Scotcast

JK Rowling, politicians and activists have all weighed in on what they think about the Sandie Peggie, Beth Upton and NHS Fife tribunal, as the debate on trans rights and gender continues to play out in the court of public opinion.

In this episode, Martin sits down with the BBC’s Lorna Gordon and Rebecca McCurdy, political correspondent at The Herald, to cut through the noise of what’s happening and hear what it has been like covering the case.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins.

Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected]

Scotland has the unwanted label of being Europe’s drug death capital for the seventh year in a row.

But is there reason for optimism as latest figures for 2024 show a significant drop in drug-related deaths?

Former head of the Scotland’s drug death task force, Professor Catriona Matheson (pictured), tells us how we got here - and what needs to be done to save even more lives.

And as concerns are raised about police uniforms, Natalie questions Martin’s sartorial choices on behalf and a concerned audience member.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins.

Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected]

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has said he wants to close all asylum hotels earlier than planned.

BBC correspondent Chirs Clements, who was in Falkirk reporting on the latest protests outside the town’s former Cladhan Hotel, tells us what he witnessed.

And as the maker of Mounjaro increases the price of its popular weight-loss drug, Alistair Murray from Phlo Technologies tells us whether his company is passing on the cost to its customers.

Our previous episode, ‘Can weight-loss jabs save the NHS?’, is available on BBC Sounds: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0028sqf

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins.

Get in touch: [email protected]

It’s change at the top for the Scottish Greens as the party elects new co-leaders. It comes after a summer of infighting, the departure of its longest-serving leader and years at the heart of power at Holyrood.

BBC Scotland Political correspondent David Wallace Lockhart talks to Martin and Laura about what it means to be green in Scotland.

And stand clear of the doors as Laura gets irked by etiquette on public transport.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins.

Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected]

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has welcomed Graham Simpson to his party after the MSP quit the Scottish Conservatives.

In an interview recorded hours after his defection, we ask Graham why he’s switching parties and what he makes of his new leader's idea of deporting 600,000 migrants if he becomes prime minister.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins.

Get in touch: [email protected]

Professor Tommy Curry (pictured) is the University of Edinburgh’s first black professor of philosophy in its 450-year history.

He talks to Martin about Scotland's history with racism and its present-day problems

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins

Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected]

Hotels housing asylum seekers have attracted protests in Perth, Falkirk and Aberdeenshire.

We ask what’s behind the recent spate of demos and David Wallace Lockhart tells us why it’s significant that Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay is defending them.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Natalie Higgins and Laura Miller.

Get in touch: [email protected]

Dr Iain Kennedy (pictured) chairs the British Medical Association and speaks on behalf of Scotland’s 17,000 doctors.

He tells us why one of the founding principles of the NHS has 'already died', how the service can be rescued and about his life as Highland GP.

And a listener hits back at our coverage of gulls.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Natalie Higgins and Laura Miller.

Get in touch: [email protected]

A housing crisis is unfolding in the Highlands and for Donna Young (pictured) of the Communities Housing Trust, it’s personal.

She tells us why so many people in her part of the world are struggling to find a home.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins.

Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected]

The county lines drug epidemic is bringing violence and hard drugs to the Highlands.

Detective Chief Inspector Craig Still of Police Scotland tells us how English gangs are targeting the vulnerable and why they are staying clear of Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins.

Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected]