Orcadian Column, 5/3/2026
I’m not sure you can make a mockery of something that is already intrinsically ludicrous, but the inaugural winner of the FIFA Peace Prize is having a good go. Donald Trump’s joint attack with Israel on Iran may have garnered the headlines he craved, even removed a murderous dictator in Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but it’s hard to see what the longer-term plan is or how this creates greater security in the region or wider world.
As well as appearing contrary to international law, the attack blows another sizable hole in Mr Trump’s own election promise to remove the US from conflicts around the globe. The timing also raises questions, coming as it does on the back of mounting problems for Mr Trump on the home front and sinking poll ratings. The Supreme Court has shot down his tariffs, inflation is eating into household budgets and the spectre of his relationship with the disgraced paedophile, Jeffrey Epstein continues to haunt Mr Trump’s White House. In that context, the attack on Iran feels more like distraction than strategy.
Meanwhile, at Holyrood, the fall-out rumbles on following revelations the Lord Advocate briefed the First Minister on details of legal proceedings against former SNP Chief Executive and husband of Nicola Sturgeon, Peter Murrell before these were made public. Dorothy Bain KC insists such briefings are not unusual and avoid ministers making comments on ‘live’ cases that fall foul of strict ‘prejudice’ rules. Yet, given the political sensitivity of this specific case, especially in the run up to May’s election, the episode reinforces arguments that the Lord Advocate heading up the prosecution service while also acting as legal adviser to the government is simply untenable.
The SNP committed to review this ’dual mandate’ back in 2021 but has since failed to act. Some of the language used to describe Dorothy Bain KC’s actions may be over the top, but her admission last week that she’d failed to tell parliament the previous week about an earlier memo sent to the First Minister on the Murrell case means this controversy is not going away.
Not going away either are concerns over the SNP Government’s agricultural ‘greening’ proposals, which increasingly look ill-suited to Orkney’s grassland systems. I led a parliamentary debate on this in January, while farmers raised it directly with the First Minister when he was in Orkney recently. The issue was still high on the agenda during an ‘open’ farm visit hosted by Ian and Kerry at Yarpha in Orphir on Friday. These visits are a great chance to see first-hand what farmers are dealing with while also helping underscore how important farming is to the Orkney economy and community.
With beef herd numbers on the decline, the government’s Ecological Focus Area proposals risk piling costs on farm businesses while delivering no environmental benefit and even potentially pushing some farmers into withdrawing from environmental schemes. It’s a lose-lose situation SNP Ministers must address.
Talking of re-thinks, I was delighted to see the Blood Transfusion Service confirm they’ll be returning to Orkney in May. Until their visit last year, I’d spent 15 years trying to persuade SNBTS to return to Orkney. On both previous occasions, the blood donation sessions at the Picky were a huge success. I’m confident the same will be true this time and hopefully this signals a long-term commitment to running donation sessions in the islands.
Finally this week, a big shout out to Gregor Corse, the amazing four-year-old whose ‘loops o the hoose’ have captured the public imagination in Orkney and beyond. So far, he’s raised an astonishing amount for Inclusive Orkney, a great charity running activities for children with additional support needs to learn skills and have fun. The photos of who’s been round to join Gregor for a few laps each day have been priceless.
After speaking to his mum, Iona I made enquiries about possible messages of support. The Scottish Rugby Union came back immediately, offering a signed 6 Nations shirt to be auctioned off and a special message from one Gregor (Townsend) to another. Hopefully, there’s more to come.
Every column these days seems to start with Donald Trump. Thank goodness we can leave the last word to Gregor Corse.