Kirsteen Paterson
@kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social
Journalist @holyroodmag.bsky.social - always looking for stories. Politics/social justice/culture/communities/environment/innovation. Posts all mine.
Reposted by Kirsteen Paterson
Happy Gorbals Vampire Day (that I’ve just made up) to all who celebrate 🦇
September 23, 2026 at 9:41 AM
Happy Gorbals Vampire Day (that I’ve just made up) to all who celebrate 🦇
Reposted by Kirsteen Paterson
Drug-related deaths in Scotland have risen by 11 per cent, official figures show www.holyrood.com/news/view,sc...
Scotland’s drug death rate remains highest in Europe as figures increase by 11 per cent in a year
'Toxic' changes in drug supply highlighted
www.holyrood.com
September 23, 2026 at 9:45 AM
Drug-related deaths in Scotland have risen by 11 per cent, official figures show www.holyrood.com/news/view,sc...
MSPs are now more than two hours into what has proven to be a lively debate on independence. I had a look at the political picture for the latest edition of Holyrood www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Can John Swinney delivery indyref2?
Andy Burnham's PMQs slip-up has had cross-border ramifications, but polling shows a country divided
www.holyrood.com
September 22, 2026 at 4:21 PM
MSPs are now more than two hours into what has proven to be a lively debate on independence. I had a look at the political picture for the latest edition of Holyrood www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
The Thistle, the only safer drugs consumption room in the UK, is a three year pilot near a pram showroom in Glasgow. I went along as Ruth Dreifuss, the former president of Switzerland and a global leader in harm reduction, toured the clinic. This is what she found www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Ruth Dreifuss: You don't tackle the drugs crisis by arresting the victims
Touring The Thistle, Scotland’s safer drug consumption room, Switzerland’s former president talks to Holyrood about her ...
www.holyrood.com
September 22, 2026 at 11:09 AM
The Thistle, the only safer drugs consumption room in the UK, is a three year pilot near a pram showroom in Glasgow. I went along as Ruth Dreifuss, the former president of Switzerland and a global leader in harm reduction, toured the clinic. This is what she found www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Reposted by Kirsteen Paterson
Ruth Dreifuss: You don't tackle the drugs crisis by arresting the victims
@kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social speaks to the former Swiss president and harm reduction advocate as she tours The Thistle in Glasgow www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
@kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social speaks to the former Swiss president and harm reduction advocate as she tours The Thistle in Glasgow www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Ruth Dreifuss: You don't tackle the drugs crisis by arresting the victims
Touring The Thistle, Scotland’s safer drug consumption room, Switzerland’s former president talks to Holyrood about her ...
www.holyrood.com
September 22, 2026 at 9:50 AM
Ruth Dreifuss: You don't tackle the drugs crisis by arresting the victims
@kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social speaks to the former Swiss president and harm reduction advocate as she tours The Thistle in Glasgow www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
@kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social speaks to the former Swiss president and harm reduction advocate as she tours The Thistle in Glasgow www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Reposted by Kirsteen Paterson
Henry McLeish, the former Labour first minister who previously said he would vote for independence, now says the campaign for indyref2 is "going nowhere".
"The dial hasn’t shifted since 2014," he told @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social
www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
"The dial hasn’t shifted since 2014," he told @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social
www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Can John Swinney delivery indyref2?
Andy Burnham's PMQs slip-up has had cross-border ramifications, but polling shows a country divided
www.holyrood.com
September 21, 2026 at 1:23 PM
Henry McLeish, the former Labour first minister who previously said he would vote for independence, now says the campaign for indyref2 is "going nowhere".
"The dial hasn’t shifted since 2014," he told @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social
www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
"The dial hasn’t shifted since 2014," he told @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social
www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
'If we went forward with a fait accompli, that would not have landed well': Health sec Angela Constance is under pressure about what NHS reform really means. She told me there's a 'compelling' case for a 2-board structure - and change 'isn't optional' www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Angela Constance: NHS reform isn't optional
Scotland's health secretary is leading the biggest health service overhaul of the devolution era
www.holyrood.com
September 21, 2026 at 11:31 AM
'If we went forward with a fait accompli, that would not have landed well': Health sec Angela Constance is under pressure about what NHS reform really means. She told me there's a 'compelling' case for a 2-board structure - and change 'isn't optional' www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Inside the story of the week 👇
Andy Burnham's PMQs slip-up has had cross-border ramifications, but polling shows Scotland divided www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Can John Swinney delivery indyref2?
