Scotcast

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Why Lockerbie is back in the news’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00272kt Abu Agila Mas'ud Kheir Al-Marimi, aka Mas’ud (pictured), who is accused of building the bomb that brought down an American airliner over Lockerbie in 1988, has claimed he was forced into making a false confession. The BBC’s Dave Cowan tells us what that could mean...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Is Trump Scotland's friend?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002745q John Swinney is on the guest list for a Windsor Castle banquet honouring Donald Trump’s UK state visit. Political editor Glenn Campbell talks us through an extraordinary turnaround in relations between the first minister and US president. And as Microsoft heralds a multi...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Housing crisis: the emotional cost’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002h9zt Amanda Smith’s (pictured) household is one of a record number living in temporary homeless accommodation. The BBC’s Chris Clements tells us her story – and explains how the housing emergency developed. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geiss...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘One lawyer quit to become cabin crew’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002d9mx MSPs are on the brink of voting to abolish the controversial third verdict of not proven in criminal cases. We ask the BBC’s David Cowan about plans to reduce Scottish courts to two verdicts: guilty or not guilty. And Edith Forrest KC (pictured) tells us why th...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Devi Sridhar on how we can live longer’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002cqnr Liam Shaw (pictured), author of Dangerous Miracles, tells us why less than a hundred years after the first antibiotic discovery, governments now need to step in because big pharma companies won’t. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissl...

Sam Eljamel (pictured) was a top NHS brain surgeon who harmed dozens of his patients, leaving some with life-changing injuries. On the opening day of a public inquiry, we ask victim Jules Rose and Justin Bowie, who has covered the story for The Courier in Dundee, whether NHS Tayside could have stopped Eljamel sooner. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller a...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Should buying sex be a crime?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002cb7z Dominatrix and sex worker Porcelain Victoria (pictured right) and campaigner Laura Baillie (pictured left) tell us why they are against Ash Regan’s proposed Prostitution Bill. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie H...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘What will the Greens do next?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002hmcv Gillian Mackay and Ross Greer (both pictured) are the new co-leaders of the Scottish Greens. In a wide-ranging conversation covering Nigel Farage, flying flags and asylum hotels, they tell us why their position on transgender issues won’t change and why they’re unwilli...

Have you noticed flags flying on a street near you? Aberdeenshire council have begun taking down Saltires from lampposts – while first minister John Swinney joined MSPs in expressing concern that the national flag has been 'hijacked' by far-right groups. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bb...

JK Rowling, politicians and activists have all weighed in on what they think about the Sandie Peggie, Beth Upton and NHS Fife tribunal, as the debate on trans rights and gender continues to play out in the court of public opinion. In this episode, Martin sits down with the BBC’s Lorna Gordon and Rebecca McCurdy, political correspondent at The Herald, to cut through the noise of what’s happening an...

Scotland has the unwanted label of being Europe’s drug death capital for the seventh year in a row. But is there reason for optimism as latest figures for 2024 show a significant drop in drug-related deaths? Former head of the Scotland’s drug death task force, Professor Catriona Matheson (pictured), tells us how we got here - and what needs to be done to save even more lives. And as concerns are r...

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has said he wants to close all asylum hotels earlier than planned. BBC correspondent Chirs Clements, who was in Falkirk reporting on the latest protests outside the town’s former Cladhan Hotel, tells us what he witnessed. And as the maker of Mounjaro increases the price of its popular weight-loss drug, Alistair Murray from Phlo Technologies tells us whether his comp...

It’s change at the top for the Scottish Greens as the party elects new co-leaders. It comes after a summer of infighting, the departure of its longest-serving leader and years at the heart of power at Holyrood. BBC Scotland Political correspondent David Wallace Lockhart talks to Martin and Laura about what it means to be green in Scotland. And stand clear of the doors as Laura gets irked by etique...

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has welcomed Graham Simpson to his party after the MSP quit the Scottish Conservatives. In an interview recorded hours after his defection, we ask Graham why he’s switching parties and what he makes of his new leader's idea of deporting 600,000 migrants if he becomes prime minister. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Na...

Professor Tommy Curry (pictured) is the University of Edinburgh’s first black professor of philosophy in its 450-year history. He talks to Martin about Scotland's history with racism and its present-day problems Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Hotels housing asylum seekers have attracted protests in Perth, Falkirk and Aberdeenshire. We ask what’s behind the recent spate of demos and David Wallace Lockhart tells us why it’s significant that Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay is defending them. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Natalie Higgins and Laura Miller. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Dr Iain Kennedy (pictured) chairs the British Medical Association and speaks on behalf of Scotland’s 17,000 doctors. He tells us why one of the founding principles of the NHS has 'already died', how the service can be rescued and about his life as Highland GP. And a listener hits back at our coverage of gulls. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Natalie Higgins and L...

A housing crisis is unfolding in the Highlands and for Donna Young (pictured) of the Communities Housing Trust, it’s personal. She tells us why so many people in her part of the world are struggling to find a home. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

The county lines drug epidemic is bringing violence and hard drugs to the Highlands. Detective Chief Inspector Craig Still of Police Scotland tells us how English gangs are targeting the vulnerable and why they are staying clear of Glasgow and Edinburgh. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bb...

Accustomed to sparring live on air on a Sunday morning, Martin sits down with Douglas Ross to find out what he really thinks. The former Scottish Conservative leader tells us why he defended Boris Johnson’s government – and why he thinks Holyrood is failing. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcas...

Willie French is a former head teacher with four decades of experience in primary schools. He tells Martin why schools should delay formal education and help children learn old-fashioned life lessons like falling off bikes and out of trees. And Rose Docherty, the first person charged with allegedly breaking Scotland’s abortion buffer zone law, learns she’ll face no further action. Scotcast is the...

City trader turned influencer Gary Stevenson (pictured) is leading calls for a wealth tax. As chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares for the autumn budget, economist Professor Mairi Spowage tells us why a tax targeting the so-called super-rich may have downsides too. And with US Vice-President JD Vance here on holiday, Martin and Laura wonder what’s so special about the Cotswolds. Scotcast is the BBC’s...

Nicola Sturgeon says a social media post by Harry Potter author JK Rowling prompted a wave of 'vile' abuse over the former first minister’s views on transgender policy. It’s one of many more claims in Ms Sturgeon’s memoir, Frankly, which Natalie has read (most of at the time of recording this recording). And as Spiderman webs his way through the streets of Glasgow, Slow Horses director Saul Metzst...

Nicola Sturgeon has been busy promoting her new memoir, Frankly. We’ve read and heard what she thinks about Alex Salmond, Operation Branchform, Isla Bryson and her own sexuality. But how much of it is news? Martin, Natalie and the BBC’s David Wallace Lockhart discuss how much we’ve really learned from the former first minister's book publicity. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Mar...

Former Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark and ex-BBC Scotland political editor Brian Taylor talk to Martin, Laura and Natalie about their careers, covering tragedies and modern journalism. Recorded in front of a live audience at the Edinburgh Fringe on Wednesday 6th August. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc....