200 years ago, Patrick Sellar's men burned families out of Strathnaver to replace them with sheep. 150 years ago the women of Coigach resisted five brutal attempts at clearance. Two new films show how these communities have put their own story back on the map
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/highland-c...
John Swinney says three nationalist administrations in Edinburgh, Cardiff & Belfast would change the UK “irreversibly.” Would that not be true? Or are we meant to ignore democracy when it produces results Unionist parties cannot handle? www.thenational.scot/politics/260...
‘On May 7 for the first time in a generation we have the chance to change Scotland.’ Is Anas Sarwar’s party political broadcast acceptance that a generation has now passed since 2014? Or did the prospect of Indy not constitute change?
Do Anas Sarwar and Malcolm Offord speak to one another? Or was Labour anger over unionist pact allegation just performative?
Will Foreign Office supremo bring down Keir Starmer over Mandelson vetting. What’s wrong with 70’s style price caps on food? Listen lesleyriddoch.com/podcast
Scottish Green co-leader Gillian Mackay is standout contributor on Channel4 News' Scots leaders’ debate. Like Ross Greer in BBC debate her stance is crystal clear - opposing North Sea drilling, calling for wealth Tax & slamming Malcolm Offord who claims Glasgow is a ‘dumping ground’ for refugees.
Trump thinks he is Jesus & has taken on the Pope. Big mistake. Spain, Italy & Norway stand up to Israel. Hungary boots out hard right. Who won the first Scottish election debate? Any manifesto excitement yet? And what planet is Wes Streeting on? Listen lesleyriddoch.com/podcast
Too many deer - part of double bill with Scotland's Missing Forests at Larick Centre Tayport today Sunday 2pm.
Extra topical given Ferret research which shows 1 million deer in Scotland - 12 times govt maximum for natural woodland regeneration.
www.thenational.scot/news/2601319...
Last Finland screening plus Q&A in central Scotland - Stirling's MacRobert Centre tomorrow (Monday) night. How did one of Europe's poorest & most northerly countries become the world's happiest for 9 years running - if you're curious come along. Tix lesleyriddoch.com/events
Why is whole A9 corridor not as lush & tree-covered as this central reservation? Cos sheep and deer won't cross the road. Elsewhere overgrazing for centuries has turned Highlands into a barren wasteland.
Missing Forests film + Q&A Sunday 12 April, 2pm Larick Centre Tayport lesleyriddoch.com/events
Not quite final. Drawing to an end. Still Stirling Thurso and Stromness. It’ll be on YouTube in a week. share.google/Tya35jcuKlH9...
Was meant to read that Arran is the only island over 1100 without pontoon/ independent slipway for alternative fallback passenger ferry. ‘Over’ got missed out. I’ll correct. Pentalina is operating fine and on way back to Orkney.
Not just civilisation that ends tonight if Trump bombs Iran - also any belief that politics/diplomacy/democracy can tame savagery. Stakes are sky high. Meanwhile Clearances film, Lib Dem Highland challenge in May elections & second vote tactics. Listen lesleyriddoch.com/podcast
Can Highland Scotland sustain trees? Absolutely. Proof is woodland planted in Arctic Glen Garry by Ron Greer & Derek Pretswell 50 years ago with sheep & deer fenced out. Incredible damage from overgrazing over centuries. Film plus Q&A Sunday Tayport. Tix lesleyriddoch.com
Finland film getting to the end of its run now - Ullapool Ferry Terminal this Saturday April 4; Newtonmore Monday April 6; Stirling MacRobert Monday April 13th. Come and see how this remote, Scotland-sized country has become the world's happiest.
lesleyriddoch.com/events
Another excellent prog by @bbcalba on the dinosaurs of Skye. Tribute paid to Dugald Ross who spent his life walking and discovering the unique heritage of his home. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Is heat a luxury? Then why charge VAT on it? Ireland & Norway cut duties to help citizens but in UK we're still waiting. Does WM Govt have any instinct for action? Plus beyond the headlines & disruption, why is our West Coast ferry service so bad? Listen lesleyriddoch.com/podcast
What’s been largest march in Scotland this year? Y’days Believe in Scotland Indy march in Edinburgh. But nowt on BBC Sunday Show today. Prog also missed the National from its newspaper review - would have been easy way to provide coverage. Poor.
Looking out shoes for today’s independence rally in Edinburgh. Maybe not these. But I’ll be there. See you at Saint Giles 11:30 am and then Carlton Hill
Just back from watching Everybody to Kenmure Street at DCA Dundee. Excellent film & powerful riposte to those who doubt an entire Glasgow community would turn out to save two Sikh neighbours. But they did. So moving & uplifting. Go see it. Congrats Felipe Bustos Sierra.
Great news. Based on strength of sales MacRobert Cinema in Stirling has moved the Finland film from the Playhouse to the larger Filmhouse - same venue but more tickets. Screening plus Q&A Monday 13th April 7.30pm. Details plus 6 other screenings lesleyriddoch.com/events
New Finland screenings with Q&A in Stromness May 25 and Thurso May 20th. Before that Ullapool April 4; Newtonmore April 6; Stirling April 13. All details here lesleyriddoch.com/events
Does Assisted Dying Bill failure at Holyrood reveal disconnect between MSPs & public? Would Citizen’s Assembly be a better path? ScotRail procurement, Palantir's NHS contracts, Reform’s Scottish rally & dodgy candidates. Plus of course US/Israeli war in Iran. Listen lesleyriddoch.com/podcast
Finland declared world's happiest country for ninth year in a row. New film - made with Inverness-born, Helsinki-based Gavin Hanigan - shows how ice-locked, remote, forest-covered neighbour of Russia does it. Screening with Q&A tomorrow Sunday Cameo Edin 5.15 lesleyriddoch.com/events
Why did Assisted Dying pass in Jersey but not Scotland? In Channel Islands a Citizens Assembly examined issues first, like Ireland with abortion & equal marriage. Then referendum then legislation. Better template for Scotland next time?
www.thenational.scot/politics/259...
Finland world’s happiest country for record 9th time, Iceland 2nd & Denmark 3rd. Rankings today by Wellbeing Research Centre at Oxford Uni. Secret of Finnish success? Film screening tonight Montrose, Edin Cameo, Sunday then Ullapool Newtonmore Stirling Stromness lesleyriddoch.com/events
Finland has one of the world’s highest trust rankings between people & govt while UK has one of lowest. Did that help create their top education system? In a word - yes. Film screening with Q&A Thursday in Montrose & Sunday 5.15 Edin Cameo. Still tix. lesleyriddoch.com/events
Can the world cope with Trump's botched & illegal war in Iran? Is ex C4 news boss right to criticise BBC coverage? John Swinney's new childcare offer - enough staff to go around? And could Assisted Dying Bill fall at the last hurdle? Listen to the podcast lesleyriddoch.com/podcast
Two thirds through Finland screenings - tx to organisers in Dumfries & Greenock. Next Montrose Thursday: Cameo, Edinburgh Sunday: Stonehaven March 26. All details lesleyriddoch.com/events
Tonight’s Dumfries screening of Finland film sold out. Still some tix for fab Beacon Centre in Greenock 2pm tomorrow Saturday. Yip it’s also Ireland v Scotland. Let’s celebrate at the end 🤞🏴
Next week Montrose & Edinburgh. lesleyriddoch.com/events
Scots artists are gathering to socialise & celebrate at Oran Mor, Glasgow, Saturday 14th.
Still a few tickets for the evening. Day time event is now sold out.
Come join the gathering & meet a host of artists for a wonderful night. www.ticketsource.co.uk/independence...
