Ailsa Higgins

Policy Manager at @scotgov working on Scotland's Land Reform Bill. Lover of high and wild places, folklore and history.

[Andrew Thin @andrew_thin]

Pilgrimage to the starvation wall near the summit of Ben Dearg yesterday. Built by hungry crofters in return for oats during the potato famine. Landowners worried about the alleged moral hazard of welfare without work. Oddly no such concern about inherited income sources.

[Lorne MacLeod @LorneOban]

Residential property sales @RegistersOfScot in Scottish Island regions. Interesting to note in 2023 the high percentage of cash sales (no mortgage) in the islands 57%, compared to the mainland 37%. Difficult for island youngsters to compete in this market.
https://t.co/TEBcD1Cm6x

[Ailsa Higgins @ailsa_higgins]

@LuisFYanes @AnaMDaza @koldo_casla @anil_yv @JCLawrence13 @EssexHRC @EssexLawSchool Congrats! Time to celebrate your achievement 🥂🍾

[Jamie McIntyre @_JamieMcIntyre]

Really depressing scanning the property pages this morning:
"would make an idyllic bolt-hole"
"superb self-catering opportunity in a buoyant holiday market"
"idyllic holiday retreat, or...investment opportunity in a buoyant, premium self-catering market"
3 local family houses....

[CalMac Ferries @CalMacFerries]

We're on the lookout for individuals to help provide a lifeline service for island communities while helping visitors from across the world experience the most scenic locations.

Find out more info and apply here ➡️ https://t.co/EXxQqkzG7O
#CalMacCareers #PeopleBehindTheJourney

[Jamie McIntyre @_JamieMcIntyre]

A key tweet in a very important thread.

But surprised to see the current energy market not highlighted as a barrier (maybe it's in the report?) - if community renewables projects could sell direct to local consumers, it would absolutely transform their finances.

[James Nokise @JamesNokise]

I’m not quite sure how to explain what’s happened tonight, because it’s still happening - but here goes…

At 4:40pm I jumped on a train from London to Edinburgh..

It was comfy, it was quiet

In hindsight, too good to last…

[Public Appointments @scotpublicappts]

The Scottish Land Commission are looking for up to three new Commissioners.

The role of Land Commissioner provides a unique opportunity to shape and develop evidence based policies on matters relating to land.

To apply, see: https://t.co/W3ghrxAa15

[Andrew Thin @andrew_thin]

Today @ButhBharraigh took ownership of the old Coop building in Castlebay through the asset transfer process enabled by the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. A triumph of collective determination and a consequence of progressive legislation. Progress....

[Ailsa Higgins @ailsa_higgins]

This government consultation on taxing second homes in Scotland closes tomorrow if you haven't already completed! https://t.co/THHsHcvrvn

[Living Rent @Living_Rent]

46% of homes on Tiree are not for permanent residents.

We need to increase council tax for second homes and cut down the number of holiday lets so that everyone has access to homes in their community.

Fill in the gov's consultation on second homes now!
https://t.co/sSdMP8VPIX

[Rhoda Meek @wodieskodie]

Tiree has multiple individuals about to be homeless and has identified 43 people wanting to move there - 21% of whom have a job offer. The Development Trust has put out a general call for long term rental accommodation, so if you can help, let us know!

https://t.co/by99Y0idPG

[michael dempster - cyberscots ᛞᚩᛗ @DrMDempster]

Dae ye think we shuid pit up wi this kin o nonsensical anglicisation o wir place names?

Sauchie - adjective meanin "willow trees" 👍

Hauch - noun meanin "meadow beside a river", this hus been misunnerstood as "haw" an 'correctit' tae "hall"👎

It's juist wrang. There thoosans!

[Luis F Yanes @LuisFYanes]

Today we finally have a consultation for a new human rights Bill for Scotland. Happy to see it out, after more than a decade of advocacy and work from @ScotHumanRights

So what is this about and what does the consultation ask? A🧵

[Rhoda Meek @wodieskodie]

"This problem cannot and should not be solved only by those who are worst affected."

My thoughts about second homes are in The National today. (Gulp!)
https://t.co/wZunmoCPi6

[Domhnall Macsween @sweenyness]

I really think we need proper Highlands & Islands political representation - no-one that can be overruled by a remote party who doesn’t care.

I’ve never seen a protest like this in the islands - or maybe not even the Highlands

[H&I Voices @HI_Voices]

I’ve encountered this a lot since working in outdoor industry. People renaming venues bcos they can’t b a*sed to take the 2 seconds to pronounce it.

Allt Daraich, where we have been working this week is now known in a published book as “Sligachan Canyon”. That’s not it’s name?!