The wird on the pavey

After the marathon political catch- up last week we have more of a meander through various topics this episode.We reflect on Mhairi Black's announcement that she, along with currently six other SNP MPs, won't be standing for re-election,the toxicity and the allure of Westminster and its bubble.Much is being made of tensions,even splits,in the SNP but all is not well in the Labour Party. It looks like left leaning candidates are not being selected and there's disquiet over shifts in policy over public ownership, green policies, and an acceptance of Tory fiscal policy. Despite the acceptance by Anas Sarwar of UK Labour's " No" will there be a Holyrood rebellion supporting the Scottish Government's decriminalisation of drug possession and use proposals?Lesley reflects on her Scottish "Thrive" tour and her soggy Highland bike holiday.Pat,meanwhile,manages to shoehorn Scottish independence into his house move. Both wax lyrical on the great Saint Andrew and the Woollen Mill. Follow the links below to vanish into the world o Dundee rap.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWOFK7M0QBMhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0c4l_T3KRNo&t=1shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T14t0Be4moULesley completes the cultural exchange with an introduction to Gaelic poet Duncan Ban Macintyre and his epic nature poem In Praise of Ben Dorain"Honour over every benhas Ben Dorain;of all I have seen beneath the sun,I adore her:long, unbroken moor,storehouse of deer.Upland that is clearlyworth talking ofcoppices of boughs,woodland where grass grows,elegant are thosewhose abode it is.The hind with the taper-head sniffing so keenly,with sensitive sharp nostrilexploring the wind:short-tailed and long-shankedon mountainous summitshe stays in her fastnesslest gun-fire deceive her;although when she hurriesshe utters no wheezes.The hind’s in the forestas she ought to be,where she grazes on sweet grass,clean, fine-bladed,heath-rush and deer-grass,herbs full of substanceto put fat and tallowupon her loins.The hind is in this little glen,and no unskilled foolcould stalk her if he did not know ofmaking contact with her quietly;guarding against her warily,drawing near before she stirs,cautiously, most toilsomely,lest she should sense him.Honour over every benhas Ben Dorain;of all I have seen beneath the sun,I adore her:long, unbroken moor,storehouse of deer.Upland that is clearlyworth talking ofcoppices of boughs,woodland where grass grows,elegant are thosewhose abode it is."To find out more go tohttps://www.ardanaiseig.com/duncan-bans-monument/Oh, and there's a surprise ending. Nae pauchlin and fast forwardin tae the finish noo. ★ Support this podcast ★