Podcasts about BBC Scotland

Matthew Bannister on: Sir Tom Farmer, the Edinburgh born businessman who built up the tyre and exhaust company Kwik Fit.Elaine Wynn, who worked with her husband Steve to create a casino empire in Las Vegas.Sue Stapely, who transformed the way the legal profession communicates with the public and the media.Joseph Nye, the American political analyst who came up with the concept of “soft power” in international relationsInterviewee: Michael Welch Interviewee: Douglas Fraser Interviewee: David Sanger Interviewee: David McNeill Interviewee: Christina BinkleyProducer: Gareth Nelson-DaviesArchive used:Tom Farmer interview, Workwise Scotland, BBC Scotland, 03/02/1989; Tom Farmer, The House I Grew Up In, BBC Radio 4, 06/08/2008; Tom Farmer, First Light, BBC One, 22/11/2016; Joseph Nye On Soft Power, Foreign Policy Association, YouTube 22.02.2016; "Soft power" explained by the man who coined it, Council on Foreign Relations, uploaded to YouTube 09/05/2025; Joseph Nye on "The Future of Power", Harvard University, Centre for Public Leadership, uploaded to YouTube 04/02/2011; Doctor Who, Season 6, Episode 6, The Invasion, by Derrick Sherwin, Director: Douglas Camfied, BBC Television, 07/12/1968; An Interview with Sue Stapely, Fantom Films and Alex Moore, YouTube, uploaded 22/09/2021; PM, BBC, Radio 4, 31/03/1998; Coronation Street, Director: Michael Kerrigan, written by Tony Warren, Granada Television, ITV, 1998; The Archers, Omnibus Edition, BBC Radio 4, 21/07/1985; Mirage Resort Opens, 8 News Now, KLAS-TV, YouTube 13/07/2013; Elaine Wynn interview, KTVN Channel 13, YouTube, 03/11/2015; The Mirage Volcano erupts, 8 News Now - Las Vegas, YouTube 17/07/2024; Musings with Elaine Wynn, TheLifeYouCanSave.org, YouTube uploaded 27/09/2023;

Dan spoke to Chief Sports Writer and Broadcaster for BBC Scotland, Tom English (@TEnglishSport), to get the Celtic perspective on heavily linked Liverpool target Jeremie Frimpong.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/redmentv. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christopher Macarthur-Boyd presents the comedy podcast Here Comes The Guillotine with Frankie Boyle and Susie McCabe. 2024 saw Christopher release his debut stand-up comedy special Oh No! with 800 Pound Gorilla Media. After a sell-out run at the Fringe, Christopher toured the UK and Ireland with his hit-show Scary Times, culminating with his biggest show to date at the 1500 seater Pavilion Theatre in Glasgow. Star of Comedy Central Live, Christopher has also co-starred in two series of BBC Scotland's Up For It, hosted BBC Scotland's stand-up vehicle, The Comedy Underground, appeared on Frankie Boyle's New World Order (BBC Two) and has made multiple appearances on the Scotland Made Me series. Christopher is also a regular on BBC Scotland's Breaking The News and has made appearances on BBC Radio 4 Extra's Stands Up At The Fringe, BBC Radio 4's Fred at The Stand, and Russell Kane's Evil Genius for BBC Sounds. Christopher has written for shows such as 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and Late Night Mash.Christopher Macarthur-Boyd is our guest in episode 492 of My Time Capsule and chats to Michael Fenton Stevens about the five things he'd like to put in a time capsule; four he'd like to preserve and one he'd like to bury and never have to think about again .Tickets for Christopher's Edinburgh show are available here - https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/christopher-macarthur-boyd-howling-at-the-moon .Find Christopher's other show tickets here - https://linktr.ee/macarthurboyd .Follow Christopher Macarthur-Boyd on Twitter/X: @macarthurboyd & Instagram @macarthur.boyd .Follow My Time Capsule on Instagram: @mytimecapsulepodcast & Twitter/X & Facebook: @MyTCpod .Follow Michael Fenton Stevens on Twitter/X: @fentonstevens & Instagram @mikefentonstevens .Produced and edited by John Fenton-Stevens for Cast Off Productions .Music by Pass The Peas Music .Artwork by matthewboxall.com .This podcast is proud to be associated with the charity Viva! Providing theatrical opportunities for hundreds of young people . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Elle Russ chats with Philip Blackledge - he was ordained a priest in the Scottish Episcopal church in 1999. As he was ordained, the heavens opened, there was a mighty thundering and a heavenly voice spoke out of the cloud saying “Bloody hell, we're really scraping the bottom of the barrel these days.”  Before ordination he was a classical music singer, appearing on a number of recordings and broadcasts, and is currently the Chair of the Borders Music Festival, which aims to bring music to younger people and celebrate amateur music making. He is the leader of the Melrose Vocal Ensemble, and still appears as soloist when the money is right.  As a priest he broadcasts regularly on BBC Radio 4 and takes part in discussion programes and “thought for the day” on BBC Scotland. He is a board member of the Scottish Advisory Council for Religion and Ethics. He has a wife, a son, and a dog, all of which have more control over his life than he does.   You can stream his sermons live at: https://www.youtube.com/@HolyTrinityMelrose     FREEBIES: Free Thyroid Guide + Video Series: https://www.elleruss.com/thyroid-guide Free Confidence eBook & Workbook: https://www.elleruss.com/7secrets Elle's newsletter: https://www.elleruss.com/newletter

Gareth Rhys Owen and Lauren Jenkins are joined by BBC Scotland's chief sportswriter Tom English and former Ireland international Bernard Jackman to pick a British and Irish Lions squad to tour Australia this summer. Ahead of next Thursday's official announcement, the four select a squad of 37 players consisting of 21 forwards and 16 backs... but how many Welshmen will make the cut?

For this episode of Season 4, I had the pleasure of interviewing Justin Lee Anderson! Justin was a professional writer and editor for 15 years before his debut novel, Carpet Diem, was published, going on to win the 2018 Audie award for Humor. His second novel, The Lost War, won the 2020 SPFBO award, leading to a four-book deal with Orbit for The Eidyn Saga. I really enjoyed his book The Lost War and it was one of my 3 favorite fantasy reads of 2024. Two short animations Justin scripted and produced were shortlisted for Scottish Creative awards, and he also writes TV and film scripts with his wife, Juliet. Their children's audio story, The Great Bumpkin King, was produced by BBC Scotland in 2019. Justin and Juliet live with their family in East Lothian, near Justin's hometown of Edinburgh. Please make sure to check out his book and social links in the space below and don't forget to subscribe to our Youtube Channel! Author Website: https://justinleeanderson.com/ Author Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00XZE8SYS Author Instagram: @justinleeandersonauthor Author Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/justinleeandersonauthor/ Podcast Channel Links: Patreon: patreon.com/TFSFP Website: https://thefantasyandscififanaticspod.com/ Youtube Channel Subscription: https://youtube.com/@thefantasyandsci-fifanatic2328 Rss.com: https://media.rss.com/thefantasyandsci-fifanaticspodcast/feed.xml Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2aCCUhora9GdLAduLaaqiu?si=cl-8VWgaSrOGDwJg-cKONQ Discord Server: https://discord.gg/zd6mj2rQ Facebook Group join link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/402724958101648/?ref=share

