Dani Garavelli
@danigaravelli.bsky.social
Freelance journalist & writer. Bylines at the Herald, the Guardian, the London Review of Books, the Big Issue, Prospect Magazine et al. Radio 4 documentaries, including Waiting for the Van & Prosecuting Polmont. Shortlisted for the Orwell Prize.
Pinned
'A world where women are reduced to their genitals, and derided as bitches'
NOT so long ago Donald Trump — at the behest of his then pal Elon Musk — lashed out at Keir Starmer over the supposed cover-up of grooming gangs…
www.heraldscotland.com
"They will look at the barely-tarnished reputations of those whose names appear & blame not the men themselves, but the women who refused to let the subject drop. " My @heraldscotland.bsky.social column on how it's always about money & politics, not the victims, & this is no moment of reckoning.
Reposted by Dani Garavelli
Charity shop finds. Good cover design is such an endorphin hit.
February 15, 2026 at 11:02 AM
Charity shop finds. Good cover design is such an endorphin hit.
Reposted by Dani Garavelli
One might question too, therefore, whether unproven allegations of criminality are a solid basis for the extremely rare act of legal proscription as a terrorist organisation. One might also look at recent jury findings in those cases that have reached trial, and wonder some more.
Most likely that was because of the criminal acts alleged against some hardcore PA activists at the time, awaiting trial on burglary, criminal damage, assault, GBH etc. The matter was sub-judice.
Indeed it may still be as the govt is said to be considering an appeal in that criminal case.
Indeed it may still be as the govt is said to be considering an appeal in that criminal case.
Remember when Yvette Cooper was like "they absolutely are terrorists though because of other information I have that I can't tell you yet" and then just never mentioned it again
February 13, 2026 at 11:10 AM
One might question too, therefore, whether unproven allegations of criminality are a solid basis for the extremely rare act of legal proscription as a terrorist organisation. One might also look at recent jury findings in those cases that have reached trial, and wonder some more.
The thing about the whole Palestine Action proscription is it's difficult to be taken seriously as a defender of human rights abroad (even if you are, in fact, trying to do so) when you're busy eroding them at home.
February 13, 2026 at 11:16 AM
The thing about the whole Palestine Action proscription is it's difficult to be taken seriously as a defender of human rights abroad (even if you are, in fact, trying to do so) when you're busy eroding them at home.
Reposted by Dani Garavelli
The UK government's decision to ban Palestine Action as a terrorist group has been ruled unlawful by the High Court
I'm still in Japan, but had a feeling this ruling would come while I was away and so a story will be coming shortly...
I'm still in Japan, but had a feeling this ruling would come while I was away and so a story will be coming shortly...
February 13, 2026 at 10:12 AM
The UK government's decision to ban Palestine Action as a terrorist group has been ruled unlawful by the High Court
I'm still in Japan, but had a feeling this ruling would come while I was away and so a story will be coming shortly...
I'm still in Japan, but had a feeling this ruling would come while I was away and so a story will be coming shortly...
Reposted by Dani Garavelli
I had the pleasure of a visit to the Kays curling stone factory in Ayrshire - this is what I learned...
www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/f...
www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/f...
‘A great wee place’: the small Scottish factory crafting Olympic curling stones
All stones in Cortina are made from granite found on tiny island in Firth of Clyde and crafted in East Ayrshire
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 9:07 AM
I had the pleasure of a visit to the Kays curling stone factory in Ayrshire - this is what I learned...
www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/f...
www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/f...
At last, enough light to make stone and gold glint.
February 13, 2026 at 9:29 AM
At last, enough light to make stone and gold glint.
“Others have recalled Freeman’s gift for friendship, her playfulness and dry sense of humour which sat alongside a fierce intelligence and work ethic.”
February 12, 2026 at 6:14 PM
“Others have recalled Freeman’s gift for friendship, her playfulness and dry sense of humour which sat alongside a fierce intelligence and work ethic.”
Reposted by Dani Garavelli
1/3
This is Mykhailo Heraskevych – father and coach of Vladyslav Heraskevych – reacting after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) disqualified his son from the 2026 Winter Olympics.
This is Mykhailo Heraskevych – father and coach of Vladyslav Heraskevych – reacting after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) disqualified his son from the 2026 Winter Olympics.
February 12, 2026 at 11:53 AM
1/3
This is Mykhailo Heraskevych – father and coach of Vladyslav Heraskevych – reacting after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) disqualified his son from the 2026 Winter Olympics.
This is Mykhailo Heraskevych – father and coach of Vladyslav Heraskevych – reacting after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) disqualified his son from the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Ditto Pisa
Heading to Florence soon and was wondering if anyone had friends living there who might be happy to chat to me or meet me for coffee (it’s not about accommodation, I have that already)
February 12, 2026 at 10:20 AM
Ditto Pisa
Heading to Florence soon and was wondering if anyone had friends living there who might be happy to chat to me or meet me for coffee (it’s not about accommodation, I have that already)
February 12, 2026 at 10:20 AM
Heading to Florence soon and was wondering if anyone had friends living there who might be happy to chat to me or meet me for coffee (it’s not about accommodation, I have that already)
“I believe, if you were made of rocks, I would love you with such faith that I could make you run to me.” Michelangelo casting himself as Pygmalion.
