Simply Scottish

Discover the remarkable story of one of Scotland's most successful businessmen, Sir Thomas Lipton. In part 1, we profile Lipton's rise from assistant in his parents' store in Glasgow to overseer of a grocery market empire with over 300 stores all over Great Britain! We reveal the secrets of his success and the innovative methods he used to make his company a household name. Why did he move to the...

This episode features more finalists from our Moment in Scottish History contest, highlighting key events in Scotland's history. Discover how the Scottish Highlands changed forever with a look at the Battle of Culloden and the Highland Clearances. We'll also revisit the moment Skara Brae was discovered, one of the oldest prehistoric settlements in Europe. Other moments include George IV's visit to...

Take a journey through Scotland's history on this episode of Simply Scottish, featuring finalists from our Moment in Scottish History Contest. What happened to Rome's 9th Legion after they marched into the wild lands of Caledonia? Learn about the famed footprint at Dunadd, seat of the ancient kings of Dalriada. Discover the significance of Dun Nechtain and Athelstaneford, two key battles in early...

Enjoy a great selection of Scottish poems and songs in part 3 of our series! Learn more about the fiery poet, editor, and political activist Hugh MacDiarmid and how he revived interest and awareness in the Scots language and Scottish literature. Hear MacDiarmid read from "The Kind of Poetry I Want" during a visit to New York in 1969 and enjoy a selection of his work. You'll also meet Robert Servic...

Perhaps no country has been influenced by the Scots more than Canada. On this episode, learn the fascinating story of the Scots who helped build early Canada. You'll meet Simon McTavish, founder of the North West Company, who at one time controlled a majority of the fur trade business in the Canadian territories. We'll look at the expeditions of Alexander MacKenzie, the first explorer to blaze a t...

To understand the famous highlander Rob Roy, you must first understand the times in which he lived. On this episode of Simply Scottish, we separate the man from the myth. Discover the troubling period of Scottish history into which Rob was born, including the story of the covenanters and the conflict between king and church. Learn more about the clan system and how Rob Roy quickly gained a reputat...

Hailed as the biggest band since The Beatles, the Bay City Rollers became global sensations in the mid-1970s with their bubblegum pop and tartan trousers. Learn more about their journey through stardom on this episode of Simply Scottish, another Scottish Three. Along with rollermania, we'll also look at Scottish mathematician John Napier, whose contributions to mathematics include logarithms and a...

On this episode of Simply Scottish, teacher, naturalist and writer Jack Nisbet discusses the life and legacy of 19th century Scottish botanist David Douglas. In a short but eventful career, Douglas collected and introduced to Europe over 200 plant species, including the Douglas Fir for which he is named. Nisbet is author of two books on Douglas - 2009's The Collector and 2012's David Douglas: A Na...

Although the origins of golf are widely debated, the game developed and matured in Scotland. On this episode of Simply Scottish, the latest in our Sport in Scotland series, we explore the history of golf. Learn how golf advanced from a short stick and ball pastime to the majestic game it is today. Discover golf's greats with our profiles of past and present players, including Old Tom Morris, Dorot...

For almost 800 years, the only way to cross the Firth of Forth between Edinburgh and Fife was by ferry boat. In 1890, the Forth Rail Bridge opened, a marvel of Victorian era engineering. Learn about this majestic landmark and how it revolutionized transportation between the lowlands and highlands of Scotland. We'll also look at the Forth Road Bridge, an essential transit link for central Scotland,...

Enjoy a short history of Scotland in film on this episode of Simply Scottish. From the earliest depiction of Scotland in 1895 to the cutting-edge animation behind Disney/Pixar’s Brave in 2012, we look at over a century of movies set in Scotland and the actors and filmmakers who brought them to life. Learn about Scotland’s contribution to early cinema and find out how a homegrown film industry deve...

Take another trip to Scotland's Borders in the concluding episode of our series exploring this beautiful region of Scotland! Visit border towns like Selkirk, Jedburgh, Kelso, and Eyemouth. Find out where William Wallace was named Guardian of Scotland and learn more about the Battle of Flodden, one of Scotland's bloodiest conflicts. We'll also visit Berwick-Upon-Tweed, whose colorful history is sym...

