Unique Scotland

This Podcast takes us from the Isle of Skye to the mainland where we land at Mallaig, a small fishing port. The port is home to the Mallaig train station and became famous for the filming of the Harry Potter train, the Hogwarts Express, and you can travel on the very same steam train that travels between Mallaig and Fort William. I will be dropping my guests at the train station and making my way along the parallel road to meet them at their destination. They will cross the famous Glenfinnan viaduct, the very same place that Bonnie Prince Charlie landed in 1745. He escaped from a spot not far from their after his disastrous defeat at Culloden. So much to see and do on the way!

When a Scottish Politician calls a world leader a delusional bully with dangerous conspiracy theories, who could he be talking about. Just one of the topics to listen to on this roundup of what is affecting Scotland today - from Covid to Politics to the Royal Family and much more with a tale of human kindness to end with a special plea to Mr Turmp!

Master of the Quaich and entry to the Whisky Hall of Fame is bestowed upon only the best of the best and Charles Maclean fits that category. With 18 books under his belt, founding member of the Whisky magazine, Whisky correspondent for Scottish Field and host of a Whisky TV channel, it was a delight to interview this true whisky connoisseur who did not hold back during our discussion. He divulged his favourite whisky and it surprised me! As a prelude to the interview, I look at different whiskies around the world and also the whisky regions of Scotland that Charles comments upon later. But the gem of the Podcast is the full and frank discussion on the whisky industry today and Charles' take on where the industry is heading.

To find that some distilleries are producing No Age Statement (NAS) bottles of whisky is rather disturbing especially after years of being told that one must "look out for the number - know your age - know your Whisky". This will be discussed after a look at how cool spring water is turned into the amber nectar known as the Single Malt whisky. You will also learn to read a label and come to understand the difference between a Single Malt and a Blended whisky. There is also a story of one man's conversion to a whisky that he thought was awful. It is a fun tour of today's Scottish whisky industry - enjoy!

This is the first of a three Part Series, walking you through the magical world of Whisky. This episode will focus on the history of the Amber Nectar, from where it originated, to the fabulous distilleries all over Scotland. It was not an easy journey and you can find out here how the beaurocracy was overcome and how the great whisky houses of today were formed.

In addition we have the great pleasure of a Whisky expert and Keeper of the Quaich, Ronnie Berry joining us on this Podcast. Ronnie is a well known Whisky ambassador who has conducted Whisky tastings all over the world. Ronnie's business can be found on his website SCOTTISH WHISKY TOURS.

From Loch Snizort you will travel up to the Waternish Ridge and stop by a Fairy Bridge with tales of a Macleod Clan Chief who married a Fairy. Incredible as this may seem, when the Fairy had to return to the underworld, she left him a Flag with mysterious powers that could call upon extra clansmen if ever the Clan was in trouble in battle. This Flag is on display in Dunvegan castle today! The trip up Waternish will bring you to Trumpan Church, an eerie place reflecting a terrible tragedy and, nearby, the site of the Battle of the Spoiling Dyke. From there you will drive on to Dunvegan and take in the splendid Dunvegan Castle before taking time to visit Talisker distillery. On the tour you will visit the magical Fairy Pools with the Cullin mountains as a backdrop. Much to see and hear so enjoy this final part 3 tour of the Isle of Skye

Letter from Scotland is a no holds barred commentary on topical news items affecting Scotland . It you an insight into what is going on in Scotland and around the rest of the UK in the Media. It brings you up to date with the issues of the day, both local and national including the more controversial issues affecting Scotland's Politics. It is short and sharp and will give you a good taste for the items making the news

In travelling around the north of Skye, you will be standing in some of most stunning scenery in Scotland. The Trotternish ridge is breath-taking and as you visit the high cliff at Kilt Rock, you will also hear of prehistoric monster fossils found on a beach nearby.

You will visit the Skye museum of Island Life and hear how people lived in the 17th and 18th centuries. Nearby is the resting place of Flora Macdonald, a Scottish heroine, who is well remembered for her part in saving the Jacobite leader Charles Edward Stuart, or Bonnie Prince Charlie. There are ruined castles and ghost stories and all set in the most picturesque landscape.

From Loch Ness to the Isle of Skye, or the Misty Isle as it is known, will take you on an atmospheric journey from the best known loch in the world to the best known island. Your tour will take you from Loch Ness past Glen Moriston and into Glen Shiel where you will hear about the famous battle of 1719 and the part that Spaniards played.

You will visit the most photographed castle in Scotland, Eilean Donan, and call into the wonderful garden of Attadale near to Loch Carron. As you cross onto Skye, you will hear about Saucy Mary, a Norwegian Princess and visit her resting place at the top of a mountain. You will experience shimmering lochs, high mountain passes and wonderful scenery as well as the story of where the Scottish liqueur Drambuie came from - and much more!

The Customs and Traditions of Scotland cover a large range of activities and clothing as well as music and strange eating habits. Kilts, bagpipes, tossing the caber and eating haggis are just some of the extraordinary Customs and Traditions of Scotland, a small but wonderful country with more sheep than people! If you want to know why an enormous kilted Scotsman would want to throw a tree trunk across a field, then do listen. What exactly is a haggis and how can you catch one? Where does the Scots Tartan originate? It is all here in this Podcast.

You will hear some traditional Scottish music and discover the origins of the Highland Games as well as the Edinburgh Royal Military Tattoo. There's much, much more so do listen in to be tickled pink about this proud but strange race - the Scots