Scottish Roundup

The Scottish blogosphere was abuzz with talk of one thing this week. Yes, you’ve guessed it, independence. As news of a referendum in 2014 sunk in, bloggers got down to the detail.

Scot Goes Pop gives six shamelessly trivial reasons to vote for independence. Topping the list? Scotland will have its own entry in the Eurovision Song Contest.

Weegiewarbler argues that Scotland will be better off once it stops subsidising the UK defence budget to the tune of £2 billion a year. But Fraser Walker at Tory Hoose predicts major military problems for an independent Scotland.

Miserable Old Fart doesn’t think it should just be down to the YES voters to plan an independent Scotland. Caron’s Musings is pleased to see Alex Salmond accept that the Electoral Commission should oversee the referendum. Macafee’s Pleasance has a dream about Scotland and it turns out all right.

Meanwhile, Doug Daniel at Bella Caledonia believes that the majority of Scots don’t, as the polls suggest, want Devolution Max and that two and a half years is plenty of time to convince them they want independence. Clinically Fed Up worries that her dad will spend the next two and a half years yelling at the telly if the last few weeks are anything to go by. Will his blood pressure take it? The debate and the nation rage on.

It’s time to leave politics and head for the hills. Oh Inverted World takes a hike up the Hill of Wirren in frosty Aberdeenshire. Westcoastings (that’s me) goes to the wood in search of, err, wood. Walking Wild finds her new dog to be the perfect walking companion.

The mum’s have had a busy week. At Least Daddy Can Cook discovers running. Dorkymum knocks on the door of Number 10 to ask David Cameron to end extreme hunger. Is There A Plan B finds that she quite likes obedient children. And In A Bun Dance reckons if you want an adventurous child you should give it an adventurous name.

To finish on a high (musical) note, Wandering Educators reminds us that Celtic Connections got underway this week. Bigrab at Ben Lomond Free Press is held spellbound by banjo master Bela Fleck and Music Road waxes lyrical about the line up. Suitably inspired, I’ll be heading over next weekend.

It has been a quite momentous week for Scottish politics.  First David Cameron and Alex Salmond clashed over a future referendum on Scottish Independence.  The Salmond announced that a referendum would indeed be held in autumn 2014.  It is finally here – we are to be asked if we want Scotland become an independent country!

Of course many Scots have strong views on either side of the argument but, as a Radio 5 Live report in the week picked up, it is remarkable how many people are genuinely wanting to hear the arguments, discuss the pros and cons and make up their mind as to what they think is right for the future of the nation.

It is therefore sad when the debate becomes overly partisan and shouty.  But then politicians and journalists have always had a tendency to be a ‘parcel of rogues’!

Nevertheless, this does all make for a vibrant blogging scene, and if you care to look there are a number of considered and interesting writers out there.  This is perhaps all the more important as we debate, argue and consider our way forward.

First up this week is Peter Curran writing at Moridura.  He is one of the Nat’s great polemicists – passionate, erudite, and well read, he rarely fails to stimulate.  Also, I think something of a romantic, he is very partisan and you might not agree with him unless you are a dyed in the wool nationalist, but he writes well, challenges his reader and gets over many of the arguments from the Nationalist side.  His blog-posting , “Labour’s last redoubt, I’m an Internationalist not a Nationalist” caught my eye as he comes at things a little differently.  In the piece he muses on the nature of nationalism, imperialism and socialism and gives some perspective on where some Nationalists think we are at this moment in history.

Next up Jeff Breslin, these days an independent voice, albeit with nationalist sympathies.   He is considered and well researched and his posting this week on Better Nation “Salmond attempts to wash Scotland’s hands of RBS exposure” throws light on one of the important sub-plots in this drama.

Andrew Page, is another thoughtful blogger, who despite the title of his blog “A Scottish Liberal” is very much his own man.  Andrew, in “Independence Referendum announced…” considers the most effective way to conduct the debate and engage with the issues, highlighting there is more to work out here for all of us than to merely answer the Indy question.

Ian Smart, one of the left’s most intelligent bloggers, in his piece “Advice rejected” also takes up the theme of the need for constructive debate and to not sell Scotland short.  He argues for the need for Labour to work with the Conservatives on the issues where they have common ground.

