Podcasts about Wigtown

There's a food theme in this week's episode as we head to Wigtown to chat to The Hebridean Baker Coinneach MacLeod, food historian Pen Vogler on her books Scoff and Stuffed and philosopher Julian Baggini tells us How The World Eats. Plus we get the Books of Your Life from Gareth Brown and find new books in the RNIB Library. The image used is a fun collage featuring moments from the Wigtown Book Festival, along with some of the authors and their works. On the top left, there's the festival's lovely handwritten-style logo with little birds fluttering around it. Just beside that, we see the cover of The Hebridean Baker by Coinneach MacLeod, showcasing a man in a kilt standing in the rugged Scottish outdoors—probably hinting at some great Scottish baking stories! To the right, we have the RNIB Connect Radio logo. In the middle left, there's a picture of three smiling people: Robert Kirkwood (who you might know from RNIB Radio) is standing on the left, holding a microphone. Next to him is Coinneach MacLeod holding a book, and to the right of him is Pen Vogler, who is holding her book Stuffed: A History of Good Food and Hard Times. Then, on the center right, there's a nice portrait of Pen Vogler herself, looking thoughtful and confident, with her book cover prominently displayed next to her. Moving down to the bottom, on the left is the colorful cover of How the World Eats by Julian Baggini, which seems to explore food from different cultures across the globe. And on the bottom right, there's a picture of Julian Baggini himself, standing casually outdoors against a stone wall. All in all, this collage gives a taste of the authors and books you'd encounter at the festival, with a nice focus on food and culture.

As I'm down in Wigtown recording next week's show, here's a collection of hidden gems we've recorded at the festival over the years.

-Tupperware is filing for bankruptcy! -Wither Report: Charlie Puth ruined his marriage already, SNL lineup revealed, & playing tennis with Pete Wentz for 4 hours ;)   -This Air BNB will put you to work...and there's a 2-year waiting list?? -Science Corner: Good news, WE'RE GETTING A SECOND MOON!

Unsere Reise nach Wigtown, Schottland Teil 2. Diesmal treffen wir tatsächlich den Autor des wunderbaren "Tagebuch eines Buchhändlers". Inhabers des "The Bookshop" in der schottischen "Booktown". Wir bekommen ein Interview und haben eine trefflich schöne Zeit... Hier der Link zur Seite von Shauns Buchhandlung Und hier der Link zur Facebook Seite Und für unsere wunderbaren Gastgeber aus Wigtown hier die Übersetzung in ein hoffentlich akzeptables Englisch: "Hello everyone out there. Today I'm assuming that you are regular listeners. If not, you should definitely listen to last week's episode first. Last Friday we started taking you on a trip to Wigtown in Scotland. Scotland's official 'Booktown', home of Shaun Bythell, author of 'Diary of a Bookseller' and owner of 'The Bookshop'. Well, we are still on this same journey. We've already searched the bookstore extensively, gotten to know the area a bit, met a lot of nice people, but still missed Shaun himself. Today is supposed to be the big day when we meet him. It won't be the last time. Because, like the entire area, there seems to be a very special magic about it and its people. Probably some fairy thing. We have definitely already succumbed to this magic. Nevertheless, it is important to bring some order into your thoughts today. After all, this meeting with Shaun was the original trigger for the whole trip. And many of the questions we want to ask Shaun have been deepened by our first few days. How can it be that a place like Wigtown offers enough space for ten or more bookstores in a region that has fewer inhabitants than our city? How is Shaun today? After his international success as an author. Is he still a bookseller at heart? However. It's not just the questions that are exciting, but also the person. A few pictures say a lot less than the bookstore and the town of Wigtown alone. We are excited and Katha is almost a bit in awe of the moment. What will Shaun say and what kind of person is he really? [THE INTERVIEW] Shaun was fantastic. We still met very often. Also random and spontaneous. We had lunch in his kitchen, drank together and talked about books and authors. Especially about Ian Banks, who he knew himself... Overall, these almost 10 days were a wonderful time. We didn't get far beyond the south of Scotland. But we met great and wonderful people. And we were allowed to breathe in deeply the scent of the books and inhale the fantastic spirit of Scotland. We are eternally grateful for that. Thank you Steve, thank you Nicki, thank you Shaun, thank you Christie, thank you Louann, thank you Katha, thank you everyone! If I have forgotten anyone, I am very sorry and it was certainly not intentional. Just feel for “everyone”! addressed. We hope you guys out there enjoyed this little journey too. We can only advise you to take this journey too. It's definitely worth it. I wish you a nice weekend today. See you soon. Ciao, arrivederci, your Gerd..."

Unsere Reise nach Wigtown, Schottland zum Autor des wunderbaren "Tagebuch eines Buchhändlers" und Inhabers des "The Bookshop" in der schottischen "Booktown". Der erste Teil heute. Noch ohne Shaun Bythell, aber trotzdem mit jeder Menge Fantasy und Abenteuer. Und dem Wächter des Clan Hannay... Hier der Link zur Seite der Clan Society Und hier der Link zur Facebook Seite Und für unsere wunderbaren Gastgeber aus dem Clan Hannay und unseren Freund Steve hier die Übersetzung in ein hoffentlich akzeptables Englisch: "Hello everyone out there. I've already taken you on a trip a few times. Today we're trying that again. This time our goal is quite far away. But again a goal that should be of interest of all of us. It's about books, magic an fantasy. But before we start, there's the little back story... In 2018, a certain Shaun Bythell from Wigtown, Scotland published his first book. In 2019 it was also published in German. With the catchy name “Diary of a Bookseller”. From the beginning there was a lot familiar to me in this book. There are simply endless parallels between all small bookstores. We also sold Shaun's book quite well and I think many of our customers have grown to love it in a similar way as we do. If you haven't read the book, I strongly encourage you to do so. For people who like books and small shops it's a great treat and a wonderful insight into Shaun's life with books. His third book will soon be released in German. We have watched countless of his videos on social networks. I confess, we are fans... Then one day Katha said why don't we just travel to Scotland and visit the man? From that moment it was a done deal. And so we now sit in the car to Calais and look forward to Scotland and the funny bookseller Shean Bythell. Nothing planned. Nothing booked. Just drive off and see what lies ahead. Of course, a few ideas are in our heads. Wigtown is located in the far south of Scotland. In the "Galloway and Dumfries" council area. Whoever we spoke to in advance, we were always encouraged to visit the north of Scotland, the Highlands and the Isle of Skye. Accordingly, we have of course come up with a few possible destinations and a potential route to Inverness, Loch Ness and Isle of Skye. But always only as an option. The premise was Wigtown from the start - and then see how it develops. As you can imagine, we were of course also hoping for a nice story and, if possible, an interview with Shaun Bythell... So we went out to visit this bookshop in Wigtown AND see Scotland. In reality things turned out completely differently. We visited Wigtown and found Scotland RIGHT THERE. Incredibly nice and friendly people, wild and extremely biodiverse nature, lots of culture, of course a whiskey distillery and Scottish beer and even one of the clan seats of the Lowlands. Not far from the scene of Robert the Bruce's first battle against a seemingly far superior English army. But slowly. From the beginning... So we sit in the car to Calais and take the classic ferry to Dover. Then past London, Birmingham and Liverpool to the south of Scotland. Unfortunately, when we arrive in Wigtown and first visit Shaun's bookshop, he is on his way. We can already see our chances dwindling. Nevertheless, we have a nice conversation with the bookseller Nicki - no, not the Nicki from the books - but one of the current employees in The Bookshop. And this Nicki is an incredibly nice and helpful person, as it quickly turns out. After a few minutes of conversation about our concerns, some books and our non-existent plans, she gets on the phone and calls a certain "Steve". He's supposed to be a nice guy and have exactly what we need... And so it happened that we postponed our conversation with Shaun Bythell until Monday. But instead were allowed to set up camp for the night beneath the Tower of Sorbie. Stephen Hanna is the guardian of the Sorbie Tower and therefore ambassador of the Clan Hannay, whose castle he guards,

