Welcome to Our Scotland, the podcast where we take 24 hours in Scotland, add in teleportation, time travel and anything else we please to conjure up the day of our dreams.  My name is Alison Fraser and in this episode I’m joined by Jayne Baldwin, a bookseller, writer and publisher who lives in Dumfries and Galloway. Jayne originally trained and worked as a journalist. She now brings those skills, researching and a nose for a good story, to her non fiction books. She says she’s fascinated by...

Welcome to Our Scotland, the podcast where we take 24 hours in Scotland, add in teleportation, time travel and anything else we please to conjure up the day of our dreams.  My name is Alison Fraser and I love all things Scotland, the people, the food, the music and the places and my guests are people just like me. In this episode I’m joined by crime fiction author Wendy Jones As well as being the author of the DI Shona McKenzie mysteries Wendy is the President of the Scottish...

Welcome to Our Scotland, the podcast where we take 24 hours in Scotland, add in teleportation, time travel and anything else we please to conjure up the day of our dreams.  My name is Alison Fraser and I love all things Scotland, the people, the food, the music and the places and my guests are people just like me. In this episode I’m joined by writer James Merron, aka AJ Merron. James lives in Edinburgh but is originally from Lancashire.  James describes himself as a hopeless...

Welcome to Our Scotland, the podcast where we take 24 hours in Scotland, add in teleportation, time travel and anything else we please to conjure up the day of our dreams.  My name is Alison Fraser and I love all things Scotland, the people, the food, the music and the places and my guests are people just like me. In this episode I’m joined by Eoin Smith. Eoin is a multi-award-winning magician and author based in Aberdeen. As a magician, Eoin's performances have taken him across...

Welcome to Our Scotland, the podcast where we take 24 hours in Scotland, add in teleportation, time travel and anything else we please to conjure up the day of our dreams.  My name is Alison Fraser and I love all things Scotland, the people, the food, the music and the places and my guests are people just like me. In this episode I’m joined by Lindsay Bruce, a features and obituaries writer for the Press and Journal, one of Scotland's oldest newspapers.  Lindsay is a mum of two...

Welcome to Our Scotland, the podcast where we take 24 hours in Scotland, add in teleportation, time travel and anything else we please to conjure up the day of our dreams.  My name is Alison Fraser and I love all things Scotland, the people, the food, the music and the places and my guests are people just like me. In this episode I’m joined by Seattle-based writer Patti Callahan. Patti has been a student, hairstylist, cocktail waitress, corporate professional, and small business...

If you had just 24 hours in Scotland where would you go? Add in teleportation, time travel and even the magic of pausing time you can conjure up the day of your dreams. That is what Our Scotland is all about, highlighting the places and people that are memorable. My name is Alison Fraser and I love all things Scotland, the people, the food, the music and the places. In this episode I’m joined by Professor Donna Heddle who is going to take us on a historic 24 hours around Scotland...

If you had just 24 hours in Scotland where would you go? Add in teleportation, time travel and even the magic of pausing time you can conjure up the day of your dreams. That is what Our Scotland is all about, highlighting the places and people that are memorable. My name is Alison Fraser and I’m on a quest to discover as much of Scotland as possible, In this episode I’m joined by James Campbell, a travel influencer from Glasgow. It’s a bit longer than normal as James has...

If you had just 24 hours in Scotland where would you go? Add in teleportation, time travel and even the magic of pausing time you can conjure up the day of your dreams. That is what Our Scotland is all about, highlighting the places and people that are memorable with a fantasy 24 hours. My name is Alison Fraser and I’m on a quest to discover as much of Scotland as possible. In this episode I’m joined by award-winning travel blogger Gemma Armit from Everything Edinburgh, Two Scots Abroad...

This past season has taken us from Orkney to Glasgow, Edinburgh to the north coast, around the highlands and islands and many places in between.  This is our final episode for season two and joining me to share their perfect day is Laurie Goodlad.  Laurie has written for the Lonely Planet and featured on travel shows, blogs and tourism campaigns.  Laurie is on instagram as Shetland with Laurie, and that will give you a clue as to where we will be. Laurie’s links: Shetland With...

Joining Alison Fraser on Our Scotland in this episode is Sonja Bolger. Ten years ago Sonja, who is a New Zealander, moved to Edinburgh on her overseas experience. She now lives on the Isle of Skye with her husband and two children. Sonja blogs about her adventures and she also runs the Scottish Scran facebook community and website.  As well as hearing about Sonja’s perfect day in Scotland you will hear some Skye visiting tips. Sonja's links: www.migratingmiss.com - original travel...

Joining Alison in this episode is Gary Campbell, chief executive of the Crofting Commission.  As well as hearing some of the places that Gary has been able to experience and enjoy through his work you’ll also find out more about crofting itself. Gary’s previous work includes 11 years with the University of Highlands and Islands and 30 years as a chartered accountant with EY where he travelled across Scotland advising commercial businesses. Crofting Commission:...

