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
Save The Iain Anderson Show. I've signed the petition cos we need more support for our musicians, more knowledge & passion - not easy listening shows like every other radio station. The petition's being handed in soon, so if you've been meaning to sign, here's the link. c.org/LMwv5xtQtM
November 28, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Save The Iain Anderson Show. I've signed the petition cos we need more support for our musicians, more knowledge & passion - not easy listening shows like every other radio station. The petition's being handed in soon, so if you've been meaning to sign, here's the link. c.org/LMwv5xtQtM
“Oh, thank you, imperial master. Grovelling thanks for sharing your hard-earned cash.” Did Rachel Reeves expect this when she announced some of Scotland's taxes will be sent back north? Actually that budget pop at the SNP is a sure sign of Labour nerves.
www.thenational.scot/politics/256...
www.thenational.scot/politics/256...
November 27, 2025 at 9:52 AM
“Oh, thank you, imperial master. Grovelling thanks for sharing your hard-earned cash.” Did Rachel Reeves expect this when she announced some of Scotland's taxes will be sent back north? Actually that budget pop at the SNP is a sure sign of Labour nerves.
www.thenational.scot/politics/256...
www.thenational.scot/politics/256...
Finland is the world's happiest country for the 8th year running. How do they do it? New film coming very soon. www.reuters.com/business/fin...
November 25, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Finland is the world's happiest country for the 8th year running. How do they do it? New film coming very soon. www.reuters.com/business/fin...
Has Scotland's fitba victory left a lasting bounce? The Covid Inquiry says Scotgov should've deviated faster fm WM - should Nicola Sturgeon have closed the border? As Danish Labour lose Mayors to the left/greens sd UK Labour rethink its hardline migration stance? Listen lesleyriddoch.com/podcast
November 24, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Has Scotland's fitba victory left a lasting bounce? The Covid Inquiry says Scotgov should've deviated faster fm WM - should Nicola Sturgeon have closed the border? As Danish Labour lose Mayors to the left/greens sd UK Labour rethink its hardline migration stance? Listen lesleyriddoch.com/podcast
Labour’s draconian crackdown against asylum seekers has pushed Number Ten's circular firing squad off the front pages along with the hokey Cokey budget. But will it push left leaning voters further away fm Labour & validate Reform’s empathy-crushing agenda? Yes. Listen lesleyriddoch.com/podcast
November 18, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Labour’s draconian crackdown against asylum seekers has pushed Number Ten's circular firing squad off the front pages along with the hokey Cokey budget. But will it push left leaning voters further away fm Labour & validate Reform’s empathy-crushing agenda? Yes. Listen lesleyriddoch.com/podcast
Scotland's Missing Forests 120k views in a week. Wonder if Scotgov gets the message. Barren-looking land, even overgrazed & burnt grouse moors, can support natural woodland & biodiversity. This is the story of two pals who went where politicians fear to tread www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuTV...
November 15, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Scotland's Missing Forests 120k views in a week. Wonder if Scotgov gets the message. Barren-looking land, even overgrazed & burnt grouse moors, can support natural woodland & biodiversity. This is the story of two pals who went where politicians fear to tread www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuTV...
Chuffed to be discussing Scotland's Future tomorrow Sun 6pm at AyeWrite in Glasgow with former FM Henry McLeish, chaired by Kirsteen Paterson. Henry & I had frisky chat at Kircudbright Fringe a month ago. Trust this will be similar. Some tix still available. www.glasgowlife.org.uk/event/1/unfi...
November 15, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Chuffed to be discussing Scotland's Future tomorrow Sun 6pm at AyeWrite in Glasgow with former FM Henry McLeish, chaired by Kirsteen Paterson. Henry & I had frisky chat at Kircudbright Fringe a month ago. Trust this will be similar. Some tix still available. www.glasgowlife.org.uk/event/1/unfi...
Five UN Special Rapporteurs condemn Palestine Action ban as "not justified", "unnecessary" and a move associated with authoritarian states. Will this be raised in #PMQs? Will it be covered by @BBCNews?
tinyurl.com/2s4cyzar
tinyurl.com/2s4cyzar
November 12, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Five UN Special Rapporteurs condemn Palestine Action ban as "not justified", "unnecessary" and a move associated with authoritarian states. Will this be raised in #PMQs? Will it be covered by @BBCNews?
tinyurl.com/2s4cyzar
tinyurl.com/2s4cyzar
Has the BBC been captured by a bunch of extreme right wingers? Does anyone believe Aunty is pro Palestine? Who will pay Trump's damages - licence-fee payers? What about record low trust levels in Scotland post #indyref? Plus prisons, David Lammy & Trad Awards. Listen lesleyriddoch.com/podcast
November 11, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Has the BBC been captured by a bunch of extreme right wingers? Does anyone believe Aunty is pro Palestine? Who will pay Trump's damages - licence-fee payers? What about record low trust levels in Scotland post #indyref? Plus prisons, David Lammy & Trad Awards. Listen lesleyriddoch.com/podcast
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
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.
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
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
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