Open Seas is a Scottish charity that focusses on protecting our marine environment and the things that live in it. A few weeks ago, Mark joined them in Skye where they were carrying out seabed surveys. While the weather didn't play ball and they didn't get out on their planned boat trip, the team did manage to show him the kind of footage they record and why it's important in influencing the kinds of protection marine areas can get.Rachel is in Pitlochry where the Firebrand Theatre Company along with the Festival Theatre are staging a play all about naturalist and poet Nan Shepherd: Naked and Unashamed. She hears about how the play came together and the extraordinary legacy of Nan.Wigtown is now well known across Scotland and the wider literary world as Scotland's Book Town. It's a title it has held since 1998 and since the first festival in 1999, the town has seen its prospects transformed. Mark met up with Anne Barclay from the festival company to hear about the positive changes in the town over the past 25 years.Rachel heads out on a coastal foraging walk as part of the 2024 Moray Walking and Outdoor Festival which kicks off this weekend. Forager Daniel shows her some of the things that can be found along the coastline from plants to seaweeds, foods and medicine.By the time Out of Doors is broadcast, Scotland will have played Germany in the opening match of Euro 2024. For the past few days Scotland fans have been arriving in Munich and the town is covered in tartan and saltires. But what is the origin of the white cross on a blue background? Mark visits the Scottish Flag Trust at Athelstaneford in East Lothian to find out more.The story of modern whaling in the Southern Hemisphere is a controversial one. Many British companies played a key role in the industry, and they had a largely Scottish workforce. A project is underway to collect the memories of those who worked in the industry and their families before it's too late. We chat live to Helen Balfour from the Whalers' Memory Bank to find out more about the project.A couple of weeks ago the last seagoing paddle steamer in the world, The Waverley, made its first ever visit to Ullapool. Our news colleague in Inverness Stephen Macleod went along to experience the excitement.In this week's Scotland Outdoors podcast, Rachel speaks to Artist in Residence at the Rahoy Nature Reserve, Liz Myhill. Her role is to raise awareness of the huge reserve and encourage people to visit and explore. We hear an excerpt.More than 130 years ago two men began a years' long adventure to discover, climb and map Skye's famous Black Cuillin. Professor Norman Collie was a scientist and John Mackenzie was a local mountain guide. The unlikely pair are considered among the greatest pioneering mountaineers of their time and in 2020 after several years of fundraising, a statue was erected in their memory. Mark went to visit it in Sligachan and hear Collie and Mackenzie's story.

Shaun Bythell runs 'The Bookshop' in Wigtown, it's Scotland's largest second-hand bookshop, and is now incredibly popular. Back in 2017, Shaun published, 'The Diary of a Bookseller', a book filled with his daily experiences running the store. People fell in love with his wry musings, the life of a bookseller, and it became a Sunday Times bestseller. He's followed it up with 'Confessions of a Bookseller', and 'Remainders of the Day', in the 'Bookseller Series'.We talk about why everyone finds the life of a bookseller appealing and whether that's really what it's like. You can hear how a diary becomes published, how an editor works on it, and whether having them published has changed how he writes a diary. This was recorded back in 2022, I have no clue why it's taken so long to be released. Sorry Shaun, and I hope you enjoy the episode!Support the show at patreon.com/writersroutine@writerspodwritersroutine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the BBC World Service: Wigtown, a remote town in Scotland, has turned its fortunes around by building a thriving literary sector. Can other towns see success by taking a leaf out of Wigtown’s book? Plus, the National People’s Congress gets underway tomorrow in Beijing, and getting China’s economy back on track is at the top of the agenda.

From the BBC World Service: Wigtown, a remote town in Scotland, has turned its fortunes around by building a thriving literary sector. Can other towns see success by taking a leaf out of Wigtown’s book? Plus, the National People’s Congress gets underway tomorrow in Beijing, and getting China’s economy back on track is at the top of the agenda.

Dumfries and Galloway is a region in Scotland that definitely gets overlooked by many travelers.Located in southwestern Scotland, this area has a lot to offer.Charming towns, sea views, lighthouses, hills and forests as well as some historical sites such as stone circles and castles.There is a lot to do in this piece of Scotland.And if you're looking to get away from the crowds of Edinburgh and Skye, then Dumfries and Galloway might be the perfect spot to travel to.Want to chat more about this destination in Scotland?Send me a note at Lynne@WanderYourWay.com.In this episode:0:40: Intro1:47: Placing Dumfries and Galloway on the map3:08: Newton Stewart5:34: Crafty & Bladnoch Distilleries8:55: Rhins and Mull of Galloway13:08: Wigtown18:14: Galloway Forest Park23:55: Kirkcudbright27:20: Dumfries town and beyond29:00: Wrapping it upImportant links:Lowlands • Scotland with Bo FraserStables GuesthouseBrew Ha Ha Cafe - Newton Stewart (no link)Crafty DistilleryBladnoch DistilleryGalloway Forest ParkMull of Galloway LighthouseRhins of GallowayWigtown Book FestivalWigtown tourist infoVisit KircudbrightCafe Rendezvous - Wigtown (no link)Kirkcudbright TolboothThe Belfry - KirkcudbrightSupport the showThanks to Callisa Mickle who edits the audio.Follow Wander Your Way:InstagramFacebookPinterest

In this episode, we sit down with the talented Sarah Stewart, a printmaker hailing from the picturesque town of Wigtown in Dumfries, South Scotland. Sarah wears many hats, not only as a skilled printmaker but also as the owner and curator of the Craigard Gallery. Her passion for making extends to mentoring young artists, making her a valuable resource in the creative community. Ever wondered about the ins and outs of getting your work displayed in galleries? Sarah shares her wealth of knowledge on this topic, shedding light on the dynamic relationship between artists and galleries. We'll explore the intricacies of approaching galleries, the roles that both the artist and the gallery play in showcasing art, and the critical steps involved in this process. Whether you're an emerging artist or an experienced creator, Sarah's insights are bound to be invaluable. And that's not all! Later in our conversation, Sarah unveils a simple yet effective formula for pricing your artwork. Pricing can often be a daunting task for artists, but Sarah's method simplifies the process and provides clarity on how to fairly value your creations. If you're an artist looking to break into the gallery scene or seeking guidance on pricing your work, this episode is a must-listen. Sarah's wisdom and expertise are sure to inspire and inform, making this episode a valuable resource for makers of all kinds. Tune in now to gain valuable insights into the world of art galleries and pricing your artwork! Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share with your fellow makers.

In a second visit this year to Wigtown, Robert Kirkwood talks to comedian Jo Caulfield about her moving memoir The Funny Thing About Death, we get poisons, monsters and some secret lairs in Kathryn Harkup's Superspy Science and we take a trip during the Italian Renaissance with Maggie O'Farrell and her book, The Marriage Proposal. All that plus four new gems in the Talking Books library, one of which is narrated by Meryl Streep!

A trip to Scotland, a menuless café, nonocliers, a hotel room picnic, tomato talk, and a perfume gift. Join the Iron Filings Society: https://www.patreon.com/topflighttimemachine Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The story of two Margaret's and the strength of conviction in God.

Tilly Lloyd of Unity Books reviews Remainders of the Day: Diaries from the Bookshop, Wigtown by Shaun Bythell, published by Profile Books.

In a packed show recorded on location at the Wigtown Book Festival, Robert Kirkwood chats to a whole host of writers, including three very different historians, Nick Jubber on the Fairy Tellers, Alex von Tunzelmann on toppled statues in Fallen Idols and Estelle Paranque on Fire, Blood and Gold - the relationship between Elizabeth I and Catherine de Medici. There are some Wigtown natives ... we speak to storyteller Renita Boyle, and bookshop diarist Shaun Bythell. Plus a trio of female Scottish writers, Olga Wojtas on Maria Blane's Prefect, Lynne McEwan on Dead Man Deep and In Dark Water plus recent guest on the show Elissa Soave on her debut Ginger and Me.

