Neil Drysdale

I’m an Aberdeen-based journalist and author who is interested in telling people’s stories and will try to help with art projects.

Last Notes

2025-07-23 21:10:55 UTC

This should be unbelievable. Sadly, we’re past the stage where anything surprises me any more! #WorldGoneMad
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2024-12-25 11:45:05 UTC

Annie Lennox turns 70 today. Here’s a look back at the Aberdeen legend’s remarkable career and her activism in so many different fields. A true force for good! #AnnieLennox https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/6644963/whos-that-birthday-girl-annie-lennoxs-aberdeen-links-celebrated-as-legend-turns-70-today/

2024-10-13 11:00:59 UTC

Here’s my take on Alex Salmond, whom I first met when he was only in his 20s. He was an impressive man, a beetle-browed thinker and terrific company when he was in the mood. But there were other aspects of his personality. Ultimately, I think he was an exceptional politician who took Scotland closer to independence than anybody else! #AlexSalmond #Independence #Scotland #RobinCook #NicolaSturgeon https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/6603512/alex-salmond-was-the-only-snp-leader-who-made-scottish-independence-seem-likely/

2024-10-11 11:08:38 UTC

The campaign to reopen the Belmont in Aberdeen is gaining momentum and the fundraising effort has passed £500,000. I talked to Jacob Campbell and Sarah Dingwall about the project and heard from film director Jon S Baird who backs it! #BelmontCommunityCinema #BarryNorman #Aberdeen #JacobCampbell #JonSBaird #AberdeenCityCouncil https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/lifestyle/6595432/belmont-cinema-closed-2-years/

2024-10-09 17:17:20 UTC

John Lennon would have been 84 today. He loved Scotland, visited Caithness as a youngster and made regular trips to the Highlands. There’s even a museum in his honour in Durness and his time there inspired a Beatles classic! #TheBeatles #Durness #Caithness #JohnLennon https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/past-times/2702008/john-lennon-beatles-durness/

2024-09-28 08:32:09 UTC

Should politicians be able to accept holidays, clothes, football hospitality boxes, the use of penthouses and other perks? Or does it show the gulf between those who govern us and the people they are supposed to be representing? I know what I think! But I couldn’t find anybody prepared to defend Keir Starmer and his colleagues. #KeirStarner #LabourParty #Angelahttps://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/lifestyle/6589420/talking-point-politicians-freebies-holidays-hospitality-boxes/

2024-09-25 17:18:29 UTC

Andrew Marr has described Gaelic road and train signs as “offensive”. That’s what I think about his view on Scotland’s national language, which is fighting for its very survival. I spoke to John Morrison, the chairman of MG Alba, which creates high-quality TV programmes for the channel. I wonder if Mr Marr has ever watched any of them before bumping his gums! #JohnMorrison #BBCALBA #WesternIsles #Gaelic https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/lifestyle/6382558/john-morrison-gaelic-survival-mg-alba/

2024-09-15 11:23:23 UTC

Ruth and Peter Morrison lost their nine-year-old son, Harris Don, last November. It was a tragedy, but the couple have chosen to take part in a series of initiatives to help the seven children’s charities who offered them and their wee boy so much support. They have just walked the West Highland Way and raised nearly £20,000. They will keep campaigning! #KayleighsWeeStars #FriendsofAnchor https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/lifestyle/health-and-wellbeing/6572544/ruth-and-peter-lost-their-son-to-cancer-but-not-without-a-fight/

2024-09-13 23:44:14 UTC

Gerry Rafferty’s one of the great figures in Scottish rock history. Here’s a piece I did with his great - and sadly late - friend Rab Noakes. I hope it’s a credit to them both! There’s no paywall. https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/past-times/2223430/how-a-song-by-the-beatles-brought-gerry-rafferty-and-rab-noakes-together/

2024-09-13 10:46:35 UTC

Alan Cumming talked to me about how arts funding is always an easy target for politicians, but reserved his wrath for the architects of “The Vow” which was dragged out during the build-up to the independence referendum in 2014. The actor believes these were promises which were cynically broken and further shattered by the Brexit vote two years later. And the price has been very clear for ordinary Scots! https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/lifestyle/6559791/interview-alan-cumming-is-relishing-visit-to-braemar/

2024-08-29 09:16:11 UTC

St Kilda was evacuated OTD in 1930 and the men, women and children who lived on the island archipelago left their homes behind for the last time. It’s still one of Scotland’s most haunting places and a dual UNESCO world heritage site! #StKilda #WesternIsles #UNESCO #Scotland #Hirta #Boreray https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/past-times/2356496/silence-surrounds-mystical-st-kilda-90-years-after-mass-evacuation-of-residents/