*** Join the Wild for Scotland Social Club Session with Chris Dyer on 29 June! Chris and I will chat about the archaeology of Shetland, what it’s like to be a crofter and how he got into working with native sheep breeds. The event is free to Club members. Non-members welcome - get your ticket here ! *** 'Waiting for the Sun' is part of the series A Year in Scotland . This is the June episode. In this story, I'm taking you with me to Mainland Shetland and two little islands off the east and west ...
Jun 17, 2025•34 min•Season 7Ep. 88
'Frozen in Time' is part of the series A Year in Scotland . This is the May episode. In this story, we travel to the southwest of Scotland and spend a few days exploring the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere at the height of Spring. We wander through one of Scotland's most picturesque bluebell forests and listen to the birds of the woodland. We're staying at a tranquil shepherd's hut on the edge of the Galloway Forest Park, go wild swimming in a loch and a river, and we wander through the...
May 27, 2025•26 min•Season 7Ep. 87
Let's pour ourselves a dram and follow the Malt Whisky Trail! We'll go on a whisky-infused walking tour around Dufftown and learn what else there is to do in the Speyside - beyond the distilleries. This is a newly remastered version of a Wild for Scotland classic, but even if you have heard to this story before, it's worth listening again! The story features newly done soundscapes , and afterwards, you'll hear brand-new tips for the Malt Whisky Trail in Scotland. *** Remastering stories is suppo...
May 13, 2025•28 min•Ep. 86
'Sleep Came Early' is part of the series A Year in Scotland . This is the April episode. Join me for a journey to Helensburgh on the Firth of Clyde and let's explore Scotland in April, the month of "hanami" and a sleepy Cailleach. In this story, we travel to the Victorian seaside resort of Helensburgh, we'll dive into the backstory of this coastal town and its illustrious inhabitants. We indulge in "hanami" (the Japanese art of flower viewing), visit Hill House, and round off our day out at sea....
Apr 29, 2025•30 min•Season 7Ep. 85
Let's go on a Highland Safari in the Cairngorms National Park and spend time exploring the Snow Roads! ‘The Birds and the Trees’ is a story about a scenic road trip through the Cairngorms, Scottish "wilderness" and what’s left of it... This is a newly remastered version of a Wild for Scotland classic, but even if you have heard to this story before, it's worth listening again! The story featured newly done soundscapes , and afterwards, you'll hear brand-new tips for wildlife watching in Scotland...
Apr 15, 2025•30 min•Ep. 84
'The Land Awakens' is part of the series A Year in Scotland . This is the March episode. Join me for a journey to Stonehaven on the Aberdeenshire Coast and let's explore Scotland in March, a season of change and awakening. In this story, we'll explore Stonehaven and its surroundings. We'll wander along the coast to discover a historic harbour, moving stories and haunting ruins. We follow paths deep into a magical woodland, learn about the local history and pay close attention to nature awakening...
Mar 25, 2025•25 min•Season 7Ep. 83
This is Wild for Scotland, a show with immersive travel stories from Scotland. Wild for Scotland helps you connect with Scotland, its people, wildlife, landscapes and histories. In each episode, I take you on a journey to a different place in Scotland. I either whisk you away on an inspiring adventure, or introduce you to passionate locals and their stories. Apart from stories and interviews, I also share my top tips for your own Scotland trip, and how to follow in my footsteps. If this is your ...
Mar 18, 2025•3 min
In the past, I have featured countless women's stories on Wild for Scotland, from women sharing their own stories and expertise, to important figures from Scottish history I encountered on my travels. Many of my episodes would not have been possible without their input and stories. This episode aims to celebrate their contributions to my show, but also to Scottish history, culture and society as a whole. I have selected three stories from previous episodes, which highlight different aspects of w...
Mar 04, 2025•28 min•Ep. 82
'Paradise' is a story about a tiny island off the west coast of Scotland, along a famous road trip route: the North Coast 500. Join me for a boat trip to the bird island Handa, a paradise for nesting seabirds and nature lovers alike. I wrote this story a few years ago - several months before I started this podcast. It was during the pandemic, and I longed for those days when I could simply jump in the car, hop on a ferry and visit a small uninhabited island off the shore. I finally recorded and ...
Feb 18, 2025•13 min•Ep. 81
Let's go to the pub and listen to some music! Join me for two conversations with Irish tin whistle player Maggie Wallace and Trad music session host Callum Forsyth about all things traditional music in Glasgow. In these conversations, we cover: The commonalities & differences between Irish and Scottish Trad music scenes What it's like to learn an instrument as an adult Why Glasgow is such a hotspot for traditional music How pub sessions in Glasgow are usually structured and more! Visit our w...
