Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Lesley Riddoch @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social · 36m

Great news. Will Maclean & Marian Leven have just won the Marsh Award for their Lewis land monument.
In the 1840s the Hebridean Galson estate was cleared for sheep. Most people were put onto emigration ships to Canada. Finally in 2007 - a community buyout. Their sculpture celebrates that renewal.

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Lesley Riddoch @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social · 4h

Highland A9 corridor resembles barren wasteland. Easy to assume nothing cd ever grow here & 'sporting' landowners have taken over a real burden. Easy but wrong.
Scotland’s Missing Forests film shows at REVIVE conference Nov 8. Then youtube.com/@Lesley_Riddoch
www.heraldscotland.com/politics/255...

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Lesley Riddoch @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social · 23h

John Swinney's indy strategy. Will it work or devalue more likely election outcome - a combined indy party win? Are walk-in clinics game changing? Trump's Gaza ceasefire deal & the Nobel Peace Prize award to a supporter of Gaza coming - must we applaud? Listen lesleyriddoch.com/podcast

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Lesley Riddoch @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social · 5d

Very chuffed to be in this line up as Plaid builds its case for victory in 2026. Voters want change. And not just in the direction of Reform. @AUOBCymru nation.cymru/news/thousan...

Thousands expected in Rhyl for Wales’ next march for Independence

Rhyl is preparing to welcome thousands of people from across Wales on Saturday, 18 October 2025, as it hosts the next March for Independence, organised by YesCymru and All Under One Banner Cymru (AUOB...

nation.cymru

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Lesley Riddoch @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social · 7d

If Met police are exhausted by 'repeat' Gaza demos why not stop arresting pensioners for holding cardboard signs? Labour has turned a valid political stance into a lawbreaking one - will that wash? Plus the empty Tory Conference v the louping Greens and the SNP ahead
Listen lesleyriddoch.com/podcast

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Lesley Riddoch @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social · 7d

Ron Greer & Derek Pretswell took 50 years to produce a broad leaf forest in the sub-arctic climate & barren wastes of Glen Garry - but achievement ignored by the authorities. Why? Film “Scotland’s Missing Forests” premieres Nov 8 Revive Coalition Perth conf & Nov 9 on www.youtube.com/@Lesley_Ridd...

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Lesley Riddoch @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social · 8d

Are Highlanders climate crisis-denying NIMBYs or asking who benefits from green energy that isn't locally owned or controlled and (largely) won't reach the grid?
Highland Windfarm Revolt screening plus Q&A in Phipps Hall Beauly, 29th Nov 2pm. Free with donations. lesleyriddoch.com/events

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Lesley Riddoch @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social · 11d

Difficult times. Cheer yourself up with poet & author of seven novels inc Testament of Gideon Mack, Joseph Knight, And the Land Lay Still and News of the Dead - James Robertson. Thurs 30th Oct, Steps Theatre Dundee 6-7.30pm. Org by @indydundeeangus
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-evening...

An Evening with James Robertson

Join us for an interesting and enjoyable evening with the award-winning Scottish author James Robertson.

www.eventbrite.co.uk

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Lesley Riddoch @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social · 12d

Starmer's right-wing pish appeals to folk down south. But not many in Scotland or Wales, set to reject Labour for the first time in 100 yrs next May. In 2026 it’s possible all Celtic nations will support the break-up of the UK. Conceal that if you can. www.thenational.scot/politics/255...

Lesley Riddoch: Keir Starmer is doing a grand job winding up Celtic nations

KEIR Starmer could be forgiven for feeling a little cocky today.

www.thenational.scot

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Lesley Riddoch @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social · 14d

Are Scots the most indoor folk in Europe? Daytrippers. Next to no family weekend huts. Priced out of overnight stays. Lost family links to the land. Why no outrage? Chuffed to be at Blether of Books Nov 2 Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Alloway.
tinyurl.com/bdfcfev2

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Lesley Riddoch @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social · 21d

Finland's war readiness looks justified after Russian drones over Oslo & Copenhagen Airports - what next? Your Party launch was a washout - can it survive? Is Andy Burnham about to oust Starmer? Will the EU cut trade links with Israel? Listen to podcast lesleyriddoch.com/podcast

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Lesley Riddoch @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social · 23d

Finland has been world’s happiest country for 8 years running. After filming here for a week happiness is not laugh our cheeriness. Or even smiling a lot. But having the determination to ensure all the basics work properly for all. #Sisu-theunsinkableFinns

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Lesley Riddoch @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social · 25d

Helsinki-based Scots filmmaker Gavin Hanigan & myself have spent a week filming to tell Finland’s incredible story. Despite famines, wars, a meter of sea ice half the year & the perennial threat of Russia, these modest people are quietly top performing. A great model for Scotland

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Lesley Riddoch @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social · 25d

Nato intercepted Russian fighter jets in Estonian airspace today. It's the kind of provocation Estonians have dreaded … and prepared for. There's no way this Baltic State will let its hard won independence unravel. A film. www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqLJ...

