This special episode delves into the rich maritime legacy of Glasgow's River Clyde, once a global powerhouse of shipbuilding. From the early 19th to the mid-20th century, the Clyde's shipyards were at the forefront of industrial innovation and naval craftsmanship, producing thousands of vessels that left an indelible mark on world history. This prolific output earned Glasgow the prestigious title of the "Second City of the British Empire," a testament to its pivotal role in global trade, warfare, and transportation.

Although shipbuilding on the Clyde can be traced back to the 15th century, it was the Industrial Revolution that truly transformed the region into a maritime titan. Key developments such as the deepening of the river and innovating construction techniques enabled the building and launch of much larger ships. These infrastructural advancements, coupled with the era's technological progress, catalyzed a boom in ship production. By the late 1800s, the Clyde was responsible for building an astonishing 20% of the world's ships, a feat that underscores its global significance.

The episode not only explores the technical and historical aspects of Clyde shipbuilding but also brings to life the human stories behind the steel. Listeners are treated to tales of iconic ships constructed along the riverbanks—vessels that played crucial roles in shaping the geopolitical and economic landscape of their time. These narratives highlight the ingenuity, resilience, and craftsmanship of the workers who toiled in the shipyards, often in challenging conditions, to produce some of the most renowned ships in maritime history.

Adding a deeply personal dimension to the episode is the perspective of a veteran shipyard worker-manager-shipyard owner who began his career at the age of 16 and dedicated over four decades to the industry. His firsthand account offers invaluable insights into the day-to-day realities of life in the yards, the camaraderie among workers, and the pride they took in their contributions to a globally respected industry. His reflections serve as a poignant reminder of the human element at the heart of industrial achievement.

For those interested in visualizing this remarkable chapter of Scottish history, you can view some photographs on the Unique Scotland website www.exclusivescottishvisits.co.uk. These images capture both the grandeur of the Clyde's shipbuilding heyday and the remnants of its once-bustling shipyards as they stand today.

In essence, this episode is a heartfelt tribute to Glasgow's shipbuilding heritage—a story of innovation, industry, and identity. It celebrates the River Clyde not just as a geographical feature, but as a symbol of Scotland's contribution to the world's maritime legacy. Through historical context, personal testimony, and visual storytelling, the episode paints a vivid picture of a bygone era that continues to resonate in the cultural memory of Glasgow and beyond.

Scotsman in New York

NEW YORK is, undoubtedly, one of the most exciting cities in the world and I can't believe that I have just visited for the first time. Thankfully I have now been to see this amazing metropolis for myself and this Podcast shares that experience with you. From screeching Police sirens to bellowing bagpipes, this was an adventure worth waiting for.

It is only a few weeks since I returned from New York and I was absolutely buzzing after my first visit to the Big Apple, to such an extent that I'm inserting this bonus Podcast detailing my experience in the city and the excitement of being part of Tartan week when thousands of Scots pour into the metropolis to join thousands more diaspora Scots who come from all over America to enjoy this bagpiping, drum thumping, highland dancing, whisky drinking throng. It is incredible.

The Tartan Parade actually marched up 6th Avenue, waved on by thousands of people who lined the streets. Of course this was just one part of my journey, and I share with you the wonderful times I had at Met Cloisters, Central Park where I recorded a busker singing John Lennon's song, Imagine, not far from where he used to live and was killed. I visit the Empire State Building, the Vanderbilt experience and the Peak restaurant at Hudson Yards, and all at a height of 1400 feet. I walk the Highline and take a gastronomic tour around Chelsea Market.

Well, let me share my experience of New York with you, not just Tartan week but my overall visit which was a whirlwind of both tourist sites and off the beaten track places which were just as wonderful.

In this third Episode on Glasgow city, we have just come to the end of University Avenue, arriving at Byers Road, a favourite place for University Students to eat and drink. What is the scandal surrounding the Tennant Pub? And what does a Clockwork Orange have to do with Glasgow's underground railway system, the third oldest in the world. I'll be mentioning the conversion of 19th century Town Houses to hotels and find out where Kylie Minogue stays when she is visiting Glasgow. Down on the waterfront we will visit the Scottish Exhibition Centre to see an arena that looks like a spacecraft and the other one that looks like an Armadillo. Across the other side of the River Clyde, we will visit the science centre and I'll tell you about the Glasgow Tower that earned the Guinness World Record, for its ability to be rotated 360 degrees in the presence of wind. We will also be visiting a couple of the 20 art galleries and museums that adorn Glasgow which has some of the most eminent collection of arts and historical antiques in Europe. Oh, and don't forget the musical arts centres where our opera house sits opposite Scotland's centre for bagpipes. Could one say that the sounds are not dissimilar?

