A superb afternoon spent helping my dad at the smallholding. Great to get some work done with our Grey Fergie tractor. This is where I’m at my happiest and will always be proud to be a country boy

So this coming Saturday I’ll be at Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh speaking at the 2026 Scottish Smallholder and Countryside Festival. This speech will be focusing on my experiences of being an autistic countryboy. The speech is almost finalised but without giving too much away this speech is going to be a highly emotional one and I hope that I have the courage and nerves to deliver it and deliver it well.

Home from Glasgow and for the first time ever I have managed to witness the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) over the smallholding. Quite extraordinary. Quite emotional. Quite powerful. Quite special. Not afraid to admit I had a few tears in the eyes. I think you can just make out the two Ferguson ploughs in the photo….

Back home at Ibrox at see Rangers take on Kilmarnock in the league this afternoon. 🔴⚪️🔵🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

As per tradition I’m at the Louden Tavern having a few pre-match pints ahead of watching Rangers play Kilmarnock at Ibrox at 3pm. Very poignantly raising a pint to my friend, a class gentleman, fellow St Clair bowler and fellow Rangers supporter George who passed away recently. Here’s hoping the Gers make you proud today George and get a win. 🔴⚪️🔵🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

When I was 18 I was diagnosed as being autistic. That gave me an explanation as to the struggles that I have with low confidence, communicating, socialising, being isolated, loud noise, hating change and so forth. However, now at the age of 37 and being more independent, I’m keen to be not boxed in by my condition and to focus on the positives of what being autistic brings to my life: focus, discipline,striving for high standards, order, routine and structure, being passionate about what I love in life: the countryside, the smallholding, tradition, faith, family, friends, Rangers 🔴⚪️🔵🇬🇧, Arsenal ⚪️🔴,Conservative politics, music, helping others, lawn bowls and curling, aiming for high standards, being aspirational and so on One principle that I’ve stood by since my autism diagnosis was to reject any notion of applying for disability benefits. My mantra has been, and always will be, to be independent as possible, to work hard, be true to myself, be responsible for myself and only seek help if it is really needed. What’s benefited me most is having a strong network of people who can advise and support me alongside some brilliant mentors who have been superb in challenging me and allowing me space to flourish. Very grateful to my family and the friends that I’ve got through my passion for agriculture, Rangers, politics, music and so on for all the advice, encouragement and support that they’ve shown me. Whilst there’s still challenges especially on the social side, I’m much more independent, positive and determined not to see myself as a victim but as someone who is different and who has a gritty determination to be my true self and to keep aiming to achieve all that I want to achieve in life by being quietly confident and positive.

Good to get the boiler suit on and spend some time at the smallholding today. Good to help my dad do some Autumnal jobs (ie strimming) and get the place ready for Winter.

Before I had lunch with a colleague and friend in Ceres today, I visited Ceres Parish Church for some private time to contemplate, make some decisions and reflect. It is a beautiful and magical place and is somewhere where I can be close to my roots and embrace my authentic self.

Very well said @Miles4Lothian

Just bought my ticket for the Rangers v Kilmarnock game. Look forward to being back at Ibrox on Saturday. 🇬🇧 😀

Great to have a little catch up with @jamesbundy when I was in the Scottish Parliament earlier on this afternoon. Good to talk about his campaigning and have brief chat regarding Scottish Conservatism.

Well that’s the curling season started again and delighted to be back playing a sport I love!!! Overjoyed that the Largo B beat Hercules B 7-5 in a closely fought league game tonight at Fife Ice Arena. Admittedly I got off to a very dodgy start (not a surprise as it was my first time back on the ice) and very happy that as the game progressed I started to find my feet and played some good shots! Onwards and upwards now. Great to have a bit of banter with friend and fellow vintage tractor enthusiast Jim and the rest of the guys!