Kelburn Castle

A bit of local news: it seems that Kelburn Castle had a fire in the middle of Monday night. It is not clear from reports how much damage was done, but thankfully no injuries were sustained.

Fire Engine at Kelburn Monday 16th Feb 2009

full story here

http://www.theherald.co.uk/search/display.var.2489692.0.earl_and_son_tackle_fire_at_700yearold_castle_home.php

SNP Finally Drops its “Local” Income Tax

John Swinney has finally abandoned all pretence that he can produce a Local Income Tax as promised in the SNP manifesto. This is a surprise to no-one: there never was a detailed, thought-through, workable Local Income Tax Policy in the first place. The LIT was a line in the SNP manifesto designed, not as real policy in itself, but as slogan to replace the Council Tax. The reasoning being that “the Council Tax is unpopular, let’s get a few votes by opposing it”.  Which is all very well, but if you oppose the current tax, and you are in power, you need a working alternative. And LIT has so many faults and contradictions that it just exploded in the face of John Swinney and Alex Salmond.

To date the SNP dropped the abolition of student debt, starter packs for first-time-buyers, 1000 extra police, matching Labour’s school building programme “brick-for-brick” and the Local Income Tax. Next in line is the Scottish Futures Trust, another empty slogan masquerading as a policy. That will make almost the full house of abandoned SNP policies. 

What price the referendum as the next candidate for the “oot the windae” treatment?

Linda Fabiana Sacked

The SNP administration has sacked three middle ranking ministers, among them Culture Minister Linda Fabiani. I was sorry to see the demise of Ms Fabiani, who gave the Largs Viking Festival sterling support last years, spending a whole day at the opening ceremony and going through the Viking Village and other attractions. She struck me as an approachable person, with a good sense of humour and an easy manner. Let’s hope the new minister, Michael Russell, will be as supportive of the festival this year and in the following years.

Sandi Thom digs a trap for “Sir” Alex Salmond

Oh dear. Sandi Thom invites “Sir” Alex Salmond to display his musical skills. Or something…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqXM614itRU

Watch and cringe.

Linda Fabiani is Culture Minister at Holyrood. Has she been informed of this outrageous attack on the Scottish identity by her own leader?

PS and OOPS!  Even as I typed, the great Eck was evicting Linda Fabiani from office and replacing her with the considerably less fragrant Mike Russell. So all comments and complaints to Mr Russell please.

To Linda, who showed great taste and discriminantion by supporting Largs Viking Festival,  enjoy your spare time.