Scotcast

If you’re interested in this episode you might also like https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002yvv1 - The tax guru dumped by Swinney’s government Tax expert Dan Neidle has been making headlines for suggesting that Scotland’s taxing of very high earners could be costing the public purse. Martin speaks to Laurie McFarlane (pictured) from Future Economy Scotland about why that might not be the case,...

If you’re interested in this episode you might also like https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0p0pr05 Michael Marra (pictured) has announced that he will stand to become leader of the Scottish Labour Party, following Monica Lennon (also pictured), who announced her candidacy on Sunday. Martin is joined by the Daily Record’s political editor Paul Hutcheon and the BBC’s David Wallace Lockhart to discu...

A group of rebel monks in Orkney has been punished by the Catholic Church after appointing a bishop without the approval of Pope Leo XIV (pictured). BBC Orkney’s Rob Flett and Ian Dunn, former editor of The Scottish Catholic magazine, tell us all about the traditionalist order known as The Sons of the Holy Redeemer. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geis...

If you're interested in this episode, you may also like 'Who'll replace Anas Sarwar?' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0p054d6 Scottish Labour's Monica Lennon (pictured) is unexpectedly returning to the Scottish Parliament after Anas Sarwar quit Holyrood for the House of Lords. We ask her whether she's interested in succeeding Sarwar as party leader as well as an MSP. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scott...

If you're interested in this episode, you may also like 'Who'll replace Anas Sarwar?' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0p054d6 David talks to former Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross and ex-Labour MSP Paul O’Kane about the Scottish Labour leadership race triggered by Anas Sarwar leaving Holyrood for the House of Lords; and Andy Burnham’s first week as Prime Minister. Scotcast is the BBC'...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like 'Were our World Cup woes really Steve Clarke's fault?' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0nvm91w The 2026 Commonwealth Games open in Glasgow on Thursday 23 July, with 3,000 athletes from 74 nations competing across the city. We ask Glasgow 2026 CEO, Phil Batty (pictured), why he believes his slimmed-down, cut-price version of the event can s...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Where it went wrong for Anas Sarwar’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0nkg6y2 Anas Sarwar (pictured) is set to accept a seat in the House of Lords and a role in Andy Burnham’s UK Government. We talk about the likely contenders vying to succeed Sarwar as Scottish Labour leader. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is ho...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘GB Energy: We CAN bring bills down’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002x589 A large wildfire has been burning in the Cairngorms for almost a week. We ask fire expert Rory Hadden of Edinburgh University and the BBC’s Kevin Keane why wildfires are a growing problem. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Mart...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Andy Burnham (in his own words) on indyref2’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0ntvw95 Andy Burnham has promised to “rewire” the UK after replacing Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister. The BBC’s Glenn Campbell helps us dissect an interview he did with Burnham in 2022, covering Scottish independence and devolution beyond Holyrood. Scotcast is...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like 'Anne McAlpine: I’m not angry at my stalker' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002r3ct Shona Robison was Deputy First Minister and Finance Secretary before standing down as an SNP MSP at the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections. She talks to us about her stalking ordeal; the leadership style of her friend Nicola Sturgeon; and the crimes of her...

David, Lynsey and Paul Hutcheon from the Planet Holyrood podcast talk about the prospect of Ed Miliband and Shabana Mahmood (both pictured) making Andy Burnham’s cabinet; the Scottish Government’s decision to axe its Tax Advisory Group; and the pitfalls of politicians discussing football. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode of the Politics Show is hosted by David Wallace Lock...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like 'A Dundee girl, an axe and a man guilty of assault' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002xqlm What is driving the recent spate of street demonstrations in suburbs of Glasgow and beyond? We ask the University of Aberdeen’s Dr Judith Sijsterman, who has been researching far-right movements in Scotland. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podca...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘GB Energy: We CAN bring bills down’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002x589 Energy industry bodies and trade unions have written to Labour MPs seeking support for more exploration of North Sea oil and gas. We talk to the BBC’s David Wallace Lockhart and Kevin Keane about the prospective prime minister Andy Burnham’s likely approach to ene...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘How to create wealth - The Economy Debate’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0ncnnpg Tax expert Dan Neidle (pictured) was a member of the Scottish Government’s Tax Advisory Group (and thought he still was when he first spoke to us). The founder of Tax Policy Associates explains how he discovered John Swinney’s ministers had axed the group...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Could Scotland tap into the AI goldrush?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002qgvt There are plans to build 24 hyperscale data centres across Scotland, many on greenfield sites. Scotcast’s Rebecca Tierney reflects on her visit to Auchtertool, where a proposal for the world’s second biggest data centre has been submitted, and The Guardian’s...

