Professor John Robertson OBA From Recorded Crimes and Offences Involving Firearms: FOI release published today, we see that the offence ‘to Possess a firearm with intent to endanger life, commit crime or cause serious injury to property’ has fallen from 23 offences in 2018/2019 to 17 last year, 25%, overall firearm offences are static at 189 cases and reckless conduct with a firearm has increased by only 1 case from 5 to 6, in the same period. https://www.gov.scot/publications/foi-202500463131/ The overall figure of 189 compares very well with the figure of 6 447 in England and Wales: https://nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/threats-2025/nsa-firearms-2025 All things being … Continue reading 25% decrease in serious crimes and offences involving firearms in Scotland over last nine years, to ONE THIRD only of the level in England & Wales

Professor John Robertson OBA The above is from Reported collisions on the A1 between Edinburgh and Lamberton: FOI release published today: I suspect the response has been a disappointment to Border Tories and their local media pals. Zero deaths and collisions more than halved. Imagine if it had been the other way and the blame thrown at the SNP Government? What’s the rest of the A1 like? Britain’s deadliest road as drivers warned over motorway that needs ‘extra concentration’ – They explained: “Along its stretch, it passes through Rutland in the East Midlands, which is home to around 38,000 residents. … Continue reading Major safety improvements in Scottish section of A1 with zero deaths compared to nearly 20 in one English section

Professor John Robertson OBA Two days ago, on receipt of the above Freedom of Information response, cost more than £300 from taxpayer funds, the Scottish Conservatives in the Herald had: and Note how they hid from readers the dramatic overall fall from 96 to 60 and the fall in deaths from 13 to 7, in the last two years, and the childish adding up to get a big number of little meaning compared to the falling trend. Source: https://www.gov.scot/publications/foi-202500460198/ Continue reading A9 collisions plummet for second year as full FoI release reveals Tory/Herald dishonest complicity in deception at your expense

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!