Panorama's mistake has riled Trump. But one bad edit merits apology & correction not capitulation with our licence fee cash. The BBC sd prepare for court like NY Times & Wall St Journal with Number 10 support. Instead, we're in for a credibility-destroying grovel www.thenational.scot/politics/256...

Five UN Special Rapporteurs condemn Palestine Action ban as "not justified", "unnecessary" and a move associated with authoritarian states. Will this be raised in #PMQs? Will it be covered by @BBCNews? tinyurl.com/2s4cyzar

Has the BBC been captured by a bunch of extreme right wingers? Does anyone believe Aunty is pro Palestine? Who will pay Trump's damages - licence-fee payers? What about record low trust levels in Scotland post #indyref? Plus prisons, David Lammy & Trad Awards. Listen lesleyriddoch.com/podcast

Centuries of overgrazing & muirburn for grouse moors mean Highland Scotland looks treeless & desolate. But it doesn't have to be this way. New film Scotland's Missing Forests went online y'day. Chuffed to see almost 10k views. www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuTV... @chrisgpackham.bsky.social

30 years ago this hopeless, overgrazed hillside was turned into a thriving woodland. Care & fencing restored desolate Glen Garry despite a sub-Arctic climate & proved forests are possible anywhere. So why is much of Scotland a barren wasteland? New film www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuTV...

Will Trump cut cash to NYC if 'communist' Zohran Mamdani wins Mayoral race? Are public reassured or panicked by Rachel Reeves pre-budget tough times speech? Reform manifesto pledges falling apart. Plus Land Reform Bill, Edinburgh Trams & the late Elspeth King. Listen lesleyriddoch.com/podcast

Well said. Elspeth was a life force. Blocked by the auld guys who didn’t ‘get’ the People’s Palace. A Harpies & Quines supporter with her suffragette research. She sd have run Kelvingrove but re-energised Dunfermline & revived Stirling’s Smith Gallery instead. It’s such v bad news.

I spoke at Yes Cymru rally in Rhyl last weekend and was blown away by their wall-to-wall use of Welsh. Astonished to be only non-Welsh speaker on that platform. Its obvious their language is massive part of Plaid’s Caerphilly by-election success.

Radio Scotland’s problem isn't GMS presenters but the station's inability to reflect the real, post-indyref, curious, questioning nation Scotland has become & all the narratives, sources & outlooks that exist beyond a weary mainstream. Today's National column. www.thenational.scot/politics/255...

Spooky - Reform hog headlines tho Plaid Cymru wins. Why is the UK media so desperate for the relentless-rise-of-the-right narrative? Plus Irish Presidential election, violence in Scottish schools, Your Party Glasgow launch & Labour's McNukes policy. Listen lesleyriddoch.com/podcast

This looks good.

Why didnt stunning Caerphilly victory clinch prime 8.10am slot for Plaid_Cymru on BBCr4today prog this am? Instead it's all about Labour & Reform losing. Wakey wakey chaps. This is why Welsh folk feel so ignored. Special free podcast with Yescymru folk I met last weekend. lesleyriddoch.com/podcast

Or …. Plaid played a blinder. Belief in UK weakened. Small party with zero coverage pulled off massive result.

Are Scots the most indoor folk in Europe? Daytrippers. Next to no family weekend huts. Priced out of overnight stays. Lost family links. Strangers in our own land. Why no outrage? Speaking at Blether of Books Festival Nov 2 Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Alloway. Tix tinyurl.com/bdfcfev2

Must Scotland thole being a net exporter of green energy to England with the highest energy bills in Europe? This summer 56 Highland community councils came together to demand a pause & local control. Are they NIMBYs or spot on? See the film Carnoustie next Tuesday -free with Q&A

Is rising popularity of Welsh language driving Plaid's poll lead for 2026 - what can Scotland learn from Cymru? Starmer makes another bad call letting Andrew keep title as Prince. And Burntislanders need a law change to access their own harbour - why? Listen lesleyriddoch.com/podcast

Impressive ⁦‪⁦‪@YesCymru‬⁩ turnout in Rhyl on overcast day. No Saltires ⁦‪@YesBikers‬⁩ or ⁦‪@SaorAlbaPD‬⁩ pipers but Welsh dragon flags everywhere, brass band leading off & organisers using Welsh quite naturally. I’m on around 2pm. Hope I’m as perky #awfyearlystart

Morning @auob.cymru. See you in Rhyl. nation.cymru/news/thousan...

