Pity to see Jackson Carlaw won’t be in Scottish Parliament. Party politics aside, he was a very good Parliamentarian. We need quality.

If you fancy an hour of stompingly good trad music based on a 300 yr old composition, there are still tickets left for this @islaratcliff.bsky.social gig Saturday 3pm at Traverse Edinburgh. www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/eve...

In a final video on the other place, John Swinney says 'tomorrow you will decide who will be your government and who will be your first minister" This is false. Tomorrow we will vote for our MSPs. It is they alone who decide the government and first minister. We have no say over the matter

APRIL 2026 UPDATE Who Owns Scotland now published with total of 4981 landholdings (76.9% rural Scotland). All records updated plus 21 new ones. New subscriptions welcome - they start at £6. www.whoownsscotland.org.uk

Never have 4 people more wished they were still in the deepest, darkest recesses of outer space.

At hustings for Skye, Lochaber & Badenoch constituency. Big topics are housing, energy generation, local democracy and local health services. #holyrood2026

My thoughts exactly. If Robbins never saw this document or knew its contents how could he have been expected to inform the PM (which he was not allowed to anyway?) From @tompeck.bsky.social I the Times. Seems very unfair dismissal

Why? Reform of Council tax like any other legislative reform simply requires a parliamentary majority. MSPs don’t all “work together” to agree other policy measures. Why is this one so special? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Why is council tax reform the one policy that SNP insists needs consensus. A parliamentary majority is all that is required to pass new legislation on any topic. Every party will never agree a common position so it this effectively saying its not going to happen? If not, then why not? #snpmanifesto

BLOG - I have reported further offences to Police Scotland under the Register of Persons Holding a Controlled Interest in Land. andywightman.scot/2026/04/furt...

This is an excellent example from @hutton.ac.uk of how one can undertake useful data analysis and visualisation with the right tools and data. storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/2845...

1/ How to demonstrate that John Swinney is not telling the truth about Scotland’s “low-cost” renewables.🧵 First, go to the Ofgem website and download this spreadsheet: www.ofgem.gov.uk/energy-regul...

Good to see that house prices are falling making them more affordable but I guess it won't be sustained month on month. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

It is well known that the rock in Cuillin (gabbro) is very tough on the hands. But just discovered that as a consequence fingerprint ID on computer keyboard does not work. Hope prints grow back as originally configured!

MARCH 2026 UPDATE Who Owns Scotland now published with total of 4960 landholdings (76.9% rural Scotland). All records updated plus 18 new ones. New subscriptions welcome - they start at £6. www.whoownsscotland.org.uk

Inverness residents invited to provide views on future of part of their common land. bsky.app/profile/high...

The first-ever Land Use Framework for England has been published. I think it is the most far-sighted plan for England's land since the Second World War. Here's my thoughts on what it does (& doesn't) do: 1/ www.gov.uk/government/p...

BLOG - following Alan Brown's guest blog on Craiganour Estate, I investigate what we know about who really controls the ownership of North Glenbuchat Estate. The answer is not forthcoming from our so-called transparency registers. andywightman.scot/2026/03/who-...

A post by me on @andywightman.scot's website for anyone interested in Craiganour estate, plutocracy, #LandReform, #Scotland and indeed Grace Jones and Beyoncé. Will landownership in our country ever be fully transparent? andywightman.scot/2026/03/who-...

BLOG - I am pleased to publish this Guest Blog. Are our transparency registers are worth anything at all? The revelation that a Jersey company is controlled by BVI companies is not particularly helpful. Meanwhile the key player appears to remain hidden. andywightman.scot/2026/03/who-...

So many questions. Is it normal for someone to be released on bail with conditions (surrender passport) but to be free to go before actually having handed in said passport? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

For the 2nd time in 2 days, the BBC World at One #wato reports that there are upcoming elections to the “Scottish Government”. This is not true. There are upcoming elections to Scottish Parliament. Government is then elected by MSPs. This is elementary stuff to get right

BLOG - I am pleased to report that Police Scotland has submitted a report to COPFS relating to an offence to register in Register of Persons Holding a Controlled Interest in Land. Apologies to blog subscribers as automated email failed to send (am investigating) andywightman.scot/2026/03/poli...

BLOG - I am pleased to report that Police Scotland has submitted a report to COPFS relating to an offence to register in Register of Persons Holding a Controlled Interest in Land. Apologies to blog subscribers as automated email failed to send (am investigating) andywightman.scot/2026/03/poli...

The reconsideration stage of the European Charter of Local Self-Government (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill has been passed unanimously by MSPs. You can find out more about the Bill at https://ow.ly/pyW050YoIVY

FEBRUARY 2026 UPDATE Who Owns Scotland now published with total of 4942 landholdings (76.8% rural Scotland). Only one new record as expansion is running far ahead of subscription income - the sole source of income. New subscriptions welcome - they start at £6. whoownsscotland.org.uk

BLOG - Tulchan Estate is not for sale for offers over £67 million. Instead the shareholding of the company that owns it (in turn owned in Guernsey) is for sale. This has implications for tax receipts & the tenant farmers whose right to buy is once again blocked. andywightman.scot/2026/02/tulc...

