Professor John Robertson OBA From PV Magazine, today: Gilkes Energy has secured planning consent for a 1.8 GW/40 GWh pumped hydro energy storage project, the largest of its kind to date in the United Kingdom. The Earba Pumped Storage Hydro project is located at Loch Earba in the Scottish Highlands, around 200 km north of Glasgow on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park. The proposed development would operate by transferring water between Loch Earba and an upper reservoir, Loch Leamhain. When the project’s upper reservoir is full, it would have enough storage capacity to generate 22 hours of electricity … Continue reading Scottish Government enables planning consent for largest ever UK pumped hydro scheme

Professor John Robertson OBA Thanks to Dottie for alerting me to this. In the Guardian today, the above and: Ministers have cut millions of pounds of funding for potentially life saving AI cancer technology in England, which cancer experts warn will increase waiting times and could cause more patients to die. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/mar/31/ridiculous-cuts-to-ai-cancer-tech-funding-in-england-could-cost-lives-experts-warn From NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, a site avoided by BBC Scotland and local Labour politicians, Anas Sarwar or Jackie Baillie, in November 2024: A woman whose lung cancer was detected with the help of Artificial Intelligence has praised the “incredible” speed of her diagnosis and treatment. Diane … Continue reading News you won’t hear – Labour Government cuts life-saving AI cancer tech funding as Glasgow pushes on with it to save lives

In the Guardian today, the above, and: Burning vegetation on deep peat will be banned under government plans to protect nature and reduce carbon emissions. Vegetation on peatland is often burned to create habitat for grouse, which like to feed on the fresh shoots of new plants that grow after the burn. This increases the number of birds available to be shot for sport. But, in part as a result of burning, 80% of England’s peatlands are now degraded. These rare habitats store carbon when they are in good condition, ‘locking in’ an estimated 3.2 billion tonnes in the UK alone. But, … Continue reading The far north of Scotland – still part of the England project?

Professor John Robertson OBA The University of the Highlands and Islands campus in Lerwick, Shetland, offers a wide range of education and training courses which can help young islanders to climb out of disadvantaged circumstances but travel, even within the islands, can be too costly for them. The Scottish Government has introduced free ferry travel to enhance the existing free bus passes for under 22s to support students and apprentices. It’s as great thing and the Shetland Times has written: The Scottish government said the new scheme would apply to residents of Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles, who are … Continue reading Why the Scottish Government’s free inter-island ferry travel for under-22s will tackle poverty and disadvantage and opposition criticism is just stupid

By JB With Baillie and Gulhane being given the red carpet by the BBC and STV to freely slander the SNP Scottish Government on GP numbers, they omit comparison with the British Labour government and British Tory governments track record on failing primary care in England. John Swinney Scottish National Party  5:17, 20 February 2025  The number of GPs per 100,000 of the population in Scotland stands at 82. In England, it is 64; in Wales, it is 67; and in Northern Ireland, it is 75. There are more GPs available in Scotland as a consequence of the investment that the Government has … Continue reading Baillie and Gulhane being given the red carpet by the BBC and STV to freely slander the SNP Scottish Government on GP numbers

Professor John Robertson OBA, Ferry Accountant of the Year From Brian Wilson, one -time Blairite minister, now apparently Ferry Correspondent for the Herald, the Scotsman and the Stornoway Gazette, two days ago, this: ​A CalMac manager apologised for “the current and unique pressure on vessel availability” following a series of failures within the ageing fleet have caused severe disruption for travellers to and from South Uist and Barra. The latest development means that Lochboisdale will continue to be served until mid-April by the MV Isle of Mull which has a passenger carrying capacity limited to just 45 because of safety … Continue reading “Unbelievable” – Brian Wilson’s latest ferry fake news ignores tiny passenger numbers rattling around in boats the rest of us subsidise massively