The paperback version of The Bone Cave comes out next spring and the good folk at Waterstones are offering a 25% discount on pre-orders this week only: www.waterstones.com/book/the-bon... You know you wanna...!

I'm just worrying about your coffee intake!! :)

NEW: The Scottish community-owned island of Eigg has announced a boycott of Israel

The island of 120 people has backed BDS and its sole shop will stop stocking goods from Israeli firms

www.thenational.scot/news/2533509...

RIP Paul Durcan. Here's his fine poem:

New issue of Irish Pages - ‘Scotland’ - co-edited by @kathleenjamie.bsky.social & @dharmabam.bsky.social with poems selected by @niallpoetry.bsky.social 📚

"A decade after the Independence Referendum, this vital, expansive issue is a must-read" @irishpages.bsky.social

irishpages.org/product/vol-...

A couple of hours to go; a chance to support independent Scottish journalism: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/backing-be...

Interesting that they received more votes than thew Tories!

Bella Caledonia is such an important part of the discourse in Scotland, esp amidst the blitz of lies that has infected social media. Generous, thrawn, pluralist, opinionated; all these things & more. A champion for new voices. Please support Bella's work here: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/backing-be...

Knock knock!
Who's there?
Æthelred.
Æthelred who?
Sorry, I wasn't prepared for the follow-up question!

A positive story to start the weekend www.heraldscotland.com/news/2489707...

Very pleased to be supporting this film. Who wants to help it over the line? www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/islandness...

Hi Alastair, it has indeed. We're on Mull at the moment, overwintering on Neil Harvey's croft, and planning strategies for the rest of the year! Will keep you posted if down in Glasgow, and sending love to you both. Dx

I'm so glad you enjoyed the book; and am chuffed to be mentioned in such fine company!

The land-year all fresh and new-formed.

Just finished re-siting our lovely bothy on wheels. So glad it has found a new home and fine new owners. A life chapter closes as the year ends; who knows what this next year will bring!

Have Labour abolished the House of Lords yet?

I'm sorry, they what? 30?

Gosh, well there's a surprise.

Sunset diggering...

I love that one, although it's also kind of terrifying – the anguished, severed head. It's like something out of ancient Egypt rather than Shetland. Human-heron psychopomps for sure! Hope you're well Gavin. Dx

Hi Kizzia, good to hear from you. Cailleach-Oidhche, 'old woman of the night' applies to any owl; but I tend to think of barn owl & its extremely witchy voice. In folklore, I don't know of specific link to any owl species. In fact, apart from name link with owls, she's most associated with heron.

Cheers Gregory!

Phew! Glad to be here and not there.