Latest news with #GeorgeReid
The National
2 days ago
- Business
- The National
Innis & Gunn named Scotland's best at World Beer Awards
The World Beer Awards are an annual global competition judged by international beer experts to crown the best brews in each style and country. The win marks another award for The Original, which has been winning awards for the past 22 years, and this year secured gold in the Wood Aged category. Lager Beer also retained its crown as gold winner in the Classic Pilsener category. Both beers topped the Scottish charts as Country Winners in their category. Full list of the World Beer Awards 2025 winners below: Gold – Country Winners Innis & Gunn – The Original (6.6%) — Wood Aged. Innis & Gunn – Lager Beer (4.6%) — Classic Pilsener. Paolozzi – Helles Lager (5.2%) — Helles/Münchner. Anti Establishment – Double Hazy IPA (7.2%) — Imperial/Double/DIPA. Tennents – Extra (9.0%) — Bock. Jackstaff – IPA (0.5%) — NO & LOW: IPA. Tennents – Light (3.4%) — Gluten-free. Silver Arran – Milestone Special Reserve (6.0%) — Wood Aged. Harviestoun Brewery – Schiehallion (4.8%) — Classic Pilsener. Bronze Arran – Dark (4.3%) — English Style Brown Ale. Tennents – Lager (4.0%) — Classic Pilsener. Untitled – IPA (5.5%) — English Style IPA. Harviestoun Brewery – Ochil Lager (4.0%) — Czech Style Pale. Freedom – 4.8% Organic Helles Lager (4.8%) — Helles/Münchner. Tennents – Gluten Free (5.0%) — Hoppy Pilsener. Tennents – 1885 (5.0%) — International Lager. Lager Beer, brewed with naked golden oats and zesty aromatic hops for a crisp, refreshing taste, continues to outperform major international brands in blind tastings. The Original, launched in 2003 and matured using oak for a smooth, rich flavour, is the beer that first put Innis & Gunn on the map. Dougal Gunn Sharp, founder and master brewer, said: 'This is an immensely proud moment for the team, particularly seeing Lager Beer maintain back-to-back gold status. World leading beer that could only come from Scotland. unique, we've been making Original for over two decades and it continues to win awards and delight customers in Scotland and beyond. READ MORE: 'A lad o' pairts who revelled in being of use': An obituary of George Reid 'This is the global benchmark for brewing excellence, and a real testament to the hard work and craft of the team. Scotland's brewing scene is world-class and these wins put Scottish beer firmly on the global map.' The World Beer Awards celebrate the best beers from around the globe, with entries judged for outstanding flavour, quality and innovation. Breweries from across Scotland and beyond compete in style categories ranging from lagers to speciality and wood-aged beers.
Scotsman
4 days ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
Why Scottish independence is the opposite of Brexit and John Swinney's plan is the right one
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The SNP, and Scotland, suffered a grievous loss this week with the passing of former Presiding Officer George Reid, the last of the 1970s intake of SNP MPs. George was pro-independence because he was an internationalist. He recognised that for Scotland, and its citizens, to thrive, it needed to be a full member of, and active participant in, the European and broader international community. Not because Scotland is unique or better than any of its neighbours, but for the rather more mundane reason that Scotland should simply be the same as them. Of the Brexit debacle, he claimed a 'moral responsibility' to speak out against a move that would 'negate everything I've believed all my public life'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad I spoke to him when I was writing my own book, Nation to Nation: Scotland's Place in the World, for his own characteristically thoughtful take. There is a long internationalist tradition among those who support independence that underlines the overall movement's commitment to the international rules-based system. This has been championed by successive political giants including Professor Neil MacCormick, Winnie Ewing, George and, going back to the party's foundations, Robert Cunninghame Graham among others. Internationalism has long been a theme within the Scottish independence movement (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell) | Getty Images Brexit celebrated in Kremlin The appeal sits at the heart of the case for independence, and reimagining the governance mechanisms among the nations of these islands. Scotland's independent neighbours of a similar size such as Norway, Denmark, Ireland and Finland have thrived with independence vastly improving their citizens' lot, whilst making a positive contribution to the world. In that regard the independence that George sought is the opposite of an increasingly isolated Brexit Britain that has turned its back on its neighbours. A Brexit project that leaves its citizens worse off, celebrated in the Kremlin and Trump's White House, whilst being mourned across mainstream democratic Europe. A failed project that has reduced the rights of anyone who holds a British passport, diminished the UK's standing in the world and put unnecessary barriers up to business. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Brexiteers seek a world that does not exist, and we're all suffering the consequences for that misadventure. No state sits alone and is truly sovereign. Professor Neil McCormick knew that, as did George. The international rules-based system and the views of other state actors count, not least in Europe where the sharing of sovereignty keeps the peace, enhances prosperity and creates a better standard of living. As foreign ministers from Dublin to Helsinki, Copenhagen to Ljubljana understand, it also strengthens the independence and sovereignty of European states no longer subject to the whims of great powers. That idea of respecting the rules and that no state sits alone speaks to John Swinney's Independence strategy. The First Minister's announcement that he wants the SNP to gain an independence referendum through the party winning a majority of seats is because he knows that the process counts. As he said earlier this week: 'You can't deliver independence unless your country has domestic and international legitimacy.