David and Paris talk about the Clacton by-election featuring Count Binface and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage (both pictured); Restore Britain leader Rupert Lowe’s Dunblane comments; and the future of Al Carns after the MP finally ruled himself out of the Labour leadership contest. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by David Wallace Lockhart and features the BBC’s P...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Rape trials: a victim’s view’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002tn4y Councillors in Inverness voted for a rapist taxi driver to keep his operator’s licence. Martin Geissler speaks to the Press and Journal’s Louise Glen about why - and what it says about attitudes towards women’s safety. And Lorna Walker from the Govan Law Centre, who rep...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like Malcolm Offord: I can be a Reform First Minister: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002n9d4 . Nigel Farage will resign as an MP for Clacton, triggering a by-election which he says he will stand in. Martin Geissler and the BBC’s David Wallace Lockhart dissect the Reform leader’s speech. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. Get in touch...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Wings over Scotland: why I’m not done with the Peter Murrell case' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002y8xq The police are looking into a claim that more than £1.5 million was unaccounted for in Yes Scotland’s company accounts. Martin Geissler speaks to the BBC’s Lynsey Bews about who made the claim and what could happen next. Scotcast is...

Scotland’s first gull ranger has been hired in Eyemouth to improve relations between humans and the birds. Laura Miller is joined by Scotcast’s Rebecca Tierney to hear about her trip to the seaside town, and gull expert Dr Viola Ross-Smith tells Laura why she thinks seagulls are part of the culture wars. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

This week, Andy Burnham (pictured) announced plans to expand the prime minister’s office to Manchester and create a 'No. 10 North' as part of a 'rewired Britain' if he becomes Labour leader. David talks to former SNP MP Stewart McDonald and former Labour adviser James Matthewson about how Burnham’s devolution plans are being received in Scotland, the delayed defence investment plan and Kate Forbes...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also be interested in ‘Rape trials - a victim’s view’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002tn4y The Crown Office has admitted in court that it was an ‘error of judgement’ not to prosecute the footballer David Goodwillie for rape back in 2011. In 2017, a civil court found Goodwillie and his teammate David Robertson to be rapists and liars. The woman wh...

Shetland’s islands could soon be connected by undersea tunnel after councillors backed the initial plans to replace ageing ferries and link Shetland’s mainland to Yell and Yell to Unst. Martin Geissler speaks to Andy Sloan, executive vice president at engineering firm COWI, and the BBC’s David Henderson about whether tunnels are a viable alternative to Scotland’s whole ferry network. Scotcast is t...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002x3yc Pro-independence blog Wings Over Scotland raised concerns about the SNP’s finances in 2020, several years before Peter Murrell (pictured) was prosecuted for embezzling more than £400,000 of SNP funds. Martin speaks to the man behind the site, Stuart Campbell, about his role in uncovering the scandal,...

If you're interested in this episode, you may also like: 'A pundit's ref rants and a Hampden ban' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002v9kv Head coach Steve Clarke (pictured) has resigned following Scotland's group stage exit from the 2026 World Cup. We ask the BBC's Chris McLaughlin why another major tournament campaign ended in disappointment - and who is in the frame to succeed Clarke. Scotcas...