Do you ever read Roundup and think that you would love to have a go at giving your impression of the best of the week’s Scottish blogging?

Do you ever wonder why we never ever include a certain blog?

That’s because in all likelihood nobody has ever told us about it. Our small and perfectly formed team here at Roundup can’t possibly even scratch the surface of the thousands of posts produced by talented Scottish bloggers every week.

Why not volunteer to edit one week? If you’re feeling nervous, don’t worry. We’ll hold your hand through it. We have a very helpful guide for editors that we send you that tells you everything you need to know. Then on a Friday and Saturday we send you nominations that have come in via Twitter or via the website or via e-mail. You add in some of your own from your own reading and weave them into a blog post for Sunday’s Roundup. When you write it is up to you. Some people do it on Saturday late afternoon or evening, others get up with the lark on a Sunday and do it then. I’ve done both. Generally we like it to appear around 10 or 11 on a Sunday morning.

This strange “we” to whom I refer is our team of admin editors. They are the people who do the hand holding and set up the rota for editors and pass on the nominations. We also run the Twitter account and do the various things that need to be done to keep the site alive. It takes around 1-2 hours per week, I’d say.

So, we’re now in the process of drawing up the rota for editors until Christmas. If you want to have a go, you would be more than welcome. Drop us an e-mail to scottishroundup@gmail.com and let me know which weekends would work for you. And if you have done it before, feel free to volunteer again.

I’m concerned that we don’t do as much proper culture as once we did, so if that’s your speciality let us know.

If you have any other suggestions for how we could improve Roundup, please also let us know either in the comments or by e-mail.

This week’s Scottish Roundup is brought to you by the letter E and the number 6…
It was compiled by Hercules Moments’ Eoin Smith (@eoinsmith), a journalist, student and magician from Aberdeen.

Let’s kick things off with  an uncharacteristically political – but comfortably surreal – moment, as The View from the Hills compares Scottish political parties to classic Star Trek villains. Will Scotland be assimilated by the dastardly Borg, terrorised by the Klingons, or did you vote for the ever-multiplying Tribbles?

Set in Darkness discusses politics of a local sort, extolling the benefits of countryside wind farms to Scottish villages like Fintry: “Whilst some wind farms are cash cows for a single land owner, or the developers, not Fintry. The village of Fintry secured a wind turbine on the farm, and take a 15th share of the income. Using that money, they are investing in both their village and their future. The plans are for a carbon neutral village.” Inspiring stuff, I’m sure you’ll agree.

Love and Garbage also gets in on the topical act: as founder of WICILEACS (Worldwide International Campaign for Information Liberation from Executives and Cabinets on Scones), he describes how he has refused to co-operate with himself in the writing of his upcoming unauthorised autobiography.

Scottish author Wulf Kurtoglu releases the first chapter of his upcoming book written in Shetlandic, ‘Braken Fences’, for free via his blog. Also to be released in English, the book depicts a near future society and promises to “explore themes of identity, allegiance and freedom”.

Elsewhere in Scotland, Kids, Craft and Chaos took a trip with the family to the “Musical Forest” at Loch Drunkie, near Callandar. There they played with giant instruments strewn around the forest and, quite understandably, jumped in some big puddles. Who wouldn‘t?

The riskily-named Whale Oil Beef Hooked describes how he overheard an odd conversation about curing hiccups, while In A Bun Dance describes how she has developed the exact opposite to a bucket list. (Warning: the latter link contains a sweary word.)

Writer Emma Kempsell laments the recent demise of R.E.M. as she struggles through a brisk Scottish morning. Meanwhile, over on The Blurst Times, Graeme Aitken enthuses about “Scotland’s other national drink” – Irn Bru – as makers AG Barr release a new, limited edition spicy variety: Fiery Irn Bru.

And finally, in a strange case of mistaken identity, Scottish magicians Fifth Dimension reveal how a national magic magazine once reported that they had been inducted to the Las Vegas Walk of Fame… only to later discover all was not as it seemed.

Have a good week, and happy blogging…

So said the American Declaration of Independence, enshrining the inalienable rights of human beings. Such things tend to be subsumed by the busyness of modern life. Susan Mann looks at how to find blog/life balance. . Kelvin ponders a report which say that clergy have the highest job satisfaction levels.

Yeah, ok, bye recounts an intense, stressful but ultimately rewarding 3 month renovation of an old Borders tower.

Scottish Mum Blog tells her story of the pursuit of a happy family, over two posts

Paul Kavanagh at Newsnet Scotland reckons there’s not much happiness for Ed Miliband or Scottish Labour ahead.

Craig Murray argues that Scottish independence would offer a chance for a genuine realignment of politics in England.

Rookie Oven recounts a worthwhile day spent at a business start up event in Edinburgh.

Contently Managed looks at the row between Liverpool City Council and the press and suggests that genuine engagement is actually what’s needed.

