Lesley Riddoch
@lesleyriddoch.bsky.social
Journalist, Blossom & Thrive, Director http://nordichorizons.org, Columnist http://thenational.scot. Podcast http://lesleyriddoch.com Denmark & Estonia films https://www.youtube.com/@Lesley_Riddoch
Centuries of overgrazing & muirburn for grouse moors mean Highland Scotland looks treeless & desolate. But it doesn't have to be this way. New film Scotland's Missing Forests went online y'day. Chuffed to see almost 10k views. www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuTV... @chrisgpackham.bsky.social
November 9, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Centuries of overgrazing & muirburn for grouse moors mean Highland Scotland looks treeless & desolate. But it doesn't have to be this way. New film Scotland's Missing Forests went online y'day. Chuffed to see almost 10k views. www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuTV... @chrisgpackham.bsky.social
30 years ago this hopeless, overgrazed hillside was turned into a thriving woodland. Care & fencing restored desolate Glen Garry despite a sub-Arctic climate & proved forests are possible anywhere. So why is much of Scotland a barren wasteland? New film www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuTV...
November 8, 2025 at 5:21 PM
30 years ago this hopeless, overgrazed hillside was turned into a thriving woodland. Care & fencing restored desolate Glen Garry despite a sub-Arctic climate & proved forests are possible anywhere. So why is much of Scotland a barren wasteland? New film www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuTV...
Will Trump cut cash to NYC if 'communist' Zohran Mamdani wins Mayoral race? Are public reassured or panicked by Rachel Reeves pre-budget tough times speech? Reform manifesto pledges falling apart. Plus Land Reform Bill, Edinburgh Trams & the late Elspeth King. Listen lesleyriddoch.com/podcast
November 4, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Will Trump cut cash to NYC if 'communist' Zohran Mamdani wins Mayoral race? Are public reassured or panicked by Rachel Reeves pre-budget tough times speech? Reform manifesto pledges falling apart. Plus Land Reform Bill, Edinburgh Trams & the late Elspeth King. Listen lesleyriddoch.com/podcast
Well said. Elspeth was a life force. Blocked by the auld guys who didn’t ‘get’ the People’s Palace. A Harpies & Quines supporter with her suffragette research. She sd have run Kelvingrove but re-energised Dunfermline & revived Stirling’s Smith Gallery instead. It’s such v bad news.
Sorry to learn this.
She had to fight tooth and nail to get the museums to pay any attention to Glasgow's Women.
She had to fight tooth and nail to get the museums to pay any attention to Glasgow's Women.
November 1, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Well said. Elspeth was a life force. Blocked by the auld guys who didn’t ‘get’ the People’s Palace. A Harpies & Quines supporter with her suffragette research. She sd have run Kelvingrove but re-energised Dunfermline & revived Stirling’s Smith Gallery instead. It’s such v bad news.
I spoke at Yes Cymru rally in Rhyl last weekend and was blown away by their wall-to-wall use of Welsh. Astonished to be only non-Welsh speaker on that platform. Its obvious their language is massive part of Plaid’s Caerphilly by-election success.
October 30, 2025 at 12:59 PM
I spoke at Yes Cymru rally in Rhyl last weekend and was blown away by their wall-to-wall use of Welsh. Astonished to be only non-Welsh speaker on that platform. Its obvious their language is massive part of Plaid’s Caerphilly by-election success.
Radio Scotland’s problem isn't GMS presenters but the station's inability to reflect the real, post-indyref, curious, questioning nation Scotland has become & all the narratives, sources & outlooks that exist beyond a weary mainstream. Today's National column.
www.thenational.scot/politics/255...
www.thenational.scot/politics/255...
Lesley Riddoch: What should Radio Scotland be doing instead of current 'shake up'?
GOOD Morning Scotland is dead. Long live Good Morning Scotland
www.thenational.scot
October 30, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Radio Scotland’s problem isn't GMS presenters but the station's inability to reflect the real, post-indyref, curious, questioning nation Scotland has become & all the narratives, sources & outlooks that exist beyond a weary mainstream. Today's National column.
www.thenational.scot/politics/255...
www.thenational.scot/politics/255...
Spooky - Reform hog headlines tho Plaid Cymru wins. Why is the UK media so desperate for the relentless-rise-of-the-right narrative? Plus Irish Presidential election, violence in Scottish schools, Your Party Glasgow launch & Labour's McNukes policy. Listen lesleyriddoch.com/podcast
October 28, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Spooky - Reform hog headlines tho Plaid Cymru wins. Why is the UK media so desperate for the relentless-rise-of-the-right narrative? Plus Irish Presidential election, violence in Scottish schools, Your Party Glasgow launch & Labour's McNukes policy. Listen lesleyriddoch.com/podcast
This looks good.
October 26, 2025 at 5:10 PM
This looks good.
Why didnt stunning Caerphilly victory clinch prime 8.10am slot for Plaid_Cymru on BBCr4today prog this am? Instead it's all about Labour & Reform losing. Wakey wakey chaps. This is why Welsh folk feel so ignored. Special free podcast with Yescymru folk I met last weekend.
lesleyriddoch.com/podcast
lesleyriddoch.com/podcast
October 24, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Why didnt stunning Caerphilly victory clinch prime 8.10am slot for Plaid_Cymru on BBCr4today prog this am? Instead it's all about Labour & Reform losing. Wakey wakey chaps. This is why Welsh folk feel so ignored. Special free podcast with Yescymru folk I met last weekend.
lesleyriddoch.com/podcast
lesleyriddoch.com/podcast
Or …. Plaid played a blinder. Belief in UK weakened. Small party with zero coverage pulled off massive result.
Polling expert Sir John Curtice said the result of the Caerphilly by-election showed Labour are in 'severe trouble' in Wales after Plaid Cymru won the Senedd seat 👇
Read here: www.thenational.scot/news/2...
Read here: www.thenational.scot/news/2...
October 24, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Or …. Plaid played a blinder. Belief in UK weakened. Small party with zero coverage pulled off massive result.
Are Scots the most indoor folk in Europe? Daytrippers. Next to no family weekend huts. Priced out of overnight stays. Lost family links. Strangers in our own land. Why no outrage? Speaking at Blether of Books Festival Nov 2 Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Alloway. Tix tinyurl.com/bdfcfev2
October 21, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Are Scots the most indoor folk in Europe? Daytrippers. Next to no family weekend huts. Priced out of overnight stays. Lost family links. Strangers in our own land. Why no outrage? Speaking at Blether of Books Festival Nov 2 Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Alloway. Tix tinyurl.com/bdfcfev2
Must Scotland thole being a net exporter of green energy to England with the highest energy bills in Europe? This summer 56 Highland community councils came together to demand a pause & local control. Are they NIMBYs or spot on?
See the film Carnoustie next Tuesday -free with Q&A
See the film Carnoustie next Tuesday -free with Q&A
October 21, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Must Scotland thole being a net exporter of green energy to England with the highest energy bills in Europe? This summer 56 Highland community councils came together to demand a pause & local control. Are they NIMBYs or spot on?
See the film Carnoustie next Tuesday -free with Q&A
See the film Carnoustie next Tuesday -free with Q&A
Is rising popularity of Welsh language driving Plaid's poll lead for 2026 - what can Scotland learn from Cymru? Starmer makes another bad call letting Andrew keep title as Prince. And Burntislanders need a law change to access their own harbour - why? Listen lesleyriddoch.com/podcast
October 21, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Is rising popularity of Welsh language driving Plaid's poll lead for 2026 - what can Scotland learn from Cymru? Starmer makes another bad call letting Andrew keep title as Prince. And Burntislanders need a law change to access their own harbour - why? Listen lesleyriddoch.com/podcast
Impressive @YesCymru turnout in Rhyl on overcast day. No Saltires @YesBikers or @SaorAlbaPD pipers but Welsh dragon flags everywhere, brass band leading off & organisers using Welsh quite naturally. I’m on around 2pm. Hope I’m as perky #awfyearlystart
October 18, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Impressive @YesCymru turnout in Rhyl on overcast day. No Saltires @YesBikers or @SaorAlbaPD pipers but Welsh dragon flags everywhere, brass band leading off & organisers using Welsh quite naturally. I’m on around 2pm. Hope I’m as perky #awfyearlystart
Morning @auob.cymru. See you in Rhyl. nation.cymru/news/thousan...
October 18, 2025 at 5:10 AM
Morning @auob.cymru. See you in Rhyl. nation.cymru/news/thousan...
Great news. Will Maclean & Marian Leven have just won the Marsh Award for their Lewis land monument.
In the 1840s the Hebridean Galson estate was cleared for sheep. Most people were put onto emigration ships to Canada. Finally in 2007 - a community buyout. Their sculpture celebrates that renewal.
In the 1840s the Hebridean Galson estate was cleared for sheep. Most people were put onto emigration ships to Canada. Finally in 2007 - a community buyout. Their sculpture celebrates that renewal.
October 15, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Great news. Will Maclean & Marian Leven have just won the Marsh Award for their Lewis land monument.
In the 1840s the Hebridean Galson estate was cleared for sheep. Most people were put onto emigration ships to Canada. Finally in 2007 - a community buyout. Their sculpture celebrates that renewal.
In the 1840s the Hebridean Galson estate was cleared for sheep. Most people were put onto emigration ships to Canada. Finally in 2007 - a community buyout. Their sculpture celebrates that renewal.
Highland A9 corridor resembles barren wasteland. Easy to assume nothing cd ever grow here & 'sporting' landowners have taken over a real burden. Easy but wrong.
Scotland’s Missing Forests film shows at REVIVE conference Nov 8. Then youtube.com/@Lesley_Riddoch
www.heraldscotland.com/politics/255...
Scotland’s Missing Forests film shows at REVIVE conference Nov 8. Then youtube.com/@Lesley_Riddoch
www.heraldscotland.com/politics/255...
October 15, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Highland A9 corridor resembles barren wasteland. Easy to assume nothing cd ever grow here & 'sporting' landowners have taken over a real burden. Easy but wrong.
Scotland’s Missing Forests film shows at REVIVE conference Nov 8. Then youtube.com/@Lesley_Riddoch
www.heraldscotland.com/politics/255...
Scotland’s Missing Forests film shows at REVIVE conference Nov 8. Then youtube.com/@Lesley_Riddoch
www.heraldscotland.com/politics/255...
John Swinney's indy strategy. Will it work or devalue more likely election outcome - a combined indy party win? Are walk-in clinics game changing? Trump's Gaza ceasefire deal & the Nobel Peace Prize award to a supporter of Gaza coming - must we applaud? Listen lesleyriddoch.com/podcast
October 14, 2025 at 1:08 PM
John Swinney's indy strategy. Will it work or devalue more likely election outcome - a combined indy party win? Are walk-in clinics game changing? Trump's Gaza ceasefire deal & the Nobel Peace Prize award to a supporter of Gaza coming - must we applaud? Listen lesleyriddoch.com/podcast
Very chuffed to be in this line up as Plaid builds its case for victory in 2026. Voters want change. And not just in the direction of Reform. @AUOBCymru nation.cymru/news/thousan...
Thousands expected in Rhyl for Wales’ next march for Independence
Rhyl is preparing to welcome thousands of people from across Wales on Saturday, 18 October 2025, as it hosts the next March for Independence, organised by YesCymru and All Under One Banner Cymru (AUOB...
nation.cymru
October 9, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Very chuffed to be in this line up as Plaid builds its case for victory in 2026. Voters want change. And not just in the direction of Reform. @AUOBCymru nation.cymru/news/thousan...
If Met police are exhausted by 'repeat' Gaza demos why not stop arresting pensioners for holding cardboard signs? Labour has turned a valid political stance into a lawbreaking one - will that wash? Plus the empty Tory Conference v the louping Greens and the SNP ahead
Listen lesleyriddoch.com/podcast
Listen lesleyriddoch.com/podcast
October 7, 2025 at 2:35 PM
If Met police are exhausted by 'repeat' Gaza demos why not stop arresting pensioners for holding cardboard signs? Labour has turned a valid political stance into a lawbreaking one - will that wash? Plus the empty Tory Conference v the louping Greens and the SNP ahead
Listen lesleyriddoch.com/podcast
Listen lesleyriddoch.com/podcast
Ron Greer & Derek Pretswell took 50 years to produce a broad leaf forest in the sub-arctic climate & barren wastes of Glen Garry - but achievement ignored by the authorities. Why? Film “Scotland’s Missing Forests” premieres Nov 8 Revive Coalition Perth conf & Nov 9 on www.youtube.com/@Lesley_Ridd...
October 7, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Ron Greer & Derek Pretswell took 50 years to produce a broad leaf forest in the sub-arctic climate & barren wastes of Glen Garry - but achievement ignored by the authorities. Why? Film “Scotland’s Missing Forests” premieres Nov 8 Revive Coalition Perth conf & Nov 9 on www.youtube.com/@Lesley_Ridd...
Are Highlanders climate crisis-denying NIMBYs or asking who benefits from green energy that isn't locally owned or controlled and (largely) won't reach the grid?
Highland Windfarm Revolt screening plus Q&A in Phipps Hall Beauly, 29th Nov 2pm. Free with donations. lesleyriddoch.com/events
Highland Windfarm Revolt screening plus Q&A in Phipps Hall Beauly, 29th Nov 2pm. Free with donations. lesleyriddoch.com/events
October 7, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Are Highlanders climate crisis-denying NIMBYs or asking who benefits from green energy that isn't locally owned or controlled and (largely) won't reach the grid?
Highland Windfarm Revolt screening plus Q&A in Phipps Hall Beauly, 29th Nov 2pm. Free with donations. lesleyriddoch.com/events
Highland Windfarm Revolt screening plus Q&A in Phipps Hall Beauly, 29th Nov 2pm. Free with donations. lesleyriddoch.com/events
Difficult times. Cheer yourself up with poet & author of seven novels inc Testament of Gideon Mack, Joseph Knight, And the Land Lay Still and News of the Dead - James Robertson. Thurs 30th Oct, Steps Theatre Dundee 6-7.30pm. Org by @indydundeeangus
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-evening...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-evening...
An Evening with James Robertson
Join us for an interesting and enjoyable evening with the award-winning Scottish author James Robertson.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
October 3, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Difficult times. Cheer yourself up with poet & author of seven novels inc Testament of Gideon Mack, Joseph Knight, And the Land Lay Still and News of the Dead - James Robertson. Thurs 30th Oct, Steps Theatre Dundee 6-7.30pm. Org by @indydundeeangus
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-evening...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-evening...
Starmer's right-wing pish appeals to folk down south. But not many in Scotland or Wales, set to reject Labour for the first time in 100 yrs next May. In 2026 it’s possible all Celtic nations will support the break-up of the UK. Conceal that if you can. www.thenational.scot/politics/255...
Lesley Riddoch: Keir Starmer is doing a grand job winding up Celtic nations
KEIR Starmer could be forgiven for feeling a little cocky today.
www.thenational.scot
October 2, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Starmer's right-wing pish appeals to folk down south. But not many in Scotland or Wales, set to reject Labour for the first time in 100 yrs next May. In 2026 it’s possible all Celtic nations will support the break-up of the UK. Conceal that if you can. www.thenational.scot/politics/255...
Are Scots the most indoor folk in Europe? Daytrippers. Next to no family weekend huts. Priced out of overnight stays. Lost family links to the land. Why no outrage? Chuffed to be at Blether of Books Nov 2 Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Alloway.
tinyurl.com/bdfcfev2
tinyurl.com/bdfcfev2
September 30, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Are Scots the most indoor folk in Europe? Daytrippers. Next to no family weekend huts. Priced out of overnight stays. Lost family links to the land. Why no outrage? Chuffed to be at Blether of Books Nov 2 Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Alloway.
tinyurl.com/bdfcfev2
tinyurl.com/bdfcfev2