Data Centres in Scotland: Gold Rush or Bubble? 

We join campaign group Pensioners for Independence at the Bacchus Bar in Glasgow to find out more.   Dr Craig Dalzell, Head of Policy at the Scottish Common Weal, takes on the most pressing question facing Scotland's energy-rich future and unpacks the real economics behind the hype: Can Scotland afford to pass this up? Or are we about to cover our landscape with massive infrastructure for an industry that could collapse faster than it arrived?

Data centre operators are circling our abundant renewables.  Potentially massive investment, likely some jobs, and mitigation of the scandal of curtailment payments — but also ecological concerns, energy competition with households, and the risk of backing tomorrow's obsolete technology.

Should Scotland seize the opportunity to become Europe's AI powerhouse, or are we chasing the next tech bubble?  Is it fracking all over again?

If you care about Scotland's economic future, energy policy, or simply want straight answers instead of corporate spin, this is essential viewing.

Key topics:

00:02:17   Why do they want AI?
00:05:25   What are data centres?
00:10:25   The AI bubble
00:12:19    Why so many data centres?
00:14:47    What will AI be useful for?
00:21:09    Who owns the data centres?
00:24:18    Digital sovereignty
00:27:33    How to regulate a data centre
00:32:08    Will Scotland rein AI in?
00:33:40    Commonweal's prospectus for Scotland

00:34:44    Audience Q+A

Find out more about Commonweal's crowdfunder here:
https://www.commonweal.scot/crowdfunder

Bella Caledonia article: https://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2026/09/23/where-are-we-in-the-fight-against-hyperscale-data-centres/

#AIdatacentre #hyperscale #techbubble

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Music:

Inspired by Kevin MacLeod

Scottish Independence Podcasts is pro independence but not party political.  Opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent our views.

The Scottish and Welsh parliamentary elections in May this year resulted in three of the four nations of the UK electing First Ministers who support self determination for their people.  
This week a meeting took place in Cardiff between the party leaders of the SNP, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Fein to explore areas of common cause in which they can co-operate to further their respective agendas.  They then held a press conference address and Q+A session.
In this episode, Fiona and Marlene pick out some highlights from the press conference and alsohome in on a couple of areas where Scotland seems to be lagging behind the other two nations in making preparations for constitutional change.

Key themes:
00:01:08  Lewis from SPVR.org describes the vibe in the room
00:07:26  Opening remarks from Rhun ap Iorwerth, Plaid Cymru
00:09:27  Opening remarks from John Swinney, SNP
00:13:23  Opening remarks from Mary Lou McDonald, Sinn Fein
00:16:25  Opening remarks from Michelle O'Neill, Sinn Fein
00:21:00  Q: Won't this be just as divisive as Brexit?
00:29:13  Q: When and how will Westminster come to an end?
00:38:59  Q: What is each nation's ask of Andy Burnham
00:47:09  Q: Is this all smoke and mirrors to distract from the day job?

We are grateful to Lewis from https://SPVR.org for sharing his footage from the event with us.

Links from the discussion:

Believe in Scotland petition: https://www.believeinscotland.org/indyref_petition

Commonweal New Prospectus info and crowdfunder: 
https://www.commonweal.scot/prospectus-for-a-new-state

#celticalliance #scottishindependence #cardiff

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Music:

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Scottish Independence Podcasts is pro independence but not party political.  Opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent our views.

What does the future of public transport in Glasgow really look like? In this episode, we chat with Susie Wood from the Get Glasgow Moving campaign to explore one of Scotland's most ambitious transport initiatives.

We look at:

The campaign's manifesto — what are they fighting for, and what's their vision for Glasgow's commuters?
The franchising framework — what d opportunities does this model present for the city and how can we overcome the barriers?
The petition - how can you get involved?

Find out more about the campaign here: https://www.getglasgowmoving.org/

Sign the petition here: https://petitions.parliament.scot/petitions/PE2246

#getglasgowmoving #betterbuses #busfranchise

The Indypodcasters team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to like and subscribe!

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Music:

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Scottish Independence Podcasts is pro independence but not party political.  Opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent our views.

Pensioners for Independence hosts guest speaker Gordon Morgan, Commonweal energy researcher, who delivers an insightful presentation on nuclear energy generation and the broader nuclear industry.

In this episode, Gordon explores the history of nuclear power and changing attitudes within the Uk political sphere . Following his presentation, Gordon engages directly with our audience, answering a wide range of thoughtful questions on nuclear technology, decommissioning, renewable alternatives and related topics.

Key chapters:

00:02:20 The history of nuclear power to date
00:09:06  The true cost of nuclear power generation- and who pays for it
00:13:07   The fantasy of Small Modular Reactors
00:19:30  Changing attitudes in Uk and Scottish politics
00:25:34   Questions from the audience

We are grateful to Pensioners for Indy for sharing their event with us.  You can find out more about Pensioners for Indy here https://pensionersforindependence.scot/

#nuclearpower #scottishgovernment #grassroots

The Indypodcasters team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to like and subscribe!

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Scottish Independence Podcasts is pro independence but not party political.  Opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent our views.

Join us for an enlightening discussion with Bill Kidd, former Scottish MSP and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, as he shares his expertise on one of the most pressing global issues: nuclear weapons and energy policy.

In this Pensioners for Independence meeting, Bill draws on his extensive background in peace activism to explore the complex intersections of nuclear weapons proliferation, energy security, and international diplomacy. As a key advocate for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), he offers valuable insights into the mechanisms of nuclear disarmament and the challenges facing the global peace movement.

Throughout the episode, Bill addresses audience questions on topics including:

00:04:09  Nuclear power incidents

00:05:45  Kazakhstan - USSR test bombs

00:07:43  Nuclear power plants - illusions of safety

00:09:44  UK government plans for nuclear bomb testing in Sutherland

00:11:08  The radioactive legacy of nuclear power

00:14:32  Retiring from Holyrood, not from campaigning

00:15:45  Humanity cannot live indefinitely with nuclear weapons or nuclear power

Questions from the audience:

00:17:55 What vested interests do we need to be aware of?

00:24:41  Modular reactors in Scotland

00:27:09  Presenting anti nuclear views

00:32:45  Perceived influence through nuclear weapons

00:35:17  Impact on UK if weapons removed from the Clyde

00:37:31  Dark money and political parties

00:39:32  Would we rent out Faslane to UK?

00:42:45  Is nuclear weapons use now more likely?

00:48:25  Did NATO aggression start the Russian attack on Ukraine?

00:52:51  Reform UK's plans for Scotland

The Indypodcasters team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to like and subscribe!

Get in touch:
Email:  [email protected] 
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Visit our website https://scottishindypod.scot for blogposts, newsletter signup and more episodes

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Music:

Inspired by Kevin MacLeod

Scottish Independence Podcasts is pro independence but not party political.  Opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent our views.

81 Years After Hiroshima: Scottish CND Commemorates & Campaigns for Nuclear Disarmament

This August, Scottish CND marked the 81st anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing with two powerful ceremonies—a gathering at Glasgow's Peace Garden and a vigil at Faslane Nuclear Base. Join Fiona and Marlene as they reflect on these moving commemorations and what they reveal about our ongoing struggle for a nuclear-free world.

But this episode goes beyond remembrance. We also hear from two academic researchers who tackle the hard questions facing our movement:

🔴 The Reality of Nuclear Risk: Hugh Irving presents shocking simulations revealing the potential impact of a nuclear strike on Faslane—forcing us to confront the dangers of nuclear weapons on Scottish soil.

🟢 The Power of Positive Change: Rhys Crilley challenges us to rethink our messaging, exploring how anti-nuclear campaigners can craft compelling, hopeful narratives that resonate globally and strengthen our collective push for disarmament.

Whether you're a seasoned campaigner or new to these issues, you'll find inspiration, evidence, and hope in this conversation.

What will you do with what you learn?

key chapters:
00:02:24  High Irving presentation - simulations of nuclear strikes on the Clyde
00:09:58 Rhys Crilley presentation - nuclear disarmament in the Third Nuclear Age
00:20:40 Images and reflections from the vigil at Faslane
00:26:13 Ceremony at the Peace Garden at the Glasgow Botanics
00:28:26  Dr Jacqueline McLaren, Lord Provost of Glasgow
00:32:02  Samuel Rafanell-Williams, Scottish CND
00:36:43  Bill Kidd, former MSP and Nobel Peace Prize nominee
00:42:18  David Peutherer, Glasgow CND
00:48:38 Tree planting accompanied by Protest in Harmony Glasgow

Thanks to Margaret Ferguson Burns for the additional images from Faslane.

Find out more about Scottish CND here https://banthebomb.org
Watch the full CND webinar here https://youtu.be/NgkVtlRhAx0?si=2Te0pAgwHxiDaauy

#nucleardisarmament #hiroshima #scottishcnd

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Music:

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Scottish Independence Podcasts is pro independence but not party political.  Opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent our views.

Making Campaigns Count: The Science of Effective Activism

What separates a campaign that changes the world from one that fades into obscurity? In this episode, Fiona and Marlene are joined by returning guest Dr Craig Dalzell from the think tank Commonweal to explore the research-backed principles of effective activism and civil resistance.

Drawing on the groundbreaking work of academics like Erica Chenoweth and Gene Sharp, we dive deep into what actually works—and what doesn't—when organizing for change. Why do some campaigns achieve their goals while others struggle to gain traction? What's the difference between activism that captures hearts and minds versus campaigns that peter out?

In this episode, we:

Examine planning and organizing methods used by successful movements, what they did right and where campaigns went wrong. 
We also explore the powerful potential of civil resistance and strategic disobedience and discover how to sharpen our campaigning focus for maximum impact.

Key chapters:
00:02:11  Core principles for escalating pressure
00:12:32  4 key steps for effective campaign planning
00:18:47  Options for organisational structures
00:26:02  The role of devolved governments
00:30:04  Re-designing events to increase pressure
00:32:53  Civil obedience/disobedience and resistance tactics
00:43:36  Contrasting the tactics of the far right
00:45:43  Further resources and information
00:50:37  Some ideas to get started

Commonweal are planning to update their excellent handbook "How to Start A New Country"  Craig and Common Weal wish to thank the Scottish Independence Fund ( https://sif.scot ) for their generous support of the project.  Commonweal will also shortly launch a Crowdfunder - details will be added here when available.
You can also make a regular donation to support all their work here https://www.commonweal.scot/donate

The Indypodcasters team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to like and subscribe!

Get in touch:
Email:  [email protected] 
Bluesky: @scottishindypod

Visit our website https://scottishindypod.scot for blogposts, newsletter signup and more episodes

Subscribe for free to our Youtube channel @scottishindypodExtra for more of our video footage and clips.  Video premieres most Tuesdays at 8pm

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Music:

Inspired by Kevin MacLeod

Scottish Independence Podcasts is pro independence but not party political.  Opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent our views.

"Building Scotland's Future Now: A Cross-Generational Conversation with Young Scots for Independence"

Join Fiona and Marlene as they sit down with Tommy Kelly and Sarah McCahill, the convenor and vice convenor of Young Scots for Independence, for an inspiring intergenerational dialogue that bridges five decades. Despite a 50-year age gap, this dynamic conversation reveals surprising common ground and shared vision for Scotland's future.

Tommy and Sarah bring sharp, forward-thinking perspectives on the kind of Scotland they want to build—and the exciting news is that we don't have to wait for independence to start making it happen. From grassroots initiatives to societal changes we can work towards right now. Whether you're curious about youth activism, interested in Scotland's independence movement, or simply want to hear an energizing conversation about generational solidarity and shared purpose, this episode proves that age is no barrier to finding common cause. Discover what's uniting Scots across age groups and what's already within reach.

Key chapters:

00:01:00 Who are the Young Scots for Independence?

00:07:42 Engaging other young people, social media and direct

00:12:45 Convenor's top priorities

00:16:00 What kind of Scotland do we want?

00:18:49 Challenging the far right

00:32:49 How to get involved with YSI

Find YSI on instagram https://www.instagram.com/ysinational/
and Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@officialysi

#futurescotland #scotlandnow #generationindependence

The Indypodcasters team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to like and subscribe!

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Music:

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Scottish Independence Podcasts is pro independence but not party political.  Opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent our views.

Fiona and Marlene dive deep into Bill Ramsay's compelling presentation on the rise of inequality in Britain since the Thatcher era. From the birth of neoliberalism to the stark wealth gaps we see today, this episode traces four decades of economic policy and its ripple effects across society.

What started as an ideological shift has reshaped the union—and the consequences are only becoming clearer. Bill's research doesn't just look back; it charts what could happen if these trends continue unchecked. The data is eye-opening. The implications are urgent.

Whether you're concerned about the cost of living, social mobility, or the future of neoliberalism, this conversation cuts through the noise and asks the hard questions: How did we get here? Where are we headed? And what needs to change?

Key points:

00:03:30  1942 - 1978 - the road to peak equality
00:13:01  1979 - 2008  - Thatcher, privatisation and the rise of neoliberalism
00:19:03  2022 - present - Era of popping rivets
00:25:09  The rise of Reform UK etc
00:31:42   Far right tactics and funding 
00:35:46   Unanswered questions about the Scottish Bond
00:39:15   The Andy Burnham effect
00:41:12   Income inequality under Labour
00:43:52   Mainstream media narratives
00:46:06   Whose responsibility is it to fix it?

Our Celtic Alliance episode mentioned in the podcast https://youtu.be/VxyXp0Jnyj0?si=KaN4OMJifbp1iqiA

#UKinequality #neoliberalism #thatcherlegacy

The Indypodcasters team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to like and subscribe!

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Music:

Inspired by Kevin MacLeod

Scottish Independence Podcasts is pro independence but not party political.  Opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent our views.

🔌 Who Should Own Scotland's Renewable Energy? | Our Power Campaign

Scotland's renewable energy boom is generating billions—but who's actually benefiting? In this episode, Fiona and Marlene chat with Rowan Aitchison from the brand-new campaign group Our Power, a coalition pushing to shift the unequal ownership of Scotland's renewable resources from private corporations to public hands.

If you believe Scotland's natural resources should benefit Scots, not just shareholders, this conversation is for you. From wind farms to community energy, discover what a publicly-owned renewable future could look like.

key themes:
00:01:41  Introducing Our Power
00:04:49  What is within Holyrood's power?
00:09:47  Shared community ownership models
00:16:45  Who benefits?
00:21:20  Where do we start?
00:24:58  Making the economic argument
00:32:57  Land ownership patterns and inequality
00:37:09  Campaign activities planned
00:50:17  How to get involved

Ready to shift the balance? Find out more about Our Power, how to support their campaign and where to sign the petition from the website here https://www.ourpower.scot/

#ourpowerscotland #renewableenergy #independencematters

The Indypodcasters team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to like and subscribe!

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Music:

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Scottish Independence Podcasts is pro independence but not party political.  Opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent our views.

The Celtic Alliance: A New Political Horizon | Brussels Trip Part 3

After ten years of Brexit, something remarkable is emerging across the Celtic nations. In this final episode of our Brussels mini-series, we move beyond the question of ending Brexit to explore something far more significant: the growing political alignment between Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland—three nations now governed by parties committed to a future independent of the UK.

This episode features highlights from the panel discussion "10 Years On: Time to End Brexit," which took place on the evening of our European Parliament visit. As Philippa Whitford powerfully stated during the debate: "For most people in Scotland, the time to end Brexit was 10 years ago." We couldn't agree more. But Brexit, we've come to realize, is merely a symptom of a deeper shift in how these nations see their future.

Key themes which emerged from the panel discussion:

00:05:50  Preparing for a future outside of the UK
00:17:27  An English perspective
00:25:18  A question of democracy and respect
00:32:08  How Proportional Representation could unlock a better future

If you missed parts 1 and 2 of our Brussels series, you can listen to them here.

You can also watch the livestream of the full panel discussion here: https://www.youtube.com/live/s_2tAd0vu3A?si=7IrfBzGEEygmv73F

#celticalliance #scottishindependence #brexit

The Indypodcasters team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to like and subscribe!

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Music:

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Scottish Independence Podcasts is pro independence but not party political.  Opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent our views.