The road from the isles

Lesley's just back from a wee tour of the Western Isles and looks back on the perils, and pleasures, of travel around the Outer Hebrides. The pleasure mainly being her discovery of the joys of the electric bike. She also reflects on the crofting and housing crisis facing the islanders and the enduring legacy of Canon Angus MacQueen. It may seem a long way from Lewis to the USA but Donald Trump is rarely quiet about his island heritage. I was appalled by his recent tweets on Elizabeth Warren's declaration of intent to run for the Democratic presidential nomination and consider just how deep and tragic these links are. As the BBC prepares itself for the launch of its new BBC Scotland channel, we have to address the Question Time "orange jacket man" story and its significance for the success or failure of the new venture. We also manage to slip in some references to Dundee United, the Killing, and the popularity of Midsomer Murders in Scandinavia.