Scottish Independence Podcasts

The Scottish currency Group conference took place over 2 days in Dunfermline on 21st and 22nd September 2024. We were there for both days of fascinating presentations from an impressive and internationally diverse group of experts in their various fields.  In this podcast, Fiona and Marlene share 12 of the insights we gained from the discussions. We hope they will whet your interest to find out mo...

Bonus episode - our latest Hot Topic episode looks at Trump's victory in the US elections. Fiona and Marlene are joined in the studio by Bill Ramsay and Isobel Lindsay to share our immediate reactions to Trump's victory and consider the likely impact on the situation in Ukraine, for NATO and for the wider world.  The Scottish Independence Podcasts team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday se...

A bonus episode from the recent Scottish Currency Group conference.  Dr Tim Rideout explains the process for introducing a Scottish Currency and the likely timescales for implementation. You can find out more from his website here https://www.reservebank.scot/ The Scottish Currency Group is also active on Facebook.   The Scottish Independence Podcasts team produce a NEW podcast episode every Frida...

One of the events marking 10 years since the Scottish Independence Referendum was a conference "2014 - 2024 Scottish Independence and the British State 10 Years On".  The event was held on 14th September at Glasgow Caledonian University and was organised by the group Conter.   Part One of our coverage of that conference was an interview with Liam McLaughlan who delivered the opening speech.   This...

Podcast version of this month's Livestream chat with Indypodcasters Fiona and Marlene and our guest Lynne.  Topics covered include: Alex Salmond's death Council of Regions and Nations Winter fuel payments GB Energy Scottish Visa proposals and various other snippets that caught our attention this month. You can also watch the video version on our Youtube channel here https://www.youtube.com/live/KE...

We chat to Scottish independence campaigner Liam McLaughlan who we first came across when he stood as Scottish Socialist Party candidate for Glasgow East in the General election. Liam is a veteran of the legendary Radical Independence Campaign in 2014 and last month he gave the opening speech at a conference organised by left wing anti establishment group Conter to mark the 10 year anniversary of...

Second of our two part mini series on the 1820 Radical Uprising.  Part 1 covers the events leading up to the Uprising and the Radical War which followed.  You can find it here https://scottishindypod.scot/scottish-history/1820-radical-uprising/   and we would recommend you listen to that episode first. This episode covers the courtroom drama of the trials of the Radicals and their eventual fate, b...

Scotland has practically the largest units of local government in the world.  An average Scottish council has 175,000 people compared to an average across the EU of 10,000.  There seems to be widespread consensus that something needs to be done about the over-centralisation of Scotland, but little agreement about what that should be. A group of individuals from a range of backgrounds - activists,...

In this month's livestream Indypodcasters Marlene, Fiona and Lynne reflect on the Believe in Scotland 10th anniversary rally and other indy events, whether marches have had their day, the Labour party's disastrous first 2 months in power and how the the SNP is adjusting to life as a minority government. With clips, chat and listeners comments, we hope this brings a flavour of events in September 2...

On the 10th anniversary of Scotland's Independence Referendum film maker Charlie Stuart has released his tribute to the grassroots campaigners who refuse to give up!   We chat to Charlie about the making of the film and his thoughts on the campaign a decade after the indyref. You can watch Charlie's film "Still Yes"  here: https://youtu.be/M_5hQM_NRAg?si=4DXHh1bAmsfIWOxM The Scottish Independence...

On 18th September 2024 we marked the 10th anniversary of the historic first Scottish Independence Referendum, Indyref for short.  During a passionate and exhilarating campaign, support for the Yes side grew from around 30% to over 50% before settling back at 45% on the day of the vote.  In the words of Professor Sir John Curtace, the Yes side lost the vote but we won the campaign.  Support for ind...

10 years on from the Independence Referendum we catch up with "artist, writer and deviant collagist" Greg Moodie. Greg's artwork and cartoons were iconic elements of the 2014 campaign and he has continued to produce political commentary in the guise of humour ever since. Greg has a new book out this month called The Unbearable Stupidity of Being which you can get from his website at https://gregmo...

After weeks of violent outbreaks in England, the far right racist contingent tried to bring their poison to Glasgow's George Square last weekend. Glasgow was having none of it and organised an anti racist demonstration which drew a far bigger crowd than the racists could muster. We reflect on the event with our guests Bill Ramsay and Isobel Lindsay and consider whether Scotland's distinctive natio...

