Another Time, Another Place

The story goes, that my Auntie Rita broke down in tears during a visit to the Scottish National War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle. She had discovered the name of her uncle James among the dead of the Great War. He belonged to the unlucky one-in-five of enlisted Scots who never returned from the trenches. Seeing his name andContinue reading “Another Time, Another Place”

Letter from Denmark: National Consciousness

There are two ways to see the Danish parliament. The first is a standard 45-minute guided walk about. The second is the longer ‘Kunstomvisning’, or art tour. I suggested to my wife that she give up her sacred Saturday morning downtime to join me. Unexpectedly, she agreed. There’s track work between the Eastbridge (Østerbro) Station and Copenhagen Central.Continue reading “Letter from Denmark: National Consciousness”

The Distance of the Years

“You wouldn’t recognise Duke Street now,” my sister says, “it’s all bric-a-brac stores.” Lizzie is the only one of the litter who has remained close to our roots. Today, she lives just across from my primary school at the top of Armadale Street. Her daily shopping trips take her along the Parade, though she clearlyContinue reading “The Distance of the Years”

Letter from Denmark: Libraries, Liars, and Lucia

I’m fumbling to find my yellow health insurance card. All Danish citizens and residents have one. It doubles as a kind of multi-purpose ID. You need it at the dentist or doctor, but this little credit-card sized bit of plastic also lets you into the library. As it happens, there’s no need for its magneticContinue reading “Letter from Denmark: Libraries, Liars, and Lucia”

The Scottish National Congress

Discussion about Scotland’s territorial integrity and the plunder of the nation’s resources by the British state (London). The discussion is hosted by Iain Lawson, chair of the Scottish National Congress Steering Group – guests include Dr Alf Baird, Phil Boswell, and Sara Salyers.

Speech by Leah Gunn Barrett

Today’s UK Supreme Court decision preventing the Scottish Parliament from holding an advisory referendum is not only irrelevant but also illegal because Scotland’s constitution is still in force, in principle and under international law. There was never any need for the SNP leadership to ask another nation’s court for permission to do something we’ve alwaysContinue reading “Speech by Leah Gunn Barrett”