Join Liam, Shaun (:O) and BBC Scotland's A View From The Terrace's own Tony Anderson as they chat through the season so far, favourite moments, goal and games. We take non-Hibs related listener questions and Shaun prepped a fantastic teammates style quiz. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 167 is a little different: we're sharing an excerpt from my chat on the Cinora YouTube channel with filmmaker – and returning pal – Ashley Dick. We dive into the shock cancellation of BBC Scotland's flagship soap River City and what the decision signals for drama production across Scotland and the wider UK.Since the recording, the fight to save the show has exploded. Famous faces – Richard E. Grant, Ewan McGregor, Miriam Margolyes and Nicola Sturgeon among them – have lent their voices, and a motion to keep River City on air will soon be heard in the Scottish Parliament.In this chat we talk about:How River City was axed and why it matters – timelines, budget pressures and the creative fallout.The concern for the wider TV industry – what the cancellation tells us about an already‑strained sector.Why we need to future‑proof the soap format (or find a new kind of long‑running drama).Why local voices are important – the cultural impact of losing a home‑grown show.What potential solutions we can pursue as an industry – ideas, funding routes and collective action.Hit play, share your thoughts, and help keep Scotland's storytelling future alive. Check out the full video over on the Cinora Channel. Full video from Cinora

Varada Sethu joins Datshiane Navanagayam to talk about stepping into the iconic role of the Doctor Who companion. She shares how she went from a guest star to landing the role of Belinda Chandra, why this character feels like her most personal yet, and what it means to her to bring cultural authenticity to the Tardis. With a background in science, classical dance, and Star Wars fandom, Varada brings a fresh energy to the Whoniverse. To combat the potential exploitation of children on social media content, new safeguarding guidelines around 'child influencers' are being launched next month. Dr Francis Rees, Lecturer in Law at the University of Essex and founder of the child influencer project who has produced the toolkit, joins Datshiane to discuss. In her new memoir Where Angels Fear to Tread, humanitarian aid worker Sally Becker, who risked her life to help wounded children in war zones, recounts her life-saving missions. Sally joins Datshiane to reflect on her experiences and how becoming a mother reshaped her approach to the risks and responsibilities of her work.The ex-partner of a millionaire horse racing tipster who abused women and filmed it has warned someone could die if he is not stopped. Kevin Booth was given a worldwide travel ban after a Scottish civil court heard that he attacked his victims in an underground chamber at his remote Highland home and in foreign hotel rooms. Tammy Conner - who said she was beaten by Booth for four years from the age of 16 - has now decided to speak out in the hope that other women will come forward. Booth has described Tammy's allegations as "laughable" and said he had never been arrested, charged or convicted of domestic violence or abuse. We hear from BBC Scotland news reporter Katie Hunter.

Creator and host Andy Bargh is joined by BBC Scotland commentator Liam McLeod and freelance commentator Calum Brown to discuss Scotland's victory in Athens. Has Anthony Ralston made the right-back position his for the forseeable? Grant Hanley produces another solid showing next to John Souttar. Che Adams with a brilliant effort as the lone striker. Lewis Ferguson finally gets his start. + Plenty more. Thanks for tuning in! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Andy Bargh is joined by BBC Scotland's Andy Bargh and the Scottish Sun's Ben Ramage to chat about Steve Clarke's squad selection for next week's play-off against Greece, with Scotland aiming to stay in League A. Ben Doak's injury is a blow, James Wilson and Lennon Miller have been called-up aged 18, Gilmour's starting again for Napoli, Ferguson could get his opportunity in midfield, and Tierney's return could mean a change to the 3-4-2-1 shape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we're joined by Amy Moore and Kirsten Cameron from Aquarius Creative to chat about their latest, most controversial, season of the BBC Scotland show, The Agency: Unfiltered which shows behind the scenes of influencers in Glasgow plus the new influencer academy where the agency search for the new big TikTok star ...https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0f0b7x2SUBSCRIBE TO OUR VLOG CHANNEL FOR A NEW VIDEO EVERY SUNDAY!https://youtu.be/yL1erq_Sup4?feature=sharedUNLOCK OUR EXTRA JUICY BONUS EPISODE ON SPOTIFY: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/girlsoverheard/subscribeJoin the group chats on Patreon and unlock a full extra episode every Wednesday! https://www.patreon.com/c/GirlsOverheardSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2aOtGuxPxIenVDwmUwWjOhPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/GirlsOverheardGirls Overheard Insta: https://www.instagram.com/girlsoverheardGirls Overheard TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@girlsoverheard Ash: https://www.instagram.com/mamareid/Eilidh: https://www.instagram.com/eilidhwells/Lauren: https://www.instagram.com/lauren.fairbairn/FAQHow do I send a message in to you guys?The best way is to WhatsApp or message us on 07428957885! You can send us a text, a voice note or even any TikToks you want us to chat about! And don't worry, we will always keep you anonymous!How many episodes do you release every week?We put out our main episode on a Monday and our bonus episode, Confession Sessions goes out every Wednesday! This one has even more stories and juicier gossip so it's available for our Patreon Rat Pack. Join us over there and you'll get access to our forums, first access to live show tix and more! When is your next live show? We haven't announced any live shows for 2025 but any new dates will always be announced on Confession Sessions first so make sure you're on there!Where can I find you on socials?We're on Instagram and TikTok as @girlsoverheard so come join us! Email: girlsoverheardpodcast@gmail.com

BBC Scotland's Phil Goodlad joins Richard Foster to discuss his early football memories in Shetland including his home made penalties highlight tape and why he ended up supporting Aberdeen. "Started With a Kick” features an array of high profile fans and prominent figures from the world of football, including Martin Tyler, Chris Sutton and Mark Pougatch.Each weekly episode is split into two parts, the first coming out on Tuesday, the second on Thursday.FOLLOW THE SHOW ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/iswakpodcast/FOLLOW THE SHOW ON X: https://twitter.com/ISWAKPodcast

BBC Scotland's Phil Goodlad joins Richard Foster to discuss his early football memories in Shetland including his home made penalties highlight tape and why he ended up supporting Aberdeen. "Started With a Kick” features an array of high profile fans and prominent figures from the world of football, including Martin Tyler, Chris Sutton and Mark Pougatch.Each weekly episode is split into two parts, the first coming out on Tuesday, the second on Thursday.FOLLOW THE SHOW ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/iswakpodcast/FOLLOW THE SHOW ON X: https://twitter.com/ISWAKPodcast

On this week's Monday Night Club, the panel react to Rangers sacking Philippe Clement after 16 months in charge. What's gone so wrong for him and where will Rangers turn next? Does the interim manager Barry Ferguson have the answer? BBC Scotland's Tom English joins Chris Sutton, Rory Smith, Paul Robinson and Mark Chapman to react to the news of Clement's departure. They also discuss who is in the hunt for Champions League spots – Chris has it all worked out with his system – but how will the likes of Nottingham Forest, Chelsea and Newcastle fare? And with news of discontent in France over referees, French football journalist Matt Spiro drops by – should matches be refereed by foreign officials?TIME CODES:00:50 – Philippe Clement out at Rangers 21:50 – Who makes the Champions League? 39:10 – Referees5 Live/Sports Extra Commentaries This Week:Wed 26 Feb 2000 England v Spain in UEFA Women's Nations League, Fri 28 Feb 2000 Aston Villa v Cardiff in FA Cup, Sat 1 Mar 1215 Crystal Palace v Millwall in FA Cup, Sat 1 Mar 1215 Preston v Burnley in FA Cup on BBC Sport website, Sat 1 Mar 1500 Bournemouth v Wolves in FA Cup, Sat 1 Mar 1745 Man City v Plymouth in FA Cup, Sun 2 Mar 1345 Newcastle v Brighton in FA Cup, Mon 3 Mar 1930 Nottingham Forest v Ipswich in FA Cup.

David Currie, Rangers Review editor Joshua Barrie and BBC Scotland's chief sports writer Tom English react to the sacking of Rangers manager Philippe Clement.

Jack Docherty has entertained audiences in eight series of BBC Scotland's mockumentary police show Scot Squad, as Chief Commissioner Cameron Miekelson. He returns to our screens in new spin-off The Chief. Writer Kirsty Logan has written on witches, mermaids, and motherhood. Her latest collection of dark tales of love and desire is No & Other Love Stories.Comedian Larry Dean is bringing his acclaimed stand up show Dodger on tour. It explores identity, his grandmother's dementia diagnosis, and a love of Elvis Presley.After big 40th anniversary celebrations last year, Pat and Greg Kane - AKA pop duo Hue and Cry - are set for a year of touring. They share a song fit for Valentine's Day weekend. Cellist Su-a Lee performs a track from her solo album Dialogues which celebrates decades of folk music friendships. She's joined by composer and pianist James Ross.

Chris, Scrum V's Gareth Rhys Owen and Tom English from the BBC Scotland rugby podcast return as the countdown to the Six Nations continues. They delve into what lies ahead for the four home nation teams. Gareth questions whether Warren Gatland still has the passion to guide Wales. Will Simon Easterby's leadership bring a new look to Ireland? Tom voices his concerns about Scotland's mounting injury troubles, while Chris explores the challenge facing England. Plus, find out which member of the team has found a new inner calm ahead of tournament.

It's a bumper episode this week as we try and navigate our way through the news.First up, BBC Scotland has launched Scotcast a brand new podcast. We give our considered verdict on this latecomer to the Scottish podcast scene,Its maiden episode focused heavily on the opening of Scotland's first Drug Consumption Room/ Overdose Prevention Centre. How was it covered? In the political argy bargy Whose voices are being heard? Whose are not?It also dealt with both the ending of the marriage between Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell and the fall out over Nicola's recent comments on the behaviour of the late Alex Salmond. We follow suit.Lesley recently wrote a column questioning John Swinney's saying, “I don't think people would understand what I was doing if I refused to meet with the president of the United States.” Lesley reckons the First Minister has misread the mood of the Scottish people when it comes to the Donald.There are strong suggestions that Dominic Cummings is the eminence grise behind Elon Musk's recent fetid tweets on UK politics and the Labour Party in particular. We ask why Musk is so fixated on Britain and what is the odd symbiotic relationship between him and the BBC?Sticking with Labour there's trouble afoot with both the latest YouGov opinion poll and the volatility of the UK economy.We also look at the LA wild fires,Trump's fuelling of the flames with disinformation and the climate change as their root cause.Along the way there's chat about the UK's toxic relationship with processed foods, terrible puns, a tour of "The Testament of Gideon Mack" and a multi-million pound Gaelic noir series "An t- Eilean"-BBC Alba tonight 9pmLesley's best selling book "Blossom" also gets a few mentions.Follow these links for more information on all of the above- except Pat's puns.https://www.channel4.com/programmes/eat-smart-secrets-of-the-glucose-goddesshttp://www.dogstartheatre.co.uk/https://lesleyriddoch.com/books-mobile ★ Support this podcast ★

The weather has certainly been a big talking point for a lot of us this week. And it's also the theme of a new exhibition at the McManus Art Gallery and Museum in Dundee. Rachel went to take a look at A Weather Eye along with curator Kirsty Matheson.We hear from Paul Hetherington of charity Buglife about the impact the mild weather before Christmas, and now the very cold weather, is having on our bees. Sadly, it's not great news.A second pair of lynx has been captured after being found near Kingussie in the Cairngorms National Park. Two other lynx, released illegally, were caught in the same area on Thursday. We get the latest from BBC Scotland's Environment, Energy & Rural Affairs Correspondent Kevin Keane.Huntly Nordic and Outdoor Centre in Aberdeenshire is Britain's only purpose-built all-weather facility for cross-country skiing and roller skiing. And since there was a bit of snow on the ground, Mark went along to try his hand at cross-country skiing.We speak live to Donald MacRae, vice chair of Scottish Mountain Rescue about the conditions the teams across the country have been facing so far this year. We also hear advice on heading to the hills at this time of year and how prepared you need to be.Staying in the hills, the Glenmore Visitor Centre and Café near Loch Morlich has had a bit of a facelift in recent weeks. It's now owned by the community, who have big plans for the centre. Rachel went along for a visit to hear about what they've done so far, and what's yet to come.The wintry weather prompted Mark to think about the extreme winter weather of the recent past, including low temperatures in Braemar of -27.2 degrees Celsius.Photographer and Landward presenter Shahbaz Majeed has a new book out which explores Scotland's landscapes from a slightly different perspective. Recently, Rachel caught up with Shahbaz in his home city of Dundee for the Scotland Outdoors podcast. He told Rachel the story of how a rather unexpected request led to him making a name for himself behind the lens.And when Mark visited the Huntly Nordic and Outdoor Centre, he couldn't say no when he was offered the chance to go tubing. The simple pastime of sliding down a hill in an inflatable ring is pretty popular at the centre with kids and big kids too!

Stuart Mitchell is regarded as one of the UK's top comedians and TikTok stars with over 100M views online. He is currently the longest running panellist of BBC Scotland's Breaking The News and recently starred in his own Radio 4 series “Cost of Living”. His second series “Cost of Dying” has been commissioned and is due to air in July 2025. In addition to this he has made numerous appearances across TV and Radio including Chris McCausland's ‘You Heard It Here First', The Blame Game and The News Quiz. His debut show, ‘Dealt a Bad Hand' at the Edinburgh Fringe received critical acclaim and sell out audiences at the Pleasance Courtyard, culminating in extra shows due to demand. He is also creator and star of the Glesga Da Podcast with over 30M views on TikTok. His new tour “Tips Not Included” starts Spring 2025. Tickets available here - https://www.livenation.co.uk/stuart-mitchell-tickets-adp139179?utm_campaign=stuart_mitchell_2025&utm_medium=partner&utm_source=artist_websiteStuart Mitchell is our guest in episode 456 of My Time Capsule and chats to Michael Fenton Stevens about the five things he'd like to put in a time capsule; four he'd like to preserve and one he'd like to bury and never have to think about again .Tickets for Stuart's new tour are available here - https://www.livenation.co.uk/stuart-mitchell-tickets-adp139179?utm_campaign=stuart_mitchell_2025&utm_medium=partner&utm_source=artist_websiteFor everything else Stuart Mitchell, visit - https://stuartmitchellcomedy.comFollow Stuart Mitchell on Twitter/X: @stuartmitchell2 & Instagram & TikTok: @stuartmitchellcomedyFollow My Time Capsule on Instagram: @mytimecapsulepodcast & Twitter & Facebook: @MyTCpod .Follow Michael Fenton Stevens on Twitter: @fentonstevens & Instagram @mikefentonstevens .Produced and edited by John Fenton-Stevens for Cast Off Productions .Music by Pass The Peas Music .Artwork by matthewboxall.com .This podcast is proud to be associated with the charity Viva! Providing theatrical opportunities for hundreds of young people . Get bonus episodes and ad-free listening by becoming a team member with Acast+! Your support will help us to keep making My Time Capsule. Join our team now! https://plus.acast.com/s/mytimecapsule. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's welcome back to the podcast after our Christmas and New Year break.We kick off by reflecting on how we both spent Hogmanay in our different ways, Lesley's island sojourn sounds affy braw.Much criticism has been levelled at BBC Scotland in particular for its pallid Hogmanay programming and Lesley takes the opportunity to compare the "official" media offerings with the work of the late Martyn Bennett and the Grit Orchestra. Suffice to say the authorised ones don't stand the comparison well.....It seems now is the time for a complete rethink on BBC and STV Hogmanay fare.We also discuss the cancellation of the official Edinburgh celebrations. Is it time for the capital to have a complete rethink ?Martyn Bennett's music and Danny MacAskill's cycling on the Cuillin - 81 million views!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ_IQS3VKjAGrit Orchestra gig - just two seats left!!https://tickets.glasgowlife.org.uk/34209/34210Lesley talks about her new, self filmed, series of short videos she's filming on her travels around Scotland.Lesley also reflects on the recent funeral of 'John the Bird' Chester on Eigg.https://x.com/LesleyRiddoch/status/1876598275693859210Anas Sarwar in his most recent speech talked about reducing the number of quangos but was somewhat less than comprehensive in how he would do this and even less specific on what a Labour administration would cut other than reducing the number of Health Boards.However is there a kernel of truth in Sarwar's statement?  Has the growth of quangos led to the creation, as Robin McAlpine said, of " A feudal system of nested fiefdoms each insulated from the transparency and accountability nominally radiating from the one above"?We also discuss Sarwar's appearance on Good Morning Scotland where Laura Maxwell grilled him on his stances on the 2 Child Benefit Cap, Winter Fuel Allowance, and the WASPI women. We also discuss Neil Mackay's recent Herald article analysing the growth in support for Scottish independence as UK Labour tanks in the polls.Is the SNP in a fit state to profit from this? Is it radical enough to get independence over the line?Listener Leslie Wilson got in touch after our chat on swimmer Duncan Scott to highlight the  television coverage-lack of- of Bruce Mouat's champion curling rink. We discuss. ★ Support this podcast ★

Please enjoy the original stunning radio play 'Solstice' by Alison Mcleay, first broadcast Sat 21st Dec 1985, 10.30pm on BBC Radio 4. Original blurb: 'It is now the Winter Solstice, the night when the sun dies and is reborn: a night of magic, which has more to do with our traditional Christmas celebrations than people might like to admit. Just for tonight, the Shaman lives...' With the voices of Michael Elder, Diana Olsson and Paul Young. Produced by Patrick Rayner for BBC Scotland. This can additionally be found at the end of A Sleigh Ride Through Christmas from Folkways Podcast https://spoti.fi/3pfx2PB Merry Solstice!

Mark meets builder and artist Becky Little whose work is being displayed as part of an exhibition called A Fragile Correspondence at the V&A in Dundee. Her work involves using soil from different areas in Orkney made into cubes.A WWF Scotland scheme which is aiming to create seagrass meadows and restore oysters to the Forth has reached a major milestone. Rachel visits the Restoration Forth project to hear about what they've achieved so far and what their plans are for the future.Mark is in The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum where there's currently an exhibition all about the Dundee Naturalists' Society which is marking its 150th anniversary this year. Mark met up with some of the members to hear about the group's history and what they get up to now.Listeners have been getting in touch with Out of Doors to tell us they aren't seeing the usual numbers of garden birds at their bird feeders and tables. Mark met up with Ian Broadbent, North-East Scotland recorder for the Scottish Ornithologists' Club, to chat about whether numbers of garden visitors are down, and what might be the cause. They also speak about what we can do to help encourage birds and get them through the winter.We're joined live by Dr Julie Oswald from the University of St Andrews who has developed a groundbreaking tool that uses machine learning to identify dolphin species based on their calls. We hear some examples of what dolphins sound like and find out why identifying them is important.It's the time of year to coorie down and listen to some folktales and we have just the thing with two tales from our recent trip to Islay, an island full of myths and legends.There's a new eye-catching steel sculpture in Callendar Park in Falkirk. It's been created by artist Caspar J Wilson and is a memorial to those who experienced loss in the Covid pandemic. Rachel met Caspar and heard how he spoke to hundreds of people in the local community before creating the sculpture.And our Scotland Outdoors podcast this week features Helen Needham looking through some audio gems from BBC Scotland's archive including an Orkney Hurricane, Sightings of the Loch Ness Monster in the 1930's and Terrifying Sounds from the Hamilton Mausoleum which is what we hear an excerpt of.

Helen Needham presents some audio gems from BBC Scotland's archive

Last week Rachel was in Aberfoyle where the Scottish Countryside Rangers Association was celebrating their 50th anniversary. The organisation brings rangers together to share ideas and highlight potential challenges facing the sector. She chatted to some of those who've recently retired, and those who are still working, about the history of the association and the importance of rangers across the country.Mark catches up with photographer Frank McElhinney whose work forms part of an exhibition called A Fragile Correspondence. It's currently on show at the V&A in Dundee after travelling to the Venice Architecture Biennale. He tells Mark what it was like taking a little bit of Ravenscraig to Venice.A cottage where Queen Victoria enjoyed picnics will open to the public next year after being restored by the National Trust for Scotland. The cottage on Mar Lodge Estate had been in a state of disrepair for some years and Mark went along to see its transformation.Over the last few weeks, we've been chatting to the three finalists of BBC Scotland's category at the BBC Food and Farming Awards, the Local Food Hero award. Earlier this week the winners were announced at a ceremony in Glasgow where Rachel and Landward's Dougie Vipond presented the winners with a rather nice chopping board! We hear more from the event including from Rachel's fellow judges Sheila Dillon and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and from the winners of the Local Food Hero award.Have you come across #thicktrunktuesday on social media? The hashtag has been around for a couple of years highlighting the joy of trees. We chat live to artist Tansy Lee Moir who has travelled to visit different trees and met lots of different people all through using the hashtag. She tells us what it is about trees that inspires her and why winter is the best time to appreciate them.Our Scotland Outdoors podcast this week contains the latest instalment of our series following the story of Robert Louis Stevenson's 1886 novel, Kidnapped. We re-join the story after the Appin Murder of 1752 with Davey and Alan on the run and in need of help.Paul English explores a new 5K walking route near the Falkirk Wheel from a barge. He takes to the Jaggy Thistle to admire the route's colourful benches which are decorated with locally significant mosaic designs.Cold water swimming might seem like a modern pastime, but PhD student Lucy Janes has been researching urban swimming and found that it was actually pretty popular in Victorian Glasgow. She met Mark on the banks of the Clyde to tell him about who was going for a swim in the 1800s and what hazards they might have faced.

Taking a pause from counting footballs lost in trees, magazine editor Andy Lyons, writer Harry Pearson and host Daniel Gray discuss Odd-Scoring Matches from six-goal-mad Charlton Athletic to rampant Hartlepools via Cornelius Bibby. Magazine Deputy Editor Ffion Thomas previews WSC issue 448, Record Breakers brings us a Swedish sizzler and we continue our sprightly feature The Final Third, in which a guest contributes a match, a player and an object to the WSC Museum of Football. Joining Dan as our visiting curator this time is Duncan McKay from The Terrace podcast and BBC Scotland's A View From the Terrace television show.Support the showWould you like to hear twice as many podcasts and longer editions of these ones, and support our print magazine? You would? Then join the WSC Supporters' Club! Sign up here: www.patreon.com/whensaturdaycomes

No subject is off the table as BBC Scotland's chief sportswriter Tom English answers your questions in a special episode presented by Iona Ballantyne. To get your questions in for future episodes our email address is Scottishfootball@bbc.co.uk

Matthew Bannister onQuincy Jones, the music producer, composer and arranger who worked with artists ranging from Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson.Janey Godley, the comedian who used her challenging childhood and youth in Glasgow as material for her shows. Lyudmila Trut, the Russian geneticist who dedicated her life to a revolutionary – and evolutionary - experiment investigating the domestication of silver foxesDr Paul Stephenson, who led the Bristol bus boycott to end race discrimination in employment.Producer: Ed PrendevilleArchive used: Jeremy Vine : Live from Glasgow, Radio 2, 17.11.14; Janey, BBC Scotland, 14.05.24; JANEY GODLEY INTERVIEW, BBC 1 Scotland, 17.01.24; Janey Godley “The C bomb Shall We Start At The Beginning” BBC Radio Four, 01.06.23; Janey Godley Stand Up Specials, BBC Radio Four, 01.02.2023; BBC Points West, 18.07.14; BBC World Service, The Bus Boycott, 28.08.23; Windrush, BBC4, 24.06.08; Horizon: The Secret Life of the Dog, BBC 2, 06.10.2010

This week guest is BBC Scotland's Act of the Year Bemz. Bemz. Bemz is a hip-artist, performer and a old friend. In this candid conversation, Bemz shares insights on: Public vs. Private Life: How does he navigate his public persona while keeping his personal life under wraps? Behind the Scenes: Discover one surprising thing fans might not know about him and explore common misconceptions. Community Building: The significance of fostering a community around his music, including his experiences at festivals and with brands like Celtic. The Music Industry in Scotland: Bemz opens up about the challenges of fame, the realities of being your own manager, and the financial aspects of the rap industry. Collaborations and Influences: Hear about his connections with artists like The Snuts, Killer Mike and Adidas. Personal Life: A glimpse into his role as a dad and how it influences his music and authenticity. Scottish Rap Scene: Will Scottish rap gain more prominence? Bemz discusses his impact on the scene and the potential for growth. Creative Process: Learn about his songwriting methods and how he crafts lyrics that resonate with listeners. Awards and Recognition: Reflecting on accolades like the Scottish Act of the Year and his participation in events like Transmit. Big love to my mate Bemz for coming back on the show. -- This episode is sponsored by Handsome Jacks Finnieston. Get along for the cleanest haircut in Glasgow. Situated on Argyle Street - visit Handsome Jacks Finnieston. Handsome Jack's Finnieston (@handsomejacks.finnieston)Instagram · handsomejacks.finnieston710+ followers -- Follow me: ww.instagram.com/davidmcintoshjr Support the podcast on Patreon (and get this early) www.patreon.com/developmentbydavid

Maddy and Anthony have a new TV documentary out all about King James VI of Scotland's witch hunts, available on History Hit TV.When James VI of Scotland's new wife, Anne of Denmark, is almost lost in a storm at sea he thinks he knows who is to blame. Witches. The King personally leads the investigation that follows, coming face-to-face with at least one of the accused, Agnes Sampson. What on earth is going on here?Anthony and Maddy are joined by Dr Louise Yeoman, historian of witchcraft and radio producer for BBC Scotland who latest series is House of the Lion.Produced by Freddy Chick. Senior Producer is Charlotte Long.Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Sign here for up to 50% for 3 months using code AFTERDARKYou can take part in our listener survey here.After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast.

