Bert Thomson
@westcoastsmirr.bsky.social
Once we were lawyers. Scottish, European, Scottish Book Trust New Writers Award. Born @ 312.2 ppm. MD Ant. Largs Thistle F.C.
Glasgow, Ayrshire, Argyll.
books, writing, music, art, film, photo, nature, climate.
'cela nous concerne tous'
Glasgow, Ayrshire, Argyll.
books, writing, music, art, film, photo, nature, climate.
'cela nous concerne tous'
Dick Gaughan with 'Now Westlin Winds' or 'Song Composed on August' by Robert Burns.
Dick Gaughan - Now Westlin Winds
YouTube video by 76AMD
youtu.be
January 25, 2026 at 8:55 AM
Dick Gaughan with 'Now Westlin Winds' or 'Song Composed on August' by Robert Burns.
Minnesota, for the first 70 years of my life meant Bob Dylan's birthplace and not a great deal more(apologies Minnesotans!), but I won't forget the beautiful and inspiring resistance that we're now seeing to the horrific DHS/ ICE violence instigated by the Trump regime. Power to you. #Minnesota
Bob Dylan - Chimes of Freedom (Official Audio)
YouTube video by BobDylanVEVO
youtu.be
January 24, 2026 at 11:47 PM
Minnesota, for the first 70 years of my life meant Bob Dylan's birthplace and not a great deal more(apologies Minnesotans!), but I won't forget the beautiful and inspiring resistance that we're now seeing to the horrific DHS/ ICE violence instigated by the Trump regime. Power to you. #Minnesota
Reposted by Bert Thomson
If you want to understand what is happening right now & what’s at stake, please listen to this conversation I had with historian Robert Kagan.
Europe has to wake up FAST.
Europe has to wake up FAST.
NEW | VIDEO
‘Europeans need to understand that it’s over’: historian Robert Kagan talks to @carolecadwalla.bsky.social about Trump’s coming ‘dictatorship’, the end of the western alliance - and why Keir Starmer needs to change course, fast
Prefer to read? 🔗⬇️
youtu.be/0goGamFRtO0
‘Europeans need to understand that it’s over’: historian Robert Kagan talks to @carolecadwalla.bsky.social about Trump’s coming ‘dictatorship’, the end of the western alliance - and why Keir Starmer needs to change course, fast
Prefer to read? 🔗⬇️
youtu.be/0goGamFRtO0
Europe needs a dramatic strategic revolution - now: historian Robert Kagan
YouTube video by The Nerve
youtu.be
January 20, 2026 at 9:35 PM
If you want to understand what is happening right now & what’s at stake, please listen to this conversation I had with historian Robert Kagan.
Europe has to wake up FAST.
Europe has to wake up FAST.
'As organisations and society we're forgetting how to set taboos and boundaries and how to defend values.'
St Pauli chairman and DFB vice president Oke Göttlich calls for discussion of a World Cup boycott.
St Pauli chairman and DFB vice president Oke Göttlich calls for discussion of a World Cup boycott.
German soccer federation official wants World Cup boycott considered because of Trump
A German soccer federation executive committee member says it’s time to consider a World Cup boycott because of the actions of U.S. President Donald Trump.
apnews.com
January 24, 2026 at 1:40 AM
'As organisations and society we're forgetting how to set taboos and boundaries and how to defend values.'
St Pauli chairman and DFB vice president Oke Göttlich calls for discussion of a World Cup boycott.
St Pauli chairman and DFB vice president Oke Göttlich calls for discussion of a World Cup boycott.
Reposted by Bert Thomson
Where are the trees?
We have A LOT of this landscape and less than 4% native woodland. This should be a rich mosaic of habitats, moor, bog, woodland, montane scrub…We force it to remain in this artificial state. We don’t need to give every inch of our uplands over to sheep, grouse and deer stalking.
We have A LOT of this landscape and less than 4% native woodland. This should be a rich mosaic of habitats, moor, bog, woodland, montane scrub…We force it to remain in this artificial state. We don’t need to give every inch of our uplands over to sheep, grouse and deer stalking.
January 17, 2026 at 9:50 AM
Where are the trees?
We have A LOT of this landscape and less than 4% native woodland. This should be a rich mosaic of habitats, moor, bog, woodland, montane scrub…We force it to remain in this artificial state. We don’t need to give every inch of our uplands over to sheep, grouse and deer stalking.
We have A LOT of this landscape and less than 4% native woodland. This should be a rich mosaic of habitats, moor, bog, woodland, montane scrub…We force it to remain in this artificial state. We don’t need to give every inch of our uplands over to sheep, grouse and deer stalking.
When I first started going to gigs, late 60s early 70s I saw these guys often and they never let me down once. Their first four L.P.s were/are great too. This contains what Ron Burgundy would call 'yazz flute'.
Family and the admittedly atypical 'Some Poor Soul'.
Family and the admittedly atypical 'Some Poor Soul'.
