iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Gill Steele

Andy Wightman @andywightman.scot · 28/09/2026

Who Owns Scotland? I've published 45th monthly update to Who Owns Scotland which records ownership of 5100 landholdings covering 5.95 million ha (14.7 million acres) or over 77.25% of rural Scotland. This project is solely funded by subscriptions. Please consider subscribing. (link in next post).

11711

Gill Steele @squirreltower.eurosky.social · 06/10/2026

Want even more s**t in your rivers folk in England…..vote Tory Getting rid of the Environment Agency delivering water quality monitoring under the WFD with no higher environmental court to appeal to, is exactly why rivers are highly polluted in England www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

theguardian.com

Tories to pledge to scrap Environment Agency and Natural England

Shadow chancellor will also promise to scrap affordable homes regulations as part of strategy to refocus on growth

000

Gill Steele @squirreltower.eurosky.social · 03/10/2026

Multiparty politics is good and normal. Hopefully we get PR electoral reform so the UK aligns with what’s normal in Europe Then, shock horror politicians might have to learn the art of multiparty compromise

010

Reposted by Gill Steele

John Bull @garius.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

My teacher brother has just informed me that his primary school kids now refer to anything shit or old fashioned as "Brexit". Which has made my morning.

362055453

Reposted by Gill Steele

Andrew D Thaler @drandrewthaler.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Important piece of marine science nuance: when a shark attacks a human, it's almost always an unintentional encounter. Sharks do not think about you, at all. When a whale strikes a ship, it is almost always intentional. They know us. They understand us. And they remember what we did.

49339

Gill Steele @squirreltower.eurosky.social · 02/10/2026

It’s terrible CHT is closing Who will help communities build affordable homes across islands & highlands now ?

010

Reposted by Gill Steele

Andy Wightman @andywightman.scot · 28/09/2026

Anta Estates never relinquished ownership. Mr Brown died 2022. According to Panama Papers, Anta was struck off in 2010. Castle Tioram thus falls to Crown - to the King’s & Lord Treasurer’s Remembrancer, in Crown Office in Edinburgh. To notify them however, costs £ hundreds which I don’t have. 3/4

1101

Reposted by Gill Steele

Andy Wightman @andywightman.scot · 28/09/2026

My latest blog discusses the future of this important site. The relevant legal documents are published and I would be interested in the views of others as to whether in fact Castle Tioram is ownerless 4/4 andywightman.scot/2026/09/who-...

andywightman.scot

Who Owns Castle Tioram? - Land Matters

Castle Tioram is located on the tidal island of Eilean Tioram located near the mouth of the River Shiel in Loch Moidart (see map below). The castle was granted to Clan Macdonald of Clanranald by Rober...

0156

Reposted by Gill Steele

Ruth Watson @ruthwatson.eurosky.social · 02/10/2026

It is interesting that Burnham thinks that, after 10 years, enough time has passed for the public to have another vote on Brexit But he does not think that, after 12 years, enough time has passed for the people of Scotland to have another vote on Scottish independence.

0104

Reposted by Gill Steele

Mike Berners-Lee @mikebernerslee.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Delighted to welcome Scotland’s First Minister, @johnswinney.bsky.social to deliver a keynote at a screening of the People’s Emergency Briefing at Holyrood yesterday. He committed in his address to working collaboratively to ensure the film is “𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝”.

Mike Berners-Lee shaking hands with John Swinney, First Minister for Scotland.

Mike Berners-Lee speaking with a microphone, behind him is a slide showing a map of the UK colour coded in shades of red.

A panel with Mike Berners-Lee, David Barratt MSP, Claire Baker MSP, Dr Kate Donovan as panel Chair, Ariane Burgess MSP and Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP.

13416

Reposted by Gill Steele

Adrian Edmondson @adrianedmondson.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Second series of us larking about starting tonight at 7. (Then you can turn over and watch Traitors, obviously)

6958

Reposted by Gill Steele

Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS) @envstanscot.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Five years ago today, Environmental Standards Scotland was established to help ensure that Scotland’s people and nature benefit from a high-quality, healthy environment through improved compliance with and better implementation of effective environmental law.

