Scotcast

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘What would it take to trigger a World Cup boycott?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002q34v

Heart of Midlothian are on the brink of becoming the first club other than Celtic or Rangers to be crowned Scottish league champions since 1985.

The BBC’s Chris McLaughlin and football data specialist Lee Mooney, who used to work under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, tell us how investment from Tony Bloom (pictured) and Jamestown Analytics helped the club’s title tilt.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by lifelong Hearts fan Martin Geissler.

Get in touch: [email protected]

Angela Rayner, Wes Streeting and Andy Burnham (pictured left to right) are mooted as possible contenders to replace Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister.

Former Scottish Labour director of communications Alan Roden and the BBC’s David Wallace Lockhart tell us which of the favourites would be best placed to win back Scottish voters.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler.

Get in touch: [email protected]

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

Sir Keir Starmer says he will prove his doubters wrong amid growing calls from within Labour for the prime minister to resign.

We talk to Daily Record political editor Paul Hutcheon, ex-Labour adviser James Matthewson and the BBC’s Paris Gourtsoyannis about Starmer’s latest effort to win over his MPs, and the future of Scottish Labour and its leader, Anas Sarwar.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler.

Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Anas Sarwar: the election interview’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002t1cw

Anas Sarwar (pictured) insists he is “absolutely” staying in post despite leading Scottish Labour to its worst ever Scottish Parliament election results.

We ask Paul Sweeney, one of the party’s 17 elected MSPs, whether its crushing Holyrood defeat is down to Sarwar or Sir Keir Starmer.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Natalie Higgins and David Wallace Lockhart.

Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like 'How the SNP won the Scottish election' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0nk7107

Victorious SNP leader John Swinney (pictured) says he will talk to all opposition parties except Reform UK in the coming days.

We ask the BBC's Lynsey Bews how the SNP will govern after falling short of a majority in the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections.

And Martin Geissler reflects on hosting a marathon BBC results show.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Natalie Higgins.

Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘John Swinney: the election interview’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002sqyp

John Swinney’s SNP has come out on top in the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections.

The BBC’s Phil Sim, former Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont and ex-SNP MP Stewart McDonald tell us what the outcome means for Anas Sarwar’s future and for the debate about another independence referendum.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Natalie Higgins.

Get in touch: [email protected]

Voting is over in the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections.

The BBC's Phil Sim and Dr Fraser McMillan from the University of Edinburgh tell us what to watch out for as the results come in.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler.

Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also be interested in ‘Why are kids carrying knives?’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002cbd8

A teenager has admitted murdering 22-year-old John McNab (pictured) with a hunting knife in Edinburgh.

Laura Miller speaks to Jimmy Paul, the head of the Scottish Violent Reduction Unit, about the societal changes fuelling youth violence.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Laura Miller.

Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘How to fix the NHS - The Health Debate’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0ndvclm

There has been a 28% increase in Scottish shops selling vapes in Scotland since 2020.

We ask Richard Begg (pictured) from major vape retailer VPZ why he wants stricter regulation of his own industry.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Natalie Higgins and David Wallace Lockhart.

Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like 'Do we need a minister for disco?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002gqdh

Pubs are closing at a rate of one a week, according to the Scottish Beer and Pub Association.

We ask Louise Maclean of Signature Pubs and workers including 23-year-old bartender Edward (pictured) whether Gen Z are partly responsible for the decline.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Natalie Higgins, with reporting by Rebecca Tierney.

Get in touch: [email protected]