The whoownsscotland website has been relaunched in a redesigned format making it easier to use. All maps are now complete and the map navigation function has been fully restored. Access to the property data and mapping is now available only on subscription.
Take a look around - it’s all freely available until you want to see specific property data.
An excellent series of reports on the water crisis in Kenya reminds me how valuable the BBC is as a media institution in the UK. Environmental stories, especially involving Africa, are too frequently ignored in the media but James Morgan has earned every penny of his BBC salary in bringing us an in depth report of a truly frightening situation which could, if handled badly, turn into a serious conflict. Alex Bell has just published a book on the topic which I look forward to reading.
On the day of Gordon Brown’s speech at the Labour Party Conference it is also worth noting how little attention he paid to the environment or to the poor of the world. Electoral politics in the UK is about turning inward and contemplating really rather unimportant matters in the great scheme of things. How to govern and manage the planet in such circumstances?
Celebrations yesterday for Senscot’s 10th anniversary at the Scottish Storytelling Centre and an inspiring speech by Professor Edgar Cahn, founder of Time Banks. he used the analogy of computer operating systems to describe how we need to rebuild our society’s operating system by rediscovering community, valuing what everyone has to give and instilling a sense of reciprocity for how we deal with each other. Interview with Jon Snow gives a flavour and Guardian profile in 2007.
Donald Trump won planning permission earlier this week for developments on land adjacent to his Menie Estate. He does not own any of this land but is trying to acquire it. His plans include asking Aberdeenshire Council to use their powers of compulsory purchase to force existing families out of their homes.
An admirable campaign, Tripping Up Trump, has been launched to stop this madness. Do have a look and sign the petition urging the Council to refuse to cow tow to this bully.