February 12, 2026 at 8:46 AM
“I believe, if you were made of rocks, I would love you with such faith that I could make you run to me.” Michelangelo casting himself as Pygmalion.
Reposted by Dani Garavelli
Excited to see the altars to Mithras and the rest of the exhibition when Roman Scotland: Life On The Edge Of Empire opens at the National Museum of Scotland in November. I'd love to write something about it, too. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Ancient Roman alters to go on display in Edinburgh
Two Mithraic Roman altars are to be displayed as a part of an upcoming exhibition after being acquired for the nation.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 11, 2026 at 7:38 AM
Excited to see the altars to Mithras and the rest of the exhibition when Roman Scotland: Life On The Edge Of Empire opens at the National Museum of Scotland in November. I'd love to write something about it, too. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I want to emigrate from the real world and live forever in Mackenzie Crook’s head.
February 10, 2026 at 7:20 PM
I want to emigrate from the real world and live forever in Mackenzie Crook’s head.
Dickens can be quite whiny about his travels round Italy - eg the leaning tower is too stubby - but this is pretty.
February 9, 2026 at 3:48 PM
Dickens can be quite whiny about his travels round Italy - eg the leaning tower is too stubby - but this is pretty.
Been thinking a lot about Ben de la Cour since I was lucky enough to see him supporting Lucinda Williams. He's been described as Southern Gothic Americana Noir which ticks all my boxes. My favourite song so far is Swan Dive, but it's too sad to post so here's another. www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiWq...
The Devil Went Down To Silverlake
YouTube video by Ben de la Cour - Topic
www.youtube.com
February 8, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Been thinking a lot about Ben de la Cour since I was lucky enough to see him supporting Lucinda Williams. He's been described as Southern Gothic Americana Noir which ticks all my boxes. My favourite song so far is Swan Dive, but it's too sad to post so here's another. www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiWq...
"They seem to me to be hard, rough-hewn farming types. Yet here they are singing songs that would break your heart; tales of yearning & wooing & rejection & loss." This is a gorgeous essay by Kenny Farquharson about what it means to be rooted in a place, what it means to belong. Lovely photos, too.
One handful of earth
What a small-town Scottish folk festival tells us about belonging
thejaggythistle.substack.com
February 8, 2026 at 5:19 PM
"They seem to me to be hard, rough-hewn farming types. Yet here they are singing songs that would break your heart; tales of yearning & wooing & rejection & loss." This is a gorgeous essay by Kenny Farquharson about what it means to be rooted in a place, what it means to belong. Lovely photos, too.
Reposted by Dani Garavelli
"They will look at the barely-tarnished reputations of those whose names appear & blame not the men themselves, but the women who refused to let the subject drop. " My @heraldscotland.bsky.social column on how it's always about money & politics, not the victims, & this is no moment of reckoning.
'A world where women are reduced to their genitals, and derided as bitches'
NOT so long ago Donald Trump — at the behest of his then pal Elon Musk — lashed out at Keir Starmer over the supposed cover-up of grooming gangs…
www.heraldscotland.com
February 8, 2026 at 10:13 AM
"They will look at the barely-tarnished reputations of those whose names appear & blame not the men themselves, but the women who refused to let the subject drop. " My @heraldscotland.bsky.social column on how it's always about money & politics, not the victims, & this is no moment of reckoning.
Reposted by Dani Garavelli
"Trilby set to rakish and his suit truss tight, Paul Smith leaps from the drum riser with a scissor kick ..."
I went to see Maxïmo Park in Glasgow and wrote about it for The Guardian.
www.theguardian.com/music/2026/f...
I went to see Maxïmo Park in Glasgow and wrote about it for The Guardian.
www.theguardian.com/music/2026/f...
Maxïmo Park review – Newcastle band play the hell out of their jaggy and angsty debut album
Paul Smith and the band play tracks old and new with a dash of humour and the sort of chops you develop from years on the road
www.theguardian.com
February 8, 2026 at 1:12 PM
"Trilby set to rakish and his suit truss tight, Paul Smith leaps from the drum riser with a scissor kick ..."
I went to see Maxïmo Park in Glasgow and wrote about it for The Guardian.
www.theguardian.com/music/2026/f...
I went to see Maxïmo Park in Glasgow and wrote about it for The Guardian.
www.theguardian.com/music/2026/f...
Reposted by Dani Garavelli
This is a a really grim but necessary read.
"The language used in the emails is shocking, not so much because it is an aberration but because it is possible to see exactly how, under Trump and his broligarchy, it has seeped into the national discourse."
