In this episode we explore deep time in an investigation into the geology and history of the Grey Mare’s Tail, a spectacular waterfall and nature reserve in Dumfries. Jenny looks into how creatures from 500 million years ago, found at the Grey Mare’s Tail, sent seismic waves through the geologic community. Annie uncovers a surreal tale of 17th century Covenanters seeking refuge and hiding at the Grey Mare’s Tail only to confront their worst nightmares. Also, a place of feral goats.

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Jenny and Annie find stories of Gruinard Island, a small island just off the West Coast of the Scottish. From this one little piece of land, they uncover harrowing and painful stories of the Highland Clearances. They discuss the kelp processing industry on the Western Isles and the impact it had on crofting communities. They learn about an unsympathetic landlord and the strife of tenants. Next, they go into the dark history of Second World War biological weapon testing on the island. They ask how could an island be left with deadly anthrax for decades in the midst of idyllic scenery. Jenny looks into Dark Harvest Commandos who fought for the British Government to decontaminate Gruinard. This episode ties together controversial land management decisions, past and present. Please be advised this episode discusses government testing of biological weapons on livestock.

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Jenny and Annie explore the everlasting legend of mermaids to celebrate coastlines, seas and lochs. They share incredible mermaid folklore curated by a traditional storyteller from Caithness to learn about the significance of mermaids to Scotland’s culture. Jenny reads poetry inspired by the lands-under-the-sea written by a fisherman’s son from Shetland. Annie examines mermaid artefacts from the Scottish Fisheries Museum and National Museums Scotland.They also discuss selkies, the mythological half-seal half-human creatures. Kyle returns to sing a couple of verses from the traditional Scots ballad Lady Odivere.

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Jenny and Annie look at the natural lifecycle of the salmon. This episode delves into ancient legends of the salmon of wisdom as well as the romantic Scottish mythology about the Day of Bride, the Celtic festival of spring and how this relates to salmon and serpents.

Jenny and Annie get curious about isotopic archaeology that questions how much fish Picts ate. We also uncover a Cromwellian book that teaches us that we need to restrict the amount of salmon we eat, with some intriguing seventeenth-century logic.

Jenny and Annie investigate salmon poaching on the Inner Tay Estuary between Perth and Dundee. They learn about this dark side to poaching, the dangers and shenanigans of catching illicit salmon. Looking at the little industrious town of Newburgh, they visit the fishing stations of Jock’s Hole and Gutter Hole. Jenny and Annie uncover some underhand river police tactics for catching poachers. Annie’s grandfather Jimmy tells stories of some late-night poaching antics on the River Nith in Dumfries, in the last of the grandparent interviews.

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In this episode, Jenny and Annie eat some delicious Aberdeen rowies, also known as butteries. We look at the origin of this calories dense maritime snack and sing a cheeky wee buttery shanty. We hear about a mischievous oatcake-stealing fairy and Jenny reads from an account of hillwalking on Bennachie, a twelve-mile hike all on a buttery breakfast.

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Continuing the conversation about rural Scotland, Annie and Jenny speak to Jimmy about his experience of being a blacksmith in 1950. They learn some very peculiar stories of blacksmiths from legends, including encounters with mischievous kelpies, bootlace-tying rhymes and the magic of iron. A surreal and enticing examination of the role of the village blacksmith.

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In the third episode interviewing Jean and Jimmy we travel back to the dance halls of the fabulous fifties. Jenny and Annie learn about love, conscription and most importantly turnips. This is an intimate look at love and life in the rural lowlands of Scotland in the 1950s.

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In this bonus episode, Jenny and Annie celebrate the winter solstice by looking at some wonderful eccentric traditions past on Shetland. We discuss the mystery of the Clava Cairns, the ancient monument that inspired the time-traveling romance Outlander.

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