111

Reposted by Gill Steele

Ramblers Scotland @ramblersscotland.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

🌿 Jumana, one of our fantastic Community Outreach Trainees, has been busy leading group walks across the Central Belt in recent months. It's part of our Community Outreach Project, which supports refugees, asylum seekers & people from Global Majority communities to experience the joy of walking. 💚

A person walking on a paved path with a group, smiling and giving a thumbs-up. They are carrying a backpack with trekking poles. The scene is outdoors, with greenery and trees in the background under a cloudy sky.

A group of individuals is taking photos. The scene is framed by lush green trees, with water cascading over a wide ledge in the background.

A group of people is walking along a narrow path through a grassy and heather-covered landscape, surrounded by dense evergreen trees under an overcast sky.

A group of people wearing coats and headscarves walk along a forest trail surrounded by lush green trees.

0132

Reposted by Gill Steele

Kirsty Hughes @kirstyshughes.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Andy Burnham launches a new debate on options for EU-UK relations. But will he come out for rejoin? The Scottish government needs to give a much higher profile and political weight to its independence in the EU arguments in response. My latest blog kirstyhughes.substack.com/p/burnham-la...

kirstyhughes.substack.com

Burnham Launches a New EU Debate: Will Scotland Join In?

Burnham launches a debate on options for EU. The Scottish government must give a strong response on its own independence in the EU arguments - not leave the field to Labour.

3155

Reposted by Gill Steele

Kirsty Hughes @kirstyshughes.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Good to hear both FM John Swinney and German ambassador to UK speak up for European values, rights and democracy at German Unity Day event at Edinburgh city chambers @germancgedinburgh.bsky.social

0197

Reposted by Gill Steele

Dr Mairianna Clyde @mc1yde.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

In Scotland we already have free personal care at home for the elderly. Burnham’s plan to reduce the state pension across the entire UK to fund this in England means that Scottish pensioners are being squeezed to pay for English home care.

261

Reposted by Gill Steele

The Past and other Places @pastandotherplaces.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Craft Scotland director's petition against @edinburgh-uni.bsky.social plans to close Jewellery and Silversmithing, Textiles and Performance Costume UG ECA degrees to new admissions in 2027 (to be taught out over the next four years). #Edinburgh #craft #art #students #design 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 c.org/JJQNyV8R6m

c.org

Sign the Petition

Save the Craft and Design Courses at Edinburgh College of Art

01918

Reposted by Gill Steele

Ally Tibbitt @allytibbitt.me · 24/09/2026

Having led a campaign for proper continuous segregated bike lanes on Leith Walk a long time ago, it's very pleasing to read this. Build bike lanes and they will come... Who knew? www.scotsman.com/news/transpo...

scotsman.com

More bikes than cars recorded on Edinburgh rush hour route for first time

Highest figures also notched up on major Glasgow cycle routes too

13411

Reposted by Gill Steele

Lesley Riddoch @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Did Michael Marra turn the dial on independence when Labour backed Scotland's right to decide this week – or is it just spin? www.thenational.scot/politics/265...

thenational.scot

Are Scottish Labour changing tack on independence – or is it just spin?

SCOTLAND is a nation with a right to decide its own future – SNP, Greens and Scottish Labour agree. Whit?

4108

Reposted by Gill Steele

Scottish Wildlife Trust @scotwildlife.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Exciting news! The #Riverwoods Development Grant has reopened 🎉 Funding is available to support early-stage river woodland creation projects led by environmental NGOs and community organisations. The application deadline is 1 December 2026. 🔗 Apply today: www.riverwoods.org.uk/transformati...

A river meanders through a field full of newly planted trees. There is a dense woodland on one bank and hills in the distance.

063

Reposted by Gill Steele

Canongate @canongate.co.uk · 24/09/2026

ONE DAY, EVERYONE WILL HAVE BEEN AGAINST THIS is the internationally critically acclaimed and bestselling book from the award-winning novelist and journalist Omar El Akkad. Winner of the National Book Award for Non-fiction. Winner of the Palestine Book Awards. canongate.co.uk/books/5424-o...