Today I publish Who Owns Scotland 2025, an annual analysis of landownership across rural Scotland. The most significant finding is the continuing trend over past 15 years of fewer and fewer owners owning more and more of rural Scotland. andywightman.scot/2026/02/who-...

Today I publish Who Owns Scotland 2025, an annual analysis of landownership across rural Scotland. The most significant finding is the continuing trend over past 15 years of fewer and fewer owners owning more and more of rural Scotland. andywightman.scot/2026/02/who-...

Programme for @edinburghtradfest.com out now. @islaratcliff.bsky.social with a re-imagination of Vivaldi's Four Seasons on 3pm Sat 9 May at Traverse Theatre. edinburghtradfest.com/schedule/202...

Today's inauguration of the Canadian consulate in Greenland is the culmination of diplomacy as the answer to the bullying of the shameless American president and his yes-sayer government. It's an inspiration to everyone to stand up to injustice and stand for the rule of international law.

BLOG - Today I publish my annual Rural Land Market report examining land sales in 2024. For the first time, I reveal the prices paid for 21 properties which were concealed from public view. Do have a read - only 9 pages (the blog is worth your time too) andywightman.scot/2026/02/rura...

NEW BLOG - "Community Ownership and Local Landed Power" exploring recent events in Glengarry and the interplay between community action and an influential local businessman. andywightman.scot/2026/01/comm...

England and Wales’ land reform journey www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

The Scottish Four Seasons by @islaratcliff.bsky.social tonight at Celtic Connections in the Barony Hall

A reminder fo those furth of Scotland that we know all about Mr Trump's threats and bullying in trying to seize other people's property. We resisted. We won. (This is at Donald Trump's golf course at Menie, Aberdeenshire)

Is the forestry sector finally growing up? 🌲 In our latest episode of Let’s Talk Better Forestry, host Morag Paterson is joined by Stuart Goodall, Chief Executive of Confor, to discuss the "growing pains" of Scottish forestry. 🎧 Listen here: www.forestpolicygroup.org/news/ep-6-wi...

The Trump kvaje cakes are being sold out fast in Denmark. We're overwhelmed by the massive support from all around the world. Thank you so much ❤️🤗

Just watched this. My daughter went to a Russian school for 2 years and I am familiar with the routine patriotic and military performances. But after Feb 2022, this escalated dramatcially as illustrated in this astounding bit of film-making from inside a Russian school. www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

Nice write up in Herald of @islaratcliff.bsky.social new album. Pity the sub editors changed "Meltin o the Snaw" to "Melton o the Swan" !! www.heraldscotland.com/news/2576289...

Finally! Lenny The Cheater, my boy scout nemesisis, has agreed to give me the circus skills badge he so presumptiously took for himself all those years ago. No-one can juggle balls like me. Everybody says so. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

❄️ JANUARY GIGS ❄️ ‘The Scottish Four Seasons’ 23rd Jan - Celtic Connections 24th Jan - Stockbridge Music Hub ‘Daughters of Donbas’ 28th Jan - Celtic Connections 29th Jan - St Mary’s Episcopal Church, Edinburgh 30th Jan - University of St Andrews

I think this is the first time that an asset of a common good fund (typically nowhere mentioned in the news piece) has been subject to restictions on sale beyond the familiar Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 provisions. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

BLOG - Wildcat Haven Enterpsies CIC has been dissolved following liquidation still owing me £60,000. andywightman.scot/2026/01/wild...

In a recent blog I highlighted the trend for large-scale land sales to conceal the prices paid. A few readers have offered to donate the £30 needed to examine each title. There are 26 in scope. If you are willing to contribute, leave a comment on blog or email me. andywightman.scot/2025/12/you-...

DECEMBER 2025 UPDATE Who Owns Scotland now published with total of 4927 landholdings (76.77% rural Scotland). The project is financed solely by subscription income. New subscriptions welcome - they start at £5. whoownsscotland.org.uk

🎶 NEW MUSIC VIDEO - OUT NOW 🎶 Happy Hogmanay! Here’s a waltz to celebrate ❄️ ‘The Hogmanay Waltz (Winter 2)’ is from my recent album ‘The Scottish Four Seasons’, which you can buy on Bandcamp or listen to on Tidal. youtu.be/lAobRQOndX0?...

A lovely tune for tonight 😍

Stage 1 report on Crofting Bill published. It supports a 3 croft limit for fast track assignations. But once more - a question. A crofter with 10 acres of bog and rock can have up to 3 crofts (or more if consented) but landowners owning thousands of ha face no such limits. Why not? ow.ly/JBie50XMw4t

For nosey parkers, curious minds, and investigative sleuths, gift a one year personal subscription to Who Owns Scotland this Christmas. Full details at foot of the Subscribe page whoownsscotland.org.uk/subscribe/