Mark is back at the Scottish Wildlife Trust's Montrose Basin site, but this time it isn't geese he's looking for, it's mosquitos. Mark hears about the monitoring programme that the Basin is part of and why it's important to track mosquitos for human health and also bird health.Back in 2021 Storm Arwen wreaked havoc on the North East causing lots of damage including to some of the buildings at the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses in Fraserburgh. Recently Rachel went for a visit to see how the repair work was progressing.The archipelago of St Kilda, the most westerly islands of the UK, is a wild place with a fascinating history. It was inhabited until 1930 by very hardy folks, many of whom were adept at climbing the cliffs and sea stacks to hunt for birds and their eggs. St Kilda's climbing history is now being explored in a new film by professional climber and filmmaker Robbie Phillips. Helen Needham met up with Robbie to hear about how the film came about.Earlier in the week, it was announced that Jim McColl had died at the age of 89. Jim was one of the presenters of BBC Scotland's Beechgrove Garden from its outset until his retirement from the programme in 2019. We hear an archive clip of Mark chatting to Jim about how he got involved in the first place.Back to the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses in Fraserburgh where Rachel hears about a project to restore one of the old lighthouse keepers' cottages to how it might have looked in 1963.And we chat live to Mike Bullock, chief executive of the Northern Lighthouse Board, about the role of modern day lighthouse keepers.From now until Halloween, Glamis Castle near Forfar will be running what they are calling Ghosts of Glamis tours. Mark recently went along to hear some of the ghostly tales and see if he could spot any spooky goings on…In this week's Scotland Outdoors podcast Mark chats to Dr Roisin Campbell-Palmer, Head of Restoration at the Beaver Trust. We hear an excerpt where Roisin tells Mark about her early involved in the re-introduction of beavers to Scotland.If you read the Guardian newspaper, you may be familiar with the Country Diary. It's a daily natural history column which offers the reader seasonal observations and snapshots of the British Countryside. Recently Rachel met one of the regular contributors, Merryn Glover, at Loch Inch in the Highlands and asked her to reflect on what autumn means to her.

Lesley's back from her trip to Iceland with lots to talk about and share including disturbing news about The Gulf Stream.https://amp.theguardian.com/environment/2024/feb/09/atlantic-ocean-circulation-nearing-devastating-tipping-point-study-findsThere seem to be more leaks from within this new Labour government than a set of Thames Water's pipes. This time on what might be in next week's Budget. BBC Scotland's Sunday Show focused on this. We look at who was on the show and what questions were asked. What questions weren't asked,especially  of Energy Minister Michael Shanks in terms of GB Energy and Carbon Capture and Storage.Sticking with energy Lesley takes the lid off a looming crisis particularly impacting Scotland over smart meters.Meanwhile Labour held a swanky Investment Summit trumpeting a £63 Billion post-election boost in investment.What's the reality behind the boast, what have Labour promised the likes of Blackrock, and just how many new jobs will all this cash create?All this plus the new movie about the early years of Trump's rise ,"The Apprentice" reviewed. ★ Support this podcast ★

Podlitical discusses the legacy, life, and career of former First Minister Alex Salmond. Phil Sim sits down with BBC Scotland political editor Glenn Campbell and political correspondent David Porter, to share their memories of Alex Salmond, the interviews they did with him, how his career from the early days to Alba was defined by rebellion, his impact on Scottish politics, and more.

James Williams convenes Walescast's very own Council of the Nations and Regions to preview the inaugural meeting of the UK government's new vehicle for strengthening its work with the governments of the devolved nations. BBC Scotland's Phil Sim, Jayne McCormack from BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Wales' very own Daniel Davies all squeeze around the table to try and work out what that might mean in practice. Plus Ed Poole of Cardiff University's Wales Governance Centre looks ahead to the Chancellor Rachel Reeves' much-anticipated first Budget at the end of the month

Younger listeners will be stunned(!) to know that the BBC used to have quite and anti-Celtic stance and coverage.  Under the authority of Peter Thompson, they really didn't seem to like Celtic at all.  Under Thompson, BBC Scotland's Sports Department employed a sectarian recruitment policy akin to Rangers.  Prejudice seeped into  every aspect of BBC Sport coverage in Scotland but Jock Stein would have none of it.Here's the story.For more on our history go to https://www.thecelticwiki.com/Enjoy… This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

We are still missing our big pal Cosgrove so we're really grateful to Simon and David for getting the TM jersey on and getting stuck in to the day's subjects. Recommendations: Eamonn In Vogue - the 90's Disney+ The '90s was the decade when high fashion walked off the runway and into mainstream culture. Featuring an A-list cast from the worlds of fashion, film and music, alongside Vogue's Anna Wintour and Edward Enninful, this landmark series reveals the inside story of the 90's most celebrated fashion and pop culture moments. David Algiers, Third World Capital:Freedom Fighters, Revolutionaries, Black Panthers - book The life of an unexpected revolutionary with the Black Panthers in Algiers Mokhtefi (née Klein), a Jewish American from Long Island, has had an exhilarating life. In the 1960s, she served as a press adviser to the National Liberation Front in postwar Algiers, before going to work with Eldridge Cleaver, who was wanted in the US for his role in a deadly shoot-out with Oakland police. Half a century later, as an eighty-nine-year-old painter living on the Upper West Side, Mokhtefi still seasons her prose with the argot of revolution. Simon The Hundred Years' War on Palestine The twentieth century for Palestine and the Palestinians has been a century of denial: denial of statehood, denial of nationhood and denial of history. The Hundred Years War on Palestine is Rashid Khalidi's powerful response. Drawing on his family archives, he reclaims the fundamental right of any people: to narrate their history on their own terms. Beginning in the final days of the Ottoman Empire, Khalidi reveals nascent Palestinian nationalism and the broad recognition by the early Zionists of the colonial nature of their project. These ideas and their echoes defend Nakba - the Palestinian term for the establishment of the state of Israel - the cession of the West Bank and Gaza to Jordan and Egypt, the Six Day War and the occupation. Moving through these critical moments, Khalidi interweaves the voices of journalists, poets and resistance leaders with his own accounts as a child of a UN official and a resident of Beirut during the 1982 seige. The result is a profoundly moving account of a hundred-year-long war of occupation, dispossession and colonialisation. https://www.channel4.com/news/

Elaine C. Smith has delighted audiences for decades, including work on TV shows like BBC Scotland's Two Doors Down. In her latest project she joins the touring cast of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and takes on a character that used to terrify her - The Childcatcher. Claire Love Wilson is a Scottish-Canadian theatre-maker, actor, and singer-songwriter whose semi-autobiographical show Morag, You're A Long Time Deid is inspired by the story of a grandmother she never met, and explores queer history from fragments of a recently forgotten past. Glaswegian stand-up Christopher Macarthur-Boyd had a total sell-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2023 and 2024, and is about to take his Scary Times show on tour across the UK and Ireland. With music from Irish country sensation Nathan Carter, and soul and pop singer Becky Sikasa.

It's the battle of Glasgow, one of the most combustible matches in world football. CELTIC vs RANGERS is a fixture like no other, a vehicle for ancient blood feuds and sectarian strife. In the beginning of the 20th century, these two sets of fans marked the final whistle of a cup final by attempting to burn down Scotland's famed Hampden Park. After the 1980 final, supporters from both sides rioted on the pitch, fighting hand-to-hand and flinging bottles and more at each other until mounted police charged in to rescue control of the situation. This is a match that carries questions of what it means to be Scottish, baggage tied up in The Troubles of Northern Ireland and the quest for Scottish independence from Great Britain. And it's also, partly, about football.Joining us to trace this history and preview this Sunday's match is Chris McLaughlin, Sports News Correspondent at BBC Scotland and a man of Glasgow. He also covered the Scottish national team at EURO 2024 and offered some insight into a raucous atmosphere and an ultimately disappointing campaign.If you're enjoying The Football Weekend, please give us a rating and leave a review! It will help spread the word to more fans who might like a big match preview to start their Fridays. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As seen on Live at the Apollo, Liam Farrelly is a Scottish Comedian of the Year Award winner. He started performing stand-up aged 17 whilst still in High School and immediately went into comedy full-time after graduating. A meteoric rise through the ranks has seen him nominated for and winning a raft of awards including So You Think You're Funny? Runner Up, Best Newcomer nominee Scottish Comedy Awards and Best Breakthrough Act nominee Scottish Comedy Awards. He's had a guest acting role on BBC Scotland's Scot Squad and performs at the UK's best and most prestigious comedy clubs .Liam Farrelly is guest number 421 on My Time Capsule and chats to Michael Fenton Stevens about the five things he'd like to put in a time capsule; four he'd like to preserve and one he'd like to bury and never have to think about again .Follow Liam Farrelly on Twitter: @LiamFarrelly9 & Instagram: @Liamfarrellycomedy .Follow My Time Capsule on Twitter, Instagram & Facebook: @MyTCpod .Follow Michael Fenton Stevens on Twitter: @fentonstevens & Instagram @mikefentonstevens .Produced and edited by John Fenton-Stevens for Cast Off Productions .Music by Pass The Peas Music .Artwork by matthewboxall.com .This podcast is proud to be associated with the charity Viva! Providing theatrical opportunities for hundreds of young people. Get bonus episodes and ad-free listening by becoming a team member with Acast+! Your support will help us to keep making My Time Capsule. Join our team now! https://plus.acast.com/s/mytimecapsule. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To many, we're living through a golden age of TV. But behind the rich offerings for consumers lie several growing structural issues, from a market oversupplied by streamers desperate for subscriptions, to the consequences of the US actors and writers strike, to a downturn in the advertising spend that powers the UK industry. Ros talks to a panel of TV big hitters at the Edinburgh International TV Festival. We hear from the Democratic National Convention where Kamala Harris is about to accept her party's nomination for President - all at a time when the candidate is refusing to do media interviews. Plus, after a spate of newspaper closures and high profile resignations, we explore the state of Scottish news media during a tumultuous period in the nation's politics. Guests: Chris Curtis, Editor, Broadcast; Stephen Lambert, Chief Executive, Studio Lambert, Andy Harries, CEO, Left Bank Pictures; Claire Lundberg, founder, CTL Scouting; Nicola Shindler, Chief Executive, Quay Street Productions Douglas Fraser, Business and Economy Editor, BBC Scotland; Frank O'Donnell, Senior Partner at Charlotte Street Partners; Karin Goodwin, Co-Editor, The Ferret; Nayeema Raza, Co-Presenter, Mixed Signals Presenter: Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson Assistant Producer: Lucy Wai

This week (ok not really this week), we are locked in and sounding out Niall Farrell ahead of his much anticipated BBC documentary ‘The Four Rules Of The Poker Kings' directed by BAFTA-winning filmmaker Greg Clark! The film was pushed back from its original April release date, as was this episode, hence a few anachronistic references to the Irish Open! In what is nonetheless a belter of an episode, the lads preview the documentary with exclusive clips from Niall's poker adventures in 2021/2022. Before they all get to that though, there is some talk about the Irish Open Leaderboard (AKA the Firaldo Cup) which was coincidentally won by our host David Lappin and another Niall Farrell idea ~ a Hendon Mob flag inspired ‘Amazing Race'. The conversation then moves onto the documentary and how it captures both sides of the poker life. Niall on the felt wins are shown alongside his losses and, maybe most importantly, against the backdrop of family life. There is also footage from the life of fellow Scottish poker pro David Docherty as he navigates his way in the game. The film ‘The Four Rules Of The Poker Kings' airs on BBC Scotland at 9pm on August 16th. It will also be available to watch on the iPlayer.

Today, Newscast at the Edinburgh Festival for a special, extended episode!Adam is joined by Scotland Editor James Cook, Leader of the Scottish Labour Party Anas Sarwar, comedian Catherine Bohart, and host of BBC Scotland's Breaking The News Des Clarke.Newscast is presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Miranda Slade. The Assistant Editor is Chris Gray. The Senior News Editor is Sam Bonham.Thanks also to the team at BBC Scotland and Dynamic Earth!

The Portree Broadcasting Corporation was a pilot for a series that was never commissioned by BBC Scotland - recorded on Skye and produced by myself in 2004, with the object of letting islanders who never meet one another explore their cultures and take o'er the airwaves for one glorious hour of mayhem. It features Gaelic speakers Prof Norman Macdonald and Cailean Maclean plus Shetlander Phil Goodlad and Orcadian Dave Gray. I made myself the cynical newshound sent north from Glasgow to lick the islanders into shape after the Gaels who took over BBC Scotland decided to shift the newsroom to Skye - hence the name, the Portree Broadcasting Corporation. It's a wee bit of history - 20 years ago there were still tolls on the Skye Bridge and the great Dave Gray was wise-cracking as only he knew how. Dave (just retired as Station Manager at Radio Orkney) died suddenly in February 2024. The historian and BBC Skye reporter Prof Norman Macleod died a year earlier in 2023.Happily Phil, Cailean and myself are still going strong. This piece of largely unscripted banter is a tribute to the humorous, un-biddable ways of islanders the world over. ★ Support this podcast ★

With less than 48 hours until the polls open we focus on Lesley's interviews with Lorna Slater, Alex Salmond and Stephen Flynn.What did we learn about their party policies and strategies? Were there any unexpected revelations?We also reflect on the drubbing Macron's centrist Ensemble party received in the first round of the French elections. Will a Republican coalition front emerge to stop Le Pen's National Rally gaining power? What lessons are there for other centrists like Starmer's Labour ?Lesley will be commentating on the election results on BBC Scotland from 3am-9am on Friday morning, somehow fitting a wee podcast in. ★ Support this podcast ★

BBC Scotland political reporter Ian Hamilton joins Emma Tracey on this week's podcast. Both of them are blind and they discuss why they and other blind people can't confidently vote in secret.They talk about the pitfalls of tactile voting templates and share their experiences of polling station staff. They also consider whether technology might offer a solution in the future. Also on the show: Britain's fastest deaf swimmer, 25-year-old Nathan Young, on his 1,000 day campaign to persuade politicians to fund his bid to compete in next year's Deaflympics.Presented by Emma Tracey Production by Daniel Gordon and Alex Collins Recorded and mixed by Dave O'Neill The editor was Farhana HaiderIs there is an election issue affecting disabled people you think we should be talking about? Get in touch, we really want to hear from you. You can email us mailto:accessall@bbc.co.uk or message @bbcaccessall on Twitter/X or Instagram. Our WhatsApp number is 0330 123 9480, please begin your message with the word ACCESS.

