News, views and opinions from a Gaidheal
Everyone has their own traditions around Christmas and New Year, and one of my longest-standing ones is to compile a list of my favourite music from the year just gone by. This year’s no different, and this year’s best of 2017 happens to be my 8th attempt at summing together the best tunes from my music library. The list is generally a list of my most played songs, but with some boosts for songs released later in the year and ones I rate more highly. — Read more →
Today Scottish Government Finance Minister Derek MacKay unveiled their draft budget for the next fiscal year. By far the most eye-catching of the proposals was the remodelling of income tax, with the standard rate being broken into three bands of 19%, 20% and 21%, and an increase of 1% on the higher and additional rates, bringing them to 41% and 46% respectively. In total, these measures will raise an additional £164 million for the Scottish Government, whilst ensuring that those earning less than £33,000 (which — Read more →
Waking up in the middle of Princes Street Gardens, with a layer of frost on my sleeping bag, the temperature being around -5°, and at just after 5.15am in the morning is not my normal idea of a Sunday morning. Last night around 8,000 people, myself included, took part in Sleep in the Park, which was an event geared around the phenomenal cause of helping eradicate homelessness here in Scotland. The event was organised by Social Bite, a charity café launched just five years ago — Read more →
