Gordon Cowtan
@cowtan.bsky.social
Live in Edinburgh. Used to live in Fintry and was one of the founders of Fintry Development Trust (https://fintrydt.org.uk). Spend a lot of time thinking about domestic heat decarbonisation. A techie of some sort. Was @cowtan at the other place as well
Pinned
Gordon Cowtan
@cowtan.bsky.social
· Dec 13
New Fintry Development Trust web site has gone live, just in time for Christmas. Includes lots of information about the trust - what we've done, what we're doing - some lovely graphics and even a moving wind turbine 💨 🍃
fintrydt.org.uk
fintrydt.org.uk
Reposted by Gordon Cowtan
BLOG - Today I publish my annual Rural Land Market report examining land sales in 2024. For the first time, I reveal the prices paid for 21 properties which were concealed from public view. Do have a read - only 9 pages (the blog is worth your time too) andywightman.scot/2026/02/rura...
Rural Land Market Report 2024 - Land Matters
Today I publish my annual analysis of large-scale rural land sales in 2024. It follows earlier reports for 2020-22 and for 2023. One of the key issues raised in the report and in this blog is covered ...
andywightman.scot
February 7, 2026 at 7:31 AM
BLOG - Today I publish my annual Rural Land Market report examining land sales in 2024. For the first time, I reveal the prices paid for 21 properties which were concealed from public view. Do have a read - only 9 pages (the blog is worth your time too) andywightman.scot/2026/02/rura...
Reposted by Gordon Cowtan
Wonderful Ice Age art!
Some 40,000 years ago, this tiny head of a cave lion was skilfully sculpted from mammoth ivory. It is one of the oldest known works of figurative art!
📷 by me
#Archaeology
Some 40,000 years ago, this tiny head of a cave lion was skilfully sculpted from mammoth ivory. It is one of the oldest known works of figurative art!
📷 by me
#Archaeology
February 1, 2026 at 10:09 AM
Wonderful Ice Age art!
Some 40,000 years ago, this tiny head of a cave lion was skilfully sculpted from mammoth ivory. It is one of the oldest known works of figurative art!
📷 by me
#Archaeology
Some 40,000 years ago, this tiny head of a cave lion was skilfully sculpted from mammoth ivory. It is one of the oldest known works of figurative art!
📷 by me
#Archaeology
Reposted by Gordon Cowtan
Rock art from at least 67,800 years ago in Sulawesi
phys.org/news/2026-01...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
phys.org/news/2026-01...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Humanity's oldest known cave art has been discovered in Sulawesi
When we think of the world's oldest art, Europe usually comes to mind, with famous cave paintings in France and Spain often seen as evidence this was the birthplace of symbolic human culture. But new ...
phys.org
January 25, 2026 at 10:26 PM
Rock art from at least 67,800 years ago in Sulawesi
phys.org/news/2026-01...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
phys.org/news/2026-01...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
This short piece by Rosie Millard about the National Gallery's Siena exhibition, the Renaissance and the rise of painting is interesting -
The allure of the Renaissance open.substack.com/pub/rosiemil...
The allure of the Renaissance open.substack.com/pub/rosiemil...
The allure of the Renaissance
Why the National Gallery's new show will sell out
open.substack.com
March 13, 2025 at 10:57 AM
This short piece by Rosie Millard about the National Gallery's Siena exhibition, the Renaissance and the rise of painting is interesting -
The allure of the Renaissance open.substack.com/pub/rosiemil...
The allure of the Renaissance open.substack.com/pub/rosiemil...
Reposted by Gordon Cowtan
“Heat pumps are superior in efficiency to condensing boilers, even if the heat pumps are powered by electricity from a power station burning natural gas.”
Not me saying that but late Prof Sir David MacKay.
He is right as my analysis @carbonbrief.org shows.👇
www.carbonbrief.org/factcheck-18...
Not me saying that but late Prof Sir David MacKay.
He is right as my analysis @carbonbrief.org shows.👇
www.carbonbrief.org/factcheck-18...
March 6, 2025 at 7:57 PM
“Heat pumps are superior in efficiency to condensing boilers, even if the heat pumps are powered by electricity from a power station burning natural gas.”
Not me saying that but late Prof Sir David MacKay.
He is right as my analysis @carbonbrief.org shows.👇
www.carbonbrief.org/factcheck-18...
Not me saying that but late Prof Sir David MacKay.
He is right as my analysis @carbonbrief.org shows.👇
www.carbonbrief.org/factcheck-18...
Reposted by Gordon Cowtan
When I think about how most of the US media consistently minimises the cruelty of the Republicans, I think about how Democrats haven’t won a majority of the white vote since the 1960s: www.npr.org/2020/11/05/9... - and I think about the long-term institutional effect of all that.
March 4, 2025 at 9:04 PM
When I think about how most of the US media consistently minimises the cruelty of the Republicans, I think about how Democrats haven’t won a majority of the white vote since the 1960s: www.npr.org/2020/11/05/9... - and I think about the long-term institutional effect of all that.
Reposted by Gordon Cowtan
A fun one from @scientificdiscovery.dev on our Daily Data Insights at @ourworldindata.org today.
Twin birth rates over time.
Older mothers and the use of reproductive technologies tend to increase the likelihood of twin births, which is why you see this pattern.
ourworldindata.org/data-insight...
Twin birth rates over time.
Older mothers and the use of reproductive technologies tend to increase the likelihood of twin births, which is why you see this pattern.
ourworldindata.org/data-insight...
February 10, 2025 at 12:07 PM
A fun one from @scientificdiscovery.dev on our Daily Data Insights at @ourworldindata.org today.
Twin birth rates over time.
Older mothers and the use of reproductive technologies tend to increase the likelihood of twin births, which is why you see this pattern.
ourworldindata.org/data-insight...
Twin birth rates over time.
Older mothers and the use of reproductive technologies tend to increase the likelihood of twin births, which is why you see this pattern.
ourworldindata.org/data-insight...
Reposted by Gordon Cowtan
Daily #Wales in winter with a potter behind our village school to the double chambered tomb (always worth a detour when you’re popping down to the Spar)
February 2, 2025 at 6:56 AM
Daily #Wales in winter with a potter behind our village school to the double chambered tomb (always worth a detour when you’re popping down to the Spar)
Reposted by Gordon Cowtan
Yet another one who knows exactly what should be done now he's no longer in a position to do anything.... www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/01...
If Trump succeeds in reinventing government, expect his plans to be the global blueprint
The challenges are vast, but it has been done before. And Elon Musk now has the advantages of being able to harness AI
www.telegraph.co.uk
January 25, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Yet another one who knows exactly what should be done now he's no longer in a position to do anything.... www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/01...
Reposted by Gordon Cowtan
A major theft at the Drents Museum in Assen,The Netherlands, resulted in the loss of valuable gold and silver artifacts from the 'Dacia,Kingdom of Gold and Silver' exhibition. The exhibition featured over 600 gold and silver objects from at least 15 museums across Romania.
nltimes.nl/2025/01/25/a...
nltimes.nl/2025/01/25/a...
January 25, 2025 at 12:45 PM
A major theft at the Drents Museum in Assen,The Netherlands, resulted in the loss of valuable gold and silver artifacts from the 'Dacia,Kingdom of Gold and Silver' exhibition. The exhibition featured over 600 gold and silver objects from at least 15 museums across Romania.
nltimes.nl/2025/01/25/a...
nltimes.nl/2025/01/25/a...
Reposted by Gordon Cowtan
If Viktor Orban really blocks European sanctions at a key moment for the war, it’ll be absolutely clear that in this big game for the security and future of Europe, he is playing in Putin’s team, not in ours. With all the consequences of this fact.
January 25, 2025 at 12:49 PM
If Viktor Orban really blocks European sanctions at a key moment for the war, it’ll be absolutely clear that in this big game for the security and future of Europe, he is playing in Putin’s team, not in ours. With all the consequences of this fact.
Reposted by Gordon Cowtan
Since Trump’s victory there’s been near daily attacks in the UK media aimed at the government’s energy and net zero policies (there have been three in the last 24 hours). And yet there’s been barely a peep in defence from the government or its outriders.
January 25, 2025 at 7:22 AM
Since Trump’s victory there’s been near daily attacks in the UK media aimed at the government’s energy and net zero policies (there have been three in the last 24 hours). And yet there’s been barely a peep in defence from the government or its outriders.
Reposted by Gordon Cowtan
EU gas power declined for the FIFTH year in a row in 2024 📉
Coal also declined, bringing fossil power to a historic low and cutting power sector emissions to HALF their 2007 peak.
ember-energy.org/lat...
Coal also declined, bringing fossil power to a historic low and cutting power sector emissions to HALF their 2007 peak.
ember-energy.org/lat...
January 24, 2025 at 9:00 AM
EU gas power declined for the FIFTH year in a row in 2024 📉
Coal also declined, bringing fossil power to a historic low and cutting power sector emissions to HALF their 2007 peak.
ember-energy.org/lat...
Coal also declined, bringing fossil power to a historic low and cutting power sector emissions to HALF their 2007 peak.
ember-energy.org/lat...
Reposted by Gordon Cowtan
The @thebhf.bsky.social is now on @bsky.app. They do incredible work funding vital research into heart diseases, stroke and vascular dementia, and their risk factors like diabetes.
Let’s help them build their BlueSky following
Let’s help them build their BlueSky following
January 24, 2025 at 7:06 AM
The @thebhf.bsky.social is now on @bsky.app. They do incredible work funding vital research into heart diseases, stroke and vascular dementia, and their risk factors like diabetes.
Let’s help them build their BlueSky following
Let’s help them build their BlueSky following
Reposted by Gordon Cowtan
You can say, “gravity isn’t real,” but if you step off the cliff, you’re still going down.
And if you convince other people it’s not real, you are responsible for what happens if they make decisions based on the information you withheld.
And if you convince other people it’s not real, you are responsible for what happens if they make decisions based on the information you withheld.
