Scots Whay Hae!

The final podcast for this year is our roundup of the Best Music of 2020, where Ali is joined by Richard Bull, the producer of BBC Radio Scotland's Roddy Hart Show. They each pick 10 releases to talk about, but take a few detours and diversions along the way. We hope you enjoy their musical memories of the past 12 months, and find something of enough interest to investigate further.

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali spoke to artists Frances Macdonald and Ross Ryan about their current exhibition at The Scottish Gallery in Edinburgh. Frances and Ross are mother and son, so the exhibition's title of A Family Affair is apt. They explain their working methods, how the were first drawn to art, how they approached this collaborative exhibition, the importance of their home in Argyll i...

In the year when cinemas were closed for most of it, and films schedules were pushed back to who knows when, you might think it would be tough to talk about the Best Films of 2020 for any length of time. Well think again, as Chris, Wesley, and Ali reunite for their annual chat about their favourite movies of the past 12 months. Picking five each, they share their enthusiasm for films you may have...

This year was such a great one for Scottish writing that we had to split our Best Books of 2020 podcast into two parts to allow time for everything we had to talk about in. For both parts Ali was once again joined by Publishing Scotland's Vikki Reilly, who became a published author herself this year. The two pick their favourite books from the last 12 months, and take many detours and diversions a...

This year was such a great one for Scottish writing that we had to split out Best Books of 2020 podcast into two parts to fit everything we had to talk about in. For both parts Ali was once again joined by Publishing Scotland's Vikki Reilly, who became a published author herself this year. The two pick their favourite books from the last 12 months, and take many detours and diversions along the wa...

The latest SWH! Podcast is an interview with filmmaker Anthony Baxter who talks all about his latest documentary 'Flint', which premieres on BBC Scotland this Tuesday at 10pm (1/12/20) and will be available on iPlayer afterwards. The two talk about the tragic ongoing story behind the film, how and why Anthony became involved, the themes explored and the lessons to be learned, the timely nature of...

For the latest SWH! Podcast Ali spoke with The Bathers' founder and frontman, Chris Thomson, initially to discuss the remastered and reissued 'Marina Trilogy' of the 'Lagoon Blues', 'Sunpowder', and 'Kelvingrove Baby' albums, but the conversation also turns to Marina Records, the story behind the influential Friends Again, how The Bathers helped to capture and create the mood of Glasgow in the '90...

For the latest podcast Ali spoke to writer Angela Hughes and her husband Paul about her memoir 'My Heart's Content: A Journey to Transplant'. Angela sets out not only why she wrote the book, but how it came to publication and the vital role that Paul, and their family and friends, play in the story. A searingly honest read, it is as much about love, and hope, as it is about Angela's specific journ...

For the latest podcast Ali caught up with writer and presenter Damian Barr to talk all about the second series of The Big Scottish Book Club which airs on BBC Scotland this Sunday (25th). It's a welcome return to one of the all too few TV shows which unashamedly celebrates and discusses all aspects of the book world and those who love it, and it's great to get such an informed and personal insight...

For the latest SWH! Podcast Ali spoke to Jenny Sturgeon about her latest project 'The Living Mountain', which is not only the name of her new album but her series of podcasts, and the audio/visual live show which she hopes to tour, all of which are inspired by, and infused with the spirit of, Nan Shepherd's wonderful novella of the same name. Jenny Sturgeon is among SWH!'s favourite musicians - on...

For the latest SWH! Podcast Ali spoke to singer and songmaker Kirsty Law about her latest project, Helm Arts - the multi-disciplinary production company and artist support service. The two talk about the ethos and ideas behind Helm, and the need to support, advise, and offer help to artists of all kinds. Kirsty relates Helm Arts to experiences in her own career, including the numerous collaboratio...

For the latest podcast Ali spoke to artist and broadcaster Lachlan Goudie about his forthcoming exhibition 'Once Upon A Time', which is at The Scottish Gallery in Edinburgh, Oct - Nov 2020. Lachlan explains the thoughts behind the show, and why his original plans had to be scrapped. 'Once Upon A Time' is partly inspired by reading fairy tales to his daughter, and he discusses the importance of the...

