Simply Scottish

Discover the remarkable story of one of Scotland's most successful businessmen, Sir Thomas Lipton. In part 1, we profile Lipton's rise from assistant in his parents' store in Glasgow to overseer of a grocery market empire with over 300 stores all over Great Britain! We reveal the secrets of his success and the innovative methods he used to make his company a household name. Why did he move to the United States as a teenager? Why did he return to Scotland? What does the world's biggest cheese have to do with his stores? Find out all this and more, plus the personal recollections of Andrew McDiarmid Sr. and a great selection of Scottish music from Sir Harry Lauder, David Francey, Coreen Scott, and more!

This episode features more finalists from our Moment in Scottish History contest, highlighting key events in Scotland's history. Discover how the Scottish Highlands changed forever with a look at the Battle of Culloden and the Highland Clearances. We'll also revisit the moment Skara Brae was discovered, one of the oldest prehistoric settlements in Europe. Other moments include George IV's visit to Edinburgh, a Scottish expedition to the Antarctic, the plight of the Suffragettes, World War II, and the construction of the Forth Road Bridge. Enjoy music from Breabach, Catriona MacDonald, Moira Kerr, and more!

Take a journey through Scotland's history on this episode of Simply Scottish, featuring finalists from our Moment in Scottish History Contest. What happened to Rome's 9th Legion after they marched into the wild lands of Caledonia? Learn about the famed footprint at Dunadd, seat of the ancient kings of Dalriada. Discover the significance of Dun Nechtain and Athelstaneford, two key battles in early Scottish history. Relive important moments in the life of Robert the Bruce, and uncover important truths about the Massacre of Glencoe and the Act of Union with England. All this plus music from Sandy Meldrum, The Paul McKenna Band, The Corries, and more!

Enjoy a great selection of Scottish poems and songs in part 3 of our series! Learn more about the fiery poet, editor, and political activist Hugh MacDiarmid and how he revived interest and awareness in the Scots language and Scottish literature. Hear MacDiarmid read from "The Kind of Poetry I Want" during a visit to New York in 1969 and enjoy a selection of his work. You'll also meet Robert Service, the Bard of the Yukon. Hear about his adventures in the Canadian and American West and why he was hailed as the people's poet. Also, poems by Andrew McDiarmid and Stewart Conn, plus music from Session A9, Emily Smith, Ewan Robertson & Gary Innes, and more!

Perhaps no country has been influenced by the Scots more than Canada. On this episode, learn the fascinating story of the Scots who helped build early Canada. You'll meet Simon McTavish, founder of the North West Company, who at one time controlled a majority of the fur trade business in the Canadian territories. We'll look at the expeditions of Alexander MacKenzie, the first explorer to blaze a trail from Canada's interior to the mighty Pacific. And you'll learn about two Scots who helped safeguard Canada's bilingual and cultural heritage. Discover how the Scots laid the groundwork for a new nation! All this plus music highlighting Canada's Scottish musical heritage, including Leahy, Mary Jane Lamond, the Chris Norman Ensemble, and more!

To understand the famous highlander Rob Roy, you must first understand the times in which he lived. On this episode of Simply Scottish, we separate the man from the myth. Discover the troubling period of Scottish history into which Rob was born, including the story of the covenanters and the conflict between king and church. Learn more about the clan system and how Rob Roy quickly gained a reputation for himself as a man of courage and conviction. Even amidst the toughest times, Rob remained true to his family and clan, and his story can be an encouragement to us all. All this plus music from David Warrack's Rob Roy: The Musical, Kim Edgar, Alasdair Fraser, and more!

Hailed as the biggest band since The Beatles, the Bay City Rollers became global sensations in the mid-1970s with their bubblegum pop and tartan trousers. Learn more about their journey through stardom on this episode of Simply Scottish, another Scottish Three. Along with rollermania, we'll also look at Scottish mathematician John Napier, whose contributions to mathematics include logarithms and a more efficient system for making calculations. Finally, discover how Scotsman John Broadwood helped invent grand pianos and hear how Ludwig van Beethoven thanked the craftsman after receiving one of his instruments as a gift. All this plus music from Deacon Blue, Rory Butler, Skipinnish, and more!

On this episode of Simply Scottish, teacher, naturalist and writer Jack Nisbet discusses the life and legacy of 19th century Scottish botanist David Douglas. In a short but eventful career, Douglas collected and introduced to Europe over 200 plant species, including the Douglas Fir for which he is named. Nisbet is author of two books on Douglas - 2009's The Collector and 2012's David Douglas: A Naturalist at Work. Nibset's unique insight helps us understand who Douglas was as a Scotsman, a nature lover, and a collector for the Royal Horticultural Society in an age of global discovery and exploration. Enjoy period music by F.P. Hill & John Longman, as well as Alasdair Fraser and a modern-day David Douglas!

Although the origins of golf are widely debated, the game developed and matured in Scotland. On this episode of Simply Scottish, the latest in our Sport in Scotland series, we explore the history of golf. Learn how golf advanced from a short stick and ball pastime to the majestic game it is today. Discover golf's greats with our profiles of past and present players, including Old Tom Morris, Dorothy Campbell, Willie Anderson, and Colin Montgomerie. And join in as we look at Scotland's top golf courses, from the Old Course of St. Andrew to Gleneagles, site of the 2014 Ryder Cup. All this plus music from Sketch, Battlefield Band, Alistair Ogilvy, and Olympic Swimmers.

For almost 800 years, the only way to cross the Firth of Forth between Edinburgh and Fife was by ferry boat. In 1890, the Forth Rail Bridge opened, a marvel of Victorian era engineering. Learn about this majestic landmark and how it revolutionized transportation between the lowlands and highlands of Scotland. We'll also look at the Forth Road Bridge, an essential transit link for central Scotland, and details of the new Forth crossing, due to be completed in 2016. Enjoy music from Deacon Blue and Capercaillie, as well as songs about the Forth bridge by Radio Big Band and Robin Laing.