It’s been a breathtaking few days in British politics. I’ve never experienced anything like it – I’m sure not many of us have. Although the 2014 Scottish independence referendum packed a powerful emotional punch, this has felt like a totally different beast. I’ve watched my Facebook feed with morbid curiosity as it has lit up with a heady mixture of depression, angst and anger (and, interestingly, no jubilation or euphoria whatsoever…). The uncertainty, for all of us, is

I watched events unfold in Paris last week with a combination of dismay, disgust and horror. I’m sure we all did. There was a surreal quality to the footage of the Charlie Hebdo attacks, and the ensuing manhunts, hostage scenarios and ultimate carnage. An attack on free speech, twenty people dead, religious tensions exacerbated - and all in a country I love, with a culture I respect and admire, and in a city I visited only a few weeks ago. On a level I have found the whole

The New Zealand All Blacks fascinate me. When it comes to team sport, they are the pinnacle. This isn’t just opinion – it's a statistical fact. The All Blacks have a win rate of over 75% within the past 100 years, which makes them more successful at the elite level than any other team in any other sport, anywhere. And this is all from a relatively small nation. There are only 4.5 million people living in New Zealand, with just over 140,000 registered rugby players. To g

It's been a rollercoaster – and with unprecedented levels of political engagement, the psychological impact will be huge. Guardian article by Karen McVeigh, Sept 18th 2014 Waking up on Friday morning, for millions of Scots, will produce the kind of mixture of gut wrenching anxiety tinged with excitement normally felt among football fans before an important game. Then there will be a range of emotions from euphoria on one side to anger and bitter disappointment on the other. T

These are historic times for Scotland, and the people of the United Kingdom. Depending on our views, opinions and beliefs, we will be variously watching the outcome of Thursday’s independence referendum with a mixture of hope or dread, optimism or pessimism, confidence or anxiety. And although some in the UK may be indifferent, few would argue that this process has been anything less than a hugely engaging, invigorating and interesting time for Scottish (and British) politic