Scots Whay Hae!

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast, Ali spoke to writer and broadcaster Billy Kay to hear about his memoir Born In Kyle: A Love Letter tae an Ayrshire Childhood, but the conversation turns to so much more.

Billy talks about his lifelong passion for Scots language and culture, and explains that the roots of this are to be found in that Ayrshire childhood, which he sets out in detail.

The two then talk about Billy being the public face, and voice, of the Scots leid for so long, the changes in attitudes towards it, and public perception of its use, over the years, the new generation of Scots speakers and writers, and why education is key - and was once a big part of the problem.

They also discuss their shared loved of Sottish culture, and literature in particular, deliberating over and celebrating favourite books and writers.

Billy also gives a couple of short readings from Born In Kyle, and he wanted me to include the passages here so you can read along:
“Whit’s for ye, will no gae by ye.” This is a dreich expression o Scots fatalism – that nae maitter whit ye dae, nae maitter hoo guid ye are, nae maitter hoo muckle ye prepare tae mak siccar somethin bad disnae happen, if ye’re fated tae thole somethin happenin tae ye, weel, ye jist hae tae accept it and haud gaun. Ma mither yaised it an when ma Portuguese wife João heard her guidmither say it, she spiered naively, “if it could also refer to a good thing not going by you, Mummy Kay?” Mammy Kay’s repone wis short and tae the pynt. “Naw”, she said. An even mair dowie ensample o this wis “Ye maun dree yer weird” – owerset intae English “You must suffer your fate.”

“Ye need a stoot hert for a stey brae,” or jist “A stoot hert for a stey brae,” – you need a strong heart for a steep hill. This ane wis popular amang the Kyle colliers, wha aften had tae howk coal oot o nairrae seams on a sair dook or a stey brae. Afore the muckle industrial pits were sunk – an ma granfaither wis a skeely pit sinker by profession – there yaised tae be a wheen wee local mines that were accessible via an Ingaunee – leiterally an ingaun ee, in English an “in going eye” – an access tunnel that wis dug oot a field on the surface and then there wis a stey brae slope gaein doon faur eneuch tae rax the coal seams nearer the surface.

Billy Kay has long been an inspiration for Scots Whay Hae! and this was both a pleasure and a privilege to be able to converse with him in such depth - literally talking about Scottish culture so you don’t have to...

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

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to writer Luca Serra to talk all about his new novel This Is Home, which is published with Leamington Books.

This Is Home is Luca’s debut novel in English, and he talked about the experiences, people and places which inspired it before the two discuss the four central characters and their roles - and that of a sauce-encrusted, sink-bound, pot!

Much of the novel is set in restaurants where some of the individuals are employed, and stories are shared about working in the service industry, before Luca relates his experience of being published, the editing process, initial feedback, and ponders the very nature of ‘home’.

He also talks about being a winner of a Scottish Book Trust New Writers Award for Fiction and the doors that opened, and the practical help and advice it offered.

A great debut offers not only a new literary voice, but also fresh perspectives and ideas which is exactly what This Is Home does, and this conversation with Luca Serra offers deep insight into all of the above, and much more.

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

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali caught up with writer and filmmaker Grant McPhee to talk about his latest book Caledonia Screaming: Year Zero Vol 1 - Scottish Punk 1976 - 1977 which is published with Into Books.

Grant has been a previous guest when he talked about the books Hungry Beat: The Scottish Independent Pop Underground Movement (1977-1984) and Postcards from Scotland: Scottish Independent Music 1983-1995 and the two talk about how his process has developed over the years and across different projects, the importance of the provinces, challenging received wisdom and offering alternative narratives, telling stories for the first time, and even the nature of truth!

They also discuss what went before the 'Year Zero' of 1976, the sometimes surprising influences on the music and those who made it, the main players and the lesser known names, famous gigs, the Glasgow 'ban', the importance of those who wrote about the scene, and the possibility of a Volume 2.

Caledonia Screaming is a thorough and thoroughly entertaining investigation into a history of Scottish music and culture that is still a mystery to most, and which has many myths and legends surrounding it. Grant McPhee gets behind the headlines to attempt to fill in the blanks and uncover tales untold. This episode is the perfect companion piece, and, like the book itself, should send you straight to the music. For that alone, this is a compelling listen.

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

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali headed to Stirling to talk to writer Donald S. Murray about his new novel The Loch Of The Bees, which is published with Saraband Books.

The two met at the lauded venue the Tolbooth as Donald is a member of the Metagama Ensemble who are behind Metagama: An Atlantic Odyssey, a piece of theatre which mixes music, song, and spoken word, and which was playing the venue on the last night of its current tour. Donald tells us all about it, and to hear one of the songs stay on to the end of the podcast.

The two then talk about The Loch Of The Bees. Donald gives a brief description before setting out the inspirations behind it, looking to stories of the past to better understand the present, the importance of place, the interlinked nature of the individual tales, the themes of love, religion, grief, & obsession, and how they emerge through the stories themselves. And then there are the bees!

The conversation also touches upon the history of the Highlands & Islands, Gaelic culture and language (and the attempts to suppress both) and the author's personal connections to this novel.

It's always a pleasure to talk to Donald, one of the most original and insightful writers around, and The Loch Of The Bees is just the latest, and one of the finest, examples of why this is. The resulting chat is a warm and enchanting exchange which will appeal to anyone with an interest in Scottish history and culture.

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

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali caught up with returning guest (one of our first, no less) writer Doug Johnstone to look back over 20 years as a published author in the run up to his 20th novel coming out in August of this year, as well as the new versions of his first two novels, all three to be published with Orenda Books.

They went through the novels to date in order, from 2006's Tombstoning to The Transcendent Tide.

During the conversation, Doug talks about getting published initially, the unexpected order of his early publications, finding his rhythm as a writer, writing from experience, learning to edit his own work, the importance of place, portraying alternative Edinburghs, moving between subject matter (and later genre), changing publishers and finding a home with Orenda, stand alone novels versus writing a series, and so much more.

The two also talk character, plot, pacing, and personal favourites, before Doug gives a glimpse into what comes next. One of Scots Whay Hae!'s favourite authors, what this episode proves is that Doug Johnstone is among the most interesting, thrilling, yet always thought-provoking, writers at work today. Looking back over this storied career the picture to emerge is one of a master of his craft. Put simply, no one does it as Doug does.

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

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to musician, and journalist, Callum Baird to talk all about his band Elgin & The Marbles, and the debut album The Sun Never Sets, which is out now with Last Night From Glasgow.

Callum explained the reasons behind the name Elgin & The Marbles, the striking album cover, and how both link to the overall concept.

The two then discuss the themes and ideas more thoroughly, Callum's various inspirations, working with Last Night From Glasgow, his experience of recording an album, the different methods of promotion, and the challenges and pitfalls in being satirical in the present day.

The conversation then turns towards how working in the newspaper business fed into this musical project, the changing face of journalism, and how arts coverage needs to adapt to those changes.

A musical chat which covers so much more, this is a in-depth interview with someone for whom music and work are closely entwined resulting in an album of songs which address the state of the nation. In short, this episode has something for everyone with an interest in arts and culture.

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

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to writer and journalist Penny Kiley about her new book Atypical Girl: Punk Rock, Liverpool, and Trying to be Normal which is published by Polygon Books.

Penny talks about why now for this book, her formative years in Liverpool, being in the right place and the right time, the local music scene in the late-'70s and into the 1980s, the importance of the legendary club Eric's, and some of those musicians (famous & less so) who kicked off their careers there.

The two then discuss all things Punk and Post-Punk, with a focus on the varied and vital music which came from that time and place, and what made it stand apart.

Penny also explains how she came to write for the Melody Maker, recounts her experiences as a music journalist, reflects on what she has learned from writing the book, and relates why her autism diagnosis in 2018 put her previous life into a different perspective, and simply made sense.

As you'll hear, this was a bit of a fanboy experience for Ali as he got to talk to a writer from his favourite music publication, and all about one of the most interesting and inventive times and places in musical history. If you feel similar in any way, this episode is a must.

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

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to writer Alison Irvine to talk about her fascinating and insightful new book about Glasgow's famous Barrowland Ballroom. To give its full title, the book is called Barrowland: The Inside Story of Glasgow’s Beloved Ballroom and it's published by Luath Press.

Alison explains that the book's origins are in a previous publication, and the importance of her regular collaborators Chris Leslie and Mitch Miller - all part of the artist collective Recollective - to this project.

She then talks about the process of gathering interviews, research, the two part structure of the book, the symbiotic relationship between the ballroom and the Barra's market, and getting involved as a member of staff.

The two then discuss, and reminisce about, their own personal Barrowland memories, key moments in its history, and try to put into context what it is that makes this venue the legendary place it is.

Barrowland the book is a brilliant read, one which looks beyond the music (although there is plenty of that) to the people as well as the place and gives an overview of this most iconic venue. It was such a privilege to be able to talk in-depth with Alison about it. We like to think it's an essential listen.

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

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to screenwriter, playwright, actor, and now novelist, Linda Duncan McLaughlin to talk about her debut novel Original Sins, which is published by Into Books.

There was so much to talk to Linda about, but the conversation begins with her describing Original Sins, a novel not easily categorised, and the two then manage to discuss the novel without giving spoilers (also a tricky task).

Linda then talks about writing in different forms, the importance of sharing work with others, creating characters, being surprised where the writing goes, and other fascinating aspects of being a writer.

She also discusses being an actor and how that in turn impacts her writing, the importance of storytelling, her literary inspirations, what the future may hold, and so much more. It was so interesting to be able to talk in such detail with Linda Duncan McLaughlin, someone steeped in culture, and we hope you find this podcast episode equally compelling.

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

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to Lesley Davidson, who is the co-director of the Beacon Arts Centre, to talk about the inaugural Beacon Book Festival which runs from Friday 20th - Sunday 22nd February.

Lesley tells us why now is the right time for the Beacon Arts Centre to host a book festival, and what the challenges were in programming, before talking about that programme - who is on, and when, and taking us through the various strands.

The two then talk about the Beacon Arts Centre and their work more widely, the importance of being a central part of the local community, the iconic building serving as a place which encourages creativity, the challenges and joys of working in the arts, and a lot more.

A new book festival is always a cause for cheer, and this is a great addition to the cultural landscape of Scotland and particularly that of the Inverclyde area. The Beacon already has a righteous reputation as an important hub for the arts and culture, and it sounds as if the Beacon Book Festival will only add to that.

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