Podcasts about Ayrshire

Ahead of next week's Royal Highland Show being held at Ingliston just outside Edinburgh, Rachel catches up with farmer Anna Mitchell, who is one of this year's vice presidents. This year's presidential team are representing Aberdeenshire and Anna tells Rachel what visitors can expect from the show.Mark is in Newport-on-Tay with author Dr Erin Farley whose most recent book, Lighthouse Lives, tells the stories of the last generation to work on manned lighthouses across Scotland. She tells Mark about the experiences of some of the keepers and their families who she recorded with for the book.Phil Sime and Morven Livingstone meet Allan MacKinnon of Highland Bird Control Services, to see how he's tackling the issues that gulls are causing at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.Two volumes of Birds of America by renowned artist and ornithologist John James Audubon are currently on show to the public at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. The College has owned the art treasures for two centuries, and Mark went to meet their heritage lead, Claire McDade to hear a bit about their origins and take a look at the impressive books.Rachel is in Ayrshire meeting some of the farmers involved in the women in dairy initiative.As Scotland fans descend on Boston, Massachusetts in their thousands, we hear about the different birds that the discerning football supporter might be able to spot during their stay in the city. Erin Kelly from conservation charity Mass Audubon tells Rachel a bit about Boston birdlife and where to see it.The Glasgow Tandem Club has members who are both vision impaired and sighted. They are based in Ballahouston Park in Glasgow and Rachel went along to meet some of the members and chatted to founder, Anne Fraser.Mark heads to Cullen to meet the founder of Blue Lighthouse surf club, which was set up to offer tangible support for the health and wellbeing of members of the emergency services and care workers.And in this week's Scotland Outdoors podcast, Mark visits the Taliesin Community Woodland in Dumfries and Galloway which is celebrating its 30th anniversary. We hear an excerpt.

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‘Tam o' Shanter' first appeared as a lengthy footnote in Francis Grose's Antiquities of Scotland (1791) after Robert Burns convinced Grose to include the ruined Alloway Kirk in his volume, and its supernatural associations (invented by Burns). Its story of the drunken Tam's encounter with witches in the stormy Ayrshire landscape has served as both a celebration and chastisement of Scottish masculinity ever since its publication, but the attitude of its narrator remains elusive throughout. In this episode, Seamus and Mark discuss the poem's moral and stylistic turns, its influence on Wordsworth and Coleridge, and what it owes to the Augustan perfectionism of Pope. They then turn to a much darker example of Romantic narrative poetry, George Crabbe's ‘Peter Grimes' (published in his collection The Borough in 1810), and explore the bracing realism and psychological insight in the story of a cruel Suffolk fisherman who destroys the apprentices placed in his care. This episode also features a bonus conversation with Andrew O'Hagan, who reads extracts from 'Tam o' Shanter' and explains why the poem's reliably contradictory narrative voice is so useful for anyone learning to write stories. Non-subscribers will only hear an extract from this episode. To listen to the full episode, and to all our other Close Readings series, sign up: Apple Podcasts: https://lrb.me/applesignupnp Other podcast apps: https://lrb.me/scsignupnp Read more in the LRB: Karl Miller: Peeping Tam: ⁠https://lrb.me/npep501⁠ Neal Ascherson on Burns's life: ⁠https://lrb.me/npep502

From a working class girl in Ayrshire, fuelled by teenage rage at Margaret Thatcher, to becoming the first female First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon has one of the most extraordinary political journeys of our time. And now, for the first time, she's telling it on her own terms. In this chat with Josh recorded live at the Aye Write Book Festival in Glasgow, Nicola opens up about the crippling imposter syndrome that followed her all the way to the top, and how she learned to turn that inner voice from a handicap into a superpower. She talks candidly about navigating a world built for men, the double standards, the authority gap, and why Boris Johnson deliberately messes up his hair before going on camera. She reflects on the heartbreak of the Scottish independence referendum and what that taught her about failure, her deeply personal decision to speak publicly about her miscarriage, and the unfounded rumours about her private life that spread from social media all the way to her parents' front door. She also shares what it was really like to have audiences with the late Queen, meet Hillary Clinton on a 10 out of 10 hangover, and go clubbing at university with a certain Gerard Butler. And after a lifetime of speaking for a government, a party, and a country, she talks about what it finally feels like to speak only for herself. P.S If you are looking for even more Great Chat, Josh Smith's audiobook ‘Great Chat: Talk To Anyone, Make New Connections, Improve Your Relationships'  is available on Spotify, free for premium subscribers. Listen here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1HH55EZsUSYtajczP6yjjJ?si=0b3ec62de57148f9⁠⁠⁠⁠

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast, Ali spoke to writer and broadcaster Billy Kay to hear about his memoir Born In Kyle: A Love Letter tae an Ayrshire Childhood, but the conversation turns to so much more.Billy talks about his lifelong passion for Scots language and culture, and explains that the roots of this are to be found in that Ayrshire childhood, which he sets out in detail.The two then talk about Billy being the public face, and voice, of the Scots leid for so long, the changes in attitudes towards it, and public perception of its use, over the years, the new generation of Scots speakers and writers, and why education is key - and was once a big part of the problem.They also discuss their shared loved of Sottish culture, and literature in particular, deliberating over and celebrating favourite books and writers.Billy also gives a couple of short readings from Born In Kyle, and he wanted me to include the passages here so you can read along:“Whit's for ye, will no gae by ye.” This is a dreich expression o Scots fatalism – that nae maitter whit ye dae, nae maitter hoo guid ye are, nae maitter hoo muckle ye prepare tae mak siccar somethin bad disnae happen, if ye're fated tae thole somethin happenin tae ye, weel, ye jist hae tae accept it and haud gaun. Ma mither yaised it an when ma Portuguese wife João heard her guidmither say it, she spiered naively, “if it could also refer to a good thing not going by you, Mummy Kay?” Mammy Kay's repone wis short and tae the pynt. “Naw”, she said. An even mair dowie ensample o this wis “Ye maun dree yer weird” – owerset intae English “You must suffer your fate.”“Ye need a stoot hert for a stey brae,” or jist “A stoot hert for a stey brae,” – you need a strong heart for a steep hill. This ane wis popular amang the Kyle colliers, wha aften had tae howk coal oot o nairrae seams on a sair dook or a stey brae. Afore the muckle industrial pits were sunk – an ma granfaither wis a skeely pit sinker by profession – there yaised tae be a wheen wee local mines that were accessible via an Ingaunee – leiterally an ingaun ee, in English an “in going eye” – an access tunnel that wis dug oot a field on the surface and then there wis a stey brae slope gaein doon faur eneuch tae rax the coal seams nearer the surface.Billy Kay has long been an inspiration for Scots Whay Hae! and this was both a pleasure and a privilege to be able to converse with him in such depth - literally talking about Scottish culture so you don't have to...For full details, and all the ways to listen, head to scotswhayhae.com

