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Telling Scotland’s Story since 2013.

What's on Guide

See below for upcoming shows & events.

What's on Guide

Escalating Pressure Campaigning with Craig Dalzell

Making Campaigns Count: The Science of Effective Activism What separates a campaign that changes the world from one that fades into obscurity? In this

Escalating Pressure Campaigning with Craig Dalzell

Escalating Pressure Campaigning with Craig Dalzell

Making Campaigns Count: The Science of Effective Activism What …

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Get the links!

Independence Live are now on Linktree. Get all our important links …

Help Ignite Indy! Crowdfunder 2025

Help Ignite Indy! Crowdfunder 2025

It’s that time of year again when we at Independence Live ask you if …

Previously on What's on Guide

AUOB Stirling 2026 #AUOBStirling.

Come along and give your voice for Scotland to re-gain its independence. #ScottishIndependence See AUOB event on Facebook #AUOBStirling:

AUOB Stirling 2026 #AUOBStirling.

AUOB Stirling 2026 #AUOBStirling.

Come along and give your voice for Scotland to re-gain its …

Ep 48 Recce Report - 8 June 2026

Ep 48 Recce Report – 8 June 2026

Cliff and Russ from Veterans for Scottish Independence cast a critical …

Holyrood Independence Rally, May 26th 2026

Holyrood Independence Rally, May 26th 2026

Come along to Holyrood, Edinburgh and give your voice for Scotland to …

Holyrood Independence Rally, May 26th 2026

Holyrood Independence Rally, May 26th 2026

Come along to Holyrood, Edinburgh and give your voice for Scotland to …

Ep 47 Recce Report - 11 May 2026

Ep 47 Recce Report – 11 May 2026

Cliff and Russ from Veterans for Scottish Independence cast a critical …

Scotonomics Ep: 137 Introducing The Communities Deliver Framework 📱

Scotonomics Ep: 137 Introducing The Communities Deliver Framework 📱

Scotland is on the verge of a historic shift. The Community Wealth …

Ep 45 Recce Report - 9 March 2026

Ep 45 Recce Report – 9 March 2026

Cliff and Russ from Veterans for Scottish Independence cast a critical …

SCOTONOMICS EP 136: Does the climate movement believe that governments must find the money? 📱

SCOTONOMICS EP 136: Does the climate movement believe that governments must find the money? 📱

The literature review focuses on articles that address macroeconomic …

SCOTONOMICS EP 135: With Professor Danny Dorling

SCOTONOMICS EP 135: With Professor Danny Dorling

Danny Dorling joins William Thomson to discuss his latest book, “The …

Ep 41 Recce Report - 13 October 2025

Ep 41 Recce Report – 13 October 2025

Cliff and Russ from Veterans for Scottish Independence cast a critical …

Episode: 134 Edinburgh: Innovation and the Festival Economy

Episode: 134 Edinburgh: Innovation and the Festival Economy

In this episode of Scotonomics, William Thomson is joined by Nick …

In this episode of Scotonomics, William Thomson is joined by Nick Sherrard to unpack an uncomfortable question:

How can Scotland host the biggest arts festival in the world and still …fail to turn it into long-term economic value for its own creative sector?

Drawing on Nick’s recent research into the Edinburgh Festivals, the discussion reveals a striking imbalance. Global artists, producers, and investors flood into the city each August, yet Scottish creative firms often struggle to secure visibility, influence, or lasting commercial benefit. Major decisions are made elsewhere. There is no Scotland House to promote national talent. Even festival infrastructure and digital platforms are increasingly sourced from abroad.

The conversation broadens to innovation more widely. Nick challenges the way Scotland talks about “ecosystems” without being clear about the mechanisms involved. He outlines the four stages of innovation, arguing that Scotland currently behaves like a stage-four economy: good at assembling ideas developed elsewhere, but weak at owning and scaling original innovation.

The episode also explores how innovation is too often treated as an unquestioned good, disconnected from purpose, wellbeing, sustainability, or community wealth. Big tech, empire-building, and loss-leader disruption models like Uber are contrasted with what a genuinely public-interest innovation strategy might look like.

Finally, the discussion turns to policy and power. From the role of the enterprise agencies and the Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB) to the deeper limits imposed by currency control and foreign ownership, William and Nick argue that Scotland’s economic institutions lack accountability, clarity of purpose, and ambition in the right places. Instead of endlessly chasing unicorns or inward investment, they suggest a far more radical shift. One that directly backs people, enables experimentation, and links innovation to real social and economic outcomes at home. The episode closes with a call to stop abstract talk and start focusing on the practical mechanics of how Scotland actually builds, owns, and benefits from its own economy.

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TNT Show. Ep213. With guest Prof. Alf Baird on UN initiative.

TNT Show. Ep213. With guest Prof. Alf Baird on UN initiative.

Alf Baird is an author and academic. One of the things we will be …

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