Author Archives: Indyscotnews

My wife is keeping an eagle eye on the news from Grindavik. “I visited with my parents when I was young,” she says as she watches the live stream of the smouldering landscape. As you may have heard,a volcanic eruption is expected. Although she only spent her first 12 years on Iceland, it is still her nation – the oldContinue reading “Letter from Denmark: First Voice”

From England’s Vassal State by Sandy McIntosh, author of “100 Home Rule Questions Answered”. First Published, April 1964. FOR ENGLAND’S DEAR SAKE In 1945 Labour found themselves entrusted with the government of the U.K. They had access to all the economic statistics and time for a careful study of the National “kitty” It was anContinue reading “England’s Vassal State Part 2”

This building (above) is a Danish højskole, but in the early 1940s it was something entirely different. Back then it housed Nazi occupation forces.  I’m sitting in the large courtyard of the adjoining farm buildings, Krogerup Gaard. These now house ‘Aarstiderne’ (‘Seasons’), a business that started in the 1990s, selling boxes of organically-grown vegetables. WeContinue reading “Occupation, Betrayal and Heroes”

When I awake we are already in the harbour. The overnight voyage between Sweden and Finland has been calm and relaxing. I’m in the cheap seats but I’ve slept all the same. From the Stockholm archipelago, the route takes the ship across the southern end of the Gulf of Bothnia, to finally navigate its wayContinue reading “Latitude, Lenin, and Liberty”

Response to question on #YoursForScotland from Professor Alf Baird, author of Doun-Hauden Question: “Why do so many colonies sweep to victory with huge votes for Independence and yet we struggle to get to 50%.” In my research into this question for the book ‘Doun-Hauden’ there appear to be two key factors which help explain theContinue reading “Response from Professor Alf Baird”

It was the colours on the ‘vimpel’ I noticed — they were Icelandic. ‘Vimpel’ is the Danish word for a long triangular flag flown on flagpoles. It’s decorative and also shows the wind direction. But why was there an Icelandic one flying outside this building? We had just arrived at Østerport Station on the ‘Kystbane’Continue reading “The Islandska House”

Copenhagen has its East End. At least, it seems like that to me. After several years in Valby, it was about as close to Dennistoun, Parkhead and Shettleston as I would get. Of course, being Denmark, the comparison doesn’t really work. This small independent country is not like Scotland at all. Its political and economicContinue reading “Letter from Denmark: Weaving the Light”

The Edinburgh salvo.scot hub has produced another Stuart McHardy bite-sized history lesson with Stuart McHardy. Reference is made to Bishop Robert Forbes. All three volumes of ‘The Lyon in Mourning’ by Bishop Forbes are available at achive.org – links below. The Lyon in Mourning, Vol. I. A collection of speeches, letters, journals etc. relative toContinue reading “The Occupation: A Hidden and Forgotten History”

I looked up at the sky, as you do on these occasions. If you focus too much on what’s actually happening you risk being blinded by tears. My older brother was a coffin length opposite me. “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall heContinue reading “Valentine’s Day in Glasgow”