In this episode of Scottish Murders, Dawn covers the perplexing, unsolved 1913 murder of Mary Spear Gunn at Portencross. Drawing on Stephen Brown's meticulously researched book, "Who Killed Mary Gunn?", the story explores Mary's life, her relationships, and the fateful night she was gunned down in the remote North Bank Cottage. Dawn walks listeners through the night's chilling events, police investigations, suspects, and enduring mysteries, focusing on Stephen's theory of the case. Was it a crime of passion, jealousy, or something more hidden? With lost evidence and rumours swirling around the small Ayrshire community, the episode unravels possible motives and suspects—leaving the question of Mary's killer, and the roles of Andrew and Elizabeth Gibson, tantalisingly unanswered.Join Dawn as she invites you to consider the clues and form your own theory about this haunting century-old Scottish mystery.SOURCES:Please see our website for all source material and photos at https://scottishmurders.com/episodes/maryspiergunnBritish Newspaper Archives Affiliate LinkSUPPORT US:Ko-fi - ko-fi.com/scottishmurdersMerch - teepublic.com/user/scottishmurdersWebsite - scottishmurders.comInstagram - @scottishmurderspodcastCREDITS:Scottish Murders is a production of CluarantonnHosted by Dawn YoungResearched, Written and Edited by Dawn YoungProduction Company Name by Granny RobertsonMUSIC:ES_Battle of Aonach Mor - Deskant - epidemicsound

Dakota Finch didn't grow up planning to be an organic grass-fed dairy farmer. He grew up on his grandfather's conventional dairy in upstate New York, left for the Air Force, started researching nutrition for his family, and found himself reading about the organic dairy market on a computer in Korea during downtime. That curiosity eventually led him back to farming — on his own terms. In this episode, Dakota shares how he went from a six-year Air Force career to launching Finch Family Farm in 2017, milking 40–50 grass-fed organic cows in central New York, and recently opening a farm retail store selling raw milk, beef, pork, chicken, and eggs.He's honest about where things are working and where they're not — from the farrowing struggles with his son's pig operation, to the challenge of making quality hay on marginal ground nobody else wanted, to the marketing learning curve that comes with selling direct. This is a practitioner's episode: real questions, real tensions, no pretending it's all figured out.What we cover:• How Dakota got his start through an internship on a grass-fed organic dairy and the relationship that made his first herd purchase possible• Fall seasonal vs. spring seasonal dairying — and why his milk market actually pays a premium for winter milk• The 10-and-7 milking schedule he tried to protect time for coaching his kids' sports teams• Balage, native grasses, and the ongoing question of whether to make his own hay or buy it• Breeding decisions: Jersey AI, Ayrshire bulls, the Black Angus that timed out perfectly with the calf market, and why he's now using AAA mating• Opening a farm retail store with Barn2Door and a small business grant — and why raw milk is the lead product that brings customers to the farm• His son's pig operation (currently a train wreck, honestly) and the real math on whether farrowing-to-finish pencils out• First year with 100 meat birds and 100 egg layers — lessons learned, losses included• The Gallagher eShepherd virtual fence collars: what worked, what didn't, and why he's still excited about them heading into this seasonFind Out MoreDakota: Facebook (Dakota Finch) Finch Family Farm on Facebook finchfamilyfarmny.com---Community question this week: What did the younger you dream of that you're doing today? Share in the Grazing Grass community.  (00:00) - Start Looking for grass-based breeders? Explore the Grass Based Genetics directory.Upcoming Grazing EventsRegenerative Agriculture Deep Dive: 3 Day Holistic Managment - Kamas, UT, April 22-24, 2026.  https://3springsutah.comNoble Land Essentials - Ardmore, OK, May 12-13, 2026. https://noble.orgVisit our Sponsors:Noble Research InstituteRedmond Agriculture Grassroots CarbonApr 22-24 3 Springs UtahGrazing Grass LinksWebsiteCommunity (on Facebook)Original Music by Louis Palfrey