Dec 10, 2024•54 min•Season 6Ep. 80
'A Coorie Winter' is a story about getting cosy (or 'coorie') in the great outdoors during the Scottish winter months. We're heading to the Cairngorms National Park and the Moray Coast for stops in Aviemore, Tomintoul and Findhorn. In each location, we're trying another coorie winter activity, from hiking with reindeer on the Cairngorm plateau to sweating in a wood-fired sauna with sea views and star gazing at the Cairngorms Dark Sky Park. Things don't always go as planned, but that's part of an...
Dec 03, 2024•26 min•Season 6Ep. 79
Join me for a conversation about Gaelic Songs and the role of singing in oral tradition with Gaelic singer Ali Coyle (Alison Mhic Giolla Chomhgaill). As a Gaelic learner in Argyll, she has taken on the role of a tradition bearer, learning Gaelic songs and their stories. In this conversation, Ali shares how she got started with singing in Gaelic and how songs shape her relationship with Gaelic culture and history. We talk about the role of singing in Gaelic oral tradition, the sheer variety of to...
Nov 26, 2024•36 min•Season 6Ep. 78
'Good for Crofting' is a story about living with and off the land. Crofting is an integral part of Scottish culture in the Highlands and Islands, and on a crofting tour with DJ Cameron in South Uist, you can learn more about it. We learn what distinguishes crofting from farming, talk about sustainable crofting techniques and get a glimpse of the unique relationship between a crofter and his land and animals. DJ takes us to the machair to meet his sheep and cattle, shares about the challenges he ...
Nov 19, 2024•50 min•Season 6Ep. 77
'The Sounds of Mousa' is a story about two back-to-back trips I did to Mousa, a small island off the west coast of Shetland. First, we head there at night to witness the return of thousands of storm petrels to their nests. The next day, we return in daylight to explore Mousa Broch and the trails across the island. Along the way, we'll meet the men who take you to the island, learn about traditional sheep farming and dive into the history of the island. At the end of the episode, I share my top t...
Nov 12, 2024•29 min•Season 6Ep. 76
Last week, I spoke with Francesca Lo Verso, an outdoor therapist and host of the “ We Are Here, Too ” podcast. One of the questions I asked her was about exercises we can do to tune into our surroundings, feel more present in the moment and connect with nature around us. From this, we came up with the idea to create a special episode with a couple of guided nature meditations for you. So, today, we aren’t travelling anywhere in particular. Instead, I invite you to hit pause, metaphorically speak...
Nov 05, 2024•15 min•Season 6Ep. 75
Join me for a conversation with outdoor therapist Francesca Lo Verso about nature connection and how to be more mindful of nature on the go. Francesca is a therapist with a focus on outdoor therapy and host of the " We Are Here, Too " podcast about life abroad and mental health. We met up to dive deep into that feeling of connectedness with nature, why it’s important and how it can add to our travel experiences. Francesca tells us how we can connect more deeply with nature while we’re out and ab...
Oct 29, 2024•51 min•Season 6Ep. 74
Join me for a conversation with Russell Fraser, the Managing Director at Loch Ness Hub & Travel and Chair of the Scottish Community Tourism Network, SCOTO . We hear the story of the local community in Drumnadrochit, and how they stepped up to the challenge of running the local visitor information centre. But that's not all they do - from e-bike hire and baggage transfer for hikers on the Great Glen Way, to providing public toilets and offering school meals, the Loch Ness Hub works hard to be...
Oct 22, 2024•50 min•Season 6Ep. 73
This story was recorded LIVE at the Tremula Festival in Brighton on 21 September 2024. Local communities should be at the heart of sustainable and slow tourism in Scotland. 'A Slow and Winding Journey' is a story about discovering the wild landscapes of the Isle of Harris - without losing sight of its community of people who take care of North Harris, its mountains, beaches and coastlines. We'll go for a hike to spot eagles on the North Harris Estate, join local guide and former ranger Daryll Br...
Oct 15, 2024•27 min•Season 6Ep. 72
Covering great distances isn't necessarily the best way to see as much as possible when you travel. 'One Mile Magic' is a story about picking a mile-long stretch on the Berwickshire Coast and exploring it in depth. We'll enjoy a slow morning on the beach of Coldingham Bay, go snorkelling and swimming on the Berwickshire Snorkel Trail, and follow the coastal path to the charming fishing village of St Abbs. None of the places we visit in this story are further than a 30-minute walk apart - let me ...
Oct 08, 2024•20 min•Season 6Ep. 71
'Push and Pull' is a story about slowing down and exploring the Isles of Barra and Vatersay by bike. I spent 3 nights on these islands which I had only visited once before - to travel even slower, by foot on the Hebridean Way. Yet somehow, I never felt like I did these islands justice - seeing so little of them on my hike... That's what this story is about - maximising your time on the island, while also slowing down to immerse yourself in the landscapes. We'll explore Barra and Vatersay by bike...
