Scottish Blethers

In the week that Scotland were knocked out of the European Football Champions we look at the importance of Glasgow Green as an open space in the city where football and a variety of other sports flourished. In use today as a Fanzone for the Euros we explore the significance of football to Scotland and in particular the Tartan Army- supporters of the Scottish football team. We explore the agony and ecstasy and, above all, the eternal optimism associated with supporting our national team. Yes Sir, We Can Boogie!   

This week our blethers feature The Kelpies - an iconic piece of public art and one of Scotland's top tourist attractions. We explore their roots in mythical, shape-shifting water beasts and in the heavy horse that once pulled the barges on the canal beside which they are located. What better way to finish than with an ice cream? Italian of course! We reminisce about childhood memories of pokey hats and sliders. Guaranteed to have you heading for your local ice cream parlour or gelateria if you're affy posh!

This week join us in Scotland's National Parks as we enjoy the richness of the landscape which is home to such a variety of Scotland's flora and fauna. The Parks offer opportunities for outdoor activities from water sports to mountain biking; ski-ing to hill walking. With staycations becoming so popular in the wake of Covid we look at hoe the Parks are adapting to welcome the increasing numbers coming on holiday. 

We love it when a friend or colleagues joins us in our Blethers to add a bit of banter. This week we are joined by our good friend Graeme Strachan who owns Glenburnie Guesthouse in Oban - a popular seaside town where ferries come and go carrying passengers and freight to the islands off the west coast of Scotland. We are missing our Glenburnie stays so much and loved this opportunity to catch up and chat with Graeme about his life at Glenburnie and his recommendations for guests visiting this beautiful region of Scotland.

This week we take you on a visit to the Fife village of Falkland and explore its links with sporting Royals and Johnny Cash. Spotting puffins is on everyone's list of things to do on a visit to Scotland at this time of year so we tell you a little bit about them and where you might be able to get up close and personal with a puffin.  

In this episode we visit Juteopolis – the name given to Dundee in the 19th Century when the city’s landscape and economic activity were dominated by the processing of raw jute from Bengal into hessian or burlap to meet burgeoning demand for sacks, sails and covers for pioneers heading west. For the first time it was the women who were the breadwinners – working in the mills while the men stayed home. Same era but worlds apart, Cate Cranston was a pioneer of a different kind. Astute businesswoman, patron of the arts and social pioneer she introduced tearooms to Glasgow giving respectable women a place to socialise unchaperoned and men a place to escape the demon drink!

If last week's episode on elections to the Scottish Parliament was enough to drive you to drink then in this week's episode we have the perfect remedy - Scotland's Cheese and Wine! From traditional crowdie to our wonderful variety of artisan and farmhouse cheeses fit to grace the finest of boards, Scotland may not immediately spring to mind for the quality of our vines but there's plenty of other wonderful produce out there that the inventive Scots are fermenting into Château Ecosse.

In this episode we are inspired by the recent elections to the Scottish Parliament to reflect on the road travelled by the Scots to arrive where we are today. From the Declaration of Independence to the Union of the Crowns and the Act of Union; referendum and proportional representation, we try to make sense of it all.   

In this episode we are joined by our good friend and Spanish tour guide Fran Glaria to explore connections, past and present, between our countries. From medieval alliances and deathbed pacts to what the Spanish think of the Scots on holiday - there's always plenty to blether about. 

In the week that marked Earth Day and John Muir Day we chose to explore the topic of Scottish explorers. For a small country, Scotland has had more than its share of trail blazers. From John Muir and his contribution to the preservation of wild places to David Livingstone’s remarkable exploration of the continent of Africa, we discuss the brave men – and women – who have contributed to our understanding of the world as we know it today.