Scots Whay Hae!

For the latest podcast, Ali talks to writer Andrew Raymond Drennan about his new novel, ‘The Limits Of The World’. They talk about the reason for setting the book in North Korea, the influences on Andrew’s writing, the role of art in society as well as its importance on an individual level, and why, in the end, perhaps all you need is love and courage. Both men are in their element as they get to...

In the latest podcast, Ali talks to historian Dr Stephen Mullen about the inspiration behind his work, his seminal book It Wisnae Us: The Truth About Glasow and Slavery, the importance of last year’s Empire Café, and his plans for future research. We’ve been trying to get Stephen on for some time, and we hope you’ll agree it was worth the wait.

The latest podcast is one of two halves. In the first, Ali talks to writer Zoe Strachan, who is wearing her editor’s hat as she talks about all things ‘Out There’, the anthology of LGBT writing which was published late last year, and which Scots Whay Hae! reviewed on the 18/01/15. Zoe goes into the influences and inspirations behind the book’s conception, and talks about the process of bringing so...

It’s time for the best of 2014 podcast, and it is a whopper, coming in around 1hr 40mins long. With that in mind we’ve split into three more manageable sections with the usual SWH! guitar sting to signal a break. The reason for this length? Well, Ian, Chris and Ali hadn’t been together for a while, and had a lot of films, music and books to talk about. Add in the yearly Falkirk missive from Ronnie...

Scots Whay Hae! made the trip to Summerhall in Edinburgh to talk to writer, poet, playwright and polymath, Ron Butlin about his life and work. The result is just under an hour of informative and entertaining chat that is a must listen for anyone interested in writing. Of course, we would say that, but it doesn’t make it any less true. If you have never listened to a Scots Whay Hae! podcast before...

Ian and Ali have been trying to get Lloyd Meredith on the podcast for some time, and this month they get their man. As music blogger Peenko he was one of Scottish music’s greatest champions, and, alongside Halina Rifai, he founded Olive Grove Records, who are home to Jo Mango, Woodenbox, The Son(s), Call To Mind and more. He also manages Randolph’s Leap as well. All of the above are some of Scots...

Back in the early summer Ali went to talk to Alasdair Gray about his love of reading and the importance of being carefully taught from an early age. The conversation formed the basis of an article for the NLS magazine, Discovery, and you can read the longer version at Scots Whay Hae! now. Ian couldn't be there to record, so apologies if the sound is a little erratic.

Ian and Ali made the picturesque trip to Braemar to talk to Alasdair Roberts and Ross Whyte about their collaborative project as musicians in residence. The chat takes place in one of Braemar’s churches where the two have been recording, and which lends a certain atmosphere to matters which you wouldn’t normally get in the Scots Whay Hae! kitchen. After an initial discussion about their time in Br...

The Scots Whay Hae! Podcast makes a timely return as the latest is all about the forthcoming Empire Café. Ali talks to Louise Welsh and Jude Barber, the driving forces behind the series of events, and matters are rounded off by a reading from one of the many contributors, Glasgow's new Poet Laureate, Jim Carruth.

In the latest podcast, Ian and Ali are joined by journalist Peter Ross to talk abut his life as a writer, and the publication of his collection of articles ‘Daunderlust: Dispatches From Unreported Scotland'. The chat touches upon chippies, pub-life, the shows, Dashing White Sergeants, the strange traditions of some Scottish towns and the suspicious nature of the ‘Doo Men'. It all adds up to one of...

Ian and Ali took a trip to Bridgeton to talk to Dr Adele Patrick, co-founder of and Lifelong Learning and Creative Development Manager for Glasgow Women's Library. The interview takes place in the old public library on Landressy St, which is the latest home of the GWL, and, having seen their plans, will be for the foreseeable future. Adele talks about the inspiration behind the formation of the li...

Ali and Ian headed down Leith Walk to talk to broadcaster, writer, journalist and all round gent, Vic Galloway, who talks about his book 'Songs in the Key of Fife' and so much more all recorded for your pleasure.

On the latest podcast Ian, Chris and Ali were joined by Ryan Drever, music journalist and bass player with the mighty PAWS, to talk about the great and good, and not so good, of the last 12 months. WARNING: may contain the views of Ronnie Young

The latest podcast is one we've been promising for some time, but I'll think you'll agree it was worth the wait. We first spoke to Billy Letford about being a guest way back at the Margins Festival in February of 2012, and we have finally worn him down, with Ali, Chris and Ian catching up with him just before he recently departed for India. Right from the off, Billy charms and disarms as he takes...

The Bottle Imp by Robert Louis Stevenson is read by Louise Welsh“The Bottle Imp” is usually found in the short story collection Island Nights' Entertainments, also know as his South Sea Tales. Louise Welsh is a writer based in Glasgow. She is the author of The Cutting Room (Canongate, 2003), Tamburlaine Must Die (Canongate, 2004); The Bullet Trick (Canongate, 2006); Naming the Bones (Canongate, 20...

The Tale of Tod Lapraik by Robert Louis Stevenson is read by James Robertson“The Tale of Tod Lapraik” is from Stevenson's novel Catriona, his sequel to Kidnapped, where it is told by the character Black Andie. James Robertson is a novelist and poet who grew up in Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire. He is the author of several short story and poetry collections, and has published five novels to date: T...

The latest podcast is a bit of cross promotion as it is a Robert Louis Stevenson special which has Ali talking to Louise Welsh and Ronnie Young about the great man, as well as a pre-recorded interview with James Robertson. It's all part of our celebration of Stevenson, and you'll be able to hear Louise join James and Alan Bissett reading three of RLS's finest supernatural tales in our special podc...

The latest Scots Whay Hae! Podcast saw the editors of three of Scotland's finest literary magazines climb the stairs to talk to Ali about the how, whys and what next's, and their hopes and dreams, for the respective publications. They are Helen Sedgwick from Gutter Magazine, Gabriella Bennett from Valve Journal and Samuel Best from Octavius, and the talk ranged from influences, inspirations, theme...

The latest podcast is a fascinating chat with author James Robertson who talks Scott, MacDiarmid and Hogg, the importance of recognising a native language to any culture and learning lessons from history, as well as talking us through all of his own work. May I humbly suggest that if you only listen to one Scots Whay Hae! podcast, this is the one to choose. It's certainly the most interesting afte...

The latest podcast is one of our mildly popular musical themed recordings and it has live music and chat from Jack James, a singer/songwriter who has made one of the albums of the year so far with Is That The Rain On? He plays us three songs in what has come to be known by almost nobody as the Live Lounge, before he joins Ali, Chris and Ian in the kitchen for a chat about the best Scottish albums...

The latest podcast saw writer Karen Campbell pop in to talk about her latest novel This Is Where I Am. It's a great chat about some problems with publishing, why the saying, “you can't judge a book by its cover” holds true, the importance of a writing community, and the balance between using research and your own voice. If you're interested in writing, or reading, then it is a must listen.

Ali and Ian make their now annual pilgrim east to meet novelist Doug Johnstone. As usual the most interesting stuff happens off mike, but there is enough good chat on life, death, family and more death to satisfy the most demanding listener.

In this, the second of our podcasts celebrating Glasgow and film, Ali and Ian are joined by film critic, blogger and editor Nicola Balkind to talk about ‘World Film Locations: Glasgow', which she has edited. The chat is an amiable and informative ramble around that city talking film before Nicola takes us through five of her favourite things. What more can you ask for?

In this, the first of two podcasts to celebrate Glasgow and/on film, Chris and Ali both review and preview their personal highlights of this year's Glasgow Film Festival. Chris deals with the arthouse, while Ali mainly stays in the mainstream, a division which reflects the diversity of the festival itself.

The latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast was a real treat to record. Jo Mango, who made one of the best albums of last year with Murmuration, climbed the stairs to play a couple of songs before chatting about the making of the album and the artists who influence her work. Chris listens intently, Ali gets emotional, and happily Ian is there to record it all.