Michael Russell
@feorlean.bsky.social
Argyll, Scotland. Writes, takes pictures . Used to do more. Chair, Scottish Land Commission from 02/24. Hon Professor , Glasgow University. President SNP 2020 - 2023. Former MSP for Argyll & Bute and Minister/ Cabinet Secretary in Scottish Government
Reposted by Michael Russell
William Shakespeare wrote this speech 400 years ago about people in London wishing that immigrants go back to where they came from, performed by Sir Ian McKellen on the Stephen Colbert show:
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
February 5, 2026 at 1:46 PM
William Shakespeare wrote this speech 400 years ago about people in London wishing that immigrants go back to where they came from, performed by Sir Ian McKellen on the Stephen Colbert show:
Reposted by Michael Russell
NEW: Tributes have poured in following the death of former Scottish health secretary Jeane Freeman
Tributes pour in after death of former health secretary Jeane Freeman
www.thenational.scot
February 7, 2026 at 10:42 AM
NEW: Tributes have poured in following the death of former Scottish health secretary Jeane Freeman
Jeane Freeman: SNP politician who led Covid response
February 7, 2026 at 9:46 AM
Jeane Freeman: SNP politician who led Covid response
Reposted by Michael Russell
Reposted by Michael Russell
I have cleaned-up this fascinating autochrome of James Thin (famous for his chain of bookshops), who was born 202 years ago (in Edinburgh on 23rd March 1824), making him (so far as is currently known) the earliest-born person ever to have been photographed in colour. He is seen here in the garden...
February 3, 2026 at 4:41 AM
I have cleaned-up this fascinating autochrome of James Thin (famous for his chain of bookshops), who was born 202 years ago (in Edinburgh on 23rd March 1824), making him (so far as is currently known) the earliest-born person ever to have been photographed in colour. He is seen here in the garden...
Very saddened by this. A wholly decent man who played a vital part in securing a double YES vote in 1997 and in establishing the new Parliament in its early years.
Tributes paid to former deputy first minister Jim Wallace, who has died at the age of 71. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2580952...
Former deputy first minister Jim Wallace dies aged 71
Former Scottish deputy first minister Jim Wallace has died after suffering complications as a result of surgery, his family have said.
www.heraldscotland.com
January 29, 2026 at 8:42 PM
Very saddened by this. A wholly decent man who played a vital part in securing a double YES vote in 1997 and in establishing the new Parliament in its early years.
Reposted by Michael Russell
Listen to Robert Burns, "A Man's A Man For A' That"
#poetry #Scots #Scotland #BurnsNight
youtu.be/hudNoXsUj0o?...
#poetry #Scots #Scotland #BurnsNight
youtu.be/hudNoXsUj0o?...
A Man's A Man For A' That (Opening of Scottish Parliament) - Sheena Wellington
YouTube video by Bruce Davies
youtu.be
January 25, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Listen to Robert Burns, "A Man's A Man For A' That"
#poetry #Scots #Scotland #BurnsNight
youtu.be/hudNoXsUj0o?...
#poetry #Scots #Scotland #BurnsNight
youtu.be/hudNoXsUj0o?...
Reposted by Michael Russell
My latest: Mark Carney just delivered the most important speech in recent Canadian history. Now, we wait for the fallout. #cdnpoli
www.nationalobserver.com/2026/01/20/o...
www.nationalobserver.com/2026/01/20/o...
Mark Carney just shook up the world
His speech in Davos might be the most important one ever delivered by a Canadian prime minister. Its consequences will determine his place in history — and ours.
www.nationalobserver.com
January 20, 2026 at 6:14 PM
My latest: Mark Carney just delivered the most important speech in recent Canadian history. Now, we wait for the fallout. #cdnpoli
www.nationalobserver.com/2026/01/20/o...
www.nationalobserver.com/2026/01/20/o...
Reposted by Michael Russell
James Hutton Institute secures £44k from NatureScot to develop a nature restoration plan at Glensaugh Farm in Aberdeenshire.
Hutton to develop large-scale nature restoration plan at Glensaugh farm
www.thescottishfarmer.co.uk
January 11, 2026 at 8:28 AM
James Hutton Institute secures £44k from NatureScot to develop a nature restoration plan at Glensaugh Farm in Aberdeenshire.
Wise as ever ….thanks Alastair
On Trump's designs on Greenland and the spirituality of lament as articulated by a martyred African priest - my Thought for the Day on BBC Radio Scotland Breakfast today - text below or listen about 1:20 in (0720 hours, 8 Jan) at: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand...
January 8, 2026 at 9:14 AM
Wise as ever ….thanks Alastair
Reposted by Michael Russell
Snow & the emigrants monument Helmsdale.
January 3, 2026 at 2:54 PM
Snow & the emigrants monument Helmsdale.
Never a Christmas Eve passes without me repeating this, if only to myself. Written by Hardy during WW1 , the message regarding hope is worth repeating in “these times” too:
www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/53215/...
www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/53215/...
The Oxen
We pictured the meek mild creatures where They dwelt in their strawy pen, Nor did it occur to one of us there To doubt they were kneeling then.
www.poetryfoundation.org
December 24, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Never a Christmas Eve passes without me repeating this, if only to myself. Written by Hardy during WW1 , the message regarding hope is worth repeating in “these times” too:
www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/53215/...
www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/53215/...
Interesting review of the by-elections anthology to which I contributed a piece on the Hamilton one in Nov 1967. www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
'Revealing': Lord Hodgson reviews 'British By-Elections 1769–2025'
As the latest anthology edited by Iain Dale makes clear, by-elections are frequently enlightening and colourful affairs
www.politicshome.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Interesting review of the by-elections anthology to which I contributed a piece on the Hamilton one in Nov 1967. www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
This report is a key part of the @scottishlandcom.bsky.social annual activity but we continue to need more data to better inform evidence based land reform & tenant farming policy.
New Rural Land Market Data Report 2025 shows Scotland’s rural land market continued to cooled in 2024:
🌲 Forestry prices down to £10,054/ha - a drop of 34% from 2023
🏘️ Only 6 large-scale estate sales - a 5 year low
🚜Farmland prices rose slightly to an average of £16,502/ha
buff.ly/0AC0lVI
🌲 Forestry prices down to £10,054/ha - a drop of 34% from 2023
🏘️ Only 6 large-scale estate sales - a 5 year low
🚜Farmland prices rose slightly to an average of £16,502/ha
buff.ly/0AC0lVI
December 9, 2025 at 7:38 PM
This report is a key part of the @scottishlandcom.bsky.social annual activity but we continue to need more data to better inform evidence based land reform & tenant farming policy.
Reposted by Michael Russell
Woodland Carbon Code and Scottish Government win Bloomberg Climate Award for partnership in tackling climate change.
Woodland Carbon Code recognised for climate partnership excellence
www.thescottishfarmer.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Woodland Carbon Code and Scottish Government win Bloomberg Climate Award for partnership in tackling climate change.
Reposted by Michael Russell
A new report from the Scottish Land Commission shows how lessons from around the world could help Scotland modernise the way it values land and property, strengthening the foundation for fairer taxation to support sustainable public finances, and action on climate change.
Global best practice could help Scotland unlock fairer, greener land taxation, report finds
A new report from the Scottish Land Commission shows how lessons from around the world could help Scotland modernise the way it values land and property, strengthening the foundation for fairer taxation to support sustainable public finances, and action on climate change.
www.scottishconstructionnow.com
October 22, 2025 at 9:21 AM
A new report from the Scottish Land Commission shows how lessons from around the world could help Scotland modernise the way it values land and property, strengthening the foundation for fairer taxation to support sustainable public finances, and action on climate change.
Reposted by Michael Russell
An ambitious £12 million appeal is seeking to rescue Robert Burns’s Ellisland Farm and restore the birthplace of Auld Lang Syne
£12 million fundraising appeal bid to rescue Robert Burns’s farm
www.thenational.scot
November 28, 2025 at 4:50 PM
An ambitious £12 million appeal is seeking to rescue Robert Burns’s Ellisland Farm and restore the birthplace of Auld Lang Syne
Interesting feedback from the @scottishlandcom.bsky.social “Scotland Futures” consultation www.thenational.scot/politics/256...
Michael Russell: There is overwhelming support for more land reform
A NEW national survey has found that 96 of people say Scotland needs more land reform ...
www.thenational.scot
November 26, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Interesting feedback from the @scottishlandcom.bsky.social “Scotland Futures” consultation www.thenational.scot/politics/256...
Reposted by Michael Russell
Scotland Futures: Future Voices", a publication just out yesterday from the Scottish Land Commission www.landcommission.gov.scot/downloads/69...
See also the sister document "What we Heard": www.landcommission.gov.scot/downloads/69...
See also the sister document "What we Heard": www.landcommission.gov.scot/downloads/69...
www.landcommission.gov.scot
November 26, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Scotland Futures: Future Voices", a publication just out yesterday from the Scottish Land Commission www.landcommission.gov.scot/downloads/69...
See also the sister document "What we Heard": www.landcommission.gov.scot/downloads/69...
See also the sister document "What we Heard": www.landcommission.gov.scot/downloads/69...
Reposted by Michael Russell
Thank you to everyone who took part in our ScotLand Futures survey. More than 1,200 people shared their views, and 96% told us Scotland still needs further action on land reform 👇
buff.ly/tSiMkVO
buff.ly/tSiMkVO
November 25, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Thank you to everyone who took part in our ScotLand Futures survey. More than 1,200 people shared their views, and 96% told us Scotland still needs further action on land reform 👇
buff.ly/tSiMkVO
buff.ly/tSiMkVO