The Infamous Grouse

Lesley and I were both enthralled by the US midterm elections. I followed them on CNN and she on C4. Still her go to news channel despite the Nicola Sturgeon Brexit debate debacle. The blue surge in the States ushered in a swathe of new, progressive Democrats to the House of Representatives,but has Donald Trump managed, with typical sleight of hand, another master stroke of deflection with his sacking of Jeff Sessions and attack on CNN's Jim Acosta? Lesley's most recent column in the National focused on the report for the Revive Coalition by Dr Ruth Tingay and Andy Wightman on Scotland's driven grouse moors. Lesley asks if there can be a united campaign to rewild and repopulate this barren 20% of Scotland's land, and how radical will the Scottish Government be prepared to be in challenging land owners. Just when Dundee seems to be breaking free of its post-industrial gloom Michelin has announced the closure of its tyre factory with the loss of over 800 jobs. Is it a case of two steps forward, three steps back for the city, or can government, unions, and the workers save the plant? The BBC made the controversial decision to interview Leave. EU’s Arron Banks after his referral to the National Crime Agency. Was this the right decision? And was Andrew Marr the right man? We also take time for personal reflections on loss as we approach the centenary of the Armistice.