Ewan Gibbs
@ewangibbs.bsky.social
Historian of work, energy, industry and protest. Author of Coal Country. Now writing An Injury to All: The Unmaking of the British Working Class. Not getting that much more right wing as I get older.
Pinned
Ewan Gibbs
@ewangibbs.bsky.social
· Nov 14
Coal Country - University of London Press
The flooding and subsequent closure of Scotland’s last deep coal mine in 2002 brought a centuries long saga to an end. Villages and towns across the densely populated Central Belt owe their existence ...
uolpress.co.uk
My book, Coal Country: The Meaning and Memory of Deindustrialization in Postwar Scotland is the first book-length account of the end of coal mining in Scotland through the memories of miners and their families. It is available to download for free on this link, or you can also buy paper copies.
This is a very important point. The transition perspective means that Mossmorran was not going to remain a carbon-based chemicals production site for the longer-term. Scottish government policy recognised that and even made planning for it a priority only to fail to act on it.
Mairi McAllan announced in April 2024 that a just transition plan for Mossmorran would be developed by the SNP Government.
John Swinney was asked by both the Greens and Tories today: Where is it?
Hundreds of jobs are now on the line.
John Swinney was asked by both the Greens and Tories today: Where is it?
Hundreds of jobs are now on the line.
November 20, 2025 at 12:37 PM
This is a very important point. The transition perspective means that Mossmorran was not going to remain a carbon-based chemicals production site for the longer-term. Scottish government policy recognised that and even made planning for it a priority only to fail to act on it.
Unite, the main union at Exxon's Mossmorran petrochemical plant, has responded to the proposed closure by saying that 'Exxonmobil is one of the richest companies in the world. It cannot be allowed to walk away and leave an industrial wasteland in Fife.'
www.unitetheunion.org
November 19, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Unite, the main union at Exxon's Mossmorran petrochemical plant, has responded to the proposed closure by saying that 'Exxonmobil is one of the richest companies in the world. It cannot be allowed to walk away and leave an industrial wasteland in Fife.'
‘A fitter fae Edinburgh. You spend all year up to your armpits in grease – and then this.’
William McIlvanney’s story of Argentina 1978 celebrates the magical experience of the Scots who got there by hook and by crook. We’ll soon have new World Cup tales!
William McIlvanney’s story of Argentina 1978 celebrates the magical experience of the Scots who got there by hook and by crook. We’ll soon have new World Cup tales!
McIlvanney’s World Cup | Nutmeg Magazine
William McIlvanney, who died in 2015, left us one of the most illuminating pieces of writing on the experience of being part of the Tartan Army in Argentina for the 1978 World Cup, in Surviving The Shipwreck, a collection of essays by the noted novelist, short story writer and poet. This extract from the chapter Journeys of the Magi was written before Scotland’s final game against The Netherlands.
www.nutmegmagazine.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 8:49 AM
‘A fitter fae Edinburgh. You spend all year up to your armpits in grease – and then this.’
William McIlvanney’s story of Argentina 1978 celebrates the magical experience of the Scots who got there by hook and by crook. We’ll soon have new World Cup tales!
William McIlvanney’s story of Argentina 1978 celebrates the magical experience of the Scots who got there by hook and by crook. We’ll soon have new World Cup tales!
Kasper Schmeichel! Peter Schmeichel! Hans Christian Andersen! Helle Thorning-Schmidt! Ivar the Boneless! Søren Kierkegaard! Niels Bohr! Karen Blixen! The Laudrup brothers! Do you hear me?! Your boys took a hell of a beating!
November 18, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Kasper Schmeichel! Peter Schmeichel! Hans Christian Andersen! Helle Thorning-Schmidt! Ivar the Boneless! Søren Kierkegaard! Niels Bohr! Karen Blixen! The Laudrup brothers! Do you hear me?! Your boys took a hell of a beating!
Reposted by Ewan Gibbs
Exxon are closing Mossmorran petrochemicals plant in Fife leading to over 400 direct job losses. Reportedly, some workers found out their cards were terminated this morning as they reported for shifts. Scotland‘s unjust transition continues at the behest of multinationals and failing governments.
Mossmorran chemical plant to close with hudnreds of Scots jobs at risk
The Fife Ethelyne Plant near Cowdenbeath is set to become the country's next industrial casualty.
www.dailyrecord.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Exxon are closing Mossmorran petrochemicals plant in Fife leading to over 400 direct job losses. Reportedly, some workers found out their cards were terminated this morning as they reported for shifts. Scotland‘s unjust transition continues at the behest of multinationals and failing governments.
