James Aitken
thegoodsirdouglas.bsky.social
James Aitken
@thegoodsirdouglas.bsky.social
Made up of equal parts law, rugby and politics. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🇪🇺 🇺🇦
Reposted by James Aitken
In 1599, Elgin Kirk Session were *very clear* re: Xmas

No snowballs
No carols or other singing
No guising (fancy dress)
No crossdressing
No bagpipes or fiddles
No dancing
No football in the streets
No ropeswings
No groups of women haunting the churchyard
No "umcomelie speeches"
#OldWeirdScotland
December 27, 2025 at 8:46 AM
So another poor Six Nations, followed by a poor summer tour and now followed by today’s performance. Already hearing the usual excuses. The booing from some of the crowd at the end shows where we are at. #ScovArg
November 16, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Reposted by James Aitken
Andrew Lownie wrote an explosive book about Prince Andrew

Then backlash came.

Legal threats. Social media trolls accused him of visiting sex workers

Journalists were told they’d lose Palace access if they spoke to him

This interview feels very more timely today www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJHa...
The Prince Andrew Cover Up: How Royal Files Are Hidden From Public | Andrew Lownie
YouTube video by Democracy for Sale
www.youtube.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Did we win. Nope. Could we have won. Yep. Have we seen all of this before. Yep.
November 8, 2025 at 5:35 PM
#ABROC well done Hearts
October 26, 2025 at 2:03 PM
I wonder if Edinburgh Rugby will try and think up new excuses tonight or just go for the usual ones.
October 25, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Reposted by James Aitken
It seems remarkable, yet true, that so many people in Scotland are apparently still ignorant of the huge stripping of Scottish devolved powers by Westminster's Powergrab in 2018. Where have you *been*?
October 24, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Reposted by James Aitken
Labour ministers in London have ordered GB Energy to assess Scottish sites which could host new nuclear projects – despite the SNP Government’s opposition to such developments
Labour order GB Energy to scope out 'potential nuclear sites' in Scotland
www.thenational.scot
October 23, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Reposted by James Aitken
“The last time a dukedom was taken away from a senior royal was in 1919, when Prince Charles Edward – one of Queen Victoria’s grandsons – lost the title of Duke of Albany for fighting on the German side during World War One.”
October 18, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Reposted by James Aitken
Prince Andrew hasn't actually been stripped of any titles. Rather, he just won't use them any more.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cv...
Prince Andrew gives up royal titles including Duke of York after 'discussion with King'
In a statement, the prince says:
www.bbc.co.uk
October 17, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Reposted by James Aitken
NEW: Downing Street officials were aware of emails between Peter Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein when Keir Starmer defended the peer during Prime Minister’s Questions
Labour MPs question Keir Starmer after Mandelson Epstein emails saga
www.thenational.scot
September 13, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Reposted by James Aitken
Interesting article on BBC News about the lack of a public strategy from the SRU for how to build on the RWC success and limelight, among other things

BBC News - 'Scots undervalued and tired but eye England upset'
www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-...
Women's Rugby World Cup: 'Scots undervalued and tired but eye England upset'
Former Scotland captain Lisa Martin welcomes a change of head coach and says there remains discontent among the current players as they look to make history against England at the Women's Rugby World ...
www.bbc.com
September 10, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Reposted by James Aitken
Join our #dotScot family wherever you live See domains.scot to register your perfect name.
September 4, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Reposted by James Aitken
Reposting so people can identify the asshat and his companion who tucked the stolen cap into her bag with a smile and hopefully the US Open will ban them.
Please, people, don't ever be this guy. Don't let your kids grow up to be this guy. Don't be friends with this guy. #USOpen.
August 29, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Reposted by James Aitken
Here's the latest (oddly, not reported by the BBC, which has otherwise obsessively covered this - how curious!) on some that Scottish Labour figures like Anas Sarwar, Jackie Baillie, Claire Baker and Melanie Ward have fallen over themselves to back.

www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/politics/...
EXCLUSIVE: NHS Fife nurse Sandie Peggie mocked victims of Pakistan floods in series of racist posts
The offensive messages emerged in an evidence bundle seen by The Courier at the tribunal in Dundee.
www.thecourier.co.uk
July 28, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Reposted by James Aitken
As a GP, I am not allowed to receive a pen or post-it note pad from a pharmaceutical company rep!

Govt banned them in case I was influenced to prescribe medications.

This should also be banned?

Influence being bought in Govt?

Patients should influence not the healthy & wealthy
July 26, 2025 at 6:56 AM
Reposted by James Aitken
Scottish Labour spent three times more than the SNP at the last General Election, figures have revealed
Scottish Labour spend 3 times more than SNP at last General Election
www.thenational.scot
July 18, 2025 at 5:12 PM
So, we can beat Ireland at rugby.
July 14, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Tough week for Scottish rugby and cricket (men). Both sides seem stuck in a rut of under performance. Important rugby ranking points lost and failed to qualify for the next T20 World Cup.
July 12, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Reposted by James Aitken
Starmer’s first year reviews are negative - but many miss how much he’s been prime minister for England, not for the whole UK. And polls in Scotland show it - as Holyrood elections loom next May, 72% of younger people back independence..

my new blog
open.substack.com/pub/kirstyhu...
Starmer’s First Year: What Now for Scotland and a Fractured Union?
Keir Starmer looks like a prime minister without a mission, and in many ways like a prime minister for England, not the whole UK. As Scotland heads towards Holyrood elections next May, the SNP is ahea...
open.substack.com
July 4, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Reposted by James Aitken
Anti-monarchy campaign groups have accused the royal family of treating Scotland "as a playground" ahead of their visit to the capital 👇
Royal family 'treating Scotland as a playground' ahead of Edinburgh visit
www.thenational.scot
July 1, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Reposted by James Aitken
‘In its 10 years the dotScot domain has become a trusted mark, but it is not yet used widely enough by Scotland’s public bodies’ bylines.scot/news/economi...
Scotland and its internet identity
In its 10 years the dotScot domain has become a trusted mark, but it is not yet used widely enough by Scotland’s public bodies
bylines.scot
July 1, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Reposted by James Aitken
“I thought it was important to use .scot because it identifies us straight away as Scottish, and proud to be a Scottish organisation,. It also helps to distinguish us from others out there, in the .com and .co.uk world, and it works very well.” 🙏 #InclusiveRugby #Borders

dot.scot/stories/12391/
SBDU.scot • dotScot Registry
Feature image: Clan players at Gala RFC What are the origins of SBDU? The Scottish Borders District Union (SBDU) is a new body created in 2024, but one that harks back to the amateur era of rugby in S...
dot.scot
June 19, 2025 at 8:51 AM