…the blog and website of Andy Wightman
Interesting interview on Newsnight Scotland tonight with CEO of Scottish Futures Trust on tax increment financing. This is a funding mechanism for infrastructure projects whereby a public authority borrows money to pay for infrastructure (bridges, roads etc.) in anticipation of
Continue readingI liked this by Drumlanrig in Scotland on Sunday on 29 August 2010. THE DAY JACK WENT TO TEE WITH THE DUKE Jack McConnell’s imminent retirement reminds Drumlanrig of an epic golf match that was played by the former Labour
Continue readingIn my forthcoming book, The Poor had no Lawyers, I tell the story of the unlawful alienation of the Hill of Alyth commonty. I will shortly be preparing a full legal analysis of the case. In short, land was sold
Continue readingCLICK HERE for PRE-PUBLICATION OFFER [outdated link March 2024] Signed hardback copies dispatched post free to the UK together with a free one-month subscription to www.whoownsscotland.org.uk for all orders placed by 17 September 2010. The Poor Had No Lawyers provides
Continue readingWell, today’s the day. Exactly 450 years ago the Scots nobility sat down in Parliament in Edinburgh and passed a series of acts which neutered the power of the Catholic church and ushered in the Reformation. Two years ago I
Continue readingHaving had time to digest the recent decision to refuse the right to buy to the Machrihanish Airbase Community Company (see post of 13th August) I am astounded at both the decision and the implications. It has become very evident
Continue readingI am now in the final stages of editing and proof reading of my next book to be published by Birlinn in October. Titled ‘The Poor had no Lawyers. Who owns Scotland (and how they got it)’, it seeks to
Continue readingScottish Ministers gave notice on Wednesday 11 August of their refusal to consent to the application by the Machrihanish Airbase Community Company to acquire the redundant Machrihanish airbase in Argyll. In a long and detailed Refusal Notice, Ministers explain their
Continue readingFollowing the confirmation by the Treasury Committee that the Crown Estate Commissioners (CEC) do not own the seabed around Scotland (Scotland has always owned the seabed though it is “administered” and “managed” by the CEC), a key question arises –
Continue readingInteresting announcement today [broken link – Nov 2023] by the English Housing and Planning Minister, John Healey. He proposes that Parish Councils be given powers to build affordable housing by extending the scope of permitted development rights. Individual planning applications
Continue reading