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Getting London's agreement matters There are those who disagree with independence and simply wish the issue would go away. That is undemocratic and short-sighted in the light of consistent polls that show that at least half the population want to see the nation regain its sovereignty. There are also those supporters who think that there are simple solutions that will provide a shortcut to independence. I am not sure that a UK Government that doesn't agree to a referendum, even faced with popular support for one and another independence majority in the Scottish Parliament, will somehow roll over in those circumstances. Gaining agreement from London matters to the rest of the world and it should therefore matter to Scots. As an internationalist and believer in independence, I can understand the frustration. However, no one is more frustrated than the First Minister who has campaigned for and believed in independence his whole adult life. He sees daily the restrictions placed on his administration in terms of spending, tackling child poverty, engaging with the EU and measures that other nations take for granted. The mechanism of the SNP gaining a majority has triggered a referendum in the past, and if you support independence, then 'both votes SNP' is the most logical approach. Some Greens may disagree, and they have every right to, as the only other pro-independence party which has gained any real public support at the ballot box. That said, in 2011, when a referendum was granted, it was because the SNP were winning seats both on the constituency and regional list vote. In 2016 unionists claimed there was not a majority, unfairly, effectively, counting Green party votes as being pro-Union. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A voluntary Union? If unionist politicians disagree with this approach, it is for them to come up with an alternative. In 2016, the SNP won a greater share of the vote and constituency seats than either Boris Johnson's Conservatives did in 2019 (bringing in profound changes with what they considered to be a mandate for a hard Brexit) or Keir Starmer's Labour did in 2024. If the Union is a voluntary one, then what are the rules for ending it? One cannot simply make them up after an election. If the Union is no longer voluntary, then it is a very different one from that on the ballot in 2014. If so, we deserve a vote on that prospectus as do the hundreds of thousands of Scots who have never had the opportunity to vote on sovereignty. We are still a long way out from the Holyrood elections. At this stage 15 years ago, the SNP had just lost heavily to Labour in the 2010 general election and were behind in the polls. Bookies had the SNP at 11-2 to be the biggest party in 2011. There is all to play for. If, like George did, you believe in an outward-looking, internationalist Scotland then it has to be backing the First Minister's plan for both votes SNP.
Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Times
Sir George Reid, founding member of Scottish parliament, dies aged 86
Sir George Reid, the former Holyrood presiding officer, has died at the age of 86, his family have announced. He died in the early hours of Tuesday at Strathcarron Hospice near Denny, just a few miles from where he was born in Clackmannanshire. Reid began his career as a journalist and was first elected as an SNP MP for Clackmannan & Eastern Stirlingshire in 1974, serving in the House of Commons before narrowly losing at the 1979 election. He then returned to journalism, becoming the producer who brought the world pictures of the Ethiopian famine in 1984 alongside the presenter Michael Buerk, which sparked the Band Aid and Live Aid concerts. Reid later took on a role with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. It was not until the opening of the Scottish parliament in 1999 that he returned to the political front line as an MSP for the Mid Scotland & Fife region, and he then won the Ochil seat in 2003. He became the second presiding officer following the 2003 poll — after losing his bid to be the first in 1999 to Sir David Steel. Reid oversaw the final stages of the then controversial new Holyrood building at the foot of the Royal Mile and the move from the parliament's initial home on the Mound. In late June, Reid was diagnosed with metastatic kidney cancer — having previously had successful surgery for bladder cancer more than a decade ago. His family said he was working until his final few weeks at Stirling University, where he was a professional teaching fellow and was well enough to drive home through the Clackmannanshire area where he was born and represented in two different legislatures. He is survived by Daphne, his wife of 57 years, his daughter Morag and her husband, and five grandchildren. Flags at the Scottish parliament he helped to complete have been lowered as a mark of respect, Alison Johnstone, the current presiding officer, announced. John Swinney, the first minister, led tributes to Reid, crediting him as being one of the voices that brought him into politics as a teenager. 'I am desperately saddened by the loss of the remarkable George Reid,' the he said in a statement on Wednesday. 'His passion for Scotland, his principled internationalist world view, and his empathy for the plight of people everywhere made him a voice that could not be ignored across five decades. 'As an MP, he was a trailblazing member of the SNP's breakthrough victories of 1974. He became, for me, one of the compelling voices of the campaign for a Scottish parliament in 1979. 'His was one of the voices that brought me into politics and kindled my belief in independence that has driven my adult life. I feel so privileged to have been shaped by his influence and inspiration. 