The White House climate page is now gone. Climate change is not. www.whitehouse.gov/climate
www.whitehouse.gov
January 21, 2025 at 8:53 PM
You can say, “gravity isn’t real,” but if you step off the cliff, you’re still going down.
And if you convince other people it’s not real, you are responsible for what happens if they make decisions based on the information you withheld.
And if you convince other people it’s not real, you are responsible for what happens if they make decisions based on the information you withheld.
I’m mostly hiding from the news at the moment but I thought this was great. Both funny and thoughtful - www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...
Fee, fi, fo…Trump: how an ogre won back the White House
Large, fearsome, gluttonous and cruel: Donald Trump is the archetypal ogre. So how did he manage to stomp back for a second term?
www.theguardian.com
January 21, 2025 at 5:50 PM
I’m mostly hiding from the news at the moment but I thought this was great. Both funny and thoughtful - www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...
Reposted by Gordon Cowtan
Ironically, most penguins aren't aware that today is Penguin Awareness Day and they think it's just a regular Monday. The reason for this, of course is that they refused to adopt the new Gregorian calendar in 1582, and still adhere to the old Julian one, for tax purposes.
January 20, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Ironically, most penguins aren't aware that today is Penguin Awareness Day and they think it's just a regular Monday. The reason for this, of course is that they refused to adopt the new Gregorian calendar in 1582, and still adhere to the old Julian one, for tax purposes.
Reposted by Gordon Cowtan
Great Green canvass team out round Bannockburn ahead of council by-election next week! Lovely reception for our candidate @mariestadtler
Thanks to @gillianmacmsp for joining 💚#votegreen
Thanks to @gillianmacmsp for joining 💚#votegreen
January 18, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Great Green canvass team out round Bannockburn ahead of council by-election next week! Lovely reception for our candidate @mariestadtler
Thanks to @gillianmacmsp for joining 💚#votegreen
Thanks to @gillianmacmsp for joining 💚#votegreen
Reposted by Gordon Cowtan
🦇 Please do not disturb hibernating bats. Not only is it illegal to do so but it can endanger their chances of survival as they can use vital fat reserves when they become active unnecessarily.
If you find a bat in an exposed location please follow the advice on our website: https://buff.ly/47OkUZN
If you find a bat in an exposed location please follow the advice on our website: https://buff.ly/47OkUZN
January 18, 2025 at 9:13 AM
🦇 Please do not disturb hibernating bats. Not only is it illegal to do so but it can endanger their chances of survival as they can use vital fat reserves when they become active unnecessarily.
If you find a bat in an exposed location please follow the advice on our website: https://buff.ly/47OkUZN
If you find a bat in an exposed location please follow the advice on our website: https://buff.ly/47OkUZN
Reposted by Gordon Cowtan
Due to the Relentless March of Time, tomorrow sees Ep 4 of my go at Radio 3’s Music Matters slot, ‘Satire & The Stave’. This time: Religion! Includes two Glorias and a Credo. It’s an - ahahaha - exercise in Mass observation.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 3 - Music Matters, Satire and the Stave, Satire and Religion
Chris Addison explores how composers have handled religion and its authority
www.bbc.co.uk
January 17, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Due to the Relentless March of Time, tomorrow sees Ep 4 of my go at Radio 3’s Music Matters slot, ‘Satire & The Stave’. This time: Religion! Includes two Glorias and a Credo. It’s an - ahahaha - exercise in Mass observation.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Reposted by Gordon Cowtan
Oops posted the wrong video above! Here’s the long one
January 17, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Oops posted the wrong video above! Here’s the long one
Reposted by Gordon Cowtan
Soft and sensual
35mm Film
#Photography #FilmPhotography #BelieveInFilm #Flowers #Scotland #WomenInPhotography
35mm Film
#Photography #FilmPhotography #BelieveInFilm #Flowers #Scotland #WomenInPhotography
January 17, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Soft and sensual
35mm Film
#Photography #FilmPhotography #BelieveInFilm #Flowers #Scotland #WomenInPhotography
35mm Film
#Photography #FilmPhotography #BelieveInFilm #Flowers #Scotland #WomenInPhotography
Reposted by Gordon Cowtan
What fresh hell is this.
Lift the dial to hear recordings of local kids reciting their own poems (MA, USA)
January 17, 2025 at 10:34 AM
What fresh hell is this.
Reposted by Gordon Cowtan
Tonight on the Mead Hall menu (top table only) Beef bits, oinions and mushrooms, fried, and stuffed into French breads.
Lower tables. Spam in aspic.
Vegetarian/vegan. Spume anglaise.
Scraps and scrapings by the leper gate as ever.
Lower tables. Spam in aspic.
Vegetarian/vegan. Spume anglaise.
Scraps and scrapings by the leper gate as ever.
January 17, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Tonight on the Mead Hall menu (top table only) Beef bits, oinions and mushrooms, fried, and stuffed into French breads.
Lower tables. Spam in aspic.
Vegetarian/vegan. Spume anglaise.
Scraps and scrapings by the leper gate as ever.
Lower tables. Spam in aspic.
Vegetarian/vegan. Spume anglaise.
Scraps and scrapings by the leper gate as ever.