Great news. Will Maclean & Marian Leven have just won the Marsh Award for their Lewis land monument. In the 1840s the Hebridean Galson estate was cleared for sheep. Most people were put onto emigration ships to Canada. Finally in 2007 - a community buyout. Their sculpture celebrates that renewal.

Highland A9 corridor resembles barren wasteland. Easy to assume nothing cd ever grow here & 'sporting' landowners have taken over a real burden. Easy but wrong. Scotland’s Missing Forests film shows at REVIVE conference Nov 8. Then youtube.com/@Lesley_Riddoch www.heraldscotland.com/politics/255...

John Swinney's indy strategy. Will it work or devalue more likely election outcome - a combined indy party win? Are walk-in clinics game changing? Trump's Gaza ceasefire deal & the Nobel Peace Prize award to a supporter of Gaza coming - must we applaud? Listen lesleyriddoch.com/podcast

Very chuffed to be in this line up as Plaid builds its case for victory in 2026. Voters want change. And not just in the direction of Reform. @AUOBCymru nation.cymru/news/thousan...

If Met police are exhausted by 'repeat' Gaza demos why not stop arresting pensioners for holding cardboard signs? Labour has turned a valid political stance into a lawbreaking one - will that wash? Plus the empty Tory Conference v the louping Greens and the SNP ahead Listen lesleyriddoch.com/podcast

Ron Greer & Derek Pretswell took 50 years to produce a broad leaf forest in the sub-arctic climate & barren wastes of Glen Garry - but achievement ignored by the authorities. Why? Film “Scotland’s Missing Forests” premieres Nov 8 Revive Coalition Perth conf & Nov 9 on www.youtube.com/@Lesley_Ridd...

Are Highlanders climate crisis-denying NIMBYs or asking who benefits from green energy that isn't locally owned or controlled and (largely) won't reach the grid? Highland Windfarm Revolt screening plus Q&A in Phipps Hall Beauly, 29th Nov 2pm. Free with donations. lesleyriddoch.com/events

Difficult times. Cheer yourself up with poet & author of seven novels inc Testament of Gideon Mack, Joseph Knight, And the Land Lay Still and News of the Dead - James Robertson. Thurs 30th Oct, Steps Theatre Dundee 6-7.30pm. Org by @indydundeeangus www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-evening...

Starmer's right-wing pish appeals to folk down south. But not many in Scotland or Wales, set to reject Labour for the first time in 100 yrs next May. In 2026 it’s possible all Celtic nations will support the break-up of the UK. Conceal that if you can. www.thenational.scot/politics/255...

Are Scots the most indoor folk in Europe? Daytrippers. Next to no family weekend huts. Priced out of overnight stays. Lost family links to the land. Why no outrage? Chuffed to be at Blether of Books Nov 2 Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Alloway. tinyurl.com/bdfcfev2

Finland's war readiness looks justified after Russian drones over Oslo & Copenhagen Airports - what next? Your Party launch was a washout - can it survive? Is Andy Burnham about to oust Starmer? Will the EU cut trade links with Israel? Listen to podcast lesleyriddoch.com/podcast

Finland has been world’s happiest country for 8 years running. After filming here for a week happiness is not laugh our cheeriness. Or even smiling a lot. But having the determination to ensure all the basics work properly for all. #Sisu-theunsinkableFinns

Helsinki-based Scots filmmaker Gavin Hanigan & myself have spent a week filming to tell Finland’s incredible story. Despite famines, wars, a meter of sea ice half the year & the perennial threat of Russia, these modest people are quietly top performing. A great model for Scotland

Nato intercepted Russian fighter jets in Estonian airspace today. It's the kind of provocation Estonians have dreaded … and prepared for. There's no way this Baltic State will let its hard won independence unravel. A film. www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqLJ...

Just 12 days till ⁦‪Scotgov‬⁩ supports or thwarts the will of ⁦‪ScotParl‬⁩ over a week’s outdoor education for all Scots kids. Technical measure for Private Member’s Bill not forthcoming from Scotgov & won’t be able to progress. Why - surely MSPs should decide? www.thenational.scot/politics/254...