"The language used in the emails is shocking, not so much because it is an aberration but because it is possible to see exactly how, under Trump and his broligarchy, it has seeped into the national discourse."
"They will look at the barely-tarnished reputations of those whose names appear & blame not the men themselves, but the women who refused to let the subject drop. " My @heraldscotland.bsky.social column on how it's always about money & politics, not the victims, & this is no moment of reckoning.
'A world where women are reduced to their genitals, and derided as bitches'
NOT so long ago Donald Trump — at the behest of his then pal Elon Musk — lashed out at Keir Starmer over the supposed cover-up of grooming gangs…
www.heraldscotland.com
February 8, 2026 at 2:21 PM
This is a a really grim but necessary read.
"The language used in the emails is shocking, not so much because it is an aberration but because it is possible to see exactly how, under Trump and his broligarchy, it has seeped into the national discourse."
"The language used in the emails is shocking, not so much because it is an aberration but because it is possible to see exactly how, under Trump and his broligarchy, it has seeped into the national discourse."
Reposted by Dani Garavelli
This. 100 times this. Spot on @danigaravelli.bsky.social
"They will look at the barely-tarnished reputations of those whose names appear & blame not the men themselves, but the women who refused to let the subject drop. " My @heraldscotland.bsky.social column on how it's always about money & politics, not the victims, & this is no moment of reckoning.
'A world where women are reduced to their genitals, and derided as bitches'
NOT so long ago Donald Trump — at the behest of his then pal Elon Musk — lashed out at Keir Starmer over the supposed cover-up of grooming gangs…
www.heraldscotland.com
February 8, 2026 at 1:50 PM
This. 100 times this. Spot on @danigaravelli.bsky.social
"They will look at the barely-tarnished reputations of those whose names appear & blame not the men themselves, but the women who refused to let the subject drop. " My @heraldscotland.bsky.social column on how it's always about money & politics, not the victims, & this is no moment of reckoning.
'A world where women are reduced to their genitals, and derided as bitches'
NOT so long ago Donald Trump — at the behest of his then pal Elon Musk — lashed out at Keir Starmer over the supposed cover-up of grooming gangs…
www.heraldscotland.com
February 8, 2026 at 10:13 AM
"They will look at the barely-tarnished reputations of those whose names appear & blame not the men themselves, but the women who refused to let the subject drop. " My @heraldscotland.bsky.social column on how it's always about money & politics, not the victims, & this is no moment of reckoning.
Reposted by Dani Garavelli
Spot on from @danigaravelli.bsky.social
Yes, some men will blame not themselves but 'bitches and whores who had it coming'
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2583530...
Yes, some men will blame not themselves but 'bitches and whores who had it coming'
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2583530...
'A world where women are reduced to their genitals, and derided as bitches'
NOT so long ago Donald Trump — at the behest of his then pal Elon Musk — lashed out at Keir Starmer over the supposed cover-up of grooming gangs…
www.heraldscotland.com
February 8, 2026 at 9:11 AM
Spot on from @danigaravelli.bsky.social
Yes, some men will blame not themselves but 'bitches and whores who had it coming'
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2583530...
Yes, some men will blame not themselves but 'bitches and whores who had it coming'
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2583530...
Such sad news about Jeane Freeman, a principled woman, a force of nature, and so kind to me when I first started properly writing on politics. A huge loss.
February 7, 2026 at 9:43 AM
Such sad news about Jeane Freeman, a principled woman, a force of nature, and so kind to me when I first started properly writing on politics. A huge loss.
Reposted by Dani Garavelli
I am heart sore this morning at the death of Jeane Freeman, a wonderful Cabinet colleague.
Jeane gave selfless service to Scotland especially as Health Secretary during Covid. In designing Scotland’s social security system, she put dignity and respect at its heart. (1/2)
Jeane gave selfless service to Scotland especially as Health Secretary during Covid. In designing Scotland’s social security system, she put dignity and respect at its heart. (1/2)
February 7, 2026 at 8:57 AM
I am heart sore this morning at the death of Jeane Freeman, a wonderful Cabinet colleague.
Jeane gave selfless service to Scotland especially as Health Secretary during Covid. In designing Scotland’s social security system, she put dignity and respect at its heart. (1/2)
Jeane gave selfless service to Scotland especially as Health Secretary during Covid. In designing Scotland’s social security system, she put dignity and respect at its heart. (1/2)
Reposted by Dani Garavelli
Says something (and nothing good) about British publishing that Jim Kelman's recent books are being published by PM Press in Oakland, California. The story of the stone is a collection of his short short stories. Includes a fabulous introduction on his style, and the voice of his characters.
February 5, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Says something (and nothing good) about British publishing that Jim Kelman's recent books are being published by PM Press in Oakland, California. The story of the stone is a collection of his short short stories. Includes a fabulous introduction on his style, and the voice of his characters.