Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Scotcast
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hello from Scotcast | 06 Jan 2025 | 00:01:52 | |
What you can expect to hear from the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler. | |||
| UK's first drug supervision room opens | 13 Jan 2025 | 00:27:48 | |
Will a new NHS facility which allows people to take heroin and other drugs under medical supervision be harmful or helpful? We ask the BBC’s Chris Clements, who’s making a documentary about why Scotland has the worst drug death rate in Europe. And we hear from Barry, who started taking heroin when he was 14. And Martin and Natalie discuss Alex Salmond’s widow urging the former First Minister’s critics to let him 'rest in peace'. Get in touch with the Scotcast team by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Is shoplifting out of control? | 14 Jan 2025 | 00:27:51 | |
Are organised crime gangs fuelling a rise in shoplifting? And is the crime out of control? Martin hears from the BBC’s Jim Connolly, who’s investigated the issue, and campaigner Stephanie Karté from Retailers Against Crime. And Laura Miller reveals all about her scramble to board the ferry that seemed to take forever to build. Get in touch with the Scotcast team by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Why Lockerbie is back in the news | 15 Jan 2025 | 00:27:48 | |
With the Lockerbie disaster back in the news, the team recall Britain's worst terror attack and discuss where the story goes from here. Kaye Adams reveals what it was like to be one of the first reporters on the scene. And the BBC's David Cowan explains how a new trial offers more questions than answers. And Martin and Laura Miller chat about the most expensive Gaelic drama ever made. Get in touch with the Scotcast team by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Is Trump Scotland's friend? | 20 Jan 2025 | 00:25:42 | |
Donald Trump is back in the White House: can the president’s family and business links to Scotland be exploited? We ask Torcuil Crichton, the Labour MP for the Western Isles who has invited President Trump to his mother’s birthplace of Lewis, and the BBC’s Scotland Correspondent David Wallace Lockhart. And Martin and Laura Miller explore the rights and wrongs of pronouncing ‘Scotcast’ with a glottal stop. Get in touch with the Scotcast team by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Why housing is so expensive | 16 Jan 2025 | 00:28:21 | |
Average rents are edging towards £1,000 a month and house prices are on the up. We ask John Boyle from Rettie estate agents and campaigner Ruth Gilbert from Living Rent why housing is so expensive. And Martin and Natalie discuss the rise of Reform UK in Scottish politics. Get in touch with the Scotcast team by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| 'Petrifying' failings at hospital baby unit | 21 Jan 2025 | 00:28:08 | |
After a BBC exclusive revealed safety failings at a Edinburgh Royal Infirmary’s maternity unit, we hear about one mum’s 'petrifying' experience. The BBC’s Claire McAllister and Lisa Summers reveal how they came to report on the story, and what it says about the challenges facing the NHS. And Martin and Natalie reflect on Donald Trump’s first 24 hours back in the White House. Get in touch with the Scotcast team by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Mary v. the porn industry | 22 Jan 2025 | 00:26:50 | |
Children aren’t supposed to be able access pornography, but they do in significant numbers and at a very young age. We ask Mary Sharpe, a Scottish lawyer campaigning for stricter regulation of the industry, if adult content is harming our kids and how we can stop them from accessing it. And Martin and Laura Maciver discuss your reaction to our episode about "petrifying" maternity unit failings. Get in touch with the Scotcast team by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Tourist tax: the answer to overtourism? | 23 Jan 2025 | 00:27:06 | |
With Edinburgh on the verge of approving the country’s first tourist tax, can Scotland cope with tourism at its current levels? We ask Dr Guillem Colom-Montero, an expert in overtourism, and Jo de Sylva, who runs a hospitality business in Inverness. And Martin and Natalie get BBC weather presenter and meteorologist Calum MacColl's take on Storm Éowyn and the red weather warnings in place for parts of Scotland. Get in touch with the Scotcast team by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Fixing the NHS: where do you start? | 27 Jan 2025 | 00:27:04 | |
John Swinney is promising tens of thousands of extra NHS appointments: how is his government going to deliver them? We reflect on the First Minister's latest plan for the health service with Cancer Research UK’s Dr Sorcha Hume, a former junior doctor, and pharmacist Elizabeth Roddick, whose industry is absorbing an increasing number of potential GP appointments. Get in touch with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and the rest of the Scotcast team by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Stopping the scammers | 29 Jan 2025 | 00:28:06 | |
With incidents of fraud soaring, can scammers be stopped in their tracks? Harleen Nottay from BBC’s Scam Interceptors gives us a flavour of the fraud she encounters on a daily basis. Plus, ‘Lisa’ tells us the impact a romance scam has had on her life. And Martin and Laura discuss why Harrison Ford is selling whisky. Get in touch with the Scotcast team by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| What Waspi women want | 28 Jan 2025 | 00:25:59 | |
After the UK Government ruled out compensation for women affected by an increase to the state pension age, is the Waspi campaign over? On the day MPs debate the issue, Waspi campaigner Anne Potter tells us her story and BBC political correspondent Kirsten Campbell explains why it’s a headache for Scottish Labour. And Martin and Natalie discuss the resignation of Stuart Kettlewell, who quit as manager of Premiership side Motherwell because of abuse from his own fans. Get in touch with the Scotcast team by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Rosebank and the political climate | 30 Jan 2025 | 00:25:51 | |
Will a legal win for environmental campaigners stop new North Sea oil and gas? As extreme weather events become more common, the team asks whether climate change is a political priority anymore - with Tessa Khan, founder of climate action organisation Uplift, and Professor Paul de Leeuw from the Energy Transition Institute at Robert Gordon University. And Martin and Natalie discuss the spike in violent shoplifting. Get in touch with the Scotcast team by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Can we backtrack on Brexit? | 03 Feb 2025 | 00:26:59 | |
As Keir Starmer becomes the first UK Prime Minister to join a meeting of EU leaders since Brexit, could the decision to leave the union ever be unpicked by our politicians? We ask the BBC’s Glenn Campbell and Angus Robertson, the member of John Swinney’s cabinet responsible for European relations, who tells us why Brexit should be reversed. And Martin Geissler and Laura Miller debate whether it’s ever okay to drop the C-bomb. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Water: is it as plentiful as we think? | 04 Feb 2025 | 00:27:00 | |
We drink it, wash with it and curse it when it falls from the sky. But how much do we really know about our water supply? The man in charge of it, Scottish Water's Chief Executive Alex Plant, talks to Martin about supply, demand, rising bills and why we need to think seriously about how much water we use. Scotcast is the BBC's Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Natalie Higgins and Laura Miller. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Humza Yousaf on Trump and Gaza | 05 Feb 2025 | 00:33:19 | |
Donald Trump says America will 'take over' Gaza, resettling most of the native population. His comments have drawn astonishment and anger. Humza Yousaf, former First Minister, has a personal investment. Members of his wife's family are still living in Gaza. In conversation with Martin Geissler, Yousaf reacts to Trump’s overnight press conference, and what it might mean for a two-state solution. Get in touch with the Scotcast team by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| What’s it like to be homeless? | 06 Feb 2025 | 00:27:58 | |
As homelessness stats reach record highs in Scotland, the team asks what it’s really like not to have a home. We talk to the editor of The Big Issue, Paul McNamee, and Sylvia Douglas, who experienced homelessness as a child and now supports women in poverty, about how to fix this complicated problem. And Martin and Laura discuss whether they’re sick of looking at their own faces. Get in touch with the Scotcast team by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Life inside our packed prisons | 10 Feb 2025 | 00:27:57 | |
An emergency law to free inmates early is coming in to bring down the prison population. We hear from Barlinnie's governor, Michael Stoney, and a former inmate on what it's like inside Scotland’s biggest and busiest jail. And after Super Bowl LIX, Natalie hears about Martin’s former life as an NFL host. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Uncovering a scandal | 11 Feb 2025 | 00:28:18 | |
A BBC investigation into Scotland's biggest children's psychiatric hospital, Skye House, has exposed a ‘culture of cruelty’ at the NHS unit in Glasgow. We hear from BBC Disclosure’s Mark Daly and Shelley Jofre about the art of investigative journalism in an era of fake news. They tell us how they made their documentary, Kids on the Psychiatric Ward, which features the testimony of six young women who were patients at the specialist unit for severe depression, eating disorders and other mental health conditions. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Is Gen Z ready to fight a war? | 05 Jun 2025 | 00:30:00 | |
TV personality JJ Chalmers (pictured) suffered life-changing injuries serving as a Royal Marine in Afghanistan. After Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's Strategic Defence Review promised billions for the military to reverse a drop in troop numbers, JJ tells us why he thinks so many young people say they’re unwilling to fight for their country. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Flamingo Land ruffles feathers on Loch Lomond | 04 Jun 2025 | 00:29:14 | |
Plans for a controversial Flamingo Land holiday resort on the banks of Loch Lomond, featuring a water park and monorail, have been fiercely debated. Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer and John Urquhart from Friends of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs debate the economic and environmental rights and wrongs of the development. And Laura and Martin discuss a major police intervention over what led to a deadly bar room shooting in Spain. Scotcast is the BBC's Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Fishermen’s fury over PM’s Brexit reset | 19 May 2025 | 00:27:58 | |
Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of 'capitulating' to the European Union by some sections of Scotland's fishing industry. Business correspondent David Henderson explains why the prime minister prioritised other sectors following the first UK-EU summit since Brexit. And we ask political editor Glenn Campbell whether the UK will eventually rejoin the EU. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| 'I’d go to prison over abortion buffer zones’ | 15 May 2025 | 00:29:16 | |
Rose Docherty was the first person charged with allegedly breaking Scotland’s buffer zone law, banning protests near abortion clinics. In an exclusive interview, Martin asks the 74-year-old if she was deliberately testing the new legislation before she was handcuffed by police in February 2025. And Rose tells us why she is refusing to accept a formal warning from the authorities. You can listen to our previous episode about Rose’s arrest, featuring Green MSP Gillian Mackay, who campaigned for restrictions on anti-abortion vigils, on BBC Sounds: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0028905. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Dry spell prompts water warning | 14 May 2025 | 00:28:19 | |
Water scarcity warnings have been issued by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) amid a lengthy hot and dry spell of weather. We ask freshwater scientist Dr Rhian Thomas from Glasgow University and the BBC's Kevin Keane why experts are concerned about a lack of rain. And Martin tells Laura the story of Millie, the fare-dodging dog. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Assisted dying backed by MSPs | 13 May 2025 | 00:25:28 | |
A proposal to legalise assisted dying has been backed in principle by MSPs. The BBC’s Kirsten Campbell explains why the bill, brought forward by Liberal Democrat Liam McArthur (pictured), won’t necessarily become law. And MSPs Patrick Harvie and Pam Duncan-Glancy (also pictured) tell us why they voted for and against it respectively. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| A matter of life and death | 12 May 2025 | 00:30:58 | |
Norma and Michelle are both living with life-changing health conditions. But they disagree on whether it should become legal to give terminally-ill people assistance to end their lives. As MSPs prepare to vote on the broad principles of a proposed assisted dying bill, Norma and Michelle explain their perspectives on this emotive and controversial issue. If you are suffering distress or despair and need support, including urgent support, or if you need advice and support with bereavement or other issues we’ve discussed today, a list of organisations that can help is available at bbc.co.uk/actionline. Or you can call for free to hear recorded information on 0800 066 066. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Is AI a threat to musicians? | 08 May 2025 | 00:30:00 | |
The UK is at the forefront of an AI copyright debate, with politicians deciding whether to allow AI models to use music without paying artists for their work. Scottish band Glasvegas joined more than a thousand artists in releasing a silent album in protest at the plans. They want the government to side with creatives over technology companies. Robert Allan, lead guitarist in the band (pictured) and Sidrah Hassan, an AI ethicist, discuss what it could mean for the future of music. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Booze back on tracks | 07 May 2025 | 00:28:59 | |
The alcohol ban on ScotRail trains, which has been in place since the Covid pandemic, will be scrapped. Martin and Laura discuss why the Scottish Government dropped the measure. And we ask Kirsty Mulcahy (pictured) from Sober Buzz what the change tells us about our drinking culture. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Election 2026 predictions | 06 May 2025 | 00:32:36 | |
First Minister John Swinney has revealed his programme for government for the next year to MSPs at Holyrood - including plans to scrap peak rail fares, tackle youth anti-social behaviour on buses and to increase in GP appointments. Oppositions parties say his government has run out of ideas. And with one year to go before Scots go to the polls, we ask Bernard Ponsonby and Andy Maciver (pictured) to predict the results of the vote. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Why we need more babies | 05 May 2025 | 00:28:22 | |
Scots are, on average, having fewer children than ever before. And our population is ageing rapidly. We ask demographer Paul Morland, author of ‘No One Left: Why the World Needs More Children’, why our falling birth rate is such a big problem – and how we can fix it. And Kryptonite: Martin responds to Laura and Natalie’s allegation he had no idea what he was talking about. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Karen Dunbar: ‘What is laughter?’ | 01 May 2025 | 00:32:04 | |
Actor, comedian and star of ‘Chewin’ the Fat’, Karen Dunbar, drops by the studio to discuss fame, cancel culture and what it means to laugh. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. This episode contains some use of strong language. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Has Swinney gone shy on independence? | 03 Jun 2025 | 00:30:22 | |