Donna covers Sawney Bean, the infamous Scottish outlaw said to have led a clan of bandits hiding in the caves of Ayrshire in the 1400s. The bandits whose alleged crimes were so extreme that the story has been told and retold for centuries. She looks at the legend, the history, and what the record actually shows. Kerri covers the murder of Jerry Barker, a case that seemed straightforward on the surface until investigators started looking more closely at the people in Jerry's life. The deeper they dug, the harder it became to ignore what was right in front of them. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Head to www.betterhelp.com/apc for 10% off today! If you have any local true crime, local urban legend/lore, ghost stories.. we want them all!! We want to hear from YOU. Especially if you have any funny Ambien stories! Email us at aparanormalchicks@gmail.com Join The Creepinati @ www.patreon.com/theAPCpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donna covers Sawney Bean, the infamous Scottish outlaw said to have led a clan of bandits hiding in the caves of Ayrshire in the 1400s. The bandits whose alleged crimes were so extreme that the story has been told and retold for centuries. She looks at the legend, the history, and what the record actually shows. Kerri covers the murder of Jerry Barker, a case that seemed straightforward on the surface until investigators started looking more closely at the people in Jerry's life. The deeper they dug, the harder it became to ignore what was right in front of them. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Head to www.betterhelp.com/apc for 10% off today! If you have any local true crime, local urban legend/lore, ghost stories.. we want them all!! We want to hear from YOU. Especially if you have any funny Ambien stories! Email us at aparanormalchicks@gmail.com Join The Creepinati @ www.patreon.com/theAPCpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 28 of the Full Program Golf Podcast and Josh is back on deck this week. We get into our recent trip up to Ayrshire - and to be honest, the golf was class, but the weather did its absolute best to ruin us.We battled our way around Dundonald Links, Turnberry's King Robert the Bruce, and the Ailsa - which, even in pretty horrendous conditions, was still a proper standout and easy to see why it's ranked inside the top 20 in the world. We also took on Western Gailes in some serious wind and rain, while Josh looks back on his previous round at Prestwick - a course that definitely divides opinion. On the way back down south, there was a stop off at Hillside and we compared this to Ayrshire's best.Before all that, we chat through what's been going on in the pro game. We get into The Players, Cam Young getting it done, and Matthew Fitzpatrick winning the Valspar after that near miss at Sawgrass. We also touch on LIV's event at Steyn City, which looked like a big success.To finish, we have a quick look ahead to The Masters and what we're expecting heading into the biggest week in golf.

Today on the Tales of a Nuffield Scholar series I had the pleasure of chatting with Gordon Whiteford

The third instalment of The Covenanter Story tells of the martyrdom of John Brown at his home at Priesthill, Ayrshire. In this bonus episode we talk a little more about the place itself, and read a beautiful poem from George Paulin (1812–1898) which reflects on John Brown's life, death, and heavenly home-going as the poet himself conducts a visit to Priesthill.    Watch John Brown of Priesthill | The Covenanter Story, Part 3 Read J. H. Thomson's The Martyr Graves of Scotland (Internet Archive version) Read Poets and Poetry of the Covenant, Compiled, With An Introduction by the Rev. David McAllister (1894, Internet Archive Version)   Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org Subscribe to the Magazine (print/digital/both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine Leave us your feedback or a testimony: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

The KCCK Genetics Springtime Showcase III Sale is set forMarch 21st, and we are sitting down with Cole Kruse to discuss all things sale prep and the offering.  In our second conversation on Wednesdays with Cole, we discussed the Ayrshire and Brown Swiss offering. Listen to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, DATYouTube, Amazon, I Heart Radio and the podcast directory on AgriAmerica.

On a none-more-bleak outing in Ayrshire on Saturday, the last knockings of the transfer window, and approaching a pivotal week with not much hope in the bank.

Welcome to the first of a two-part special all about Burns Night.Burns Night, celebrated on Robert Burns' birthday, 25th January, is a worldwide phenomenon and I wanted to make a couple of episodes focussing upon the night, the haggis, but also the other foods links regarding Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns.Burns was born in Alloway, Ayrshire on 25 January 1759 and he died in Dumfries on 21 July 1796 at just 37 years old.My guest today is food historian Jennie Hood, who has written an excellent article for the most recent edition of food history journal Petit Propos Culinares, entitled ‘A History of Haggis and the Burns Night Tradition', so she is the perfect person to speak with on this topic.Jennie Hood hails from Ayrshire, just like Robert Burns, and we talk about the origin of Burns Night, but we also talk about the medieval origins of the most important food item on the Burns supper plate – the haggis.Things covered include the first English recipes for haggis, what makes a haggis a haggis (not as easy a thing as you might expect), Burns's poem Address to a Haggis and what it tells us about haggises in Burns's day and how the first Burns suppers started and gained such popularity, amongst many other things.Follow Jennie on social media: Threads/Instagram @medievalfoodwithjennie; Bluesky @medievalfoodjennie.bsky.social; Facebook https://www.facebook.com/medievalfoodwithjennieCompany of St Margaret, Jennie's late medieval and renaissance re-enactment groupIssue 133 of Petits Propos CulinairesIf you can, support the podcast and blogs by becoming a £3 monthly subscriber, and unlock lots of premium content, including bonus blog posts and recipes, access to the easter eggs and the secret podcast, or treat me to a one-off virtual pint or coffee: click here.This episode was mixed and engineered by Thomas Ntinas of the Delicious Legacy podcast.Things mentioned in today's episodeHarlean MS 279Liber Cure CocorumThe Good Housewife's Jewel by Thomas DawsonThe Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy by Hannah Glasse (‘Haggas' recipe p.291)The Robert Burns World FederationAddress to a Haggis by Robert Burns

This week I welcome singer Jai McDowall to the BrawBrave Clan! Growing up in Ayrshire, gigging with his dad and entering signing competitions, Jai knew he wanted to pursue a career in a music from a young age. Winning the fifth season of Britain's Got Talent in 2011, he signed with Syco Music and released his debut album ‘Believe'. From touring the world as a solo artist and also with the four-piece British operatic vocal troupe G4 to sharing the stage with West End legends such as Rachel Tucker and Hannah Waddington, Jai has carved out a hugely successful career and 14 years on, this humble, hard working continues to share his incredible talent with audiences all over the world. Follow Jai on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jai_mcdowall?igsh=YzBxYzJjZm5qZThp This episode is supported by Scottish Vocal Coach. Angela's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/scottish_vocal_coach?igsh=ZXp2azczcG13YTFk Follow The Braw and The Brave Website: https://www.thebrawandthebrave.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBrawandTheBrave TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebrawandthebrave Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebrawandthebravepodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBrawandTheBrave

The NextGen Ayrshire sale is happening this Saturday! We will have the catalog posted today. Also, we run through the list of other sales that have been added to the featured sales list. Don't miss a new question of the week!

Nollaig chridhiel dhuibh! A very merry Christmas to you! This episode is a conversation with Dr Jennifer Jack of Tobermory. Jennifer comes originally from West Kilbride in Ayrshire. She moved here in the late 1980's to take up a role within the medical practices in the North End of the island. Our conversation goes into her childhood in Ayrshire, her studies, musical and sporting interests and how she found the island when first she came to live here and what the role of a local GP is and what it means to a community. Episode notes and more can be found at whatwedointhewinter.com Thanks for listening!

Welcome to another episode of Scottish Murders. This week, Dawn takes us back to Ayrshire in the 1980s to explore the tragic murders of Kay Wylie and Nancy Nichol. In part one, Dawn details the dramatic upheaval of the Wylie family as they move from South Africa to Scotland, hoping for a new beginning, only to be struck by tragedy when their daughter Kay disappears and is later found murdered. The episode follows the initial investigation, the heartbreak of Kay's parents, and the twists and turns as police try to piece together her final hours. As questions mount and Nancy Nichol's life is also cut short, Dawn lays the groundwork for what is to come—the shocking events of the trial and the lingering suspicions of a miscarriage of justice.SOURCES:Please see our website for all source material and photos at https://scottishmurders.com/episodes/kayandnancyBritish Newspaper Archives Affiliate LinkSUPPORT US:Ko-fi - ko-fi.com/scottishmurdersMerch - teepublic.com/user/scottishmurdersWebsite - scottishmurders.comTwitter - @scottishmurdersInstagram - @scottishmurderspodcastFacebook - facebook.com/scottishmurdursYouTube - @ScottishMurdersLinktree - linktr.ee/scottishmurdersCREDITS:Scottish Murders is a production of CluarantonnHosted by Dawn YoungResearched, Written and Edited by Dawn YoungProduction Company Name by Granny RobertsonMUSIC:ES_Battle of Aonach Mor - Deskant - epidemicsound

Galloway and Southern Ayrshire is Scotland's first UNESCO Biosphere which promotes a balanced relationship between people and the natural environment. Built on partnership, community action, innovation and learning, the Biosphere supports thriving, sustainable communities living in harmony with nature. In this episode, we're joined by Nature Recovery Manager Dr Anna Griffin and Natural Capital Officer Jonathan Olandi to explore the work of the Biosphere and introduce their new project, OPIN (On-farm Plans Integrated with Nature). This initiative will recruit 12 farms across the Biosphere in Dumfries and Galloway to take part in a five-year programme focused on whole-farm planning and farming resilience. We discuss how land managers can get involved, the benefits of participation, and the support available, including access to a robust suite of tools, data, and capital grant funding, that will help implement strategic land management actions that are good for natural capital and good for business. Host Harry Fisher, Producer Iain Boyd, Editor Kieron Sim, Executive Producers Kerry Hammond & Kirstyn Blackwood Timestamps: 1:04 – 9:00 Intro to speakers and Biosphere 9:00 – 14:30 Reasons for the designation and previous projects delivered 14:30 – 30:30 The OPIN project 30:30 – 50:00 Benefits for land managers and how to get involved Related FAS resources: Natural Capital: https://www.fas.scot/sounds/natural-capital/ Biodiversity: https://www.fas.scot/environment/biodiversity/ Other Related Resources: Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere: https://www.gsabiosphere.org.uk/ To apply or for more information: https://www.gsabiosphere.org.uk/contact-us/ Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal: https://www.borderlandsgrowth.com/

This week on The BiG Scuba Podcast, Gemma and Ian sit down with Scott Divitt, owner of West Coast Diving in Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland.   His whole life has been about the water. It started as a kid, messing about with boats and sailing, which led him straight into the Royal Navy after secondary school. After leaving the navy Scott started working as an ROV Pilot, and now works freelance as an ROV Supervisor. He gets paid to drive robots and manage operations in tough marine environments!   On the fun side, Scott is a massive fan of diving, especially sidemount. He is a RAID Instructor for both regular and sidemount diving, and loves showing people what an amazing underwater world we have.   When Scott is not teaching or guiding super-yacht dives on Scotland's west coast, he ca be found in the workshop. Thanks to his long engineering background, he expertly handles the technical side of the business, testing cylinders and servicing dive gear.   Scotts background gives his a pretty unique take on diving. Whether it's the high-tech demands of his day job or teaching a new diver, it all comes back to a lifelong love for the ocean.   To find out more follow Scott here: Facebook West Coast Diving Instagram West Coast Diving West Coast Diving Website https://www.facebook.com/share/1CRwdq7JWj/ Gemma and Ian have a catch up before chatting to Scott and cover the new attraction at Stoney Cove, a train carriage that will be sunk to a depth of 22 meters. Read more about this here. We had the pleasure of attending the Ocean Film Festival at the UEA in Norwich and you can read more about the films we saw here : Read about the 7 films. We are also excited about our visit to Midlands Dive Chamber and going on a dry dive as well as talking to the team about the importance of the facility. We also talk about the 52 litre Adventure Kit Box from Waterhaul and how useful it will be for diving gear. Take a look here :Waterhaul link   The BiG Scuba Podcast is proudly supported by Narked at 90 – "Beyond Technical." Whether you're new to diving or thinking about moving into tech, they can help guide you with the best kit and advice.

Looking back on a win in Ayrshire which feels like a long time ago, but was only on Wednesday, discussing a long-awaited debut for one of our own, and looking ahead to a trip to Cyprus.   Joining us this week is Ryan Crombie from a Red Point of View blog to talk about his upcoming book - Red Redemption.

Today I welcome Bryce Cunningham onto the R2Kast!

