Andy Wightman
@andywightman.scot
Land campaigner, former MSP, forester, author The Poor Had No Lawyers. http://andywightman.scot & http://whoownsscotland.org.uk
Pinned
OCTOBER UPDATE Who Owns Scotland now published with total of 4850 landholdings (76.55% rural Scotland). The project is financed solely by subscription income which is not rising as fast as expansion expenditure so may have to slow the project down. Subscriptions start at £5 whoownsscotland.org.uk
Slioch yesterday morning
November 18, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Slioch yesterday morning
Reposted by Andy Wightman
When you look at it like this, every moment of hot air is especially inexcusable. Please share from my science colleagues at #COP30
planetarysciencepavilion.org/2025/11/14/s...
planetarysciencepavilion.org/2025/11/14/s...
Statement from Scientists at the Planetary Science Pavilion, about the current state of COP negotiations - Planetary Science Pavilion
Belém, November 14, 2025. Most of the CO2 budget that would push warming to 1.5°C has already been emitted, mainly by the world’s major economies. Now, midway through the decade, when global emissions...
planetarysciencepavilion.org
November 18, 2025 at 6:48 AM
When you look at it like this, every moment of hot air is especially inexcusable. Please share from my science colleagues at #COP30
planetarysciencepavilion.org/2025/11/14/s...
planetarysciencepavilion.org/2025/11/14/s...
Reposted by Andy Wightman
Tune in to BBC Radio Scotland ‘Classical Now’ at 7pm tonight to hear me chatting about my new album ‘The Scottish Four Seasons’ 🌸☀️🍁❄️🎻
November 16, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Tune in to BBC Radio Scotland ‘Classical Now’ at 7pm tonight to hear me chatting about my new album ‘The Scottish Four Seasons’ 🌸☀️🍁❄️🎻
Reposted by Andy Wightman
Voting closes at midnight tonight! 🕛
I’ve been nominated for ‘Musician of the Year’ at the @handsupfortrad.bsky.social Trad Awards 2025! 🥳
This is SUCH an honour ❤️
Now I need you to vote for me! Voting closes on Sunday 16th November.
Vote here: projects.handsupfortrad.scot/scotstradmus...
This is SUCH an honour ❤️
Now I need you to vote for me! Voting closes on Sunday 16th November.
Vote here: projects.handsupfortrad.scot/scotstradmus...
November 16, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Voting closes at midnight tonight! 🕛
Reposted by Andy Wightman
A weekend of signing CDs, writing handwritten track lists for my crowdfunder supporters, packaging them up & getting to know my local post office staff very well 💿✍️📦📮🎻
Thank you to everyone who has bought my album & sent lovely messages. I’m feeling very happily overwhelmed by the response so far ❤️
Thank you to everyone who has bought my album & sent lovely messages. I’m feeling very happily overwhelmed by the response so far ❤️
November 16, 2025 at 1:13 PM
A weekend of signing CDs, writing handwritten track lists for my crowdfunder supporters, packaging them up & getting to know my local post office staff very well 💿✍️📦📮🎻
Thank you to everyone who has bought my album & sent lovely messages. I’m feeling very happily overwhelmed by the response so far ❤️
Thank you to everyone who has bought my album & sent lovely messages. I’m feeling very happily overwhelmed by the response so far ❤️
Reposted by Andy Wightman
“It is far too easy for the true owners of property to hide behind secret trusts and offshore structures.”
Our latest investigation shows how an oligarch praised by Putin controls UK property, including in Scotland’s biggest town
www.theferret.scot/r...
Our latest investigation shows how an oligarch praised by Putin controls UK property, including in Scotland’s biggest town
www.theferret.scot/r...
www.theferret.scot
https://www.theferret.scot/russian-oligarch-paisley/
www.theferret.scot
November 16, 2025 at 2:00 PM
“It is far too easy for the true owners of property to hide behind secret trusts and offshore structures.”
Our latest investigation shows how an oligarch praised by Putin controls UK property, including in Scotland’s biggest town
www.theferret.scot/r...
Our latest investigation shows how an oligarch praised by Putin controls UK property, including in Scotland’s biggest town
www.theferret.scot/r...
Reposted by Andy Wightman
Jamie Mann does an excellent job of exposing the transparency failings in UK and Scottish property records here.
www.theferret.scot/russian-olig...
www.theferret.scot/russian-olig...
