Monthly Archives: January 2019

Car News: What’s in a Name?

Posted on January 31, 2019 by Grouse Beater

A weekly look at what sucks in the automotive industry and some good bits Snobbery At some time car owners, finding them self in new company, are asked the ice-breaker question, “what car do you drive?”, meaning the marque or … Continue reading →

Posted in Transportation | 1 Comment

Populism and the SNP

Posted on January 27, 2019 by Grouse Beater

The response among liberal governments and their press to the rise of neofascist groups in Europe, England and the USA is to call the development ‘populism’. Fixed in the mind of the electorate, populist is synonymous with hoodlums, thugs, Nazi … Continue reading →

Posted in Scottish Independence Referendum, Scottish Politics | 6 Comments

Car News: Design a car

Posted on January 24, 2019 by Grouse Beater

A weekly look at all that sucks in the car industry and some good bits Designing a car has to be one of the most difficult tasks in the annals of creative engineering. Fresh thinking is frustrated governed by regulation … Continue reading →

Posted in Transportation | 2 Comments

Mary Queen of Scots – a review

Posted on January 20, 2019 by Grouse Beater

This must be the first Scots historical drama in living memory in which big, bad bearded James Cosmo does not appear. There are lots of fresh Scot’s faces mostly with beards. Let me put aside for the moment the obvious core … Continue reading →

Posted in Film review | 21 Comments

The Wealth of Scotland

Posted on January 19, 2019 by Grouse Beater

Time to spread our wealth among the nation When researching aspects of the Highland Clearances it dawned on me that those dark episodes in our history were the beginnings of capitalism in Scotland. Over ninety percent of Scots lived off … Continue reading →

Posted in Scottish Independence Referendum, Scottish Politics | 29 Comments

Car News: Ice and Snow

Posted on January 17, 2019 by Grouse Beater

A weekly look at all that’s rotten in the car industry and some good bits Winter approaches as it tends to late in Scotland’s capital keeping us hoping we reach March without seeing any. Look again and snow already in … Continue reading →

Posted in Transportation | 6 Comments

Stan & Ollie – a review

Posted on January 12, 2019 by Grouse Beater

There is a saying that goes: the careers of all politicians end in failure. If true, then the same can be said of fine comedians; their careers usually end in sadness. I think of Billy Connolly in that way, Morecambe … Continue reading →

Posted in Film review | 7 Comments

Car News – New for 2019

Posted on January 10, 2019 by Grouse Beater

A weekly look at all that’s scummy in the car industry, and some good bits What new cars can we look forward to this year that we seem very likely not to buy considering life is getting more precarious by … Continue reading →

Posted in Transportation | 5 Comments

The Favourite – a review

Posted on January 5, 2019 by Grouse Beater

This is one long delicious chocolate eclair of movie. I was disappointed it ended. I had been thoroughly entertained for its entire length. The production values are superb. The main protagonists are three women, two are cunning, dexterous. All three … Continue reading →

Posted in Film review | 6 Comments

Vanishing Nationalism

Posted on January 5, 2019 by Grouse Beater

Change without fear 2019 and Scotland is where it was in January 2014, but in a worse position. All good debates begin with a strong statement. Here is mine: The SNP at Holyrood is afraid of constitutional debate. Over past … Continue reading →

Posted in Scottish Independence Referendum, Scottish Politics | 13 Comments