St Bartholomew’s Church. St Bartholomew's, Sutton Waldron (c) Dominick Swift Jones decorated the interior of this 1847 Gothic church…

Checking off lots of items on Arendt’s list today

Any time I talk about a wealthy person's outfit, someone in the comments is quick to reply: "They're rich, you think they care?" No one has to care about my opinions or clothes, regardless of net worth. But let's talk about the connection between wealth and aesthetics 🧵

Please sign this petition about the removal of librarians from Glasgow schools. chng.it/R9SFDdNZnY

Every single high school in Glasgow will lose its librarian under the current plans. It is happening after SNP and Green councillors voted for major education cuts in the Glasgow City Council budget.

Goodnight from Tony Smollet, slipping Mother Kemp’s malakins into the timber while volunteering to help build the St. John’s Eve bonefire. Goodnight from the Merry Maidens parade band, enjoying one last practice before summoning the Bone Horse tomorrow. Goodnight from Hookland.

Transatlantic Literary Women Symposium 4-5 July, University of Derby/online. A fabulous group of speakers, from Wharton to the Harlem Renaissance with keynote from Dr Katharine Cox - Register here! tiny.cc/43mn001

A few of my talks were postponed earlier this year for the #Glasgow 850 anniversary series, hosted by the Thomson Society. I was asked to share the new dates, so here you go! Tickets not released yet, but book via www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-alexan... #savethedate #history #earlymodern #skystorians

Mortifying experience at Pulp last night but taking comfort that I’m not the worst person Jarvis Cocker has ever impersonated

North Laurieston Masterplan Consultation 24 June ⬇️ www.urbanrealm.com/news/11507/N...

ALL ABOARD! 🚂 📣SAVE LIVERPOOL STREET STATION! The planning application for partial demolition of the listed station in the City of London to build a tower over it is now LIVE!! Here's our guide to writing your objection by 4th July: bit.ly/3ZQRkk8 #heritage #cityoflondon

Do you fancy a free guided tour of Europe's oldest members owned and run swimming club? Founded in 1870 and Grade A listed. Book your here on the @WestFestGlasgow tours: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/westfest-2... #glasgow #swimming #heritage #sport

The Club is taking part again in @WestFestGlasgow this June! Join us for tours, talks, water polo, poolside classics and a spectacular street gala! more info: arlingtonbaths.co.uk/home #glasgow #events #funday #talks #tours

This year I have been invited to deliver the following public talks, mostly as part of Glasgow 850 - see details on my latest blog.

A whiz through Glasgow's history by @murphyniallgla.bsky.social for #Glasgow850 which also describes some of the reasons for the depressing state of our built heritage. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2520557...

Word of the day is ‘forswunk’ (13th century): exhausted from too much work. I like to think that ‘foreswunk’ is to be exhausted before you even begin.

📢 The Internet Archive needs your help. At a time when information is being rewritten or erased online, a $700 million lawsuit from major record labels threatens to destroy the Wayback Machine. Tell the labels to drop the 78s lawsuit. 👉 Sign our open letter: www.change.org/p/defend-the... 🧵⬇️

I mean this is such an open goal it must have been intentional? #tronarse #tronares

A great turnout and enthusiastic audience yesterday for my lecture on ‘Ancient Inspiration for Modern Living: Alexander Thomson and Owen Jones’ for The Alexander Thomson Society @ Mitchell Library. Thank you everyone for coming and asking great questions! #Glasgow850

#academia Academic writers - work stolen!

On Saturday I am giving a public lecture at The Mitchell Library, Glasgow for The Alexander Thomson Society - do come and hear me talk about two amazing Victorians! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ancient-in...

Today UK authors are protesting against Meta for stealing our work to train their AI model. Authors earn an average of £7000 per year, we are not rich, and yet a trillion dollar company decided it didn’t want to license our work fairly as it was “too expensive” Theft is not a valid alternative.

Thank you to everyone who has signed our petition, 6,000+! Authors deserve to have a livelihood and compensation from their work, if you haven't signed do so now 👇

I am one of the authors whom Meta stole (sorry, ‘scraped’) from, by using their books to train Libgen. So I’m biased. But this from @mscaitlinmoran.bsky.social is👌