The cover of the book. In full the cover reads
One day, when it's safe, when there's no personal downside to calling a thing what it is, when it's too late to hold anyone accountable, everyone will have always been against this / Omar El Akkad

021

Gill Steele @squirreltower.eurosky.social · 24/09/2026

It’s definitely going to stay in my mind! In a good way. John Hannah as a sort of horror Selkie and the pink flotsam dildo are classics

101

Gill Steele @squirreltower.eurosky.social · 24/09/2026

Always great when you don’t know where a film is taking you, glorious, weird, funny, dark The Incomer Already know of a fair few folk who have been to see it twice Like the Hunt for the Wilderpeople and early Taika Waititi, but then not as conventionally linear www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJ6T...

youtube.com

The Incomer | Official Film Trailer

YouTube video by Universal Pictures UK

130

Gill Steele @squirreltower.eurosky.social · 23/09/2026

Losing CHT through lack of funding is so shortsighted I’m astonished 30 years of doing this is a lot of time to build up skills in an organisation and that’s will be lost

020

Gill Steele @squirreltower.eurosky.social · 23/09/2026

Now we have over 20 homes in various stages 2 at our community owned town Hall 3 that we bought from a developer in administration 8 in planning now….other projects It’s our communities no 1 priority

120

Gill Steele @squirreltower.eurosky.social · 23/09/2026

Genuinely they have navigated our community through so many potential blocks, ones we feared would derail this 4 year project But the CHT staff helped us get past these issues

120

Gill Steele @squirreltower.eurosky.social · 23/09/2026

This is where CHT do such an amazing job supporting volunteers in communities to actually develop homes Helping us to navigate Housing Needs Assessment, feasibility studies, commissioning architects, finding funding, overcoming the enormous hurdles that appear in multi -year, million pound projects

120

Gill Steele @squirreltower.eurosky.social · 23/09/2026

Here are just a few of the most recent homes CHT helped communities build 20 affordable homes at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig 10 in Achiltibuie 3 on Raasay These are not easy places to build in, communities are the only folk who can access land but building homes & running them is challenging

120

Gill Steele @squirreltower.eurosky.social · 23/09/2026

This is a blow to highland & island communities that are struggling to house young working age folk The number of homes CHT has helped build is astounding over 500 in really challenging locations Who will support community groups now www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Highland housing trust facing closure amid financial challenges

The Communities Housing Trust has helped build affordable homes in the Hebrides and rural areas.

121

Gill Steele @squirreltower.eurosky.social · 22/09/2026

This is a huge blow to local communities across Scotland where no one else is building affordable homes This charity provided a huge public service I would ask the Scottish government who do they think will help community volunteers build homes now????? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Highland housing trust facing closure amid financial challenges

The Communities Housing Trust has helped build affordable homes in the Hebrides and rural areas.

063

Reposted by Gill Steele

Orkney Library & Archive @orkneylibrary.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Today is #HobbitDay because Bilbo and Frodo Baggins were both born on September 22nd. Normally we'd shire a hobbit pun or two but it might just feel like a tolkien gesture and we don't want to embarrass our elves. Anyway it's a good day to come and boromir #Tolkien books. 📚

652298632

Gill Steele @squirreltower.eurosky.social · 21/09/2026

I’m now scouring our local thrift shop for Vinyl 17 year old nephew in Denmark CDs for 19 year old DVDs for me Said thrifty recently produced some original 60s vinyl - so ‘Pet Sounds’ & ‘American Pie’ much to the 17 year olds joy (and mine as they all only cost a £5) ❤️rural thriftys

020

Gill Steele @squirreltower.eurosky.social · 21/09/2026

CDs are a thing with my Gen Z/Alpha teenagers, a fact that gives me joy “When music is effectively infinite and frictionless, something is appealing about having to choose an album, put a disc in and listen to it from beginning to end,” Letter writing next 🤞🏿 www.theguardian.com/business/202...

theguardian.com

‘It brings me joy’: how young people are making CDs cool again

Compact discs are back, with searches for players up 96% at John Lewis and popular models sold out online

110

Reposted by Gill Steele

Steve B @steveb.wsocial.eu · 21/09/2026

Superb, high-level, very funny satire highlighting the major global issue of enshittification. So well…erm…executed. Cory @doctorow.pluralistic.net - Norwegian brilliance right in your wheelhouse. And the prequel here: wsocial.eu/profile/nico... Thanks to Nicolas Hénin @nicolashenin.net

29128

Reposted by Gill Steele

Women's History Scotland @womenshistscot.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

📜 New blog post! @claireelder.bsky.social explores the life of Marie Stewart, Countess of Mar, revealing a multifaceted portrait through her correspondence on domestic matters, legal affairs and religious affiliations womenshistoryscotland.org/2026/09/20/m... #WomensHistory #EarlyModernHistory

Portrait of Marie Stewart, Countess of Mar (d. 1644), second wife of the 2nd Earl of Mar. She is shown facing forward, wearing an elaborate black dress with a wide lace collar, and dark hair decorated with bows. The oil painting is heavily worn and damaged, with extensive losses and flaking across the surface.