Some Poor Soul (2022 Remaster)
YouTube video by Family - Topic
youtu.be
January 23, 2026 at 7:47 PM
When I first started going to gigs, late 60s early 70s I saw these guys often and they never let me down once. Their first four L.P.s were/are great too. This contains what Ron Burgundy would call 'yazz flute'.
Family and the admittedly atypical 'Some Poor Soul'.
Family and the admittedly atypical 'Some Poor Soul'.
Justin Currie ' If I Ever Loved You'. at the Songwriters Circle. Too much for Chris Difford.
Justin Currie - If I Ever Loved You
YouTube video by JustinCurrieFan
youtu.be
January 21, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Justin Currie ' If I Ever Loved You'. at the Songwriters Circle. Too much for Chris Difford.
Reposted by Bert Thomson
A reminder to practice basic humanity. America the state is not Americans the people--who are among the most diverse in the world & who are literally dying on the streets trying to defend the vulnerable. Dehumanization cannot be fought with more dehumanization. Hate cannot be conquered with hate.
January 21, 2026 at 3:47 PM
A reminder to practice basic humanity. America the state is not Americans the people--who are among the most diverse in the world & who are literally dying on the streets trying to defend the vulnerable. Dehumanization cannot be fought with more dehumanization. Hate cannot be conquered with hate.
Reposted by Bert Thomson
Devastating new report on imminent threats to the UK from global ecosystem collapse which "threaten UK national security and prosperity"
The Gov should now stage a televised emergency briefing. The public have a right to know.
MPs join the call: www.nebriefing.org/parliamentar... #NEB2025
The Gov should now stage a televised emergency briefing. The public have a right to know.
MPs join the call: www.nebriefing.org/parliamentar... #NEB2025
Nature security assessment on global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security
This strategic assessment explores how global biodiversity loss and the collapse of critical ecosystems could affect the UK’s resilience, security and prosperity.
www.gov.uk
January 20, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Devastating new report on imminent threats to the UK from global ecosystem collapse which "threaten UK national security and prosperity"
The Gov should now stage a televised emergency briefing. The public have a right to know.
MPs join the call: www.nebriefing.org/parliamentar... #NEB2025
The Gov should now stage a televised emergency briefing. The public have a right to know.
MPs join the call: www.nebriefing.org/parliamentar... #NEB2025
Reposted by Bert Thomson
Mark Carney's speech really is terrific: full text is here and very much worth your time.
The Carney doctrine
Open comment thread on the PM's Davos speech
paulwells.substack.com
January 20, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Mark Carney's speech really is terrific: full text is here and very much worth your time.
Reposted by Bert Thomson
Blood on the Tracks was released on this day 51 years ago. I revisited it eight months ago...
“It took me ten years to live and two years to write” is how Bob Dylan once described Tangled Up in Blue.
The song not only opens the masterpiece that is his 15th studio album Blood on the Tracks, it’s key to unlocking the whole record. 🧵
The song not only opens the masterpiece that is his 15th studio album Blood on the Tracks, it’s key to unlocking the whole record. 🧵
January 20, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Blood on the Tracks was released on this day 51 years ago. I revisited it eight months ago...
Reposted by Bert Thomson
Callanish , no drama , recent snow #StandingStoneSunday
January 11, 2026 at 10:34 AM
Callanish , no drama , recent snow #StandingStoneSunday
The Brazilian team of '70. I loved that World Cup, Pele's outrageous dummy on the goalie v Uruguay, his 7 iron chip at the Czech goal, Carlos Alberto's goal in the final - and we've qualified for the first time in an age
However, enough is surely enough. Don't go.Don't give Trump's crew any succour.
However, enough is surely enough. Don't go.Don't give Trump's crew any succour.
January 18, 2026 at 6:02 PM
The Brazilian team of '70. I loved that World Cup, Pele's outrageous dummy on the goalie v Uruguay, his 7 iron chip at the Czech goal, Carlos Alberto's goal in the final - and we've qualified for the first time in an age
However, enough is surely enough. Don't go.Don't give Trump's crew any succour.
However, enough is surely enough. Don't go.Don't give Trump's crew any succour.
Reposted by Bert Thomson
This by @neilmackay.bsky.social is so baffling. And it's true. Every time I was up in Scotland I was astonished about how badly under- and misrepresented the independence movemnt is on the BBC. While its still going strong.
Ignore this at your own peril.
Plus it also undermines the BBC's authority
Ignore this at your own peril.
Plus it also undermines the BBC's authority
The BBC has a serious Scotland problem - so why is nobody talking about it?
Neil Mackay on the BBC's alleged bias on independence, and what he views as the wider media silence eroding trust and fairness.
www.heraldscotland.com
January 17, 2026 at 11:17 AM
This by @neilmackay.bsky.social is so baffling. And it's true. Every time I was up in Scotland I was astonished about how badly under- and misrepresented the independence movemnt is on the BBC. While its still going strong.
Ignore this at your own peril.
Plus it also undermines the BBC's authority
Ignore this at your own peril.
Plus it also undermines the BBC's authority
Reposted by Bert Thomson
Whether to “remove the SNP” or to any other party, nobody should allow plutocracy (government by the rich) to contaminate our democracy. Holyrood (or W’minster) must legislate to limit political donations to a low percentage of average national salary.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2577321...
