In the week that Scotland were knocked out of the European Football Champions we look at the importance of Glasgow Green as an open space in the city where football and a variety of other sports flourished. In use today as a Fanzone for the Euros we explore the significance of football to Scotland and in particular the Tartan Army- supporters of the Scottish football team. We explore the agony and ecstasy and, above all, the eternal optimism associated with supporting our national team. Yes Sir,...
Jun 29, 2021•34 min
This week our blethers feature The Kelpies - an iconic piece of public art and one of Scotland's top tourist attractions. We explore their roots in mythical, shape-shifting water beasts and in the heavy horse that once pulled the barges on the canal beside which they are located. What better way to finish than with an ice cream? Italian of course! We reminisce about childhood memories of pokey hats and sliders. Guaranteed to have you heading for your local ice cream parlour or gelateria if you'r...
Jun 22, 2021•32 min
This week join us in Scotland's National Parks as we enjoy the richness of the landscape which is home to such a variety of Scotland's flora and fauna. The Parks offer opportunities for outdoor activities from water sports to mountain biking; ski-ing to hill walking. With staycations becoming so popular in the wake of Covid we look at hoe the Parks are adapting to welcome the increasing numbers coming on holiday.
Jun 15, 2021•32 min•Ep. 39
We love it when a friend or colleagues joins us in our Blethers to add a bit of banter. This week we are joined by our good friend Graeme Strachan who owns Glenburnie Guesthouse in Oban - a popular seaside town where ferries come and go carrying passengers and freight to the islands off the west coast of Scotland. We are missing our Glenburnie stays so much and loved this opportunity to catch up and chat with Graeme about his life at Glenburnie and his recommendations for guests visiting this be...
Jun 08, 2021•41 min
This week we take you on a visit to the Fife village of Falkland and explore its links with sporting Royals and Johnny Cash. Spotting puffins is on everyone's list of things to do on a visit to Scotland at this time of year so we tell you a little bit about them and where you might be able to get up close and personal with a puffin.
Jun 01, 2021•31 min
In this episode we visit Juteopolis – the name given to Dundee in the 19th Century when the city’s landscape and economic activity were dominated by the processing of raw jute from Bengal into hessian or burlap to meet burgeoning demand for sacks, sails and covers for pioneers heading west. For the first time it was the women who were the breadwinners – working in the mills while the men stayed home. Same era but worlds apart, Cate Cranston was a pioneer of a different kind. Astute businesswoman...
May 25, 2021•30 min
If last week's episode on elections to the Scottish Parliament was enough to drive you to drink then in this week's episode we have the perfect remedy - Scotland's Cheese and Wine! From traditional crowdie to our wonderful variety of artisan and farmhouse cheeses fit to grace the finest of boards, Scotland may not immediately spring to mind for the quality of our vines but there's plenty of other wonderful produce out there that the inventive Scots are fermenting into Château Ecosse.
May 18, 2021•32 min
In this episode we are inspired by the recent elections to the Scottish Parliament to reflect on the road travelled by the Scots to arrive where we are today. From the Declaration of Independence to the Union of the Crowns and the Act of Union; referendum and proportional representation, we try to make sense of it all.
May 11, 2021•34 min
In this episode we are joined by our good friend and Spanish tour guide Fran Glaria to explore connections, past and present, between our countries. From medieval alliances and deathbed pacts to what the Spanish think of the Scots on holiday - there's always plenty to blether about.
May 04, 2021•42 min
In the week that marked Earth Day and John Muir Day we chose to explore the topic of Scottish explorers. For a small country, Scotland has had more than its share of trail blazers. From John Muir and his contribution to the preservation of wild places to David Livingstone’s remarkable exploration of the continent of Africa, we discuss the brave men – and women – who have contributed to our understanding of the world as we know it today.
Apr 27, 2021•36 min
We reflect on some of the many links he developed with Scotland over the course of his remarkable life, and reminisce about our own experiences of the man his grandson Harry called a "Legend of Banter".