From Moscow to Paisley: How a blacklisted Russian oligarch secretly invested in Scottish car parks
A Russian oligarch praised by Vladimir Putin has amassed a UK property portfolio under the veil of secretive offshore trusts, The Ferret can reveal. Anti-corruption campaigners say our investigation i...
www.theferret.scot
November 16, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Jamie Mann does an excellent job of exposing the transparency failings in UK and Scottish property records here.
www.theferret.scot/russian-olig...
www.theferret.scot/russian-olig...
The Scottish Four Seasons by @islaratcliff.bsky.social - Teview by @fateamagazine.bsky.social here (and it’s good!) www.fatea-records.co.uk/magazine/rev...
November 15, 2025 at 7:45 PM
The Scottish Four Seasons by @islaratcliff.bsky.social - Teview by @fateamagazine.bsky.social here (and it’s good!) www.fatea-records.co.uk/magazine/rev...
Reposted by Andy Wightman
🌸☀️ THE SCOTTISH FOUR SEASONS - OUT NOW 🍁❄️
My album ‘The Scottish Four Seasons’ is out today! I’m SO excited that it’s finally out in the world for you to hear! 🥳
Listen / buy here: islaratcliff.bandcamp.com/album/the-sc...
Film by Jack Hinks @jackhinksmusic.bsky.social
My album ‘The Scottish Four Seasons’ is out today! I’m SO excited that it’s finally out in the world for you to hear! 🥳
Listen / buy here: islaratcliff.bandcamp.com/album/the-sc...
Film by Jack Hinks @jackhinksmusic.bsky.social
November 14, 2025 at 1:34 PM
🌸☀️ THE SCOTTISH FOUR SEASONS - OUT NOW 🍁❄️
My album ‘The Scottish Four Seasons’ is out today! I’m SO excited that it’s finally out in the world for you to hear! 🥳
Listen / buy here: islaratcliff.bandcamp.com/album/the-sc...
Film by Jack Hinks @jackhinksmusic.bsky.social
My album ‘The Scottish Four Seasons’ is out today! I’m SO excited that it’s finally out in the world for you to hear! 🥳
Listen / buy here: islaratcliff.bandcamp.com/album/the-sc...
Film by Jack Hinks @jackhinksmusic.bsky.social
Reposted by Andy Wightman
I've just bought Isla's Scottish Four Seasons & have listened 3 times straight through. It's wonderful. A mix of the familiar classical with plenty of unexpected traditional folk phrasing to keep the recording wonderfully fresh and interesting.
🌸☀️ THE SCOTTISH FOUR SEASONS - OUT NOW 🍁❄️
My album ‘The Scottish Four Seasons’ is out today! I’m SO excited that it’s finally out in the world for you to hear! 🥳
Listen / buy here: islaratcliff.bandcamp.com/album/the-sc...
Film by Jack Hinks @jackhinksmusic.bsky.social
My album ‘The Scottish Four Seasons’ is out today! I’m SO excited that it’s finally out in the world for you to hear! 🥳
Listen / buy here: islaratcliff.bandcamp.com/album/the-sc...
Film by Jack Hinks @jackhinksmusic.bsky.social
November 14, 2025 at 8:48 PM
I've just bought Isla's Scottish Four Seasons & have listened 3 times straight through. It's wonderful. A mix of the familiar classical with plenty of unexpected traditional folk phrasing to keep the recording wonderfully fresh and interesting.
Reposted by Andy Wightman
In a digital world, our parliamentary politics is out of date, says @andywightman.scot www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
In a digital world, our parliamentary politics is out of date
Quite why a key part of the Scottish Parliament’s resilience is dependent on Microsoft remains a mystery.
www.holyrood.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:19 AM
In a digital world, our parliamentary politics is out of date, says @andywightman.scot www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
Reposted by Andy Wightman
Vlog No.3: A day of 2 radio interviews, 1 film shoot, 1 rehearsal, a haircut (not featured) and some happy tears 🥹
Only 4 days until album release!!! 🥳 Pre-order now on Bandcamp!
And only 6 days left to vote for me to be ‘Musician of the Year’ at the Trad Awards!
Now for some sleep… 😴
Isla x
Only 4 days until album release!!! 🥳 Pre-order now on Bandcamp!
