Monthly Archives: March 2016

Adrienne Corrie

Posted on March 29, 2016 by Grouse Beater

An occasional series on eminent Scots ignored or forgotten. An Edinburgh Woman I remember my disappointment turning to anger some years back when I read a published list of Scottish-born actors working in Hollywood compiled by the Scottish Film Fund, … Continue reading →

Posted in Great Scots | 6 Comments

A Soldier’s Tale

Posted on March 28, 2016 by Grouse Beater

This is a tale of two soldiers. Here is the first. In some ways this story is an assortment of parables, the ‘Good Samaritan’,  ‘Jesus and the Prostitute’, or the ‘Friend at Night’, among them. Or it could be described … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 8 Comments

Jay Leno – Car Nut

Posted on March 26, 2016 by Grouse Beater

  The saying goes, if you want to be an entertainer but can’t sing, dance, or play a musical instrument, you can always be a chat show host. James Douglas Muir ‘Jay’ Leno is one of America’s most successful chat … Continue reading →

Posted in Transportation | 6 Comments

A Few Words On Welfare

Posted on March 25, 2016 by Grouse Beater

  Those who care to protect social rights are aware there is a full scale neo-liberal assault on the welfare state. Chunks of it are being privatised by stealth and small print overlooked. Scotland has side-stepped the worst cuts. but not for … Continue reading →

Posted in Scottish Politics | 4 Comments

Bad Week for Unionists

Posted on March 19, 2016 by Grouse Beater

  Unionist Budget George Osborne, a man of no discernible common sense, delivered another of his stuff you all budgets, telling the nations of the United Kingdom that disabled people are to lose some benefits. Emotionally disabled Tories shocked the population … Continue reading →

Posted in Scottish Politics | 5 Comments

‘Anomalisa’ – a review

Posted on March 16, 2016 by Grouse Beater

Puppetry without the strings The films of Charlie Kaufman have you leaving a darkened auditorium into the night air unsure of exactly what is was you watched for almost two hours, yet knowing  you were not patronised or hoodwinked and … Continue reading →

Posted in Film review, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

How to be Scottish and British

Posted on March 14, 2016 by Grouse Beater

I usually compose my own polemic attacking the English press resident in Scotland, quoting the odd line or paragraph, a press with a self-appointed brief to inform against Scotland at will. They strive hard and furiously to undermine the electorate’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Scottish Politics | 3 Comments

My Friend the Ukip Voter

Posted on March 12, 2016 by Grouse Beater

  A friend is a friend I have a fine friend, a hard working, working class, classless in attitude family man who lives in Devon. He’s a skilled craftsman, the kind with an unshakeable pride in his work that motivates him … Continue reading →

Posted in Scottish Politics | 7 Comments

Hating Politicians

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Grouse Beater

We live in an age in which politicians hate us. The feeling is mutual, we hate them. They are the people entrusted with the safety and prosperity of the state who, by deregulation, allowed venal banks to rob the nation blind, … Continue reading →

Posted in Scottish Politics, Uncategorized | 18 Comments

‘Hail Caesar!’ – a review

Posted on March 6, 2016 by Grouse Beater

Everyone a winner Looking back on the Coen Brother’s output, Ethan and Joel, always brings a pleasant glow and a smile. The best are quotable, like Fargo, (1996) or No Country for Old Men, (2007). All leave you with at least one … Continue reading →

Posted in Film review, Uncategorized | Leave a comment