In this second Episode of Glasgow we leave Glasgow Green and travel from the East, along the river Clyde and past the Clutha bar that suffered such a tragedy a few years ago. We pass through the centre, traversing St Vincent Street to see some fabulous buildings including a Greek and Egyptian styled church reflecting the eclectic architecture of Glasgow. The street names reflect famous people and battles that were fought and you will hear how Nelson lost his eye and hear about the building that now houses the implement that removed the shrapnel during the battle. You will hear of the callous poisoning of Madeleine Smith's lover and how on earth did she walk free having bought the arsenic just a few days before. We will cross over to Charing Cross and hear of the square mile of Murder. Then, onto the wonderful Gilbert Scott building that makes up Glasgow University and also to extraordinary Hunterian Museum before arriving at Byers Road. Fascinating places to hear about and some fascinating tales to tell.

Glasgow City – Episode 1 – A Panoramic Tour

Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland, is not the Capital of the country as that honour goes to Edinburgh with it's Royal Castle and Palace. There is however, a constant buzz around the city which boasts 5 Universities, the Oldest of which is Glasgow University founded in 1451. It hosts two of the best of Scotland's football teams and it is renowned for its nightlife and theatreland.

The city has grown from the beginnings of an early church established in the 6th century by Saint Kentigern or Saint Mungo as he is know locally. Sadly most of the medieval city has gone and there is now an eclectic mix of architecture mainly from the late 18th century to the more modern 21st century buildings with only St Mungo's Cathedral and Provand's Lordship still standing from the much earlier period.

In this first Episode, I am going to take you with me through the city streets, pointing out the main buildings and giving you background and context of what we see including wonderful architecture and extraordinary sculptures that adorn the city. We will start with how Glasgow came about and look at the symbols that adorn the city and are associated with it's Patron Saint, Saint Mungo.

We will commence this panoramic tour of Glasgow starting at the centre of the city in George Square and we will look at some of the wonderful buildings including the City Chambers or the Mayor's office. We will be driving from the modern centre of the City, out to the Medieval Cathedral and down the old High Street and on to Glasgow Green and the Peoples Palace and I will be explaining all the prominent buildings and landmarks as we go. There are some extraordinary stories behind the facades and I look forward to telling you all about this fine city.

LETTER FROM SCOTLAND – End of Year Review

Shenanigans, Sheepdogs and Shipwrecks litter the pages of this good news final Letter from Scotland of 2024.

The bad news of the old year is left behind as the stories from this Podcast focus on the good news. So, if you only revel in crisis-driven bad news, then switch off now.

Political shenanigans are confined to the bin. Warm hearted sheepdogs take their place as do one eyed cats, but the finale' of this Newsletter is left to an extraordinary story of a Shipwreck survivor and the niece who travelled to the North West of Scotland to visit the site and to hear, first hand, of her uncle's incredible survival. We visit Loch Ewe where the SS William H Welsh, a United States Liberty Ship, sank in a terrible storm in February 1944. Out of 74 crew, only 12 men survived and John King, uncle to Margie Gill, was one of those men. It is not just a story of survival, but one of great fortitude and heroism on the part of locals who lived in the area of Altbea, around Loch Ewe. It is about Crofting women who fought their way across open boggy terrain in atrocious weather to get to the survivors and to keep them alive in freezing conditions. It is a good news story of simple folk overcoming overwhelming odds to help those in desperate need. It's about Highland folk, doing what Highland folk do – provide Highland hospitality at its best. Hear from Roy Macintyre, now 90 years old, who was witness to this tragedy and met John King, uncle to Margie Gill.

This Letter from Scotland – review of 2024 – is about putting last year to bed and looking forwards with hope for 2025. Enjoy!

Discover the extraordinary secrets of an incredible coastline to the east of Edinburgh in the County of East Lothian. It is an area of regal beauty with golden sandy beaches, medieval castles, the largest concentration of championship links golf courses in the world, gourmet restaurants and fabulous coastal and upland walks.

In this second Episode, we will start where we left off in the previous Episode having just left the village of Direlton with a view of the small hill, Berwick Law, up ahead on the right hand side. We will drive down to North Berwick and look at the fabulous Sea Bird Centre with interactive cameras to look directly into the nest of the sea birds on the Bass Rock. We will hear about the Bass rock, with it's castle and place of imprisonment over the centuries. We will then take the coast road down to Dunbar with an amazing sculpture nearby called Dunbear, a 15 foot Brown Bear – what is it doing there? We will then return to Edinburgh via East Fortune to see the extraordinary Museum of Flight and then onto Athelstaneford, the village where the Scottish Flag, the Saltire, was born. We will pop into the lovely market town of Haddington to see it's lovely shops and cafés before having a look at the village of Gifford, a real hidden gem of a village with it's quirky cafés and ancient church with a connection to the American Declaration of Independence. A wonderful area, with some wonderful stories and so close to Edinburgh

SCOTTISH BORDERS – PART 2

So many people who rush to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland miss the amazing beauty of the Lowlands, and the Borders area of Scotland in particular.

This Podcast takes up where we left off in Part 1 and we start at the incredible Jedburgh abbey with a walk around the town to see the Old Castle jail before heading off to Mary Queen of Scott's house where you'll hear of her ill health after visiting her lover, Bothwell. Then we'll drive to another lovely ruin at Melrose and I'll let you know a little more about the lives of the monks who lived in these places to give you an insight into Monastic life. And what does Melrose Abbey have to do with the heart of our greatest king, Robert the Bruce? We'll also look at the towns of Selkirk and Galashiels that have so much to offer and we will then head over to have a look at Abbotsford House, the home of Sir Walter Scott the most celebrated Scottish author of his generation. Before we end, I'll tell you about the Border Reivers, renegades and outlaws, who controlled the Border area for hundreds of year.

You will also hear from previous Guests, the Wood family, and an incredible chance meeting with a close relative they never knew existed. This will have quite an effect on you.

You will also hear from another of my guests, the celebrated American author Mary Anne Edwards, who writes the Detective series 'Charlie McClung' and it was apt that we finished our tour at Abbotsford House where Mary Ann could study Sir Walter Scott, our own celebrated author. You can find her 'Charlie McClung' series of books on Amazon.

In this Podcast, we are going to travel from Edinburgh down to the Borders passing through some medieval villages on route. We will be travelling on roads built by the Romans in the 1st and 2nd centurie and we'll be looking at some scintillating castles and other fascinating buildings on our way. You will hear of true Thomas or Thomas the Rhymer whose prophesies were uncannily accurate and also of Maiden Lilliard, the warrior lady who had her legs chopped off during the battle of Ancrum and continued to fight against those who had killed her lover. We will also look into the ruined Border Abbeys at Dryburgh and Kelso and take a look at Roxburgh castle ruins where James 2nd of Scotland was killed by one of his own cannons. The ruins stand in the grounds of the fabulous Floors castle, home to the Duke of Roxburgh. And as dramatic historical events have ebbed and flowed, the gentle waters of the river Tweed, which gave its name to the famous Tweed fabric, continues to meander throughout the Border region although most of the woollen mills have now closed. If you wish to contribute a small sum towards the creation of my Podcasts, please go to.

https://buymeacoffee.com/uniquescotland

Discover the extraordinary secrets of an incredible coastline to the East of Edinburgh in the County of EAST LOTHIAN. It is an area of regal beauty with golden sandy beaches, medieval castles, the largest concentration of championship links golf courses in the world, gourmet restaurants and fabulous coastal and upland walks.

In this first Episode, we start in the town of Musselburgh where the Romans left their mark in the first century, to Carbery Hill, the battleground where Mary Queen of Scots lost her Crown. We will see the site of the battle of Prestonpans and hear the true story of how the battle unfolded from Dr Arran Johnston, the Director of Scottish Battlefields. We will pass through Longniddry and hear about Gosford House, a fabulous mansion in the centre of a 5000 acre estate. Then, onto my own village of Aberlady, where Robert Clark, the General Manager of the newly refurbished boutique hotel, the Leddie, will give us his take on the area. From there to the wonderful village of Gullane, voted one of the best places to live in the United Kingdom. With lovely restaurants, cafes, art galleries, ice cream parlours, three golf courses and a wonderful mile-long golden sandy beach, what is there not to love. Then onto our final destination of Dirleton with it's own golden sands and a medieval castle right in the middle of the village.

At the end of the Podcasts, you will hear from a young lady, Lisa Gillen, who surprised John at Culloden Battlefield and also two of John's guests, who were just coming to the end of their tour, to get their take on Scotland.