Brian Ferguson
@brianjaffa.bsky.social
Edinburgh-based journalist, arts-follower, traveller-around-Scotland. Any views expressed are mine alone. https://www.heraldscotland.com
Pinned
🚴 Exclusive: The cost of bringing the Tour de France to Edinburgh has soared again after the Scottish Government finally admitted how much it will be spending on the event. 🚴
Spoiler alert: It’s more than it spends on the city’s annual home-grown events.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2569871...
Spoiler alert: It’s more than it spends on the city’s annual home-grown events.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2569871...
Reposted by Brian Ferguson
2025 was a vintage year for Scottish theatre - here's our pick of the bunch @heraldscotland.bsky.social @brianjaffa.bsky.social @ntsonline.bsky.social @dundeerep.bsky.social @pitlochryft.bsky.social
'I spent a year watching Scottish theatre - here are my highlights'
It has been a classic year for Scottish theatre - here are my highlights
www.heraldscotland.com
December 22, 2025 at 4:37 PM
2025 was a vintage year for Scottish theatre - here's our pick of the bunch @heraldscotland.bsky.social @brianjaffa.bsky.social @ntsonline.bsky.social @dundeerep.bsky.social @pitlochryft.bsky.social
📰 Right folks, I never ask for much, as you know, but since it’s (almost Christmas)…
The Herald is up for Hold The Front Page’s hotly-contested Front Page of the Year title for this cracker & you can help us win! 📰
Read on and get involved! www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2025/news/ch...
The Herald is up for Hold The Front Page’s hotly-contested Front Page of the Year title for this cracker & you can help us win! 📰
Read on and get involved! www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2025/news/ch...
December 17, 2025 at 5:05 PM
📰 Right folks, I never ask for much, as you know, but since it’s (almost Christmas)…
The Herald is up for Hold The Front Page’s hotly-contested Front Page of the Year title for this cracker & you can help us win! 📰
Read on and get involved! www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2025/news/ch...
The Herald is up for Hold The Front Page’s hotly-contested Front Page of the Year title for this cracker & you can help us win! 📰
Read on and get involved! www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2025/news/ch...
Catch them while you can, folks!
All Christmas shows reviewed - here's our verdict on Scotland's best pantos @heraldscotland.bsky.social @neilcooper.bsky.social @brianjaffa.bsky.social @thegaiety.bsky.social @trontheatre.bsky.social @beacontheatre.bsky.social @macrobertarts.bsky.social
Reviewed: These are the eight best pantomimes across Scotland to see right now
From big laughs to festive magic, here’s our guide to the best pantomimes lighting up theatres across Scotland this Christmas.
www.heraldscotland.com
December 16, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Catch them while you can, folks!
This really is essential reading. These findings are absolutely appalling. The Scottish Government, which is obsessed with micro-management in my experience, has completely taken the eye off the ball on what has been going on in one of its most important agencies.
BREAKING
The public spending watchdog has slammed governance arrangements at the troubled Scottish Government heritage agency Historic Environment Scotland
www.heraldscotland.com/news...
@kathleennutt.bsky.social
The public spending watchdog has slammed governance arrangements at the troubled Scottish Government heritage agency Historic Environment Scotland
www.heraldscotland.com/news...
@kathleennutt.bsky.social
December 16, 2025 at 10:13 AM
This really is essential reading. These findings are absolutely appalling. The Scottish Government, which is obsessed with micro-management in my experience, has completely taken the eye off the ball on what has been going on in one of its most important agencies.
Another spoiler: The Scottish Government is spending around 10 times as much on bringing the Tour de France to Edinburgh as it currently does on the Fringe, which is the biggest cultural event in the world, but is not regarded as a “major event” according to official criteria.
🚴 Exclusive: The cost of bringing the Tour de France to Edinburgh has soared again after the Scottish Government finally admitted how much it will be spending on the event. 🚴
Spoiler alert: It’s more than it spends on the city’s annual home-grown events.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2569871...
Spoiler alert: It’s more than it spends on the city’s annual home-grown events.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2569871...
December 15, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Another spoiler: The Scottish Government is spending around 10 times as much on bringing the Tour de France to Edinburgh as it currently does on the Fringe, which is the biggest cultural event in the world, but is not regarded as a “major event” according to official criteria.
🚴 Exclusive: The cost of bringing the Tour de France to Edinburgh has soared again after the Scottish Government finally admitted how much it will be spending on the event. 🚴
Spoiler alert: It’s more than it spends on the city’s annual home-grown events.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2569871...
Spoiler alert: It’s more than it spends on the city’s annual home-grown events.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2569871...
December 15, 2025 at 2:33 PM
🚴 Exclusive: The cost of bringing the Tour de France to Edinburgh has soared again after the Scottish Government finally admitted how much it will be spending on the event. 🚴
Spoiler alert: It’s more than it spends on the city’s annual home-grown events.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2569871...
Spoiler alert: It’s more than it spends on the city’s annual home-grown events.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2569871...
Now THIS is a Christmas movie!🎄🎄🎄🎄
Ronald Neame's 🇺🇸American action disaster film "THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE" starring Gene Hackman, Ernest Borgnine, Jack Albertson, Roddy McDowall, Shelley Winters, Stella Stevens, Carol Lynley, Red Buttons, Leslie Neilsen premiered #OnThisDay in 1972 at the National Theatre, New York
🎬 20th Century-Fox
🎬 20th Century-Fox
December 12, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Now THIS is a Christmas movie!🎄🎄🎄🎄
“We’re sure that without the outpouring of support – both financial & through emotional stories of connection and importance – from the community that surrounds us & in our sector, that we would not be in this position. We owe a huge debt of thanks to all those who got involved.”
🎟️ Breaking: Cumbernauld Theatre has averted closure after an 11th-hour u-turn over its Scottish Government funding. 🎟️
Full details & reaction: www.heraldscotland.com/news/2569406...
@cnauldtheatre.bsky.social @heraldscotland.bsky.social
Full details & reaction: www.heraldscotland.com/news/2569406...
@cnauldtheatre.bsky.social @heraldscotland.bsky.social
December 12, 2025 at 7:41 PM
“We’re sure that without the outpouring of support – both financial & through emotional stories of connection and importance – from the community that surrounds us & in our sector, that we would not be in this position. We owe a huge debt of thanks to all those who got involved.”
Reposted by Brian Ferguson
My @heraldscotland.bsky.social review of MAMMA MIA! the now 20-something musical in which ABBA’s greatest hits meet prime time British drama.
Edinburgh Playhouse until January 4. www.atgtickets.com/shows/mamma-...
www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2...
Edinburgh Playhouse until January 4. www.atgtickets.com/shows/mamma-...
www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2...
'After 26 years, the sheer joy of this nostalgiafest shows no sign of dimming'
Theatre: Mamma Mia! The Playhouse, Edinburgh, Neil Cooper, Four stars: After 26 years, the sheer joy of this nostalgiafest shows no sign of dimming
www.heraldscotland.com
December 12, 2025 at 3:39 PM
My @heraldscotland.bsky.social review of MAMMA MIA! the now 20-something musical in which ABBA’s greatest hits meet prime time British drama.
Edinburgh Playhouse until January 4. www.atgtickets.com/shows/mamma-...
www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2...
Edinburgh Playhouse until January 4. www.atgtickets.com/shows/mamma-...
www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2...
🎟️ Breaking: Cumbernauld Theatre has averted closure after an 11th-hour u-turn over its Scottish Government funding. 🎟️
Full details & reaction: www.heraldscotland.com/news/2569406...
@cnauldtheatre.bsky.social @heraldscotland.bsky.social
Full details & reaction: www.heraldscotland.com/news/2569406...
@cnauldtheatre.bsky.social @heraldscotland.bsky.social
December 12, 2025 at 4:09 PM
🎟️ Breaking: Cumbernauld Theatre has averted closure after an 11th-hour u-turn over its Scottish Government funding. 🎟️
Full details & reaction: www.heraldscotland.com/news/2569406...
@cnauldtheatre.bsky.social @heraldscotland.bsky.social
Full details & reaction: www.heraldscotland.com/news/2569406...
@cnauldtheatre.bsky.social @heraldscotland.bsky.social
Reposted by Brian Ferguson
My @heraldscotland.bsky.social review of Jack and the Beanstalk, Jonathan O’Neill and Isaac Savage’s new ‘moooosical’ take on the classic story starring a cow named Caroline.
Dundee Rep until December 30. dundeerep.co.uk/events/jack-...
www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2...
Dundee Rep until December 30. dundeerep.co.uk/events/jack-...
www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2...
