Latest news with #TomDevine
The National
3 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Tom Devine speaks after Neil Oliver binned from Glasgow tour buses
As The National reported on Friday, Oliver has been quietly axed from City Sightseeing Glasgow, where he previously provided English language commentary and had his portrait featured on the side of the service's buses. Now, leading historian Sir Tom Devine has responded to Oliver being dropped by the tour guiding business, saying the GB News host had taken a slot which could have been filled by a real historian. READ MORE: Theatrics of Unionist duo on Question Time were cringeworthy Devine told The National: 'It has taken some time for Oliver's name to be removed from the city's tourist buses. Now that it has finally happened, I am pleased. "He is not a historian. Scotland is currently awash with excellent historians, any one of whom could have been selected as the face of this tourist campaign. 'I suspect the decision to delete his image is partly to do with the fact that he has become a much more controversial figure in recent years because of his eccentric opinions on politics and other issues, which have undermined his former public standing.' READ MORE: Bob Vylan member responds to Glastonbury backlash with lengthy statement Oliver has descended into the realm of conspiracy theories in recent years, claiming Covid lockdowns are part of a new world order and that vaccinations can give people "turbo cancer". He called the prospect of a new independence vote 'cancerous' and most recently had one of his YouTube videos blocked by the platform for using antisemitic language. His involvement with the tourism service has long been questioned, given his fierce support of the union and Glasgow's majority-Yes vote in 2014. West Coast Motors, the firm who operate the City Sightseeing Glasgow tour bus service, did not respond to requests for comment.
The National
3 days ago
- Business
- The National
Ally McCoist to pay developer contributions in Renfrewshire
The 62-year-old football legend hopes to build 38 houses and flats of contemporary design on a site of vacant land on the western boundary of number 24 Thriplee Road in Bridge of Weir. The application has been put forward by Erskine-based company James (Glasgow) Ltd, which lists the former Ibrox striker and Jeffrey East as company directors. READ MORE: 'He's not a historian': Tom Devine speaks as Neil Oliver binned from Scots tour buses A previous report in 2018 told how the football legend had joined up with Mr East to create the venture, which at the time was described as being "involved in the buying and selling of own real estate'. The site is described in planning documents as "effectively open countryside", "some 2.4 hectares in size" and "bound by housing on three sides". Included in the proposal are plans to construct nine detached houses, six semi-detached houses and 23 flats split into three individual blocks. A council report has revealed the possible impact on local schools if families move to the new houses. They assessed nearby schools before ruling a "developer contribution" would be required if planning was permitted. Papers said: "Following assessment of the proposed development, the educational impact, has been assessed and presented in the data in appendix 1. "This shows that a developer contribution will be required for Bridge of Weir Primary School, Gryffe High School, and St Benedict's High School." READ MORE: Man charged after crucifix set alight and headstones damaged in cemetery attack The development has faced opposition from a number of locals. In their objections, residents raised concerns about issues such as increased traffic, a lack of local infrastructure including schools and doctors surgeries to accommodate the development, and the potential flood risk to existing properties. Other concerns raised included the safety of cyclists and pedestrians including children walking to and from school, noise concerns and the impact on the 'significant local bat population'. The consultation on the plans closes on June 30 and the application is currently under consideration by Renfrewshire Council.
The National
3 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Tom Devine 'pleased' by Neil Oliver's axing from tourism service
The National reported on Friday that Oliver had been quietly axed from City Sightseeing Glasgow, where he previously provided English language commentary and had his portrait featured on the side of the service's buses. Now, leading historian Sir Tom Devine has responded to Oliver being dropped by the tour guiding business, saying he is 'pleased' by the decision. READ MORE: Theatrics of Unionist duo on Question Time were cringeworthy Devine told The National: 'It has taken some time for Oliver's name to be removed from the city's tourist buses. 'Now that it has finally happened I am pleased. He is not a historian. Scotland is currently awash with excellent historians, any one of whom could have been selected as the face of this tourist campaign. 'I suspect the decision to delete his image is partly to do with the fact that he has become a much more controversial figure in recent years because of his eccentric opinions on politics and other issues, which have undermined his former public standing.' Oliver's removal has been called for since the broadcaster went on several anti-Covid regulations rants on GB News in 2021, as well as his previous remarks regarding a potential second referendum. READ MORE: Bob Vylan member responds to Glastonbury backlash with lengthy statement He called the prospect of a new independence vote 'cancerous' and most recently had one of his YouTube videos blocked by the platform for using antisemitic language. His involvement with the tourism service has long been questioned, given his fierce support of the union and Glasgow's majority-Yes vote in 2014. West Coast Motors, the firm who operate the City Sightseeing Glasgow tour bus service, did not respond to requests for comment.
The National
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Activists demand update on 'offensive' Edinburgh Castle cafe name
The Redcoat Cafe found itself at the centre of intense controversy earlier last year, when it reopened after a refurbishment and Scots discovered the name on social media. The backlash saw calls for a 'swift rebrand', and a petition calling for the 'deeply offensive' name to be changed was set up and gathered more than 5000 signatures. In response, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) pledged to review the name of the cafe, as well as the name of the Jacobite function room. READ MORE: Tom Devine weighs in on Edinburgh Castle's Redcoat Cafe row At the time, a spokesperson for HES said: 'We have listened to the strong feelings on both sides of the debate about the name of the cafe at Edinburgh Castle. "The name has been in place since 1992 and reflects the military history which is told throughout the castle, however, the way we interpret history is constantly evolving. "As part of our new visitor experience plans for Edinburgh Castle in the coming financial year, the names of both the cafe and the function room will be reviewed and any changes communicated in due course.' Come the end of the referred-to financial year, running from April 6, 2024, until April 5, 2025, activists are now calling for an update on the review. READ MORE: The UK now officially admits it's arming Israeli extremists – but won't stop "I think it's taken far too long for this review to take place. It's been well over a year. The issue was raised back in February of last year, and here we are in May 2025. Surely by now, they could have come to a conclusion," Sean Clerkin told The National. Clerkin (below) and other activists delivered a letter to the cafe calling for customers to boycott the cafe if management did not concede to demands for a name change in March 2024. He added: "What I believe happened is that after the initial criticisms, they hoped the controversy would die down. They were probably just planning to keep the name and let everything quietly fade away. "But that's not going to happen. Too many people oppose the name. It would be like opening a café in Dublin and calling it the Black and Tan Cafe — it's the exact same thing. "The name must be changed. It's important because it reflects something much bigger. The continued use of the Redcoat Cafe name at Edinburgh Castle sends a message that Scotland is not in an unequal union. READ MORE: 'A magnificent effort': New independence hub opens with weekly Gaelic classes "Having a name like that at one of our most iconic landmarks is a symbol of colonization. "To change that perception, the name must be dropped — along with any lingering ties to British symbolism. "This review needs to conclude soon, and the outcome should be clear: the name has to go." When asked for an update on the review, and clarification on whether it had been delayed, a HES spokesperson said: "As highlighted previously, the review is part of wider visitor experience plans for Edinburgh Castle, this work is ongoing and a decision on the names will be taken in line with this in due course."