Mark Chapman talks England, Scotland and dark horses ahead of UEFA Euro 2024. He's joined by former England internationals Phil Jagielka and Chris Sutton, as well as New York Times chief soccer correspondent Rory Smith. Hear from Scotland assistant John Carver and catch up with BBC Scotland's chief sports writer Tom English.02:35 The ‘not getting injured' mentality 06:15 England training in a golf resort 10:05 Does the England squad have enough experience? 19:15 Cole Palmer as the number 10? 22:10 Do the squad numbers mean anything? 27:10 Is England's entirely right-footed defence a problem? 30:30 Scotland a happy camp despite turbulent build-up 33:30 Scotland assistant John Carver on McGinn's dancing 39:45 Rory reveals he's a Scotland fan! 41:40 Tips to win, dark horses & the supercomputer

Scotland's most senior law officer has asked nine of the country's judges to overturn an 87-year-old rule on evidence in cases involving rape and other sexual offences. Since she became Lord Advocate in 2021, Dorothy Bain KC has often spoken of her desire to improve the criminal justice system for victims, particularly women and girls. She is now seeking radical changes which would allow more rape cases to reach court. Anita Rani talks to David Cowan, BBC Scotland's home affairs correspondent.A group of state secondary schools in Southwark, south London, has decided to act as a collective and shift their pupils away from smartphones. Children's use of smartphones, particularly in schools, continues to be a hot topic issue, and many schools have decided to create new policies to try and tackle what they call the damaging effects of smartphone use. One of those schools is Ark Walworth Academy in Southwark, and their headteacher, Jessica West, joins Anita to talk about the plans.This evening, Taylor Swift will take to the stage at Murrayfield in Edinburgh for the first part of her UK tour. It is the first of 17 UK dates, which will finish in a record-breaking eight-night run at London's Wembley Stadium. By then, she will have played to almost 1.2 million UK fans. Her international Eras tour is expected to make more than $2 billion (£1.5 billion) by the time she performs her final show in Canada this December. Jolene Campbell, reporter at The Daily Record, talks to Anita about the Swifties who have descended on the city.As a newborn baby in 1968, Helen Ward had been wrapped up warmly in a tartan bag and abandoned in a phone box in Ireland. She would spend years searching for her biological mother, but what she found instead were two full siblings who had also been abandoned as babies. Helen talks to Anita about the story she's spent a lifetime unravelling.As we enter wedding season, some listeners will be spending every weekend for the rest of summer at either a hen do or a wedding. But what is the etiquette when it comes to plus ones? Anita talks to Liz Wyse, Etiquette Adviser for Debrett's and journalist Rebecca Reid.Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Rebecca Myatt Studio manager: Tim Heffer

Eilidh Barbour reacts to Scotland's provisional 28-man squad for Euro 2024 with former Scotland forwards James McFadden, Pat Nevin and the Times' Scottish football correspondent Michael Grant.The panel discuss the inclusion of Liverpool's teenage winger Ben Doak, Scotland's striker options and who will be cut from the final squad.You can also hear from Scotland boss Steve Clarke with BBC Scotland's Chris McLaughlin.TOPICS 1 min - Initial thoughts 5 mins - Steve Clarke interview 11 mins - Ben Doak discussion 14 mins - Scotland's forward options 20 mins - Goalkeepers and defenders 26 mins - Pre tournament friendly performances 28 mins - Can Scotland finally get out of the group stage?

This episode:Dr. Angela Lauria and Matt Lowry, LPP chat with Ashley Storrie—the autistic writer and star of the new series, “Dinosaur” (available on Hulu in the U.S.). Discussed:* The unconventional way that Ashely was brought on as a writer and the importance of Autistic writers shaping autistic characters.* How Ashley came to discover her autistic identity.* Autistic linguistics and the “shape” of words.* How production accommodated Ashely (and everyone else!). Plus, how Ashley avoided being triggered while authentically portraying overwhelm and overstimulation.* Why casting autistic actors in autistic roles is not only good representation—it's good business!* An autistic brain love fest.* The behind-the-scenes process of deciding on the exact sexual history of Ashley's character, Nina.* Same foods, sensory seeking tastes, and stimming with food!* Ashley's complex history with The Edinburgh Fringe Festival.Quotes from this episode:“And she was like, you know, ‘You spend your life accommodating people. How about for this, we'll accommodate you?'”“So good, so clever, but also understood the assignment because it's a lived experience. And that's like you're saying: if you live it and you know it, it's not hard.”“It was more going right into myself and saying, ‘Who would you be if you didn't have all of that burden of pretending?'”“She's overcoming people, and maybe their relationship to autism, and she's overcoming other people's things, but never autism itself. That's a part of her and she loves it.”“So I've licked the Great Wall of China. I've licked Jimi Hendrix's guitar…It was such a compulsion of tasting history that I had to do it.”“And I have like a crunchy food, a soft food, a wet food and a dry food. And that's how I roll.”“Yeah, so much of what's magical about this show is just feeling so seen. And it's just such a gift.”More on Ashley:Comedian, writer and actress Ashley Storrie can be heard hosting her BBC Radio Scotland show live every Friday night from 10pm-1am. She is also the co-host of the new Midsomer Murders Podcast. Ashley is also known for her Harry Potter parody #tanyapotter, which has now had over 22 million views. As a result of her online success she was commissioned by BBC Scotland to create online content for their Short Stuff strand, producing viral hits including ‘If The Handmaid's Tale was Scottish' and ‘If Game of Thrones Was Scottish.'Do you feel represented by Ashley's character, Nina? Tell us in the comments and use #AutisticCultureCatch to share your answer on your social media and connect with other listeners!Show notes and resources:Follow Ashley Storrie on InstagramCheck out the official trailerWatch Dinosaur on HuluOther episodes to check out if you liked this one:Episode 10: Star Trek is AutisticEpisode 17: Wednesday is Autistic?Episode 54: Comedy is AutisticEpisode 57: Community is AutisticReady for a paradigm shift that empowers Autistics? Help spread the news!Check out our InstagramFind us on Apple podcasts and SpotifyFind Matt at Matt Lowry, LPPMatt's social media: Autistic Connections Facebook GroupLearn more about Angela at AngelaLauria.com and Difference PressAngela's social media: Twitter and TikTokTACP's merch shop This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.autisticculturepodcast.com/subscribe