Jack, the beanstalk and a sassy heilan coo - a classic fairy tale with a Scots twist
This rendition of Jack and the Beanstalk is underpinned by a plethora of power ballads and showtunes that give panto by way of a cheesy Fringe…
www.heraldscotland.com
December 11, 2025 at 4:50 PM
My @heraldscotland.bsky.social review of Jack and the Beanstalk, Jonathan O’Neill and Isaac Savage’s new ‘moooosical’ take on the classic story starring a cow named Caroline.
Dundee Rep until December 30. dundeerep.co.uk/events/jack-...
www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2...
Dundee Rep until December 30. dundeerep.co.uk/events/jack-...
www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2...
Reposted by Brian Ferguson
Legendary Scottish actor and comedian Stanley Baxter has died at the age of 99.
www.heraldscotland.com/news...
www.heraldscotland.com/news...
December 12, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Legendary Scottish actor and comedian Stanley Baxter has died at the age of 99.
www.heraldscotland.com/news...
www.heraldscotland.com/news...
Lots of interest in this one today…!
The Screen Machine is definitely on my must-do list for 2026!
The Screen Machine is definitely on my must-do list for 2026!
Exclusive: Scotland is to get a new Screen Machine within months after a “colossal” effort to secure the future of the mobile cinema service for the Highlands & Islands raised almost £1.5m.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568092... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568092... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
December 9, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Lots of interest in this one today…!
The Screen Machine is definitely on my must-do list for 2026!
The Screen Machine is definitely on my must-do list for 2026!
Exclusive: Scotland is to get a new Screen Machine within months after a “colossal” effort to secure the future of the mobile cinema service for the Highlands & Islands raised almost £1.5m.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568092... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568092... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
December 9, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Exclusive: Scotland is to get a new Screen Machine within months after a “colossal” effort to secure the future of the mobile cinema service for the Highlands & Islands raised almost £1.5m.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568092... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568092... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
Exclusive: Scotland is to get a new Screen Machine within months after a “colossal” effort to secure the future of the mobile cinema service for the Highlands & Islands raised almost £1.5m.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568092... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568092... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
December 9, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Exclusive: Scotland is to get a new Screen Machine within months after a “colossal” effort to secure the future of the mobile cinema service for the Highlands & Islands raised almost £1.5m.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568092... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568092... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
📚 Exclusive: One of Edinburgh’s leading bookshops is declaring victory after a three-week battle with Waterstones over a “baffling and shocking” decision to open a new store yards away. 📚
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568157...
@heraldscotland.bsky.social
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568157...
@heraldscotland.bsky.social
December 8, 2025 at 4:06 PM
📚 Exclusive: One of Edinburgh’s leading bookshops is declaring victory after a three-week battle with Waterstones over a “baffling and shocking” decision to open a new store yards away. 📚
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568157...
@heraldscotland.bsky.social
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568157...
@heraldscotland.bsky.social
Reposted by Brian Ferguson
BREAKING
Sandie Peggie has won her employment tribunal against NHS Fife on harassment grounds.
However, the claim made against transgender medic Dr Beth Upton was dismissed 👇
Sandie Peggie has won her employment tribunal against NHS Fife on harassment grounds.
However, the claim made against transgender medic Dr Beth Upton was dismissed 👇
December 8, 2025 at 1:15 PM
BREAKING
Sandie Peggie has won her employment tribunal against NHS Fife on harassment grounds.
However, the claim made against transgender medic Dr Beth Upton was dismissed 👇
Sandie Peggie has won her employment tribunal against NHS Fife on harassment grounds.
However, the claim made against transgender medic Dr Beth Upton was dismissed 👇
“I cannot shake the feeling that this loss is simply not acceptable, justifiable or something to be simply shrugged off and absorbed into the background noise that is the constant minimising of the arts.”
Singer @emmaspollock.bsky.social in The Herald on that BBC Radio Scotland revamp.
Singer @emmaspollock.bsky.social in The Herald on that BBC Radio Scotland revamp.
December 4, 2025 at 4:16 PM
“I cannot shake the feeling that this loss is simply not acceptable, justifiable or something to be simply shrugged off and absorbed into the background noise that is the constant minimising of the arts.”
Singer @emmaspollock.bsky.social in The Herald on that BBC Radio Scotland revamp.
Singer @emmaspollock.bsky.social in The Herald on that BBC Radio Scotland revamp.
It’s worth pointing out that David Tennant appeared in at least six shows at @dundeerep.bsky.social after graduating.
It is currently at risk of a 100% funding cut from the city council.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2562144...
It is currently at risk of a 100% funding cut from the city council.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2562144...