Kirknewton has been enjoying the success of a food waste trial.

Absolvitor takes a look at the rules on conflict of interest as it relates to the case involving Rangers FC.

Nicola Prigg talks of the need to ensure children’s happiness by teaching them about how to respect people in their online lives.

And, finally, The 21st Floor pours cold water on the idea that Nessie has been spotted. However, if it’s animals you want to see, head to Edinburgh where crocodiles, orangutans, elephants and hornbills are taking over the city. I spent a very happy afternoon with my family tracking them down.

Body

Let’s get the show on the road with matters corporal.

MUST READ Newby blogger, ahem, Pocahontas McGlinchey, hits the road at Dear Mean Place by taking part in the Great Scottish Run and finding very little to be cynical about .

If only she’d known, but another blogger was plodding the route – Lady In Training made it to the end too. She was doing it for charity.

Transatlantic Blonde has been getting moving – this time for Water Aid – from Troon to Irvine.

And at a slightly slower pace, Nature Kids Glasgow is rounding up ideas for wholesome, fresh air things to do. She suggests a stroll at Cathkin Braes.

Mind

On matter gray.

MUST READ Mental Political Patient, discusses whether or not she should take lithium to control her mental illness.

Happy Science claims that grumpy men are sexier, or something. Actually it’s the start of discussion on science, the media and spin.

ZenEmu discusses Asperger’s Syndrome and creativity from his position on the front line of the condition.  And I touched on Asperger’s and a view of 9/11.

Another new girl has kicked off a blog that aims to help victims of post natal depression.

Topical stuff

It’s the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attack and The 21st Floor looks at fundamentalism, religion and IQ.

Scotch Potch on which political parties don’t earn trust.

Nick Johnston bids farewell to the old Scottish Tories

Under the Bunnet is back to the West Lothian question in The Last PM from Scotland.

Social Media Week Glasgow starts on September 19 with a dazzling range of events. For some the question is To Blog or Not To Blog?  (declaration: I’m speaking at it!)

Down time

Pick up those knitting needles and you too could create a quilt like this one on Baffie’s blog.

And the opposite to knitting is the Thumb Cast – sweary and occasionally funny rantings on telly, films and that.

If writing’s your hobby, you might be interested in Caron Lindsay’s radical solution to blogger’s blog – Write or Die

Freedom 2 choose suggests that if smoking in your down time is your bag, then that’s up to you.

The annual countdown to Winter has been well under way for a few weeks now. First the schools went back – and Kirknewton. Then the X Factor returned to haunt our Saturday nights, with Strictly Come Dancing launching next week. The leaves will be off the trees before we know it.

Already, there’s not much honeysuckle left, so actually you might be better leaving the rest of this article for later while you go foraging to make Fi Bird’s wild honeysuckle jelly..

Kids, Craft and Chaos looks back on being a leader at girl guide camp.

FitbaThatba returns from sunnier climes to the cold of Aberdeen and wonders whether the football season should be moved to the Summer. You might also want to take him to task for the assertion that “women’s football doesn’t count because it’s not a real sport”.

Under the Bunnet manages to look forward to the Rugby World Cup and imagines a Scotland-Wales semi-final.

Misssy M recounts how she upset the rather fragile ego of a radio DJ. They made up, but Kate Harris, writing on Bright Green Scotland about how comedian Russell Kane responded to her Twitter complaints about his sexist remarks, did not have such a happy conclusion.

This week has seen politicians trying to set the scene ahead of the new parliamentary term which starts tomorrow. I wrote about Secretary of State for Scotland Mike Moore’s polite request for some details about what independence would mean in practical terms for wee ordinary mortals and The Burd responded with six questions of her own for Moore.

The Edinburgh trams saga had some more moments of high drama as reported by Living on Words Alone.

In the week the Lockerbie Bomber was found in fragile health in Tripoli, The Lockerbie Case pays tribute to Jim Swire.

Rookie Oven is worried that we’re learning to be consumers rather than producers of new techonology.

Lallands Peat Worrier looks at the Scottish Government’s consultation on equal marriage and notes how it’s the Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon who’s embracing the idea on behalf of the Government and not either of two ministers who actually have responsibility for the area.

Transatlantic Blonde highlights how domestic violence has been glamorised in an advert for a Canadian hair salon, while the Burd looks at how Nadine Dorries’ abortion amendments might affect women in Scotland if they were passed.

Jamie Glackin writes about the foundation set up in David Cairns’ MP’s memory on Labour Hame.

Kirsty Connell explains on Better Nation , which, incidentally, celebrates its 1st birthday this week, why we need to concentrate on improving mental health.

After all that serious stuff, we need some therapy. So, if you’ve made your Honeysuckle Jelly and want to turn your hand to crafts, why not head out and look for some duck shaped stones as Nature Kids suggests. And In a Bun Dance writes about how blogging (among other things) brings a little extra romance into her life.