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Lesley Riddoch @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social · Sep 15

Just 12 days till ⁦‪Scotgov‬⁩ supports or thwarts the will of ⁦‪ScotParl‬⁩ over a week’s outdoor education for all Scots kids. Technical measure for Private Member’s Bill not forthcoming from Scotgov & won’t be able to progress. Why - surely MSPs should decide?
www.thenational.scot/politics/254...

Lesley Riddoch: Access to outdoor education is a dream that can’t be allowed to die

AN important thing happens on September 26. A wee dream could die for the want of roughly £40 million, which would buy 1.3 miles of new motorway.

www.thenational.scot

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Lesley Riddoch @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social · Sep 15

Are Highlanders climate crisis deniers or just the loudest objectors to a broken UK energy system that offers no local control to folk with some of Europe's highest energy bills? Decide for yourself. A new film. www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LXy...

The Highland Wind Farm Revolt

YouTube video by Lesley Riddoch

www.youtube.com

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Lesley Riddoch @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social · Sep 13

Are Highlanders climate crisis deniers & NIMBYs or do they have good questions for WM, Holyrood & SSEN about new wind farm wave. Constraint payments in billions by 2030, Scotland already a net energy exporter & local bills amongst Europe's highest. Who benefits? youtube.com/watch?v=-LXy...

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Lesley Riddoch @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social · Sep 13

In the 1840s the Galson estate on Lewis was cleared for sheep. Most people were put onto emigration ships to Canada. Finally in 2007 - a community buyout. This commemorative sculpture by Will Maclean & Marian Leven is shortlisted for Marsh Award. If it moves you pls vote. pssauk.org/2025-pssa-ma...

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Lesley Riddoch @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social · Sep 12

Who benefits from vast expansion of Highland wind energy? Scotland’s already an energy exporter: weak grid means windfarm owners get millions NOT to produce & little benefit comes to folk with Europe’s highest energy bills. A just transition? A new film. www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LXy...

The Highland Wind Farm Revolt

YouTube video by Lesley Riddoch

www.youtube.com

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Lesley Riddoch @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social · Sep 9

Who will replace Angela Rayner as deputy Labour leader? Has Starmer’s reshuffle set the heather alight? Are “patriots“ impressed with PM’s embrace of the union flag? Are Scottish Labour activists impressed with Dougie Alexander’s return? Listen to podcast - lesleyriddoch.com/podcast

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Lesley Riddoch @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social · Sep 4

Angela Rayner is one of Labour's few effective weapons against Farage – the millionaire who claims to be one of the people. Rayner tangibly was one of the people till her second home scandal. She might survive but what about her credibility? www.thenational.scot/politics/254...

Lesley Riddoch: Angela Rayner may have lost her ‘woman of the people’ tag forever

It's hard to really dislike Angela Rayner. Raised in abject poverty on a Stockport council estate, she left school with no qualifications, was…

www.thenational.scot

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Lesley Riddoch @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social · Aug 26

Rain in North Fife at last. Also overdue - John Swinney suggesting Palestine arrests are unwarranted in Scotland: action to stop massive private land sales & spirited SNP/Green opposition to Reform’s call for mass deportation of asylum seekers. Listen at lesleyriddoch.com/podcast

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Lesley Riddoch @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social · Aug 17

Only the Swedes cd successfully move a century-old stave church on flat wagons to stop it collapsing into world’s largest iron mine. Here’s a Radio 4 prog I made 9 years ago with @Anders_Lindberg - Kiruna the city that moved. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

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Lesley Riddoch @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social · Aug 13

Frankly, have we learned anything from Nicola Sturgeon‘s memoir beyond the dangers of government by a tiny clique? Are Highlanders NIMBYs for blocking new wind farms or local campaigners determined to be heard? Plus a glorious Feis Rois concert. Listen at lesleyriddoch.com/podcast

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Lesley Riddoch @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social · Aug 5

Why is Kate Forbes quitting Holyrood? Religious views out of kilter with SNP leaders? Or the monumental obstacle of inadequate childcare? Plus Starmer & the Palestine pledge that pleases no-one. And John Swinney’s Gaza moment. Listen at lesleyriddoch.com/podcast

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