Neil Drysdale
@neildrysdale.bsky.social
3K followers 3.3K following 960 posts
I’m an Aberdeen-based journalist and writer with a passion for arts, sport, books, history, music and politics!
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neildrysdale.bsky.social
This might be controversial, but I'm growing fed up with Aberdeen FC asking the council for money to help create a new stadium. Local authorities across Scotland are facing huge financial challenges. Building football stadiums shouldn't be one of them!

www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/opinion/6...
Neil Drysdale: Aberdeen FC should stop asking council for money and commit to staying at Pittodrie
Local authorities are facing huge financial challenges, but helping to finance football stadium projects should not be among them, writes Neil Drysdale
www.pressandjournal.co.uk
neildrysdale.bsky.social
Disgraced rugby star Stuart Hogg has given an interview where he makes the story all about himself. HIS issues with alcohol. HIS depression after retiring. HIS belief his ex-wife Gillian stopped being “fun” after the birth of their third child. Nothing about the abuse he inflicted on HER!
neildrysdale.bsky.social
We just finished the book and it’s an absolute belter. I cut it down to 90,000 words, but it’s going to be good. Coming next spring!
Reposted by Neil Drysdale
Reposted by Neil Drysdale
13sarahmurphy.bsky.social
Good to blame Farage for the dull-arsed, ruinous, tedious failure of Brexit.
Not that good to keep punishing us for that failure, rather than looking to swiftly boost our prosperity by asking to rejoin the Single Market and Customs Union.
But yes. It’s a start.

www.thetimes.com/article/8875...
Starmer and Reeves are expected to argue that if it hadn't been for Brexit this type of downgrade would not have been needed - and cite official figures suggesting that if Britain had not left the European Union the economy would be about £120 billion greater by 2035 than current forecasts suggest.
The message is simple: Farage is ultimately to blame, as the man who delivered Brexit with "easy sloganeering" then walked away from the aftermath rather than putting in the hard yards.
Or to put it another way: Farage, not us, is responsible for putting up your taxes.
The theme will tie to the main thrust of Starmer's argument at conference, that the Reform leader is selling easy solutions that are just a fantasy.
neildrysdale.bsky.social
Oh dear. How sad. Never mind!
neildrysdale.bsky.social
As one of life’s nighthawks, I love watching the skies over Aberdeen and occasionally spying the Aurora. That’s not the only thing worth capturing, though. A couple of random pics from last week!
Reposted by Neil Drysdale
samfr.bsky.social
I've been to Dubai for work a few times. It's like the world's biggest airport lounge. Utterly soulless. Can't imagine wanting to live there whatever the financial benefits. (That's before you get to the ethical issues...)
katie0martin.ft.com
People keep telling me the UK is so over and they're going to move to Dubai and, like, fine. Go on then. Would you like directions to the airport?
janinegibson.ft.com
You definitely shouldn't move to Dubai, writes V&A director Tristram Hunt on.ft.com/46MfW1t
Reposted by Neil Drysdale
thetnholler.bsky.social
Nothing says “America First” like letting another country put an Air Force base in Idaho
neildrysdale.bsky.social
What a resplendent day in Aberdeen. It’s warm, there’s not a cloud in the sky, I’ve seen a few butterflies today and it could pass for May or August rather than the second week in October. Grab it while you can!
Reposted by Neil Drysdale
ianfraser.bsky.social
Earlier this month, Reform UK members were spreading “concern” that Kilgraston, a former boarding school in Perthshire, was to be turned into accommodation for asylum seekers. Now, they’re lying about giving the developer "pause for thought". Quality journalism by @alasdairclark.bsky.social.
EXCLUSIVE: Reform UK figures linked to fake Kilgraston School asylum hotel rumours
A councillor for Nigel Farage's Reform UK shared a petition claiming the former private school would be turned into housing for asylum seekers.
www.thecourier.co.uk
neildrysdale.bsky.social
The Democrats aren’t helping. Apart from a few such as Gavin Newsom and AOC, why aren’t they condemning and calling out the myriad abuses of power? I despair when I see Kamala Harris being touted as their candidate in 2028. She’s just written a book which blames everybody else - except herself.
neildrysdale.bsky.social
There’s a military takeover happening in the US, but you’d never guess it from most of the commentators. And Britain now has its own version of the Tea Party - Reform - which explains why the Tory Party conference seems so irrelevant. It’s terrifying there’s so little opposition.
neildrysdale.bsky.social
I’ve been watching “The Hack”, but it’s not very good, is it? Tonally, it’s all over the place, but it’s pulling its punches whereas “Mr Bates vs The Post Office” landed serious blows. “All The President’s Men” managed to make journalism interesting without gimmicks. This fails, even with them!
neildrysdale.bsky.social
It was a privilege to tell the story of three generations of a Highland family who joined forces to take part in a epic charity challenge, both to honour Donna Macdonald and raise money for Kayleigh's Wee Stars! #CommunityMatters #KayleighsWeeStars

www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/lifestyle...
neildrysdale.bsky.social
Doug Kyle is the visitor centre manager at Crathes Castle. But he has recently become an on-call firefighter with the SFRS in Banchory. It's good to highlight people who make the time and the effort to help others in their community! #NTS #Aberdeenshire

www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/lifestyle...
Reposted by Neil Drysdale
adambienkov.bsky.social
"15 years ago, Polish workers came here to find opportunity. Now Poland is growing twice as fast as we are," says Kemi Badenoch.

Any ideas what may have happened in the interim?
neildrysdale.bsky.social
I'm delighted to hear that Gaelic drama "An-t-Eilean" has been renewed. I spoke to lead actress Sorcha Groundsell about the first series and it was a terrific chat with a rising star who has appeared in several other notable roles!

www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/entertain...
Interview: Sorcha Groundsell, star of new BBC crime drama An t-Eilean set in Western Isles
The Western Isles actor is at the helm of "An T-Eilean", the first major crime drama to be filmed in Gaelic.
www.pressandjournal.co.uk