Scran – Details, episodes & analysis

To mark the 900th anniversary of the Royal Burgh of Stirling, Forth Valley Food and Drink has launched a series of four captivating short documentaries that delve into the lesser-known stories of Stirling’s rich food and drink heritage. Rosalind wanted to learn more about this series so spoke to Lesley Wilkinson who researched and commissioned the films and Murray Cook, Stirling Council's archaeologist to learn more. Lesley talks about why the films came about and some of the amazing finds they made in the process of researching the films including about a world-record breaking grape vine. Stirling Castle and Bannockburn House feature in the series as do fascinating stories about how Bonnie Prince Charlie was treated for an injury there using a posset. Funded by Scotland Food and Drink’s Regional Food Fund, the films uncover a range of unexpected tales including how the first dram was drunk there by James IV in 1494 and how the first firework was also set off there. Murray also shares stories of beer witches and those being accused of witchcraft and the sad fate they met. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's that time of year again when team Scran cannot resist the temptation of the world's biggest arts festival. Rosalind went along earlier this week to enjoy a foodie's day out at the festival and bring you some top shows to consider if you're heading to Edinburgh this August. First up she hit C Venue for coffee, a croissant and Shakespeare for Breakfast. This show has been performed at the Edinburgh Fringe festival for 33 years. Rosalind chats to Mary Gensich, Company Manager for C Theatre and Clare Louise Roberts, one of the performers, to hear about this year's show. Then for something completely different Rosalind went to A History of Fortune Cookies performed by Sean Wai Keung. With an audience of ten this was a really intimate show where Sean shared his story about the influence of his Chinese grandparents all while baking the audience their own fortune cookies. For many the festival is all about the Fringe and the laughs, Daniel Downie definitely brought those in his whisky-soaked show Daniel Downie: Dram(a)s which was Rosalind's third show of the day.  Whilst many may start an evening at the festival with a glass of wine or 5 Rosalind chose to finish up with In Pour Taste - a wine tasting from Australian comedians Ethan Cavanagh and Sweeney Preston who have teamed up with local wine experts to produce a raucous one hour and 15 mins of entertainment (and some wine education).  Make sure to check out The Scotsman's coverage of the festivals to be right up to date with reviews and recommendations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode we're coming at food and drink from a slightly different angle. Word of Mouth (WOM) is an exhibition of new artworks and writing exploring our relationship to food, cooking and kitchens. With work spanning across print, writing, textile, collage, and paint, Word of Mouth encourages us to consider how much food and cooking inform and sustain us in our everyday lives. Word of Mouth is currently running at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. Rosalind went along to check it out and talk to curator Maisie Wills about how it all came about. They look at some of the works in detail and give you a flavour for what you can expect from the exhibition. You can find out more about Word of Mouth on The Scottish Storyelling Centre website. It is free and unticketed and runs from now until the 20th of April, daily from 10-6pm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Scran, Rosalind is joined by The Great British Bake Off winner, Peter Sawkins. Peter discusses how he got into baking, Scottish influences in his bakes, what it was like being on the show and his new role as an ambassador for the new campaign from Scotland Food and Drink titled Scotland brings so much to the table.Chef Barry Bryson also joins Rosalind on a call to discuss the importance of seasonal produce, how best to shop and cook with local, seasonal produce as well as revealing who his dream dinner party guests would be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Giselle is a co founder and Director of Bellfield Brewery, a microbrewery in Edinburgh’s Abbeyhill that produces exclusively gluten free and vegan beer. Started in late 2015, Bellfield is now a well known brand in the Free From space, with seven beers in bottle, can, mini cask and keg and draught. Bellfield has a taproom, beer garden and brewhouse. Giselle also works as a PR consultant/Director at Pagoda PR. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gemma grew up on the Isle of Lewis in the Hebrides of Scotland. After studying Russian Language at the University of Glasgow, she worked at The Balvenie distillery studying the art of making whisky and looking after visitors from around the world. Gemma’s whisky journey brought her from Speyside to Stateside, New York City, where she travelled the country as Ambassador for Balvenie. Today Gemma resides in Speyside and now as Global Ambassador for Balvenie, connects with drinkers around the world telling stories and sharing drams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Diana Thompson has over 30 years’ experience within the wine and hospitality industry, including working overseas and national and international roles in the UK.A Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) certified tutor, after working independently withhotels and restaurants for 12 years, Diana launched Wine Events Scotland in 2016 during thefirst Fizz Feast annual festival, and works with producers and consumers, holding wineworkshops, tastings and events across the UK.Diana has received numerous awards, including Scottish Enterprise Awards’ Most ResilientWine Marketing Enterprise 2020 and ‘Wine Event Organiser of the Year 2020’ at Lux Food &Drink Awards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Food waste is one of the biggest unrecognised contributors to our carbon footprint.On this episode of Scran, Rosalind is joined by Scotland's national chef Gary MacLean and Zero Waste Scotland's Andrew Pankhurst to find out more about food waste and how to prevent it.From Gary's batch cooking and vacuum packing methods to Andrew's tips on recycling and composting - it really is an eco friendly guide to cooking.With Glasgow set to host the 26th Climate Change Conference it's time that Scotland follows a more sustainable approach to cooking and eating. Expect practical tips and some laughs around recycling faux-pas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Valentine’s Day is almost upon us, and it’s a great time to spoil yourself or a loved one with a special meal - even if it's a home-cooked meal this year.On this episode of Scran, Rosalind chats to a well-known couple on the Scottish food and drink scene - Tom and Michaela Kitchin - about their businesses, how they met, what they’ve been cooking in lockdown and working together as a married couple. They tell us how this is the first Valentine's Day they’ll be spending together, due the restaurant being temporarily closed.Jon O'Connor, brand ambassador at Isle of Bute Gin, also shares an easy to make cocktail that you can try at home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Scran for our third series. Host Rosalind Erskine is back with a brand new line-up of guests talking all things Scottish food and drink.It couldn't be more fitting than to start with one of the most patriotic days of the year - Burns Night. On the 25th of January The Scotsman hosted a Burns Night Live event on its social media channels where our panel where joined by an international audience.Rosalind was also joined live by Scotland's national chef Gary MacLean, Scotsman Heritage writer Alison Campsie and BenRiach brand ambassador Stewart Buchanan.The event also featured a guest appearance from Sam Heughan, an exclusive poem read by Alexander McCall Smith and a chat with James MacSween of the world famous MacSween haggis.To watch back the live event: https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/food-and-drink/recap-watch-scotsmans-free-virtual-burns-night-celebration-here-3108953 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices