Scots Whay Hae!

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali spoke to writer and journalist Olga Wojtas about her novels Miss Blaine's Prefect and the Golden Samover and Miss Blaine's Prefect and the Vampire Menace (both published on the Contraband imprint of Saraband Books). Olga is one of warmest, wittiest, and downright readable writers around, and it was such a pleasure to be able to chat about her writing, the influences...

For the latest podcast we spoke to journalist and writer Joe Donnelly about his book 'Checkpoint: How Video Games Power Up Minds, Kick Ass, and Save Lives'. Joe is a gaming enthusiast and mental health advocate and 'Checkpoint' considers the intersections of video games and mental health, and explores his belief that the interactive nature of games makes them uniquely placed to educate and inform....

For the latest SWH! podcast we welcome back writer, storyteller, and mountaineer John Burns who was a guest previously when he talked about his novel 'Sky Dance' as well as his fascinating life. During that chat he mentioned his one-man show about infamous occultist Aleister Crowley, and we thought we had to talk to him again to learn more about this controversial historical figure. If you thought...

For the latest SWH! podcast the Braidwood brothers got back together following their previous chat about their favourite Scottish records of the 1980s to talk about what they were listening to in the 90s. Once again they pick 10 records from the decade and discuss what they mean to them, and why. With one in Aberdeen for much of that time, and the other in Glasgow, it's interesting to learn how th...

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali spoke to writer Alan Parks about his latest Harry McCoy thriller, Bobby March Will Live Forever. The two discuss the world of Harry McCoy and those who share it, the importance of returning characters, why he set the novels in 1970s Glasgow, the city's complex relationship with crime and its criminals, the inspirations for Bobby March, and why he is unlikely to writ...

Please forgive the indulgence, but for our first podcast using Zoom Ali caught up with Braemar Gallery owner and gig-promoter Andy Braidwood, who just happens to be his brother. The primary reason was to see if this worked as a way to podcast, but also for the two to catch up and talk about the most influential Scottish music of their formative years. Each pick ten albums or EPs from before 1990 w...

For the latest podcast SWH! spoke to documentary filmmaker Darren Hercher about his film Dooman, which airs on BBC Scotland on Tuesday 31st March, 10pm. Shot against the striking backdrop of Inverclyde, Hercher looks at the world of 'doo-flyers' in Greenock, and he explains why he took on the project, the relationships involved, the importance of getting beyond his own - and viewers - initial expe...

For the latest podcast SWH! caught up with writer Vicki Jarrett to talk about her latest novel Always North (out now, published by Unsung Stories). As Vicki explains, it's a story that has been over 10 years in the telling from the inspiration of an unforgettable video to final publication. She discusses the themes and ideas which are at the book's heart, the vital role of her central character an...

For the latest podcast Ali spoke to Cammy and Raindeer from one of SWH!'s favourite bands, Mitchell Museum. The two were on to discuss their latest album Skinny Tricks, which is out on Scottish Fiction on the 15th May. With bassist Kris unfortunately sidelined, the brothers talked about the themes and inspirations behind the album, the dangers of unexpected national radio play, the collaborative n...

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali spoke to actor and producer Carina Birrell all about 'Harry Birrell Presents Films of Love & War' ahead of its broadcast on BBC Scotland on 17th March. The film was a labour of love for Carina as Harry is her grandfather, and the film centres on his astonishing film footage and diaries. The conversation touches on how the film came to be, Harry's love of film and hi...

For the latest of our podcasts in collaboration with Scottish Opera we spoke to Associate Chorus Master and repetiteur, Susannah Wapshott. Susannah joined the company in 2008, and there are few people better placed to give an insight and overview to the workings of Scottish Opera. She discusses her various roles and the extensive collaboration involved. She also explains how her career has unfolde...

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali caught up with previous guest, writer Iain Maloney. A visit from Iain is always a special occasion as he resides in Japan, and his latest book, The Only Gaijin In The Village, is all about his experiences of moving to and living in another country, and coming to terms with the resulting clash of cultures. Maloney may be better known as a novelist, but the The Only G...

For the latest in our series of Glasgow Film Festival 2020 podcasts Ali spoke to director Josh David Jordan, actor & producer Jessica Marie Jordan, and actor & musician Greg Schroeder about their film 'This World Won't Break'. As you'll hear, this is an incredibly personal film for all of those involved, and they explain why this is, why no-one but Greg was going to play the central character of W...

For the latest in our series of Glasgow Film Festival podcasts, Ali spoke to director Scott Graham, about his latest feature 'Run', which follows on from the success of previous films 'Shell' and 'Iona' and which shares some of their themes. Graham talks about those themes, as well as what inspired 'Run', the influence of the music of Bruce Springsteen, the challenges of family life, the escape of...

For the latest of SWH!'s Glasgow Film Festival 2020 podcasts Ali spoke to a previous guest, director Peter Mackie Burns, who told us all about his latest feature 'Rialto', which will be at the festival on 27th Feb (with a Q&A) and, if you miss that, on the afternoon of the 28th. Peter explains the story of the film's title, why it's set in Dublin, the themes and thoughts behind the film, the impor...

For the latest of SWH!'s Glasgow Film Festival 2020 podcasts Ali spoke to a previous guest, director Peter Mackie Burns, who told us all about his latest feature 'Rialto', which will be at the festival on 27th Feb (with a Q&A) and, if you miss that, on the afternoon of the 28th. Peter explains the story of the film's title, why it's set in Dublin, the themes and thoughts behind the film, the i...

For the latest podcast Ali caught up with poet, performer, and story-teller Leyla Josephine to talk about her show 'Daddy Drag' which is going to be at Glasgow's Tron Theatre (26-29th Feb) after it's acclaimed run at this year's Edinburgh Fringe. This is a show which "asks audiences to consider how relationships (or lack of) with our fathers affect us, and, to reflect on the imprints they leave be...

For the latest of our podcasts in collaboration with Scottish Opera we spoke to the company's General Director Alex Reedijk, and it proved to be a fascinating conversation - one which adds extra context to the other podcasts in the series. Alex talks about how he came to the role, what makes it so special, the challenges faced when he joined 14 years ago, the four central strands that run through...

For the latest podcast Ali spoke with Keira Brown about the inaugural Paisley Book Festival (20th-29th Feb). As well as hearing all about the fantastic programme of events, Keira explains the festival's theme of 'radical voices and rebel stories', the celebration of local hero John Byrne, the wide and varied range of what's available, some of the many, many highlights, the importance of place as w...

For the latest podcast Ali met up with one of SWH!'s favourite writers, M.J. Nicholls, to discuss in detail his latest novel, 'Scotland Before The Bomb' - one of the most inventive, and funniest, books of recent years. The conversation touches upon Nicholls' reasons for writing, the themes and form of his previous work, how he came to have an American publisher, his approach to being a writer, his...

For the first of our podcasts celebrating this year's Glasgow Film Festival we spoke to festival co-directors Allison Gardner and Allan Hunter. What unfolded was a warm, fun, and fascinating chat about this year's programme, the challenges of programming a festival, the GFF ethos, the multiple strands, how the festival has grown, and some memories of past galas and glories. It's a lovely conversat...

For the latest Scottish Opera podcast we spoke to one of the company's Emerging Artists, Arthur Bruce. The SO Emerging Artist programme is now in its 10th year, and, as Arthur explains, it is hugely important in developing and supporting all areas of opera, helping to ensure the future remains bright. He also discusses how his interest in opera began, his musical background, the challenges of acti...

For the last of our Best of 2019 podcasts Ali is joined once more by annual regulars Wesley Shearer and Chris Ward, with SWH! sound guru Ian Gregson also in the house (which turned out to be lucky for all). This time around they are looking at the best films of the year, and Ali's role becomes more host rather than participant as his own movie going has been admittedly lacking this year. Luckily t...

For our Best Books of 2019 podcast Ali was once again joined by Publishing Scotland's Vikki Reilly to discuss their year in books. As well as discussing in detail their personal favourites, they look at the writers who have left their mark, awards and award winners, festivals old and new, the healthy state of Scottish poetry, what's happening in the publishing world, the prevailing trends and them...

For this year's Best Music 2019 podcast Ali spoke to Mark McNally and Gary Bannatyne from Cumbernauld FM's Postcards From The Underground radio show. The two are among the finest champions of Scottish music and beyond, playing old songs and new, and having regular live sessions and guests. As well as hearing all about the Postcards From The Underground show, the three discuss their favourite track...