Part 1 of a 2 part episode this week as Fiona and Marlene go on the trail of the Radical Uprising of 1820, with the help of historian Tom Dowds.   What we found is a fascinating tale of plots, intrigue, government spies, revolution and Scottish radicals dreaming of democracy and the creation of a Scottish Government. To be continued..... Look out for Part 2 next month. Tom Dowds' book "Scotland Fr...

We chat to Tim Rideout and Ian Stewart about the Scottish Currency Group Conference coming up on 21st and 22nd of September and the exciting line up of guest speakers.    Online and In Person tickets are available from Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/scottish-currency-group-conference-tickets-965256055847?aff=ebdssbdestsearch Hope to see you there!   The Scottish Independence Podca...

Indypodcasters Fiona and Marlene mull over August's events with guest Lynne Dougan in our Livestream for August 2024.   We share some of our escapades this month - Lynne was at Elgin, Fiona got stuck in the mud, Marlene celebrated Ukraine Day.   We also cover the Winter Fuel Payment debacle - Marlene has the stats! As Rachel Reeves perfects her eye roll, we delve into electricity prices here and i...

It is 79 years since the nuclear and atomic bombs were dropped on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan.   Every year Scottish CND organises events to commemorate this anniversary.   Indypodcasters Fiona and Marlene were invited to record the Glasgow even at the peace tree in the grounds of Kelvingrove Art Gallery.  It was a moving, yet uplifting event with songs and wonderful speakers sha...

The Battle of Falkirk took place on 22nd July 1298 and was a tragic loss for the Scots under William Wallace.  His comrade Sir John de Graham, or Graeme, died in the battle and is buried at Trinity church in Falkirk. The De Graeme Society organise an annual commemoration of the battle and the brave Scots who gave their lives defending our freedom.   This year's event, whilst a moving occasion, was...

Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp is our guest for the second episode in our new series of podcasts on the theme of A National Conversation for Scotland.   Gordon is head of campaigning organisation Believe in Scotland and he joined Indypodcasters Marlene and Fiona in the studio to talk about ambitious plans for a Scottish Citizens' Convention. Topics covered include: 00:00:27   What is a Citizens' Convention...

Part 1 of our new podcast series A National Conversation for Scotland . Following the shockwaves from the General Election result, we decided to revisit the topic of a national conversation for Scotland, starting with a fresh look at the conversation we had with Leanne Wood about the Welsh Constitutional Commission. In this episode we revisit that conversation and consider what ideas and opportuni...

This month saw the 750th anniversary of the birth of one of Scotland's greatest heroes, Robert the Bruce.   In this episode, filmed mainly on location in Bannockburn, we draw from three different accounts of the Bruce's most famous battle and attempt to pinpoint the most likely sites of the different phases of the battle.  We also examine the military and strategic genius of a man whose plans for...

Following the election results earlier this month, indypodcasters Fiona and Marlene invited guest and friend of the podcast Lynne Dougan into our studio for a chat.  Lynne was at the count of the Alloa and Grangemouth constituency and gives us some behind the scenes insights as to what goes on through the night of an election. This episode was originally broadcast live on our YT channel and you ca...

Indypodcasters Fiona and Marlene were delighted to take part in a panel discussion which took place after Edinburgh Women for Independence group's AGM in June.  The format was: 00:01:09  Sam Page from Yes for EU on the topic of reasons to rejoin the EU 00:08:42   Ruth Ritchie on behalf of Believe in Scotland on the topic of grassroots activism 00:16:42    Marlene Halliday from Pensioners for Indy...

Why did Graeme McCormick decide to stand in the SNP leadership contest and why did he then withdraw his candidacy to allow John Swinney to be elected unopposed?  We last chatted to Graeme McCormick in September 2023 about his proposals to dissolve the UK union and how that might come about (you can listen to that episode here https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-axz4k-14a2c72 ) Since then, Graeme has st...

As we enter the last week of the General election campaign trail, Marlene and Fiona chat to Indy supporters at the Bannockburn rally - and find a mixed set of views! We also consider what the turnout might be and whether people are sufficiently disenchanted with the election campaign that they will abstain, or spoil their ballots and what practical effect this has. We spill the beans on the cost o...