Scottish Blethers

We reflect on some of the many links he developed with Scotland over the course of his remarkable life, and reminisce about our own experiences of the man his grandson Harry called a "Legend of Banter". 

Tartan Day is a global celebration of Scottish Heritage, but how did it originate and why is it celebrated on 6th April each year? Find out the answers to these questions, and much more besides, on this week's episode of Scottish Blethers Podcast.

As the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh is revealed as Scotland's top tourist attraction in 2020, we take a tour around some of Scotland's myriad of gardens. From the big blockbusters to the hidden gems, from art gardens to works of a lifetime, with spring in the air there's no better topic to blether about. 

Last week saw Scottish Blethers focus on tea - which puts us in the mood for cake! In this week's episode we explore some of the many regional cakes to be found across Scotland- from Kirriemur Gingerbread to Ecclefechan Tarts. In particular, we focus on the little national treasure, the Tunnock's Teacake. Before anyone asks- yes it definitely is a cake not a biscuit!

This week we explore the animated films of Norman McLaren who counted Pablo Picasso amongst his greatest fans. Everything stops for tea as we reflect on Scotland’s favourite beverage. Finally, we celebrate the 70th birthday of Dennis the Menace and reminisce about the era of the weekly comic.

March is Women's History Month and in this week’s episode we mark the contribution of three Scottish women of substance.

Mary Slessor left behind her work in the jute mills of Dundee to travel as a missionary to Nigeria where she did much to advance the rights of women and children. Catherine Herbert, Countess of Dunmore was born at the other end of the social scale and is credited with bringing Harris Tweed to the attention of the world. But were her motives entirely altruistic? Susan’s great grandmother Catherine Scott Morton has no great entries in the history books but was a trail blazer during the war and in local politics post World War Two and her efforts to improve conditions for her constituents were recognised in the award of an OBE.

In this episode we blether about The Enchanted Forest community led sound and light show in Pitlochry that takes place every October, the allure of the Scottish kilt and the beauty of the Scottish mountain hare.

We post additional content during the week on our  social media. Connect with us on instagram and facebook at @scottishblethers and let us know of any requests, comments or suggestions.

Help us spread the (Scots) word and share us with your friends.

If you this enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on your podcast platform of choice and please leave us a review to help others find us !

Apple podcasts | Spotify | Google podcasts | RSS Feed

Also available on Amazon Music, Anchor, RadioPublic, Breaker, PocketCasts and Overcast

Don't forget that we run Virtual Tour presentations every second Thursday (11th, 25th March and 8th, 22nd April) at 8pm GMT.  The cost is £15 per device which can be paid via Paypal.  Please send an email to [email protected] to sign up.

Thanks for listening!

Liz, Susan & Helen

It's the first episode of the month so that means only one thing - a favourites episode !

We discuss all sorts of islands across Scotland and hopefully whet your appetite to want to google images of them - but we'll be putting some up on social media through the week as well.

In this week’s episode we take a stroll through Scone Palace in Perthshire, consider the many buildings that enhance Scotland’s landscape with no obvious function (called Follies) and end with an introduction to The Roaring Game also known as Curling or Chess on Ice.

We post additional content during the week on our  social media. Connect with us on instagram and facebook at @scottishblethers and let us know of any requests, comments or suggestions.

Help us spread the (Scots) word and share us with your friends.

If you this enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on your podcast platform of choice and please leave us a review to help others find us !

Apple podcasts | Spotify | Google podcasts | RSS Feed

Also available on Amazon Music, Anchor, RadioPublic, Breaker, PocketCasts and Overcast

Thanks for listening!

Liz, Susan & Helen

In honour of St Valentine's Day, we run through songs by Scottish artists about Love - whether that be for yourself, another or the place you live.

We post additional content during the week on our  social media. Connect with us on instagram and facebook at @scottishblethers and let us know of any requests, comments or suggestions.

If you this enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on your podcast platform of choice and please leave us a review to help others find us !

Apple podcasts | Spotify | Google podcasts | RSS Feed

As we are in lockdown and most people can't travel just now, we are also doing Virtual Tours / Presentations on different Scottish themes every 2 weeks via Zoom for £15 per event.  Coming up on 25th Feb is Liz with Edinburgh : A Tale of Two Cities, on 11th March we have Helen blethering about Culross, 25th March, Susan will be blethering about the real history behind selected Outlander filming locations and we have more lining up every 2 weeks into May. To book or find out more, please send an email to [email protected]

 It would be lovely if you could spread the (Scots) word and share us with your friends.

Thanks for listening!

Liz, Susan & Helen