Norah and Ben recommend that you prepare yourself mentally and physically for this week's topic… adventure!  Ben has lots of questions for Norah about her adventures overseas.  They discuss a possible forthcoming adventure for each of them… running a bookstore in Scotland!  They briefly touch on the meaning of adventure in visual media before moving on to video games.  Norah talks about enjoying her time with Broken Age, and Ben explains the origin of the adventure game and how the term Easter egg was coined in video games. 00:00:40 - Caught in Ann's FOMO undertow, and Netflix's “The Way of the Househusband” 00:05:04 - Cuphead is on Norah's to watch list, bungie jumping Jesus, and acrophobia  00:08:27 - Normal rollercoasters, zip-lining, adventurous eating trends, and snails 00:11:57 - Ben thinks if you throw enough butter and garlic on something, it's delicious 00:14:01 - Casu martzu (maggot cheese), and Norah's falconry experience in Wales  00:17:02 - Norah's Scottland bus tour, NOT kayaking in Wales, and hanging out in Italy 00:21:58 - Lasting impressions, and Ben want's to run a bookstore in Wigtown  00:26:08 - Taking the podcast to Scotland, understanding accents, and the human brain  00:29:23 - Traveling alone vs traveling with a group, would Norah go on a safari? 00:32:52 - Australian animals want to kill you, and going camping   00:35:01 - Vacations as adventures, and definitions of adventure 00:40:28 - A discussion about “adventure” movies, and adventures without action    00:45:06 - Alex Vo's list of essential adventure movies on Rotten Tomatoes  00:47:46 - Norah's first experience with the point and click adventure game Broken Age 00:50:37 - Ben's video game plan for Norah, and confusion about Whispering Rock camp 00:53:14 - Duck dragons, and a brief history of the Atari 2600 game Adventure 00:55:32 - Atari game programmers, the origins of Activision, and the term Easter egg  01:00:17 - Don't accidentally shoot the invisible swordsman, and other adventures 

On May 11, 1685 a large crowd of spectators gathered on the bank of the tidal river called Bladnoch near Wigtown in Scotland. It was a Friday. The solemn assembly looked upon two women fastened to stakes in the muddy river bed, where the waters of Solway Firth would again make their appearance as low tide turned to high. Show Notes: "Requiem" by Enzalla "Bankrupcy" by AK Facebook: www.facebook.com/storiesofhymnsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hymn.stories/Hymn Stories is a part of the Media Gratiae Podcast Network.

Welcome back to Got Books, the podcast where we talk to booksellers from all around the world. And welcome to this short Christmas series, meant as a mini-Advent Calendar to get you in the holiday spirit. From Dec 3rd to Dec 17th, we'll be publishing an episode every Monday and Friday - that's 5 Christmas episodes for you, in which we're bringing back some of the booksellers that we know and love from past episodes, so they can tell us how they're preparing their bookshops for Christmas, what books to get for the special people in our lives, and what they like or..don't like at all about the holiday season. Today's conversation may take you back in time, as my guest is Shaun Bythell, whose books are the inspiration for this podcast and who was also our very first guest back in January. Shaun's books are diaries of his time as a bookseller, all inspired by his many years of running Scotland's second largest second hand bookshop, fittingly called.. The Bookshop. You can find it in a small town where 1,000 people live and 10,000 visit every year - Wigtown, Scotland's National Booktown. I've invited Shaun today to tell us how he feels about Christmas, what he does to prepare his bookshop for the holidays and what books he thinks we should get as presents this year. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gotbooks/message

A memoir of recovery, resilience and starting over in Wigtown, book capital of Scotland. This is a story about uncovering the things that really matter and discovering what makes us feel alive. It is a story about finding that inner strength and resilience, and never giving up hope. Eight years ago, Kathleen Hart was diagnosed with breast cancer. Further complications led to a protracted recovery and months spent in hospital, where Kathleen had to learn how to walk again. While recuperating, she came across a small whitewashed cottage for sale in Wigtown, Scotland. Driving hundreds of miles on nothing more than a few photographs and an inkling, she bought it that very same day and named it Devorgilla after the formidable 13th century Scottish princess. Devorgilla Days is the story of how Kathleen left behind her old life to begin again in Scotland's book capital. From renovating her cottage to exploring the seemingly quiet, but actually bustling town, she encounters a whole community of book lovers, beekeepers, artists and writers - and Lobster Fishermen. Kathleen starts wild swimming, a ritual that brings peace and clarity to her mind as her body heals. And, with the support of her virtual worldwide community who know her as PoshPedlar on Instagram, she rebuilds her life again. Heartwarming and deeply moving, Devorgilla Days is an inspiring tale of one woman's remarkable journey, a celebration of community, and a call-to-arms for anyone who has ever dreamt of starting over.

Shaun Bythell has run Wigtown's The Bookshop since 2001. It's the largest second hand bookshop in Scotland with shelves spanning nearly two kilometres and containing over 100,000 books. His trademark sardonic humour has landed him the unofficial title of "Scotland's grumpiest bookseller". It has also produced two bestselling books; The Diary of a Bookseller and Confessions of a Bookseller both of which focus on his shop and its clientele. His latest release Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops, introduces us to "the Person Who Doesn't Know What They Want (But Thinks It Might Have a Blue Cover)", "the harried Parents Secretly After Free Childcare" and over in the erotica section, "The Person Who Is Up to No Good".

Shaun Bythell has run Wigtown's The Bookshop since 2001. It's the largest second hand bookshop in Scotland with shelves spanning nearly two kilometres and containing over 100,000 books. His trademark sardonic humour has landed him the unofficial title of "Scotland's grumpiest bookseller". It has also produced two bestselling books; The Diary of a Bookseller and Confessions of a Bookseller both of which focus on his shop and its clientele. His latest release Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops, introduces us to "the Person Who Doesn't Know What They Want (But Thinks It Might Have a Blue Cover)", "the harried Parents Secretly After Free Childcare" and over in the erotica section, "The Person Who Is Up to No Good".

Immersing yourself in thought-provoking art and literature starts here. Transport yourself to Moat Brae, the home where Peter Pan author JM Barrie used to play as a child, then on to Dumfries to take a tour of The Robert Burns Centre. Turn the page to Abbotsford, home of Sir Walter Scott before heading to Kirkcudbright, a shining light for Scottish artists of past and present in the South of Scotland. Our final chapter takes you to Wigtown, home of the famous Wigtown Book Festival, full of its eclectic mix of independent bookshops. You’ll be inspired the second you tap play. So, don’t forget to visit www.scotlandstartshere.com

We go behind the scenes with publishers 404 Ink and their forthcoming new non-fiction series, Inklings. This conversation features founders Heather McDaid & Laura Jones, and author Katie Goh whose The End: Surviving the World Through Fictional Disasters will be one of the Inklings titles.

The Wigtown (or Solway) MartyrsAt Wigtown, (Dumfries and Galloway) two courageous women, Margaret Wilson and Margaret McLaghlin, were executed by drowning in the Solway Firth, for the crime of worshipping Christ, in accordance with His Word, without interference from the state. Presbyterian Covenanters, they worshipped God in the fields and hills, singing Psalms and listening to faithful preaching. But that broke the law, which required people to attend the services of the Curates and Priests and Bishops of the Episcopalian Orders. Along with many other faithful Christians the two Margarets paid the supreme price, rather than deny their Lord.Listen to the podcast, for an inspiring story of faith under persecution.Psalm content with permission of Connor Quigley, www.ThePsalmsSung.org TO READ THE TRANSCRIPT - CLICK THIS LINK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes a book comes along that marries meaning, moment and enthusiasm with such force and beauty that it stops you in your tracks. Steven Lovatt’s Birdsong in a Time of Silence is such a book. Started as the world ground to a halt - its first page opens on 24th March 2020 - it charts the extraordinary days of the past year spent noticing the chorus around us, despite it all. A keen birder, Steven delves into the magic of birdsong and the places it can take us when we have too much time to dwell in the weeds and margins of our minds.

As an audio finale for Big Bang we present an interview with Robert Shearman, a man of many talents whose stellar writing career spans theatre, television, audio drama, novels and short fiction. We discuss Rob's forthcoming novel, a Doctor Who Target novelisation of 'Dalek', an episode, also written by Rob, that many Whovians will fondly remember from 2005. We also talk about Rob's book We All Hear Stories in the Dark. A titanic triptych weighing in at 3 volumes and nearly 2,000 pages, it is a thing of intricate and labyrinthine beauty, a choose your own adventure which no two readers will ever encounter in the same way.  We reflect on how this epic act of love and grief came to be, the joys of reading, literary adaptation, fan culture, and the pleasures and pains of being a writer.

As a special extra for Big Bang, Wigtown's annual dark skies festival, Elizabeth Tindal, Freelance Ranger and Biosphere Dark Sky Ranger, will be talking us through her stargazing adventures in the Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park every evening at 8pm throughout the festival. This podcast is about the winter circle of stars around Orion and where to find Mars. Mars is in a particular position at the moment and very easy to pick out.

As a special extra for Big Bang, Wigtown's annual dark skies festival, Elizabeth Tindal, Freelance Ranger and Biosphere Dark Sky Ranger, will be talking us through her stargazing adventures in the Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park every evening at 8pm throughout the festival. This podcast is about Orion and the story of the Seven Sisters.

As a special extra for Big Bang, Wigtown's annual dark skies festival, Elizabeth Tindal, Freelance Ranger and Biosphere Dark Sky Ranger, will be talking us through her stargazing adventures in the Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park every evening at 8pm throughout the festival. Tonight, Elizabeth talks to us about Orion.

As a special extra for Big Bang, Wigtown's annual dark skies festival, Elizabeth Tindal, Freelance Ranger and Biosphere Dark Sky Ranger, will be talking us through her stargazing adventures in the Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park every evening at 8pm throughout the festival. Tonight, Elizabeth talks to us about the Plough and the North Star.

As a special extra for Big Bang, Wigtown's annual dark skies festival, Elizabeth Tindal, Freelance Ranger and Biosphere Dark Sky Ranger, will be talking us through her stargazing adventures in the Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park every evening at 8pm throughout the festival. Listen to Elizabeth's introduction to find out a few stargazing tips and some recommendations on what to take with you. Then join us tomorrow (3 March) for Episode 1 of Big Bang Stargazing.

We chat with writer and visual artist Sara Baume about her third book, handiwork. Just last week shortlisted for the prestigious Rathbones Folio Prize, it is a contemplative short narrative that charts Sara's daily process of making and writing, exploring what it is to create and to live as an artist. Short and spare, gentle and devastating, handiwork reflects on the nature of art, grief, bird migration and a life lived well.

This is the first episode of Got Books?, a podcast for those who love getting lost in (and among) books. For those who appreciate the comfort of a bookshop, the smell of a new book and the story of an old one. It's a podcast with those making this possible: the booksellers. We will be interviewing bookshop owners all around the world and for our very episode we travelled to Scotland. In the south-west parts of Scotland lies Wigtown, a small town where 1,000 people live and 10,000 visit every year. Wigtown is Scotland's National Booktown, a title won in 1999 that has not only turned it into a tourist attraction, but gave a complete makeover to the local economy. Down Main Street, in a millennium-old Georgian building, behind a forest green door guarded by two spiralling book columns you will find The Bookshop, Scotland's largest second-hand book shop. Nine rooms, a mile of shelving, 100,000 books. Straight out of a fairy tale, the Bookshop has hidden nooks and crannies, a staircase door, a creaky old floor showing off scars from when it used to be a grocery store back in the 50's and of course, a resident cat. Much of its charm has been crafted or preserved by its current owner and our guest today, Shaun Bythell. Shaun has been the owner of The Bookshop since 2001 and has since published three delectable books of wry observations from his perspective as a bookseller, which have only increased the notoriety of his bookshop: The Diary of a Bookseller, Confessions of a Bookseller and Seven Kinds of People You Find in a Bookshop. We couldn't have wished for a more fitting first guest to our podcast. Without further ado, Shaun Bythell. Find us on social media @gotbookspodcast Books recommended by Shaun A Confederacy of Dunces, by John Kennedy Toole The Catcher in the Rye, by J. D. Salinger --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gotbooks/message

On this episode we’re joined by two special guests well-acquainted with the life and work of Robert Burns in a special episode for Burns Night 2021. Professor Gerard Carruthers is Francis Hutcheson Chair of Scottish Literature at the University of Glasgow where he’s leading on a major project 'Editing Robert Burns for the 21st Century'. He’s General Editor of the new Oxford Collected Works of Robert Burns, Co-Director of the Centre for Robert Burns Studies and also secretary of the Robert Burns Ellisland Trust. In our conversation with Gerry he tells us more about Burns and Dumfries and how we can celebrate Ellisland and its treasures for now and for the future.   Gerda Stevenson is an award-winning writer, actor, director and singer-songwriter, who has worked in theatre, television, radio, film, and opera throughout Britain and abroad. Her poetry, drama and prose have been widely published, staged, and broadcast. We talk about her second poetry collection, QUINES: Poems in tribute to women of Scotland, which charts the contribution made to Scottish history and society by remarkable women, from Neolithic times to the 21st century, starring singers, politicians, fish-gutters, queens, dancers, marine engineers and many more. Also, as one of the foremost performers of Burns’, we discuss her relationship to his work, some favourites, and a few top performance tips for the brave souls gearing up for Burns Night 2021 style.

On this, the last episode of 2020, we look back at podcasts past to pluck out some books for your reading future. And for Christmas present, we chat with New York Times bestselling author Jenny Colgan about piano playing, Christmas traditions around the world and her return to the island of Mure for ‘Christmas at the Island Hotel’, a heartwarming new novel celebrating the season and Scotland.

This episode features the wonderful Polly Pullar. No stranger to Wigtown Book Festival audiences as one of our wonderful chair people, the tables are turned here as we hear about Polly’s life and work as a wildlife rehabilitator and journalist - Perthshire’s own Dr Doolittle. In this conservation, Polly tells us about a childhood spent in thrall to nature, introduces us to some of her menagerie and stars of her books, including A Scurry of Squirrels - Nurturing the Wild, due out in July, rewilding, the joys of nature during lockdown, and all other times too.

This episode features the entire event from this year’s Wigtown Book Festival with chair Lee Randall in conversation with author Douglas Stuart, who was announced last week as the winner of the 2020 Booker Prize for his novel Shuggie Bain.

Diary of a Bookseller – Shaun Blythell What is it like being an independent bookseller in an age of online sales and Kindle? This book paints an intimate portrait of a secondhand bookshop, its beleaguered proprietor, his nutcase assistant who has an unfortunate obsession with fishing food out of skips, the grieving widows selling off their spouses’ book collections and the colourful array of customers who haunt the hallowed shelves of Wigtown’s very own Bookshop. All Quiet on the Western Front E. M. Remarque Banned by the Nazis as unpatriotic, E.M. Remarque’s haunting novel of life in the Trenches has been hailed as the greatest anti-war novel ever written. It is certainly one of the finest testimonies to the generation who fought and died on both sides during the First World War. Sweet Sorrow – David Nicholls Charlie is an average 90s teenager living in an average town in an average home. Following a series of family disasters, he is now an average teenager with no qualifications, no mother, and no prospects…until the bohemian Fran Fisher erupts into his life, luring him into her amateur dramatics society and a minor role in the most famous love story ever written… What Is The Crusade Channel? The CRUSADE Channel, The Last LIVE! Radio Station Standing begins our LIVE programming with our all original CRUSADE Channel News hosted by 28 year radio ace, Stacey Cohen. Coupled with Mike “The King Dude” Church entertaining you during your morning drive and Rick Barrett giving you the news of the day and the narrative that will follow during your lunch break!  We’ve interviewed over 200 guests, seen Brother Andre Marie notch his 200th broadcast of Reconquest; the The Mike Church Show over 900 episodes; launched an original LIVE! News Service; written and produced 4 Feature Length original dramas including The Last Confession of Sherlock Holmes and set sail on the coolest radio product ever, the 5 Minute Mysteries series! We are the ONLY outlet to cover the Impeachment of President Trump from gavel to gavel!  The Crusade Channel is an open forum for the great thinkers of our time, those who accept the REALITY that Truth is higher than opinion and are willing to speak it with clarity, courage and charity.  Now that you have discovered The Crusade, get 30 days for FREE of our premium service just head to: https://crusadechannel.com OR download our FREE app: https://apps.appmachine.com/theveritasradionetworkappIti- Did you know about Thirteen Days ? If you are interested in supporting small business, be sure to check out the official store of the Crusade Channel, the Founders Tradin Post! Not to mention our amazing collection of DVD’s, Cigars, T-Shirts, bumper stickers and other unique selection of items selected by Mike Church!

On this episode Jessica Fox speaks to etymologist and lexicographer Susie Dent ahead of the publication of her new book Word Perfect, a brilliant linguistic almanac full of unforgettable true stories tied to every day of the year.

Usually at this time of year, Read On would be in the beautiful Galloway Hills at the Wigtown Book Festival, but what with Covid and Robert's broken ankle, our attendance this year was doomed! So, this week in a packed show we revisit the 2019 Wigtown Book Festival.Former Home Secretary Alan Johnson on his book, 'In My Life: A Musical Memoir' (Starts at 1.34)Kerry Hudson on Lowborn (Down the Chipper) (7.00)Shaun Bythell has some 'Confessions of a Bookseller' (13.41)Sarah Jane Douglas treats illness and grief as 'Just Another Mountain' (21.08)Chair of RNIB Scotland Sandra Wilson on sponsoring a Talking Book (25.03)Music from, and chat with, The Bookshop Band (27.08)We go 'Under the Wig' with William Clegg QC (36.00)Richard Frazer describes his 'Travels with a Stick' (41.04)Jon Day races pigeons and combines memoir, philosophy and culture in 'Homing' (44.49)And we get the Books of Your Life from stand up classicist Natalie Haynes. (51.03) Thanks to @MarkMcKie1 for the cover picture depicting fireworks over Wigtown.

On this episode we feature actor, director and author Rupert Everett for a very special chat with Wigtown favourite Lee Randall. In his highly anticipated third memoir, Rupert Everett tells the story of how he set out to make a film of Oscar Wilde's last days, and how that ten-year quest almost destroyed him.

Claire Urquhart and Marjorie Lotfi Gill from shared reading charity Open Book present the second of their two Wigtown Book Festival takeovers. On this episode they discuss an excerpt from the book A Musical Offering by Luis Sagasti and the poem 'Hinge' by Alycia Pirmohamed. You can read along with each of the readings by having a look at Open Book's special Wigtown newsletter bit.ly/WigtownOpenBook - and do come along to Luis Sagasti's digital event at 1700 on Saturday http://bit.ly/WigtownOpenLS or catch up with Alycia's event from Sunday 27th: bit.ly/WigtownOpenAP Find out more about Open Book from their website: openbookreading.com

Claire Urquhart and Marjorie Lotfi Gill from shared reading charity Open Book present the first of two Wigtown Book Festival takeovers this week, focusing on authors who feature in our programme. In this special podcast version of one of their sessions, they read and discuss an excerpt from the essay 'Three Meditations on Absence in Nature and Life' by Chitra Ramaswamy and the poem 'Meditation While Plaiting My Hair' by Alycia Pirmohamed. You can read along with each of the readings by having a look at their special Wigtown newsletter at http://bit.ly/WigtownOpenBook - and do come along to Chitra's digital event at 1530 on Thursday http://bit.ly/WigtownOpenCR or catch up with Alycia's event from Sunday 27th: http://bit.ly/WigtownOpenAP Find out more about Open Book from their website: https://openbookreading.com

We'll be releasing a daily podcast during the 2020 Wigtown Book Festival and as this is our first day, here's the first podcast! In this very special episode we're featuring our first online event with Wigtown's very own Shaun Bythell. Usually you have to watch these events on our website wigtownbookfestival.com or on our YouTube channel, but as a special treat we present Shaun and the marvellous Lee Randall in conversation in their audio-only glory!

This week has a distinctive Wigtown theme as we feature Astrid Jaekel and Ken Ilgunas, a married couple who met at the Festival and who have both featured prominently over the past few years. Astrid Jaekel is an artist and illustrator. Her project to wallpaper the buildings of Wigtown, 'If These Walls Could Talk', which celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Book Town, was the winner of the 2019 AOI World Illustration Awards. We are celebrating her contribution to the Festival with a retrospective of her many works with us over the years. Ken Ilgunas first came to Wigtown to present his fabulous Walden on Wheels and has returned many times to discuss his passion for land rights and the freedom to roam. His latest book is This Land is Our Land. We talked to him about the essay he wrote to us about his experience in America during lockdown, "Letter from the Heartland" which you can read on our website: https://www.wigtownbookfestival.com/blog/essay-ken-ilgunas

This week’s episode features Dean Atta and Sam Baker, two authors who have recently moved to Scotland, and whose very different books are united in looking at the potentially liberating possibilities of change in our lives. Dean Atta was named as one of the most influential LGBT people in the UK by the Independent on Sunday and his debut novel The Black Flamingo was awarded the 2020 Stonewall Book Award. Told through verse, it is a bold coming of age story which follows a mixed-race gay teen as he begins to accept his identity. Sam Baker is a journalist, broadcaster, and author, as well as the former editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan and Red.  She shares her experiences of life post 40 in her new book The Shift — showing how women are creating their own story, taking a leaf out of the millennial handbook and reinventing things their way.

Andy Miller is one of the hosts of Backlisted, a podcast which gives new life to old books. It features a guest (usually a writer) who has chosen a book they love and which they think deserves a wider audience. Author of The Year of Reading Dangerously, Andy is a fantastic ambassador for reading more diversely and boldly and it was a delight to speak to him for this episode.

On this episode we speak to two recent recipients of the Gavin Wallace Fellowship, a prestigious award aimed at allowing established writers the opportunity to work creatively with an organisation based in Scotland. Maisie Chan, author of Stories From Around the World and The Legend of Hua Mulan, is this year’s Gavin Wallace Fellow based at the National Centre for Children's Literature at Moat Brae in Dumfries. She tells us about her plans for the fellowship and how her early experiences of reading influenced her decision to become a writer. Jenni Fagan is an award winning novelist and poet, and we spoke to her just after she’d submitted the manuscript of her upcoming novel, Luckenbooth. She tells us what to look forward to in that novel, as well as how her experience as a Gavin Wallace Fellow at Summerhall in Edinburgh influenced the book.

Winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, Philip Ardagh is a prolific writer of adult and children's fiction and non-fiction and towers over us mere mortals at over 2 metres tall. He often has trouble fitting into things designed for ordinary human beings - aeroplane seats, hotel beds and Wigtown Book Festival judges’ thrones. So it’s no surprise that we couldn’t fit him into our ordinary podcast— we had to dedicate an entire episode to the Great Ardagh himself.

On this episode we feature two really important and timely books that take a look at activism and hope, and consider the effects of trying to work to change the world for the better. Kirstin Innes discusses her phenomenal novel Scabby Queen, a tantalising portrait of a woman who defies the norms, painted in a half a century’s worth of memories from those whose life she touched. Bernadette Russell talks about her upcoming book How to Be Hopeful: Your Toolkit to Rediscover Hope and Help Create a Kinder World. Filled with cutting-edge research, timeless philosophy and tales of triumph over adversity, it is a book that gives you all you need to cultivate hope in yourself, your community and in our future.

We talk to an inspiring illustrator whose YouTube videos have taught millions to draw and to two editors who feature a guest illustrator for every issue of their literary magazine. Children's author and illustrator Shoo Rayner, a firm festival favourite, talks about how he learned to tell a story through pictures, his evolution as a writer, the glorious Wigtown Sketchbook and how he developed a substantial following on YouTube, as well as some exciting new projects he has in store. Literary editors Heather Parry and Jules Danskin discuss the second issue of their magazine Extra Teeth, which has been delayed due to the current situation. They tell us why they started the magazine and what to expect when it launches in late August.

On this episode we delve into the world of horror, taking a look at the classic 70s film The Wicker Man and talking with someone whose latest short story collection is currently being considered in Hollywood. What is the appeal of horror? Why has it increased in popularity during lockdown? Why do we tell stories about ghosts? In this episode we will try to find out. Award winning novelist and short story writer Kirsty Logan tells us why Things We Say In The Dark, her latest collection, is darker and more horror inspired than her previous work. She also talks about the appeal of horror fiction in general and why The Wicker Man in particular leaves us so uneasy. We also feature an edited excerpt from our Midsummer Wigtown Wednesdays event, which was a discussion on the classic 1970s horror film The Wicker Man. Musician, journalist and Church of England Parish Priest Rev. Richard Coles and comedian, writer and broadcaster Robin Ince discuss the enduring appeal of the film and consider its many themes with our marvellous chair Lee Randall. Presented by Peggy Hughes with incidental music by Ragland.

On this episode we talk to Dan Richards about his book Outpost. He tells us about his journeys to far flung areas of the world and the adventures he got up to on the way including spending time in haunted sæluhús (houses of joy)in Iceland, attempting to get to a Mars camp in Utah and retracing Jack Kerouac’s 1956 journey to Desolation Peak. We also talk to Joyce and Ian Cochrane about the wonderful Old Bank Bookshop in Wigtown, about the story of how they came to run the shop and what plans they have coming out of lockdown. We also chat to their daughter, Helena, about astrophotography and she tells about her YouTube channel, Helena's Astrophotography. Music by Ragland.

On this episode we feature Imagine a Country: Ideas for a better future, the brainchild of crime writer Val McDermid and Jo Sharp, a geography professor at St Andrews University. Starting off as a discussion over a glass of wine at last year's Edinburgh International Book Festival, they've asked from people from all walks of life to ponder the possibilities of life, work, love, and a whole lot more, in a future Scotland. We also chat to Festival favourite Hugh McMillan. A former history teacher and accomplished poet, Hugh talks to us about some of his past, present and future projects including McMillan’s Galloway, which will be out with Luath later this year.

In this episode we come home and feature two fabulous authors who live in Wigtown. Shaun Bythell is the author of the internationally successful books Diary of a Bookseller and Confessions of a Bookseller. We ask him about the recent new diary extracts he has written for our website, as well as getting a sneak peek of a new book due out this autumn. Renita Boyle is our Storyteller in Residence and she joins us to tell us all about Friday Funky Folk and Fable Fridays that take place every Friday and also Tuck in Tales that launches next month. We also discuss Renita's work in schools and what it was like for her to win the Wigtown Scots poetry prize.

In this episode of the Wigtown Book Festival podcast we catch up with poet Nadine Aisha Jassat and novelist and short story writer Kevin Barry. Nadine Aisha Jassat talks about her unique experience of lockdown as she was taking part in the Edinburgh International Book Festival's Outriders Africa project. She also discusses her debut collection, Let Me Tell You This, and talks about a future piece of work which she is writing as part of her Scottish Book Trust New Writer's Award. Longlisted for last year's Booker Prize, Kevin Barry first attended the Wigtown Book Festival in 2012. He chats to Peggy about that experience, as well as telling us about the genesis of Night Boat to Tangier and giving us a flavour of what to expect from his forthcoming collection of short stories That Old Country Music. Presented by Peggy Hughes. Incidental music by Ragland.

On this episode we consider different aspects of the publishing world— from the perspective of an author, an agent and a publisher. Author Michèle Roberts discusses her new book Negative Capability, a candid and refreshing honest diary of a year in which she delves into the daily world of an artist and explores the relationships with her agent and publisher following their rejection of her novel. We also talk to two prominent figures in the Scottish literary scene, Jenny Brown of Jenny Brown Associates and Francis Bickmore, Publishing Director of Canongate Books, to get their insight into the publishing world during lockdown and their thoughts about what will happen after restrictions are lifted. Incidental music by Ragland.

On this episode we speak to three very versatile guests whose careers have spanned various professions. We chat to award-winning writer and former academic Denise Mina about her recent play Mrs Puntila and Her Man Matti, what it was like to choose a career as a crime fiction writer and her upcoming novels The Less Dead and Confidence. We also talk to screenwriter and former doctor Simon Stephenson, whose novel Set My Heart To Five has been optioned by director Edgar Wright. He talks about how the novel is a love letter to the films he grew up watching - and how this debut novel has been influenced by his experience working in Hollywood. And we catch up with former lawyer and now bookseller Ruth Anderson about her experience running one of the newest bookshops in Wigtown, Well Read Books, and about her latest project, the Dark Deeds Book Club. Incidental music by Ragland.

On this episode we talk to poet and Wigtown Poetry Competition judge Roseanne Watt about what makes an interesting poetry submission. She also reads from her debut collection Moder Dy and tells us about how it marked a returning to the Shetlandic dialect of her childhood. For more info on the prize head to: https://www.wigtownpoetryprize.com We also feature birder and naturalist Stephen Rutt, whose award-winning The Seafarers is out in paperback next month. He shares his passion for seabirds and also tells us a little about an exciting new project he's concocting with Wigtown Book Festival. Music: Ragland

Join us for a supernatual-themed edition of the podcast this week with host Peggy Hughes. Karen Campbell discusses her new tale of the supernatural, "The Ghosts of Wigtown", which was written exclusively for the Wigtown Book Festival, and how it was inspired by her own research into the women who used to live here. Edward Parnell talks about Ghostland, his moving exploration of what has haunted writers and artists such as M.R. James and W.G. Sebald. In particular he tells us about visiting the locations in Galloway where cult 70s horror film The Wicker Man was filmed. And we chat with Kathleen Cronie of Mostly Ghostly and Wigtown Festival's Creative Director Adrian Turpin about an exciting collaboration exploring literary tourism in Dumfries and Galloway. Image credits: Ian Watson, Colin Tennant Music: Ragland

Shaun Bythell lives in Wigtown, Scotland, where he runs The Bookshop - the largest second hand bookshop in Scotland. Its shelves span nearly 2 kilometres and contain over 100,000 books, Shaun has written two hit books, laced with his trademark grumpy good humour, about his shop and its clientele: The Diary of a Bookseller and Confessions of A Bookseller He's currently putting the finishing touches to a third book. We check in on him, his wife, and their 11 month old to see how their bookish bubble's going, and how the book trade is faring through the lockdown.

We talk to former Home Secretary Alan Johnson about his memoir Please Mister Postman, where he shares his experience as a postie and how the postal service has changed over the years. He also discusses his recent memoir on music, In My Life, and give us a flavour of his debut novel, Mascara. Owner of the Wigtown Post Office, Mary Wallace, tells us the story of her journey back to Wigtown after a nursing career in Australia. Award winning novelist Jan Carson is a dedicated user of the post to send new stories to readers near and far. She talks to us about how she got into writing stories on postcards and how Lockdown is having a chilling effect on her writing. She also reads a couple of her micro fictions - each of which fit nearly onto a postcard.

In this week's edition, we consider the pull of home and the lure of the open road. Sara Maitland, author of The Book of Silence, joins us on the phone from her home in rural Galloway and talks about her unique experience of lockdown, her tips for thriving on your own and her upcoming story commissioned by the Festival. Carys Davies discusses her transition from short story writer to novelist, muses on how contemporary events influence her work and talks about her latest novel, West, and her upcoming novel,The Mission House. We share an excerpt from our #WigtownWednesday event with explorer poet Robert Twigger, where he muses on the long distance walker's experience of the invisible world alongside the practical necessities of keeping yourself fed and watered. Find out more about Wigtown Book Festival and our own programme of online events at www.wigtownbookfestival.com. Produced by Colin Fraser. Incidental music by Ragland.

In this pilot episode Peggy Hughes explores the world of literary festivals in lockdown. Critic, chair and programmer at Granite Noir Lee Randall shares her thoughts on how we are adapting to the new landscape with Wigtown Artistic Director Adrian Turpin. We also chat to Sasha de Buyl of the Cúirt International Festival of Literature, fresh from their very successful digital festival over the weekend. Check out their archive of events: https://www.cuirt.ie Find out more about Wigtown Book Festival and our own regular events in lockdown at http://www.wigtownbookfestival.com Incidental music by Ragland.

Dr Catherine Barlow is project manager of the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project, and previously worked on the ground-breaking Osprey Translocation Project at Rutland Water. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the Open Book in Wigtown, Scotland. Hear how Catherine’s ‘forced’ love of birds in childhood led to a real passion through adulthood – particularly for the mighty birds of prey. In this episode she takes us through her first experience of a golden eagle – catching only a glimpse of a brown smudge in the sky – and, in describing its characteristics, it’s clear she’s come to see it as the most impressive and beautiful of creatures and is now devoted to increasing the British population of these magnificent birds. Among many intriguing anecdotes, find out why golden eagles are bigger, better and stronger than David Oakes, and how a murderous eagle called Beaky has caused difficulty for the conservation project. You’ll also get an insight into Catherine’s earlier work, like her time spent on the Otterburn military range, watching short-eared owls, kestrels and hen harriers. For more information on this podcast, including David's thoughts following this interview, head to: https://www.treesacrowd.fm/dr-catherine-barlow/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In a packed show Red Szell and Robert Kirkwood report from the Wigtown Book Festival with ... Former Home Secretary Alan Johnson on his book, 'In My Life: A Musical Memoir' (Starts at 1.34) Kerry Hudson on Lowborn (Down the Chipper) (7.00) Shaun Bythell has some 'Confessions of a Bookseller' (13.41) Sarah Jane Douglas treats illness and grief as 'Just Another Mountain' (21.08) Chair of RNIB Scotland Sandra Wilson on sponsoring a Talking Book (25.03) Music from, and chat with, The Bookshop Band (27.08) We go 'Under the Wig' with William Clegg QC (36.00) Richard Frazer describes his 'Travels with a Stick' (41.04) Jon Day races pigeons and combines memoir, philosophy and culture in 'Homing' (44.49) And we get the Books of Your Life from stand up classicist Natalie Haynes. (51.03)  Thanks to @MarkMcKie1 for the cover picture depicting fireworks over Wigtown.

Ready for a trip to Scotland? Today Anne sits down in-person with Ruth Andersen, a brand new bookseller in Wigtown, Scotland, to chat about what it's like to live in a "book town", Ruth's return to school after 50 years, and the delicate balance of stocking a used bookstore's shelves. Because this episode was recorded in the shop, during business hours, you’ll get to experience some of the bookshop atmosphere… like the ding of the bell on the door, creaky floorboards, even customers shopping in the background!Click over to the podcast website for a list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/171Apply to be a guest on WSIRN: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/guest

A retrospective of some interviews from the past year and beyond, including Red's first appearance on Read On with Robert at Wigtown in 2015, Anthony Horowitz on Fleming, Gail Honeyman on Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, Andy Secombe on narrating, recording with Spike Milligan, Nevermoor with Jessica Townsend and mountaineering with Chris Bonnington.

In this episode of BOOKS WITH JEN, Jen talks to Jessica Fox. Jessica used to work for NASA in LA before moving to Wigtown, a small town in Scotland by the sea, where she fell in love in a bookshop. To win a copy of 'The Things You Need to Know About Rockets' or 'The Diary of a Bookseller,' leave a comment on this video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QD-uL4yrqQ The Bookshop Book tinyurl.com/yb5bsl4b Three Things You Need to Know About Rockets tinyurl.com/y8ngcu5t The Diary of a Bookseller tinyurl.com/yabxmlgb

Clare Balding walks the final part of the Whithorn Way with a local group of walking enthusiasts. It's an an an ancient pilgrim route from Glasgow down along the west coast ending at the holy site of St Ninian's Cave on the southern tip of the peninsula looking towards the Isle of Man. Pilgrims have been making the journey for centuries until they were banned from doing so after the Reformation during the 16th century, but the tradition has been revived and with the restoration of the walking route, more people are expected to do the 146 mile route through some of Scotland's most beautiful but often overlooked landscapes. Pictured left to right: Ian Gemmell, a retired local vet from Whithorn, Clare Balding, Finn McCreath local farmer and trustee of the Wigtown Book Festival and Jessica Fox, former NASA storyteller. Producer: Maggie Ayre

Shaun Bythell runs The Bookshop, Wigtown, and is the author of The Diary of a Bookseller which documents, with wry humour, the realities of running a secondhand bookshop in Wigtown, western Scotland: the customers, staff and passersby who fill his pages are amusing, infuriating and all too real. He selects books to recommend across fiction and non-fiction, children's and cookbooks and explains why running your own bookshop means you rarely get the chance to browse in others' shops. The Diary of a Bookseller is published by Profile Books and is out now. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This intimate discussion made headlines around the world as Sturgeon revealed she's writing a diary which she may publish. In an intimate conversation with Damian Barr she reveals the books that shaped her as a person and a politician, from Lewis Grassic Gibbon's 'Sunset Song' to 'The Colour Purple' by Alice Walker, and recommends some reading for President Trump. Recorded live at Wigtown Book Festival in September 2018. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We talk to Sam Ruddock, director of Story Machine Productions, about reinventing live literature and how to create transformative experiences based on the reading of books. Hosted by Simon Jones, writer and Digital Marketing Manager at the National Centre for Writing. Find out more about the National Centre for Writing: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ Mentioned events: Life & Times of Michael K: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/whats-on/life-times-of-michael-k/ Related links: Story Machine Productions: https://storymachineproductions.co.uk/ Neil Gaiman on finding your tribe: http://journal.neilgaiman.com/2008/03/at-eastercon.html Norfolk & Norwich Festival: https://nnfestival.org.uk/ Wigtown: http://www.wigtownbookfestival.com/ Edinburgh Book Festival: https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/ Extract from 'The Quiet' by Carys Davies, one of the stories in the 2017 show The Story Machine: Under Surveillance, co-produced by National Centre for Writing and Norfolk & Norwich Festival. Sound design by Jose McGill, featuring the voice of Joanna Swann. Music by Bennet Maples: https://sonicfruit.co.uk/

Kia ora Papercuts listeners! You are listening to a podcast all about books on The Spinoff.  Louisa and Jenna come to you from the NZ Booksellers Conference at the Rydges Hotel in Auckland. We talk about the Book Industry Awards, interview the owners of NZ's best bookshop 2018 and Louisa interviews Shaun Bythell, the real-life Black Books-esque bookseller from Wigtown, Scotland.   We look forward to having our Kiran back for September's podcast! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

According to Charles W. Eliot - President of Harvard and cousin of T.S. - everything required for a complete, liberal education could fit on a shelf of books just 5-feet in length. In 1909 the first volume of the Harvard Classics were published - and grew to become a 51-volume anthology of great works, including essays, poems and political treatises. But what if people today from all walks of life were asked to recommend books to be included on a five foot shelf? Which books do they think might be required for a complete home education? Ian Sansom has set a course for Wigtown - Scotland's National Booktown - to find out. Local craftsman Steve has been busy creating just the shelf for the job - exactly five foot long - and fashioned from elm wood and whiskey barrels recycled from a local distillery. Ian will be playing shopkeeper at the Open Book in Wigtown - a B&B meets bookshop which allows visitors to indulge their fantasy of running their own bookstore. With Ian parked behind the counter, all that's needed is for visitors to drop by and try to persuade him of the books they think deserve a rightful place on The Five Foot Shelf. But of course not everything will make it on and as custodian of the shelf, Ian can be ruthless. Well, kind of... No academics. No critics. No nonsense. The Five Foot Shelf is a guide for readers by readers about the books which matter to them. Producer: Conor Garrett.

On today's show we round up some favourite interviews from Book Festivals such as Aye Write, Boswell and Wigtown. Featuring Alexander McCall Smith, Anne de Courcy, Jessica A Fox, Mark Ellan and Martin Jarvis.

Growing up in a small town on the Sussex coast was idyllic for children’s author and musician Giles Paley Phillips until tragedy struck and changed the course of his life. As a teenager in a small town he found the dodgiest clubs, yet soon learned his guitar was his ticket to ride. He’s travelled the breadth of the UK playing in Paul McCartney’s studios in Liverpool, at Glastonbury and his latest book is inspired by the gardeners of Syria.    On this episode we cover:   How Lisa and Giles ‘met’ on twitter His 260k followers! Fake followers Piers Morgan’s fake followers Giles’s stolen twitter identify How he’s not as posh as he sounds Posh names! Publishers asking him to change his name Norman Cook/Quentin Cook/Fatboy Slim A very British conversation about name and class Lisa Nandy (aka why Lisa uses her middle name) His work as a children’s author Seaford, Eastbourne and Brighton on the Sussex coast The craziness of 90s Brighton The dangers of the white cliffs of the Seven Sisters Not being good at school Becoming a musician The death of his mother when he was six His Dad’s drink problem Living in a one bedroom flat with his Dad and Nan as a teenager Playing Glastonbury Touring the UK with his band Not being a big world traveller Not being snotty about travel Not backpacking in Nepal How people in Nepal will think Seaford is exotic Life in a small town Recording in Paul McCartney’s studio in Liverpool The quality of the toilets at Glastonbury Playing on the same bill as Flaming Lips Edith Bowman The other worldliness of Glastonbury How Lisa missed half of Koh Phi Phi in Thailand His first book – in aid of Leukaemia research How losing his mum at an early age has affected him The beauty of Sussex in the South East of England The white chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters How the cliffs have become a friend to him Hope Gap How the landscape lends itself to deep thoughts Beach Head and its reputation as a suicide spot How spending time in nature is good for mental health The beauty of the South Downs; villages, pubs and walks Teenage days in Brighton, school in Lewes ‘The Trek Club’ in Seaford aka Clubbing in a small town Brighton pub gigs – The Free Butt, The Richmond, The Pressure Point Going Trekking at The Trek Why Wolverhampton is grim (apologies to anyone from Wolverhampton) Returning to home towns How weirdly, Giles has been to Lisa’s home town in Spain Fuengirola, Spain, Gilbraltar His time in Washington DC Suburban isolation Boston Philadelphia Fenced off shops in Toxteth Liverpool How his mum’s illness and death affected the family Taking the ferry from Newhaven to Dieppe Duty free booze runs Wigtown in Scotland, almost completely taken over by book shops His ambitions to travel to New York The books he has written Free verse poetry – ie the stuff that doesn’t rhyme The garden centre in Aleppo in Syria which has inspired his latest books Aleppo’s last beacon of hope The Syrian ‘white helmets’ How gardening is huge in refugee camps in Iraq The Lemon Tree Trust gardening competitions in the refugee camps The surprising song that reminds him of his hometown of Seaford

In a non-fiction 'best of' episode we learn about spies, double agents and espionage with Ben McIntyre, we go behind the scene's of The Bookshop in Wigtown with Shaun Bythell and learn about the father of biography, James Boswell.

On Episode 277 of Trick or Treat Radio, we have got a killer lineup for you! We kick things off with another one of MonsterZero’s definition games, this time he breaks down accomplishments vs achievements and the fine line between talking about what you’ve done and boasting about it! Next up is a film discussion about the 2017 Leatherface from directors Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo. How well do they weave the story into the greater Texas Chainsaw mythos and does the movie stand on its own merit? Finally, what you’ve all been waiting for. The main event of the evening… you may know him as the muscular saxophone player from The Lost Boys, you may know him as Tina Turner’s saxophone player, but after you listen to our interview there will be no doubt that you will know that this man is a legendary performer and even better person! We speak with the one and only Tim Cappello to discuss his role in The Lost Boys, his musical career and what he did to become the only person to ever get kicked out of CBGBs! We also discuss our favorite original songs from films and play our amazing listener voicemail! So grab your saxophone, get lubed up and strap on for the world's most dangerous talk radio show! Stuff we talk about: Getting kicked out of CBGB, Tim Cappello, Timmy Cappello and the Ken Dolls, Leatherface, Inside, Among the Living, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, how to disgust Dynamo, Marz and Ares’ man date, Thor: Ragnarok, G.G. Allin, Sweet Movie, the difference between accomplishments, achievements and success, tubs of popcorn, The Hardy Boyz, Gore Shriek, the Justice League of Slashers, Freddy Krueger, Jason, Michael Myers, the chase and revenge in slashers, Riot Head, Tina Turner, Ringo Starr, Peter Gabriel, the unique gyms in Rotterdam England, The Lost Boys, Tim Cappello’s secret body oil, New England Conservatory of Music, Rock and Shock, the trials of playing Saxophone, Lost in the Shadows, Tim Cappello’s upcoming album, Santa Cruz, Wigtown, Captain Beefheart, Frank Zappa, Blood on the Reed, Mad Monster Party, Taika Waititi, Rachel House, Rainbow Connection, The Muppet Movie, Star Wars Theme, The Burbs, Leatherface’s skin condition, Punchfarm’s Marzvember, Movie Reviews Rising, Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome, All You Need is Blood Podcast, Transformers the Movie, Rodan song, What We Do in the Shadows, what Wolfie said earlier today, royalty checks, Marvel villains, remakes, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Gunnar Hansen, Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo, “I Still Believe”, Marcus Nispel, Porn Pop, Ghost Hustler, Dynamo’s lack of video evidence of him wrestling, Wiggly, podcasting family tree, Joel Schumacher, The Call, Tim’s middle school band’s name, Flight of the Conchords, Super Dark Times, Paul Williams, John Carpenter, which movie relaxes Ares?, Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise continuity, Pootie Tang, and the best songs composed specifically for a film.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/trickortreatradio)

The Husband Hunters: Social Climbing in London and New York. Towards the end of the nineteenth century and for the first few years of the twentieth, a strange invasion took place in Britain. The citadel of power, privilege and breeding in which the titled, land-owning governing class had barricaded itself for so long was breached. Red Szell talks to Ann De Coucy in this interview clipped from the full Wigtown show.

Greg and Dave discuss a man who wears wigs and Greg's old talk show.

Bookmarked is Scottish Book Trust's latest podcast, bringing you a monthly dose of bookish action from all around Scotland. Each new episode is jam-packed with book news, interviews, readings, roundups and sneak previews. Whether you are a staunch bookworm or looking for something new to get you stoked about reading, be sure to catch Bookmarked, hosted by Ryan Van Winkle, arriving for your listening pleasure in the first week of every month. In our inaugural podcast, you'll catch a behind-the-scenes tour of ‘GiftED', the Edinburgh book sculptures exhibition currently touring Scotland; a catch-up with author, Wigtown resident and book lover, Jessica Fox; a taster of Book Week Scotland's events programme and a quick-fire interview with author Jenni Fagan, who fills us in on her favourite books for people who are short on time.Bookmarked is produced by Colin Fraser with music by Ragland.

Greg and Dave discuss a man who wears wigs and Greg's old talk show.