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TODAY, I had a rare al fresco work lunch from the basement balcony of The National’s Bath Street office.
Usually, it's an al desko. But today, the Glaswegian sun is beating down.
Spring has sprung – and so too are the steps of those walking by as I tuck into my chicken and chorizo sandwich. Abba’s Dancing Queen whistles through the air from the karaoke bar next door. Life is good.
But what about the month of March, I hear you all clamour? I’ll tell you what — there were certainly some positive stories.
I’ll start you off with one I didn’t think possible – the world's biggest bike race will take place in Scotland in 2027.
Yes, I’m talking about the Tour de France – both male and female iterations. What a coup! Of course, it won’t only be in Scotland. England and Wales will also host stages and, one would presume, France will bear the brunt of most of it.
But it is historic and will be the largest free sporting spectacle in UK history, with millions expected to line the streets.
In other sporting news, Oban is set to welcome the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race once again, after it was selected as a port in the 25/26 edition of the legendary sailing challenge.
But moving away from sport and something more serious, albeit incredibly important.
Amid much disinformation re Glasgow’s safer drug consumption room emanating from the usual suspects – *cough* Reform UK and Scottish Tory politicians *cough* – it was welcome news to hear from the centre’s manager (below), who told the press that the initiative has already saved several lives by preventing overdoses in the first three months.
Meanwhile, a butcher from Angus has been crowned the UK's first-ever black pudding champion after dusting off an old pre-war recipe.
DH Robertson in Arbroath was able to triumph over some of the “Goliaths of the industry” to win what has been described as the ultimate butchers’ challenge in a head-to-head title race in London.
I hesitated to include this one as there is still much work to be done.
But Scotland retaining its status as the best part of the UK for women in the workplace in PwC’s Women in Work Index is encouraging.
For example, it found that the gender pay gap in Scotland narrowed from 11.8% in 2022 to 8.3% in 2023.
Gillian Alexander, partner at PwC Scotland, said it was a “testament to a proactive approach in addressing gender workplace inequalities” and also stressed that “more must be done to ensure women in all parts of the country have equal opportunities to thrive” in the workforce.
A Jurassic dinosaur fossil has been extracted from the base of a cliff on the Isle of Skye where it was found more than 50 years ago.
The Elgol dinosaur dates from the Middle Jurassic period and is preserved in fragments, but researchers have identified part of the spine, ribs and a hip bone, making it the most complete dinosaur skeleton found to date in Scotland. Very cool.
Well, that’s now me away to go enjoy the sun! I hope you all do too and have a wonderful April.
If there’s anything you think should be included, please don’t hesitate to ping me an email: james.walker@newsquest.co.uk