And only 6 days left to vote for me to be ‘Musician of the Year’ at the Trad Awards!
Now for some sleep… 😴
Isla x
November 10, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Vlog No.3: A day of 2 radio interviews, 1 film shoot, 1 rehearsal, a haircut (not featured) and some happy tears 🥹
Only 4 days until album release!!! 🥳 Pre-order now on Bandcamp!
And only 6 days left to vote for me to be ‘Musician of the Year’ at the Trad Awards!
Now for some sleep… 😴
Isla x
Only 4 days until album release!!! 🥳 Pre-order now on Bandcamp!
And only 6 days left to vote for me to be ‘Musician of the Year’ at the Trad Awards!
Now for some sleep… 😴
Isla x
BLOG - Land Reform (Scotland) Bill and the £25 million Estate. An analysis of the impacts of the Bill on a sale of 3500 ha of land that took place in September. In summary, it changes nothing. andywightman.scot/2025/11/land...
Land Reform (Scotland) Bill and the £25 million Estate - Land Matters
As readers may be aware, I run the Who Owns Scotland project. It documents the ownership of over 76% of rural Scotland. The information is updated annually and where there is a change I often need to ...
andywightman.scot
November 10, 2025 at 5:45 PM
BLOG - Land Reform (Scotland) Bill and the £25 million Estate. An analysis of the impacts of the Bill on a sale of 3500 ha of land that took place in September. In summary, it changes nothing. andywightman.scot/2025/11/land...
Reposted by Andy Wightman
I will leave Parliament as I entered it: with landlord monopoly and class inequality remaining as Scotland's hereditary curse
fb.watch/DhIuhkSXYz/
fb.watch/DhIuhkSXYz/
November 10, 2025 at 2:36 PM
I will leave Parliament as I entered it: with landlord monopoly and class inequality remaining as Scotland's hereditary curse
fb.watch/DhIuhkSXYz/
fb.watch/DhIuhkSXYz/
Guardian editorial on Land Reform (Scotland) Bill www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on Scottish land reform: vast estates remain feudal in scale | Editorial
Editorial: Half of the country’s privately owned countryside is held by just 421 owners. New legislation suggests democrats still fear powerful interests
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Guardian editorial on Land Reform (Scotland) Bill www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Andy Wightman
✨ Album artwork reveal!!! ✨
I’m delighted to reveal this gorgeous album cover art by Elly Lucas. Elly took such care in creating this stunning collage of Scottish plants 🌱
You can now pre-order my album on Bandcamp!
islaratcliff.bandcamp.com/album/the-sc...
Only 5 days until release day!
Isla x
I’m delighted to reveal this gorgeous album cover art by Elly Lucas. Elly took such care in creating this stunning collage of Scottish plants 🌱
You can now pre-order my album on Bandcamp!
islaratcliff.bandcamp.com/album/the-sc...
Only 5 days until release day!
Isla x
November 9, 2025 at 7:07 PM
✨ Album artwork reveal!!! ✨
I’m delighted to reveal this gorgeous album cover art by Elly Lucas. Elly took such care in creating this stunning collage of Scottish plants 🌱
You can now pre-order my album on Bandcamp!
islaratcliff.bandcamp.com/album/the-sc...
Only 5 days until release day!
Isla x
I’m delighted to reveal this gorgeous album cover art by Elly Lucas. Elly took such care in creating this stunning collage of Scottish plants 🌱
You can now pre-order my album on Bandcamp!
islaratcliff.bandcamp.com/album/the-sc...
Only 5 days until release day!
Isla x
Reposted by Andy Wightman
1/ The US Government has quietly removed a memorial to Black soldiers who died in World War II from the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, South Limburg. The move follows a complaint from the right-wing Heritage Foundation to the American Battle Monuments Commission. ⬇️
November 9, 2025 at 9:23 AM
1/ The US Government has quietly removed a memorial to Black soldiers who died in World War II from the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, South Limburg. The move follows a complaint from the right-wing Heritage Foundation to the American Battle Monuments Commission. ⬇️
Reposted by Andy Wightman
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
Reposted by Andy Wightman
I’ve been nominated for ‘Musician of the Year’ at the @handsupfortrad.bsky.social Trad Awards 2025! 🥳
This is SUCH an honour ❤️
Now I need you to vote for me! Voting closes on Sunday 16th November.