The Dons round off a gruelling week with a 1-0 win in Ayrshire that, perhaps, just sees the pitchforks put down for a week at least.   Become a paid subscriber over at abzfootballpodcast.com   Follow us on our social media channels:-   Twitter - @AbzPodcast Facebook - @ABZFootballPodcast Instagram - @abzfootballpodcast

In this episode, Mike and Tim head to the Ayrshire region on Scotland's west coast. While there they stayed and played at Dundonald Links and Trump Turnberry. Dundonald Links has hosted both the mens and womens Scottish Opens in the last decade and is also used by the R&A for final qualifying for the Open Championship. We were able to play the course and stay in one of their newly built lodges. At Trump Turnberry, we played one of the top rated courses in the world with the Ailsa course. Home to some of the most famous moments in golf history, Turnberry Ailsa is loaded with history and the course did not disappoint. We also played the Robert the Bruce course and stayed at the Turnberry hotel and will tell all about it. All this and some other shenanigans on this episode of Travel Talk Scotland. Subscribe to the Break80 Podcast on Apple & Spotify for weekly golf content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We meet writer Damian Barr to discuss his new book The Two Roberts.This intoxicating, brave and compassionate novel from the author of Maggie and Me reimagines one of the stongest and most passionate love stories of modern British art, following Robert Colquhoun and Robert MacBryde from their encounter at Glasgow Art School to partying with Lucian Freud and Francis Bacon in London as the Second World War draws near.'He will stay like this forever, Robert's arm draped round him. They will be forever twenty.'Scotland, 1933. Bobby MacBryde is on his way. After years grafting at Lees Boot Factory, he's off to the Glasgow School of Art, to his future. On his first day he will meet another Robert, a quiet man with loose dark curls - and never leave his side.Together they will spend every penny and every minute devouring Glasgow - its botanical gardens, the Barras market, a whole hidden city - all the while loving each other behind closed doors. With the world on the brink of war, their unrivalled talent will take them to Paris, Rome, London. They will become stars as the bombs fall, hosting wild parties with the likes of Lucian Freud, Francis Bacon and Elizabeth Smart. But the brightest stars burn fastest.Stunningly reimagined, The Two Roberts is a profoundly moving story of devotion and obsession, art and class. It is a love letter to MacBryde and Colquhoun, the almost-forgotten artists who tried to change the way the world sees - and paid a devastating price.We also discuss the new exhibition curated by Damian. Explore the lives and work of the ‘Two Roberts' — Robert MacBryde and Robert Colquhoun, two Ayrshire artists who first met at Glasgow School of Art in 1933. This infamous duo, both lovers and creative partners, played a vital role in mid-20th century British art influencing contemporaries including Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud and John Minton.This exhibition, the first in England since 1962, surveys their remarkable creative journey from 1930s Glasgow to wartime Europe, through London during the Blitz, ending in tragedy in 1962. This exhibition traces their spectacular rise and fall and puts them back where they were—at the centre of an extraordinary creative landscape in a rapidly changing world.Visit the exhibition Robert MacBryde and Robert Colquhoun: Artists, Lovers, Outsiders, from 15 October 2025–12 April 2026, at Charleston in Lewes: https://www.charleston.org.uk/exhibition/robert-macbryde-and-robert-colquhoun-artists-lovers-outsiders/Follow @MrDamianBarr Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Charlie Kirk Young fans and critics debate his political legacy Labour MPs despondent, says minister after Mandelson and Rayner chaos Charlie Kirk What we know about fatal shooting of conservative US activist Prince Harry visits Ukraine to support those injured in war The Ayrshire wedding crasher mystery solved after four years Has the Apple iPhone Air killed off the Sim card Oxford Union condemns president elects reported Charlie Kirk posts Southern Water bans tankers doing runs to US billionaires lake Man jailed over role in shooting of nine year old girl in Dalston North Korea executing more people for watching foreign films and TV, UN finds

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv North Korea executing more people for watching foreign films and TV, UN finds Man jailed over role in shooting of nine year old girl in Dalston Charlie Kirk What we know about fatal shooting of conservative US activist Prince Harry visits Ukraine to support those injured in war Charlie Kirk Young fans and critics debate his political legacy Oxford Union condemns president elects reported Charlie Kirk posts Has the Apple iPhone Air killed off the Sim card Southern Water bans tankers doing runs to US billionaires lake The Ayrshire wedding crasher mystery solved after four years Labour MPs despondent, says minister after Mandelson and Rayner chaos

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Has the Apple iPhone Air killed off the Sim card Southern Water bans tankers doing runs to US billionaires lake Man jailed over role in shooting of nine year old girl in Dalston Charlie Kirk Young fans and critics debate his political legacy North Korea executing more people for watching foreign films and TV, UN finds Prince Harry visits Ukraine to support those injured in war The Ayrshire wedding crasher mystery solved after four years Charlie Kirk What we know about fatal shooting of conservative US activist Labour MPs despondent, says minister after Mandelson and Rayner chaos Oxford Union condemns president elects reported Charlie Kirk posts

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Prince Harry visits Ukraine to support those injured in war Southern Water bans tankers doing runs to US billionaires lake Charlie Kirk What we know about fatal shooting of conservative US activist Charlie Kirk Young fans and critics debate his political legacy North Korea executing more people for watching foreign films and TV, UN finds Labour MPs despondent, says minister after Mandelson and Rayner chaos Oxford Union condemns president elects reported Charlie Kirk posts Has the Apple iPhone Air killed off the Sim card The Ayrshire wedding crasher mystery solved after four years Man jailed over role in shooting of nine year old girl in Dalston

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Southern Water bans tankers doing runs to US billionaires lake Sir Kenneth Branagh returns to the RSC for first time in 30 years Bolsonaro sentenced to 27 years in prison for plotting Brazil coup Starmer facing fresh questions after Mandelson sacking The Ayrshire wedding crasher mystery solved after four years Nigel Farage faces questions over who funded 885,000 Clacton constituency home Charlie Kirk What we know about fatal shooting of conservative US activist Starmer is losing senior figures at the rate of one a week Warner Brothers Discovery and Paramount Skydance shares surge on buyout reports Nato strengthens defences after Russian drones shot down over Poland

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Charlie Kirk What we know about fatal shooting of conservative US activist Bolsonaro sentenced to 27 years in prison for plotting Brazil coup Sir Kenneth Branagh returns to the RSC for first time in 30 years Starmer facing fresh questions after Mandelson sacking Nigel Farage faces questions over who funded 885,000 Clacton constituency home Warner Brothers Discovery and Paramount Skydance shares surge on buyout reports The Ayrshire wedding crasher mystery solved after four years Nato strengthens defences after Russian drones shot down over Poland Starmer is losing senior figures at the rate of one a week Southern Water bans tankers doing runs to US billionaires lake