Andy Burnham's PMQs slip-up has had cross-border ramifications, but polling shows a country divided
www.holyrood.com
September 19, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Inside the story of the week 👇
"The number of times people used to come to me and say, ‘why don’t you join the Labour Party, we’ll help you out, make you an MP’"
Presiding Officer Kenneth Gibson gets candid www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Presiding Officer Kenneth Gibson gets candid www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
The 'revolutionary': Presiding Officer Kenneth Gibson's reform mission
A self-described 'repentant sinner' who has set Holyrood on a course of 'permanent revolution', Gibson says he has much ...
www.holyrood.com
August 31, 2026 at 11:30 AM
"The number of times people used to come to me and say, ‘why don’t you join the Labour Party, we’ll help you out, make you an MP’"
Presiding Officer Kenneth Gibson gets candid www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Presiding Officer Kenneth Gibson gets candid www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
"I'm sorry we haven't been good enough," said Anas Sarwar after becoming Scottish Labour leader. Five years on, a smaller party is electing his successor after another May drubbing. In post-devolution Scotland, can the party save itself from irrelevance? www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Scottish Labour leadership: Can Marra or Fagan bring the party back from the edge?
Anas Sarwar's departure reveals a party struggling with its identity
www.holyrood.com
August 28, 2026 at 1:45 PM
"I'm sorry we haven't been good enough," said Anas Sarwar after becoming Scottish Labour leader. Five years on, a smaller party is electing his successor after another May drubbing. In post-devolution Scotland, can the party save itself from irrelevance? www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Reposted by Kirsteen Paterson
Scottish Labour leadership: Can Marra or Fagan bring the party back from the edge, asks @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Scottish Labour leadership: Can Marra or Fagan bring the party back from the edge?
Anas Sarwar's departure reveals a party struggling with its identity
www.holyrood.com
August 28, 2026 at 1:42 PM
Scottish Labour leadership: Can Marra or Fagan bring the party back from the edge, asks @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
I used to love a gig or a night out at the ABC, not to mention at the Art School. A decade on from the second Mack fire, the ABC could be student flats. But should it? www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
ABC SOS: The Glasgow planning row and the rise of student accommodation
Why is purpose-built student accommodation so divisive?
www.holyrood.com
July 21, 2026 at 12:42 PM
I used to love a gig or a night out at the ABC, not to mention at the Art School. A decade on from the second Mack fire, the ABC could be student flats. But should it? www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Reposted by Kirsteen Paterson
Lawless Glasgow? Not the city I know, says @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
Why I don't recognise Thomas Kerr's 'lawless' Glasgow
The MSP says women are scared to go to the city centre. Which women is he talking about?
www.holyrood.com
July 17, 2026 at 9:46 AM
Lawless Glasgow? Not the city I know, says @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
'Lawless' Glasgow? That's not the city I recognise www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
Why I don't recognise Thomas Kerr's 'lawless' Glasgow
The MSP says women are scared to go to the city centre. Which women is he talking about?
www.holyrood.com
July 16, 2026 at 4:30 PM
'Lawless' Glasgow? That's not the city I recognise www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
Reposted by Kirsteen Paterson
The Reform MSP says women are too scared to go into Glasgow. Which women is he talking about, asks @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
Why I don't recognise Thomas Kerr's 'lawless' Glasgow
The MSP says women are scared to go to the city centre. Which women is he talking about?
www.holyrood.com
July 16, 2026 at 12:39 PM
The Reform MSP says women are too scared to go into Glasgow. Which women is he talking about, asks @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
Reposted by Kirsteen Paterson
This is a really excellent report from @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social on swimming, pools and govt commitments. Well worth a read, imo. www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Staying afloat: If Scotland's getting free swimming lessons, it needs pools too
Gourock Outdoor Swimming Pool is open rain or shine, but many venues face a battle to remain open
www.holyrood.com
June 25, 2026 at 4:22 PM
This is a really excellent report from @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social on swimming, pools and govt commitments. Well worth a read, imo. www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Reposted by Kirsteen Paterson
"Even the judge at the High Court in Edinburgh had to say that he was left wondering just why the former chief executive of the SNP embezzled more than £400,000 from the party he led."
