The apathy shown by the locals comes as something of a surprise. But the lack of quality management at the highest levels certainly doesn't.
I will (sheepishly) admit that 90% of the reason I voted for Brexit was the sovereignty issue. I just couldn't get my head around the fact that foreign politicians were able to make laws that govern our way of life.
The other 10% was based on going it alone could, if well managed, actually work out really well.
I sadly over-estimated the capabilities of those in power at Westminster.
I'm sheepish because I have to now admit that those foreign politicians were able to do a far better job managing our way of life than any local politician has been able to.
Giving back power to local politicians just doesn't seem to end well no matter where it happens.
I just thank my lucky stars that I've chosen to reside in Oz.
We've just come back from a month touring Tassie. An amazing island, not unlike Scotland in many ways. There are many stories I could tell you about the diversity and entrepreneurial spirit we saw all over the island but instead I'll share one moment. We were in the campervan and taking advantage of one of the many fabulous free campsites the government maintain. I walked into the public toilet and found myself caught short without loo paper.
I was genuinely shocked (the loo had no graffitti, the seat was still on and there were, as per usual, no signs of vandalism in or around the toilet) but it had no loo paper...Quelle Horreur!!
That's the first time in 23 years of living in this country that I've been to a public toilet that wasn't usable.
Contrast that with the public toilets you find all over the UK...
Thanks Martin. It is a sad situation. So much potential in Scotland yet so little of it realised. It used to be a more innovative and entrepreneurial country but 15 years of the only sound being the drum for Independence and all blame pushed south of the border has dulled the spirit and dampened the soul. The parallel to your experience in Tassie is the North Coast 500. Basically a route along the top of Scotland taking in some incredible views. The roads are poor and often single track. There are very few facilities. So when it was promoted during lockdown, lots of people went up in their motor homes and on their motor bikes to camp. No camp sites. No toilets so lots of er, mess, left behind. Roads got congested, locals got pissed off by the invaders camping wherever they pleased (as one can in Scotland through the right to roam). Result - no money for infrastructure, annoyed and disillusioned visitors.
I too voted to get out of the EU for exactly the same reasons as you but what I've seen since is a complete inability to do anything we were promised or deliver any of the benefits. All I know is that losing things like the freedom of movement has made visiting Europe a lot harder that it once was.
Devolution for Scotland has exposed the myth that the SNP can run the country - and if they had total control all they would do is run it into the ground. I am sad, very sad about that and hope it never comes about. But until then...
I think that the United Kingdom has lived too long on it's Victorian inheritance, and as often quoted an inheritance usually only lasts 3 generations without excellent management. Excellent management comes with strong leadership, clear agreed objectives and viable strategies to deliver those objectives. I could expand this a lot more, but the bottom line is we need to work under excellent management to succeed
Exactly Paul. Without the Victorian infrastructure in Scotland it would be unworkable. As for excellent management, certainly for the last 20 years or so since devolution, it's all gone tits up. None of the qualifications for excellent management apply under the SNP - in fact the complete reverse is true. I find it very sad that such a beautiful country can be so badly cared for by the people responsible for its upkeep.
Great (but rather sad) article Ian.
The apathy shown by the locals comes as something of a surprise. But the lack of quality management at the highest levels certainly doesn't.
I will (sheepishly) admit that 90% of the reason I voted for Brexit was the sovereignty issue. I just couldn't get my head around the fact that foreign politicians were able to make laws that govern our way of life.
The other 10% was based on going it alone could, if well managed, actually work out really well.
I sadly over-estimated the capabilities of those in power at Westminster.
I'm sheepish because I have to now admit that those foreign politicians were able to do a far better job managing our way of life than any local politician has been able to.
Giving back power to local politicians just doesn't seem to end well no matter where it happens.
I just thank my lucky stars that I've chosen to reside in Oz.
We've just come back from a month touring Tassie. An amazing island, not unlike Scotland in many ways. There are many stories I could tell you about the diversity and entrepreneurial spirit we saw all over the island but instead I'll share one moment. We were in the campervan and taking advantage of one of the many fabulous free campsites the government maintain. I walked into the public toilet and found myself caught short without loo paper.
I was genuinely shocked (the loo had no graffitti, the seat was still on and there were, as per usual, no signs of vandalism in or around the toilet) but it had no loo paper...Quelle Horreur!!
That's the first time in 23 years of living in this country that I've been to a public toilet that wasn't usable.
Contrast that with the public toilets you find all over the UK...
Thanks Martin. It is a sad situation. So much potential in Scotland yet so little of it realised. It used to be a more innovative and entrepreneurial country but 15 years of the only sound being the drum for Independence and all blame pushed south of the border has dulled the spirit and dampened the soul. The parallel to your experience in Tassie is the North Coast 500. Basically a route along the top of Scotland taking in some incredible views. The roads are poor and often single track. There are very few facilities. So when it was promoted during lockdown, lots of people went up in their motor homes and on their motor bikes to camp. No camp sites. No toilets so lots of er, mess, left behind. Roads got congested, locals got pissed off by the invaders camping wherever they pleased (as one can in Scotland through the right to roam). Result - no money for infrastructure, annoyed and disillusioned visitors.
I too voted to get out of the EU for exactly the same reasons as you but what I've seen since is a complete inability to do anything we were promised or deliver any of the benefits. All I know is that losing things like the freedom of movement has made visiting Europe a lot harder that it once was.
Devolution for Scotland has exposed the myth that the SNP can run the country - and if they had total control all they would do is run it into the ground. I am sad, very sad about that and hope it never comes about. But until then...
I think that the United Kingdom has lived too long on it's Victorian inheritance, and as often quoted an inheritance usually only lasts 3 generations without excellent management. Excellent management comes with strong leadership, clear agreed objectives and viable strategies to deliver those objectives. I could expand this a lot more, but the bottom line is we need to work under excellent management to succeed
Exactly Paul. Without the Victorian infrastructure in Scotland it would be unworkable. As for excellent management, certainly for the last 20 years or so since devolution, it's all gone tits up. None of the qualifications for excellent management apply under the SNP - in fact the complete reverse is true. I find it very sad that such a beautiful country can be so badly cared for by the people responsible for its upkeep.