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has ruled out a second independence referendum while he is in Downing Street. We ask Stuart Nicolson, a former adviser to the SNP in government, if there is a plan to get another vote. And the BBC’s David Wallace Lockhart tells us why first minister John Swinney isn’t demanding one right now. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Grangemouth: what happened? | 30 Apr 2025 | 00:27:00 | |
Jim Ratcliffe (pictured), part-owner of the Grangemouth refinery, has blamed carbon taxes after it stopped processing crude oil. We ask energy historian Ewan Gibbs and the BBC’s Kevin Keane what led to the loss of 430 jobs at the 100-year-old site. And Laura and Natalie question whether Martin really understands Kryptonite. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| In defence of Kneecap | 29 Apr 2025 | 00:28:37 | |
First Minister John Swinney says rap group Kneecap should be axed from Glasgow's TRNSMT music festival after old footage emerged of one of its members appearing to say: "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP." Former Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill tells Laura why Mr Swinney's intervention is “utterly pointless” and why the group, who have apologised to the families of murdered MPs Sir David Amess and Jo Cox, should be left alone. And after the power cuts in Spain and Portugal, David Wallace Lockhart reveals the action he’s taken. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Is Sturgeon ducking gender debate? | 28 Apr 2025 | 00:27:22 | |
Why is Nicola Sturgeon yet to respond to the UK Supreme Court’s gender ruling? The BBC’s David Wallace Lockhart explains why some are keen to hear from the former First Minister. And employment lawyer Ingrid McGhee and Nick McKerrell, a law lecturer at Glasgow Caledonian University, give Laura expert takes on what new Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) guidance means for trans people in public spaces. And with Martin off on holiday, Laura and David wonder how easy it is to impersonate him. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| River City goes to Holyrood | 24 Apr 2025 | 00:29:19 | |
The future of River City has been the subject of debate in the Scottish Parliament after the BBC’s decision to cancel the long-running soap due to "changing viewing patterns". Actor Tom Urie, who played Big Bob in the show, tells us how important it has been in launching careers. And we ask TV critic Siobhan Synott if Scotland is a place for creatives to thrive. And what should we do about 'headphone dodgers'? Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Is Swinney scared of Farage? | 23 Apr 2025 | 00:27:43 | |
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage says 'the Scottish political establishment is scared' of his party after being excluded from a summit organised by First Minister John Swinney. We ask Nicola Sturgeon’s former chief of staff Liz Lloyd whether Mr Swinney’s description of Mr Farage’s party as 'far right' is fair. And as rumours swirl about the celebrity lineup, would Martin and Laura prefer to be a Faithful or a Traitor? Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Is gender self-ID dead? | 22 Apr 2025 | 00:30:13 | |
The Scottish Government has accepted that it has an 'obligation' to move at pace to implement the effects of the UK Supreme Court’s decision that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex. Meanwhile, a top Scottish lawyer, Roddy Dunlop, has criticised Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman for what he described as 'reprehensible' comments attacking the judiciary. Ms Chapman - the deputy convener of Holyrood's equalities committee - was filmed at a weekend rally condemning what she called 'bigotry, prejudice and hatred coming from the Supreme Court'. Martin asks Lynsey Bews and Phil Sim what the decision means. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Take 2: Drug supervision room | 17 Apr 2025 | 00:20:41 | |
Anne Marie Ward from Faces and Voices of Recovery UK has dedicated her life to advocating for those recovering from addiction. She tells us why we need to think differently about our drugs deaths crisis. And gives her take on drug consumption rooms, which we talked about in the very first episode of Scotcast. You can listen to ‘UK’s first drug supervision room opens’ here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0027430 Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Take 2: Weight-loss jabs | 16 Apr 2025 | 00:15:15 | |
With a third of Scots classed as obese, it’s no wonder weight-loss medicines like Ozempic, which isn’t approved in the UK, are in demand. Pharmacist Sehar Shahid, who prescribes Wegovy and Mounjaro, tells Martin about the complications people are risking by getting these drugs without a prescription. You can listen to our first episode on so-called ‘skinny jabs’, 'Can weight-loss jabs save the NHS?’, on BBC Sounds: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0028sqf Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Take 2: Farmers v. lynx | 15 Apr 2025 | 00:13:32 | |
