Gill Steele
@squirreltower.bsky.social
Working in renewables since 2005.Believe in land reform & social justice.I want a fairer society & realise now I have to help make that happen. Sucker for volunteering.Owned by a cat,dog & children.Just don’t self build😜 .English bird 30 years in Scotland
Pinned
Gill Steele
@squirreltower.bsky.social
· Nov 21
Introduce yourself with four climbs
Cioch nose - A’ Chioch Ridge
Savage Slit - Cairn Lochan
Etive Slabs - Beinn Trilleachan
Tower Ridge - Beinn Nibheis
Cioch nose - A’ Chioch Ridge
Savage Slit - Cairn Lochan
Etive Slabs - Beinn Trilleachan
Tower Ridge - Beinn Nibheis
Reposted by Gill Steele
🚌 TiSS turns 10! And we're offering FREE theatre performances to Scottish schools in 2026–27.
100+ shows, 10,000+ young people.
Register your interest by 27 Apr here: www.theatreinschoolsscotland.co.uk/tiss-at-10.h...
📸James Chapelard
#TheatreInSchools #Scotland #TagATeacher
100+ shows, 10,000+ young people.
Register your interest by 27 Apr here: www.theatreinschoolsscotland.co.uk/tiss-at-10.h...
📸James Chapelard
#TheatreInSchools #Scotland #TagATeacher
February 18, 2026 at 3:26 PM
🚌 TiSS turns 10! And we're offering FREE theatre performances to Scottish schools in 2026–27.
100+ shows, 10,000+ young people.
Register your interest by 27 Apr here: www.theatreinschoolsscotland.co.uk/tiss-at-10.h...
📸James Chapelard
#TheatreInSchools #Scotland #TagATeacher
100+ shows, 10,000+ young people.
Register your interest by 27 Apr here: www.theatreinschoolsscotland.co.uk/tiss-at-10.h...
📸James Chapelard
#TheatreInSchools #Scotland #TagATeacher
Reposted by Gill Steele
In our Daily Briefing this morning, we pointed out that this is crunch time for the Government. Public information is ours, not theirs. We should have the freedom to see it.
www.commonweal.scot/daily-briefi...
www.commonweal.scot/daily-briefi...
It’s crunch time for Freedom of Information — Common Weal
This afternoon, Tuesday 17th, marks possibly the end of the road for a long campaign to improve Freedom of Information in Scotland. The Members’ Bill promoted by Labour MSP Katy Clark finally reac...
www.commonweal.scot
February 17, 2026 at 2:45 PM
In our Daily Briefing this morning, we pointed out that this is crunch time for the Government. Public information is ours, not theirs. We should have the freedom to see it.
www.commonweal.scot/daily-briefi...
www.commonweal.scot/daily-briefi...
Reposted by Gill Steele
BBC News - Courting capercaillies up 50% on Cairngorms reserve
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Courting capercaillies up 50% on Cairngorms reserve
Conservationists counted 30 lekking males on the RSPB's Abernethy nature reserve last year.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 15, 2026 at 12:16 PM
BBC News - Courting capercaillies up 50% on Cairngorms reserve
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Gill Steele
This lot are off to have a whale of a time at this year's World Whale Day party 🎉
🐋 Take a moment to watch them go about their business in the knowledge that since commercial whaling was banned in 1986, populations have been bouncing back.
Images collected under scientific permit.
#WorldWhaleDay
🐋 Take a moment to watch them go about their business in the knowledge that since commercial whaling was banned in 1986, populations have been bouncing back.
Images collected under scientific permit.
#WorldWhaleDay
February 15, 2026 at 9:01 AM
This lot are off to have a whale of a time at this year's World Whale Day party 🎉
🐋 Take a moment to watch them go about their business in the knowledge that since commercial whaling was banned in 1986, populations have been bouncing back.
Images collected under scientific permit.
#WorldWhaleDay
🐋 Take a moment to watch them go about their business in the knowledge that since commercial whaling was banned in 1986, populations have been bouncing back.
Images collected under scientific permit.
#WorldWhaleDay
Reposted by Gill Steele
A Ferret investigation has found more than 20 Scottish wind farms are paying less money than expected to local communities. The shortfall could add up to more than £50m.
Critics have branded that an "acute injustice".
Read the full story 👉 https://bit.ly/4rIcDzY
Critics have branded that an "acute injustice".
Read the full story 👉 https://bit.ly/4rIcDzY
February 15, 2026 at 8:01 AM
A Ferret investigation has found more than 20 Scottish wind farms are paying less money than expected to local communities. The shortfall could add up to more than £50m.
Critics have branded that an "acute injustice".
Read the full story 👉 https://bit.ly/4rIcDzY
Critics have branded that an "acute injustice".
Read the full story 👉 https://bit.ly/4rIcDzY
“Dorenell pays £2525 per megawatt each year, just over half the benchmark. Over 25 years, that means communities around the site will receive almost £11m less.
The wind farm is owned by EDF, the French state-owned energy company”
The wind farm is owned by EDF, the French state-owned energy company”
A Ferret investigation has found more than 20 Scottish wind farms are paying less money than expected to local communities. The shortfall could add up to more than £50m.
Critics have branded that an "acute injustice".
Read the full story 👉 https://bit.ly/4rIcDzY
Critics have branded that an "acute injustice".
Read the full story 👉 https://bit.ly/4rIcDzY
February 15, 2026 at 8:30 AM
“Dorenell pays £2525 per megawatt each year, just over half the benchmark. Over 25 years, that means communities around the site will receive almost £11m less.
The wind farm is owned by EDF, the French state-owned energy company”
The wind farm is owned by EDF, the French state-owned energy company”
Reposted by Gill Steele
Five years ago, we introduced the Scottish Child Payment.
Thanks to our actions, child poverty in Scotland is the lowest in the UK - and we’re going further by introducing a £40 payment for babies under the age of one.
Let’s keep building a fairer Scotland. On 7 May, vote SNP.
Thanks to our actions, child poverty in Scotland is the lowest in the UK - and we’re going further by introducing a £40 payment for babies under the age of one.
Let’s keep building a fairer Scotland. On 7 May, vote SNP.
February 13, 2026 at 2:46 PM
Five years ago, we introduced the Scottish Child Payment.
Thanks to our actions, child poverty in Scotland is the lowest in the UK - and we’re going further by introducing a £40 payment for babies under the age of one.
Let’s keep building a fairer Scotland. On 7 May, vote SNP.
Thanks to our actions, child poverty in Scotland is the lowest in the UK - and we’re going further by introducing a £40 payment for babies under the age of one.
Let’s keep building a fairer Scotland. On 7 May, vote SNP.
First female referee of a six-nations match Hollie Davidson from Aberdeen 🏴
That’s some job
www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/...
That’s some job
www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/...
History-maker Davidson to ref Ireland-Italy clash
Scotland's Hollie Davidson will become the first woman to referee a men's Six Nations game after being appointed to oversee the Ireland-Italy Six Nations game at Aviva Stadium on 14 February.
www.rte.ie
February 14, 2026 at 3:57 PM
First female referee of a six-nations match Hollie Davidson from Aberdeen 🏴
That’s some job
www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/...
That’s some job
www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/...
The UK is one of last democracies using a non PR system, NZ reformed
PR isn’t that scary, Scotland has it (although not as proportional as it should be) & shock horror it works well
Cooperating is normal in democracy
Much as I dislike Reform with 20% of the vote it should have 20% of the seats 🤷♀️
PR isn’t that scary, Scotland has it (although not as proportional as it should be) & shock horror it works well
Cooperating is normal in democracy
Much as I dislike Reform with 20% of the vote it should have 20% of the seats 🤷♀️
I never really sign stuff. But this was different. It's not about trying to facilitate or block a particular party's route to power. It's about an electoral system that's unsuited to the political realities we face today and risks giving us government after government with no convincing mandate.
Over 50 Academics Warn That Voting System Is Not Fit For Multi-Party Politics
Dozens of academics have written to the government to warn that the current voting system risks producing distorted results on an 'unprecedented' s...
www.politicshome.com
February 14, 2026 at 10:37 AM
The UK is one of last democracies using a non PR system, NZ reformed
PR isn’t that scary, Scotland has it (although not as proportional as it should be) & shock horror it works well
Cooperating is normal in democracy
Much as I dislike Reform with 20% of the vote it should have 20% of the seats 🤷♀️
PR isn’t that scary, Scotland has it (although not as proportional as it should be) & shock horror it works well
Cooperating is normal in democracy
Much as I dislike Reform with 20% of the vote it should have 20% of the seats 🤷♀️
Superb
‘Chief among them is surely to acknowledge that brown people are here because Britain had close relationships with its colonies for centuries. Ultimately multiculturalism is, in the words of the Jamaican poet, actor and broadcaster Louise Bennett, just “colonizin’… in reverse’
‘Chief among them is surely to acknowledge that brown people are here because Britain had close relationships with its colonies for centuries. Ultimately multiculturalism is, in the words of the Jamaican poet, actor and broadcaster Louise Bennett, just “colonizin’… in reverse’
Feels like I am going to have to keep writing this piece every other fortnight, forever. @thetimes.com
www.thetimes.com/article/e624...
www.thetimes.com/article/e624...
Sathnam Sanghera: what Jim Ratcliffe got wrong about immigration
Britain is a multicultural country because it ran a multicultural empire. Would he undo the sacrifice my ancestors made?
www.thetimes.com
February 12, 2026 at 8:23 PM
Superb
‘Chief among them is surely to acknowledge that brown people are here because Britain had close relationships with its colonies for centuries. Ultimately multiculturalism is, in the words of the Jamaican poet, actor and broadcaster Louise Bennett, just “colonizin’… in reverse’
‘Chief among them is surely to acknowledge that brown people are here because Britain had close relationships with its colonies for centuries. Ultimately multiculturalism is, in the words of the Jamaican poet, actor and broadcaster Louise Bennett, just “colonizin’… in reverse’
Reposted by Gill Steele
#ThrowbackThursday #FromTheArchives
This month marks 10 years since the death of Tom Hunter, a ScotWays life member, who came up with the original idea of the West Highland Way and was the author to the book ‘A Guide to the West Highland Way’, first published in 1979.
This month marks 10 years since the death of Tom Hunter, a ScotWays life member, who came up with the original idea of the West Highland Way and was the author to the book ‘A Guide to the West Highland Way’, first published in 1979.
February 12, 2026 at 9:15 AM
#ThrowbackThursday #FromTheArchives
This month marks 10 years since the death of Tom Hunter, a ScotWays life member, who came up with the original idea of the West Highland Way and was the author to the book ‘A Guide to the West Highland Way’, first published in 1979.
This month marks 10 years since the death of Tom Hunter, a ScotWays life member, who came up with the original idea of the West Highland Way and was the author to the book ‘A Guide to the West Highland Way’, first published in 1979.
Reposted by Gill Steele
Yesterday: we exposed the terrifying extent of corporate capture in British politics
Three Labour select committee chairs came out calling for urgent action in response
Today: Labour government's Elections Bill lands. Does almost *nothing* to tackle any of the issues we exposed. 🤦
Three Labour select committee chairs came out calling for urgent action in response
Today: Labour government's Elections Bill lands. Does almost *nothing* to tackle any of the issues we exposed. 🤦
🔴 Exclusive: Corporate donations British parties tripled over last three elections
But here's key thing: almost none is from FTSE500/listed companies
It's almost all companies controlled by super-wealthy individuals, or small, opaque firms
New on D4S: democracyforsale.substack.com/p/revealed-c...
But here's key thing: almost none is from FTSE500/listed companies
It's almost all companies controlled by super-wealthy individuals, or small, opaque firms
New on D4S: democracyforsale.substack.com/p/revealed-c...
Revealed: Corporate donations to British politics have tripled
Influential Labour committee chairs call on government to clean up politics as our new analysis finds record £42 million in company donations ahead of last election
democracyforsale.substack.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:16 AM
Yesterday: we exposed the terrifying extent of corporate capture in British politics
Three Labour select committee chairs came out calling for urgent action in response
Today: Labour government's Elections Bill lands. Does almost *nothing* to tackle any of the issues we exposed. 🤦
Three Labour select committee chairs came out calling for urgent action in response
Today: Labour government's Elections Bill lands. Does almost *nothing* to tackle any of the issues we exposed. 🤦
Reposted by Gill Steele
Here's the full story:
www.bas.ac.uk/media-post/m...
www.bas.ac.uk/media-post/m...
Major earthquakes don't run to timetable, 6,000-year study reveals - British Antarctic Survey
"Overdue earthquake" myth busted: large earthquakes arrive in unpredictable bursts and lulls, overturning existing prediction models.
www.bas.ac.uk
February 11, 2026 at 8:04 PM
Here's the full story:
www.bas.ac.uk/media-post/m...
www.bas.ac.uk/media-post/m...
Reposted by Gill Steele
Rarely mentioned but about much of Ratcliffe’s business ‘success’ is based on draining public money (very common among these ‘self made tycoons’)
Eg democracyforsale.substack.com/p/ineos-set-...
Eg democracyforsale.substack.com/p/ineos-set-...
February 11, 2026 at 8:16 PM
Rarely mentioned but about much of Ratcliffe’s business ‘success’ is based on draining public money (very common among these ‘self made tycoons’)
Eg democracyforsale.substack.com/p/ineos-set-...
Eg democracyforsale.substack.com/p/ineos-set-...
Reposted by Gill Steele
When thieves start stealing your waste, you know your circular economy business model is a winner.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Why are criminals stealing used cooking oil from chip shops?
Across Scotland, 178 incidents of cooking oil thefts were reported to police between April to October last year.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 12, 2026 at 8:38 AM
When thieves start stealing your waste, you know your circular economy business model is a winner.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Community Led Housing has built 600 homes in the most difficult to develop areas where no one else is building homes
These homes make a disproportionate contribution to halting depopulation, so just 3 affordable homes can keep a island school open
www.communitylandscotland.org.uk/campaigners-...
These homes make a disproportionate contribution to halting depopulation, so just 3 affordable homes can keep a island school open
www.communitylandscotland.org.uk/campaigners-...
Campaigners call for public investment and ‘culture change’ in Government to boost community led housing and tackle homes crisis – Community Land Scotland
Community led housing is an effective way to tackle the rural housing crisis and the Government in Scotland needs to do much more to support the vitally important sector, campaigners say.
www.communitylandscotland.org.uk
February 11, 2026 at 6:47 PM
Community Led Housing has built 600 homes in the most difficult to develop areas where no one else is building homes
These homes make a disproportionate contribution to halting depopulation, so just 3 affordable homes can keep a island school open
www.communitylandscotland.org.uk/campaigners-...
These homes make a disproportionate contribution to halting depopulation, so just 3 affordable homes can keep a island school open
www.communitylandscotland.org.uk/campaigners-...
‘The first ever Census of Community Led Housing in Scotland – conducted by the Alliance – shows that communities have already provided more than 600 homes, especially in rural & island areas poorly served by the housing system. They could deliver as many as 1,700 more by 2031, if properly supported’
The Community Led Housing Alliance urges increased public investment to build more affordable homes. They propose a £55 million Community Led Housing Fund, publicly-backed loans, and more support for community housing.
Read the full story here: buff.ly/YYR0uAO
Read the full story here: buff.ly/YYR0uAO
February 11, 2026 at 6:09 PM
‘The first ever Census of Community Led Housing in Scotland – conducted by the Alliance – shows that communities have already provided more than 600 homes, especially in rural & island areas poorly served by the housing system. They could deliver as many as 1,700 more by 2031, if properly supported’
Reposted by Gill Steele
The Community Led Housing Alliance urges increased public investment to build more affordable homes. They propose a £55 million Community Led Housing Fund, publicly-backed loans, and more support for community housing.
Read the full story here: buff.ly/YYR0uAO
Read the full story here: buff.ly/YYR0uAO
February 11, 2026 at 4:31 PM
The Community Led Housing Alliance urges increased public investment to build more affordable homes. They propose a £55 million Community Led Housing Fund, publicly-backed loans, and more support for community housing.
