Our Scotland: A Fantasy 24 Hours in Scotland

Welcome to season 2 of the Our Scotland podcast, with me, your host, Alison Fraser. We have a new name but the passion for all things Scotland remains.

Going forwards you can expect to hear more about the perfect days in Scotland, you might get some ideas for a future holiday, add some Scottish fayre to your shopping list and discover some Scottish artists to listen to.

We’re starting this season with a conversation with writer Barry Hutchison. Barry is a prolific author having published more than 100 titles for both children and adults. 

He’s known by crime fiction fans as JD Kirk, the creator of DCI Jack Logan, and today his 19th Logan novel is published.

That’s called Where The Pieces Lie and links to that are in the shownotes.

You’re going to hear about much of that and more, as we discover where Barry would spend his ideal 24 hours in Scotland.

Barry’s links: 

Books by JD Kirk: https://jdkirk.com/ 

Books by Barry Hutchison: https://barryjhutchison.com/ 

Buy Where The Pieces Lie https://amzn.to/43UJxCF 

Barry’s 24 hours:

Isle of Islay: https://www.islayinfo.com/ 

12 of the best seafood shacks in Scotland: https://www.visitscotland.com/things-to-do/food-drink/best-seafood 

The Proclaimers https://the.proclaimers.co.uk/

Skippinish https://www.skipinnish.com/ 

Our Scotland is a podcast about Scotland for people who love the country, regardless of where they live or how often they’ve visited.

Our Scotland facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ourscotlandpodcast 

Email: [email protected]

If you could design your perfect day in Scotland what would it look like?

Where would you be? What would you do? What food, drink and music would you enjoy?

These are the questions I ask my guests in Our Scotland.

My name is Alison Fraser and I’m on a quest to find the best places to visit Scotland, from the eyes of the people who have experienced them for themselves.

Our Scotland is a podcast about Scotland for people who love the country, regardless of where they live or how often they’ve visited.

In Season 1 we heard stories of connection, in this season we’re delving more into the country itself and the people who live there.

As well as hearing about their perfect days you’re going to learn about the Loch Ness Monster, traditional music, the history at your doorstep, Scottish literature and so much more to give you a deeper connection to Scotland.

I cannot wait to share these with you, please give this podcast a follow so you don’t miss an episode and tell your Scotland loving friends all about it too.

It’s the final episode of season 1, and to round off the first season of Scottish At Heart you can hear my Scottish story and why I wanted to create this show.

You’ll hear about my family connections, family holidays and where I lived for 18 months, plus what music I like to listen to.

Scottish At Heart is the outsiders guide to Scotland.

We go beyond Outlander, castles and kilts to find out what makes Scotland so enchanting. 

Through our guests and their stories your future visits will go beyond the shortbread tin image and instead you’ll have meaningful experiences to last a lifetime. 

Join our clan, no ancestry to prove, no birthright required and no citizenship test to pass.

We’ll be back in a couple of months with more stories from Scots, new Scots and other connoisseurs of Scotland.

Get 14 days free on Ancestry: http://tinyurl.com/FraserDNA

Plan your Edinburgh visit

Join the Clan: https://www.patreon.com/scottishatheartpodcast/membership

If you have any suggestions or requests for future episodes you can email me at [email protected]

The Paeroa Highland Games and Tattoo is on very soon - Saturday February 10.

Paeroa is a small town in the Waikato region of New Zealand, about a couple of hours from Auckland.

If you're in New Zealand and like experiencing some Scottish culture then this really is the place to be.

You can get more information and tickets here: https://paeroahighlandgames.co.nz/

Scottish At Heart is a podcast for anyone who feels Scottish at heart, regardless of where they live or ancestral claims.

If you love the music, a wee dram of whisky, enjoy gazing at the scenery, or swoon at the accent, I hope you find something that you enjoy. 

Over the course of this podcast we’re going to meet people who have ties to Scotland in any which way to show that Caledonian connections run deep, 

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode and join the patreon to be part of our Clan.

My links:

Join The Clan: https://www.patreon.com/ScottishAtHeartpodcast/membership 

Email: [email protected]

Scottish At Heart Episode 11 - Burns Night with Professor Gerard Carruthers

Across the world tonight Scots poet Robert Burns will be celebrated with a meal of haggis, neeps and tatties. 

Robert Burns was born on January 25 1759 and died aged 37 in 1796 yet in his lifetime he penned more than 550 poems and songs.

In this episode we learn more about Robert Burns and how Burns Night came about. We also chat about memorable Burns Night suppers Gerard has attended and whether haggis is even necessary for a Burns Night support.

Professor Gerard Carruthers is the Francis Hutcheson Professor of Scottish Literature at the University of Glasgow and General Editor of the multi-volume Oxford University Press Collected Works of Robert Burns. 

He is a Trustee of Ellisland Museum, an Advisor to the National Trust for Scotland and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

Gerard’s links: 

Academia: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/critical/staff/gerardcarruthers/

Centre for Robert Burns Studies: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/critical/research/researchcentresandnetworks/robertburnsstudies/

Robert Burns Birthplace Museum: https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/robert-burns-birthplace-museum/the-life-of-robert-burns 

Auld Lang Syne: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auld_Lang_Syne 

Gerard mentioned the Isle of Bute and Mount Stuart.

Isle of Bute: https://www.visitbute.com/

Mount Stuart: https://www.mountstuart.com/ 

Scottish At Heart is a podcast for anyone who feels Scottish at heart, regardless of where they live or ancestral claims.

If you love the music, a wee dram of whisky, enjoy gazing at the scenery, or swoon at the accent, I hope you find something that you enjoy. 

Over the course of this podcast we’re going to meet people who have ties to Scotland in any which way to show that Caledonian connections run deep, 

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode and join the patreon to be part of our Clan.

My links:

Join The Clan: https://www.patreon.com/ScottishAtHeartpodcast/membership 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottishatheartpodcast/ 

Tablet recipe: www.tinyurl.com/tabletrecipe   

Email: [email protected]

Do you remember the first time you heard bagpipes?

Matt Willis does but at the time he didn’t realise how much bagpiping was going to influence his life.

Matt is a born and bred Texan who is a professional bagpiper who teaches in person and online, as well as performs for a wide range of events.

In this episode you will hear about his first bagpipe experience, you’ll hear some live playing of the practice chanter (the instrument all learner pipers start with) and a highlight of his bagpiping life to date.

Matt’s links: 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MattWillisBagpiper 

Website: https://mattpiper.com/site/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattwillisbagpiper/ 

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattpiper/ 

Pakistani bagpipes video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=KyUxVu_mis0 

Matt mentioned Ben Nevis and Islay 

Ben Nevis: https://www.visitscotland.com/things-to-do/outdoor-activities/walking/mountains-hills/ben-nevis 

Buy the Ordnance Survey map.

Isle of Islay: https://www.isleofislayscotland.co.uk/whisky

Buy books about Islay and its whiskies.

Scottish At Heart is a podcast for anyone who feels Scottish at heart, regardless of where they live or ancestral claims.

If you love the music, a wee dram of whisky, enjoy gazing at the scenery, or swoon at the accent, I hope you find something that you enjoy. 

Over the course of this podcast we’re going to meet people who have ties to Scotland in any which way to show that Caledonian connections run deep, 

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode and join the patreon to be part of our Clan.

My links:

Join The Clan: https://www.patreon.com/ScottishAtHeartpodcast/membership 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottishatheartpodcast/ 

Tablet recipe: www.tinyurl.com/tabletrecipe   

Email: [email protected]

Scotland has a population of about 5 million people, but Russell Dalgleish says there’s about another 20 to 30 million worldwide who identify as Scottish.

We talk about what’s meant by diaspora, how Scottish diaspora can help Scotland and how four hours standing on a plinth in a kilt led to the Scottish Business Netowrk.

Russell has a thriving career as not only a serial entrepreneur but an investor, strategist, director and member of the Advisory Board at the Scottish Government’s CivTech® Programme and to the Board of Trade. He is Founding Managing Partner of the advisory group, Exolta Capital Partners, and Founding Chair of the Scottish Business Network (SBN).

Russell’s links: 

Russell’s website: https://www.russelldalgleish.com/ 

Scottish Business Network: https://www.sbn.scot/

Russell mentioned Linlithgow and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in his 24 hours, as well as The Proclaimers and a full Scottish breakfast.

Linlithgow: https://mylinlithgow.com/visit-linlithgow/ 

Edinburgh: https://www.edfringe.com/ 

The Proclaimers: https://the.proclaimers.co.uk/ 

A Scottish breakfast: https://scottishscran.com/what-is-a-full-scottish-breakfast/ 

Scottish At Heart is a podcast for anyone who feels Scottish at heart, regardless of where they live or ancestral claims.

If you love the music, a wee dram of whisky, enjoy gazing at the scenery, or swoon at the accent, I hope you find something that you enjoy. 

Over the course of this podcast we’re going to meet people who have ties to Scotland in any which way to show that Caledonian connections run deep, 

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode and join the patreon to be part of our Clan.