'George was a founding member of the Scottish parliament. More than that, after Holyrood's difficult early years, he put aside party and provided emphatic national leadership as the presiding officer, ending the controversies over the new building and cementing the institution's place in modern political life. 'Throughout it all, his articulation of the case for Scotland deciding her own future was as compelling to me when I sat with him in his home just four short weeks ago, as it was when I was a teenager.' Swinney said Scotland, and the world, 'is richer for the life of George Reid and poorer for his passing'. He added: 'My thoughts and deepest condolences are with Dee, his family, his many friends and all whose lives were enhanced by knowing George Reid.' Johnstone said: 'On behalf of all at the Scottish parliament, I express our deepest sadness at the death of our second presiding officer, the Rt Hon Sir George Reid. 'He'll be remembered not only for bringing the Holyrood construction project to completion, but for building confidence and ambition in our young parliament. 'A proud son of Clackmannanshire and an internationalist by outlook, he was determined to put Holyrood on the map at home and abroad, and very much succeeded. 'By the time he left office, Holyrood was established at the centre of public life in Scotland and over a million people had visited to see for themselves the new parliament in action. 'The story of devolution and the early years of our parliament will remember George fondly and with gratitude.' Keith Brown, SNP depute leader — who won Reid's seat after his decision to stand down in 2007 — said the former presiding officer's contribution to Scotland was 'profound'. He added: 'We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. Scotland has lost a great public servant, and the SNP mourns the passing of one of our own with both sadness and gratitude. 'George Reid's life and legacy will endure in our parliament, in our politics, and in the continuing journey toward the fairer, more just Scotland he worked tirelessly to build.' The Scottish Tory MSP Murdo Fraser, who was elected to Holyrood in 2001, said of Reid: 'As presiding officer, he carried out his duties with dignity and gravitas, earning the respect of colleagues across the political spectrum. 'Sir George will perhaps be best remembered for his pivotal role in getting the Scottish parliament building project back on track when it faced severe cost overruns and delays.'
Powys County Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Former Holyrood presiding officer Sir George Reid dies aged 86
Former Holyrood presiding officer Sir George Reid has died at the age of 86, his family have announced. He died in the early hours of Tuesday at Strathcarron Hospice near Denny, just a few miles from where he was born in Clackmannanshire. Sir George began his career as a journalist and was first elected as an SNP MP for Clackmannan and Eastern Stirlingshire in 1974, serving in the House of Commons before narrowly losing at the 1979 election. He then returned to journalism, becoming the producer who brought the world pictures of the Ethiopian famine in 1984 alongside presenter Michael Buerk, which sparked the Band Aid and Live Aid concerts. Sir George later took on a role with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent. It was not until the opening of the Scottish Parliament in 1999 that he returned to the political frontline as an MSP for the Mid Scotland and Fife region, and he then won the Ochil seat in 2003. He became the second presiding officer following the 2003 poll – after losing his bid to be the first in 1999 to Sir David Steel. Sir George oversaw the final stages of the then controversial new Holyrood building at the foot of the Royal Mile and the move from the Parliament's initial home on the Mound. In late June, Sir George was diagnosed with metastatic kidney cancer – having previously had successful surgery for bladder cancer more than a decade ago. His family said he was working until his final few weeks at Stirling University, where he was a professional teaching fellow and was well enough to drive home through the Clackmannanshire area where he was born and represented in two different legislatures. He is survived by Daphne, his wife of 57 years, daughter Morag and her husband, and five grandchildren. Flags at the Scottish Parliament he helped to complete have been lowered as a mark of respect, current Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone announced. First Minister John Swinney led tributes to Sir George, crediting him as being one of the voices that brought him into politics as a teenager. 'I am desperately saddened by the loss of the remarkable George Reid,' the First Minister said in a statement on Wednesday. 'His passion for Scotland, his principled internationalist world view, and his empathy for the plight of people everywhere made him a voice that could not be ignored across five decades. 'As an MP, he was a trailblazing member of the SNP's breakthrough victories of 1974. He became, for me, one of the compelling voices of the campaign for a Scottish Parliament in 1979. 'His was one of the voices that brought me into politics and kindled my belief in independence that has driven my adult life. I feel so privileged to have been shaped by his influence and inspiration. 'George was a founding member of the Scottish Parliament. More than that, after Holyrood's difficult early years, he put aside party and provided emphatic national leadership as the presiding officer, ending the controversies over the new building and cementing the institution's place in modern political life. 'Throughout it all, his articulation of the case for Scotland deciding her own future was as compelling to me when I sat with him in his home just four short weeks ago, as it was when I was a teenager.' Mr Swinney said Scotland, and the world, 'is richer for the life of George Reid and poorer for his passing'. He added: 'My thoughts and deepest condolences are with Dee, his family, his many friends and all whose lives were enhanced by knowing George Reid.' Ms Johnstone said: 'On behalf of all at the Scottish Parliament, I express our deepest sadness at the death of our second presiding officer, the Rt Hon Sir George Reid. 'He'll be remembered not only for bringing the Holyrood construction project to completion, but for building confidence and ambition in our young Parliament. 'A proud son of Clackmannanshire and an internationalist by outlook, he was determined to put Holyrood on the map at home and abroad, and very much succeeded. 'By the time he left office, Holyrood was established at the centre of public life in Scotland and over a million people had visited to see for themselves the new Parliament in action. 'The story of devolution and the early years of our Parliament will remember George fondly and with gratitude.' SNP depute leader Keith Brown – who won Sir George's seat after his decision to stand down in 2007 – said the former presiding officer's contribution to Scotland was 'profound'. He added: 'We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. Scotland has lost a great public servant, and the SNP mourns the passing of one of our own with both sadness and gratitude. 'George Reid's life and legacy will endure in our Parliament, in our politics, and in the continuing journey toward the fairer, more just Scotland he worked tirelessly to build.' Scottish Tory MSP Murdo Fraser, who was elected to Holyrood in 2001, said of Sir George: 'As presiding officer, he carried out his duties with dignity and gravitas, earning the respect of colleagues across the political spectrum. 'Sir George will perhaps be best remembered for his pivotal role in getting the Scottish Parliament building project back on track when it faced severe cost overruns and delays.'
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Tributes paid following the death of ex-Stirling politician and Holyrood Presiding Officer
With proud links to both Clackmannanshire and Stirlingshire, he rose from his family's humble beginnings to earn top honours for a lifetime of public service. Tributes are being paid to the Rt Hon Sir George Reid following his death in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The 86-year-old, who lived in Bridge of Allan, was SNP MP for Clackmannan and East Stirlingshire from 1974 to 1979 and MSP for Ochil from 2003 to 2007. He was also a former Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, an Electoral Commissioner and Trustee of the Edinburgh Tattoo and Glasgow Life, and chaired strategic reviews of public bodies in the UK and Europe. Throughout his life he received many high honours – Lord High Commissioner, Lord-Lieutenant, Knight bachelor - and was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at Holyrood in 2018, decided on unanimously by senior officials from the Scottish Government, Scotland Office, Scottish Parliament, office of the Auditor General and the Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations. His father had been born into a desperately poor family and worked his way up from office boy to managing director of an Alloa brewery. Sir George graduated with first-class honours from St Andrews University and later studied international affairs, humanitarian law and conflict resolution in the United States of America, Switzerland and Sweden, and held five honorary doctorates. For 12 years between his time at Westminster and Holyrood he worked worldwide in wars and disasters as a director of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent in Geneva. Sir George served as Deputy Presiding Officer from 1999 to 2003, and then as Presiding Officer from 2003 to 2007. He was elected as MSP for the Mid Scotland and Fife region from 1999 to 2003 and then for the Ochil constituency from 2003 to 2007. During his time as Presiding Officer, he oversaw the completion of the new Scottish Parliament building, opening in 2004. He was also MP for Clackmannan and East Stirlingshire from 1974 to 1979. The Scottish Parliament's Presiding Officer, Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, was among those who paid tribute. She said: 'On behalf of all at the Scottish Parliament, I express our deepest sadness at the death of our second Presiding Officer, The Rt Hon Sir George Reid. He'll be remembered not only for bringing the Holyrood construction project to completion, but for building confidence and ambition in our young Parliament. 'A proud son of Clackmannanshire and an internationalist by outlook, he was determined to put Holyrood on the map at home and abroad, and very much succeeded. By the time he left office, Holyrood was established at the centre of public life in Scotland and over a million people had visited to see for themselves the new Parliament in action. 'The story of devolution and the early years of our Parliament will remember George fondly and with gratitude. 'My deepest condolences to Daphne, his daughter and grandchildren and his many friends and colleagues. Sir George was welcoming and supportive to me, in Holyrood and outwith. He will be very much missed. 'Flags at Holyrood have been lowered as a mark of respect.' A book of condolence was expected to open at Holyrood and online. On being appointed a Knight of the Thistle - the highest honour in Scotland - in 2022, Sir George said: 'It's a substantial honour for a Tullibody boy. I hope people will still call me George. 'I'm 83 now and intend to keep teaching postgraduates at the University of Stirling. That and seeing the family is my main focus.' Sir George was knighted in 2012 for services to Scottish politics and public life. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and a Professorial Teaching Fellow at the University of Stirling. In 2008 Sir George was appointed Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and then served as Lord Lieutenant of Clackmannanshire from 2011 to 2014.
