Michael Russell

Michael Russell

@feorlean.bsky.social

Argyll, Scotland. Writes, takes pictures . Used to do more. Chair, Scottish Land Commission from 02/24. Hon Professor , Glasgow University. President SNP 2020 - 2023. Former MSP for Argyll & Bute and Minister/ Cabinet Secretary in Scottish Government

2.7K followers453 following256 posts

Michael Russell
@feorlean.bsky.social

Willie Montgomery was my father’s cousin. Better known for the work he did with his wife Norah on Scottish Nursery Rhymes. Which this isn’t !

Association for Scottish Literature@asls.org.uk

My brother is skull and skeleton now empty of mind behind the brow in ribs and pelvis empty space bone-naked without a face… —William Montgomerie, “Epitaph” For 2nd Officer James S. Montgomerie of the SS Carsbreck, torpedoed off Gibraltar, 24th October 1941 #BookWormSat asls.org.uk/publications...

Michael Russell
@feorlean.bsky.social

I have the happiest memories of working with Douglas Dunn (and Margaret Bennet) on the “words” project back in 2002 , the fruits of which can still be seen on the Canongate wall of the @scotparl.bsky.social . He will be missed but his voice will go on …. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.ukDouglas Dunn obituary: Poet and teacher who wrote about class and griefDunn was a friend of the poet Philip Larkin and taught creative writing at Dundee at St Andrews universities.
Michael Russell
@feorlean.bsky.social

The plan for the A83 Rest and Be Thankful upgrade means a single-lane convoy on the Old Military Road for 4 whole years. It'll severely hit Argyll's economy, tourism, and healthcare access. We need a better solution! Please add your name to the petition you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/as...

you.38degrees.org.ukStop the 4-year convoy planA proposed single-lane convoy system for the A83 Rest & Be Thankful upgrade will disrupt Argyll & Bute for 4 long years. Add your name to demand a better alternative from the Scottish Governme...

Michael Russell reposted

Scottish Land Commission
@scottishlandcom.bsky.social

🌱 How we farm and manage land has an important part to play in responding to climate change. For Scotland's Climate Week, TFC Rob Black looks at what climate change means for farming, and why collaboration between landlords and tenants is important in adapting to change.

Michael Russell reposted

Scottish Land Commission
@scottishlandcom.bsky.social

Planning permission and land ownership are closely connected, but not always in the ways you might expect. In our latest guest blog, Anne Krippler from Planning Aid Scotland clears up some common confusion around land ownership, planning permission and access. Read Anne's blog: buff.ly/5m6rK1h

Michael Russell reposted

Michael E. Mann
@michaelemann.bsky.social

I was not informed by the BBC that they would have a right wing political figure or lobbyist on after me to rebut what I said. The individual in question went on to spout lies about China, etc. to distract attention from the Trump administration's assault on climate action. This is unacceptable.

Michael E. Mann@michaelemann.bsky.social

I'll be on BBC News television TODAY ~3:40pm ET (8:40pm London local time) to discuss--what else---the climate change-fueled weather extremes we're seeing around the world this summer. Please join me: www.bbc.com/live

Michael Russell
@feorlean.bsky.social

An invaluable resource - really important it is supported .

Andy Wightman@andywightman.scot

There is 23% still to do. At the current rate of progress, it will take another 6 years to reach 80%. Subscriptions and licensing are the sole means by which this work is financed so please do consider taking out a subscription. Gift subscriptions are also available. 2/2 whoownsscotland.org.uk

whoownsscotland.org.ukLand Ownership Map | Who Owns ScotlandWho Owns Scotland map for visual overview of land ownership. For Academics, Property Professionals, Natural Resources, Windfarms, Film Location Scouts, Journalists
Michael Russell
@feorlean.bsky.social

But 192mm in Glendaruel , Argyll

James Ball@jamesrball.com

"Kew Gardens has had a weather station since 1871. This July was, based on third party analysis of Met Office data collected at the site, the first calendar month on record where no rainfall was measured at Kew."

londoncentric.mediaLondon's first month without rainPlus: There's nowhere to bury the dead • London wants to keep its money • When will it stop being so damn hot • Who is to blame for turning off the air conditioning in the tower block?

Michael Russell reposted

Scottish Wildlife Trust
@scotwildlife.bsky.social

Happy #BogDay! 🥳 Today is all about brilliant bogs, super swamps, fantastic fens and marvellous marshes! Did you know that bogs cover just 3% of the world's surface but studies have found they hold nearly 30% of soil carbon! #InternationalBogDay #Carbon #Peat

Michael Russell reposted

Association for Scottish Literature
@asls.org.uk

Coming Sept 2026 from @princetonupress.bsky.social DARES PARADISE: Poems by Alasdair mac Mhaighstir Alasdair Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair is one of the greatest #C18 Gaelic poets. DARES PARADISE presents two of his long poems, newly translated by Taylor Strickland press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...

press.princeton.eduDares ParadiseTwo long poems by eighteenth-century Scottish Gaelic poet, Alasdair mac Mhaighstir Alasdair, revived and reintroduced for twenty-first century Anglophone readers
Michael Russell
@feorlean.bsky.social

Still wonderful and still asking the right questions.

