Michael Russell
@feorlean.bsky.social
Argyll, Scotland. Writes, takes pictures . Used to do more. Chair, Scottish Land Commission from 02/24. Hon Professor , Glasgow University. President SNP 2020 - 2023. Former MSP for Argyll & Bute and Minister/ Cabinet Secretary in Scottish Government
I was not informed by the BBC that they would have a right wing political figure or lobbyist on after me to rebut what I said. The individual in question went on to spout lies about China, etc. to distract attention from the Trump administration's assault on climate action. This is unacceptable.
Michael E. Mann@michaelemann.bsky.social · 6d agoI'll be on BBC News television TODAY ~3:40pm ET (8:40pm London local time) to discuss--what else---the climate change-fueled weather extremes we're seeing around the world this summer. Please join me: www.bbc.com/live
An invaluable resource - really important it is supported .
Andy Wightman@andywightman.scot · 2d agoThere is 23% still to do. At the current rate of progress, it will take another 6 years to reach 80%. Subscriptions and licensing are the sole means by which this work is financed so please do consider taking out a subscription. Gift subscriptions are also available. 2/2 whoownsscotland.org.uk
Very striking variation with parts of the West of Scotland. Despite dry periods in June & July (14 days w/o rain in July ) each month will have had rainfall of around 200mm here in Glendaruel. That followed four winter months of over 300mm. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Drought declared for whole of Wales amid sustained high temperatures
Wales is on course for its driest July on record in almost 190 years.
bbc.co.uk
IThe five quick wins to the land reform challenge in Scotland www.thenational.scot/comment/2641...
The five quick wins to the land reform challenge in Scotland
THE housing crisis. Soaring energy bills. Crumbling high streets. Nature loss. Climate breakdown. Depopulation. Food security.
thenational.scot
Happy #BogDay! 🥳 Today is all about brilliant bogs, super swamps, fantastic fens and marvellous marshes! Did you know that bogs cover just 3% of the world's surface but studies have found they hold nearly 30% of soil carbon! #InternationalBogDay #Carbon #Peat
Coming Sept 2026 from @princetonupress.bsky.social DARES PARADISE: Poems by Alasdair mac Mhaighstir Alasdair Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair is one of the greatest #C18 Gaelic poets. DARES PARADISE presents two of his long poems, newly translated by Taylor Strickland press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
Dares Paradise
Two long poems by eighteenth-century Scottish Gaelic poet, Alasdair mac Mhaighstir Alasdair, revived and reintroduced for twenty-first century Anglophone readers
press.princeton.edu
Important research on community land ownership outlined here ……https://www.landcommission.gov.scot/news/demand-for-large-scale-community-land-ownership-remains-strong-but-progress-is-slowing
Demand for large-scale community land ownership remains strong, but progress is slowing - Scottish Land Commission
landcommission.gov.scot
The above is an extract from MacCaig’s “A man in Assynt”. You can listen to the whole poem being read here by Jim Macintosh for the Cateran Ecomuseum #poem #poetry soundcloud.com/user-5574107...
A Man In Assynt By Norman MacCaig read by Jim Mackintosh
Listen to A Man In Assynt By Norman MacCaig read by Jim Mackintosh by The Cateran Ecomuseum #np on #SoundCloud
soundcloud.com
Still wonderful and still asking the right questions.
Association for Scottish Literature@asls.org.uk · last mo.Glaciers, grinding West, gouged out these valleys, rasping the brown sandstone, and left, on the hard rock below – the ruffled foreland – this frieze of mountains, filed on the blue air – Stac Polly, Cul Beag, Cul Mor, Suilven, Canisp – a frieze and a litany… –Norman MacCaig, “A man in Assynt”
Sometimes it's easier to write things down than pick up the phone. Our new online enquiry form for the Tenant Farming Helpline lets you get in touch whenever it suits you. Share the details of your query and we'll get back to you. Find out more: buff.ly/heDd9Np
Congratulations- a very positive piece of news !
Community Land Scotland@communitylandsc.bsky.social · last mo.Community Land Scotland has secured £4.25m from @tnlcommunityfund.org.uk - thanks to National Lottery players - for the Inclusive Ownership project. A UK‑wide partnership working to make community ownership of land and buildings more accessible. 👉 buff.ly/YW9C1Ny
Here lies our land: every airt Beneath swift clouds, glad glints of sun, Belonging to none but itself… —Kathleen Jamie, “Here lies our land” A poem commissioned to mark the 700th anniversary of the Scottish victory at Bannockburn – won #OTD, 24 June, 1314 – & inscribed on the Bannockburn monument
How do you value land – and why does it matter for reform?
Scottish Land Commission@scottishlandcom.bsky.social · 6mo agoHow do you value land – and why does it matter for reform? In our latest guest blog, Dr Bryonny Goodwin-Hawkins unpacks why land valuation is harder than it looks, drawing on recent discussions in Wales and reflecting on what this means for tax and land reform across the UK. buff.ly/6tfFfI3
I support Wikipedia, where information is still human-created, fact-checked, and 100% free. Join me! donate.wikimedia.org
Make your donation now - Wikimedia Foundation
Donate to the Wikimedia Foundation, the nonprofit that hosts Wikipedia and other crucial free knowledge projects. Each year, the generosity of the 2% of readers who donate allows us to expand the reac...
donate.wikimedia.org
Russian oligarchs, billionaires, foreign governments, international royalty, and banking giants are among those behind nearly 1000 offshore entities that are illegally flouting the land control registry, The Ferret can reveal Read more: www.thenational.scot/news/2...
A wee group of angry balaclava and mask-wearing anti-immigration guys tried to stop the good people of Glasgow showing solidarity with migrants and standing up to racism and fascism. Well, the far right are far outnumbered... #RefugeesWelcome #MigrantsWelcome #NeighboursNotStrangers #Glasgow
These annual surveys from @scottishlandcom.bsky.social now form a useful tool in assessing and understanding the land market. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Report warns of 'slowdown' in Scotland's rural land market
The Scottish Land Commission says the market has been hit by lower than expected returns from environmental schemes.
bbc.co.uk
Amongst the productive discussions during the @scottishlandcom.bsky.social visit to #Langholm this week, we were grateful for positive interaction with the Chair & CEO of @sosenterprise.bsky.social . The Land Commission must work in partnership across Scotland.
Very pleased that @gillianamartin.bsky.social, the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action & Rural Affairs came to #Langholm yesterday to meet with the Board & Senior Staff of the @scottishlandcom.bsky.social and the @tarrasvalleynr.bsky.social #LandReform #Communityownership
It us a great place to live too - though sometimes a bit wet …. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Rare species found in Scotland's declining rainforest
A citizen science project is aiming to document species on the Cowal Peninsula for the first time in 50 years.
bbc.co.uk
And we’re off! The 2026 Simon Fraser Memorial Lecture has started. Tonight we are remembering this giant of the community land world, and looking ahead to challenges and opportunities of the next 5 years. Not at the Town House tonight? We’ll have a recording on YouTube soon.
Out now: the seventh in the BEFS Joining the Dots series ✍️ In this new blog, Katherine Pollard of the Scottish Land Commission explores how land reform connects to housing, high streets, retrofit and community empowerment. Take a look:
ScotLand Futures - creating new land opportunities for our built environment
In the seventh blog in our Joining the Dots series, Katherine Pollard, Head of Policy at the Scottish Land Commission, explores how land reform connects directly to Scotland's built environment ambitions. Drawing on the ScotLand Futures initiative, which engaged over 1,200 people, Kathie argues that land reform is not just a rural issue but critical to addressing urban challenges from housing need to high street decline. She outlines three priorities for the next phase of land reform: opening new land opportunities, rebalancing power to ensure ownership works for the public good, and shaping change locally through strengthened planning. With 96% of respondents calling for further changes to land ownership and use, Kathie demonstrates how existing powers, from compulsory purchase to tenement maintenance models, can be better utilised to create thriving, equitable and sustainable places across Scotland.
befs.org.uk
A blog post, about the first provisions of the newest Land Reform Act to be brought into force, on Land Commissioner functions and hutting (with a P.S. about the Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026). basedrones.wordpress.com/2026/03/16/t...
The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2025 – the first commencement
The third Land Reform (Scotland) Act was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 5 November 2025, and received Royal Assent on 16 December 2025. Royal Assent, of course, is what makes a Scottish statu…
basedrones.wordpress.com
Islay visit – 12–13 March Following the earlier cancellation due to ferry disruption, Rob Black, Tenant Farming Commissioner, will now be visiting Islay this week. If you’d like to arrange a meeting while he’s on the island, please get in touch - tfc@landcommission.gov.scot
I have signed this petition and would urge others to sign it - Kenneth White has been a major cultural influence on Europe and honouring his wishes with regard to his house and library in Brittany would further confirm the Scottish dimension of his work. c.org/DG2nLcZBhZ
Cette campagne a besoin de vous
NON À LA VENTE DE LA MAISON DE KENNETH WHITE — OUI À SON PROJET DE MAISON D’ARTISTES
c.org
