Kelvin Thomson

The latest @Foodanddrinkfed trade snapshot, H1 2024, shows total first half exports at £11.2bn, -6.1% driven by decline in alcohol exports (Whisky, -18.8%). Ireland remains the biggest export market with sales +1% to £2bn. Spain saw biggest market decline at -35.7% to £309.9m!

🇳🇴 Cold Response 26 kicks off in Norway: 32,000 soldiers from 14 nations training across land, air, sea, cyber and space in the High North. While Trump questions NATO’s value, Europe’s north is quietly becoming the alliance’s most serious theater. Shoulder to shoulder, with or without Washington. #ColdResponse26 #NATO #ArcticSentry Stay connected, Follow Gandalv @Microinteracti1

Chef Prasad is in the hot seat. Press play and get to know the story behind the food at Dhoom. #newmenu #scotland #dhoom #dunfermline #indianstreetfood #streetfood

Meeting MSP contacts this afternoon @ScotParl! #SRSG @ScotRaptorStudy

Departing #Rome heading for @GLA_Airport on @Jet2Holidayssol

On the train early, for me, this morning heading to @Srirling via @ScotRail!

Sad news to hear that @gourmetbutcher may close! #Aberdeenshire bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

Good to see continuing range extension of the Marsh Harrier in Scotland! #SRSG bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

Spotted in a mainstream UK card shop - Card Factory - this week. Not a niche retailer. Just an everyday high street business selling a card celebrating “transitioning” as uncomplicated empowerment. Another example of how easily commercial spaces slide into ideological messaging - often without fully considering how it might land with a broad customer base. Many of whom - like me - would simply like to buy a greetings card, a bath bomb or some bedding plants, without being drawn into gender identity politics.

Some slight cheer with inflation dipping to 3% for year ending Jan 2026!

@JohnMasonMSP There was a good range of species, habitats brought up by members during the session with some good humour as well. Liked the story about the cross party hug on the Ash tree. Well summed up by the Cabinet Secretary as well! @NatureChampions @ScotLINK

Really appreciated the 14 MSPs who spoke in debate as well as Cab Sec Mairi Gougeon. Heard about importance of eagles, sea grass, salmon, newts, ash trees, oyster beds, rivers, butterflies. And special thanks to Mercedes Villlalba for defending the importance of Road Verges!

With the next @ScotParl elections expected to take place in May, this means that this is the last few months of this cohort of champions before we begin again! Which Scottish species and habitats would you like to see championed in the next Parliament? 🤔 (2/2)

Great opening speech from @JohnMasonMSP in this evenings debate on the success of the @NatureChampions initiative promoted by @ScotLINK @ScotRaptorStudy

Serial offender! #wildlifecrime

Shot Buzzard found nr Wigginton, York. Currently under the care of expert raptor rehabilitator @jeanthorpeRR North Yorkshire living up to its reputation as the worst county for raptor persecution in England. raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/02/08/sho…

@ScotRail Forgot to post destination from Friday's travels, @The_Kirkhouse for lunch and a pint of @TennentsLager #Shettleston #Glasgow

Destination today #Glasgow #Shettleston a new station for me on @ScotRail network!

Heading to #Glasgow this morning via @ScotRail

Maia Sandu, the President of Moldova, has rejected her nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize, asking instead for Ukrainian POWs to receive it: "Today, I was watching Ukrainian prisoners of war who returned home from Russia, these are the people who most deserve the Peace Prize!"

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the ban on the participation of Russian athletes should be lifted: "We have to. Definitely." "Because this ban has not achieved anything, it has just created more frustration and hatred." He said he believes "having girls and boys from Russia being able to play football games in other parts of Europe would help." I strongly disagree. Russian sports is very much a part of Russia’s politics, and most Russian athletes openly support the Kremlin’s regime. Source: news.sky.com/story/fifa-pre…

Get in Saints! #Perth #SJFC