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]

British champion Liam Byrne (pictured), from Aberdeenshire, died at the weekend during a jump in the Swiss Alps.

We ask fellow jumper Tim Howell what motivates those in the sport – and what it’s like to jump from a cliff edge.

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]

Edinburgh’s Fettes College, once attended by former Prime Minister Tony Blair, is reportedly pondering job cuts after the UK Government moved to charge VAT on private school fees.

Lisa Kerr (pictured), Principal of George Watson’s College, tells us why she thinks taxing schools like hers is also bad for state school pupils.

And after ‘hoaching’ and ‘shoogly’ were added to the Oxford English Dictionary, Martin and Laura identify their favourite Scottish words.

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]

President Trump has accused both Israel and Iran of violating a ceasefire he helped broker.

As oil prices see-saw, we ask economist Mairi Spowage and energy industry leader David Whitehouse why energy prices matter so much during times of conflict.

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

This episode includes some strong language.

Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected]

Former first minister Humza Yousaf is among the loudest critics of US attacks, approved by President Donald Trump, on the Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites.

The MSP and ex-SNP leader tells us why he thinks Iran and its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will retaliate – and how that could lead to 'all-out war'.

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]