Alastair McIntosh

Why Tommy Robinson supporters are turning to Christianity The Church of England is grappling with what to do about followers of the far-right figure embracing faith.

On “the co-opting of the cross” by the political right. But wait until they find that central to Christian theology is “the quartet of the vulnerable”: the widow (or bereaved), the orphan (or bereft), the “alien in your midst” (or refugee), and the poor.

www.bbc.com/news/article...

Though who could have seen that coming, especially in the wackeroo arbitrary way it came?

Isle of Harris Distillery offered Scottish government support - BBC News Isle of Harris Distillery has sought voluntary redundancies among its workforce.

I think it’s probably a combo of macro environment and local drop in tourism now everybody’s flying to the sun again.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

AI too now, “footnotes to Plato”.
@rokewood.bsky.social
@alisonphipps.bsky.social

Addressing Conflict amongst Friends – Canadian Friends Service Committee Addressing Conflict amongst Friends (PDF) is a resource jointly produced by Canadian Friends Service Committee and Continuing Meeting of Ministry and Counse ...

Addressing Conflict amongst Friends – Canadian Friends Service Committee
https://quaker.ca/educational-resources/addressing-conflict-amongst-friends-canadian-friends-service-committee/

Epstein is Trump’s breaking point – and Greene shows where MAGA’s limits lie The power dynamic in the Trump movement has shifted, Neil Mackay argues, with his most loyal supporter Marjorie Taylor Greene turning on the…

“Greene had turned on Trump over his refusal to release the Epstein files. What unfolded was both a lesson in authoritarianism, and how authoritarianism can be ended…. That’s when the master gets brought to heel, and the servant takes power”

www.heraldscotland.com/politics/vie...

The pioneering dairy farmer keeping calves with their mothers David Finlay is calling for the Scottish government to fund a pioneering dairy development programme.

This is the kind of high animal welfare farming within which Scotland should distinctively position itself, and work to raise the level of the level playing field on which the industry operates.
⁦‪@JimFairliemsp.bsky.social

www.bbc.com/news/article...

Perhaps next summer, if we’re spared - the “we” being me, Vérène and the libations.

Have you heard how the Hearach is doing? Last I heard, sounded like Simon had a difficult job on his hands.

But to reassure you Ian, is already a Hearach in the cupboard, sent by some American visitors with whom I’d shared an evening.

Well, I had to make some excuse Ian. For the Jura, the Raasay and the Caol Ila I could hardly blame my … generous benefactors!

That’s because it was given to me by a Leòdhasach. No way could he have bowed down before The Hearach when, according to the Westminster Short, “There is but one only ….”

What say ye, @kennethmacleod.bsky.social ?!

YouTube video by Alastair McIntosh 17 November 2025

The Ceilidh on the Mount - serendipitous 70th celebrations on Ben Lomond.

youtu.be/NHawtNR8Dao?...

Right. Whodunnit???

Vérène and I are heading up Ben Lomond, a wee quiet celebration of my 70th.

I’ve reposted this, but do so with the essential caveat that this is not about Jewish people, it is about the state of Israel, the leadership of which the prophets have long and often sought to call back to God. My article, “To Restore a Light Unto the Nations” : ojs.st-andrews.ac.uk/index.php/TI...

Eight Quaker Organizations Draft and Sign Statement Saying Genocide Is Occurring in Gaza After long periods of discernment, eight Quaker groups signed a joint statement calling Israel’s war in Gaza genocide. “We believe…

Eight Quaker Organizations Draft and Sign Statement Saying Genocide Is Occurring in Gaza
https://www.friendsjournal.org/eight-quaker-organizations-draft-and-sign-statement-saying-genocide-is-occurring-in-gaza/

'Silence Through the Ages'
Max Ernst, 1968
Oil on canvas
The Albertina Museum, Vienna, Austria

The image include the quotation below on a light green background along with a picture of 'The Quaker Faith' book cover: Creative Tension 2 – Communal Order and Individual Freedom There is a dynamic tension within the Quaker way between the spiritual freedom of individuals to follow their own leadings, and the need for an ordered community with discernible boundaries and a clear identity. During some periods, corporate order and control have severely limited personal freedom. Today, a more permissive culture has come to predominate. The Quaker Faith: Friends of Love and Truth, p.154.

Creative Tension 2 – Communal Order and Individual Freedom

There is a dynamic tension within the Quaker way between the spiritual freedom of individuals to follow their own leadings, and the need for an ordered community with discernible boundaries and a clear identity.

The Quaker Faith, p.154.

I helped save Edinburgh’s disastrous tram project - here’s what city should do now A former Edinburgh transport chief credited with helping to save the city’s troubled tram project on a 'turning point' in latest expansion debate.

This piece interests me as it suggests how Scotland can reclaim its historical reputation for managerial competence. If as reported by Donald Turvill, Lesley Hinds sought to “under-promise and over-deliver” in sorting out the mess with Edinburgh’s trams.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2561125...

Thank goodness - I’m no longer the only goof in the arena!

Not often that I have to these days!

We had an excellent event at GalGael, Bob, a year-late Glasgow launch of the book. Left to right: Livi of GalGael, Dan Gunn (ex-governor), Sara Trevelyan (psychotherapist), Karyn McCluskey (Com. Justice Scot.) and Mike Nellis (Quaker criminologist). And another rich discussion at GalGael last night.

I worked as a literacy tutor in the BSU, 1980-82. Very strong agreement

A lesson in compassion and innovation from 1973

Samir Zitouni named as train hero who saved lives during attack The family of rail worker Samir Zitouni say they are

Apologies for being late to this news, but it seems we have found ourselves a Muslim gentleman that no one can find a reason to hate on.
Doesn’t that feel grand!

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Treating prisoners with human dignity - insights from the Barlinnie Special Unit and reducing the need to have prisons. My Thought for the Day today on BBC Radio Scotland. Can also be heard about 1:24 in (0723) at www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...

That crude quote post is an abuse of the sensitivity with which Kenneth Macleod (a friend of mine) shared his picture. Perhaps you would consider deleting it. All that it adds is rudeness, which will only feed what many of us most dislike in Trump.

The Bog Shaman: Manchán on Moriarty A celebration of the wild and wonderful Co. Kerry philosopher John Moriarty. Manchán Magan rifles through the audio recordings of this great prophet and deep-thinker.

"The Bog Shaman: Manchán on Moriarty" an Irish RTE broadcast where the recently late Manchán Magan rifles through the audio recordings of the poet and writer John Moriarty. I met Manchán at St Ethelburgas in London in June. We deeply hit it off. A sad, early passing. www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...

Pope Leo: The message of 'Nostra aetate' remains as urgent as ever - Vatican News Pope Leo XIV presides at “Walking Together in Hope,” a celebration of 60 years of “Nostra aetate”, the Second Vatican Council’s Declaration on ...

Pope Leo on the “martyrs for dialogue, who stood against violence and hatred… Dialogue is not a tactic or a tool, but it's a way of life – a journey of the heart that transforms everyone involved, the one who listens and the one who speaks.” www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news...

Good old folk revival stuff. High time for another folk revival.