The world may be going to hell in a handbasket, and tomorrow is the start of the Year of the Fire-Horse (the most volatile of the 60-year Chinese zodiac cycle) but what a fantastic weekend of sports we just had. It’s all positive stuff… Let’s enjoy it while we can.

The world has gone mad, but fear not, Scotland qualifying for the World Cup will trigger growth, prosperity and happiness (for a wee while – 3 games I expect). The imminent launch of Scottish KILTS bonds will open a Pandora’s box of difficult questions.

London’s Investment Summit was a glorious affair. The great and the good of global commerce were swanking around as the new government pled for money to rebuild our broken economy. No other country does soft power so well – but FDI will not fix Broken Britain on its own. We need pride, passion and a deal of pragmatic decision making.

The SNP hit rock bottom yesterday with the resignation of Humza Yousaf. There is only one way to go after that – which may be bad news for Labour. Scotland is an example of what happens when a proud people are captured by a populist illusion. Yet, any Scot will never stop wondering… what if.. what if…

As the global economy stands on the precipice - about to step forward, Scotland announces its going to launch its debut bond issue. It is political theatre of the worst kind – there are so many reasons it’s such a bad idea – today. Tomorrow might be different.

As the global economy stands on the precipice - about to step forward, Scotland announces its going to launch its debut bond issue. It is political theatre of the worst kind – there are so many reasons it’s such a bad idea – today. Tomorrow might be different.

By some freakish temporal rift, a Morning Porridge from 10-years in the future was delivered into my email box last week – describing the monumental political and economic events of the last decade… Freaky eh? Who would expect such a thing…? It happens…

Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation as Scotland’s First Minister has triggered fervid speculation about votes going to Labour – another nail in Tory hopes of electoral recovery. Things seldom play out as expected – the Scots are a troublesome lot!

9 years after Scotland voted to stay in the United Kingdom, the neferendum continues as Sturgeon demands a recount. But does it have to be this way? Independence looks like economic suicide, but Scotland is a nation rich in inventive people. Maybe we need something different: a new Union of proud, independent but culturally aligned nations?

The great Autumnal Bond Funding Season is upon us, but the looming taper of Central Bank Asset Purchase Schemes could well expose just how broken and dysfunctional bond markets have become. Markets always over-react to stress and panics, but when markets struggle with price discovery and liquidity the coming sell off could be magnified, which means a great buying opportunity in bonds may be coming!