Oct 01, 2024•26 min•Season 6Ep. 70
Wild for Scotland is coming back soon with brand new stories and conversations digging deep into what it means to travel slowly and with purpose. Season 6 of Wild for Scotland is all about "Slow Travel". We’ll take it slow, soak up our surroundings, pay attention to the littlest details, and will find joy in the small things all around us. Our journey will take us to distant islands and ancient civilisations, to bustling villages and crowded pubs. We'll slow down physically and mentally, make en...
Sep 17, 2024•2 min
How far north can you go in Scotland? In today's episode, I'm sharing with you a bonus story that I produced for my Patreon community, the Wild for Scotland Social Club , back in season 1! 'The Art of Nature' is a short story about my first trip to Unst, the northernmost island in Shetland (and thereby in Scotland as well as the entire UK). We're visiting a glass artist who draws inspiration from her surroundings and go for a walk to one of Scotland's most picturesque cliffs - all in the search ...
Aug 06, 2024•19 min•Ep. 69
Last month I visited the Isles of Barra and Vatersay - two islands in the Outer Hebrides that I hadn't returned to since solo hiking the Hebridean Way in 2018. My trip inspired me to revisit one of the first stories I shared with you on Wild for Scotland. It's called 'Out of Nowhere'. But there is another reason why I decided to give this story an encore... you'll have to listen to find out! After the story, we're sharing an updated tips section with my top tips for a trip to Barra and Vatersay....
Jun 11, 2024•29 min•Ep. 68
'A Confidence Game' is a story about feeling safe and confident in the Scottish mountains. I'm taking you with me on the 2-day Hill & Mountain Skills course at Glenmore Lodge to learn about navigation techniques, what kit to pack, how to plan a route off-trail and how to keep ourselves safe in the hills. After the story, I walk you through my detailed hiking tips for Scotland. We'll talk about what to wear and what to pack, where to find suitable routes, the role of mountain rescue and more....
May 21, 2024•36 min•Ep. 67
With the Islay Festival (Fèis Ìle) just around the corner, let's revisit another classic Wild for Scotland episode. 'An Acquired Taste' traces my journey to become a whisky drinker in Scotland and tells the story of my first visit to the Isle of Islay. Famous for its heavily peated whiskies, Islay is home to nine working distilleries - with more underway! Every year at the end of May and early June the island hosts the Islay Festival, or Fèis Ìle in Gaelic. And as you can imagine, whisky plays a...
May 14, 2024•27 min•Ep. 66
It's International Dark Sky Week! ✨ 🔭 🪐 To celebrate we're revisiting an episode about one of my favourite islands on the Scottish west coast. 'Day and Night' is a story about my first trip to the Isle of Coll. It lasted only 24 hours, giving me a taste of everything Coll has to offer by day and by night. Rugged coastlines, wild waters, beautiful beaches, fascinating history, welcoming locals and of course, dark skies. Coll is a Dark Sky Community, which means the night skies are unspoilt by l...
Apr 02, 2024•29 min•Ep. 65
'Like an Open Book' is a story about an archaeology tour to the Scottish Borders with HARP Archaeology . Your guides are professional archaeologists Michelle Gamble and Ian Hill, joined by a group of experts in Roman history, medieval battles, family research and more. We travel to Kelso and Melrose, uncover the secrets of Roxburgh and Hume Castle, walk in the footsteps of medieval mercenaries and dig for Roman treasures. Book your spot on HARP Archaeology's Romans, Reivers and the Rough Wooing ...
Mar 26, 2024•40 min•Ep. 64
How do you deal with the constant rain in Scotland? 🌧️ ☔️ In today's episode, I'm sharing with you a bonus story that I shared with our Patreon community, the Wild for Scotland Social Club , last November. 'An Ode to Rain' is a playful response to one of the most asked questions I get from visitors - how do I deal with the constant rain in Scotland? As a member of our Patreon community, you can expect bonus episodes like this one every month (included for Merry Dancer or Unicorn levels). I also...
Mar 12, 2024•9 min•Ep. 63
Wild for Scotland turns 3! 🎉 To celebrate we're revisiting one of our favourite stories from the archive. ‘Flourish’ is a story about Glasgow’s “City of the Dead” - the Necropolis cemetery - and the woman who rest there. We’re joining a group of history detectives from the Glasgow Women’s Library for a guided tour of the Victorian garden cemetery behind Glasgow Cathedral and hear stories about the city's famous daughters. Click here to find the full show notes for this episode on our website - ...
Mar 05, 2024•32 min•Ep. 62
'Icons of the Kingdom' is an episode about the wonders of Fife. From the majestic Forth Bridge in North Queensferry to the picturesque fishing villages on the East Neuk, we peel back layers of medieval and Pictish history, discover what outdoor adventures to enjoy even in winter, and we'll indulge in Fife's tasty side with delicious food and drink Along the way, we hear from locals who share their passion for Fife and tell us more. Use my Fife travel guides to plan your own trip to Fife! Visit o...
Feb 27, 2024•43 min•Ep. 61
