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Ian McCall

@ian-mccall.bsky.social
1.1K followers 3.3K following 57 posts

Policy and Campaigns Officer Walking Scotland. Botany at University of Aberdeen. Scottish Environment LINK, Sustaining Dunbar, Ramblers Scotland, RSPB. Living in Fife. Likes to walk.

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Reposted by Ian McCall
Walking Scotland @walkingscotland.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
The results of our Scottish Walking and Wheeling Survey are published today and they tell an important story about how and why Scotland is walking. You can read the full report here: walkingscotland.org.uk/scottish-wal...
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SpokesLothian @spokes.org.uk · 08/11/2025
#ActiveTravel 💲 cut confirmed + #Bus infra fears --> www.spokes.org.uk/2025/11/acti... @edi.bike @keithirving.bsky.social @transform.scot @edinburghbug.bsky.social @alastairdalton.bsky.social @edinreporter.bsky.social @markruskell.bsky.social @monicalennon.bsky.social @michaelmatheson.bsky.social
Start of Spokes article...

Active Travel cut confirmed

At long last the detailed allocation of the Scottish Government’s Active and Sustainable Travel budget (formerly called Active Travel) for 25/26 financial year has been revealed.

It shows total Scottish Government active travel investment now down to just 4.2% of total transport spending – back to below the level of 22/23, and even lower than the 4.6% we had predicted.

A letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop MSP, to the Parliament’s Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee provides the following table, showing how the £164.6m in the Active and Sustainable budget line has been allocated. From this we can get a good idea how much of what previously was the Active Travel budget is now going to other purposes.
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Walking Scotland @walkingscotland.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
Our KTP Associate Rachele and Walking Schools Manager Carl are at the 16th annual conference of the HEPA Europe Network in Kaunas, Lithuania, and presented learning and best practice on co-production methods with young people. #HEPAEurope
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Walking Scotland @walkingscotland.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
1/6 As Scotland looks to the future, we know walking is one of the best ways to address some of the greatest challenges of our time. So together with @livingstreets.bsky.social we’ve published The Power of Walking – A Walking and Wheeling Manifesto for 2026. walkingscotland.org.uk/a-walking-an...
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Living Streets Edinburgh @livingstreetsedi.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
So much change is needed to make Scotland a better place for walking/wheeling...great to see this highlighted for the #Holyrood2026 elections! We'll be amplifying this message through our call for various specific measures over the coming months.
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Living Streets @livingstreets.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
The 2026 Holyrood election is coming, and together with @walkingscotland.bsky.social we’re calling on all parties to pledge to invest in walkable streets. With cuts of £23.7m to active and sustainable travel in Scotland last year, we need bold action – and soon ⏰ tinyurl.com/4czpmzy7
A navy and light blue graphic with a photo of a family walking down an urban street. Text reads: Put walking and wheeling at the heart of government.
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Alt National Park Service @altnps.bsky.social · 27/07/2025
Thank you to Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 for showing up and taking a stand this weekend. We loved the signs, so many of them made us laugh. This weekend showed that the resistance is growing and that we have friends everywhere! Scotland the Brave!
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Walking Scotland @walkingscotland.bsky.social · 24/07/2025
Paths might not be in our name anymore but it's still a big focus of our work. Safe, attractive and accessible places and spaces are critical to encouraging people to walk and wheel more. We share our technical expertise in a range of ways. walkingscotland.org.uk/our-work/tec... #WalkTheTalk
Looking for technical path advice and guidance?
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Walking Scotland @walkingscotland.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
Is your workplace looking to partner with a charity or looking for suggestions for their next charity of the year? By partnering with us, they'll show commitment to wellbeing, sustainability and inclusive communities. Let's walk forward together. walkingscotland.org.uk/get-involved...
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
4. Thanks to brilliant work by @ethanshone.bsky.social‬ at @opendemocracy.net‬, we've learnt that Labour held hundreds of meetings with lobbyists behind closed doors. But the UK’s opaque, undemocratic rules ensure we cannot know what was said in them: www.opendemocracy.net/en/dark-mone...
opendemocracy.net
Lovebombed by lobbyists: How Labour became party of business
An openDemocracy investigation reveals the secretive mass lobbying campaign that shaped Starmer's policies
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Peter Walker @peterwalker99.bsky.social · 07/07/2025
NEW: Big study of low-traffic neighbourhoods in London suggest they cut road injuries and deaths by more than a third within their boundaries with no apparent negative safety effect on nearby roads. This feels a *major* boost for proponents of such schemes. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
theguardian.com
London’s low-traffic zones ‘cut deaths and injuries by more than a third’
Exclusive: Study also finds no change in number of casualties on roads just outside low-traffic neighbourhoods
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David Ho @davidho.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
We’re wasting the remaining carbon budget on war and AI.
theguardian.com
Only two years left of world’s carbon budget to meet 1.5C target, scientists warn
Breaching threshold would ramp up catastrophic weather events, further increasing human suffering
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Faculty of Public Health @fphuk.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
FPH welcomes this report on the Minimum Income Guarantee: www.gov.scot/publications... The report is in line with FPH’s Call to Action for the next Scottish Government, which recommends that all families have at least minimum income sufficient for healthy living: www.fph.org.uk/news/faculty...
fph.org.uk
Faculty of Public Health publishes call to action ahead of Scottish Parliament election
The Committee of the Faculty of Public Health in Scotland has published a call to action ahead of the May 2026 Scottish Parliamentary election. This publication calls on all political parties in Scotl...
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Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 17/06/2025
I do not want AI in Slack. I do not want AI in Google. I do not want AI on Facebook. I do not want AI in documents or spreadsheets. I do not want AI in Adobe Acrobat. I do not want AI in Zoom. I do not want AI on news sites. I do not want AI in the patient portal for my doctor's office. I do not wan
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Prof. Ian Walker @ianwalker.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
Schrödinger's Motorist: simultaneously loves driving but gets absolutely furious if they have to drive for an extra second
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Walking Scotland @walkingscotland.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
BIG NEWS: Paths for All is now Walking Scotland! We’re making walking and wheeling work for EVERYONE Ready to walk and wheel with us? 👉 walkingscotland.org.uk
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Walking Scotland @walkingscotland.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
Paths for All is changing, because walking changes lives. After 30 years, we're taking our next big step 👣 We’ve been working on something special for the last few months. We can’t reveal everything just yet, but let’s say Thursday is going to be special! Stay tuned for an exciting announcement! 📢
A promotional graphic with blue text on a pink background reading, "There's some exciting news afoot! Stay tune for our next big step..." and a series of illustrations showing men, women and children of all ages and abilities walking and wheeling.
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WildDartmoor @tonydartmoor.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
Good piece from @georgemonbiot.bsky.social ... I've written more here on Molinia and specifically Dartmoor 🧵 www.dartmoornature.org.uk/post/molinia
dartmoornature.org.uk
Molinia and the Restoration of Dartmoor’s Blanket Bogs
Tony WhiteheadThe deep peats of Dartmoor’s Commons support internationally important areas of blanket bog. However, they are in a much diminished condition. Last month, Natural England published new a...
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Taras Grescoe 🚇 @taras-grescoe.com · 06/06/2025
"Cars make us lonely." —Donald Appleyard, Livable Streets, 1981. 🧵
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Andrew Heald @andyheald.bsky.social · 31/05/2025
And the sky didn’t fall in … #Edinburgh www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/edinbur...
edinburghnews.scotsman.com
Edinburgh's LEZ one year on: More walking and cycling, less pollution and fewer fines
More people are walking, cycling and using public transport since the introduction of Edinburgh’s Low Emission Zone, new research claims.
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George McGavin @georgemcgavin.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
Everyone should read this. I met Dan Janzen when he gave a lecture to @biology.ox.ac.uk I think in the late '80s. I spoke to him afterwards and he said, you know we could save all of the rainforest with a ten cent levy on every cup of coffee sold worldwide.... www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
‘Half the tree of life’: ecologists’ horror as nature reserves are emptied of insects
A new point in history has been reached, entomologists say, as climate-led species’ collapse moves up the food chain even in supposedly protected regions free of pesticides
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Graeme Purves @gaspurves.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
'Lowering the Expectations on Land Reform', my article for 'Bella Caledonia' on the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill and @scottishlandcom.bsky.social's Scotland Futures consultation: #LandReform #ScottishPolitics
bellacaledonia.org.uk
Lowering the Expectations on Land Reform
In its 2021 manifesto, the SNP promised a new Land Reform Bill which would address issues of fairness, equality, and social justice in land ownership, use, and access.  The Bill would ensure that t…
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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
“A developed country is not a place where the poor have cars. It's where the rich use public transportation.” – Former Bogotá Mayor Enrique Peñalosa.
Graphic with same text as post
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Steve Duffy @steveduffy99.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
Road casualties continue their downward trend in Wales and are lowest on record. For serious/fatal casualties on combined 20-30mph roads, these are down 16% in 2024 - since new default 20mph limit came in - compared to 2023. Good news! www.gov.wales/police-recor...
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Caroline Russell @carolinerussell.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
At last, we have strong evidence from Transport for London’s latest research that 20mph speed limits significantly reduce the numbers of people dying and being seriously injured on our roads. I've been campaigning for 20mph limits for over 25 years. view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx...
photo of the back of a red no 43 bus in 2014 carrying a sign "20" in a red roundel against blue sky with text "slower speeds safer roads"cardboard box with A4 posters saying 20 in black text in a red roundel and "20's plenty" underneath.