Some campaigners pushing for the reintroduction of lynx to the Highlands as part of a wider rewilding campaign. We ask former president of the National Farmers Union in Scotland, Martin Kennedy, why he and others have such strong objections. Martin also responds to some of the claims made in the first episode we did on this topic. You can listen to 'Who thinks lynx should roam the Highlands?' on BBC Sounds: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0027tgn Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Take 2: The porn industry responds | 14 Apr 2025 | 00:16:49 | |
Age-checking techniques must be introduced to all UK websites where pornography can be found by July. We ask former porn producer Mike Stabile from the Free Speech Coalition, the US adult entertainment trade body, why his organisation opposes the measures. And Mike responds to allegations, made in the first episode we did on this topic, that the porn industry bullies its opponents. You can listen to ‘Mary v the porn industry’ on BBC Sounds: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0027430 Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Gangsters gunned down in Spain | 02 Jun 2025 | 00:29:33 | |
Ross Monaghan and Eddie Lyons Jnr - high-profile members of the Lyons crime gang - have been shot dead at Monaghans Bar in Fuengirola, Andalucia. Livvy Haydock, who hosted the BBC podcast Gangster: The Story of the Daniels and the Lyons, tells us how a decades-old grudge may have led to their brutal killing. And Natalie’s been on the trail of Nigel Farage as campaigning heats up ahead of the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk Picture credit: Spindrift | |||
| What happened in a Highland dungeon? | 10 Apr 2025 | 00:29:59 | |
Martin Geissler speaks to BBC reporter Katie Hunter, who has been investigating millionaire Kevin Booth (pictured), who abused women in an underground chamber at his remote Highland home and in foreign hotel rooms. And with an 'extreme' wildfire warning in place across much of Scotland – we ask fire expert Professor Rory Hadden and environmental scientist and campaigner Laura Young if Scotland is prepared for our changing climate. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk. Artwork photo credit: Peter Jolly/Northpix | |||
| The author who beat Adolescence to it | 09 Apr 2025 | 00:29:44 | |
Two weeks before Netflix released Adolescence, a debut novel by Scottish writer Chris McQueer with strikingly similar influences was published. Chris tells Martin about the 'boggin' things he saw while researching incels and the so-called manosphere for his book, Hermit, and reveals why he thinks some young men are so attracted to the message of online influencers like Andrew Tate. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Assisted dying: what happens next? | 08 Apr 2025 | 00:26:18 | |
Politicians in Holyrood and Westminster are preparing to vote on changing the law to allow terminally-ill people the right to seek medical help to die. We ask the BBC’s Phil Sim and health journalist Helen Puttick about the differences between the assisted dying bill going through the Scottish Parliament – put forward by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur – and Labour MP Kim Leadbeater’s (both pictured), which applies to England and Wales. And Laura and Martin discuss the story of a 'miracle' baby - born to a Scottish mum using a donated womb. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Should Scots pay for uni? | 07 Apr 2025 | 00:26:55 | |
Edinburgh University’s principal, Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, says the way we fund universities is 'broken'. We ask The Herald’s education correspondent, Garrett Stell (pictured), and political commentator Andy Maciver from the Holyrood Sources podcast if the Scottish Government’s free tuition policy – a key SNP commitment – should be up for debate. And Laura asks Martin how his latest political grilling was sidetracked by a piercing. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Getting to know Sally Magnusson | 03 Apr 2025 | 00:37:47 | |
BBC Reporting Scotland presenter Sally Magnusson sits down with Martin Geissler and Laura Miller to talk about her life and career as she prepares to stand down from the news programme after 27 years. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Explained: Trump’s tariff trade wars… and us | 02 Apr 2025 | 00:28:00 | |
Industries like whisky and salmon are bracing themselves as Donald Trump prepares to announce taxes on goods imported into the US, on what he’s calling Liberation Day. We’re asking why exactly he’s so keen on tariffs, and what it could mean for our economy. Businessman Sir Tom Hunter, one of Scotland’s wealthiest people, helps us get inside the head of the man who wrote The Art of the Deal. And economics expert Professor Mark Blyth, from Brown University in Rhode Island, explains the theory behind Mr Trump’s actions. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||
| How much could your rent go up? | 01 Apr 2025 | 00:29:50 | |
Emergency rent control measures which limited rent increases have expired, leading to concerns that some renters may be priced out of their homes. Martin asks landlord and Scottish Property Podcast co-host Steven Clark and tenants’ rights campaigner Ruth Gilbert from Living Rent if landlords can be trusted to set their own prices again. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk | |||