Dangerous driving in search of social media hits and the scourge of illegally supercharged ebikes shows the folly of over-reliance on technology to police the roads. This is the subject of my latest column, published in today's Scotsman (1st September 2026). I don’t know if anyone else has noticed but lately I have been struck by how few marked police traffic cars I have seen on the trunk roads of Scotland, especially at night. Not so long ago you would frequently see the familiar...

This is the subject of my latest Scotsman column, published in today's newspaper (18th August 2026). Reductions in prison sentences should only be for good behaviour - not a matter of right. Since time immemorial prison governors have used incentives to keep order and to encourage rehabilitation. All prisons are micro societies with their own pecking orders and hierarchies. Plum jobs and privileges are given to inmates who behave, show contrition, or participate in programmes to improve...

This is my latest column, published in today's Scotsman (4th August 2026). As a rule, derelict buildings are more likely to catch fire than your average fully functioning structure. Setting aside conspiracy theories, poor maintenance of electrical or safety systems, vandalism and careless workmen can all cause problems. So it was no real surprise when the old Debenhams building on Princes Street was gutted by fire. Given the state of Edinburgh’s premier thoroughfare, it’s a wonder that only...