Self-Determination, Autonomy, Independence

Today we are launching our updated new website. Our fresh look has been brewing for a while and will coincide with a few other changes. We have improved navigation and moved to dedicated servers to offer better protection against the sort of DDoS attacks we were experiencing.

The thinking behind the new look is described by the designer as follows:

“The new Bella Caledonia identity is simultaneously a break with convention and a reinforcement of the independent spirit so vital to the publication. The logo’s inspiration is drawn from the imagery Alasdair Gray describes of the Bella character being attached to two bodies (one by a neck longer than the body itself, and the other, much stronger body, by a shorter neck). This led to the idea of a conjoined entity being separated into its constituent parts, with each part able to function independently – something visualised by a red backslash we call the “break” or “rupture”. We also wanted to convey a sense of positive movement in the logo design, with the stronger/bolder word ‘Caledonia’ revealing itself from behind the backslash. The chosen fonts hark back to the Alasdair Gray designed lettering of the first logo, with a modern evolution in the contrast between the light and bold font weights, while the high impact primary colour scheme is drawn from rebellious, counter-culture movements.”

Alt Shift

The site still has all the functionality and a back-catalogue of fourteen years publishing. But politically we are shifting focus to include more coverage of Scottish politics as we enter both the prospect of a referendum and unfolding constitutional crisis/possibility, and a more critical edge on the failures of our own political leaders.

This is a tension not a contradiction. We both demand a future Scottish democracy and better Scottish government now. The two are inseparable. We will also be focusing more and more on the wider issues of social and ecological collapse, as the realities of Tory Britain, Brexit and climate change converge bringing: mass poverty; the NHS on its knees due to lack of staff; water shortages and resource wars; agriculture and fishing crisis; deep problems in access to housing; soaring food prices and exorbitant energy costs. All of this emerges in the context of a British state whose political leaders (of all stripes) offer solutions which are inadequate, short-term or ameliorative; and completely lacking in recognising the scale and depth of the predicament we face.

We live tied to a janus state which combines a new authoritarianism and a complete disinterest in acting on social crisis. On the one hand they will repress and criminalise those involved in any protest – on the other they call alleviating the worst economic conditions in decades ‘handouts’. The contempt is complete and universal.

The fresh design reflects this new landscape where things are darker and more urgent and where the crisis has intensified. Gone are our primary colours. The design reflects the idea that radical change is urgent, that independence is rupture not some seamless managerial process, and that departure from the UK is an act of urgent self-defence not just an expression of sovereignty. As Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss sneak into Scotland to hide behind tight security and speak a message denigrating Scotland to an audience far away we again call for self-determination, autonomy and independence.

We hope you like the new look and will leave you to explore some of the new features and refinements. Thanks to everyone who has supported us in the past month, and big thanks to the team who worked on the new site.