Association for Scottish Literature@asls.org.uk

Glaciers, grinding West, gouged out these valleys, rasping the brown sandstone, and left, on the hard rock below – the ruffled foreland – this frieze of mountains, filed on the blue air – Stac Polly, Cul Beag, Cul Mor, Suilven, Canisp – a frieze and a litany… –Norman MacCaig, “A man in Assynt”

Michael Russell
@feorlean.bsky.social

Congratulations- a very positive piece of news !

Community Land Scotland@communitylandsc.bsky.social

Community Land Scotland has secured £4.25m from @tnlcommunityfund.org.uk - thanks to National Lottery players - for the Inclusive Ownership project. A UK‑wide partnership working to make community ownership of land and buildings more accessible. 👉 buff.ly/YW9C1Ny

Michael Russell reposted

Association for Scottish Literature
@asls.org.uk

Here lies our land: every airt Beneath swift clouds, glad glints of sun, Belonging to none but itself… —Kathleen Jamie, “Here lies our land” A poem commissioned to mark the 700th anniversary of the Scottish victory at Bannockburn – won #OTD, 24 June, 1314 – & inscribed on the Bannockburn monument

Michael Russell reposted

Kathie Pollard
@kplanning.bsky.social

How do you value land – and why does it matter for reform?

Scottish Land Commission@scottishlandcom.bsky.social

How do you value land – and why does it matter for reform? In our latest guest blog, Dr Bryonny Goodwin-Hawkins unpacks why land valuation is harder than it looks, drawing on recent discussions in Wales and reflecting on what this means for tax and land reform across the UK. buff.ly/6tfFfI3

Michael Russell reposted

Hannah Graham
@drhannahgraham.bsky.social

A wee group of angry balaclava and mask-wearing anti-immigration guys tried to stop the good people of Glasgow showing solidarity with migrants and standing up to racism and fascism. Well, the far right are far outnumbered... #RefugeesWelcome #MigrantsWelcome #NeighboursNotStrangers #Glasgow

Michael Russell reposted

Community Land Scotland
@communitylandsc.bsky.social

And we’re off! The 2026 Simon Fraser Memorial Lecture has started. Tonight we are remembering this giant of the community land world, and looking ahead to challenges and opportunities of the next 5 years. Not at the Town House tonight? We’ll have a recording on YouTube soon.

Michael Russell reposted

Built Environment Forum Scotland
@thebefs.bsky.social

Out now: the seventh in the BEFS Joining the Dots series ✍️ In this new blog, Katherine Pollard of the Scottish Land Commission explores how land reform connects to housing, high streets, retrofit and community empowerment. Take a look:

befs.org.ukScotLand Futures - creating new land opportunities for our built environmentIn the seventh blog in our Joining the Dots series, Katherine Pollard, Head of Policy at the Scottish Land Commission, explores how land reform connects directly to Scotland's built environment ambitions. Drawing on the ScotLand Futures initiative, which engaged over 1,200 people, Kathie argues that land reform is not just a rural issue but critical to addressing urban challenges from housing need to high street decline. She outlines three priorities for the next phase of land reform: opening new land opportunities, rebalancing power to ensure ownership works for the public good, and shaping change locally through strengthened planning. With 96% of respondents calling for further changes to land ownership and use, Kathie demonstrates how existing powers, from compulsory purchase to tenement maintenance models, can be better utilised to create thriving, equitable and sustainable places across Scotland.

Michael Russell reposted

Malcolm Combe
@malcolmcombe.bsky.social

A blog post, about the first provisions of the newest Land Reform Act to be brought into force, on Land Commissioner functions and hutting (with a P.S. about the Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026). basedrones.wordpress.com/2026/03/16/t...

basedrones.wordpress.comThe Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2025 – the first commencementThe third Land Reform (Scotland) Act was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 5 November 2025, and received Royal Assent on 16 December 2025. Royal Assent, of course, is what makes a Scottish statu…

Michael Russell reposted

Scottish Land Commission
@scottishlandcom.bsky.social

Islay visit – 12–13 March Following the earlier cancellation due to ferry disruption, Rob Black, Tenant Farming Commissioner, will now be visiting Islay this week. If you’d like to arrange a meeting while he’s on the island, please get in touch - tfc@landcommission.gov.scot

Michael Russell reposted

Andy Wightman
@andywightman.scot

Today I publish Who Owns Scotland 2025, an annual analysis of landownership across rural Scotland. The most significant finding is the continuing trend over past 15 years of fewer and fewer owners owning more and more of rural Scotland. andywightman.scot/2026/02/who-...

andywightman.scotWho Owns Scotland 2025 - Land MattersSCOTLAND’S CONCENTRATED PATTERN OF LANDOWNERSHIP CONTINUES TO GET WORSE Today I publish Who Owns Scotland 2025, the second annual report on landownership in Scotland. The first (Who Owns Scotland 2024...