Are Highlanders climate crisis deniers or just the loudest objectors to a broken UK energy system that offers no local control to folk with some of Europe's highest energy bills? Decide for yourself. A new film. www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LXy...

Are Highlanders climate crisis deniers & NIMBYs or do they have good questions for WM, Holyrood & SSEN about new wind farm wave. Constraint payments in billions by 2030, Scotland already a net energy exporter & local bills amongst Europe's highest. Who benefits? youtube.com/watch?v=-LXy...

In the 1840s the Galson estate on Lewis was cleared for sheep. Most people were put onto emigration ships to Canada. Finally in 2007 - a community buyout. This commemorative sculpture by Will Maclean & Marian Leven is shortlisted for Marsh Award. If it moves you pls vote. pssauk.org/2025-pssa-ma...

Who benefits from vast expansion of Highland wind energy? Scotland’s already an energy exporter: weak grid means windfarm owners get millions NOT to produce & little benefit comes to folk with Europe’s highest energy bills. A just transition? A new film. www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LXy...

Who will replace Angela Rayner as deputy Labour leader? Has Starmer’s reshuffle set the heather alight? Are “patriots“ impressed with PM’s embrace of the union flag? Are Scottish Labour activists impressed with Dougie Alexander’s return? Listen to podcast - lesleyriddoch.com/podcast

Angela Rayner is one of Labour's few effective weapons against Farage – the millionaire who claims to be one of the people. Rayner tangibly was one of the people till her second home scandal. She might survive but what about her credibility? www.thenational.scot/politics/254...

Rain in North Fife at last. Also overdue - John Swinney suggesting Palestine arrests are unwarranted in Scotland: action to stop massive private land sales & spirited SNP/Green opposition to Reform’s call for mass deportation of asylum seekers. Listen at lesleyriddoch.com/podcast

Only the Swedes cd successfully move a century-old stave church on flat wagons to stop it collapsing into world’s largest iron mine. Here’s a Radio 4 prog I made 9 years ago with @Anders_Lindberg - Kiruna the city that moved. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Frankly, have we learned anything from Nicola Sturgeon‘s memoir beyond the dangers of government by a tiny clique? Are Highlanders NIMBYs for blocking new wind farms or local campaigners determined to be heard? Plus a glorious Feis Rois concert. Listen at lesleyriddoch.com/podcast

Why is Kate Forbes quitting Holyrood? Religious views out of kilter with SNP leaders? Or the monumental obstacle of inadequate childcare? Plus Starmer & the Palestine pledge that pleases no-one. And John Swinney’s Gaza moment. Listen at lesleyriddoch.com/podcast

Big Gaza event on October 15, at The Stand in Glasgow. Peter Oborne on his new book Complicit, about UK complicity in Israel's destruction of Gaza. All proceeds going to Medical Aid for Palestinians. @ScotNational www.thestand.co.uk/performance/...

Huge thanks to folk who backed crowd-funder for films about Finland and the surge of commercial windfarms across the Highlands and Islands. Finland filming starts Sept - Highland wind farms next weekend minus any contribution fm Highland Council, Scotgov, SSEN or UK Gov. Poor.

Trump visit. Real gains in talks or window dressing all round? UK cabinet meeting. Still fiddling while Gaza burns? Swinney const convention call. Does SNP mean it this time? And who but UK Ministers thinks Scottish Water is worse than England’s? Listen at lesleyriddoch.com/podcast

Edinburgh Gaza protest. Did we look like terrorists & might arrests still follow? Why did Starmer suspend rebels but not committee chairs who let welfare cuts rebellion? What is Swinney’s Indy strategy. And 3 cheers for Richard Murphy & Dick Gaughan.Listen at lesleyriddoch.com/podcast

Snoring dreaming girl. Doris was caught outside in total deluge today. Safe now.

It’s been a busy day

Lots of women on Palestine Edinburgh march. It’s the Gaza children being killed looking for food that’s breaking hearts and prompting so many mothers to turn up. No arrests despite thousands repeating same lines that prompted police action y’day. ⁦‪