For the latest podcast Ali catches up with Robert Kilpatrick who tells us about his role as General Manager at Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), the process involved in the Scottish Album of the Year Award (SAY) as it reaches the Longlist stage, and his involvement with new record label ICEBLINK LUCK whose debut release with Ruby Gaines you can also hear. Robert is central to so much of...

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali spoke to writer Graeme Armstrong about his novel 'The Young Team' and a whole lot more. 'The Young Team' is not just one of the books of the year, but one of the best in many a year, and it was fascinating to get an insight into how it came to be and hear how Graeme's life as a writer has developed. The two talk about literary influences, the importance of language,...

For the latest podcast Ali was joined by writer and journalist Peter Ross to talk about his latest book 'A Tomb With A View'. It was the first one recorded face-to-face since Lockdown began (maintaining the required distance, of course) and it was a real pleasure to be able to chat to Peter in person. If you want to know about the book you'll have listen to the pod, but suffice to say it's a lovel...

For the latest podcast Ali spoke to writer John Scott about his memoir 'To The Woods: A Journey Along The Appalachian Trail', which could be described as 'Zen and the Art of Trail Walking' such is the thought and detail involved. John's long walk was 20 years ago, and he reflects on the reasons for taking time out to undertake such a challenge, his complex love/hate affair with the USA, the charac...

For the latest podcast Ali spoke to writer Kirstin Innes about her latest novel 'Scabby Queen'. The two discuss the origins of the title and why it fits with the structure of the book, where the initial idea came from, the importance of close-editing in a non-linear narrative, and how the central character of Clio Campbell drives events despite being absent for much of the book. Kirstin also talks...

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali caught up with the composer and producer Paul McGeechan to talk about the latest Starless album Earthbound, out now with Last Night From Glasgow. Paul explains the origins behind Starless and how it has developed through the initial spark, through the recording of 2016's Starless album, bringing it to the stage, how it has progressed into Earthbound, and the plans f...

For the last of the Braidwood Brothers podcasts Ali caught up once more with brother Andy to discuss their favourite music on the 2010s, (following previous podcasts looking at the '80s, '90s, '00s). It's a fascinating chat about the records that have meant the most to them over the last ten years (at least on the day of recording) and they both pick a bonus album which they would put forward for...

For the latest podcast Ali spoke to the writer Tom Gillespie about 'The Strange Book of Jacob Boyce', which is published this month. It's one of the most inventive and involving novels SWH! has read in some time, and it was fascinating to talk about what inspired Tom to write this book, and the themes and ideas it addresses (all the while carefully avoiding spoilers!). The two discuss the importan...

For the latest podcast Ali spoke to writer Reyah Martin, who was the winner of the Canada & Europe region of the 2020 Commonwealth Short Story Prize. Reyah gives us some background to the prize and how she got involved. She also discusses the inspiration behind her winning story 'Wherever Mister Jensen Went', and why it caught the eye of the judges. The two also discuss the novel she is working on...

For the latest podcast Ali spoke to author, poet, and academic Mandy Haggith about 'The Lyre Dancers', the third and final novel of the Stone Stories Trilogy, which was recently published with Saraband Books. Mandy talks about the historical origins of the trilogy, the incredible story of Pytheas, what inspired the books, why they were always going to be set in the Iron Age, and the importance of...

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali caught up with Warren McIntyre, frontman and leader of Starry Skies - one of our favourite bands. He was on to talk about their forthcoming album, and the release of the second single 'Here Comes The Moon'. Warren is a man steeped in music, and he discusses his own career, as well as why he loves to promote and support live music. He even gives us a couple of acoust...

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali caught up with Scott Hames who lectures in Scottish Literature at the University of Stirling. The reason was to talk about Scott's fascinating book 'The Literary Politics of Scottish Devolution', and look in some detail at the themes and ideas he addresses. The book's subtitle is 'Voice, Class, Nation' and Scott sets out the relationship between the three. It's a fa...

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali and his brother Andy got back together once again, virtually speaking, to talk music. Following previous pod chats about their favourite Scottish records of the 1980s and ’90s, this time round it's the '00s, and they each pick 10 Scottish records from that decade and discuss what they mean to them, and why.