Apr 20, 2021•31 min
Tartan Day is a global celebration of Scottish Heritage, but how did it originate and why is it celebrated on 6th April each year? Find out the answers to these questions, and much more besides, on this week's episode of Scottish Blethers Podcast.
Apr 13, 2021•29 min
As the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh is revealed as Scotland's top tourist attraction in 2020, we take a tour around some of Scotland's myriad of gardens. From the big blockbusters to the hidden gems, from art gardens to works of a lifetime, with spring in the air there's no better topic to blether about.
Apr 06, 2021•32 min
Last week saw Scottish Blethers focus on tea - which puts us in the mood for cake! In this week's episode we explore some of the many regional cakes to be found across Scotland- from Kirriemur Gingerbread to Ecclefechan Tarts. In particular, we focus on the little national treasure, the Tunnock's Teacake. Before anyone asks- yes it definitely is a cake not a biscuit!
Mar 30, 2021•29 min
This week we explore the animated films of Norman McLaren who counted Pablo Picasso amongst his greatest fans. Everything stops for tea as we reflect on Scotland’s favourite beverage. Finally, we celebrate the 70th birthday of Dennis the Menace and reminisce about the era of the weekly comic.
Mar 23, 2021•37 min
March is Women's History Month and in this week’s episode we mark the contribution of three Scottish women of substance. Mary Slessor left behind her work in the jute mills of Dundee to travel as a missionary to Nigeria where she did much to advance the rights of women and children. Catherine Herbert, Countess of Dunmore was born at the other end of the social scale and is credited with bringing Harris Tweed to the attention of the world. But were her motives entirely altruistic? Susan’s great g...
Mar 16, 2021•31 min•Season 1Ep. 126
In this episode we blether about The Enchanted Forest community led sound and light show in Pitlochry that takes place every October, the allure of the Scottish kilt and the beauty of the Scottish mountain hare. We post additional content during the week on our social media. Connect with us on instagram and facebook at @scottishblethers and let us know of any requests, comments or suggestions. Help us spread the (Scots) word and share us with your friends. If you this enjoyed this episode, pleas...
Mar 09, 2021•32 min
It's the first episode of the month so that means only one thing - a favourites episode ! We discuss all sorts of islands across Scotland and hopefully whet your appetite to want to google images of them - but we'll be putting some up on social media through the week as well.
Mar 02, 2021•33 min•Season 1Ep. 24
In this week’s episode we take a stroll through Scone Palace in Perthshire, consider the many buildings that enhance Scotland’s landscape with no obvious function (called Follies) and end with an introduction to The Roaring Game also known as Curling or Chess on Ice. We post additional content during the week on our social media. Connect with us on instagram and facebook at @scottishblethers and let us know of any requests, comments or suggestions. Help us spread the (Scots) word and share us wi...
Feb 23, 2021•30 min•Season 1Ep. 123
In honour of St Valentine's Day, we run through songs by Scottish artists about Love - whether that be for yourself, another or the place you live. We post additional content during the week on our social media. Connect with us on instagram and facebook at @scottishblethers and let us know of any requests, comments or suggestions. If you this enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on your podcast platform of choice and please leave us a review to help others find us ! Apple podcasts | Spotify | ...
Feb 16, 2021•24 min•Season 1Ep. 122
This week we continue to weave our way through the rich tapestry that is Scotland as we discuss our international reputation for textiles, the fascination held by our highest mountains and the unusual choice of the unicorn as our national animal. We post additional content during the week on our social media. Connect with us on instagram and facebook at @scottishblethers and let us know of any requests, comments or suggestions. Help us spread the (Scots) word and share us with your friends. We a...
Feb 09, 2021•29 min•Season 1Ep. 121
We've got a wee bonus for you ! Susan interviewed Alisdair Fleming as a wee teaser ahead of her Virtual Tour of St Kilda on 11th Feb at 8pm GMT / 3pm EST/ noon PT. St Kilda is 40 nautical miles from the nearest other land mass (Outer Hebrides) and was voluntarily evacuated in 1930 when the subsistence style of living was no longer viable. Alisdair's family roots go back to St Kilda from the 1700s until evacuation. We were able to extract the audio so we thought we'd post it so you could listen i...
Feb 07, 2021•32 min
Welcome to Episode 20 - we are as surprised as all of you that we have made it this far ! In this episode we discuss all types of Scottish (not just Scotch) pies, the fabulous pre-history of Kilmartin Glen (a request from a lovely listener - was it Linda?) and the joy of Glasgow patter i.e. Glaswegian accents and phrases. We have also branched out into Virtual Tours that are delivered every 2 weeks via Zoom and cost £15 per event. The next one, on 11th Feb at 8pm GMT / 3pm EST and is on the arch...
Feb 02, 2021•31 min•Season 1Ep. 120
Burns Day - a special day in the Scottish Calendar, 25th January. Burns Day, when everyone eats haggis and starts toasting one other! Now the Blethers ladies are no aficionados on Scottish poet & national treasure Robert Burns, but since when did that stop them putting in their tuppence worth? Join us for this episode when our chat will be about whether or not Burns is still relevant for the 21st Century. If you like what you hear, why not join us for one of our virtual tours that will be de...
Jan 26, 2021•29 min•Season 1Ep. 119
Welcome to episode 18 where we discuss The Burrell Collection , Scottish gold and Scottish boiled sweeties (candies for our American cousins). We post additional content during the week on our social media. Connect with us on instagram and facebook at @scottishblethers and let us know of any requests, comments or suggestions. Help us spread the (Scots) word and share us with your friends. If you this enjoyed this episode, subscribe on your podcast platform of choice to be informed of new episode...
Jan 19, 2021•28 min•Season 1Ep. 118
Just before Christmas Liz interviewed master storyteller Lynn Barbour of Peatfire Tales in Stromness, Orkney. Lynn talks about the fusion of languages and cultures that have been woven into the tapestry of folklore that is such an important part of Orkney life. She shares with us some of the stories and characters of Orcadian culture including Yule which was important in Norse culture and fell on 6th January.
Jan 17, 2021•38 min
We're back ! After a wee break from recording over the Festive Season, we're all revved up and ready to go. In this episode we talk about the current lockdown in Scotland and look forward to what will be happening in 2021 and our wishes for the year. We post additional content during the week on our social media. Connect with us on instagram and facebook at @scottishblethers and let us know of any requests, comments or suggestions. Help us spread the (Scots) word and share us with your friends. ...
Jan 12, 2021•24 min•Season 1Ep. 116
In this episode we delve into the National Health Service in Scotland and explain a little about public and private healthcare before heading on to talk about the Knights Templar in Scotland, said to have been involved in Robert the Bruce's success at Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. Our third topic is Irn Bru our other national drink - just ask any Scot. As always we finish with our Scots words of the episode. Connect with us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/scottishblethers Follow us on Inst...
Dec 15, 2020•37 min•Season 1Ep. 15
As we are having our Christmas Party via Zoom on Wednesday 9th Dec, our normal Blether has been replaced by an interview Liz did with the wonderful Glynis Ross of Leault Farm and sheepdogs. It is a must do visit of any trip to Scotland. We will be posting photos of our regular trips to Leault Farm on our Scottish Blethers social media during the week, make sure to check out our facebook and instagram pages, details below. If you would like to join our FREE online Christmas Party via Zoom on Wedn...
Dec 08, 2020•33 min
This is the first episode of December and so it’s time for a “My Favourite” edition. This time we take a look at lochs. 2020 has been Visit Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters and the theme is set to be rolled forward into 2021 as the nation continues to celebrate our vast array of lochs, waterways, islands and coastlines. With over 30,000 freshwater lochs - not to mention the fjords or sea lochs that fringe our coastline - there’s certainly plenty to discuss. Our blethers range across the bloc...
Dec 01, 2020•35 min•Season 1Ep. 14