Read the full story here: buff.ly/YYR0uAO
Read the full story here: buff.ly/YYR0uAO
Reposted by Gill Steele
Monaco based expat choosing to put more foreigners than U.K. players in his football team complains about expats and foreigners working in the U.K.
'The UK has been colonised by immigrants', says INEOS boss and Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe
'The UK has been colonised by immigrants', says INEOS boss and Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Britain has been "colonised" by immigrants, who are draining resources from the state, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, one of the country's richest and most influential men, has told Sky News.
news.sky.com
February 11, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Monaco based expat choosing to put more foreigners than U.K. players in his football team complains about expats and foreigners working in the U.K.
Reposted by Gill Steele
Interesting Walrus sighting in the Firth of Forth! Our oceans are an amazing place. 💙
We're working hard with communities and wonderful partners to restore marine environments around the Forth - for nature, climate and future generations. 🌍
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... #Marine #Wildlife
We're working hard with communities and wonderful partners to restore marine environments around the Forth - for nature, climate and future generations. 🌍
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... #Marine #Wildlife
'Rare sighting' of walrus on rocks off Elie
The walrus was spotted near Elie on 31 January but it was not made public in order to protect the animal from onlookers and drones.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 10, 2026 at 2:32 PM
Interesting Walrus sighting in the Firth of Forth! Our oceans are an amazing place. 💙
We're working hard with communities and wonderful partners to restore marine environments around the Forth - for nature, climate and future generations. 🌍
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... #Marine #Wildlife
We're working hard with communities and wonderful partners to restore marine environments around the Forth - for nature, climate and future generations. 🌍
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... #Marine #Wildlife
January rainfall data (from nearest SEPA station) shows we had more than double the monthly rainfall
February 9, 2026 at 7:21 PM
January rainfall data (from nearest SEPA station) shows we had more than double the monthly rainfall
Reposted by Gill Steele
Ironic that a man barely ever in his workplace should make such a call.
BREAKING: Nigel Farage calls for an end to working from home and the focus on work-life balance
"People aren't more productive working from home - it's a load of nonsense”
Whatever you do JUST DON’T VOTE REFORM!
"People aren't more productive working from home - it's a load of nonsense”
Whatever you do JUST DON’T VOTE REFORM!
February 9, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Ironic that a man barely ever in his workplace should make such a call.
Reposted by Gill Steele
Where's Jackie Bailey, hiding awaiting the fallout, looking out her gladrags in preparation???
February 9, 2026 at 3:42 PM
Where's Jackie Bailey, hiding awaiting the fallout, looking out her gladrags in preparation???
Good I hate this, playing right into people’s actual concerns about lack of affordable homes with a dollop of nativism
The SNP\Greens have to do something much more radical on housing (like councils building more with in house architects etc) to defeat Reform
The SNP\Greens have to do something much more radical on housing (like councils building more with in house architects etc) to defeat Reform
Reform are pledging to bring in legislation at Holyrood they claim would prioritise Scots when it comes to allocating social housing
Reform announce policy to give Scots priority in social housing allocation
www.thenational.scot
February 9, 2026 at 3:51 PM
Good I hate this, playing right into people’s actual concerns about lack of affordable homes with a dollop of nativism
The SNP\Greens have to do something much more radical on housing (like councils building more with in house architects etc) to defeat Reform
The SNP\Greens have to do something much more radical on housing (like councils building more with in house architects etc) to defeat Reform
Reposted by Gill Steele
I'm still waiting on a reasonably connected journo to connect the dots between Dougie Alexander who's running Labour's Holyrood 2026 campaign and Anas' announcement. 🙄😬
BREAKING: Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar calls for Keir Starmer to resign.
"The situation in Downing Street is not good enough. There have been too many mistakes... That's why it cannot continue."
"The situation in Downing Street is not good enough. There have been too many mistakes... That's why it cannot continue."
February 9, 2026 at 2:42 PM
I'm still waiting on a reasonably connected journo to connect the dots between Dougie Alexander who's running Labour's Holyrood 2026 campaign and Anas' announcement. 🙄😬