On this episode of Scran we are banishing thoughts of dry January and focusing on two of Rosalind's favourite topics - music and booze.

Rosalind is joined by Dougie Payne from Travis to talk about his recent beer collaboration marking their new album L.A.Times. 'Raze the bar' was created with Signature Brew and Dougie tells Rosalind about how the beer came about and how it is inspired by music from the album. Founder of Signature Brew Sam McGregor also joins the podcast to talk about the project, as does Felipe Schrieberg of The Rhythm and Booze project. Felipe and the other guests consider how music and drinks combine perfectly and the challenges faced by both industries.

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On today's episode of Scran we are celebrating Robert Burns. Rosalind chats to a variety of people about Burns night and the associated impending merriment. First up is Graham Main of The Big Burns Supper. Graham is at the heart of the celebrations in Dumfries that have been running for 13 years. Rosalind learns more about the organisers approach to the festival and their main aim of being inclusive so as many people as possible can share in the celebrations of this Scottish cultural icon.

When Scran visited The Globe Inn in Dumfries last summer we met the wonderful raconteur and entertainer Kathleen Cronie of Mostly Ghostly. We asked Kathleen back on the podcast to share her love of Burns and to provide us with that all important recitation, in honour of his poetry. This is not to be missed.

Finally, chef Paul Wedgwood of Wedgwood Restaurant, joined Rosalind to share his rather adventurous experiences of Burns night and suggestions for alternatives that might be of interest if you're over the standard of haggis, neeps and tatties.

Have a great Burns night if you're celebrating!

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January is all about clean living and what is cleaner than seaweed? This is a corner of the Scottish food and drink industry we've been eager to explore on Scran for a while so it seemed like a good time to do so.

First up Rosalind speaks to Lawrie Stove of Scottish Seaweed Farming. Lawrie tells her all about how his career on the sea has brought him to this point. He explains how they seed and grow the seaweed and the process behind turning them into a sellable product. He also enlightens Rosalind as to the huge variety of dishes that seaweed can feature in.

Rosalind also speaks to Keith Paterson of Shore Seaweed who produce some very tasty snacks. Keith tells Rosalind about the process they go through to harvest the seaweed as well as what's entailed in deciding on new flavours. Their snacks have been going from strength to strength but Keith says there's no space for complacency and the industry needs to keep innovating.

We hope you enjoy this episode and Happy New Year listeners!

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Welcome to part two of our annual Christmas Scran specials. We're fully engrossed in all things Christmas and we're pleased to say this episode is jam packed full of joy, tradition and cheer.

First up on this podcast Rosalind meets Peter Gilchrist, Scottish Food Historian, writer and friend of the podcast who takes her through the evolution of the Scottish Christmas and how we have arrived at many of our modern day customs and traditions. Peter and Rosalind met at the beautifully decorated The Ivy restaurant in Glasgow to enjoy a festive brunch. Peter is always a fascinating guest and we guarantee you that you will walk away from today's episode knowing something new about Christmas.

Then we head back to Bow Market in Fife to talk to Chris Miles of Inchcolm Distillery who makes a very interesting spirit from leftover apples, and Stephen Wade of Woodmill Game who tells Rosalind about how he created and moulded his business. 

Finally you'll hear from Barry Bryson who lets us in on the life of a chef at Christmas time as well as his exciting plans for the year ahead..but most importantly - he has tips for the Christmas dinner! Something we all relish in the run up to the big day...

Thanks to listening to Scran throughout 2024, we will return in 2025 with lots more tales from inside the food and drink industry we know and love in Scotland.

Merry Christmas and happy new year!

Rosalind & Kelly 

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What is Christmas about but eating, drinking and being merry? Rosalind is here in part 1 of our two episode Christmas special to help you do all those things! But of course, Christmas is also about caring and giving so she's also been visiting a charity that is doing just that with the help of the public.

First up on this festive episode of Scran Rosalind heads to Bowhouse Market in Fife - if you are looking for a festive shopping destination without any of the guilt of buying from supersize producers then this is the place for you! 

Luckily there is one more market happening before Christmas so this is your opportunity to hear from a small selection of the food and drink traders who will be there to help you tick off that Christmas list. First up Rosalind chats to Susie Anderson of East Coast Cured, followed by Stuart of Barnett's Bakery in Anstruher who was joined on his stall by his daughter Jessie, Lucy Patto Davidson from Fodder and Farm and Rosie Jack who manages the market.