Finally Jennie Kermode, another good blogger who is a journalist, campaigner, film buff and loves a good argument at Den of the Hyena, gives a good summary of the week’s events and pleads for the debate to focus on real discussion points rather than just rant at us predictably.  In particular, she picks out the need to also consider the Devo Max issue in her post ‘1001 nights’.  Yes it could take 1001 nights to get us to the Referendum!

On a slightly different note…

“Is there a Plan B” gave an interesting perspective on it all from an English woman living in Scotland in her post “Politics – this time its personal”

High Speed Rail

On the point of real issues perhaps the other big story in politics last week was the development of the High Speed Rail project – a story which has an indirect bearing on Scotland’s status in the UK.

Chris Donnelly, writing in Tory Hoose discussed the significance of High Speed Rail to Scotland in his post “HS2, essential for Scotland”

The campaign’s first stushie

The first ranty stushie of the long referendum campaign blew up around Joan McAlpine, the well known commentator and SNP MSP.

Caron’s Musings, a well know LibDem blog wrote about it in, “How very dare you Joan McAlpine” in which she asks if McAlpine is turning herself into the Jan Moir of the SNP.

…and something completely different

There was more going on than politics last week – however momentous.

In a charming piece entitled “My wee shadow” a mum (Softthistle) talked about her son’s development.

A little food…

It is January and many of us are considering healthy lifestyles.  Shaheen, a food blogger based in the West of Scotland looked at an eclectic year’s vegetarian recipes.

Perhaps taking up the theme of Scottish History – Tinned Tomatoes who runs a Scottish Vegetarian blog – highlighted a recipe she used for banana, coconut and chocolate chip flapjacks taken on a picnic to Stirling castle

…and a little music

With Burns night coming up “A traveller’s library” reviewed Acquaintance by Jim Malcolm in “Music Monday”.  This is a new album of music featuring Burns’ songs – which brings me nicely back to “A parcel of rogues”!

Pic by Sunrise in Inverness by Dove via flickr from Scotland in the Gloaming

So 2012 is a week old already. Apparently this means most resolutions have already been broken and we have passed the most depressing day of the year. That out of the way we can get on with business as usual.

But before we get back to covering familiar ground I’d like to introduce LegaleagleMHM’s post about staring death in the face and how every moment is precious.

If that sounds like an epiphany, it probably was. Kelvin Holdsworth has an uplifting prayer for the original epiphany.

Resolutions, in the main, are bunk, but Wee Red Squirrel suggests one that might just catch on (or at least I hope it does).

Which I suppose brings us back to matters political. Caron Muses on the Wikio list of political blogs and finds the top Scottish ones. Well done all and, as Caron says, there are other contenders bubbling under.

As an aside, does anyone know if there is a Wikio (or similar) ranking for non-political Scottish blogs? There are so many startlingly good bloggers North of the Border, they deserve a section.

One of Caron’s bubblers, Nicola Prigg wades into the storm that began with a tweet from Diane Abbott. Tory Hoose joins the discussion with a little reminder of Ms Abbot’s past. Meanwhile, Caron wonders what all the fuss is about.

Subrosa argues that Scotland needs a new national anthem and that the First Minister should turn to the pipers for inspiration.

Before we leave the realm of politics, can I bring a post by Calton Hill to the table? The blogger goes “where angels fear to tread” and wonders if Jackie Baillie as a health spokesman should do more to lead by example. Fair comment or not?

Even assuming you still have a full complement of roof tiles, you can hardly have failed to notice that Son of Bawbag blew into town this week. Greener Leith takes stock of the storm.

If that’s all a bit, well, normal for January, never fear, there are some blogs that go aroving. Abyssinia, Henry’s Gumboot stamps through memories old and new.

Music Road shares Traiveller’s Joy by Emily Smith – simply lovely.

Arguably less sublime, The Perceptive Travel Blog highlights the Scotsman’s annual online haggis hunt. (Of course, it was in Delhi when I looked). And and a similarly archetypal vein, World Whisky Day is coming up.

And finally… the only post this week funny enough to make me snort coffee onto my keyboard. Shequeen the Absurdist on what memories are made of.