Exclusive: David Tennant rails against “stupid” theatre funding cuts & warns pipelines of future talent are at risk of being “throttled” due to a lack of funding. He was speaking as he returned to the Royal Lyceum in Edinburgh for a fundraising event.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2567126...
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2567126...
December 3, 2025 at 6:59 PM
It’s worth pointing out that David Tennant appeared in at least six shows at @dundeerep.bsky.social after graduating.
It is currently at risk of a 100% funding cut from the city council.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2562144...
It is currently at risk of a 100% funding cut from the city council.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2562144...
Exclusive: David Tennant rails against “stupid” theatre funding cuts & warns pipelines of future talent are at risk of being “throttled” due to a lack of funding. He was speaking as he returned to the Royal Lyceum in Edinburgh for a fundraising event.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2567126...
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2567126...
December 3, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Exclusive: David Tennant rails against “stupid” theatre funding cuts & warns pipelines of future talent are at risk of being “throttled” due to a lack of funding. He was speaking as he returned to the Royal Lyceum in Edinburgh for a fundraising event.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2567126...
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2567126...
FM in Oct 24: “I’ve been very clear with the public that there are huge pressures on the public finances, so there could not be a call on the public finances for any financial support….there will be no call on the public purse…I am confident the public purse is protected.”
Can someone explain how the @scotgov can be spending £150,000 on this when we were repeatedly told there would be “no need for public funding”?
When is someone going to own up on exactly how much public money is being spent on the Commonwealth Games?
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2566753...
When is someone going to own up on exactly how much public money is being spent on the Commonwealth Games?
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2566753...
Scottish Government to take over Glasgow bar for Commonwealth Games
Health Secretary Neil Gray has outlined plans for the hub to help showcase Scotland and maximise the impact of the projected £150 million economic…
www.heraldscotland.com
December 3, 2025 at 7:45 AM
FM in Oct 24: “I’ve been very clear with the public that there are huge pressures on the public finances, so there could not be a call on the public finances for any financial support….there will be no call on the public purse…I am confident the public purse is protected.”
Can someone explain how the @scotgov can be spending £150,000 on this when we were repeatedly told there would be “no need for public funding”?
When is someone going to own up on exactly how much public money is being spent on the Commonwealth Games?
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2566753...
When is someone going to own up on exactly how much public money is being spent on the Commonwealth Games?
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2566753...
Scottish Government to take over Glasgow bar for Commonwealth Games
Health Secretary Neil Gray has outlined plans for the hub to help showcase Scotland and maximise the impact of the projected £150 million economic…
www.heraldscotland.com
December 2, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Can someone explain how the @scotgov can be spending £150,000 on this when we were repeatedly told there would be “no need for public funding”?
When is someone going to own up on exactly how much public money is being spent on the Commonwealth Games?
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2566753...
When is someone going to own up on exactly how much public money is being spent on the Commonwealth Games?
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2566753...
🚨 BREAKING: The Glasgow Film Theatre is expected to lose its main long-term funding support from the city council. 🚨
Full details & reaction: www.heraldscotland.com/news/2566604... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
Full details & reaction: www.heraldscotland.com/news/2566604... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
December 2, 2025 at 4:03 PM
🚨 BREAKING: The Glasgow Film Theatre is expected to lose its main long-term funding support from the city council. 🚨
Full details & reaction: www.heraldscotland.com/news/2566604... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
Full details & reaction: www.heraldscotland.com/news/2566604... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
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𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋𝐃 𝐁𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐑: 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐋𝐄𝐅𝐓
You've got until 23:59 to get 12 months of The Herald for just £20 🚨
Subscribe NOW: www.heraldscotland.com/subs...
You've got until 23:59 to get 12 months of The Herald for just £20 🚨
Subscribe NOW: www.heraldscotland.com/subs...
December 1, 2025 at 11:25 PM
⏰
🎟️ Edinburgh City Council has raked in a record £1.18m from organisers of concerts, festivals & events under a controversial new charging regime which has generated almost half a million pounds more in the space of 12 months. 🎟️
Full story: www.heraldscotland.com/news/2565200...
Full story: www.heraldscotland.com/news/2565200...
November 26, 2025 at 2:08 PM
🎟️ Edinburgh City Council has raked in a record £1.18m from organisers of concerts, festivals & events under a controversial new charging regime which has generated almost half a million pounds more in the space of 12 months. 🎟️
Full story: www.heraldscotland.com/news/2565200...
Full story: www.heraldscotland.com/news/2565200...