Episodes
It's International Dark Sky Week! ✨ 🔭 🪐 To celebrate we're revisiting an episode about one of my favourite islands on the Scottish west coast. 'Day and Night' is a story about my first trip to the Isle of Coll. It lasted only 24 hours, giving me a taste of everything Coll has to offer by day and by night. Rugged coastlines, wild waters, beautiful beaches, fascinating history, welcoming locals and of course, dark skies. Coll is a Dark Sky Community, which means the night skies are unspoilt by...
Published 04/02/24
Published 04/02/24
'Like an Open Book' is a story about an archaeology tour to the Scottish Borders with HARP Archaeology. Your guides are professional archaeologists Michelle Gamble and Ian Hill, joined by a group of experts in Roman history, medieval battles, family research and more. We travel to Kelso and Melrose, uncover the secrets of Roxburgh and Hume Castle, walk in the footsteps of medieval mercenaries and dig for Roman treasures. Book your spot on HARP Archaeology's Romans, Reivers and the Rough...
Published 03/26/24
How do you deal with the constant rain in Scotland? 🌧️ ☔️ In today's episode, I'm sharing with you a bonus story that I shared with our Patreon community, the Wild for Scotland Social Club, last November. 'An Ode to Rain' is a playful response to one of the most asked questions I get from visitors - how do I deal with the constant rain in Scotland? As a member of our Patreon community, you can expect bonus episodes like this one every month (included for Merry Dancer or Unicorn levels). I...
Published 03/12/24
Wild for Scotland turns 3! 🎉 To celebrate we're revisiting one of our favourite stories from the archive. ‘Flourish’ is a story about Glasgow’s “City of the Dead” - the Necropolis cemetery - and the woman who rest there. We’re joining a group of history detectives from the Glasgow Women’s Library for a guided tour of the Victorian garden cemetery behind Glasgow Cathedral and hear stories about the city's famous daughters. Click here to find the full show notes for this episode on our...
Published 03/05/24
'Icons of the Kingdom' is an episode about the wonders of Fife. From the majestic Forth Bridge in North Queensferry to the picturesque fishing villages on the East Neuk, we peel back layers of medieval and Pictish history, discover what outdoor adventures to enjoy even in winter, and we'll indulge in Fife's tasty side with delicious food and drink Along the way, we hear from locals who share their passion for Fife and tell us more. Use my Fife travel guides to plan your own trip to...
Published 02/27/24
What are Kathi's plans for Wild for Scotland in 2024? When can you expect the next season to launch? Which episodes are coming up soon? And how can you contribute to making it all happen? All of this and more is revealed in this preview episode. Are you wild for 2024? Unlock bonus content and get access to exclusive member events by joining the Wild for Scotland Patreon community! If you're new to the podcast, here are two episodes you might enjoy: Where it all began - one of our most...
Published 01/30/24
Travel has always played a big role in my life and I wouldn’t be the person I am today, had I not had the opportunity to travel abroad.  I might have never had the confidence to move abroad to Scotland - oh how, different my life would have been... Travel matters a great deal to me and to lots of other people. That's why I’m introducing you to a podcast that I think you will enjoy. It’s called Travel That Matters and it features conversations about innovative travel experiences, surprising...
Published 01/09/24
What happens when a storm derails your island adventure plans? You follow the advice of locals and go on an unexpected adventure off the beaten path. 'Over the Ratagan Pass' is a story about an unexpected detour to the tiny village of Glenelg. Like most people, had only planned to take the Glenelg ferry to the Isle of Skye. But when a storm put the boat out of action, I had no other choice than to stay put and explore what was right in front of me. Visit our website to find the full show...
Published 12/19/23
In this episode, we speak to Freya Bromley, host of The Tidal Year podcast, Alycia Pirmohamed, a poet shortlisted for the Nan-Sheperd Prize, and Mollie Hughes, world record-holding adventurer extraordinaire, about their latest books.  We talk to the three authors about their journeys as writers, how they draw inspiration from water and what we can expect from their books: The Tidal Year by Freya BromleyAnother Way to Split Water by Alycia PirmohamedBlue Scotland by Mollie HughesShop all...
Published 12/05/23
Join me for a conversation with Caroline Willis from the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust. We discuss the impact marine tourism has on coastal environments and marine species like whales and dolphins, and what we as visitors can do to minimise our impact. Caroline also tells us about the work the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust has been doing since the 1990s, their various citizen science projects and initiatives to encourage responsible marine tourism in Scotland. Visit our website to...
Published 11/28/23
Scotland's Snorkel Trails highlight suitable places to snorkel in search of marine wildlife all along the Scottish coast - and they help us fight against the "extinction of experience". We speak with Elouise Cartner from the Scottish Wildlife Trust about her work on the trails and how snorkelling can contribute to stronger relationships between people and the coast. And we hear from Lyle Boyle from local nature conservation charity The Ecology Centre, who helped picking the sites on the new...
Published 11/21/23
'A Long Time Coming' takes you on a journey along the River Tay, from its source to the sea. We hop inside a canoe to follow the footsteps (or paw strokes?) of beavers who live on this river system - and learn about their troubled past. We talk about beaver reintroduction programmes in Britain, learn interesting facts about beavers and head out to hopefully meet them on the river banks. Visit our website to find the full show notes incl. the transcript, tips for a trip to Ardfern and Loch...
Published 11/14/23
'All That Could Be' is an explorative adventure story set in the waters of Loch Craignish. We go snorkelling and paddleboarding to immerse ourselves in the dazzling underwater world of seagrass, meet its inhabitants and form a relationship with an eco-system that normally goes unseen. We speak with Philip Price of Seawilding about the importance of seagrass meadows for our coast and climate, and meet native oysters that have been reintroduced to the loch. Visit our website to find the full...
Published 11/07/23
We know you were expecting a brand-new episode of Wild for Scotland today, but life happens sometimes and we fell a little bit behind our production schedule. Listen to our short announcement in your feed today and let Kathi explain what has been going on... Join our email list for weekly resources and glimpses behind the scenes. Follow us on Instagram @wildforscotland Also check out my Scotland blog Watch Me See!
Published 10/31/23
'Healing Waters' is a deep-dive into my own personal experiences with swimming, grief and depression. The story takes you first into my mind, and then on a journey to the Isle of Coll I undertook in search of healing. Visit our website to find the full show notes incl. the transcript and links to further resources about the topics we cover on the show. This episode contains contextual references of grief, depression and suicidal ideation. I wanted to let you know upfront, so you can take...
Published 10/17/23
'Salt of the Earth' is a story about a landscape of extremes. Twice a day, the salt marshes of Scotland get flooded by the incoming tide and the plants that grow here perform their own secret magic trick - surviving and thriving in both fresh and saltwater! Visit our website to find the full show notes incl. the transcript, tips for a trip to St Andrews and links to further reading about salt marshes. Thank you to Helena Simmons of the Green Shores salt marsh restoration project at the...
Published 10/10/23
'A Vastness of Space' is a story about my trip to the Flow Country, a region of vast peatlands spanning Caithness and Sutherland. We travel through the area by car, by train, by bike and on foot, and learn about the fascinating ecology of a blanket bog. From its complex system of interlinked peat pools to a variety of birds and insects that call these moorlands their home. We also talk to Milly Revill-Hayward from the RSPB who - along with her colleagues - takes care of the Forsinard Flows...
Published 10/03/23
Dan the Merman is a professional open-water swim coach who lives and works on the west coast of Scotland. From his home in the Heart of Argyll, he takes locals and visitors out into the open waters of Scotland. In-person and digitally he fosters a community of considerate swimmers who want to immerse themselves not just in the deep, dark cold of the sea, but also in the culture and language of the Gaelic people. Connect with Dan the Merman on Instagram: @swim_danthemerman_argyll Visit our...
Published 09/26/23
'A Taste of Freedom' is a story about changing your perspective and seeing the Scottish coastline from a different angle. We're setting sail aboard the Stravaigin, a 44 ft sail yacht owned by John Ormiston. John takes us on a sailing adventure from Oban to the Isle of Mull, Lismore and Kerrera - but there is a lot more to this trip, than spending time on the water... Visit our website to find the full show notes incl. the transcript and tips for a sailing holiday in Scotland. This episode is...
Published 09/19/23
Wild for Scotland is coming back  with a brand-new season diving into the depths of "Uisge - Scottish Waters". Pack your swimsuit, water shoes and drybags, and prepare for a jam-packed season of water-inspired stories and conversations. Our journey will take us from the shallow bays of the rugged west coast to the peat pools of blanket bogs in the northern Highlands. We’ll go sailing, snorkelling and paddleboarding on the sea and in fresh water, and cover topics like the health benefits...
Published 09/05/23
Season 5 of Wild for Scotland is coming soon - here's a wee teaser of what to expect! The first episode of Season 5 will drop in your feed on 19 September 2023. Make sure you’re subscribed so we can all dive into "Uisge - Scottish Waters" together - and be Wild for Scotland! Want to know more about what inspired this season? Join our Patreon community for a glimpse behind the scenes in our most recent bonus episode. Help us spread the word about Wild for Scotland! Share your favourite...
Published 08/31/23
'That Magical Feeling' is a story about the good, the bad and the ugly sides of solo travelling. But how do you overcome the overwhelm of being responsible for ALL the decisions, and step into the power of adventuring on your own? Let's find out together shall we? I'm taking you on a trip from the dreamy streets of Edinburgh to the remote mountain peaks of the Cairngorms National Park and on to the Capital of the Highlands - Inverness. Together we'll travel by train and bus, walk and hike,...
Published 07/25/23
'Yours to Explore' is an episode about Scotland's newest city Dunfermline and the surrounding region of West Fife. We dive into the medieval history of this Royal Burgh, its role throughout the Industrial Revolution, famous emigrants who found their luck in North America and world-changing innovations that left a lasting impression until today. Oh, and did I mention we'll visit some iconic Outlander film locations too?! Use my Dunfermline & West Fife travel guide to plan your...
Published 05/23/23
Is there any wilderness left in Scotland? In this episode about rewilding Scotland, you'll learn about Scotland's diverse landscapes and species, what threatens them and how they can be restored. You'll also meet two young people who are actively working on rewilding Scotland as part of SCOTLAND: The Big Picture's NextGen programme: Joe McLellan and Jura MacMillan. And hopefully, by the end of it, you'll feel inspired to join Scotland's rewilding movement! Visit our website to find the full...
Published 05/16/23