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Charlie Kirk What we know about fatal shooting of conservative US activist Starmer is losing senior figures at the rate of one a week Starmer facing fresh questions after Mandelson sacking Nato strengthens defences after Russian drones shot down over Poland Nigel Farage faces questions over who funded 885,000 Clacton constituency home Warner Brothers Discovery and Paramount Skydance shares surge on buyout reports Sir Kenneth Branagh returns to the RSC for first time in 30 years Southern Water bans tankers doing runs to US billionaires lake The Ayrshire wedding crasher mystery solved after four years Bolsonaro sentenced to 27 years in prison for plotting Brazil coup

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Charlie Kirk What we know about fatal shooting of conservative US activist Bolsonaro sentenced to 27 years in prison for plotting Brazil coup Nigel Farage faces questions over who funded 885,000 Clacton constituency home Sir Kenneth Branagh returns to the RSC for first time in 30 years Nato strengthens defences after Russian drones shot down over Poland Starmer facing fresh questions after Mandelson sacking The Ayrshire wedding crasher mystery solved after four years Warner Brothers Discovery and Paramount Skydance shares surge on buyout reports Southern Water bans tankers doing runs to US billionaires lake Starmer is losing senior figures at the rate of one a week

Throwbacks are where I re-release old episodes from the archives. So don't worry if you have heard it already, as 'New episodes' will continue to come out on Sundays. To get some of the old episodes heard.~~~We start tonight with Dalton in Florida, both of his sightings took place in San Diego in the mid-late 80s. The first was a large saucer-shaped object that was witnessed for a period of time, then just a couple of years later Dalton observed several bright white objects travelling over a mountain range. Then we head to North Ayrshire, Scotland to speak with Iain about a number of strange incidents from his childhood involving being abducted late at night. Lost time, balls of light and a couple of incidents while serving with the Royal Navy in the vicinity of the Bermuda Triangle.More information on this episode on the podcast website:https://ufochroniclespodcast.com/ep-155-san-diego-skies-its-just-them-again/Want to share your encounter on the show?Email: UFOChronicles@gmail.comOr Fill out Guest Form:https://forms.gle/uGQ8PTVRkcjy4nxS7Podcast Merchandise:https://www.teepublic.com/user/ufo-chronicles-podcastHelp Support UFO CHRONICLES by becoming a Patron:https://patreon.com/UFOChroniclespodcastX: https://twitter.com/UFOchronpodcastThank you for listening!Please leave a review if you enjoy the show.Like share and subscribe it really helps me when people share the show on social media, it means we can reach more people and more witnesses and without your amazing support, it wouldn't be possible.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ufo-chronicles-podcast--3395068/support.

Throwbacks are where I re-release old episodes from the archives. So don't worry if you have heard it already, as 'New episodes' will continue to come out on Sundays. To get some of the old episodes heard.~~~We start tonight with Dalton in Florida, both of his sightings took place in San Diego in the mid-late 80s. The first was a large saucer-shaped object that was witnessed for a period of time, then just a couple of years later Dalton observed several bright white objects travelling over a mountain range. Then we head to North Ayrshire, Scotland to speak with Iain about a number of strange incidents from his childhood involving being abducted late at night. Lost time, balls of light and a couple of incidents while serving with the Royal Navy in the vicinity of the Bermuda Triangle.More information on this episode on the podcast website:https://ufochroniclespodcast.com/ep-155-san-diego-skies-its-just-them-again/Want to share your encounter on the show?Email: UFOChronicles@gmail.comOr Fill out Guest Form:https://forms.gle/uGQ8PTVRkcjy4nxS7Podcast Merchandise:https://www.teepublic.com/user/ufo-chronicles-podcastHelp Support UFO CHRONICLES by becoming a Patron:https://patreon.com/UFOChroniclespodcastX: https://twitter.com/UFOchronpodcastThank you for listening!Please leave a review if you enjoy the show.Like share and subscribe it really helps me when people share the show on social media, it means we can reach more people and more witnesses and without your amazing support, it wouldn't be possible.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ufo-chronicles-podcast--3395068/support.

Canadian rock and pop legend Bryan Adams on his new studio album – Roll With The Punches. He talks to Kirsty Wark about the inspiration for his lyrics, creating music with old gear, AI, and – surprisingly – duetting with Luciano Pavarotti.Folk singer Emily Portman was left in disbelief this summer when an AI-generated album was released under her name without her permission. Dr Hayleigh Bosser and Emily discuss artificial intelligence and the rights of musicians. With the Venice Film Festival in full flow, journalist Hannah Strong gives a glimpse behind the scenes at some of the hits – and the political undercurrents – on the Lido this year. And Damian Barr shares the true story behind his latest novel The Two Roberts, an exploration of the lives of Ayrshire artists and lovers Robert Colquhoun and Robert MacBryde.Presenter: Kirsty Wark Producer: Caitlin Sneddon

Charlie our guest recounts 6 months of his life at the age of 9 back in 1973-74. Around his house in Ayrshire his family lived alongside a female big black cat, seen active in fields and woods and at one stage she was lactating. Charlie regularly encountered the cat during spells when he escaped the ongoing stress at home. He describes its consistent behaviours, including its calls and its hunting. It took rabbits from his snares and he observed it resting in sun traps. This episode tells a remarkable story of a large black cat, most likely a female leopard, out in the wild before the 1976 Dangerous Wild Animals Act. Charlie considers why the cat tolerated him in particular, as well as his family members. Words of the week:   gypsy warnings  1 September 2025

