We were camping at Arisaig recently and I was astonished by the parking up the roadside a mile in each direction from Glenfinnan Viaduct. It was so unsafe. This has been a good series by @pressandjournal.co.uk www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/high...

'What I saw at Glenfinnan Viaduct was shocking, and it doesn't even scrape surface of issues locals face'

After hearing about some issues in the area, I went along to see for myself.

pressandjournal.co.uk

🚌 Scotland Needs A Bus Fare Cap 🚌 I joined Euan Stainbank MP and other Scottish MPs in writing to Stephen Flynn MSP Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport to ask that the SNP Government deliver on its promise of a £2 bus fare cap.

NSTA Chief Executive @nstachiefexec.bsky.social welcomes @michaelshanksmp.co.uk reappointment as Energy Minister at Department for Energy Security and Net Zero #energysecurity #netzero #energytransition

Stop scrolling!!! A puffling* has been spotted in Purbeck, Dorset for the first time in 30 years! *Baby puffin (yes, they have the cutest name)

9 out of 10 female councillors have experienced misogyny, harassment and abuse. That's appalling, but sadly it's normal. If we are to retain and recruit female councillors, society and the institutions that support us have to do better.

Equality Network@lgbtiscotland.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Engender have launched their new report today, revealing the appalling extent of misogyny, harassment & abuse that women councillors face in Scotland. Read it here: www.engender.org.uk/news/blog/ni...

Thank you to @scottishfirerescue.bsky.social and Bucksburn Academy for inviting me to the Fireskills course passing out parade. This is a week long course for young people covering firefighting knowledge and emergency response skills including first aid. Well done to the young people involved 👏

Today is International Workers' Memorial Day. A day to remember and honour those who have lost their lives at work and to continue to fight to keep our workplaces safe. This year's theme was around mental health, which is one I'm sure we can all relate to. #iwmd26 #FightForTheLiving

Great to see Anas Sarwar this morning in Aberdeen. On Thursday 7 May, make sure to use both votes @scottishlabour.bsky.social to deliver the change Scotland needs.

Six weeks to the election! Great to be at the launch of @scottishlabour.bsky.social campaign with my Aberdeen colleagues Matthew Lee, the candidate for Aberdeen Deeside and Jenny Laing, the candidate for Aberdeen Central.

Early start this morning 🥱 And surprised to wake up to the snow ❄️. Hopefully the final wintry blast!! On the train to Glasgow for Scottish Labour campaign launch 😀

Fair & Affordable Credit For Millions More People The UK Government is reforming outdated rules so more people can join credit unions - trusted, community led alternatives to high cost lenders.

In Education Committee, I have often spoken about the importance of @uniofaberdeen.bsky.social PGDE to recruit and retain students in city and Shire. @pressandjournal.co.uk www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/politics/...

Inside Aberdeenshire teaching shortages: 'We need to market region as great place to live to fill stubborn vacancies'

With £9.4 million of government cash on the line, we investigate the struggle to recruit - and what education bosses are doing to fix this.

pressandjournal.co.uk

Out campaigning this lunchtime with @kirstymcneill.bsky.social for our great Aberdeen Central candidate at the Scottish Parliament elections, Jenny Laing. Lots of good doorstep conversations and despite the forecast it was dry!! #labourdoorstep @scottishlabour.bsky.social

Delighted with this news.

Pippa Crerar@pippacrerar.bsky.social · 8mo ago

EXCL: An agreement to rejoin Erasmus – the EU’s student exchange programme – set to be announced on Wednesday as part of UK government’s drive towards closer relations with Brussels. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...

This investment will change lives. It'll go towards bespoke, calming spaces to help children with additional needs get the support they need at a good, local school on their doorstep. Labour is building schools where every child can achieve and thrive. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Councils given £3bn to create thousands more spaces for Send pupils

The government is promising 50,000 more places for children with special educational needs in schools in England.

bbc.co.uk

Thank you to @cfine.bsky.social for hosting us today. It was good to hear about the range of services you offer. Also to hear from your employees and volunteers about the work they do and the positive impact it makes. Cllr Allard, Cllr Mennie and I got quite efficient in packing pallets!

The annual reminder, that how many pupils get 5 Highers grade A-C is a very narrow indicator of how good a school is.

The Press & Journal@pressandjournal.co.uk · 9mo ago

Grammar breaks into top 10 state secondaries in the country — but how did Aberdeen’s private schools rank?

At my sheltered housing surgery today, residents could not believe that rents were going up by 9.5% when properties that could be let were sitting empty for a year. www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aber...

Shock 9.5% rent rise for Aberdeen council tenants as cash needed to 'fix draughty windows and mould'

During the same meeting, it was agreed to collect rent every week of the year rather than just 48 weeks.

pressandjournal.co.uk

Keeping with the Christmas theme 🎄King's College looking beautiful @uniofaberdeen.bsky.social

And Spotify tells me, Pod Save America is my favourite podcast. I have to say this is not a revelation either to me or my family! What was alarming though was my music listening age is 69 😱 @podsaveamerica.crooked.com #SpotifyWrapped. www.spotify.com/wrapped-shar...

My Top Podcast of 2025

Spotify

spotify.com

It's December, so the Christmas coffee cup is out again 🎄 #reuse #Christmas

Thought this was a very interesting piece from Barry. I wasn't aware that the OBR had revised the revenue from VAT on private school fees up. I have had people tell me "this is the politics of envy" and that I was wrong to think private schools are businesses, so good to see this policy analysis.

Dr Barry Black@barryblackne.bsky.social · 9mo ago

Some policy analysis about VAT on private school fees, why it is set to raise more than originally forecast, and why this matters. Please read, share, and subscribe for more! open.substack.com/pub/barrybla...

In case there are parents reading this headline, it is not quite at that stage. I put forward an amendment which the Administration agreed to, to review all the catchment areas of Bucksburn, Dyce and associated primary schools before the Council commits to the statutory consultation.

The Press & Journal@pressandjournal.co.uk · 9mo ago

Dyce Academy to stop taking pupils from Aberdeenshire in bid to free up space in city school

A reminder of what happened last time a UK govt tried to reduce bills by "cutting the green crap" Analysis: Cutting the ‘green crap’ has added £22bn to UK energy bills since 2015 www.carbonbrief.org/...

There's still time to vote for this year's People Champion. Cast your vote today: https://orlo.uk/S9T8R Voting will close at 5pm on Fri 7 November.

Head Teacher (Finzean School) - ABS45653 cc @AbshireJobs #AbshireJobs

The community consultation on the Northfield community campus will start next week. I will share when I have it. Plans may include a new academy, 2 to 3 stream primary and other services. I remain concerned that the business case bypasses Education Ctte, but pleased to see the consultation begin!

Evening Express@eveningexpress.bsky.social · 12mo ago

Northfield Academy: ‘Radical’ plans for replacement school move forward in bid to ‘end neglect’

We've had a wonderful week touring Morocco from Marrakech to the Sahara. Today has been a chill day by the pool before heading home. By listening to @podsaveamerica.crooked.com and Electoral Dysfunction and reading this, am I easing myself home?

⏰ Make sure you've submitted your questions for LWN's online Deputy Leader Hustings — the deadline is tonight! Join us on Zoom on Mon 13 Oct at 8pm to hear directly from Bridget and Lucy as they answer the questions that matter to you. Register now and submit your Qs: www.lwn.org.uk/deputy_leade...

A historic shift and evidence of the global transition from fossil fuels to renewables. While some in the UK want to take us backwards, to an outdated age, against the international trend - this government will power forward to our clean energy future. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Renewables overtake coal as world's biggest source of electricity

Developing countries lead the historic clean energy charge but the US and EU rely more on fossil fuels than before, a think tank study shows.

bbc.co.uk