Deputy first minister Kate Forbes (pictured) is standing down as an MSP at the 2026 Holyrood elections.

Martin and Natalie wonder why someone who was so close to becoming first minister of Scotland in 2023 is chucking politics at the age of 35.

And after her successful campaign to ban disposable vapes, Laura Young (aka Less Waste Laura) tells us why she’s now targeting dental floss.

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

Follow this link for free tickets to our live show at the Edinburgh Fringe, featuring Irvine Welsh, on Wednesday 6 August 2025: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/scotcast

Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected]

Two Jewish comedians' Edinburgh Fringe shows have been cancelled over 'staff safety concerns'.

It’s the latest in a series of controversies over appears at, and funds, Edinburgh’s festivals.

Jenny Niven, who runs the Edinburgh International Book Festival, tells us how she navigates the arts, politics and protest.

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

Follow this link for free tickets to our live show at the Edinburgh Fringe, featuring Irvine Welsh, on Wednesday 6 August 2025: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/scotcast

Get in touch: [email protected]

Scottish scientist Professor David MacMillan won the Nobel Prize in chemistry for work which led to developments in drugs for Alzheimer’s disease and cancer.

After being added to the National Portrait Gallery, David talks to Martin and Laura about new-found fame, his friendship with Sir Alex Ferguson and why he’s 'not worried in the slightest' about AI.

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]

Donald Trump has brought the eyes of the world to Scotland this week, but as he heads back to the White House after a meeting with John Swinney, what has he left behind?

The BBC’s North America editor, Sarah Smith, tells us how Donald Trump is rewriting the rule book - and Phil Sim reveals how he ruined his trousers in pursuit of the most powerful man in the world.

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

Follow this link for free tickets to our live show at the Edinburgh Fringe featuring Irvine Welsh on Wednesday 6 August 2025: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/scotcast

Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected]

Why has John Swinney updated his strategy for securing a second independence referendum on a day the news is dominated by Donald Trump?

We ask David Wallace Lockhart, who’s been talking to the first minister and SNP leader about it.

And just how awkward was prime minister Sir Keir Starmer’s trip to Trump Turnberry for talks with the US president?

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

Follow this link for free tickets to our live show at the Edinburgh Fringe, featuring Irvine Welsh, on Wednesday 6 August 2025: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/scotcast

Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected]

Is the US president’s trip to his golf resorts at Turnberry in Ayrshire and Menie in Aberdeenshire about business, politics or pleasure?

Ahead of Donald Trump’s talks with Sir Keir Starmer and John Swinney, Martin asks Rob Crilly – a member of the White House press pack who travelled here on Air Force One – if it’s a welcome distraction from headlines about Jeffrey Epstein.

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

Follow this link for tickets to our live show at the Edinburgh Fringe on Wednesday 6th August 2025: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/scotcast

Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected]

As Donald Trump lands in Scotland to visit his golf resorts at Turnberry and Menie, Laura is joined by Phil Sim and David Wallace Lockhart to unpick the politics of the US president's trip here.

David gives us the details of a 'civil war' he's been reporting on inside the Scottish Greens.

And as the Commonwealth Games unveils Finnie as its mascot for Glasgow 2026, Phil reveals why he dressed up as jungle animal in the name of journalism.

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

Follow this link for tickets to our live show at the Edinburgh Fringe on Wednesday 6th August 2025: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/scotcast

Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected]

Nurse Sandie Peggie (pictured) was cleared of gross misconduct by NHS Fife as an employment tribunal prompted by her changing room dispute with Dr Beth Upton – a transgender woman – resumed.

In the third of our weekly July episodes, Laura is joined by the BBC’s David Wallace Lockhart and the Sunday Mail’s political editor Hannah Rodger to discuss the latest twist in a story at the centre of the wider gender debate.

David and Hannah also give their take on Sir Keir Starmer’s suspension of a handful of rebel Labour MPs. And after a top golfer turned philosopher, Laura asks: ‘What’s the point?’

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

Follow this link for tickets to our live show at the Edinburgh Fringe on Wednesday 6th August 2025: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/scotcast

Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected]

Kneecap have performed a sell-out show in Glasgow after being axed from the line-up at the city's TRNSMT festival.

In the second of our weekly July episodes, Natalie is joined by the BBC's Phil Sim and Paul McNamee, the editor of The Big Issue, to discuss whether the Irish rappers have outsmarted politicians who urged promotors to drop them.

Phil and Paul also give their take on the 'one in, one out' migrant deal announced between the UK and France - and an unusual appeal by Partick Thistle Football Club.

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

Follow this link for tickets to our live show at the Edinburgh Fringe on Wednesday 6th August 2025: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/scotcast

Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected]

Sir Keir Starmer has backed Rachel Reeves after the Chancellor cried in the House of Commons as the Prime Minister defended the UK Government's U-turn over welfare reform.

In the first of our weekly July episodes, Natalie asks former Number 10 strategist John McTernan, campaigner Talat Yaqoob and the BBC’s Phil Sim what's going on at the heart of Downing Street.

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

Follow this link for tickets to our live show at the Edinburgh Fringe on Wednesday 6th August 2025: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/scotcast

Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected]