Hugh Raven
@hughraven.bsky.social
Economy, business, environment, Highlands: MD at Ardtornish, charity founder, trustee and chair
The Highlands & Islands Environment Foundation 5th birthday – so here’s a pic of me introducing our party’s guest of honour, the world’s greatest wildlife filmmaker Alistair Fothergill. With stunning excerpts from his last David Attenborough series Wild Isles - & a taster of his next, Caledonia. 👏👏
November 7, 2025 at 12:48 PM
The Highlands & Islands Environment Foundation 5th birthday – so here’s a pic of me introducing our party’s guest of honour, the world’s greatest wildlife filmmaker Alistair Fothergill. With stunning excerpts from his last David Attenborough series Wild Isles - & a taster of his next, Caledonia. 👏👏
The Parallel Roads of Lochaber (in Glen Roy), which have attracted scientists (including Darwin) for centuries, have their protection upgraded. Three men have been arrested for damaging them. If you’re a landscape geek you should get along there: they’re unique in the UK.
October 29, 2025 at 7:29 AM
The Parallel Roads of Lochaber (in Glen Roy), which have attracted scientists (including Darwin) for centuries, have their protection upgraded. Three men have been arrested for damaging them. If you’re a landscape geek you should get along there: they’re unique in the UK.
Such a pleasure to interview my old friend Charles Clover (now also a neighbour in the West Highlands) at Tobermory Book Festival 2025. Charles’s contribution to marine sustainability is immeasurable. We had an exhilarating conversation about his great book ‘Rewilding the Sea’.
October 20, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Such a pleasure to interview my old friend Charles Clover (now also a neighbour in the West Highlands) at Tobermory Book Festival 2025. Charles’s contribution to marine sustainability is immeasurable. We had an exhilarating conversation about his great book ‘Rewilding the Sea’.
Driving early to the Tobermory Book Festival this the view that greeted us. The programme, speakers and atmosphere were all excellent too
October 19, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Driving early to the Tobermory Book Festival this the view that greeted us. The programme, speakers and atmosphere were all excellent too
"John Muir Trust crisis 'doing enormous harm' says landowner," reports The Herald - Vicky Allan following up her previous pieces about chaos in one of Scotland's leading green charities. Many concerned voices now raised about its dire predicament (paywall)
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2553004...
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2553004...
'The issues at John Muir Trust are deep, serious and aren’t going away'
A pioneering charity lawyer, a prominent landowner and a television presenter are the latest voices to slate John Muir Trust leadership
www.heraldscotland.com
October 14, 2025 at 11:28 AM
"John Muir Trust crisis 'doing enormous harm' says landowner," reports The Herald - Vicky Allan following up her previous pieces about chaos in one of Scotland's leading green charities. Many concerned voices now raised about its dire predicament (paywall)
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2553004...
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2553004...
The estimable Hamish Trench invited me to write a blog about land reform for the Scottish Land Commission. I did – but didn’t think they would publish it. It is critical – fairly, I believe – of #ScotGov. You can read it here. Fair play to the #SLC. www.landcommission.gov.scot/downloads/68...
www.landcommission.gov.scot
October 11, 2025 at 10:52 AM
The estimable Hamish Trench invited me to write a blog about land reform for the Scottish Land Commission. I did – but didn’t think they would publish it. It is critical – fairly, I believe – of #ScotGov. You can read it here. Fair play to the #SLC. www.landcommission.gov.scot/downloads/68...
Reposted by Hugh Raven
Reposted by Hugh Raven
Featuring contributions from @ruthtingay.bsky.social @pettorelli.bsky.social @jmbecologist.bsky.social @markavery.bsky.social @amyjanebeer.bsky.social @whittledaway.bsky.social @hughraven.bsky.social @vickihird.bsky.social @drbulman.bsky.social @markaeaton.bsky.social
May 21, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Fares on our lifeline #CorranFerry - on which our business #Ardtornish completely depends - rise again. Another ~10% on top of prior steep rises in recent years. There are two ferries, one 50yo, the other ~25. Ie pretty ancient and unreliable. The crew? Dedicated. The Highland Council? Not so much.
March 30, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Fares on our lifeline #CorranFerry - on which our business #Ardtornish completely depends - rise again. Another ~10% on top of prior steep rises in recent years. There are two ferries, one 50yo, the other ~25. Ie pretty ancient and unreliable. The crew? Dedicated. The Highland Council? Not so much.
Robert Louis Stevenson’s ‘Kidnapped’ had David Balfour, the hero, coming through #Morvern. He stayed at #Kinlochaline - “the most beggarly vile place that ever pigs were styed in, full of vermin, smoke and silent Highlanders.” The accommodation here is now much improved.
March 30, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Robert Louis Stevenson’s ‘Kidnapped’ had David Balfour, the hero, coming through #Morvern. He stayed at #Kinlochaline - “the most beggarly vile place that ever pigs were styed in, full of vermin, smoke and silent Highlanders.” The accommodation here is now much improved.
Thinking of marrying? Try #Ardtornish
March 25, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Thinking of marrying? Try #Ardtornish
Reposted by Hugh Raven
I have just asked the Governor General to dissolve Parliament and call a federal election on April 28.
We need to build the strongest economy in the G7. We need to deal with President Trump’s tariffs. Canadians deserve a choice about who should lead that effort for our country.
We need to build the strongest economy in the G7. We need to deal with President Trump’s tariffs. Canadians deserve a choice about who should lead that effort for our country.
March 23, 2025 at 5:00 PM
I have just asked the Governor General to dissolve Parliament and call a federal election on April 28.
We need to build the strongest economy in the G7. We need to deal with President Trump’s tariffs. Canadians deserve a choice about who should lead that effort for our country.
We need to build the strongest economy in the G7. We need to deal with President Trump’s tariffs. Canadians deserve a choice about who should lead that effort for our country.
Granite setts, Somerset House, London. Good colour mixing. 👏
March 23, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Granite setts, Somerset House, London. Good colour mixing. 👏
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, we learn that the newest vessel in the #Calmac fleet - the 7-yr delayed 3-month old #GlenSannox - is out of service. A weld is cracked. #CalmacCrisis continuing: now the longest-running public sector farce in recent history.
March 15, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, we learn that the newest vessel in the #Calmac fleet - the 7-yr delayed 3-month old #GlenSannox - is out of service. A weld is cracked. #CalmacCrisis continuing: now the longest-running public sector farce in recent history.
So proud to host the team from @open-seas.bsky.social at #Ardtornish for strategic planning, having grown from one staff post to ten. Of many charities I’ve watched over ~40+yrs, this might be the most effective. Our dinner - prepared by the boss - showed seabeds ravaged by industrial fishing. 👏
March 15, 2025 at 4:06 PM
So proud to host the team from @open-seas.bsky.social at #Ardtornish for strategic planning, having grown from one staff post to ten. Of many charities I’ve watched over ~40+yrs, this might be the most effective. Our dinner - prepared by the boss - showed seabeds ravaged by industrial fishing. 👏
The colours this evening on #LochAline are exceptional. Early spring really is the most exhilarating time of year. #Morvern #Highland
March 14, 2025 at 5:43 PM
The colours this evening on #LochAline are exceptional. Early spring really is the most exhilarating time of year. #Morvern #Highland
Gosh… who knew? Please note we also welcome #LGTB+ guests at #Ardtornish, just a ferry ride or two from the UK’s new lesbian capital: “Forget Brighton, the UK’s new gay and lesbian hotspot is … Oban”
www.thetimes.com/article/8171...
www.thetimes.com/article/8171...
Forget Brighton, the UK’s new gay and lesbian hotspot is … Oban
The Scottish town of 8,500 has seen its fortunes improve due to LGBT tourists drawn to the annual Oban Lesbian Weekend festival
www.thetimes.com
March 9, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Gosh… who knew? Please note we also welcome #LGTB+ guests at #Ardtornish, just a ferry ride or two from the UK’s new lesbian capital: “Forget Brighton, the UK’s new gay and lesbian hotspot is … Oban”
www.thetimes.com/article/8171...
www.thetimes.com/article/8171...
Reposted by Hugh Raven
Telegraph reports that Ukraine membership of the Single Market would boost its economy. Irony is dead. www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...
EU preparing to give Ukraine access to Single Market in peace deal
Access would give economic boost to war-torn country – on its path to bloc membership
www.telegraph.co.uk
March 8, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Telegraph reports that Ukraine membership of the Single Market would boost its economy. Irony is dead. www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...
The UK papers are reporting on a European leaders’ summit with this photo, Justin Trudeau very clearly in it. Is this a new Canadian bid to join Europe? Leave N America…. ?#BoldMove
March 3, 2025 at 7:30 AM
The UK papers are reporting on a European leaders’ summit with this photo, Justin Trudeau very clearly in it. Is this a new Canadian bid to join Europe? Leave N America…. ?#BoldMove
“Mystery donor’s £17.5m gift could turn Scottish estate into rewilding showcase,” reports the Guardian on @scotwildlife.bsky.social acquisition of the Inverbroom Estate. 7,618 ha of land includes two Munros and coastline at the head of Loch Broom. Congratulations to the Trust - & thanks to the donor
March 3, 2025 at 5:22 AM
“Mystery donor’s £17.5m gift could turn Scottish estate into rewilding showcase,” reports the Guardian on @scotwildlife.bsky.social acquisition of the Inverbroom Estate. 7,618 ha of land includes two Munros and coastline at the head of Loch Broom. Congratulations to the Trust - & thanks to the donor
Reposted by Hugh Raven
🇵🇱🇪🇺 "The paradox is that 500 million Europeans are asking 300 million Americans for help to protect them from 140 million Russians," — Tusk
❗️"We must rely on ourselves, fully aware of our own potential and believing that we are a world power," he said.
❗️"We must rely on ourselves, fully aware of our own potential and believing that we are a world power," he said.
March 2, 2025 at 2:28 PM
🇵🇱🇪🇺 "The paradox is that 500 million Europeans are asking 300 million Americans for help to protect them from 140 million Russians," — Tusk
❗️"We must rely on ourselves, fully aware of our own potential and believing that we are a world power," he said.
❗️"We must rely on ourselves, fully aware of our own potential and believing that we are a world power," he said.
Tesla shares are down 40% since December, reports the FT, & “Tesla sales are declining rapidly, especially in Europe (maybe) partly due to increased competition but also a consumer backlash against Musk’s aggressive cost-cutting measures for the US government and unnerving political interventions.”
February 28, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Tesla shares are down 40% since December, reports the FT, & “Tesla sales are declining rapidly, especially in Europe (maybe) partly due to increased competition but also a consumer backlash against Musk’s aggressive cost-cutting measures for the US government and unnerving political interventions.”
Today’s The Times…. #CalmacCrisisContinuing - the casual subheading acknowledging “a third of the fleet is out of action.” Unbelievable - though given recent incompetence, all too believable. Consider yourself lucky if you don’t live in a Clyde or Hebridean community.
February 27, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Today’s The Times…. #CalmacCrisisContinuing - the casual subheading acknowledging “a third of the fleet is out of action.” Unbelievable - though given recent incompetence, all too believable. Consider yourself lucky if you don’t live in a Clyde or Hebridean community.
On #CorranFerry - still the #MaidofGlencoul, our second best standby vessel, 50yo this year. The main vessel’s been off nearly six months - so we have this replacement, with no crew facilities, and a fraction of the capacity this route needs. So more strangulation of our economy. #BrokenScotland
February 25, 2025 at 10:48 AM
On #CorranFerry - still the #MaidofGlencoul, our second best standby vessel, 50yo this year. The main vessel’s been off nearly six months - so we have this replacement, with no crew facilities, and a fraction of the capacity this route needs. So more strangulation of our economy. #BrokenScotland