Exxon are closing Mossmorran petrochemicals plant in Fife leading to over 400 direct job losses. Reportedly, some workers found out their cards were terminated this morning as they reported for shifts. Scotland‘s unjust transition continues at the behest of multinationals and failing governments.
Mossmorran chemical plant to close with hudnreds of Scots jobs at risk
The Fife Ethelyne Plant near Cowdenbeath is set to become the country's next industrial casualty.
www.dailyrecord.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Exxon are closing Mossmorran petrochemicals plant in Fife leading to over 400 direct job losses. Reportedly, some workers found out their cards were terminated this morning as they reported for shifts. Scotland‘s unjust transition continues at the behest of multinationals and failing governments.
Imagine looking at Scandinavian models of social democracy from Britain and picking out cruel immigration policies as the big source of inspiration.
November 17, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Imagine looking at Scandinavian models of social democracy from Britain and picking out cruel immigration policies as the big source of inspiration.
This is an important overview of the Scottish renewables jobs situation from @scottishtuc.bsky.social in a concise report.🔽
stuc.org.uk/resources/on...
Renewables employment is dominated by small firms, often sole traders.
Fewer Scots work in wind than energy efficient products.
stuc.org.uk/resources/on...
Renewables employment is dominated by small firms, often sole traders.
Fewer Scots work in wind than energy efficient products.
November 17, 2025 at 4:27 PM
This is an important overview of the Scottish renewables jobs situation from @scottishtuc.bsky.social in a concise report.🔽
stuc.org.uk/resources/on...
Renewables employment is dominated by small firms, often sole traders.
Fewer Scots work in wind than energy efficient products.
stuc.org.uk/resources/on...
Renewables employment is dominated by small firms, often sole traders.
Fewer Scots work in wind than energy efficient products.
Reposted by Ewan Gibbs
Spain, an EU member, has, as I'd often said, the second highest number of bodies (+120000) in "known" mass graves after Cambodia. But, often forgotten, we we don't know how many in mass graves from Maoist China, Stalinist Russia, Suharta's massacre of Indonesian Communists, Congo etc
The map in my original tweet shows the number of graves, not number of bodies. Andalucía, by some way, has the most in terms of victims. In mass graves as shown in this map or otherwise.
November 16, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Spain, an EU member, has, as I'd often said, the second highest number of bodies (+120000) in "known" mass graves after Cambodia. But, often forgotten, we we don't know how many in mass graves from Maoist China, Stalinist Russia, Suharta's massacre of Indonesian Communists, Congo etc
Sunset over the Clyde.
November 16, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Sunset over the Clyde.
10k run under the winter sun
November 16, 2025 at 11:29 AM
10k run under the winter sun
Linn Park, the country in the city.
November 15, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Linn Park, the country in the city.
Reposted by Ewan Gibbs
Ukraine's strike halted oil exports from Novorossiysk, which accounts for about 2% of global supplies, according to Reuters
After a massive attack by UAVs and Neptune missiles, the Russian port of Novorossiysk has temporarily suspended oil shipments, which amount to about 2.2 million barrels. 👇
After a massive attack by UAVs and Neptune missiles, the Russian port of Novorossiysk has temporarily suspended oil shipments, which amount to about 2.2 million barrels. 👇
November 14, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Ukraine's strike halted oil exports from Novorossiysk, which accounts for about 2% of global supplies, according to Reuters
After a massive attack by UAVs and Neptune missiles, the Russian port of Novorossiysk has temporarily suspended oil shipments, which amount to about 2.2 million barrels. 👇
After a massive attack by UAVs and Neptune missiles, the Russian port of Novorossiysk has temporarily suspended oil shipments, which amount to about 2.2 million barrels. 👇
Reposted by Ewan Gibbs
Marking the anniversary of the Miners' Strike of 1984/5, Keith Gildart reflects on a selection of recent titles in a new Review Article: 'Which Side Are You On Boys? Revisiting the History of British Coal Miners and the Strike of 1984/5'
academic.oup.com/ehr/advance-...
#MinersStrike
academic.oup.com/ehr/advance-...