Vote here: projects.handsupfortrad.scot/scotstradmus...
This is SUCH an honour ❤️
Now I need you to vote for me! Voting closes on Sunday 16th November.
Vote here: projects.handsupfortrad.scot/scotstradmus...
November 7, 2025 at 7:32 PM
I’ve been nominated for ‘Musician of the Year’ at the @handsupfortrad.bsky.social Trad Awards 2025! 🥳
This is SUCH an honour ❤️
Now I need you to vote for me! Voting closes on Sunday 16th November.
Vote here: projects.handsupfortrad.scot/scotstradmus...
This is SUCH an honour ❤️
Now I need you to vote for me! Voting closes on Sunday 16th November.
Vote here: projects.handsupfortrad.scot/scotstradmus...
Reposted by Andy Wightman
Vlog No.1: A day of admin, social media promo and a Hegedu rehearsal 💻🎻🎶
Vote for me for ‘Musician of the Year’ (deadline 16th Nov): projects.handsupfortrad.scot/scotstradmus...
Here is the first of several vlogs showing what being a professional musician actually involves (it’s not all music!).
Vote for me for ‘Musician of the Year’ (deadline 16th Nov): projects.handsupfortrad.scot/scotstradmus...
Here is the first of several vlogs showing what being a professional musician actually involves (it’s not all music!).
November 7, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Vlog No.1: A day of admin, social media promo and a Hegedu rehearsal 💻🎻🎶
Vote for me for ‘Musician of the Year’ (deadline 16th Nov): projects.handsupfortrad.scot/scotstradmus...
Here is the first of several vlogs showing what being a professional musician actually involves (it’s not all music!).
Vote for me for ‘Musician of the Year’ (deadline 16th Nov): projects.handsupfortrad.scot/scotstradmus...
Here is the first of several vlogs showing what being a professional musician actually involves (it’s not all music!).
Reposted by Andy Wightman
The result of the Stage 3 vote on the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill is:
✅ Yes - 85
❌ No - 28
🟣 Abstain - 9
The Bill is therefore passed.
You can find out more online at: https://ow.ly/g4AC50XnkZw
✅ Yes - 85
❌ No - 28
🟣 Abstain - 9
The Bill is therefore passed.
You can find out more online at: https://ow.ly/g4AC50XnkZw
November 5, 2025 at 7:10 PM
The result of the Stage 3 vote on the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill is:
✅ Yes - 85
❌ No - 28
🟣 Abstain - 9
The Bill is therefore passed.
You can find out more online at: https://ow.ly/g4AC50XnkZw
✅ Yes - 85
❌ No - 28
🟣 Abstain - 9
The Bill is therefore passed.
You can find out more online at: https://ow.ly/g4AC50XnkZw
Land Reform (Scotland) Bill passes with 85 voting yes, 28 voting no and 9 abstentions
November 5, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Land Reform (Scotland) Bill passes with 85 voting yes, 28 voting no and 9 abstentions
Cabinet Secretary arguing that ownership of land should not be based on wealth or birth. AGREE. BUT wealth is precisely what is driving increased concentration. Just today I ordered a deed transferring even more land to one of richest women in the world with no questions asked /…
November 5, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Cabinet Secretary arguing that ownership of land should not be based on wealth or birth. AGREE. BUT wealth is precisely what is driving increased concentration. Just today I ordered a deed transferring even more land to one of richest women in the world with no questions asked /…
There had been ONE intervention in this debate with only the ScotGov Minister to close the debate. Debate? There has actually been NO debate.
November 5, 2025 at 6:40 PM
There had been ONE intervention in this debate with only the ScotGov Minister to close the debate. Debate? There has actually been NO debate.
Folk often ask me what I would do by way of land reform legislation. Have a read of this blog to find out. It seems pointless to do much further detailed work since there is so little appetite for such measures andywightman.scot/2023/12/land...
Land for the People (Scotland) Bill - Land Matters
Introduction This blog introduces my proposals for a comprehensive Land Reform Bill - one that goes far further than existing proposals in reforming Scotland’s land governance. I plan to publish furth...
andywightman.scot
November 5, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Folk often ask me what I would do by way of land reform legislation. Have a read of this blog to find out. It seems pointless to do much further detailed work since there is so little appetite for such measures andywightman.scot/2023/12/land...