The library card is the only one in my wallet whose limit I can max out with wild abandon. This week's column about saving the public libraries for @heraldscotland.bsky.social ✍️ www.heraldscotland.com/news/educati...

Public libraries are pretty punk. They are non-commercial, non-clinical third spaces where anyone can go to warm up, use the wifi, go to the bathroom, and have untapped access to a world of books – all for free, says @marissamacwhirter.bsky.social @heraldscotland.bsky.social

'The Si! Spa sits where the Ayrshire Coastal Path begins, promising to deliver one of the best spa experiences the region has to offer' @marissamacwhirter.bsky.social visits Scotland's newest coastal escape www.heraldscotland.com/life...

'Glasgow was already battered and bruised - this fire has torn the heart out of city' Between the smoking hole where Union Corner used to be, and the shrouded halls, the view from up here is anything but postcard. Dispatch via @heraldscotland.bsky.social ✍️ www.heraldscotland.com/news/homenew...

"In his statement, Watt positions himself as a victim and neglects to acknowledge how his decision-making put people's livelihoods at risk. 'Heartbreak' is not accountability." www.heraldscotland.com/opin... @marissamacwhirter.bsky.social

"James Watt talks about his 'many mistakes' during his 17 years at the helm. Is he referring to the toxic workplace culture, aggressive leadership, or brand hypocrisy? Perhaps all three?" || @marissamacwhirter.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/2591... 📷: 𝘌𝘥 𝘏𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘔𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢 𝘈𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴/𝘗𝘈

James Watt and Brewdog represent the worst excesses of millennial hustle culture and performative rebellion. The entire brand is dated and should be left in 2007, where it belongs, says @marissamacwhirter.bsky.social @heraldscotland.bsky.social #brewdog

Another wee explainer on what happens next RE Glasgow M8 plans @heraldscotland.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/news/2589968...

'International evidence overwhelmingly undercuts this idea that removing the M8 through Glasgow would cause some sort of doomsday carmageddon' www.heraldscotland.com/opin... @marissamacwhirter.bsky.social

International evidence overwhelmingly undercuts this idea that removing the M8 through Glasgow would cause some sort of doomsday carmageddon. This week's column @heraldscotland.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/2589... @paulsweeney.bsky.social @replacethem8.bsky.social

We homed a COP26 delegate from Mexico who was aghast that a motorway ploughed through our city centre, 'I know Mexico City has significant air pollution problems being based in a basin but this motorway and its self-inflicted harm is madness.'

Of the 3 options presented by Transport Scotland, removing the concrete megastructure of the M8 was the only one with warnings attached - but its inclusion is a huge step for those who want a liveable modern city @heraldscotland.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/news/2588681...

Are motorways untouchable facts of life, no matter how miserable traffic gets? I've been investigating the M8 [email protected], looking at what it's really costing #Scotland as an inter-city route - and what it's costing #Glasgow as an inner-city viaduct. 🧵📸 Colin Mearns

Great piece from @marissamacwhirter.bsky.social on the problems facing (and caused by) the M8 motorway, which cuts through Glasgow. With spans of the 1960s infrastructure now needing costly replacement, might it be time for a more serious rethink about how it fits in with the city.

Happy Birthday to us! Two years in, I’m more convinced than ever that cities function better when people feel informed and connected. That’s what this newsletter is for. Thank you for your support Glasgow! #glasgownews @marissamacwhirter.bsky.social

The great Glasgow debate: which areas are south side, which are west end? This week's column for @heraldscotland.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/2587...

If I picture the south side, I see Alpha Industries bomber jackets, independents with limited opening hours and a penchant for drama. I can smell the warm vegetal scent of fruit wafting down Victoria Road, hear the bicycles whizzing past @marissamacwhirter.bsky.social @heraldscotland.bsky.social

'There are not nearly enough cranes in Glasgow, but the ones that are here piece together, slab by concrete slab, beige brick by beige brick, tall buildings filled with tiny rooms for transient students' www.heraldscotland.com/opin... @marissamacwhirter.bsky.social

“By trying to improve our cities, we have only succeeded in making them empty simulacra of what was,” Kevin Baker writes. Is Glasgow becoming a reserve for the wealthy and the temporary? @heraldscotland.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/2585...

Who are our cities are for? The people who actually live in them - or the speculators slamming up student flats @marissamacwhirter.bsky.social @heraldscotland.bsky.social

'Tech workers, bankers, estate agents, students and the like all have their place. But the city should also be for care workers, artists, bartenders, shop workers, tradespeople, and teachers.' || @marissamacwhirter.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/opin... 𝘐𝘔𝘈𝘎𝘌: @mearnscolin.bsky.social

'It’s about claiming space that makes people who identify as queer feel safe. So, being safe in their bodies, not feeling judged, not feeling othered, and feeling comfortable to express themselves' www.heraldscotland.com/life... @marissamacwhirter.bsky.social

How the Glasgow Community Sauna has revolutionised wellness with a £10 sauna @marissamacwhirter.bsky.social @heraldscotland.bsky.social

Marissa MacWhirter visits Glasgow's first non-profit sauna and cold plunge spot www.heraldscotland.com/life... @marissamacwhirter.bsky.social

Since drop-off charges were introduced at Glasgow International Airport less than a decade ago, they have increased by 250 per cent ✍️ @heraldscotland.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/2582...

'It’s been nice to get some recognition because I don’t make a lot of money from doing this. I’ve sacrificed a lot to have a bookshop, and I love having it.' www.heraldscotland.com/life... @marissamacwhirter.bsky.social

It was a pleasure and a privilege to enter the magical world of Burning House Books. Read the full story via @heraldscotland.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2...

Trying to make sense of what happened with the CCA? Fear not, comprehensive explainer via @heraldscotland.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/news/2581328...

I spoke to Harry Miller about all things FORTY Clothing for @heraldscotland.bsky.social with pics by Gordon Terris. www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2...

'Content advice' isn't censorship or brainwashing BUT when warnings are on everything from Frankenstein to Harry Potter, it makes the institution seem confused. Is the UofG a creche or a prestigious place of higher learning? @heraldscotland.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/news/educati...

The Herald's @marissamacwhirter.bsky.social tries her first floating sound bath www.heraldscotland.com/life...

Hospitality is an incredible industry to work in, but the overwhelming feeling of operators small and large is that policy is... unsupportive to say the least. My piece on the real world impact of rates revaluations for @heraldscotland.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2...

“The expansion of Finnieston and the introduction of all these hospitality businesses have been part of the growth of Glasgow’s economy as a whole,” McGeady explains. “We do the same thing up the road in Yorkhill." @marissamacwhirter.bsky.social @heraldscotland.bsky.social

A breakdown of what Glasgow City Council is proposing, and what happens next, including the consultation, decision-making, and potential timelines www.heraldscotland.com/news... @marissamacwhirter.bsky.social

'I spend the next 20 minutes playing with the little water jets and pretending I’ve been chucked into a bubbling, colour-changing witch’s cauldron - and yes, this is very relaxing for me' @marissamacwhirter.bsky.social @heraldscotland.bsky.social

One parent told the BBC that the autistic Barbie made her five-year-old feel special, as she too wears ear defenders. Other parents have been more critical, suggesting that Barbie is offensive. @heraldscotland.bsky.social @marissamacwhirter.bsky.social

Here is what Glasgow City Council is proposing for parking controls, and what happens next, including the consultation, decision-making, and potential timelines. @marissamacwhirter.bsky.social @heraldscotland.bsky.social

I miss having a bathtub so much that I often find myself scrolling Rightmove longingly, weighing up if having one is worth the pain of moving and shelling out an extra few hundred quid on rent. Here's where this spa comes in... @heraldscotland.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2...

Exciting news for all the Scots fashionistas out there @heraldscotland.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/news/2576608...

A wee explainer on what happens next with the parking proposals for the south side @heraldscotland.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/news/2576549...

'The one thing everyone agrees on is that parking in Glasgow’s Southside needs fixing. But no one can agree on how to do it.' www.heraldscotland.com/life... @marissamacwhirter.bsky.social

Thousands of streets will see their speed limits reduced to 20mph in one of the biggest speed limit shakeups by a UK city. But the rollout has been delayed, and questions have been raised about the scheme's practical viability @marissamacwhirter.bsky.social @heraldscotland.bsky.social

Here's what we know so far about Glasgow's citywide 20mph zone (most main roads are unaffected) @heraldscotland.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/news/2575999...

A proposed Parking Control Zone in Glasgow Southside has the community at loggerheads - important to note that the actual consultation has not yet been carried out. So now is the time to make noise... @heraldscotland.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2...

What we have today isn’t really the internet anymore. It is a new and nauseating force that has infected everything from our phones to our refrigerators. So here's to unplugging in 2026. ✍️ @heraldscotland.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/politics/hol...

Scotland's luxury shopping landscape is shifting, and the stakes are high, says @marissamacwhirter.bsky.social @heraldscotland.bsky.social

This past year, I spent a lot of time reporting on shopping malls and town centres, but nowhere captures this liminal quality of shopping centres as severely as St Enoch Centre and we should tear it down. @heraldscotland.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/2573...

Luxury retail is an odd beast. I visited the strange world of Multrees Walk for @heraldscotland.bsky.social and felt like an intruder✍️ www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2...

I spoke with the lovely Alex Norton for @heraldscotland.bsky.social ahead of the new Two Doors Down Christmas special 🎄

Townhouse is now open in Edinburgh 💅 @heraldscotland.bsky.social