Black bar at bottom with "Transport 2000" now Campaign for Better Transport.
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Walking Scotland @walkingscotland.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
We are one of 50 organisations to support the Joint Active Travel Manifesto for 2026. By prioritising walking and wheeling, we can transform our communities, create healthier environments, and make active travel accessible to everyone. Read the story: www.pathsforall.org.uk/news/news-po...
A promotional graphic showing the red and white front page of the Joint Active Travel Manifesto for 2026, and partner logos. This is set on an image of a group of people walking along a path, overlaid by a transparent light green filter.
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Momentum Magazine @momentummag.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
According to a new ranking, Paris has officially become Europe’s best city for children to walk, cycle, and move around independently. momentummag.com/paris-pedals...
momentummag.com
Paris Pedals to the Top: How the City of Light Became Europe’s Best for Young Cyclists
The French capital has officially become Europe’s best city for children to walk, cycle, and move around independently
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Walking Scotland @walkingscotland.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
What does your daily walking adventure look like? 💬 a walk and talk with a friend ☀️ early bird sunrise (or night owl sunset!) strolls 📈 striding for the daily step count 🧘 quiet time with a walking meditation Find out how to walk every day this May 👉 www.pathsforall.org.uk/whats-on/eve...
A blue promotional graphic with an image of a large group of mothers and their buggies. They smile or talk as they walk through a local park as a part of a group buggy walk. The image is set on a navy blue background with two circles of yellow and green and text reading "Celebrate National Walking Month with strolls and smiles, paths and pals".
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Cycling Scotland @cyclingscotland.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
We’re one of 50 organisations publishing a Joint Active Travel Manifesto for 2026: Thriving Places, Healthier Communities, and Saving Lives. It calls on all parties to support commitments on long-term investment, infrastructure, public transport and safer streets: drive.google.com/drive/folder...
Front page of 'A Joint Active Travel Manifesto for 2026', featuring the logos of 50 signatory organisations. The cover features images of people walking and cycling, with the subtitle: "Thriving places, healthier communities, and saving lives". A full list of signatory organisations and more information about the manifesto can be found via the associated link in this post.
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Led By Donkeys @ledbydonkeys.org · 07/05/2025
TANK vs TESLA "We've crushed fascism before and we'll crush it again" - ⁠WW2 veteran Ken, 98, in the tank
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Jack Hopkins-The Original @therealjackhopkins.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
Did you know? The richest 10 % of people emit as much CO₂ as the bottom 90 % combined. www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/w...
ipcc.ch
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Transform Scotland @transform.scot · 28/04/2025
We're in @scotsman.com this week calling out the government for failing public transport users 👇 scotsman.com/news/transpo... (paywall) How can we expect Scots to switch to greener transport when promises keep being broken? [1/4]
scotsman.com
Scottish ministers accused of failing public transport users
Calls for greater investment amid concerning survey results
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Transform Scotland @transform.scot · 23/04/2025
Another dismal failure by Scottish Government on sustainable transport: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... We don't need another plan. We need to see Transport Scotland prioritise taking action to reduce traffic levels. Here's some things they could do now: transform.scot/2024/09/23/f...
bbc.co.uk
Scottish government drops key climate target to cut car use by 20%
Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop told MSPs that the goal was
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Edinburgh Bus Users Group @edinburghbug.bsky.social · 21/04/2025
Article by @kayleighoneill.bsky.social deserving a paywell bypass, plus our attempt to provide one. www.msn.com/en-gb/urban-...
https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/opinion/columnists/public-transport-should-be-accessible-for-all-5090596

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/urban-infrastructure/transportation-infrastructure/public-transport-should-be-accessible-for-all/ar-AA1Dik23?ocid=BingNewsSerp
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Ian McCall @ian-mccall.bsky.social · 13/04/2025
Morning view.
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Ian McCall @ian-mccall.bsky.social · 12/04/2025
Isle of Eigg.
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Ian McCall @ian-mccall.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
Today was a good day. Mainly because I finally caught the mouse in the house. Alive, thankfully. Probably be back tomorrow. And the sun came out of the haar.
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David Buck @davidjbuck.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
1/2. The evidence on 20mph speed limits from Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) post.parliament.uk/research-bri...
post.parliament.uk
20 mph speed limits and zones: public health impacts
How can 20 mph speed limits and zones provide public health benefits? What are the challenges for interpreting the evidence, and policy considerations?
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Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
The wages of the richest 1% have skyrocketed 182% since 1979.  Meanwhile, the wages of the bottom 90% have seen just 44% growth.  Trickle down economics was always a hoax.
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Dave Goulson @davegoulson.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
Spineless decision by RHS. They can't singlehandedly ban peat, but they can ban it for use at their flower show. www.cravenherald.co.uk/news/nationa...
cravenherald.co.uk
RHS delays promise to make shows peat-free in face of ‘legislative black hole’
The horticultural charity says it ‘can’t steer this ship alone’ in the shift to peat-free gardening.
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BirdLife Europe & Central Asia @birdlifeeurope.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
🚨 BREAKING: Turtle-dove hunting season reopens! The EU Commission just gave the green light for EU countries to resume the hunt for European Turtle-doves, ending a 3-year pause. This is reckless, short-sighted and will take this bird back to the brink. More info: www.birdlife.org/news/2025/04...
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Nature Art by Gibson @azgibsonz.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
“may my heart always be open to little birds who are the secrets of living... ~E.E. Cummings 🪶 🕉️ May your #TinyTuesday be as bright and cheery as a... 📸 Mountain Chickadee 🌿 #TheLittleThings #BirdPhotography #Birding #Birds
A Mountain Chickadee is posed in profile with morning sunlight above and soft green bokeh balls behind.
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#CarbonReckoning (Andrew Boswell) @drandrewboswell.bsky.social · 30/03/2025
A fossil fuel project in Teesside has landed a £10bn subsidy for a fairytale carbon capture technology -recent studies show the plant’s total emissions would far exceed any carbon stored under the sea Read more about this second, new challenge to Net Zero Teesside goodlawproject.org/labour-is-ch...
goodlawproject.org
Labour is chucking cash at a carbon capture con – so we’re taking action | Good Law Project
A fossil fuel project in Teesside has landed a £10bn subsidy for a fairytale technology. But the government’s carbon sums don’t add up.
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Natalie Bennett @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social · 30/03/2025
Cooperation is the very foundation of human survival - we need to undo damaging 20th-century ideology about competition scitechdaily.com/rewriting-hu...
scitechdaily.com
Rewriting Human History: 110,000-Year-Old Discovery Suggests Neanderthals and Homo sapiens Worked Together
Neanderthals and Homo sapiens shared technology and customs in the Levant, shaping early human culture through cooperation. The first published study on Tinshemet Cave reveals that Neanderthals and Ho...
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God @thegodshow.com · 30/03/2025
If you support invading Canada or Greenland, you are a horrible person without a shred of morality or intelligence.
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
1. One of capitalism’s greatest successes is to shut down our imaginations. With the help of its favoured tools - neoliberalism and fascism - it persuades us that “there is no alternative”. Our first task is to re-ignite our moral imaginations and name our alternatives. 🧵
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Ian McCall @ian-mccall.bsky.social · 30/03/2025
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Ian McCall @ian-mccall.bsky.social · 30/03/2025
Great little exhibition in Dunfermline just now. For the hags in your life.
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Leana Hosea @leanahosea.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
Acting to tackle climate change will strengthen the economy, says OECD, while climate breakdown, "is a recipe for permanent recession". www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Tackling climate crisis will increase economic growth, OECD research finds
Third of global GDP could be lost this century if climate crisis runs unchecked, says report
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