We Scots are an artistic lot.  We’re famed for it too: our history is in many senses defined by creative talent from novelists such as Walter Scott and Lewis Grassic Gibbon, painters of the calibre of James Guthrie and William MacTaggart and of course our celebrated poets.  They’ve all chartered our historic, spiritual and cultural progress as a nation, as Scotland’s bloggers continue to do today.  We really are a creative bunch.

Pat Kane writes a thought-provoking article in Play Today, urging inventive play initiatives and advocating an ingenuous play policy as an investment in tomorrow’s citizens.  Pat also suggests that creative workers of the future should “expect a degree of creative play in their lives”, which seems a reasonable claim to make. 

Meanwhile, Misssy M appears to have been having some fun filming The Lorelei in Camden (love the kilt!); she also reflects with some humour on the frustrations of a filmmaker.  Similarly, Ken takes a look at the ill-luck and difficulties that plague authors – and himself particularly. 

With news of a certain footballer’s alleged infidelity and super-injunctions dominating the headlines recently, Scottish Mum questions whether such injunctions are in fact legal and asks about the ramifications for taxpayers.  

Onto political matters, and Freedom-2-choose champions a more evidence-based approach towards public indoor smoking.  Abuse of people with learning disabilities, recently exposed by BBC’s Panorama, has resulted in public outrage.  A Burdz Eye View not only criticises the institution at the heart of the matter but also highlights cases of neglect closer to home and asks wider questions about how we, as a society, treat our most vulnerable.  

The Scottish government has expressed its objection to the UK Supreme Court adjudicating on appeals for Scottish cases under European Human Rights law.  Caron argues for pragmatism over political posturing and asks whether justice or geographical location is more important.

G’s Spot considers the rather interesting predicament of a US congressman and a compromising photograph. 

Sadly, one of our most prolific bloggers, an inspirational friend and arguably the friendliest person in politics passed away on Friday.  Andrew Reeves, known to many as an active blogger and an enthusiast for online communication, was the campaigns director for the Scottish Lib Dems.  But he was far more than that – an amazingly talented, hardworking, funny and deeply human person who touched countless lives. 

In an unusually busy week of blogging, Andrew found time to discuss the problems at FIFA, the jailing of Lord Taylor for expenses fraud, Scottish Labour’s internal turmoil and the e-coli outbreak.  His straightforward style will surely be missed in the Scottish blogosphere.

I leave the final word to Stephen Glenn, who writes a fitting and heartfelt tribute to Andrew.

It’s been a funny week as far as the weather has been concerned.  Ellen discusses a day out at the Whangie in the snow, which allowed her to appreciate how “beautiful, surprising and uplifting” Scotland is. 

Indeed it is.  There is nothing quite as surprising as the range of subjects Scottish bloggers attempt to get their teeth into. 

Neil kicks things off by taking a look at the lessons that can be learned from the Japanese earthquake and the later explosion at the nuclear reactor plant, while expressing criticism of the lack of honest journalism.  Meanwhile, closer to home, law student Alistair Sloan considers whether changes to civil legal aid rules will become a barrier to accessing justice.

Interestingly, freedom seems to be a concern for a number of Scotish bloggers this week.  David Farrer writes in support of the free market, while Freedom-2-Choose reports on drinks giant Diageo severing its ties with an alcohol awareness charity in response to the drinks industry being excluded from a major summit, arguing for wider participation in such events. 

Andrew Reeves is interested in promoting economic freedom in the developing world, and asks us if we can afford to invest £15 to develop businesses in Benin, Indonesia, the Phillippines or Togo?  He recommends a microlending scheme operated by Care International UK and supported by TV presenter Kate Garraway as a means of empowering aspiring entrepreneurs in these countries.   Indygal also considers our international responsibilities, concentrating on the humanitarian work being carried out in Malawi but also reminding us of the other “53 countries that could do with our help”. 

Some of us are obviously worried about how society views those of a certain age.  Ellen wonders how celebrities deal with the ageing process while Doctor Vee also muses about the problems associated with appearing too old. 

Meanwhile, Mike Ritchie is clearly infuriated by unnecessarily complex and bureaucratic language and extols the virtues of the Plain English Campaign.  

Turning our attention to politics now, and Welshman Alwyn Ap Huw is distinctly unimpressed by the SNP’s recent party political broadcast, comparing it to a Greek tragedy.   Neil Craig is equally unenthused with the SNP, at least as far as renewable energy is concerned.

It’s spring conference season, and Michael Ironside reflects on the SNP’s spring conference while I review protests at the Lib Dems’ events in Perth and Sheffield.

Caron refers to an ERHC report suggesting that the majority of Scots would welcome marriage equality and urges the Scottish government to take action.  Why, she asks, should Scottish politicians be so timid on the matter?    Bellgrove Belle argues that Labour’s position on the council tax is both confused and contradictory.  Lallands Peat Worrier highlights the democratic benefits of including Patrick Harvie, the leader of the Scottish Greens, in televised debates. 

Away from party politics, Fair Votes Edinburgh regrets the lack of options on the ballot paper for the AV referendum, while also providing an update on the campaign in Leith.

A Burdz Eye View attempts to get to grips with some of the issues facing the teaching profession.  But why does the EIS persist in promoting merely the interests of its members rather turning its attention to the wider matter of facilitating a good education for our children?  On a similar note the same blogger also asks “who will champion Scotland’s children?”, questioning Holyrood’s commitment to children’s issues but praising the efforts of four MSPs whose contributions to pushing children up the political agenda are considered “outstanding”.  

And that concludes this week’s magical mystery tour of Scotland’s blogosphere.  To think that one day people will write albums about this kind of stuff…