Change Forward Scotland Needs for 2025

 

Education is the key and foundation. Without a solid, well educated workforce how can any country move forward? Many new independent countries recognised this – specifically Ireland and Estonia. Apart from funding, there are several ways to achieve solid education for all

1. All teachers should have a masters degree.

2. Teach to the higher average, not the lower average, to raise standards. Yes slower learners and late starters need to be encouraged and a good start at kindergarten or pre-schools is the key to giving ALL children the right start in education - with a focus on personal development and structural play. 

With many 4 year olds now held back to start P1 until they are ta least five and a half - this can make the more formal learning of reading books mean children are more emotionally and developmentally ready to learn having developed concentration skills, an interest in books, number and size skills, oral language etc. 

 

3. Eliminate private schools. Private schools mean a secure network and privileged bubble. They mean a two tier society. Those educated privately have only limited understanding of the rest of society that they have often never met or worked with. They believe they are a “cut above” the rest. 

 

4. A good start. Without a good start to education, the rest of the 10 years of school can be wasted.

The focus must be on quality early years. 

 

 ‘The Age of disruption needs a different kind of Scotland’ Gerry Hassan writes we needs radical ideas to move Scotland forward with independence, Sunday National 29^th December 2024. He writes of the unequal opportunities and expectations. While I agree we need new ideas – why vote for independence if it will only be more of the same failing economic models. He doesn’t offer concrete details of priorities, but mostly theoretical views. 

 

Its important to set priorities to move forward. But a sound economy needs to underpin this – otherwise where is the money to fund public service? While Scotland is rich in resources, we also need to harness our potential for innovation, business education, opportunities for all, immigration (we need young workers), and prioritise education for all. Finland decided to abolish private education, as they felt this system was holding the country back. 

 

Glasgow 850

Del Amitri

Glasgow is a city of surprises. Dotted around the city centre are many impressive, architecturally interesting buildings. The city also boasts several unique areas that offer culturally fun walks. Glasgow is a vibrant city of the arts. Its a challenging, dynamic place. There are many historic Victorian buildings, art galleries and tenements.

 

Glasgow is the City of Music and boasts world famous venues including the Barrowlands  King Tuts, Oran Mor, old Fruitmarket. 

 

First there is Glasgow’s Westend. With its university spires atop Kelvingrove park, where there is the dominate Kelvingrove galleries. Close by is the up and coming Finnieston with its unique cafes and shops and close to the new Glasgow Hydro arena and SECC exhibition centre. Up the hill is the lively and picturesque Ashton Lane. Glasgow’s university is one of the UKs oldest and here its worth seeing the cloisters and the Huntarian art gallery. 

 

On the east side there is the Merchant city, with the Old Fruitmarket and City halls venues, and busy night life. There are reminders here of Glasgow’s links to the tobacco and sugar trade. Glasgow was once the engine room of the British empire.  

 

The city’s main street, Buchanan St has the Lighthouse and the concert hall with Donald Dewar’s statue looking on. Just across from this street is the modern art galleries and the cone atop the Duke of Wellington’s statue. Then along Sauchiehall St are Macintosh’s famous tea room. There’s also Glasgow’s cathedral further east and the Acropolis views. 

 

Glasgow is a city of steep hills and long skylines with its many bridges over the river Clyde to Govan, once the world’s ship building centre where the Queen Mary liner was launched in 1934. 

 

Elaine C Smith

Eddi Reader

*There are major artists, writer, scientists, innovators, actors and musicians from Glasgow. 

Most well known Rennie Macintosh, The Glasgow Boys, 

William Macgregor, James Guthrie, Arthur Melville,

Glasgow Girls – Margaret & Francis MacDonald, Bessie Macnicol,

 

Actors - James McAvoy, Robert Carlisle, Kelly Macdonald, Peter Mullan, Elaine C smith, Gary Lewis, Janey Godley, Billy Connolly, 

 

Lord Kelvin, professor or maths & Physics, kelvin temperature scale, important for thermo dynamics.

 

Writers – Alasdair Gray, James Kelman, Jackie Kay, peter may, Debi Gliori, Edwin Morgan, 

 

Musicians -  Simple Minds, Del Amitri, Texas, Deacon Blue, Blue Nile, Wet Wet Wet, 

Franz Ferdinand, Lulu, Mogwai, Mark Knopler, Dick Gaughan, Eddi Reader, Donovan, Emma Pollock,

 

(Gerry Rafferty - Paisley, John Martyn, grew up in Glasgow)

Dick Gaughan

Mogwai

 

Gaelic Singers and Fiddlers

Celtic Connections makes me think of the wonderful Gaelic singers, fiddlers and unique collaborations. I’ve see it as pulsating, joyous, uplifting and colourful concerts. Celtic musicians of the British isles, Canada, France, Spain and the international musicians from Finland, India, Africa, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Brittany and many more..

Gaelic is a soft, flowing, dream-like language and very popular at Celtic Connections. 

 

Best known Gaelic singer is Karen Matheson of Capercaillie band. Also Julie Fowlis who tours worldwide and sings on movie soundtracks. Kathleen McInnes, 

 

**Impressive fiddlers include – Aly Bain, John McCusker, Duncan Chisholm, Chris Stout, 

 

The Scots diaspora across the world is around 28 to 40 million. Scots have for centuries been great travellers, being an island nation. Scotland is one of Europe’s most ancient nations (begun 9th century)

And has strong ties to Flanders, France, Italy. 

 

This year the world famous Celtic Connections festival is celebrating women musicians, with headline concert with Karine Polwart, Julie Fowlis, 

 

 

2024 Year of Challenges

 

There are times we want to be challenged, other times when challenges are thrust upon us and we have to rise to them. 2024 has been hectic, some years disappear! 

The arts give us hope of the strength and joy of the human spirit. Amid a world of chaos, flags flags and bad actors. Do people know they are being manipulated? Do they know about AI even? Or what all this means? Of course there’s right wing chaos worldwide, driven by rich men’s controlling populism which is not good at all. Be wary and aware...... 

Here’s hoping for more peace, calmer heads, improved education and listening to each other....... for the new year!

Dreamspace

 

There’s a sweet spot or a zone, that can be reached creatively – through effort, time, concentration, patience – that’s well worth achieving. It doesn’t feel like your frontal conscious mind, but more like your dream space. 

 

I’ve first experienced these intense at times euphoric feelings playing piano, and through drawing. Later when pursuing photography – on a seriously long photoshoot and being lost and absorbed in the moment.