Professor John Robertson OBA From YouGov‘s most recent UK-wide poll, we see the SNP at 40%, the Conservatives dead in the water in Scotland, Labour weak and Reform UK at barely half the level of support in England and Wales. Only a sub-poll, I know, but this repeats their 16 June poll results, three weeks ago: YouGov can be trusted in these UK wide polls to reasonably accurately represent the actual SNP strength because , unlike in their Scotland-only polls, they have not adjusted the sample to reflect the 2014 referendum result and to repeatedly put SNP support in the … Continue reading SNP strength confirmed by second YouGov sub-poll putting them at 40%

Professor John Robertson OBA In the Independent yesterday, not in any Scottish newspaper or broadcaster, the above and: A tidal turbine submerged off the Scottish coast has achieved a significant milestone, operating continuously for more than six years to harness the power of ocean tides for electricity. This remarkable durability, with the unit spinning approximately 40 metres (44 yards) below the surface, underscores the technology’s commercial viability. According to the trade association Ocean Energy Europe, maintaining a large, grid-scale turbine in such a harsh marine environment for this duration is a record. This longevity is crucial, as it helps pave … Continue reading Another story you won’t hear – Scottish ‘significant energy breakthrough’ is only covered by one newspaper or broadcaster and it’s a small circulation English one

Professor John Robertson OBA I know, there are still some out there, lusting after the climate of the south of England but they’d soon change their tune if they lived there. The forecast for tomorrow tells you in which parts of the UK most of us will breathe easy, cope. On the Reddit Scotland site today, this from ReallyTrustyGuy and a few followers put it better than I could: Continue reading The best public services, the lowest crime, the safest roads, the cheapest, safest, most inclusive ferries, the most wildlife, water and trees, fresh air and no Godzilla!

Professor John Robertson OBA As the season of stored up Freedom of Information requests [at great expense to you] by the opposition parties and BBC Scotland gets into gear, the above only partial data front paging the Herald is a cracker of misrepresentation and deliberate deceit. In their own words 28 deaths on the A9 over the 4 years but 13 of those in just 2022/2023, the post-pandemic spike? So how many in each of the other 3 years so that we may see the trend? They’re not telling us this despite the fact that we, the taxpayer, paid for … Continue reading Scottish Conservatives and Herald combine to fake the A9 deaths trend by withholding figures you paid for

Professor John Robertson OBA In the Guardian today, the above, and: Millions of tonnes of treated sewage sludge is spread on farmland across the UK every year despite containing forever chemicals, microplastics and toxic waste, and experts say the outdated current regulations are not fit for purpose. An investigation by the Guardian and Watershed has identified England’s sludge-spreading hotspots and shown where the practice could be damaging rivers. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jul/07/millions-of-tonnes-of-toxic-sewage-sludge-spread-on-uk-farmland-every-year There is, of course, no research into the situation in Scotland, referred to in the above. Toxic sludge is being spread on Scottish farmland and there are campaigns against the practice … Continue reading Scottish Government regulations mean sewage sludge spread on Scottish farmland is less polluted than in the rest of the UK

Professor John Robertson OBA Readers will already know that the MV Caledonian Isles is back in dock for repairs following botched work by Cammell Laird in Liverpool. Readers will also be aware of the regular and longstanding Scottish media reports describing the vessel as ‘troubled’ and ‘fault prone.’ While such accounts have been often exaggerated and ill-informed, it may be that the vessel has been, since its launch, marked by the consequences of political errors and shoddy work by its builders. Launched on 25 May 1993 at Richards Shipbuilders of Lowestoft, Suffolk, England, shut down only months later in 1994, … Continue reading Not mentioned by Herald’s Martin Williams – Arran ferry’s ‘faults’ started when the contract to build it was awarded by Scottish Conservatives to an inexperienced English yard on its last legs in a Conservative constituency