Carolyn

Thanks so much Elena, really appreciate your support

It’s not often I’m happy to see Hibs win, but today…😀

Thanks to @alex.scotlibdems.org.uk for a good chat about how we reduce the massive human and financial cost Scotland pays for our relationship with alcohol. And big congratulations on giving up drinking during the election campaign!

I often think the same about the human rights act. No one ever asks what specific rights its opponents are against: Family life? Fair trials? Freedom of thought?

Heading to my first party conferences with @alcoholfocus.bsky.social - Scottish Conservatives tomorrow and Lib Dems on Saturday. Happy to chat alcohol health policy with politicians, journalists and interested party members.

Well said. I didn’t know her well, I only worked a little with her on the Social Security Bill, but the way she conducted herself really impressed me. She was both courteous and diligent: a class act.

So sorry to hear of Jeane Freeman’s death. I met her a few times during the creation of Scotland’s social security system, when I was arguing for it to recognise mental health needs. She sent a personal letter thanking me for my efforts: an unnecessary but gracious gesture that I’ve never forgotten.

Approaching the end of my first week as CEO of @alcoholfocus.bsky.social. So impressed by our highly dedicated, knowledgeable and supportive team and the breadth of work going on, all underpinned by constant efforts to involve people affected by alcohol. I have lots to learn, but a great start.

Hearty well done to the @sundaypost.com for this excellent headline.

YouTube video by Footbaal Scott Mctominay bicycle kick | Greatest goal in Scotland history | World cup qualifiers 2026

As it’s St Andrew’s Day, it’s our patriotic duty to spent the entire day re-posting the Scotland goals. I’ll start. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 youtu.be/WQens1nFM1k?...

a green duck wearing a pink and white hat . ALT: a green duck wearing a pink and white hat .

Twenty-six years into our relationship, I’ve just discovered that @defmech.com can do an excellent Orville impression.

On the road to 2026, the housing emergency still looms large.

SFHA’s new paper calls for action—not just to build homes, but to keep people in them.

👉 tinyurl.com/2m6z9zsp #RoadTo2026 #HousingCrisis

Carolyn Lochhead's review of The Female Eunuch 3/5: I'm glad Germaine Greer wrote this book and did so much to advance the cause of women's rights, but coming to this book in 2025, it does feel pretty dated. She cites what feel like quite random e...

Latest Goodreads review is Germaine Greer's The Female Eunuch, which I picked up out of a sense of duty: because what kind of feminist hasn't read this stone-cold classic? I'm glad I did so, but it's not aged well: not one that I'll re-read. www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Carolyn Lochhead's review of Butter 4/5: There's a lot going on in this book. Rika, a journalist trying to make her way in the relentless, exhausting world of Japanese magazine publishing, interviews Manako Kaji, a jailed killer who has...

Latest Goodreads review is Butter by Asako Yuzuki. A book about food, sex, friendship and the casual but unrelenting sexism directed at Japanese women. Full of lavish descriptions of unapologetically consuming rich, full-on flavours. I liked it. www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Carolyn Lochhead's review of Bad Feminist 3/5: Roxane Gay's essays are readable, thoughtful and packed with points that need to be made as parts of the western world retreat from any notion that women are equal citizens. However, I found this...

My latest book review on Goodreads is Roxane Gay's Bad Feminist. She covers important topics that need attention as women's rights are being dismantled. But it's all a bit disjointed, and falls back too often on critiquing TV shows instead of actual policy. www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Carolyn Lochhead's review of The Women 5/5: So far, I've never met a Kristin Hannah book that I didn't love. She has a gift for telling big stories about history and society through the eyes of women who were there. In this book, she tran...

If you're a book fan, you might be interested in my Goodreads reviews: my latest is Kristin Hannah's The Women. Frankie serves as a nurse in Vietnam and comes home to find her country is either embarrassed of her service, or doesn't believe it happened. Brilliant. www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Nominate your young rising stars! - The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations Limited The SFHA is the representative organisation for Scotland's Housing Association sector

💫 Nominations are now open for SFHA's NextGen Leaders award. 💫

As part of SFHA’s 50th anniversary celebrations, we’re looking to the future of Scotland’s social housing. 🏘️

👀 Learn more here: tinyurl.com/bde7bp3f

This was an unexpectedly thought-provoking podcast episode, covering how to respond to hate-filled debates, whether porn stars need good upper arm strength and Ted Denson. Enjoyably mad and also smart.

BBC Sounds - Romanov: Czar of Hearts - Available Episodes Listen to the latest episodes of Romanov: Czar of Hearts on BBC Sounds.

As a lifelong Jambo, I’m enjoying the @mmgeissler.bsky.social podcast on Romanov. I’d forgotten quite how torrid those days were…
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand...

Proud to launch this new report today, which puts the voices of people still waiting for a social home at the heart of the debate. As the Scottish Budget is finalised, we need to see safe, warm, affordable rented homes as an absolutely top priority.

Who else is at the #ScotLab conference tomorrow? I’ll be there to talk about @sfha.bsky.social members’ work to provide affordable rented homes: happy to chat!

Happy to be popping into the #SCVOgathering to catch up with my vol org pals! Off to hear from Kirsty McNeill at the Scotland Office, and then very much available for coffee ☕️😀

Decided today was a good day for cinema, so went to see A Real Pain. Sometimes calling a film quirky really means it’s twee and rubbish but you’re trying to be nice about it. But this was good quirky: a sweet, awkward story that doesn’t spoon-feed the viewer.

Policy Lead - The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations Limited Position: Policy Lead Salary: £47,188  Hours: 35 hours per week  - Glasgow/Hybrid working Closing Date: 12

I haven’t got the hang of this place yet, are we using it to share job opps?

If so, then @sfha.bsky.social has a cracker: help represent Scottish housing associations, who provide affordable rented homes to 600k people. www.sfha.co.uk/jobs-online/...

If not, then just pretend this didn’t happen 😂

Reading pile now completely out of hand, after lovely Christmas Day hot on the heels of a birthday. (Gin collection also now somewhat ridiculous). Where to start?!

YouTube video by Royal Scottish National Orchestra Feliz Navidad for Carolyn and book group!

My book group is having its festive meetup tonight so I’m revisiting this personalised performance of Feliz Navidad that the @rsno.bsky.social was kind enough to give us a while back: it’s now an annual festive highlight! youtu.be/kIVIym8argc?...

OK, so I've definitely moved over here. What are we chatting about?

Right, I've given up on X, arrived here, followed @mscaitlinmoran.bsky.social: now what?