Before we crack on with 2012, it’s time for a little look back at the past year on the Scottish Roundup.

And while we browse, here’s a video made by our chum Misssy M

January 2011
Do you remember the resolutions from way back then? How did you get on? Caron’s daughter forced her to resolve to swear less. How did you get on Caron?

February 2011
A change of pace one Sunday as the Roundup had a poetic feel. Then there was the reaction to Jim Devine. And Burdz Eye View took us around the world.

March 2011
March began overseas again, but this time it was the situation in Libya that was causing concern. And then being Scotland it was four seasons in one day. Ending much more locally with a Granite City special.

April 2011
A toe-tapping month with Misssy M looking at what the music bloggers were up to. As there was an election looming the manifestos deserved a mention.

May 2011
So the election came and went, what did the bloggers think of the New Scotland?

June 2011
This month brought news of the tragic death of popular blogger and friend to many Andrew Reeves. The new year can’t have been easy for those who mourn him.

July 2011
The sun was shining, holidays weren’t far away and so music was playing … and perhaps a little time to read the red tops. And still with papers, the hacking scandal was just around the corner.

August 2011
The nation should have still had its shorts and sunhats on, but, instead, there were riots. And later in the month the unsettled feeling wouldn’t go as The View From The Hills had it.

September 2011
Before you knew it the holidays were a dim memory and it was the tenth anniversary of 9/11. So perhaps it was appropriate that bloggers considered liberty the following week.

October 2011
Business as usual with zombies, flowers and other matters. There were more female voices that month too. And the nights began drawing in with talk of beavers, obviously.

November 2011
We took a pause to remember this month, but then wrote about it. And one of our number appeared on telly.

December 2011
Before anyone got their decorations out of the attic there was a strike. And then the wind blew before Santa brought his sack of goodies.

I hope you enjoy a little reflection – the Scottish blogosphere never fails to impress me with its variety and quality. Let’s make 2012 even better.

Please have a look at Caron’s post from September about how you can help the Roundup. The more volunteers, the better.

Ho ho ho! It’s your virtual Scottish Santa, delivering a bulging sack of quality blog posts. Settle down with your mince pies and mulled wine for a look at the best of the week online.

As this is my first time editing Scottish Roundup, a quick introduction. I’m Ruth, and I blog as DorkyMum. I’ve recently left Scotland for Hertfordshire, but if you caught my recent Edinburgh A-Z you’ll know that it’s a place I still hold very dear in my heart.

Anyway… onwards! As every good gift giver should, I’ve tried to keep everybody happy this week, with a varied collection of posts.

We’ll satisfy the politicos among you first.

Bright Green ran two particularly interesting pieces this week; one from Adam Ramsay about the way Lib Dems are allowing Tory policy to pass, and one from Alyson MacDonald about abstinence education

Dealing with more specifically Scottish issues, A Burdz Eye View had a great post about the proposed Edinburgh bed tax, and The Drum was lamenting the loss of self-produced programmes on STV.

There were several different takes on the case of Alan Pollock – Big Man on the Train – but both Caron’s Musings and Mummy Central came to the conclusion that Big Man was out of line. Join in the debate on their comments pages.

Prompted by the close of the Equal Marriage consultation and a recently released report from the Centre for the Modern Family – but also appropriate given that holiday season is fast approaching – there were two lovely posts about the nature of family from Blur of Wood Smoke and In a Bun Dance.

Moving on to the world of Scottish entertainment, there are two treats this week for the comic lovers among you. Ali George over at 12 Books in 12 Months is attempting a graphic novel this month; follow her progress on the blog, which will also feature interviews with professional cartoonists over the next few weeks. You should also check out the latest from Paul and Al over at House to Astonish – a fortnightly podcast about comics which, as well as being hosted on their own site, is now also hosted on CBR – the second biggest comics website on the internet.

Finally, if you want a good giggle this Sunday morning, check out the Christmas special over at Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops. Poet and bookseller Jen Campbell used to work at the Edinburgh Bookshop; she has now moved to London but has continued to keep track of some of the stranger things that people come into her shop and ask for. Like, erm, snow.

Wishing you all a wonderful week, and a very Merry Christmas when it comes.