1127

Reposted by Gill Steele

Trees for Life @treesforlife.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

How well do you know the #Scotspine? 🌲One of the defining trees of Scotland’s #Caledonianforest, Scots pine supports a rich variety of life. But there’s more to this iconic tree than meets the eye. Watch to see a Scots pine in three different ways. 🌲

1166

Gill Steele @squirreltower.eurosky.social · 21/09/2026

Although obviously not all folk from England are like that….speaking as someone who came to Herriot Watt & stayed. I’ve always been slightly in love with Scotland Mind I was from a Comprehensive school down south & slightly older….still knew almost nothing about the place before I came in 1995

010

Gill Steele @squirreltower.eurosky.social · 21/09/2026

It still exists, my son’s best friend is at Edinburgh Uni & they both report on needing to robustly push back at unsubtle digs at their accents made by students from England - which they are doing very well. But it’s bad that they have to 🤷‍♀️

120

Reposted by Gill Steele

Brexit Bin 🇪🇺 🇬🇧 🇩🇪 @brexitbin.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Growth was highest in Northern Ireland – which is in the Single Market! .... Yet the rest of us can't have that because of Burnham's red lines. #RejoinEU 🇬🇧🇪🇺

15121

Reposted by Gill Steele

European News @eunews.social · 21/09/2026

EU pressures Big Tech to go green with new data center sustainability label The scheme, which forces data centers to disclose energy and water use, would be the most comprehensive of its kind in the world.

politico.eu

EU pressures Big Tech to go green with new data center sustainability label

The scheme, which forces data centers to disclose energy and water use, would be the most comprehensive of its kind in the world.

293

Reposted by Gill Steele

Emily M. Bender @emilymbender.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

It's interesting to me that these guys put so much energy into refuting (what they think we meant by) "stochastic parrots" and maybe not as much into refuting the (solid) research connecting "AI" to eugenics, racism, and fascism. >>

561291

Reposted by Gill Steele

The National @scotnational.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

NEW: Train drivers have warned they will boycott vehicles manufactured by a company linked to illegal Israeli settlements www.thenational.scot/news/2...

1011346

Reposted by Gill Steele

Gill Steele @squirreltower.eurosky.social · 18/09/2026

The rural housing crisis just got worse in Scotland Communities Housing Trust has helped rural/island communities build affordable housing over 30 yrs & it’s closing Due to lack of core funding @lauraewebster.bsky.social @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social @bellacaledonia.bsky.social www.chtrust.co.uk

chtrust.co.uk

Communities Housing Trust

The Communities Housing Trust (CHT) is a registered charity and social enterprise focused on sustainable rural communities across central and northern Scotland

123

Gill Steele @squirreltower.eurosky.social · 18/09/2026

“The CLH Alliance point out that community groups have delivered hundreds of affordable homes across the country and could provide 1,000 more over the next five years, if properly supported by the next Scottish Government and Parliament.”

000

Reposted by Gill Steele

Adam Ramsay @adamramsay.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Forth Ports, which has made this decision, is ultimately a publicly owned company - owned by the people of Canada, via their Public Sector Pension Investment Board.

035

Gill Steele @squirreltower.eurosky.social · 18/09/2026

I say that as someone not unfamiliar with the development/planning system & we have an architect as another Trustee & he is similarly impressed We would have been stuffed without CHT to guide & advise What a dark day for rural Scotland, volume house builders don’t build in small island communities

100

Gill Steele @squirreltower.eurosky.social · 18/09/2026

Personally the helped our local community start to build affordable homes (we have multiple projects for 25+ homes on the go including 2 flats above our community owned town hall ready to open now) CHT staff are amazing at helping volunteers in communities navigate how to become housing developers

100

Gill Steele @squirreltower.eurosky.social · 18/09/2026

It has 100s of projects underway. Who will help rural communities fight for their survival now? CHT built homes on Rassay, Applecross, Colonsay that have kept communities viable when no one else was

100