Scottish Blethers

We reflect on some of the many links he developed with Scotland over the course of his remarkable life, and reminisce about our own experiences of the man his grandson Harry called a "Legend of Banter". 

Tartan Day is a global celebration of Scottish Heritage, but how did it originate and why is it celebrated on 6th April each year? Find out the answers to these questions, and much more besides, on this week's episode of Scottish Blethers Podcast.

As the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh is revealed as Scotland's top tourist attraction in 2020, we take a tour around some of Scotland's myriad of gardens. From the big blockbusters to the hidden gems, from art gardens to works of a lifetime, with spring in the air there's no better topic to blether about. 

Last week saw Scottish Blethers focus on tea - which puts us in the mood for cake! In this week's episode we explore some of the many regional cakes to be found across Scotland- from Kirriemur Gingerbread to Ecclefechan Tarts. In particular, we focus on the little national treasure, the Tunnock's Teacake. Before anyone asks- yes it definitely is a cake not a biscuit!

This week we explore the animated films of Norman McLaren who counted Pablo Picasso amongst his greatest fans. Everything stops for tea as we reflect on Scotland’s favourite beverage. Finally, we celebrate the 70th birthday of Dennis the Menace and reminisce about the era of the weekly comic.

March is Women's History Month and in this week’s episode we mark the contribution of three Scottish women of substance. Mary Slessor left behind her work in the jute mills of Dundee to travel as a missionary to Nigeria where she did much to advance the rights of women and children. Catherine Herbert, Countess of Dunmore was born at the other end of the social scale and is credited with bringing H...

In this episode we blether about The Enchanted Forest community led sound and light show in Pitlochry that takes place every October, the allure of the Scottish kilt and the beauty of the Scottish mountain hare. We post additional content during the week on our  social media. Connect with us on instagram and facebook at @scottishblethers and let us know of any requests, comments or suggestion...

It's the first episode of the month so that means only one thing - a favourites episode ! We discuss all sorts of islands across Scotland and hopefully whet your appetite to want to google images of them - but we'll be putting some up on social media through the week as well.

In this week’s episode we take a stroll through Scone Palace in Perthshire, consider the many buildings that enhance Scotland’s landscape with no obvious function (called Follies) and end with an introduction to The Roaring Game also known as Curling or Chess on Ice. We post additional content during the week on our  social media. Connect with us on instagram and facebook at @scottishblethers...

In honour of St Valentine's Day, we run through songs by Scottish artists about Love - whether that be for yourself, another or the place you live. We post additional content during the week on our  social media. Connect with us on instagram and facebook at @scottishblethers and let us know of any requests, comments or suggestions. If you this enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on your po...

This week we continue to weave our way through the rich tapestry that is Scotland as we discuss our international reputation for textiles, the fascination held by our highest mountains and the unusual choice of the unicorn as our national animal. We post additional content during the week on our  social media. Connect with us on instagram and facebook at @scottishblethers and let us know of a...

We've got a wee bonus for you ! Susan interviewed Alisdair Fleming as a wee teaser ahead of her Virtual Tour of St Kilda on 11th Feb at 8pm GMT / 3pm EST/ noon PT.  St Kilda is 40 nautical miles from the nearest other land mass (Outer Hebrides) and was voluntarily evacuated in 1930 when the subsistence style of living was no longer viable.  Alisdair's family roots go back to St Kilda fro...

Welcome to Episode 20 - we are as surprised as all of you that we have made it this far !  In this episode we discuss all types of Scottish (not just Scotch) pies, the fabulous pre-history of Kilmartin Glen (a request from a lovely listener - was it Linda?) and the joy of Glasgow patter i.e. Glaswegian accents and phrases. We have also branched out into Virtual Tours that are delivered every...

Burns Day - a special day in the Scottish Calendar, 25th January.  Burns Day, when everyone eats haggis and starts toasting one other! Now the Blethers ladies are no aficionados on Scottish poet & national treasure Robert Burns, but since when did that stop them putting in their tuppence worth? Join us for this episode when our chat will be about whether or not Burns is still relevant for...

Welcome to episode 18 where we discuss The Burrell Collection , Scottish gold and Scottish boiled sweeties (candies for our American cousins). We post additional content during the week on our  social media. Connect with us on instagram and facebook at @scottishblethers and let us know of any requests, comments or suggestions. Help us spread the (Scots) word and share us with your friends. If...

Just before Christmas Liz interviewed master storyteller Lynn Barbour of Peatfire Tales in Stromness, Orkney. Lynn talks about the fusion of languages and cultures that have been woven into the tapestry of folklore that is such an important part of Orkney life. She shares with us some of the stories and characters of Orcadian culture including Yule which was important in Norse culture and fell on...

We're back ! After a wee break from recording over the Festive Season, we're all revved up and ready to go. In this episode we talk about the current lockdown in Scotland and look forward to what will be happening in 2021 and our wishes for the year. We post additional content during the week on our  social media. Connect with us on instagram and facebook at @scottishblethers and let us know...

In this episode we delve into the National Health Service in Scotland and explain a little about public and private healthcare before heading on to talk about the Knights Templar in Scotland, said to have been involved in Robert the Bruce's success at Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.  Our third topic is Irn Bru our other national drink - just ask any Scot. As always we finish with our Scots wor...

As we are having our Christmas Party via Zoom on Wednesday 9th Dec, our normal Blether has been replaced by an interview Liz did with the wonderful Glynis Ross of Leault Farm and sheepdogs.  It is a must do visit of any trip to Scotland.  We will be posting photos of our regular trips to Leault Farm on our Scottish Blethers social media during the week, make sure to check out our faceboo...

This is the first episode of December and so it’s time for a “My Favourite” edition. This time we take a look at lochs. 2020 has been Visit Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters and the theme is set to be rolled forward into 2021 as the nation continues to celebrate our vast array of lochs, waterways, islands and coastlines. With over 30,000 freshwater lochs - not to mention the fjords or sea lochs...

As this episode airs we are approaching St Andrew’s Day on the 30th of November - Scotland’s official national day. We explore the story behind the man and what led to him being adopted as the patron saint of Scotland - amongst other things including gout! This leads in turn to the Saltire and how it came to be the official flag of Scotland and a visible symbol of our identity. We conclude with a...

In this episode we look at the island archipelago of St Kilda that was evacuated 90 years ago.  We blether about sheep, of which there are over six million in Scotland and lastly, we discuss one of the first heroes of Scottish engineering and infrastructure, Thomas Telford.  As always, we finish our 30-minute blether with our Scots words of the episode. Drop us a message on instagram on...

We wanted to do a couple of special interviews to mark Book Week Scotland from 16-22 November 2020. In this second bonus interview, Helen talks to Shona who is the Glasgow Book Fairy - one of a network across the world.  What does a Book Fairy do ?  You'll have to listen to find out more !

It is Scottish Book Week 16-22 November 2020 and Susan talks to author Mark Bridgeman, who resides in Highland Perthshire, about his books, blog and other projects he is working on. Mark's first book ‘The River Runs Red’ was published in September 2019. A history of true crime in Highland Perthshire, the book proved an immediate success. Following on from ‘The River Runs Red’ came ‘Blood Beneath B...

In this episode we reflect on those who fell in two World Wars and subsequent conflicts. We revisit the ancient people of Scotland and the buildings they left on the landscape. We rediscover one of our most loved of indigenous species - the Highland Cow. Join Liz, Helen and Susan, all Blue Badge qualified Scottish Tourist Guides, in our weekly Scottish Blethers podcast as we discuss 3 different to...