Scottish Blethers

In this week's episode we look at the life of one of the most famous characters in Scottish history. Was she a casualty of the times she lived on or a spoilt, headstrong young woman with poor taste in men. Most likely a bit of both!

In this week's episode we explore this small nation's claims to the title. Records show that the game has been payed in the villages along the East coast since at least the early 15thC. Was it down to trading or cultural links or was it links of a different kind? The soft, sandy soils between the land and the sea where nothing will grow except hardy grasses and gorse. Useless for agriculture but p...

This national treasure is loved by locals and visitors alike making it Scotland’s top attraction in 2019 with over 2 million visitors. In this week’s episode we discuss the roots of the museum and how it has evolved into the award/winning multi-disciplinary collection it is today. From over 12 million items we both select three and explain their significance - to the nation and to us personally.

As the days shorten and the farmers are busy gathering their crops in from the fields, we take a look at what is grown in Scotland and the traditions associated with this special time of year.

In this episode the Blethers reflect on their careers in education and contest this disparaging adage which questions the competence of teachers. A lot of memories, pride and humour across all sectors of the education scene in Scotland. Listen in to this week’s episode. We may be guides now but once a teacher, always a teacher!

While the Highlands have their Games and the Borders have their Riding of the Marches , the communities of  the mining towns and fishing villages of central Scotland come together for their annual Gala Day. Some claim that the origins lie in the celebrations of the crowds that gathered at the gallows to witness a “guid hanging” while in more recent times they were a day of cheer in the otherw...

This week we continue the Sir Walter Scott theme as we chat about his beloved home on the banks of the River Tweed. With money pouring in from his writing he was able to indulge his artistic passions and build a castle-in-miniature embellishing with what he called "antiquarian old-womanries". The perfect host, he loved to welcome famous people from around the world into his home. Today visitors to...

August marks the birth of one of Scotland's most successful writers and in this week's episode we blether about his life, his influences, his work, his achievements and the impact he had on creating the image of Scotland that many think of today. Neither of us claim to be experts on his work... but when have we ever let that get in the way of a good blether? 

As pupils across Scotland prepare to return to school. Susan joins us to look back at what it was like getting ready for the return in our day. Machines that X-rayed your feet and pneumatic tubes that sick up your cash. Hear all about it in this week's episode.

While Helen made memories with her grandchildren exploring local gems on a staycation Liz travelled further afield to the wonderful Western Isles of Lewis and Harris. From the scent of the lavender fields to the silver sand and translucent waters of Hebridean beaches - we recount our adventures. There's even a parrot and hidden treasure! Listen in to find out more.   

As the delayed 2020 Olympic Games finally get underway in Tokyo we celebrate Scottish Olympian success, past and present. 55 Scottish athletes across a wide range of events are competing as part of Team GB - the largest representation ever. Meanwhile a significant proportion of the nation's population share these Olympian dreams from the comfort of their arm chairs. The highs and lows, cheers an t...

This week we continue with the summer vibe and take you on a tour of some of our favourite Scottish beaches. With over 6,000 miles of coastline on the mainland - nearly double if you include the islands - we're spoilt for choice. Listen in as we reminisce about translucent water, singing sands and sporting playgrounds.    

This week the Blethers team are back to full strength as Susan joins us for an update. We chat about our own individual experiences as Scotland gradually returns to a "new normal". Discussions range from Airb&b to the state of our High Streets and if you'd like to know what a "scaffy wagon" is then listen in to this week's episode.  

Royal Week and Wimbledon Fortnight may be past but the summer theme continues. In this week's episode we rake a wee daunder  down memory lane and reminisce about what we got up to during the school holidays. Punch and Judy, Seaside Misssions and Knickerbocker Glories - remember any of these? 

It's July. It's Summer. One of the highlights of the social calendar in Scotland is Holyrood Week where the Queen accompanied by members of the Royal family makes her annual visit to celebrate achievements and recognise individual contributions. Meanwhile its also Wimbledon Fortnight and the nation is gripped by tennis fever. Join us as we discuss the week past.     

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...

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 hat...

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 co...

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 a...

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.  

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 ho...

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...

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.   

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. 

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 underst...