Scotcast

Have you noticed flags flying on a street near you? Aberdeenshire council have begun taking down Saltires from lampposts – while first minister John Swinney joined MSPs in expressing concern that the national flag has been 'hijacked' by far-right groups. 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

JK Rowling, politicians and activists have all weighed in on what they think about the Sandie Peggie, Beth Upton and NHS Fife tribunal, as the debate on trans rights and gender continues to play out in the court of public opinion. In this episode, Martin sits down with the BBC’s Lorna Gordon and Rebecca McCurdy, political correspondent at The Herald, to cut through the noise of what’s happening and hear what it has been like covering the case. 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

Scotland has the unwanted label of being Europe’s drug death capital for the seventh year in a row. But is there reason for optimism as latest figures for 2024 show a significant drop in drug-related deaths? Former head of the Scotland’s drug death task force, Professor Catriona Matheson (pictured), tells us how we got here - and what needs to be done to save even more lives. And as concerns are raised about police uniforms, Natalie questions Martin’s sartorial choices on behalf and a concerned audience member. 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

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has said he wants to close all asylum hotels earlier than planned. BBC correspondent Chirs Clements, who was in Falkirk reporting on the latest protests outside the town’s former Cladhan Hotel, tells us what he witnessed. And as the maker of Mounjaro increases the price of its popular weight-loss drug, Alistair Murray from Phlo Technologies tells us whether his company is passing on the cost to its customers. Our previous episode, ‘Can weight-loss jabs save the NHS?’, is available 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: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

It’s change at the top for the Scottish Greens as the party elects new co-leaders. It comes after a summer of infighting, the departure of its longest-serving leader and years at the heart of power at Holyrood. BBC Scotland Political correspondent David Wallace Lockhart talks to Martin and Laura about what it means to be green in Scotland.And stand clear of the doors as Laura gets irked by etiquette on public transport.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

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has welcomed Graham Simpson to his party after the MSP quit the Scottish Conservatives. In an interview recorded hours after his defection, we ask Graham why he’s switching parties and what he makes of his new leader's idea of deporting 600,000 migrants if he becomes prime minister. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Professor Tommy Curry (pictured) is the University of Edinburgh’s first black professor of philosophy in its 450-year history. He talks to Martin about Scotland's history with racism and its present-day problemsScotcast 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

Hotels housing asylum seekers have attracted protests in Perth, Falkirk and Aberdeenshire. We ask what’s behind the recent spate of demos and David Wallace Lockhart tells us why it’s significant that Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay is defending them. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Natalie Higgins and Laura Miller. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Dr Iain Kennedy (pictured) chairs the British Medical Association and speaks on behalf of Scotland’s 17,000 doctors. He tells us why one of the founding principles of the NHS has 'already died', how the service can be rescued and about his life as Highland GP. And a listener hits back at our coverage of gulls. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Natalie Higgins and Laura Miller. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

A housing crisis is unfolding in the Highlands and for Donna Young (pictured) of the Communities Housing Trust, it’s personal. She tells us why so many people in her part of the world are struggling to find a home. 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

The county lines drug epidemic is bringing violence and hard drugs to the Highlands. Detective Chief Inspector Craig Still of Police Scotland tells us how English gangs are targeting the vulnerable and why they are staying clear of Glasgow and Edinburgh. 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

Accustomed to sparring live on air on a Sunday morning, Martin sits down with Douglas Ross to find out what he really thinks.The former Scottish Conservative leader tells us why he defended Boris Johnson’s government – and why he thinks Holyrood is failing.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

Willie French is a former head teacher with four decades of experience in primary schools. He tells Martin why schools should delay formal education and help children learn old-fashioned life lessons like falling off bikes and out of trees. And Rose Docherty, the first person charged with allegedly breaking Scotland’s abortion buffer zone law, learns she’ll face no further action. 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

City trader turned influencer Gary Stevenson (pictured) is leading calls for a wealth tax. As chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares for the autumn budget, economist Professor Mairi Spowage tells us why a tax targeting the so-called super-rich may have downsides too. And with US Vice-President JD Vance here on holiday, Martin and Laura wonder what’s so special about the Cotswolds. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Nicola Sturgeon says a social media post by Harry Potter author JK Rowling prompted a wave of 'vile' abuse over the former first minister’s views on transgender policy. It’s one of many more claims in Ms Sturgeon’s memoir, Frankly, which Natalie has read (most of at the time of recording this recording). And as Spiderman webs his way through the streets of Glasgow, Slow Horses director Saul Metzstein tells us why his hometown is now like a second home to Hollywood. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins.

Nicola Sturgeon has been busy promoting her new memoir, Frankly. We’ve read and heard what she thinks about Alex Salmond, Operation Branchform, Isla Bryson and her own sexuality. But how much of it is news? Martin, Natalie and the BBC’s David Wallace Lockhart discuss how much we’ve really learned from the former first minister's book publicity. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Natalie Higgins and Laura Miller. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Former Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark and ex-BBC Scotland political editor Brian Taylor talk to Martin, Laura and Natalie about their careers, covering tragedies and modern journalism. Recorded in front of a live audience at the Edinburgh Fringe on Wednesday 6th August. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Author Irvine Welsh's new book, Men in Love, is a sequel to his debut novel and cult classic Trainspotting. Irvine talks to Martin about revisiting Renton, Begbie and Sick Boy, the state of politics and what smartphones are doing to us. Recorded in front of a live audience at the Edinburgh Fringe on Wednesday 6th August, this episode contains strong language some listeners might find offensive. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Natalie Higgins and Laura Miller.Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Darren McGarvey (pictured) is an author, documentary maker and rapper whose debut book, Poverty Safari, won the Orwell Prize. He tells us about his latest work, Trauma Industrial Complex, and the pitfalls of sharing personal lived experience. Cover photo courtesy of Jack Cocker. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Sub Club nightclub owner Mike Grieve has been a leading figure in Scotland’s late-night culture for 40 years. As the Night Time Industries Association warn of the death of the night out, he tells us how his industry has changed. And Natalie reveals how Britney Spears brought about a dance floor injury. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Follow this link for free tickets to our live show at the Edinburgh Fringe, featuring Irvine Welsh, on Wednesday 6 August 2025: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/scotcast