Scots Whay Hae!

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to academic and writer Louise Heren to talk all about her incredible book Scottish History in 15 Violent Crimes: Gender, Society and the Law which is published with Bloomsbury.

Louise begins by giving some background to the book, how she came to write it, and her area of study before talking about the historical importance of the Union of 1707 and why it marks the book’s starting point, ‘Scottish Exceptionalism’, the importance of the subtitle of ‘Gender, Society and the Law’, and the difficulties in choosing the final fifteen.

The two then discuss just a few of the featured cases in detail, why they are important and the changes they led to in Scottish law, the significance of class, how crimes are viewed over time, and the challenges in writing about events which occurred in living memory.

Scottish History in 15 Violent Crimes is a fascinating and informative book which tells us so much about Scotland as a country, with literal lessons from the past which inform the present and our future, and it was such a pleasure, and a privilege, to be able to talk to Louise in detail about it. Like the book itself, the discussion deals with the dark side of humanity, but we hope you come away enlightened with a desire to know more.

As the title proclaims, the book deals with violent crimes and we want to make you aware that the conversation touches on a number of areas which some may find upsetting or triggering, including incest, rape and paedophilia.

For full details and all the ways to listen head over to scotswhayhae.com

For the latest podcast Ali spoke to multi-disciplinary artist and performer Iddo Oberski about his one-person show Balancing in Freedom, which is at The Scottish Storytelling Centre on 20th November.

Iddo tells us all about the origins of the show, its premiere last year, how it was received, and how it has developed over time. He also opens up about the personal nature of the piece and how making it has affected his life as well as his work.

The two then discuss the importance of philosopher Rudolf Steiner’s seminal text The Philosophy of Freedom, the influence it has had on Iddo and his own world view, and how it is crucial to the central themes of the performance. They also talk about the methods and techniques Iddo uses, including his distinct costume (see above), puppetry, live music, visual art, spoken word, and magic!

It was so interesting to talk to Iddo about this fascinating show and everything that has gone into its production, and we hope that it will prompt you to see Balancing in Freedom on the 20th November, or a future performance.

For full details, and all the ways to listen, head over to scotswhayhae.com

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to Laura Jones-Rivera and Heather McDaid to celebrate 10 years of Scottish independent 404 Ink even as we mourn the passing of a publisher like no other.

Recorded in the weeks running up to their final day back in July, the two gave some backstory to the formation of 404 Ink before telling the story through the prism of their writers and the books published.

They also talk about their initial mission statement, what inspired them to start a publisher, the importance of the collection of essays and interviews Nasty Women, the 404 Ink literary magazine, the Inklings series, surviving Covid, what it meant to win awards and gain critical acclaim, and so much more.

The three then discuss the challenges of publishing, embracing the online world, the lessons learned along the way, and why the time was right to call it a day.

404 Ink has been a shining light in Scottish publishing for the last decade with their work lauded far and wide, and it was such a pleasure, and a total privilege, to be able to talk to the leading luminaries behind it. It’s a hell of a tale they tell...

For full details, and all the ways to listen, head over to scotswhayhae.com

The latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast is a Bloody Scotland Prize Winners Special, with the first joint winner of the Debut novel prize and the McIlvanney Prize for Best Crime Book of the Year Frances Crawford and the winner of this year’s Pitch Perfect, Caroline Grebbell.

First of all returning guest Frances reflects on an incredible year, and the critical, and popular reaction to her novel A Bad, Bad Place, her experience of this year’s Bloody Scotland - including being a part of the ‘Gory Glesga’ panel - her incredible journey to being a published writer, and the enduring influence of Punk on her life and work. She also offers some sage advice to any aspiring writers.

Then Caroline explains what Bloody Scotland’s Pitch Perfect is, her winning pitch, the process behind it, and what winning means on a practical level. She then talks about her background writing for TV and film, and discusses her other highlights of this year’s festival.

It has been another extraordinary year for Scottish crime fiction, with the Bloody Scotland Festival once again at its heart, and the prize wins for Frances and Caroline are just two examples of how this is set to continue, representing both present and future.

Full details, including all the ways to listen, are over at scotswhayhae.com

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to Halina Rifai to hear all about Creative Balance, a research and advocacy arm of We Are Here Scotland CIC, and Part One of their research which centres on the wellbeing of racialised people working in Scotland’s creative industries.

Halina, who is the Project Lead, details the research which is called ‘Finding The Radiance In Between: Reimagining Scotland’s Creative Spaces’, how it draws on group interviews held across Scotland, what drove the research, and its findings.

The two then discuss the method, who participated and where from, before Halina goes into more detail about the findings, the importance of the use of language, and what is planned for Phase Two.

They also discuss the subject of wellbeing - including the creation of the Wellbeing Festival - and how it fits with the rest of the research, and where people can read the findings.

It’s always a pleasure to talk to Halina, a central figure in Scotland’s arts and culture, but especially about such an important project and subject, and it was fascinating to be able to discuss Creative Balance’s initial findings, which are at times shocking but arguably unsurprising.

For full details, and all the ways to listen, head over to scotswhayhae.com

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to artist Dinos Chapman to talk about his forthcoming appearance at Glasgow’s Tramway for this year’s Sonica Festival, but the conversation touched upon so much more.

Dinos spoke about the improvisational nature of his work, performances which have inspired him, the importance of humour and comedy - something he sees as inevitable, defying (or even avoiding) audience expectations, and how all of the above will feed into his Sonica show, unless it doesn’t!

The two then discuss the pervading influence of Punk, differences between the UK & the US, tapping into the past, working with, and away from, his brother Jake, the joy of making music, and why Dinos is driven to keep creating.

Dinos Chapman has long been one of the most celebrated and interesting artists around, one who has been central to the cultural identity of the nation since the 1990s, and it was a real treat to be able to talk to him about his life and work. It was such an enjoyable episode to record, and we hope you feel similarly as you listen.

For full details, and all the ways to listen, head over to scotswhayhae.com

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali catches up with previous guest, writer Rodge Glass to talk about his latest book As One: Remaking Suede - which is published with New Modern.

Rodge begins by giving a brief description of this biography of Suede, before explaining how he came to write it, detailing his own relationship with the band, and why the book concentrates on the most recent albums. He also sets out the practicalities and challenges in chronicling the band, particularly at this stage of their career.

The two then discuss the complex nature of nostalgia, the unlikely career arc of Suede, the individual personalities involved, music press reaction (then and now), just some of the perhaps unlikely influences over the years, and a whole lot more.

They also talk about an idea which runs through all of Rodge’s books, the importance of “making imagined things”, and how that applies to As One. It’s always a pleasure to have Rodge on the podcast, and, as you’ll hear, this one could have gone on into the wee small hours.

We hope it’ll entice to investigate the book, the band, and their new music whether you are a Suede fan or not.

For full details, including all the ways to listen, head over to scotswhayhae.com

The latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast is all about the powerful and poignant feature documentary BEL which looks at the life and times of the late singer songwriter Beldina Odenyo who made magnificent music as Heir of the Cursed.

Ali spoke to Beldina’s sister Leah McAleer as well as the film’s director Louise Lockwood and producer Sarah Howitt to hear how BEL the movie came about, how it developed, and the collaborative process behind it.

Leah gives some background into Beldina’s young life growing up in Dumfriesshire, and the journey she undertook to become Heir of the Cursed, before Louise and Sarah explain their roles in the making of BEL.

The conversation turns to the significant personal footage of Beldina including video diaries, live performances (from early bedroom sessions to a legendary night at the Usher Hall), and poignant photographs with friends and family. They also discuss creating a narrative, following Leah through the process of recording an album of Beldina’s songs, the vital contribution of others, the standing in which Beldina is held, her ability to connect across generations, and so much more.

BEL is a beautiful film which celebrates and commemorates the life and work of a musician who left her mark on all those who knew her or saw her perform. It deals with grief and loss, but what is overwhelming is the love which not only runs through the film, but which is also evident in this conversation. BEL is a fitting tribute to Beldina, and it was a privilege to be able to discuss the film, the artist, and one extraordinary individual.

We want to make you aware that the conversation touches on themes of mental health and death by suicide. If you have been affected by anything discussed, free and confidential support is available from The Samaritans and the Scottish Association for Mental Health.

For full details, and all the ways to listen, head over to scotswhayhae.com

For the latest podcast Ali spoke to author and illustrator duo John Chalmers and Sandra Marrs who are better known as Metaphrog and who are behind number of award-winning graphic novels and comics. Their latest is Wilomina: The Land of Dreams and Nightmares which is out now, published with

The two talk their initial experiences of comics and animation and other formative influences, how they met and came to work together, how they actually do work together, the early publications, the importance of telling stories, and how all of that feeds into the latest book.

The discussion then turns to all things Wilomina: The Land of Dreams and Nightmares, the true events which inspired it, the initial imagery which proved to be the spark, the variety of influences from literature, film, TV, and elsewhere, and what’s next for Wilomina.

Metaphrog have long been central figures in Scottish arts and culture, and it was a pleasure and a privilege to get to talk to John and Sandra about their life and work past, present, and future. If you aren’t yet familiar or aware of what they do then this is the perfect introduction. If you are, then I’m sure you’ll be keen to learn more.

For full details, and all the ways to listen, head over to scotswhayhae.com

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to writer and journalist Gabriella Bennett to talk about her fascinating new book How To Build A City: Journeys Into The Urban Future, which is published with Headline.

Gabriella begins by giving her description of the book, and explains how she came to write it.

The two then talk about the mix of travel writing, urban planning, and personal reflection and getting the balance right, before discussing the starting point of Scotland’s New Towns, and Glenrothes specifically, and, more widely, how place affects both the individual and community.

The conversation also touches upon just a few of the places Gabriella visited and why, the lessons learned, the very notion of home, and what it means to belong.

How To Build A City is one of the most ambitious, perceptive and thought-provoking publications of the year. It’s also one of the best - a book which will make you reflect not only the places you live and have lived, but your relationship with them and how they shape you, and it was such a pleasure to be able to talk in such detail with Gabriella.

For full details, and all the ways to listen, head to scotswhayhae.com