Until this week, there were two absolute political verities. The first was that British party conferences – those quaint, autumn love-ins when Tories, Liberal Democrats or Labourites gather by the sea in some fading resort to tell one another how wonderful they are – had long ceased to be remotely interesting.

via JOHN MACLEOD: So Vince Cable, are you a friend of the Union? | Mail Online.

“I wasn’t actually planning on doing so much,” Bonnie MacLeod says about her busy summer of theatre. “But once I got involved, I caught the bug.”

via The Cape Breton Post: Columnists | Bonnie MacLeod enjoys catching the summer theatre bug.

History professor James MacLeod, 43, is hoping his tongue-in-cheek approach to climate change will land him the coveted prize of science’s most socially conscious, and not to mention wittiest, doodler.

The Greenock-born dad of two now lives in Indiana where he teaches at the University of Evansville.

via Scots cartoonist draws his own conclusions on US politics « Deadline Press & Picture Agency.

He should instead seek out the wise counsel of the immaculately-spoken Kenny Macleod in the Stornoway SNP office.

If the first ministear then starts speaking with a Niseach twang, there will be even less chance that anyone, anywhere would have a scooby what he was uttering. In the view of some, that would be no bad thing at all.

via Tears on my shoulder as first minister shatters braveheart – Press & Journal.

By Leo MacLeod

While good writing is valued, it’s also in short supply. Many of us weren’t educated to be strong writers. It can be time-consuming to write something great. And it’s always easier to recycle something from the past.

via Effective writing is essential for building industry firms « Daily Journal of Commerce.

Calum Macleod and Nicole Busby: The devil is in the detail over future Scots crofting law

via Calum Macleod and Nicole Busby: The devil is in the detail over future Scots crofting law – Scotsman.com News.

How much is too much?

Sun Media writers Brian MacLeod and Paul Berton debate the merits of government-imposed salary caps for private-sector executives.

via How much is too much? | Comment | Winnipeg Sun.

History professor James MacLeod, 43, is hoping his tongue-in-cheek approach to climate change will land him the coveted prize of science’s most socially conscious, and not to mention wittiest, doodler.

via Scots cartoonist draws his own conclusions on US politics « Deadline Press & Picture Agency.

Susan McPhail has a fresh take on the old story of Colonel James Macleod, Commissioner of the North West Mounted Police, visiting Calgary House and returning to Canada to change Fort Brisebois to Fort Calgary. I have often heard it said in Canada that Macleod had relations at Calgary House. We are now told a local legend that he had a woman friend at the house which creates a new possibility: that he had relations in more ways than one!

via Argyll News: This Is Who We Are meets Who Do You Think You Are | For Argyll.

EXAMS in Scottish schools will soon undergo a radical change.

Standard Grades were introduced in the 1980s as an inclusive exam system which would allow every child to leave school with a qualification.

It replaced a system which was seen to favour the privileged and disadvantage those who were less academically able by giving them nothing.

via Fiona MacLeod: Scottish school exam system to undergo a radical overhaul – Scotsman.com News.