Good piece on the Murrell scandal by @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
Good piece on the Murrell scandal by @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
Peter Murrell sentencing leaves questions unanswered for SNP
Even the judge was left wondering why the former chief executive of the SNP did it. How he did it is another matter.
www.holyrood.com
June 23, 2026 at 10:53 AM
"Even the judge at the High Court in Edinburgh had to say that he was left wondering just why the former chief executive of the SNP embezzled more than £400,000 from the party he led."
Good piece on the Murrell scandal by @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
Good piece on the Murrell scandal by @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
The resignation of the PM is a pivotal moment. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has been calling for Keir Starmer to resign for months & could now be excused a bit of 'I told you so'. After a dismal set of results, what's next for Scottish Labour? www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
Anas Sarwar gets his wish – so what now for Scottish Labour?
As Keir Starmer resigns, the Scottish Labour leader could be excused a bit of 'I told you so'
www.holyrood.com
June 22, 2026 at 3:02 PM
The resignation of the PM is a pivotal moment. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has been calling for Keir Starmer to resign for months & could now be excused a bit of 'I told you so'. After a dismal set of results, what's next for Scottish Labour? www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
Reposted by Kirsteen Paterson
Nation (re)building: Can Ivan McKee make public service reform work? www.holyrood.com/news/view,na...
Nation (re)building: Can Ivan McKee make public service reform work?
With a new cabinet secretary pledging to reshape Scotland over the next five years, are we really on the cusp of major c...
www.holyrood.com
June 22, 2026 at 11:50 AM
Nation (re)building: Can Ivan McKee make public service reform work? www.holyrood.com/news/view,na...
Reposted by Kirsteen Paterson
Ten years on, Brexit has re-shaped Scotland - and not necessarily in a good way, writes @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
Going pains: A decade on, Brexit has reshaped Scotland
What was it really all about? ‘Brexit means Brexit,’ of course. Simple.
www.holyrood.com
June 19, 2026 at 11:54 AM
Ten years on, Brexit has re-shaped Scotland - and not necessarily in a good way, writes @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
Actor Paul Higgins walked out of the Supreme Court and got a grin from Michael Gove. After 20 years, the Scottish actor's Thick of It spin doctor endures - but his own life is fascinating, poverty, priesthood, plays and all www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Paul Higgins: So many people are one bad decision away from disaster
Raised in poverty, the actor's done The Thick of It, Line of Duty and Black Watch. Now he's drawing on his own life for ...
www.holyrood.com
May 29, 2026 at 10:54 AM
Actor Paul Higgins walked out of the Supreme Court and got a grin from Michael Gove. After 20 years, the Scottish actor's Thick of It spin doctor endures - but his own life is fascinating, poverty, priesthood, plays and all www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Stephen Gethins: If you want a crash course in European politics, Eurovision is it www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Stephen Gethins: Eurovision is a crash course in European politics
Scotland's new minister for culture, Europe and international development opens his music collection
www.holyrood.com
May 29, 2026 at 10:50 AM
Stephen Gethins: If you want a crash course in European politics, Eurovision is it www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Reposted by Kirsteen Paterson
Great interview with Paul Higgins aka Jamie from The Thick of It by @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Paul Higgins: So many people are one bad decision away from disaster
Raised in poverty, the actor's done The Thick of It, Line of Duty and Black Watch. Now he's drawing on his own life for ...
www.holyrood.com
May 29, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Great interview with Paul Higgins aka Jamie from The Thick of It by @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Reposted by Kirsteen Paterson
The ‘Beastie House’ case demonstrates the “failure” of child protection measures in Scotland, John Swinney has said www.holyrood.com/news/view,jo...
John Swinney: Beastie House horror reveals Scottish child protection failures
FM issues apology to children harmed by Glasgow abuse ring
www.holyrood.com
May 28, 2026 at 1:00 PM
The ‘Beastie House’ case demonstrates the “failure” of child protection measures in Scotland, John Swinney has said www.holyrood.com/news/view,jo...
Reposted by Kirsteen Paterson
First Minister John Swinney has told parliament he will not back an inquiry into the embezzlement of SNP finances by Peter Murrell www.holyrood.com/news/view,jo...
John Swinney: No new inquiry over Peter Murrell scandal
Electoral Commission says it has 'no evidence' of misuse of public funds
www.holyrood.com
May 28, 2026 at 12:29 PM
First Minister John Swinney has told parliament he will not back an inquiry into the embezzlement of SNP finances by Peter Murrell www.holyrood.com/news/view,jo...