Category Archives: General

Bercow Bitchin’

Posted on May 2, 2020 by

I liked John Bercow as Speaker of the House of Commons. You need only compare him to Sir Lindsay Hoyle his anodyne, lugubrious, gloomy successor to see Bercow is a star. He is a guy at the opposite end of … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Scottish Independence Referendum, Scottish Politics | 4 Comments

The Mermaid Bride

Posted on April 11, 2020 by

If a nation protects and nurtures its culture and heritage it has to include timeless folk tales and myths. Scotland has hosted the whirling Dervish of JK Rowling’s derivative doorstop books of magic, mixed with science fiction, for so long … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 2 Comments

What is Coronavirus?

Posted on April 6, 2020 by

We – the world’s nations in the west and Asia – were warned in 2019 a new incurable ‘flu’ was on its way and we should prepare for it. We did not. What is the virus and is it Armageddon, … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Great Scots | 4 Comments

A Diversion

Posted on April 5, 2020 by

Here’s an odd occurrence; out of genuine curiosity I posted a question on Twitter: “Does anybody know if there is any truth in the claim coronavirus is killed by high temperatures?” I had in mind a comment I saw stating … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 3 Comments

Coronavirus Updates

Posted on March 22, 2020 by

It is understandable readers will want to know who has been affected in their local area in Scotland, which places one should avoid. The best tactic is to stay in doors at home as long as is desirable. However, to … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Media | 5 Comments

Desecrating Loch Lomond

Posted on June 29, 2019 by

Though Scot and English share a common humanity, the similarities end there. The claim Scots are British is the signature of a colonial mentality. In almost all things, language, accents, religion, the great majority of political ideals, the clan system, … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Scottish Politics | 9 Comments

In the Mold of Sturgeon

Posted on March 16, 2019 by

Regular readers will know I rarely lose an opportunity to compare Scotland with existing states if there are obvious comparisons or parallels. Studying how other nations govern themselves, or are governed by those they wish gone, is good practice. You … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Scottish Independence Referendum, Scottish Politics | 1 Comment

The Benefits of Brexit

Posted on March 3, 2019 by

By no stretch of the imagination is this an exhaustive list of every casualty of Middle England’s rampant xenophobia and catastrophic decision to ditch its European partners to become a delusional, renegade state free of foreigners. Whether you agree with … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Scottish Independence Referendum, Scottish Politics | 2 Comments

Popular Essays – 2018

Posted on December 16, 2018 by

Gie’s a brek, pal Grouse Beater is taking a winter break. With the possible exception of reviewing the Australian born historian John Guy’s filmed version of ‘Mary Queen of Scots‘ the only reason for this site not to relax over … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Scottish Independence Referendum | 19 Comments

Too Clever By Half

Posted on November 5, 2018 by

ON BEING TOO BLOODY CLEVER BY HALF Or writing screeds on why something is not what it’s not – a satire on rushing to judgement and throwing the first stone The furore that has arisen from the unveiling of Francis Bacon’s … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 8 Comments