Discover the majesty of Scotland's Borders in part two of our series! On this episode, we pay a visit to Abbotsford House, the inspiring home of Sir Walter Scott. We'll also take a closer look at the beautifully preserved ruins of Melrose Abbey and the charming town of Melrose that lies around it. Then on to Galashiels and the Yarrow Valley, where you'll meet two more of the border region's famous...

An introduction to Scotland's Borders on this episode of Simply Scottish, the first in a series. From sweeping valleys and heather-clad moorlands to emerald forests and rocky coastline, the Borders is a land of contrasting beauty. Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott loved this part of Scotland and paid homage to it in a number of his poems and novels. Learn more about Scott's life and work and discov...

What's in a name? On this episode of Simply Scottish, discover the history behind the name Caledonia. Did you know the Romans never conquered Scotland despite numerous attempts? They just couldn't subdue the Caledonii, a fierce Pictish tribe occupying the wild lands of Caledonia. Learn their story and find out the many different ways the name is used today, from football teams to exotic islands. P...

A conversation with the artist and storyteller behind Disney/Pixar's animated film Brave on this episode of Simply Scottish! Discover the inspiration behind Chapman's idea of a Scottish fairytale and how she helped bring the movie to life! With 1998's The Prince of Egypt, Chapman broke new ground in Hollywood as the first female director of a major animated motion picture. She's worked on several...

The Father of America's National Parks is the subject of this episode! Enjoy an intimate look at John Muir, born and raised in Dunbar, whose passion for and undying commitment to the natural world caused millions to look at nature in a new light. Discover one of the animal stories Muir loved as a child in Scotland. Find out about the work accident that changed his life. Learn why he turned down a...

Learn things you never knew about tartan on this episode of Simply Scottish! Did you know America's FBI has its own tartan? Or that there was once a time when Highlanders were put in prison for wearing their plaid? Find out which tartan has been to the moon and back and discover more of the history, significance, and global appeal of tartan! All this plus great music from Salsa Celtica, Andy Stewa...

What's a wulver? Find out in part 3 of our series on Scottish Myths & Legends, in celebration of the Disney/Pixar movie Brave! Learn more about Scotland's famous coronation stone, the Stone of Destiny. Can it be traced all the way back to Biblical times? Was it brought to Scotland by Scoti, an Egyptian princess? We'll also discuss the life of 13th century laird and prophet Thomas the Rhymer, a...

More of Scotland's myths and legends in part two of our series celebrating the Disney/Pixar animated movie Brave! Did you know a spider may have been responsible for Scotland securing its independence from Edward I of England? Find out how as we explore a famous legend of Robert the Bruce. And was King Arthur and Camelot actually based on Scottish history? We'll look at where the historical eviden...

Join us as we celebrate the release of Disney/Pixar's animated movie Brave with a look at Scotland's folklore, myths, and legends. In part one of a series, find out about the mythological creatures that inhabit Scottish lochs and rivers, including the kelpie, the selkie, and loch monsters like Nessie. We'll also look at the translations of Scottish poet James MacPherson, who gathered together frag...

Enjoy more verse from Scotland’s poets in part two of our Scottish Poetry & Song series. Hear selections from Scottish National Poet Liz Lochhead, appointed Scots Makar for 2011-2016. We’ll also share work from Alasdair Paterson and Christian Milne. Our poetic journey will take us into that glorious space of learning and inspiration we call the library. We’ll get a teacher’s perspective on kid...

Highland gatherings with games, piping, and dancing have been a Scottish clan tradition for centuries. On this episode of Simply Scottish, the first part of an ongoing series on Sport in Scotland, learn more about the history of highland games within Scotland and beyond. Discover the connection between highland games and the modern Olympic Games. You'll also enjoy new music from Dean Owens, the Pa...

From milkman to megastar, Scottish actor Sean Connery is the subject of the latest episode in our series profiling Famous Scots. We discuss some of his best films, as well as the ones he never appeared in! Did you know Connery almost had a career as a professional footballer? Find out how and hear a great selection of music from Julie Fowlis, The Proclaimers, Florie Brown, and more, plus a rare re...

Visit landmarks of Scotland’s history on this episode of Simply Scottish. Discover the work of Historic Scotland as we journey to two of the top historic attractions in Scotland today – the magnificent ruins of Linlithgow Palace and the breathtaking prehistoric village of Skara Brae, a World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved Neolithic villages in Western Europe. All this plus great music...