Gabriella Bennett
@palebackwriter.bsky.social
author / journalist / columnist writing on housing, urban planning, architecture, cities, travel, place
📚HOW TO BUILD A CITY out 2026 with Headline Press
📚HOW TO BUILD A CITY out 2026 with Headline Press
Reposted by Gabriella Bennett
A long-read for Prospect magazine: reporting from SE Ukraine on demining
& conversely, on the scramble to leave the Mine Ban Treaty by countries threatened by Russia.
Blog & extra pics:
www.jenstout.net/post/deminin...
Article w/Julia Kochetova (!) pics: www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/europe...
& conversely, on the scramble to leave the Mine Ban Treaty by countries threatened by Russia.
Blog & extra pics:
www.jenstout.net/post/deminin...
Article w/Julia Kochetova (!) pics: www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/europe...
Demining on the steppe - and the thorny issue of the landmine ban
Behind the scenes on the long-read for Prospect magazine about demining, landmine ban treaties, and the war in Ukraine
www.jenstout.net
September 18, 2025 at 10:06 AM
A long-read for Prospect magazine: reporting from SE Ukraine on demining
& conversely, on the scramble to leave the Mine Ban Treaty by countries threatened by Russia.
Blog & extra pics:
www.jenstout.net/post/deminin...
Article w/Julia Kochetova (!) pics: www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/europe...
& conversely, on the scramble to leave the Mine Ban Treaty by countries threatened by Russia.
Blog & extra pics:
www.jenstout.net/post/deminin...
Article w/Julia Kochetova (!) pics: www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/europe...
Reposted by Gabriella Bennett
Prior to the event at @waterstones.bsky.social Dundee in October with @palebackwriter.bsky.social I'm going to be dropping by Waterstones in St Andrews to sign books and have a bit more of an informal chat www.waterstones.com/events/drift...
Drifting North to St Andrews - Signing with Dominic Hindle | Events at Waterstones Bookshops | Waterstones
Events at Waterstones get you closer to the books and authors you admire most. Find information and tickets about Drifting North to St Andrews - Signing with Dominic Hindle today.
www.waterstones.com
September 2, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Prior to the event at @waterstones.bsky.social Dundee in October with @palebackwriter.bsky.social I'm going to be dropping by Waterstones in St Andrews to sign books and have a bit more of an informal chat www.waterstones.com/events/drift...
This is a really good, thoughtful piece by @aasmahmir.bsky.social. The problem is not only the men who make the comments - it is the men who stand by and say nothing. Not just at the BBC but everywhere
www.thetimes.com/article/1ceb...
www.thetimes.com/article/1ceb...
Aasmah Mir: I saw first-hand how the BBC indulges its sexist men
The presenter and one-time MasterChef contestant can’t understand how no one acted when she complained about Gregg Wallace — or another star’s appalling comment
www.thetimes.com
July 20, 2025 at 10:56 AM
This is a really good, thoughtful piece by @aasmahmir.bsky.social. The problem is not only the men who make the comments - it is the men who stand by and say nothing. Not just at the BBC but everywhere
www.thetimes.com/article/1ceb...
www.thetimes.com/article/1ceb...
Reposted by Gabriella Bennett
Poring over the correspondence between a British author and a female writer in Afghanistan helped me see that education is the only chance women there have of better life | ✍️ Gabriella Bennett
The Taliban letters show us what learning really is — hope
www.thetimes.com
June 17, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Poring over the correspondence between a British author and a female writer in Afghanistan helped me see that education is the only chance women there have of better life | ✍️ Gabriella Bennett
The failings of the University of Dundee are the failings of Scotland. Column for @thetimes.com
www.thetimes.com/article/c9b5...
www.thetimes.com/article/c9b5...
The embarrassing failures at Dundee University are the failures of Scotland
The ripple effect of the university’s financial meltdown risks draining the lifeblood out of the city centre and beyond
www.thetimes.com
April 15, 2025 at 9:03 AM
The failings of the University of Dundee are the failings of Scotland. Column for @thetimes.com
www.thetimes.com/article/c9b5...
www.thetimes.com/article/c9b5...
Reposted by Gabriella Bennett
Walking from Balfarg henge to David Harding’s Henge in Glenrothes, beginning with the new town Neolithic at Balbirnie stone circle #publicart
February 22, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Walking from Balfarg henge to David Harding’s Henge in Glenrothes, beginning with the new town Neolithic at Balbirnie stone circle #publicart
Reposted by Gabriella Bennett
There’s so much good stuff in there today. I particularly loved @palebackwriter.bsky.social’s column on Ian Hamilton Finlay’s grouchy letters.
February 22, 2025 at 11:17 AM
There’s so much good stuff in there today. I particularly loved @palebackwriter.bsky.social’s column on Ian Hamilton Finlay’s grouchy letters.
Reposted by Gabriella Bennett
It's a Valentines theme for this week's #OnlineArtExchange with @artukdotorg.bsky.social.
