Scran

Scran

By The ScotsmanArtsFood
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Scran episodes

  • The Scottish Gin Boom
    This week we're revisiting a topic close to our hearts, Scottish Gi. Making gin, selling gin, promoting gin, writing about gin and well, drinking gin - we've got it all this week. But we're also asking if Gin's time has come. Are we passed the peak and is Gin's time in the sun drawing to a close?

    First up Rosalind speaks to Sean Murphy, whisky and gin expert and author of two books on Scottish gin. Sean has been researching the very best in Scottish gin particularly and he talks about why he thinks the industry has flourished in recent years.

    Next up is Jamie Shields from Summerhall Drinks Lab in Edinburgh. Jamie just so happens to host the Talk Gin Podcast with Sean. Rosalind caught up with him about all the wonderful and sometimes weird things he gets up to with alcohol and they discuss whether rum may be the new gin.

    Finally on this week's episode Rosalind speaks to Natalie and Martin Reid of the Gin Cooperative and founders of the Gin Cooperative Awards to get their take on how the Scottish gin industry is doing, where it might be headed and how their awards offer a unique insight into quality Scottish gins.

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    46 min
  • The 13th century castle welcoming guests to the most westerly point of Scotland
    Have you ever looked at the remains of an old building or castle and thought - what would it be like to restore it and open it as a restaurant? Well, that's exactly what we'll be talking about on this episode of Scran.

    Rosalind recently travelled to Mingary Castle, on the west coast of Scotland in Ardnamurchan Estate where she met with Chef Patron Colin Nicolson and his partner, general manager and co-owner Jessica Thompson who have set about making this restaurant with rooms a success despite the obvious challenges of its location.

    Rosalind learns about how the pair ended up there and what their vision for the castle is. Taking a tour around the community garden and shop, Rosalind also speaks to Rachel Middleton who cares for the garden and supplies the castle and locals alike with an abundance of fresh fruit, herbs and vegetables.

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    30 min
  • From Edinburgh's bountiful botanicals to Russia's rhubarb monopoly - it's Edinburgh Gin.
    On this episode of Scran you'll learn all about gin, how it's made, its very colourful history and how Edinburgh has figured in its story to-date. More specifically we'll be hearing all about Edinburgh Gin, which is fast becoming an institution in the gin world.

    Starting with a trip to Edinburgh's botanical gardens, Rosalind meets Phillip Kingscott, Edinburgh Gin's Experiential Ambassador and Dr Greg Kenicer - who has been instrumental in the development of their 1670 edition. Prepared to be amazed by the gin knowledge these two people possess!

    Rosalind also visits the current Edinburgh Gin distillery in the east end and meets Master Distiller David Wilkinson.  They discuss what goes into the various different flavours of gins as well as how they develop their new lines, what's in store for the future and what advice David has for anyone interested in the distilling business.

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    53 min
  • Campbeltown's whisky renaissance
    On this episode of Scran Rosalind travels to the Campbeltown Malts Festival which returned this year after a two-year absence. Rosalind meets various representatives of the whisky industry to hear about how the area is experiencing a rebirth and looking towards a very healthy future for whisky production and tourism.

    In this episode you will hear from David Alan, Director of Sales and Marketing at Springbank and Glengyle Distilleries, Iain McAlistair, Master Distiller at Glen Scotia, Becky Paskin, Whisky expert and writer, Charles Maclean, whisky expert and writer, Iain Croucher, Co-Director of Dal Riata and Alice Angus, artist in residence at Glen Scotia.

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    44 min
  • Bonus episode - Edinburgh Food Festival 2022
    Welcome to this bonus episode of Scran. We all know the summer brings some wonderful outdoor eating and drinking experiences to Scotland. One such event, The Edinburgh Food Festival, is returning to its home in Assembly George Square Gardens and features a plethora of amazing food and drink experiences.

    Scran Producer Kelly Crichton went along to catch up with some of the vendors to see how their festival is going and what they have on offer. She also speaks to Alex Fitzhowle who produces the event and The Kilted Chef, aka Craig Wilson who is doing some cooking demonstrations as part of the festival. Craig tells us about his role as a Scottish Food Ambassador and about how his role as a Chef has taken him to places all around the world.

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    28 min
  • The money being made by whisky
    Welcome to Series 6 of Scran!

    On this episode of Scran Rosalind is discussing a topic she finds very interesting, old and rare whisky, record breaking amounts spent on whisky and how the digital world is impacting the industry.

    A few months back Rosalind went along to the Distillers One of One auction - the first in a biennial series of auctions of ultra-rare Scottish whisky in aid of disadvantaged young people in Scotland.The auction took place In partnership with Sothebys and I went along and Rosalind speaks to a number of those involved including.