Donald Trump comes to Scotland and don't we know it! President Trump, with saltires fluttering on his motorcade instead of the union flag descended this week on Turnberry in Ayrshire and then up to Aberdeenshire. He's described John Sweeney as a terrific guy despite not really having met him yet and he suggests that all the proceeds from removing tariffs should go to Scotland, not to the UK. We discuss whether he's just mixing it, whether he actually favours Scotland in some way or is it all just rubbish that will be reversed next week.We also talk also about John Swinney's suggestion that there should be a constitutional convention. Again, that's suggested now, having been ruled out in previous weeks. We look at the SNP's strategy, such as it is, that there can be no move forward for Scotland without a referendum and that a referendum will only come if the SNP somehow manages to get over the line as the largest party in 2020. Simples! We take a look at the latest announcements. We also discuss the action that's ongoing against supporters of Gaza and the emergency UK cabinet meeting.LinksDave Pearson article about private wires https://bylines.scot/news/scotland/retaining-scotlands-wind-wealth-a-strategy-for-renewable-power/A 'good constituency MP'? how ‘hard working local politicians' are facilitating a genocidehttps://substack.com/home/post/p-169235829 ★ Support this podcast ★

Crowds of Palestinians have been collecting food from lorries, in parts of Gaza where Israel has paused its military operations. Emirati and Jordanian planes have dropped pallets of aid from the air. Also: President Trump and the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, are holding crucial talks at his Ayrshire golf resort, to try to strike a trade deal. Also: England are taking on Spain in the Women's Euros 2025 in Switzerland.

The rare Dark Bordered Beauty moth is found in only two sites in Scotland and one in England. Mark joins Dark Bordered Beauty Moth Champion Pete Moore at RSPB Insh Marshes nature reserve to find out more about attempts to reintroduce the moth to other areas in Scotland. Dark Bordered Beauty moths in Scotland are reliant on aspen suckers - shoots that sprout from the roots of an aspen tree, acting as a form of vegetative reproduction. Mark catches up with Conservation Manager Shaila Rao at Mar Lodge Estate in the Cairngorms to discover how the team are restoring aspen in the area. Rachel is in Dornoch to meet a group of women training for the traditional heavy events at the Highland Games. Mark and Rachel have a wander with David Coid and local historian Alasdair Malcolm on the coast of Prestwick, Ayrshire to explore a group of Grade-A listed houses built in the 1700s for the salt boiling industry. Phil Sime heads to a Creative Summer School with Cairngorms Connect to discover how the project helps local school children to explore art and creativity through different landscapes, habitats and species. Ben Saunders, Senior Marine Archaeologist at Wessex Archaeology, returns to the programme to update the team on exciting new information on the identity of the shipwreck found on Sanday, Orkney last year. Rachel meets Andrew Bateman who runs hiking tours in the Cairngorms with the comfort of a heated Nordic tipi at night. Andrew's highland ponies join the trek to carry the camping equipment. Mark and Rachel have a gander around Girvan as they continue to explore the Whithorn Way pilgrimage.

This week on The Most Dangerous Podcast, James takes you deep into one of the darkest legends in Scottish folklore — the gruesome tale of Sawney Bean, the head of a monstrous clan of cannibals said to have murdered and eaten over a thousand unsuspecting travellers. Hidden in a sea cave on the Ayrshire coast, this family of flesh-eaters evaded capture for decades, sparking fear across the kingdom.But how much of the story is truth — and how much is legend? Was Sawney Bean a real person or a tool of political propaganda? Join us as we dive into the blood-soaked myth, the disturbing details, and the legacy that still haunts Scotland to this day.If you like horror history, cannibal cults, and terrifying true crime folklore — this one's for you.New episodes every Sunday at 8pm on YouTube, Spotify, and everywhere you get your podcasts.#SawneyBean #CannibalClan #ScottishFolklore #TrueCrimePodcast #DarkHistory #Folklore #TheMostDangerousPodcast #HorrorPodcast #MacabreHistory #JamesPresents

In a couple of weeks, swifts will leave our skies and depart for their wintering grounds in Africa. Author and naturalist Mark Cocker has spent a lifetime observing them and Rachel meets him in Crail to chat about the migrating birds and his new book One Midsummer's Day - Swifts and the Story of Life on Earth. Never a stranger to getting his hands dirty, Mark grabs a trowel and joins community volunteers on an archaeological dig on East Lomond Hill in Fife. Chairman of the Falkland Stewardship Trust Joe Fitzpatrick unearths the history behind some significant Pictish findings on the hill and chats to Mark about the importance of volunteer excavators. Producer Phil gets on the saddle with the Highland Blind Tandem Club for a cycle along the canal tow path in Inverness. Rachel's on a hunt for the egg cases of the critically endangered flapper skate. She meets marine biologist Dr Lauren Smith at Cairnbulg Harbour near Fraserburgh to hear about the work going on to safeguard these huge creatures and map exactly where they are. Mark visits the National Museums Collection Centre in Edinburgh to discover how changes at the site are supporting the local urban biodiversity. We hear how the Museum is monitoring wildlife around the Centre from Curator of Entomology Ashleigh Whiffin. An Irish teenager has just become the youngest person to swim the North Channel from Northern Ireland to Scotland solo. 15-year-old Oscar Black joins Rachel and Mark to share his experience battling the currents to reach Scottish shores While following the Whithorn Way, Mark and Rachel stop at Prestwick, Ayrshire to visit Bruce's Well, named after Robert The Bruce, King of Scotland from 1306 to 1329. They meet Julia Muir Watt of the Whithorn Way Trust and local historian Alasdair Malcolm to explore King Robert's connection to the well. In 2003, part of a sea wall at Nigg Bay on the Cromarty Firth was deliberately breached to reconnect an area of land to the sea. Rachel catches up with Steph Elliot from the RSPB to discover how the intertidal habitat created is now benefiting bird life.