Our pick is this screenprint - Love by Ian Hamilton Finlay HRSA❤️
Our pick is this screenprint - Love by Ian Hamilton Finlay HRSA❤️
February 13, 2025 at 11:18 AM
It's a Valentines theme for this week's #OnlineArtExchange with @artukdotorg.bsky.social.
Our pick is this screenprint - Love by Ian Hamilton Finlay HRSA❤️
Our pick is this screenprint - Love by Ian Hamilton Finlay HRSA❤️
Reposted by Gabriella Bennett
How we lived. A handbook for new tenants of the Westfield council housing estate in Cumbernauld from 1977. Also love the groovy font. archive.org/details/west...
Westfield 2 Tenants' Handbook : Cumbernauld Development Corporation : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
Handbook for new tenants of the Westfield council housing estate in Cumbernauld, Scotland, UK. This handbook has pages for house type ST 2067, a three bedroom...
archive.org
January 21, 2025 at 7:49 PM
How we lived. A handbook for new tenants of the Westfield council housing estate in Cumbernauld from 1977. Also love the groovy font. archive.org/details/west...
I wrote about the LA fires and why they prove that home is a process not a product
www.thetimes.com/article/9be1...
www.thetimes.com/article/9be1...
When building a home means rebuilding a person
The LA fires have destroyed thousands of homes, but as history shows, starting over can sometimes bring out our creative best. By Gabriella Bennett
www.thetimes.com
January 21, 2025 at 6:31 PM
I wrote about the LA fires and why they prove that home is a process not a product
www.thetimes.com/article/9be1...
www.thetimes.com/article/9be1...
Reposted by Gabriella Bennett
I think it makes sense to think of insurers as an indicator species. It shouldn't shock anyone they aren't in it for altruistic reasons. It is a business, dependent on risk estimation, and they have the resources to look further ahead and more deeply than any local or regional government ever could.
easy to read "insurers stopped covering homes in California right before these fires" as something sinister, but from covering this industry, I gotta say I think it's the opposite: no one is more aware of increased risk due to climate change than insurers
www.businessinsider.com/california-f...
www.businessinsider.com/california-f...
Insurers dropped fire coverage for California homes months ago. Now, wildfires are claiming more houses in Los Angeles.
Some insurers have scaled back their coverage in California because of wildfires over the past few years, creating a challenge for rebuilding.
www.businessinsider.com
January 9, 2025 at 7:42 PM
I think it makes sense to think of insurers as an indicator species. It shouldn't shock anyone they aren't in it for altruistic reasons. It is a business, dependent on risk estimation, and they have the resources to look further ahead and more deeply than any local or regional government ever could.
Millennial conservationists are coming to building restoration after training to be video game designers. Their digital skills are put to good use as they archive, scan and document chapels, cathedrals and keeps. My piece for @thetimes.com
www.thetimes.com/article/9e3b...
www.thetimes.com/article/9e3b...
The young people keeping Scotland’s historic buildings alive
A new generation of conservationists are using digital tools to protect the country’s heritage
www.thetimes.com
January 5, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Millennial conservationists are coming to building restoration after training to be video game designers. Their digital skills are put to good use as they archive, scan and document chapels, cathedrals and keeps. My piece for @thetimes.com
www.thetimes.com/article/9e3b...
www.thetimes.com/article/9e3b...
Reposted by Gabriella Bennett
Remembering Edna O'Brien born on this day 1930:
“We all leave one another. We die, we change - it's mostly change - we outgrow our best friends; but even if I do leave you, I will have passed on to you something of myself; you will be a different person because of knowing me; it's inescapable...”
“We all leave one another. We die, we change - it's mostly change - we outgrow our best friends; but even if I do leave you, I will have passed on to you something of myself; you will be a different person because of knowing me; it's inescapable...”
December 15, 2024 at 11:01 PM
Remembering Edna O'Brien born on this day 1930:
“We all leave one another. We die, we change - it's mostly change - we outgrow our best friends; but even if I do leave you, I will have passed on to you something of myself; you will be a different person because of knowing me; it's inescapable...”
“We all leave one another. We die, we change - it's mostly change - we outgrow our best friends; but even if I do leave you, I will have passed on to you something of myself; you will be a different person because of knowing me; it's inescapable...”
Reposted by Gabriella Bennett
Thank you @palebackwriter.bsky.social for the mention in your latest @timesscotland.bsky.social column. Our volunteers are pictured here packing gifts to send to children and young people in mental health wards over Christmas. We hope these gifts create many much-needed moments of joy
December 14, 2024 at 5:43 PM
Thank you @palebackwriter.bsky.social for the mention in your latest @timesscotland.bsky.social column. Our volunteers are pictured here packing gifts to send to children and young people in mental health wards over Christmas. We hope these gifts create many much-needed moments of joy
Reposted by Gabriella Bennett
Burning gigantic vermin in effigy on a St Pancras housing estate 1931 (very short youtube, no sound)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnAZ...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnAZ...
November 30, 2024 at 2:22 PM
Burning gigantic vermin in effigy on a St Pancras housing estate 1931 (very short youtube, no sound)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnAZ...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnAZ...
Reposted by Gabriella Bennett
In my latest Substack, I’ve revisited Scottish artist Alasdair Taylor, whose life & work I became immersed in last year. Despite being championed by Alasdair Gray & James Kelman, his star waned as he aged. Playing the art game saps a creative soul. airtsandpairts.substack.com/p/rediscover...
November 22, 2024 at 11:02 PM
In my latest Substack, I’ve revisited Scottish artist Alasdair Taylor, whose life & work I became immersed in last year. Despite being championed by Alasdair Gray & James Kelman, his star waned as he aged. Playing the art game saps a creative soul. airtsandpairts.substack.com/p/rediscover...
Reposted by Gabriella Bennett
Best Building in Scotland: Honoured to present the Andrew Doolan Award for the Burrell Collection to John McAslan and Partners at V&A Dundee. Congratulations! #DoolanAward
#Architecture
#Architecture
November 22, 2024 at 1:30 PM
Best Building in Scotland: Honoured to present the Andrew Doolan Award for the Burrell Collection to John McAslan and Partners at V&A Dundee. Congratulations! #DoolanAward
#Architecture
#Architecture
The Burrell Collection wins the RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland award for 2024!
November 22, 2024 at 7:39 AM
The Burrell Collection wins the RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland award for 2024!
Tonight is the night we reveal the winner of this year’s RIAS Doolan Award! A joy to be a judge. Our shortlist of Scotland’s best buildings:
1) Science + Teaching Hub, University of Aberdeen
2) Ardoch
3) North Gate Social Housing
4) The Burrell Collection
5) The Fruitmarket (no space for pic!)
1) Science + Teaching Hub, University of Aberdeen
2) Ardoch
3) North Gate Social Housing
4) The Burrell Collection
5) The Fruitmarket (no space for pic!)
November 21, 2024 at 4:04 PM
Tonight is the night we reveal the winner of this year’s RIAS Doolan Award! A joy to be a judge. Our shortlist of Scotland’s best buildings:
1) Science + Teaching Hub, University of Aberdeen
2) Ardoch
3) North Gate Social Housing
4) The Burrell Collection
5) The Fruitmarket (no space for pic!)
1) Science + Teaching Hub, University of Aberdeen
2) Ardoch
3) North Gate Social Housing
4) The Burrell Collection
5) The Fruitmarket (no space for pic!)
Reposted by Gabriella Bennett
"Listing showcases what a country feels is important to them...these are the buildings we think are 'us'."
Architect Gurmeet Sian on C20's #ComingOfAge campaign celebrating the best buildings turning 30, in another must-listen episode of the Open City podcast. 🎧
open.spotify.com/episode/3FUu...
Architect Gurmeet Sian on C20's #ComingOfAge campaign celebrating the best buildings turning 30, in another must-listen episode of the Open City podcast. 🎧
open.spotify.com/episode/3FUu...
November 21, 2024 at 3:11 PM
"Listing showcases what a country feels is important to them...these are the buildings we think are 'us'."
Architect Gurmeet Sian on C20's #ComingOfAge campaign celebrating the best buildings turning 30, in another must-listen episode of the Open City podcast. 🎧
open.spotify.com/episode/3FUu...
Architect Gurmeet Sian on C20's #ComingOfAge campaign celebrating the best buildings turning 30, in another must-listen episode of the Open City podcast. 🎧
open.spotify.com/episode/3FUu...
The Women in Journalism Scotland mentoring scheme is open. I know lots of women journalists who have had a rough year: we can find you a mentor to help with confidence, career redirection, whatever you need www.wijscotland.com/news/wij-sco...
WiJ Scotland launches 2025 mentoring scheme - find out how to apply — Women in Journalism Scotland
Women in Journalism Scotland has launched the fifth round of its successful mentoring scheme. Are you an early to mid-career journalist in Scotland looking to develop your practice? Do you have sp...
www.wijscotland.com
November 20, 2024 at 2:59 PM
The Women in Journalism Scotland mentoring scheme is open. I know lots of women journalists who have had a rough year: we can find you a mentor to help with confidence, career redirection, whatever you need www.wijscotland.com/news/wij-sco...
I’ve been to 10 countries so far this year. Going away has taught me one thing: there’s no feeling like coming home
www.thetimes.com/article/b705...
www.thetimes.com/article/b705...
Happiness is a home covered in dog hair
I’ve been to ten countries in 12 months and it’s made me realise, there’s no feeling like stepping through my front door
www.thetimes.com
November 19, 2024 at 9:10 AM
I’ve been to 10 countries so far this year. Going away has taught me one thing: there’s no feeling like coming home
www.thetimes.com/article/b705...
www.thetimes.com/article/b705...