Orcadian Column, 5 December 2024
A measure of an event’s significance is often determined by the extent to which we recall where we were on hearing the news. So it was that when I learned of the momentous House of Commons vote.
5 Dec 2024
Orcadian Columns
Orcadian Column, 21 November 2024
“Never pick a fight with a profession that appears in a children’s book”. Such was the advice famously issued by The Economist some years back. In truth, most administrations have honoured it more in the breach.
21 Nov 2024
Orcadian Column, 7 November 2024
In the immortal words of Sir Alex Ferguson, it’s ‘squeaky bum time’. As I sit here writing this column, US voters are heading to the polls in what looks set to be a ‘knife edge’ contest.
7 Nov 2024
Orcadian Column, 24 October 2024
I can proudly lay claim to having once been part of a cycling peloton with Sir Chris Hoy. Granted, I was on an e-bike at the back of the pack but these are minor details.
24 Oct 2024
Orcadian Column, 17 October 2024
The sudden and unexpected death of Alex Salmond from a heart attack while on a speaking engagement in North Macedonia is, first and foremost, a tragedy for his family and my thoughts go out to them, particularly his wife, Moira.
17 Oct 2024
Orcadian Column, 3 October 2024
I can now say I have introduced the Queen to Marty Flett. Fortunately, Marty was on his best behaviour, granted not a high bar, but it was enough to keep me out of the Tower of London for now – despite having accidentally ‘photo bombed’ the King...
3 Oct 2024