My links:

Join The Clan: https://www.patreon.com/ScottishAtHeartpodcast/membership 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottishatheartpodcast/ 

Tablet recipe: www.tinyurl.com/tabletrecipe   

Email: [email protected]

Scottish At Heart Episode 8 - Eilidh McRae on Scottish history and why it’s popular

Eilidh McRae, with her husband Kieran, host one of Scotland’s best loved podcasts Generally Spooky History.

In this episode we hear from Eilidh about why people love Scotland’s stories so much, her favourite stories and the place she is hesitant to return to. 

Eilidh’s links: 

Generally Spooky History: https://generallyspooky.com/ 

The podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/generally-spooky-history/id1563188185 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/generallyspookyhistory/ 

Eilidh mentioned Pitlochry and Sandwood Bay in the Highlands, as well as Scottish seafood, Old Pulteney whisky and Tide Lines.

Pitlochry: https://www.pitlochry.org/ 

Sandwood Bay: https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/sutherland/sandwood-bay.shtml 

Scottish seafood: https://www.visitscotland.com/things-to-do/food-drink/best-seafood 

Old Pulteney: https://oldpulteney.com/  

Tide Lines: https://www.tidelinesband.com/ 

Scottish At Heart is a podcast for anyone who feels Scottish at heart, regardless of where they live or ancestral claims.

If you love the music, a wee dram of whisky, enjoy gazing at the scenery, or swoon at the accent, I hope you find something that you enjoy. 

Over the course of this podcast we’re going to meet people who have ties to Scotland in any which way to show that Caledonian connections run deep, 

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode and join the patreon to be part of our Clan.

My links:

Join The Clan: https://www.patreon.com/ScottishAtHeartpodcast/membership 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottishatheartpodcast/ 

Tablet recipe: www.tinyurl.com/tabletrecipe   

Email: [email protected]

Scottish At Heart Episode 7 Madeleine Black

This episode discusses sexual violence and trauma.

Madeleine Black is a Glasgow-based public speaker, courage cultivator and author of the memoir, Unbroken. Her personal story is one of sexual violence and trauma, and, ultimately, healing, forgiveness and profound personal courage.

In this episode we talk about how a Jewish woman from London found herself living in Glasgow and why she will never leave.

We talk about nature, munro bagging and making in a life a world away from what is familiar to you.

Madeleine’s links: 

Her website: https://madeleineblack.co.uk/ 

Her podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/unbroken-healing-through-storytelling/id1534721507 

We talked about the Outer Hebrides and Deacon Blue.

Outer Hebrides: https://www.visitouterhebrides.co.uk/ 

Deacon Blue: www.deaconblue.com 

Scottish At Heart is a podcast for anyone who feels Scottish at heart, regardless of where they live or ancestral claims.

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode and join the patreon to be part of our Clan.

My links:

Join The Clan: https://www.patreon.com/ScottishAtHeartpodcast/membership 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottishatheartpodcast/ 

Tablet recipe: www.tinyurl.com/tabletrecipe   

Email: [email protected]

Scott Carmichael is the host of the Carmichael Clan Radio podcast and a passionate clan member.

Clan Carmichael USA is a Scottish-American clan society of persons bearing the ancient name of Carmichael, or who have relatives or ancestors so named, or who are members of Carmichael families, or are persons interested in the heritage and history of the Carmichael name which originated in the 11th century.

In this episode you will hear how Scott got involved with his clan, his family history and what a highland games in the USA is like.

Scott is a school teacher by day but is also someone who is passionate about keeping the clan history alive. His podcast is for Carmichael Clan members and anyone with an interest in Scotland. 

Scott’s links: 

Carmichael Clan Radio blog: https://clancarmichael.substack.com/podcast

Carmichael Clan Radio: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/carmichael-clan-radio/id1542678962 

Clan Carmichael USA: https://www.clancarmichaelusa.com/ 

Scott mentioned Carmichael Estate, Lismore, whisky tasting on Islay and Nicola Benedetti  in his 24 hours.

Carmichael Estate: https://carmichael.co.uk/

Lismore: https://isleoflismore.com/ 

Islay Whisky Academy: https://islaywhiskyacademy.scot/ 

Nicola Benedetti: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheNicolaBenedetti 

Scottish At Heart is a podcast for anyone who feels Scottish at

heart, regardless of where they live or ancestral claims.

Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode and join the patreon to be part of our Clan.

My links:

Join The Clan: https://www.patreon.com/ScottishAtHeartpodcast/membership 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottishatheartpodcast/ 

Tablet recipe: www.tinyurl.com/tabletrecipe   

Email: [email protected]