Press Releases

No Jobs Gain From Renewable Energy Push

Press Release 28 February 2011

Industry in Scotland receives massive UK subsidies

A new study into the economic case for renewable energy in Scotland and the UK has found a negative jobs impact from policy to promote the sector. In the UK as a whole, 3.7 jobs are lost for every job created. Meanwhile the industry in Scotland benefits from an annual transfer of around £330 million from taxpayers and consumers elsewhere in the UK.

more >

High Noon in Helmand: Why Britain has lost its war in Afghanistan

Press Release 11 November 2010

The slow motion car crash that is NATO’s campaign in Afghanistan continues without respite. Recent political shenanigans in the US politico-military establishment have seen the departure of modern day soldier monk General Stanley McChrystal as senior military commander in theatre and his replacement by the more politically astute and media savvy General David Petraeus.

more >

Optometry Scotland Notes 20th Anniversary of the Abolition of Free NHS Sight Tests

Press Release 1 April 2009

Optometry Scotland (OS) has noted 20th anniversary of the abolition of free NHS sight tests throughout the UK on 1st April 1989, and the fact that, in Scotland only, it has now been replaced by the new and much more comprehensive NHS eye examination.  The eye examination was introduced by the Scottish Government in April 2006 and is also a free service.

more >

Optometry Scotland Considers Scottish Health Bill

Press Release 17 January 2005

Optometry Scotland considered the implications of the Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Bill, which aims to implement the Scottish Executive’s “free eye checks for all by 2007” pledge, at its full committee meeting in Glasgow on 12th January.
more >

Government’s Regiments’ Proposals No Surprise

Press Release 16 December 2004

“Keep Our Scottish Battalions” campaign say Secretary of State’s announcement is exactly as predicted.
more >


Scottish Regiments Campaign Welcomes Scottish Parliamentary Debate

Press Release 22 September 2004

The Keep Our Scottish Battalions campaign has asked MSPs of all parties to take part in the debate being held in the Scottish Parliament tomorrow (Thursday) on the threatened cuts to Scottish regiments.

more >

Scottish Regiments Campaign Appeals to Commons Defence Select Committee

Press Release 8 September 2004

The Keep Our Scottish Battalions campaign has asked the Commons Defence Select Committee to question the rationale behind the proposed cuts to the Scottish infantry battalions when they quiz the Secretary of State for Defence at their next meeting on 15th September.   
more >

Airborne Initiaitive

Press Briefing-Wednesday 25th February at 11a.m-Signet Library, Parliament Square, Edinburgh

Following the leadership shown on Monday in an open letter to the First Minister by some of the country’s leading criminal justice experts, a press briefing will be held in the Signet Library, Parliament Square, Edinburgh at 11a.m on Wednesday 25th February 2004.
more >

Book Reviews

The Most Dangerous Enemy
A History of the Battle of Britain, by Stephen Bungay
more >

Flags of Our Fathers
The capture of Iwo Jima, by James Bradley with Ron Powers
more >

An Unorthodox Soldier
Peace and War and the Sandline Affair--An autobiography by Lieutenant-Colonel Tim Spicer OBE.
more >

Advertorials

The Gordonstoun Schools
Gordonstoun has been synonymous since with the unique philosophy which Kurt Hahn brought to the education of young people.
more >

DollarAcademy
Dollar Academy is a distinctive school, imbued with the spirit of Scottish internationalism that led to its founding in the first place.
more >

St Leonard's
St Andrews, the "auld grey toun" and jewel in the crown of the ancient Kingdom of Fife, is famous for three things: its University, its golf and for St Leonards School.
more >

Reports and Pamphlets

A Citizen’s Solution To Scotland’s Litter Problem
Scotland is blighted by litter. Local authorities spend £65 million a year cleaning it up, but 81% of our streets are still affected. Adopt-a-Highway is a scheme which was started in Texas and has spread across the USA and to Australia, Japan and Canada. Local organisations sponsor a stretch of road.
more >

Defence of an Independent Scotland
With the Scottish Parliament a reality, one of the powers reserved by Westminster is defence policy and the question is often asked: could an independent Scotland manage its own armed forces?
more >

Feasibilty Study on Requirement for Respite Care in Midlothian
The Friends of Midlothian’s Children was recognised as a Scottish Charity by the Inland Revenue on August 30th, 2000 . The charity was set up as a membership organisation. The Friends consists of people from all walks of life who pay an annual membership fee (£10) to belong to the organisation and who want to help children in need in Midlothian. Many businesses are Friends who pay a corporate membership fee (£50) or offer help in kind, or both.
more >

Articles

Is Eric Joyce Right?

Just over 12 years ago, whilst still a serving officer in the Royal Tank Regiment, I wrote a piece for a military magazine in support of a certain Major Eric Joyce.  Major Joyce, then serving with the Adjutant General’s Corps, had written an article for the Fabian Society journal in which he was highly critical of the army’s attitude to, amongst other things, class, race and gender.

more >

Taliban fighters treated next to British soldiers

Reports that wounded Taliban fighters are being treated in the same hospital wards in Afghanistan as injured British soldiers has caused outrage in some sections of the British media this week.  Apparently servicemen in Camp Bastion think it is appalling that our troops are being forced to share wards with the enemy, who in some cases might have been responsible for their wounds or those of their comrades.

more >

Top soldier leads from the front

The comments made by General Sir Richard Dannat, the Army’s new Chief of the General Staff and senior officer, have had the same effect as a hand grenade thrown into a crowded room.  There’s no escape from the explosion and everybody has been affected by the blast.

more >

What Have They Done to Our Airport?
(Edinburgh Evening News) Time was when traveling through Edinburgh Airport was, well, a sort of comfortable experience.
more >

Women in Combat Units
(Versions published in various magazines) In Britain's army women have traditionally been restricted to supporting roles only.
more >

The Best of the New Scottish Tourism
(Unpublished) Despite the bad press, the very best which the Scottish tourist industry has to offer ranks with any other country in the world.