    Rosalind also speaks to the ever-interesting Blair Bowman, whisky consultant, broker and author, about this new world of whisky. Never one to shy away from a critical view of the industry, Blair talks us through the relatively new world of NFTs and what this means for whisky in general - and spoiler alert - he's not happy about it.

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    37 min
  • Special episode - Feis Ile 2 - a truly unique festival
    We're on to episode 2 of our two-part special on Feis Ile 2022. On this podcast Rosalind continues her exploration of this unique and highly popular festival. Rosalind speaks to more producers, visits more distilleries and goes on a magical mystery tour, but believe it or not, it's not all whisky!

    You will hear many different voices on this episode including two really interesting conversations with Bunnahabhain's new master distiller Brendan McCarron, who shares his vision for the whisky, and with Ben Shakespeare of the Feis Ile Committee who tells Rosalind all about how the 2022 festival has gone.

    You'll also hear from Gaelic singer Lynn MacDonald and traditional storyteller Kate Coutts who regales us with the story of the first distillery.

    Thanks to Loganair and CalMac Ferries, both of whom can get you to and from the island whenever you choose to go. Further thanks to the Feis Ile organising committee for inviting Rosalind to experience the festival.

    Thanks to all the guests who appeared on this episode of Scran, including;

    Charlotte Gillett, Deer Island Distillers
    Phillipa MaCallum, Jura Brewery
    Ben Ingles, Islay Rum
    Ed Richardson, The Machrie Hotel
    Claire Fletcher, Lussa Gin
    Gary Coupland, musician
    Florence Grey, Feis Ile Committee Chair
    Lynn MacDonald, Gaelic Singer
    Kate Coutts, Traditional Storyteller
    Donald MacKenzie, Islay Ales
    Ashley McGregor, Botanist Gin
    Brendan McCarron, Bunahabhainn & Distell
    Ben Shakespeare, Feil ile Organising Committee

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    1 hr
  • Special episode - Feis Ile 1 - a whisky drinker's mecca

    We have produced 2 special episodes of Scran all about that whisky drinker's mecca - Feis Ile. 

    Across these episodes you'll get a sense of what being at Feis Ile is like. Rosalind visits various distilleries, talks to producers from Islay and Jura and soaks up the wonderful music and entertainment. You will really get a feel for what it's like to be part of this special island community and this extremely popular week of events. Everything you will hear was recorded at the festival. 


    On this episode you will hear many voices including;

    Helen Carter from Islay Wines

    Craig Archibald of Islay Oysters 

    Bruicladdich Brand Ambassador Fraser Matthews 

    Ella Edgar of Ella Edgar School of Highland Dancing

    Callum Gallagher of Islay Tuk Tuk

    Ashley Griffin and Adam Mclellan of Jukebox Gin

    Carol-Ann McTaggart, the visitor centre manager at Kilchoman Distillery

    Emma McHarrie, tour guide, Kilchoman Distillery 

    Dominick Hefner, nosing competition winner 2019 

    Rachel MacNeil of Islay Whisky Academy and

    Ann Hock of Orsay Sea Salt.


    Thanks to all the guests who appear on this episode.

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    1 hr
  • Dancing Puffins and bountiful botanicals with Badachro Distillery
    On this episode of Scran Rosalind visits Badachro Distillery in Gairloch on the North West coast where she met Vanessa Quinn who gave her a tour of the facility. Her partner in life and business Gordon wasn't there that day but caught up with Rosalind via Zoom a few weeks later when he filled her in on how the business came about and how they are going from strength to strength.

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    28 min
  • Soaking up Spirit of Speyside
    On this episode of Scran it's all about celebrating whisky - but at long last, we get to do it in person!

     Rosalind travelled north to experience the return of Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. With people attending from all over the world, she caught up with many directly involved in the festival, producers and those visiting simply to sample and enjoy the whisky.  

    First up was a tour of Glenfiddich where guide Brian Weir gave a great insight into the history of this world famous brand and the whisky mavericks of Dufftown.

    Rosalind speaks to Sarah Burgess, Creative Director of the Craigellachie Collection about her long career in the whisky trade and how she is on a mission to popularise the highball.  

    One of the joys of Scottish whisky festivals is the wonderful entertainment that's always laid on, the Spirit of Speyside was no different. You'll hear Joe Aitken singing a bothy balled at the fireside during a tasting session with Murray McDavid.

    You will also get a taste of Martine Nouget's session on pairing whisky and chocolate and another tasting session with Karen McWillaims of GlenAllichie, who even lets us in on a little secret!

    Finally Rosalind sits down with George McNeil Chairman of the Spirit of Speyside to find out how he's getting on in his new role, how his career and passions have led him to where he is and what lies ahead for the festival.

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    57 min

About Scran

From the publisher's feed

From the humble haggis supper to the finest single malt, Scotland's food and drink scene is as unique as the nation itself. Rosalind Erskine, The Scotsman's Food and Drink Editor, is joined by guests…

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