Nowhere in the hysterical pile-on against the BBC in the British press has anyone mentioned that BBC News now has 77 million viewers & listeners in the US and has established itself as the second most trusted news source there.

I do not understand the Labour government's reticence over defending the BBC and social media regulation. Their long-term survival basically depends on it. Their cowardice in the face of it may be the single thing they are most remembered for. on.ft.com/3JVxC1Z via @FT

The fact that the BBC has made serious culpable errors does not negate the point that there is a real and concerted right-wing media campaign to destroy it. Both points can be true at the same time and the campaign would not end even if the errors did.

A wee thought, as always on this date, for the ten men from the 38 addresses in Scotland Street, two of them from 10 Scotland Street, who died in WW1. Researching their stories for the book , was heart-rending. Unbelievable waste.

‘So many boys have seen violent pornography that they’re physically harming girls’ I talk to Scotland’s best known school counsellor about the lives of teenagers. She reveals a world of sexual violence, abuse and mental illness In @heraldscotland.bsky.social Warning: disturbing & graphic content

And here are more details about Frances’ stunning novel Words Fail Me, highly praised by both Val McDermid and Ian Rankin www.eye-books.com/products/wor...

Here’s @neilmackay.bsky.social’s full interview with @francesmckendrick.bsky.social archive.ph/5ifA3

‘Words Fail Me is essential reading for every parent and anyone who cares about the mental health crisis affecting young people today. It’s not only socially important, it’s a damn good read’ Ace coverage for @francesmckendrick.bsky.social & her debut novel from @neilmackay.bsky.social in the Herald

School counsellor talks about violent porn and is eaten by bush @heraldscotland.bsky.social @neilmackay.bsky.social

www.heraldscotland.com/politics/hol... @marissamacwhirter.bsky.social

Looking forward to reading this. These men, in these raincoats, had no idea where they were.

My cherry, I planted at 10 Scotland Street 50 years ago, is a joy in spring - but in autumn it is truly beautiful. But it is being elbowed out here, on the right, by my beautiful rowan. It feels improbable that I planted them as, basically, twigs in sour and unloved ground.

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill passes with 85 voting yes, 28 voting no and 9 abstentions

The American Christian right has infiltrated the UK. We are on the road to Gilead, but it's not too late to change course By @theguiltyfeminist.bsky.social's @dfdubz.bsky.social

The runner up of the #PollardPrize 2025 is Niall Gray for his paper on '“The Burns Connection”: the Scotland-USSR Society and Cold War cultural diplomacy'. Congratulations to our winners and thanks to @Oxfordacademic.bsky.social for sponsoring the prize!

The Prize Papers talks are absolutely excellent.

Important amendments from @ariane-burgess.bsky.social and Mercedes Villalba being voted on in Parliament tonight. They would ensure public oversight over significant land transfers and set a presumed limit on landownership at 500ha unless owned for wider public benefit. Much needed interventions

And, a sadness this, Bert Jansch.

And Eleanor Marx and her dad. Festooned.

In Highgate Cemetery, tracking down the grave of the man who invested for the Whytts of 10 Scotland Street, I came across Tom Wakefied just in front of the blessed Hobsbawm.

Transport Scotland are evaluating the Older and Disabled Person's Free Bus Pass Scheme in Scotland. You can give feedback via an online survey, accessed at: online1.snapsurveys.com/ODPS The closing date is 23 November 2025. Please share.

Perhaps people can now appreciate the likes of Mick Lynch who fought to keep the jobs at staions and trains. Unions as always actually save lives, but people have short-term memories.

Several friends found in Highgate cemetery including the lovely Troy Kennedy Martin of Edge of Darkness, the Italian Job and much more, with whom I had the great pleasure of working. So generous and genial.

EXCLUSIVE: Former Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt on Scottish independence and the UK in Europe

Delighted that @guyverhofstadt.bsky.social 's gift at tonight's @euromovescotland.bsky.social dinner is my @yalepress.bsky.social Scotland:the Global History. Here signing it with Bill Rodger @sahavoice.bsky.social @iassl.bsky.social @asls.org.uk

It's the little things... Duolingo inviting me to practice. Spelt thus. Blind rage.

A woman is killed by a man every 3 days in the UK... 78% are murdered by a partner/ex Yet not once have I heard Reform talk about this Not once have I heard them back measures to protect women’s safety In fact, they voted against them...

🗣️"The Life and Times of Esta Henry: Queen of The High Street". Esta's remarkable story gets an outing again, with updates since last time! ✨ 📆 Tuesday 4th Nov 🕡 doors 18:30, start 19:15 ⛪ Braid Hall, Morningside Parish Church, 2 Cluny Gardens 🫰 £3 for non-members of Morningside Heritage Association

Happy Halloween everyone. #WorldBollardAssociation 👻

Hi Lisa Nandy! I’m a BAFTA winner from a small town. Instead of asinine questions like this, why not tell us how we can continue to make a living in the eviscerated creative sector over which you notionally preside?

Bookshop.org is your friend.

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...

This, by Will Lloyd, on the increasing absurdity of the monarchy, the irrelevance of 'Windsorism' in an age unmoored from God and deference, is just such a fantastic ride. Beautiful writing.

Asylum seekers, housed in hotels in Manchester, are reaching out in their own words to address the concerns of the local community. Please take a minute to read their letter, & share it with the people in your life who need to hear the truth about the people they are protesting.

Homicide deaths in Scotland reached the lowest level for almost half a century last year, new figures have revealed

The history and legacy of the British Empire with @davidolusoga.bsky.social Coming in November. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m... 🗃️📚📺 #history

After a long walk - the pub seems to be at the end of that rainbow.

Arran from St Blane's, Bute

After the rain

Misty New Town morning

Read the full report at thenerve.news: www.thenerve.news/p/nathan-gil...

The Portrait Gallery, NGS

A really interesting thread from Andy Arthur about Davie Street School. threadinburgh.scot/2025/10/09/t...

You have all heard of Alan Turing, who did not invent Colossus*, the first programmable computer? 80% of Bletchley Park staff were women. Most of whom are unnamed. They deserve as much recognition #ALD25 * That was Tommy Flowers, but that's another story.

This is the first time in 15 years that I'm running Ada Lovelace Day without also putting on a big event in London, and I have to admit, it feels kinda weird. If you have a minute, please share a story of your favourite woman in STEM with the hashtag #ALD25.

Anyone know what these are?

Ah no

Absolutely love this post. Another example why we need to study history from the bottom up, not necessarily top down.

Young Citz celebration of the Close Theatre 1965-1973 last night was superb. The spirit of 65 was there - and a commitment to live, innovative theatre. One other survivor from the '65 cohort and I were very moved. A huge welcome difference was the gender balance. Thank you once again Citizen's.