John Niven is a Scottish author and screenwriter known for his darkly comic, satirical novels. Born in Ayrshire in 1966, he studied English Literature at the University of Glasgow before spending a decade in the music industry. This experience inspired his breakout novel, Kill Your Friends (2008), a biting satire of the late-1990s music business. The book earned widespread acclaim for its brutal honesty and sharp wit, and was later adapted into a film for which Niven co-wrote the screenplay. His other works include The Amateurs, The Second Coming, Straight White Male, and O Brother, showcasing his distinctive blend of humour, cynicism, and moral insight. In addition to novels, Niven has written for film and journalism, often exploring themes of fame, failure, and modern hypocrisy. Known for his outspoken political views, Niven remains a provocative and influential voice in contemporary British literature and culture.

In this episode of We're No Dam Experts, Rebecca and Shannon dive into a cherished piece of Great Falls history — the Ayrshire Dairy. They're joined by two family members of the historic Ayrshire Dairy, who share personal stories of what it was like growing up on the dairy and its impact on the Great Falls community. While visitors can't tour the dairy today, its legacy is deeply woven into the fabric of the Electric City. From early morning milking routines to delivering fresh milk across town, this episode is full of heartfelt memories, laughter, and a whole lot of local flavor. Whether you're a history buff, nostalgic for small-town roots, or just curious about what makes Great Falls, Montana so special — this is one episode you don't want to miss.

The story of the last generation of British miners: fathers and sons, brothers and comrades, big hitters and broken men, strikers and scabs. Mining Men: Britain's Last Kings of the Coalface (Penguin, 2025) by Dr. Emily P. Webber explores how these men felt when the pits were closed and what happened next, including former miners who became factory workers, detectives, driving instructors, counsellors, the local mayor and one who even ended up working on Fleet Street. Featuring accounts from Ayrshire to the South Wales Valleys, from the ‘People's Republic of South Yorkshire', to the ‘Sunshine Corner Coalfields' of Kent, each chapter offers a different perspective of the industry. Britain's last deep coalmine closed in 2015, yet just fifty years ago the mining industry was a juggernaut, employing over 250,000 workers. Combining new personal interviews with extensive archival research, Dr. Webber illuminates the extraordinary history of the industry once considered the backbone of Britain. By situating the miners' strike of 1984–85 in a longer history of the coalfields, we can understand why miners and their families fought so hard against pit closures, and what happened after the pit wheels stopped turning. Vivid, evocative and richly alive with minute detail, Mining Men uncovers what the mining industry once meant to its workers and their communities, and what Britain lost when it was gone. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

The story of the last generation of British miners: fathers and sons, brothers and comrades, big hitters and broken men, strikers and scabs. Mining Men: Britain's Last Kings of the Coalface (Penguin, 2025) by Dr. Emily P. Webber explores how these men felt when the pits were closed and what happened next, including former miners who became factory workers, detectives, driving instructors, counsellors, the local mayor and one who even ended up working on Fleet Street. Featuring accounts from Ayrshire to the South Wales Valleys, from the ‘People's Republic of South Yorkshire', to the ‘Sunshine Corner Coalfields' of Kent, each chapter offers a different perspective of the industry. Britain's last deep coalmine closed in 2015, yet just fifty years ago the mining industry was a juggernaut, employing over 250,000 workers. Combining new personal interviews with extensive archival research, Dr. Webber illuminates the extraordinary history of the industry once considered the backbone of Britain. By situating the miners' strike of 1984–85 in a longer history of the coalfields, we can understand why miners and their families fought so hard against pit closures, and what happened after the pit wheels stopped turning. Vivid, evocative and richly alive with minute detail, Mining Men uncovers what the mining industry once meant to its workers and their communities, and what Britain lost when it was gone. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

This week, we're discussing Scottish independence with researcher Alex Thorburn from Salvo and Liberation Scotland, two civic movements developing their own strategy without waiting for approval from Westminster.We explore Scotland's claim to nationhood through the Claim of Right, the Treaty of Union, and their significance in the 21st century. Alex walks us through a potential route to the UN via the Decolonisation Committee (C24), and makes the case that Scotland could assert its sovereignty.We recall times when Scotland asserted its democratic power, such as the canceled fracking plans, the nuclear waste that was kept away from Ayrshire, and when 97% of Strathclyde opposed water privatisation. These aren't just footnotes - they're great examples of what happens when civic Scotland gets its boots on.Whether you're pro-indy, undecided, or just here for the constitutional gossip, this episode offers a thoughtful look at the routes ahead, not instead of political leadership, but alongside it.

Plans for a new National Park in Galloway and Ayrshire have been dropped. The Scottish Rural Affairs Secretary, Mairi Gougeon, has announced that following a consultation, the park doesn't have enough support locally, and so will not go ahead.In the Broads National Park in Norfolk, a rise in the number of deer is having an impact on habitats and farmland. A drone survey to asses the numbers has revealed as many as 20 per square km. Work is underway to generate a market for local venison to help support culling.And we meet Vice Chair of the Rare Breed Survival Trust, Ryan Perry. He started off feeding the pigs at his local city farm in Gateshead at the age of 7, where he fell in love with Tamworths. Now he's on a smallholding where he keeps pigs, three breeds of sheep, goats, poultry and cattle...alongside a full time job in the NHS as a biomedical scientist.Presented by Charlotte Smith Produced by Heather Simons

'Frozen in Time' is part of the series A Year in Scotland. This is the May episode.In this story, we travel to the southwest of Scotland and spend a few days exploring the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere at the height of Spring. We wander through one of Scotland's most picturesque bluebell forests and listen to the birds of the woodland. We're staying at a tranquil shepherd's hut on the edge of the Galloway Forest Park, go wild swimming in a loch and a river, and we wander through the bustling town of Gatehouse of Fleet.Visit my website to find the full show notes incl. the transcript, photos from my trip and links to all the places & resources I mention in this episode.Help us spread the word about Wild for Scotland! If you hear something you like in this episode, take a screenshot and share what you like about it on your Instagram stories. And tag us @wildforscotland so we can say thank you! Let me help you plan your DREAM TRIP to Scotland! Book a free enquiry call to find out more. Browse my Scotland itineraries for your next trip.Connect with me on Instagram @wildforscotland!Join our email list to never miss an episode.Planning a trip to Scotland? Check out my Scotland blog Watch Me See!