#MinersStrike
Which Side Are You On Boys? Revisiting the History of British Coal Miners and the Strike of 1984/5
The year 2025 marks the fortieth anniversary of the end of the bitter twelve-month miners’ strike of 1984/5. The dominance of coal in British energy produc
academic.oup.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Marking the anniversary of the Miners' Strike of 1984/5, Keith Gildart reflects on a selection of recent titles in a new Review Article: 'Which Side Are You On Boys? Revisiting the History of British Coal Miners and the Strike of 1984/5'
academic.oup.com/ehr/advance-...
#MinersStrike
academic.oup.com/ehr/advance-...
#MinersStrike
Running in the rain 🏃♂️
November 13, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Running in the rain 🏃♂️
More anonymised parliamentary briefing should include quotes from historians.
November 12, 2025 at 8:23 PM
More anonymised parliamentary briefing should include quotes from historians.
My new book, An Injury to All: The Unmaking of the British Working Class, will be published by Verso next year.
It's now listed, which makes it feel that bit more official!
It's now listed, which makes it feel that bit more official!
An Injury to All: The Unmaking of the British Working Class : Gibbs, Ewan: Amazon.co.uk: Books
Buy An Injury to All: The Unmaking of the British Working Class by Gibbs, Ewan (ISBN: 9781804296493) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
www.amazon.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 5:16 PM
My new book, An Injury to All: The Unmaking of the British Working Class, will be published by Verso next year.
It's now listed, which makes it feel that bit more official!
It's now listed, which makes it feel that bit more official!
Reposted by Ewan Gibbs
Obviously I'm right about all of this and one takeaway point is that you should all preorder @ewangibbs.bsky.social's forthcoming book! -- www.amazon.co.uk/Injury-All-U...
November 10, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Obviously I'm right about all of this and one takeaway point is that you should all preorder @ewangibbs.bsky.social's forthcoming book! -- www.amazon.co.uk/Injury-All-U...
Running by the bare trees. 🏃♂️
November 10, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Running by the bare trees. 🏃♂️
Reposted by Ewan Gibbs
My sons they have grown an’ away they have flown,
Tae search for black oil in the far northern sea.
Like oilmen they walk an’ like Yankees they talk,
There’s no much in common ’tween my sons an’ me…
—Matt Armour, “Generations of Change”
Sung here by Joe Aitken
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf9D...
Tae search for black oil in the far northern sea.
Like oilmen they walk an’ like Yankees they talk,
There’s no much in common ’tween my sons an’ me…
—Matt Armour, “Generations of Change”
Sung here by Joe Aitken
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf9D...
GENERATIONS OF CHANGE JOE AITKEN Scottish Folk Song
YouTube video by Ian Anderson
www.youtube.com
November 9, 2025 at 8:48 PM
My sons they have grown an’ away they have flown,
Tae search for black oil in the far northern sea.
Like oilmen they walk an’ like Yankees they talk,
There’s no much in common ’tween my sons an’ me…
—Matt Armour, “Generations of Change”
Sung here by Joe Aitken
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf9D...
Tae search for black oil in the far northern sea.
Like oilmen they walk an’ like Yankees they talk,
There’s no much in common ’tween my sons an’ me…
—Matt Armour, “Generations of Change”
Sung here by Joe Aitken
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf9D...
Sending off proofs for an essay about how oil transformed work and community in Northern Scotland through rig manufacturing in the Cromarty Firth and the Sullom Voe terminal in Shetland. It uses oral histories with workers and members of their families and archival research.
November 9, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Sending off proofs for an essay about how oil transformed work and community in Northern Scotland through rig manufacturing in the Cromarty Firth and the Sullom Voe terminal in Shetland. It uses oral histories with workers and members of their families and archival research.
The Gorbals looking pretty in the winter sky.
November 9, 2025 at 5:12 PM
The Gorbals looking pretty in the winter sky.
Reposted by Ewan Gibbs
Rockstar North workers fight back against union-busting bellacaledonia.org.uk/2025/11/07/r... #GrandTheftAutoVI #GTA6 #RockstarGames
Rockstar North workers fight back against union-busting
Edinburgh-based workers at video games giant Rockstar North yesterday walked out in solidarity with dozens of co-workers fired in what has been called “the most ruthless and blatant example of ille…
bellacaledonia.org.uk
November 7, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Rockstar North workers fight back against union-busting bellacaledonia.org.uk/2025/11/07/r... #GrandTheftAutoVI #GTA6 #RockstarGames