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2577321...
Billionaire brothers hand Sarwar a six-figure donation to 'remove the SNP from power'
Two of Scotland's richest entrepreneurs have provided a major boost to Scottish Labour by pledging a “substantial” six-figure donation to the…
www.heraldscotland.com
January 17, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Whether to “remove the SNP” or to any other party, nobody should allow plutocracy (government by the rich) to contaminate our democracy. Holyrood (or W’minster) must legislate to limit political donations to a low percentage of average national salary.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2577321...
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2577321...
David Wallace of Ireland laying the ball back at a ruck
January 17, 2026 at 3:04 PM
David Wallace of Ireland laying the ball back at a ruck
A nice relaxed coffee house too. Take a book or a pal.
An 1850s townhouse on Berkeley Street in the West End of Glasgow. In 1905 it became hometo the Glasgow Society fo Musicians. It's now the Ottoman Coffee House, it retains many of its original features, including the society's insignia on the door.
#glasgow #architecture #architecturephotography
#glasgow #architecture #architecturephotography
January 17, 2026 at 9:04 AM
A nice relaxed coffee house too. Take a book or a pal.
I sometimes wish I was religious so I could believe there was a hell for Blair to go to.
BREAKING Tony Blair and Jared Kushner appointed by Trump to Gaza 'Board of Peace'
Read @carolecadwalla on Tony Blair's institute, its funding from friends of Israel's government inc billionaire Larry Ellison, + emerging rightwing media takeover of the global information space⏬🔗
Read @carolecadwalla on Tony Blair's institute, its funding from friends of Israel's government inc billionaire Larry Ellison, + emerging rightwing media takeover of the global information space⏬🔗
January 16, 2026 at 11:43 PM
I sometimes wish I was religious so I could believe there was a hell for Blair to go to.
Back from 'Hamnet'. Chloë Zhao's direction is terrific and the lighting is superb. There's a marvellous realisation of an ancient England lying far deeper than Elizabethan England in the first half hour and Jessie Buckley is something else.
The emotion of it is almost unbearable. #Hamnet
The emotion of it is almost unbearable. #Hamnet
January 15, 2026 at 11:02 PM
Back from 'Hamnet'. Chloë Zhao's direction is terrific and the lighting is superb. There's a marvellous realisation of an ancient England lying far deeper than Elizabethan England in the first half hour and Jessie Buckley is something else.
The emotion of it is almost unbearable. #Hamnet
The emotion of it is almost unbearable. #Hamnet
Post a pic of the venue where you saw your first concert and the band or artist.
Green's Playhouse, Renfield St, Glasgow. - Fleetwood Mac - 16th October 1969.
Green's Playhouse, Renfield St, Glasgow. - Fleetwood Mac - 16th October 1969.
January 11, 2026 at 3:52 PM
Post a pic of the venue where you saw your first concert and the band or artist.
Green's Playhouse, Renfield St, Glasgow. - Fleetwood Mac - 16th October 1969.
Green's Playhouse, Renfield St, Glasgow. - Fleetwood Mac - 16th October 1969.
What was your #ChildhoodCinema
The Viking, Largs, Ayrshire. A 10 minute walk from my house and if you had a ticket you could stay all day. e.g. I went in halfway through the early afternoon showing of Help! and stayed for the teatime and mid evening shows too. Half a Viking longship outside.
The Viking, Largs, Ayrshire. A 10 minute walk from my house and if you had a ticket you could stay all day. e.g. I went in halfway through the early afternoon showing of Help! and stayed for the teatime and mid evening shows too. Half a Viking longship outside.
January 9, 2026 at 9:55 PM
What was your #ChildhoodCinema
The Viking, Largs, Ayrshire. A 10 minute walk from my house and if you had a ticket you could stay all day. e.g. I went in halfway through the early afternoon showing of Help! and stayed for the teatime and mid evening shows too. Half a Viking longship outside.
The Viking, Largs, Ayrshire. A 10 minute walk from my house and if you had a ticket you could stay all day. e.g. I went in halfway through the early afternoon showing of Help! and stayed for the teatime and mid evening shows too. Half a Viking longship outside.
Manic Street Preachers- If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next.
If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next (Remastered)
YouTube video by Manic Street Preachers - Topic
youtu.be
January 8, 2026 at 6:13 PM
Manic Street Preachers- If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next.
Martha Argerich - Ravel Piano Concerto in G Major- 2nd Movement- Adagio.
If you're looking for just 10 minutes peace in the maddest world.
If you're looking for just 10 minutes peace in the maddest world.
Ravel Concerto pour piano en sol majeur II. Adagio assai Martha Argerich
YouTube video by Christophe Thiebaud
youtu.be
January 8, 2026 at 12:05 AM
Martha Argerich - Ravel Piano Concerto in G Major- 2nd Movement- Adagio.
If you're looking for just 10 minutes peace in the maddest world.
If you're looking for just 10 minutes peace in the maddest world.