Every year the team at Scran like to take the time to feature a charity in Scotland who is working with those who won't be able to enjoy the Christmas they might have wished for. This year we went along to the Eva Burrows Life House project in Cambuslang which is run by the Salvation Army. There Rosalind met with Karen Good who runs the service, service users Stephen and Peter and finally staff members Yvonne Mackenzie, Paula Thomson and David Dean.

Finally, you'll hear Rosalind chatting to Fiona Grant, the Founder of Glen Lyon coffee who have released a special Christmas coffee that you are going to want to get your hands on before the festivities begin.

To support the work of the Salvation Army in Scotland and the wonderful team at Eva Burrows Lifehouse visit salvationarmy.org.uk/scotland-office

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On this special partner episode of Scran where we are visiting Annandale Distillery in Dumfries and Galloway. Established in 1836 and reborn in 2014, Annandale is one of Scotland’s oldest operating distilleries.

Owners Prof. David Thomson & Teresa Church, purchased the site in 2007, and reopened in 2014 following a £12.5 million restoration that now welcomes over 50,000 guests a year. The Distillery has won numerous accolades to date.

As we approach their ten year anniversary Rosalind wanted to learn more about the distillery and the impact it is having both locally and on the whisky scene since it opened.

You'll hear from Tour Guide Emma O'Neil who showed Rosalind around the distillery. She also chats to James Rogerson, Annandale's Spirit and Tasting expert, Mark Trainor who is Head of Production, Buildings and Estates at Annandale and Grant Warwick who is a Cask Custodian. 

Rosalind learns all about the restoration of the distillery, how they are doing things differently and the huge effort being put into creating a real community that is invested in its people and its legacy.

You can find out more on their website annandaledistiilery.com

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On this special bonus episode of Scran we are looking back to the Scottish Food and Drink Excellence awards which took place in Glasgow a few weeks back. The Excellence Awards shine a light on the incredible businesses that call Scotland home.  

Underpinned by people, passion, and perseverance, it is an opportunity to toast the industry’s fantastic achievements over the past year, whilst looking to the future and supporting the next wave of innovation and creativity

Rosalind is joined by three of the award winners on this episode to learn more about their businesses and how awards can impact them.

First up Rosalind speaks to Hayley Wilkes of WeeCOOK followed by Andrew Wilson of Young Spirits and Andrew Rowley of Ballintaggart.

You can find more information about the awards and the winners here.

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Rosalind's guest on this episode needs little introduction these days as he has become one of Scotland's best known food ambassadors. Coinneach MacLeod aka The Hebridean Baker joins Scran once again to fill Rosalind in on his adventures - sharing his love of hebridean baking, cookery and culture all around the world. He's just launched a new book, The Scottish Cook Book and Rosalind delves into what he's included in this one and hears all about his recent trip to America which included some amazing 'pinch me' moments for Coinneach.

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On this very special bonus episode of Scran produced in partnership with Diageo we are heading north as Cardhu distillery celebrates 200 years of producing whisky. Licensed in 1824, it was the first distillery to be officially pioneered by a woman. And what better way to mark this special occasion than by celebrating all women pioneers, and three in particular?

This episode was recorded at Cardhu Distillery in Speyside and features snippets from a celebratory event where the team welcomed-in the local community to hear from these modern trailblazers. They are; fashion designer Siobhan McKenzie, Owner of Ujamaa Spice, Jawahir Al-Mauly and founder of Dear Green Coffee, Lisa Lawson. Rosalind chats to each of them about the challenges they've faced and the successes they've achieved in their inspiring businesses.

To hear more about the history of Cardhu and the celebrations to mark 200 years of licensed whisky production (including a new bottling) Rosalind also chats to Assistant Experience & Events Manager for Cardhu, Jo Henderson.

You'll find out more about 200 years of Cardhu and the anniversary celebrations here.

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On this episode, we take a deep dive into Halloween traditions, folklore and food with food historian and writer Peter Gilchrist and Rebecca McEwan from Arnprior Farm.

As we really get into autumn season this month, many of us will be looking forward to Halloween and possibly going to a pumpkin patch to pick one to carve for Halloween. Rebecca’s farm, Arnprior in Stirlingshire, started growing pumpkins in 2015 and is now one of the many pick your own pumpkin patches in Scotland - offering a fun family day out in the lead up to Halloween. She tells us about diversifying into pumpkins and what visitors can expect as well as her own memories of childhood celebrations for Halloween.

For those old enough to remember guising, dooking for apples and carving a turnip not a pumpkin, Peter tells us about the long history of Halloween in Scotland and the importance of seasonal food at this time. He also has a few interesting thoughts on carving turnips!

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