In this week's episode, Lesley and Fraser navigate a blustery start to the week. Lesley recounts her experience at the Irish Consul's celebration in Edinburgh, noting Ireland's cultural confidence.

The discussion turns to the "heating oil headache" facing off-grid Scots, with the UK government’s £35 support package being branded as woefully inadequate. We look to our Northern neighbours for solutions, analysing how district heating and hydro energy allow countries like Finland to maintain energy security while the UK remains tethered to volatile fossil fuel markets.

The mood shifts as we examine the continuing escalation in the Middle East. We discuss Donald Trump's "wasp's nest" approach to Iran, the tragic bombing of a girls’ school in Minab linked to outdated AI data, and the growing criticism of the BBC’s "sanitised" coverage of the conflict.

We discuss the count down to the election and the SNP’s campaign conference at the weekend with some headline grabbing announcments. Plus the news that ‘Your Party’ like the Alba Party, won’t be contesting the Holyrood elections. 

Plus, we look at the potential for political upheaval in Hungary, the latest goings on surrounding Peter Mandelson’s departure, and Lesley’s whirlwind tour of Scotland with her Finland film screenings.

In this episode:

• St Patrick's Day Confidence: What Scotland can learn from the Irish approach to history and culture.
• The Heating Oil Crisis: Why £35 is a "hotchpotch" response to doubling energy bills for rural households.
• District Heating – Why Wait?: Analysing the Scandinavian model, where wasting industrial heat is against the law.
• Iran & The AI Failure: The devastating consequences of old data and the "distancing" language of modern warfare.
• BBC Under Fire: Ben Depeer’s critique of "if it bleeds, it leads" and the challenges of reporting from a bunker.
• The Mandelson Payoff: The "brazenness" of a £547,000 request following a reputational meltdown.

Links

Support the podcast with a monthly or annual subscription

https://lesleyriddoch.com/podcast/subscribe

Finland Film Screenings & Events

Check the latest dates for Lesley's screenings across Scotland.

https://lesleyriddoch.com/events

Metagama: An Atlantic Odyssey
https://www.facebook.com/p/Metagama-An-Atlantic-Odyssey-61557037868810/

17 March: Birks Cinema, Aberfeldy

18 March: Universal Hall, Findhorn

19 March: Community Hall, Kincraig

20 March: Macphail Centre, Ullapool

21 March: Stratherrick Public Hall, Gorthleck

22 March: Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Isle of Skye

24 March: Cultarlann Inbhir Nis, Inverness

25 March: Appin Village Hall, Argyll

26 March: The Tolbooth, Stirling

Tickets for village halls:
https://tickets-scotland.com/events.html...

Tickets for Macphail Centre:
https://tickets.highlifehighland.com/.../highlife.../2031529

Tickets for all other venues:
From venue box office & websites 

'This acclaimed 5* live stage show tells the story of 1920s mass emigration from the Hebrides, featuring some of Scotland's top folk musicians and singers. The show has played to capacity audiences across the Highlands and Islands, Celtic Connections and HebCeltc Festival, with the current 2026 Scottish tour supported by Creative Scotland.''

''The quality of the music is astonishing. A MUST LISEN! *****'' Folk London magazine
''A story full of imense contemporary resonances. ****'' Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman
''Top drawer music.'' Gary West, piper and piping podcast presenter
''A night of exquisite music and storytelling. *****'' Inverness Courier

An ensemble of acclaimed musicians and singers will carry you aboard the Metagama, a journey that will take you to the lakes and plains of Canada, to 1920s Detroit and Prohibition, through the ebb and flow of fortunes on both sides of the Atlantic.
Join award-winning writer Donald S Murray, musician Liza Mulholland, actor and 7:84 Theatre founding player Dolina MacLennan, noted Gaelic singer John Joe Macneil, fiddler Charlie Mackerron of Capercaillie, singer-songwriter Willie Campbell, young up-and-coming cellist Juliette Lemoine, and visual artist Doug Robertson, in marking this historic event with an evening of music, song and story.

This five-star show toured to great acclaim and capacity audiences in the Highlands & Islands in 2023 and followed this with a sell-out concert at Celtic Connections 2024. This current tour in March 2026 has secured support from Creative Scotland,