The Poor had no Lawyers I
I 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 readingClosing down the debate
I’ve always though of Scotland as a pretty conservative country. Its institutions and its culture do not seem receptive or open to radical ideas. Individuals of course are a different matter and there are hundreds of them with wonderful ideas
Continue readingMachrihanish I
Scottish 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 readingCrown Estate Rothesay case
The Court of Session has today published the Opinion in the case of the Crown Estate Commissioners seeking declarator that they have authority to impose charges for the rent of the seabed. This was opposed by those who claimed that
Continue readingTaste of Edinburgh hijack a public park
Latest news on access situation in Inverleith Park The Park Rules for Glasgow and Dundee make it explicit that any event charging money needs a Section 11 order. The Edinburgh Access Forum noted in 2006 that the existing park rules
Continue readingAccess to Inverleith Park
Further news about the access situation at the Taste of Edinburgh event in Inverleith Park at Guardian blog posted at 1552 hours today. Since then I have had a further response from the Council claiming that access rights are exempted
Continue readingTaste of Edinburgh
Edinburgh Council has now replied to me declining to uphold my access rights. They don’t deny I have them though. I’ve written back asking them to take action under Section 14 of the legislation (the bit about removing obstructions) Meanwhile,
Continue readingParks and the Public Realm
I have written a piece in the Guardian Edinburgh blog today about the Taste of Edinburgh food festival taking over Inverleith Park. A huge fence has been erected around the park denying the public access. On Friday, I wrote to
Continue readingThe 55% Question
The Issue of the Moment Much gnashing of teeth over the coalition’s proposals to introduce the 55% rule. This is the proposal whereby it would require a vote of 55% of MPs to dissolve Parliament. Parliament is currently dissolved either
Continue readingElection Aftermath
We live in interesting times. Here’s my take which reflects a post at the new Scottish politics site, Scotland Quo Vadis! {site no longer exists – Nov 2023] I rather despair of the sentiments being hurled across the floor of
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