Joining Alison is Edinburgh tour guide Gareth Davies from Edinburgh Expert Walking Tours. Gareth operates tours in and around Edinburgh, taking in the main sites and the lesser known. Gareth moved to Edinburgh for university in 1998, but as you’ll hear, has never left. Thank you Gareth for sharing what would make your perfect Scottish day. Gareth’s links:  Website: https://www.edinburghexpert.com/  Gareth took us around Edinburgh, including Dean Village and the Royal Mile, as well as out...

Joining Alison is Tide Lines' front man Robert Robertson. Robert is a gold medal winner at the Royal National Mod, Scotland’s premier Gaelic festival and a former member of the band Skippinish.  We chatted on the back of Tide Lines trio of sold-out gigs at Glasgow’s Barrowlands venue, and just before a stripped back tour of Scotland.  Robert’s links:  Website: https://www.tidelinesband.com/   Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSX39m6HKC8pSzNrUkedNDQ  Bruichladdich Rock’ndaal...

Joining Alison to share their perfect Scottish day is Orcadian fiddle and mandolin player Graham Rorie. Graham is an award-winning folk musician based in Glasgow.  Nominated for ‘Musician of The Year’ at the 2023 Scots Trad Music Awards and a finalist in the 2021 BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year, Graham has been making a name for himself as a performer, composer, session musician and producer since he graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s Traditional...

Scottish History Podcast host Owen Innes has been interested in history since he was a youngster and for the last eight years has been working as a tour guide bringing history to life. His podcast means he can share his love of Scottish History with more than just the folk on his bus trips. You’re going to hear about his first history trips, the history at your doorstep and more, as we discover where Owen would spend his ideal 24 hours in Scotland. Owen’s...

In this episode we are going to hear from musician and radio presenter Gary Innes. Gary has been performing and composing music for over two decades. Born in the village of Spean Bridge in the North of Scotland, Gary is one of the founding members of award-winning Scottish super-group Mànran, Gary is also host of longest running radio show on BBC Radio Scotland – the world renowned Take the Floor, and an ex-Scottish Shinty captain and internationalist. Gary’s links:  Website:...

Paige Daley is the registrar of the Official Loch Ness Monster Sightings Register and the owner of the Loch Ness Monster Fan Club TikTok account. The Loch Ness Monster, otherwise known as Nessie, is a topic that has been talked about for as long as I can remember.  Growing up I watched a cartoon series called the Family Ness and a family holiday to visit cousins in Inverness wasn’t complete without a visit to Loch Ness to go look for Nessie. Whether you believe in Nessie or not, I think...

Welcome to season 2 of the Our Scotland podcast, with me, your host, Alison Fraser. We have a new name but the passion for all things Scotland remains. Going forwards you can expect to hear more about the perfect days in Scotland, you might get some ideas for a future holiday, add some Scottish fayre to your shopping list and discover some Scottish artists to listen to. We’re starting this season with a conversation with writer Barry Hutchison. Barry is a prolific author having...

If you could design your perfect day in Scotland what would it look like? Where would you be? What would you do? What food, drink and music would you enjoy? These are the questions I ask my guests in Our Scotland. My name is Alison Fraser and I’m on a quest to find the best places to visit Scotland, from the eyes of the people who have experienced them for themselves. Our Scotland is a podcast about Scotland for people who love the country, regardless of where they live or how often...

It’s the final episode of season 1, and to round off the first season of Scottish At Heart you can hear my Scottish story and why I wanted to create this show. You’ll hear about my family connections, family holidays and where I lived for 18 months, plus what music I like to listen to. Scottish At Heart is the outsiders guide to Scotland. We go beyond Outlander, castles and kilts to find out what makes Scotland so enchanting.  Through our guests and their stories your future visits will...

The Paeroa Highland Games and Tattoo is on very soon - Saturday February 10. Paeroa is a small town in the Waikato region of New Zealand, about a couple of hours from Auckland. If you're in New Zealand and like experiencing some Scottish culture then this really is the place to be. You can get more information and tickets here: https://paeroahighlandgames.co.nz/ Scottish At Heart is a podcast for anyone who feels Scottish at heart, regardless of where they live or ancestral...

Scottish At Heart Episode 11 - Burns Night with Professor Gerard Carruthers Across the world tonight Scots poet Robert Burns will be celebrated with a meal of haggis, neeps and tatties.  Robert Burns was born on January 25 1759 and died aged 37 in 1796 yet in his lifetime he penned more than 550 poems and songs. In this episode we learn more about Robert Burns and how Burns Night came about. We also chat about memorable Burns Night suppers Gerard has attended and whether haggis is...

Do you remember the first time you heard bagpipes? Matt Willis does but at the time he didn’t realise how much bagpiping was going to influence his life. Matt is a born and bred Texan who is a professional bagpiper who teaches in person and online, as well as performs for a wide range of events. In this episode you will hear about his first bagpipe experience, you’ll hear some live playing of the practice chanter (the instrument all learner pipers start with) and a highlight of his...