Scots Whay Hae!

For the latest podcast, we went to Edinburgh to meet writer Rebecca Monks in the very apt Circus Cafe and talk about the forthcoming Fringe play Tyke, which is based on a tragic and true tale. He also speaks to co-directors Madison Maylin and Madeleine Cunningham on the phone to learn about the practicalities of staging the show. You can learn more about Tyke at https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/...

In our latest podcast Ali talks to Japan based Scottish novelist Iain Maloney - in the pub. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, the chat was a fascinating and illuminating one. Iain was just about to start a whirlwind book tour of the UK to promote his third novel, The Waves Burn Bright, but thankfully took time out to talk to Scots Whay Hae! about that book, his previous work, his life as a w...

For the latest podcast Ali caught up with musician and poet Roy Moller to talk about the forthcoming Dunbar CoastWord Festival. You can read the full details of the programme at http://www.coastword.co.uk/, but Roy gives you the insider information you just won't get elsewhere, and talks about the festival's genesis and ethos. If you're not booking your tickets by the time the podcast ends, we wil...

After a short Spring break the Scots Whay Hae! podcast is back for Series 3 with a whole new line-up of guests and themed specials for your pleasure. This first episode sees Ali head down Leith Walk to talk with Sean Ormsby and Stephen McLaren from Edinburgh record label Errant Media. They talk about the pleasure of collaboration, the importance of songs, and why melancholy and euphoria are the pe...

After a year off, the Scots Whay Hae! annual Burnscast returns in style with Ali and Ian joined by our very own Ronnie Young to talk all things Rabbie, particularly the Futurelearn on-line course, “Robert Burns: Poets, Songs & Legacy”, which is open to all, and is entirely free. You can hear all about it on the podcast, but further details can be found at https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/robert...

For our “Best of 2015” podcast, Ian and Ali were joined by regular, Chris Ward, and Scottish music man, Wesley Shearer (manager for Campfires In Winter, Michael Cassidy and I Am David Laing) to talk about what floated their collective boats in the last 12 months. Add in the usual festive missive from friend of SWH!, Ronnie Young, and you end up with an epic podcast which approaches the 2 hour mark...

In the latest podcast, Ali talks to writers Graham Lironi and Graeme Macrae Burnet about their latest novels (Oh Marina Girl and His Bloody Project respectively), both of which have been published on Saraband Books crime imprint, Contraband. They discuss crime fiction and subverting readers’ expectations, genre fiction and the problem with labels, the importance of editing, unreliable narration, t...

In the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast, Ali talks to broadcaster, journalist and TV executive Stuart Cosgrove about his terrific new book Detroit 67: The Year That Changed Soul. As Stuart explains, it's so much more than a book on music, and what follows is a fascinating chat about how Detroit in 1967 influenced and reflected America and the times.

Ali was in Edinburgh for some Festival shenanigans but took time out to talk to SWH! favourite Doug Johnstone to talk about his new novel 'The Jump'. A difficult novel to discuss in terms of plot, the chat concentrates on the themes in the novel, family dramas, domestic noir, the best use of research and the importance of being honest. As a sort of bonus extra, Doug also gives his advice to all th...

Scots Whay Hae! recently made the trip to the World Heritage Site that is New Lanark for their inaugural Live At New Lanark music festival to listen to the tunes and talk to the musicians. This podcast is the result of our day, and features M.E.G, Steven Telfer, Light Arrows, Patersani, Fingerhalo Kelvin, The Begbies and more. The festival was a celebration of the best Scottish music, and it was a...

In the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast, Ian and Ali are joined by Stuart and Karn David. It's a timely chat as we discuss Stuart's recent book In The All-Night Cafe about the early days of Belle and Sebastian, as well as Looper's handsome 5 CD box-set, These Things, which has just been released. However, as usual we stray from topics to talk about such diverse things as the art of letter writing, m...

For the latest podcast Ian and Ali headed east to talk to The Corries’ Ronnie Browne about his recently published autobiography. What unfolds is one of the most entertaining podcasts yet as Ronnie talks about his young life in Edinburgh, his career as an artist, the strength he gained from his family life, and, of course, his time as one of Scotland’s most iconic musicians. But, as Ronnie makes cl...

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