Scots Whay Hae!

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to writer and musician Colin MacIntyre, better known to most as Mull Historical Society, to talk about his amazing album 'In My Mind There's A Room', which brings together his twin loves of music and literature.

Colin describes how this album came together and the processes involved in marrying his music to the words of a number of his favourite writers, including Colin's own grandfather - the 'Bard of Mull' - Angus Macintyre.

He talks warmly about his inspirational grandfather, recording these tracks in the room where Angus and his family used to live, the serendipitous series of events which accompanied the making of the record, achieving the dream of working at Abbey Road studios, and so much more.

The two also talk about the stories behind some of the songs as well as the upcoming series of gigs, (including one at Oran Mor on the 8th February where he will be joined by Liz Lochhead, Val McDermid and James Robertson), and the new 'Ivor Punch' novel 'When the Needle Drops' which will be published by Black & White later this year.

It was such a pleasure talking to Colin and we hope you enjoy listening as much as we did recording it.

For full details, and all the relevant links, go to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to Dawn Taylor, the Artistic Director & CEO at MANIPULATE Arts, to learn all about this year's MANIPULATE International Festival of Visual Theatre which runs from 1st - 11th February.

Now in its 17th year the festival promises something for everyone, and Dawn gives us an overview of the festival, a bit of the history, the significance in supporting non-text based theatre, film and other forms of performance, the importance of accessibility and inclusivity, and just what festival goers can expect.

The two also talk about this year's programme discussing just a number of the highlights, some of the companies and artists appearing, the plans for the opening night, and how and where people can get tickets and get involved.

It's a great introduction to this year's MANIPULATE festival, and should whet the appetite for what's to come.

For full details, including all the ways to listen and the relevant links, go to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to writer and podcaster Tom Brogan to learn all about his book 'Scotland 101: An Introduction to the National Team'. Tom gives an overview of 'Scotland 101', his reasons for writing it, the inspirations, sifting through the research, and the publishing process.

Ali then picks a dozen chapters to look at in more detail to give a more clear idea of the book as a whole, including some memorable matches, events, and some of the people involved, and Tom shows his breadth and depth of knowledge - a result of the obvious research done.

At a time when Scottish international football is in as healthy a state as it has been for some time, this is the perfect publication to take your knowledge to another level.

It's a thorough and detailed chat about a national obsession, and a book which is the prefect read for fans old and new.

For full details, including all the ways to listen and relevant links, head over to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

For the first Scots Whay Hae! podcast of 2024 Ali spoke to actor and writer Forbes Masson to talk about his starring role in a new one-person adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Jekyll and Hyde', which is at the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh from 13-27th January before going on tour.

Forbes talks about the production itself, collaborating with writer Gary McNair and director Michael Fentiman, returning to the Lyceum after 20 years, the challenges of playing multiple roles, the complexities of Stevenson's text, and why it remains relevant today.

The production is dedicated to the late Sir Michael Boyd who was central in not only Forbes' career, but in the development of modern Scottish theatre and Forbes talks warmly about their relationship, going back to the halcyon days of Glasgow's Tron Theatre in the 80s and 90s.

He also touches upon his work alongside Alan Cummings, including as double act Victor and Barry who mark their 40th anniversary with 'Victor & Barry's Kelvinside Compendium: A Meander Down Memory Close' which will be published by 404 Ink later this year.

It's a fascinating chat with one of the finest stage actors of the last 40 years, one which whets the appetite for this production of 'Jekyll and Hyde'.

For further details, including all the relevant links, head to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

For the latest SWH! podcast, and the last of our Best of 2023 pods, Ali is joined once more by regulars Chris Ward and Wesley Shearer to talk all things film, or at least to talk about their films of the year. Once again picking five each, they share their enthusiasm for the movies you may have missed first time around, and we’re sure you’ll find something to tickle your fancy.

Chris and Wes share the same top two, and each has their chance to wax lyrical about what they are and why before each making great cases for their other selections. As usual, Ali's picks have a Scottish bent, including films from this year's Glasgow Film Festival, a miraculous debut feature, and a couple of memorable documentaries. They also look forward to 2024, with a whole lot more.

For further details, and all the ways to listen, go to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

For our latest roundup of 2023 we look at the year in music, with Ali joined once again by musician and righteous supporter of Scottish music, Gefahrgeist's Fiona Liddell. They each pick 10 tracks to discuss which have left their mark in the last 12 months.

Both admit they could easily have picked many, many, more examples from what was another incredible year for Scottish music, and on another day possibly would, but we hope you enjoy their musical musings, meanderings, and memories.

There's a Spotify playlist where you can listen to all the songs Fiona and Ali talk about, and if you like what you hear then please explore further, follow, and support the bands, musicians, artists, and labels involved. What this podcast proves is how much we would all miss them if they were gone.

For all the relevant links, including all the ways to listen, and the playlist, go to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

For the last in our Best Books of 2023 podcasts for this year, Ali caught up with poet, writer, singer/songwriter, and previous podcast guest, Marcas Mac an Tuairneir, to learn about his Gaelic books of the year and other aspects of Gaelic writing over the last 12 months.

It's a fascinating conversation not only about what the year was like in Gaelic literature, but also further aspects of the culture and the way it is treated and celebrated.

Always a SWH! highlight of the year, when taken together, these podcasts reflect, and celebrate, another exceptional 12 months in Scottish writing.

For full details, including links to our other Best Books of 2023 podcasts, go to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

For the second of our Best Books of 2023 podcasts, Ali was once again joined by Publishing Scotland's Vikki Reilly, and in this podcast the two talk crime fiction, poetry, memoirs and other non-fiction, what we can look forward to in 2024, and more.

Always a SWH! highlight of the year, when taken together these podcasts reflect, and celebrate, another exceptional 12 months in Scottish writing.

For further details and relevant links (and to listen to Part I) go to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

As is traditional, the first of our Best of 2023 podcasts are all about books, and there were so many books and book-related things to talk about that once again we have split the podcast into two parts.

For both parts, Ali is once again joined by Publishing Scotland's Vikki Reilly, and in this podcast the two talk fiction, themes and trends of the year, notable debuts, and a whole lot more, as well as declaring their own choices for Fiction Book of the Year.

In Part II there will be further chat on crime, poetry, memoirs and other non-fiction, and what we can look forward to in 2024.

Always a SWH! highlight of the year, when taken together, these podcasts reflect, and celebrate, another exceptional 12 months in Scottish writing.

For further detail and relevant links go to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to musician and composer Martin Green about all things brass banding including the audio drama 'Keli', the album 'Split the Air', the Radio 4 documentary 'Banding: Love, Spit and Valve Oil', the forthcoming Celtic Connections gig, and so much more. Martin also explains how his love for brass band music came about and grew, why the music and the communities where it is from remain close despite the decline and loss of industry, the importance of listening to the voices of those involved, the making of 'Keli', the legacy of brass band music and why it should be better known, and making something new from the traditional.

He also talks about the importance of Celtic Connections to himself, and to Scottish music more generally, and being a member of legendary folk group Lau. It was such a pleasure to talk to Martin and learn all about his latest body of work which are clearly passion projects, and that passion is infectious. If you thought brass band music isn't for you, Martin Green may just change your mind.

For full details, including all the ways to listen and relevant links, go to https://www.scotswhayhae.com