Scottish Blethers

Scottish Blethers have had a very busy and different few months but we are back now to our podcasting ‘glory’! In this episode we chat about the past 6 six months and the various things we have been up to. It is great to be back and thank you for sticking with us.

March is Women's History Month and in this week’s episode we mark the contribution of three Scottish women of substance. Mary Slessor left behind her work in the jute mills of Dundee to travel as a missionary to Nigeria where she did much to advance the rights of women and children. Catherine Herbert, Countess of Dunmore was born at the other end of the social scale and is credited with bringing Harris Tweed to the attention of the world. But were her motives entirely altruistic? Susan’s great grandmother Catherine Scott Morton has no great entries in the history books but was a trail blazer during the war and in local politics post World War Two and her efforts to improve conditions for her constituents were recognised in the award of an OBE.

It's the first episode of the month so that means only one thing - a favourites episode ! We discuss all sorts of islands across Scotland and hopefully whet your appetite to want to google images of them - but we'll be putting some up on social media through the week as well.

In this week’s episode we take a stroll through Scone Palace in Perthshire, consider the many buildings that enhance Scotland’s landscape with no obvious function (called Follies) and end with an introduction to The Roaring Game also known as Curling or Chess on Ice. We post additional content during the week on our  social media. Connect with us on instagram and facebook at @scottishblethers and let us know of any requests, comments or suggestions. Help us spread the (Scots) word and share us with your friends. If you this enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on your podcast platform of choice and please leave us a review to help others find us ! Apple podcasts | Spotify | Google podcasts | RSS Feed Also available on Amazon Music, Anchor, RadioPublic, Breaker, PocketCasts and Overcast Thanks for listening! Liz, Susan & Helen

In honour of St Valentine's Day, we run through songs by Scottish artists about Love - whether that be for yourself, another or the place you live. We post additional content during the week on our  social media. Connect with us on instagram and facebook at @scottishblethers and let us know of any requests, comments or suggestions. If you this enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on your podcast platform of choice and please leave us a review to help others find us ! Apple podcasts | Spotify | Google podcasts | RSS Feed As we are in lockdown and most people can't travel just now, we are also doing Virtual Tours / Presentations on different Scottish themes every 2 weeks via Zoom for £15 per event.  Coming up on 25th Feb is Liz with Edinburgh : A Tale of Two Cities, on 11th March we have Helen blethering about Culross, 25th March, Susan will be blethering about the real history behind selected Outlander filming locations and we have more lining up every 2 weeks into May. To book or find out more, please send an email to scottishbletherspodcast@gmail.com  It would be lovely if you could spread the (Scots) word and share us with your friends. Thanks for listening! Liz, Susan & Helen

This week we continue to weave our way through the rich tapestry that is Scotland as we discuss our international reputation for textiles, the fascination held by our highest mountains and the unusual choice of the unicorn as our national animal. We post additional content during the week on our  social media. Connect with us on instagram and facebook at @scottishblethers and let us know of any requests, comments or suggestions. Help us spread the (Scots) word and share us with your friends. We are also running Virtual Tours every second Thursday at 8pm GMT / 3pm EST / noon PT on a wide range of topics - full details on our facebook page.  Delivered via Zoom, they cost £15 per device and you can book by sending an email to scottishbletherspodcast@gmail.com.  Payment is via Paypal. If you this enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on your podcast platform of choice and please leave us a review to help others find us ! Apple podcasts | Spotify | Google podcasts | RSS Feed Also available on Amazon Music, Anchor, RadioPublic, Breaker, PocketCasts and Overcast Thanks for listening! Liz, Susan & Helen

Welcome to Episode 20 - we are as surprised as all of you that we have made it this far !  In this episode we discuss all types of Scottish (not just Scotch) pies, the fabulous pre-history of Kilmartin Glen (a request from a lovely listener - was it Linda?) and the joy of Glasgow patter i.e. Glaswegian accents and phrases. We have also branched out into Virtual Tours that are delivered every 2 weeks via Zoom and cost £15 per event.  The next one, on 11th Feb at 8pm GMT / 3pm EST and is on the archipelago of St Kilda.  The islands lie 40 nautical miles off the Outer Hebrides islands on the west coast of Scotland and are double UNESCO heritage designated.  If you would like to come along, drop an email to scottishbletherspodcast@gmail.com and we can get you signed up.  The money we generate goes into paying for a new logo and creation of a website. We post additional content during the week on our  social media. Connect with us on instagram and facebook at @scottishblethers and let us know of any requests, comments or suggestions. Help us spread the (Scots) word and share us with your friends. If you this enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on your podcast platform of choice and please leave us a review to help others find us ! Apple podcasts | Spotify | Google podcasts | RSS Feed Also available on Amazon Music, Anchor, RadioPublic, Breaker, PocketCasts and Overcast Thanks for listening! Liz, Susan & Helen

Burns Day - a special day in the Scottish Calendar, 25th January.  Burns Day, when everyone eats haggis and starts toasting one other! Now the Blethers ladies are no aficionados on Scottish poet & national treasure Robert Burns, but since when did that stop them putting in their tuppence worth? Join us for this episode when our chat will be about whether or not Burns is still relevant for the 21st Century. If you like what you hear, why not join us for one of our virtual tours that will be delivered via Zoom.  Helen will be taking you to Carnegie's Dunfermline on Thurs 28th Jan at 8pm London / 3pm EST / noon PT, Susan will take you to the St Kilda archipelago on Thursday 11th Feb (at the same time) and Liz will take you on a tour of Edinburgh : Tale of Two Cities on 25th Feb at the same time.  To book, please send an email to scottishbletherspodcast@gmail.com.  The costs is £15 per device per event and can be paid by Paypal. We post additional content during the week on our social media to support the podcast episode. Connect with us on instagram and facebook at @scottishblethers and let us know of any requests, comments or suggestions. Help us spread the (Scots) word and share us with your friends. If you this enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on your podcast platform of choice and please leave us a review to help others find us ! Apple podcasts | Spotify | Google podcasts | RSS Feed Also available on Amazon Music, Anchor, RadioPublic, Breaker, PocketCasts and Overcast Thanks for listening! Liz, Susan & Helen

Welcome to episode 18 where we discuss The Burrell Collection , Scottish gold and Scottish boiled sweeties (candies for our American cousins). We post additional content during the week on our  social media. Connect with us on instagram and facebook at @scottishblethers and let us know of any requests, comments or suggestions. Help us spread the (Scots) word and share us with your friends. If you this enjoyed this episode, subscribe on your podcast platform of choice to be informed of new episodes and please leave us a review to help others find us ! If you this enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on your podcast platform of choice and please leave us a review to help others find us ! Apple podcasts | Spotify | Google podcasts | RSS Feed Also available on Amazon Music, Anchor, RadioPublic, Breaker, PocketCasts and Overcast Thanks for listening! Liz, Susan & Helen

Just before Christmas Liz interviewed master storyteller Lynn Barbour of Peatfire Tales in Stromness, Orkney. Lynn talks about the fusion of languages and cultures that have been woven into the tapestry of folklore that is such an important part of Orkney life. She shares with us some of the stories and characters of Orcadian culture including Yule which was important in Norse culture and fell on 6th January.

We're back ! After a wee break from recording over the Festive Season, we're all revved up and ready to go. In this episode we talk about the current lockdown in Scotland and look forward to what will be happening in 2021 and our wishes for the year. We post additional content during the week on our  social media. Connect with us on instagram and facebook at @scottishblethers and let us know of any requests, comments or suggestions. Help us spread the (Scots) word and share us with your friends. If you this enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on your podcast platform of choice and please leave us a review to help others find us ! Apple podcasts | Spotify | Google podcasts | RSS Feed Also available on Amazon Music, Anchor, RadioPublic, Breaker, PocketCasts and Overcast Thanks for listening! Liz, Susan & Helen

In this episode we delve into the National Health Service in Scotland and explain a little about public and private healthcare before heading on to talk about the Knights Templar in Scotland, said to have been involved in Robert the Bruce's success at Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.  Our third topic is Irn Bru our other national drink - just ask any Scot. As always we finish with our Scots words of the episode. Connect with us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/scottishblethers Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/scottishblethers Here are the links to where you can find our podcast Apple podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/scottish-blethers/id1530635686) Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3IlZkSBwK2DJt4GCYzJNyE) Google podcasts (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8yYmU1Zjg1MC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==) RSS Feed (https://anchor.fm/s/2be5f850/podcast/rss) Also available on Amazon Music, Anchor, RadioPublic, Breaker, PocketCasts and Overcast If you this enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on your podcast platform of choice and please leave us a review to help others find us ! Thanks for listening! Liz, Susan & Helen

As we are having our Christmas Party via Zoom on Wednesday 9th Dec, our normal Blether has been replaced by an interview Liz did with the wonderful Glynis Ross of Leault Farm and sheepdogs.  It is a must do visit of any trip to Scotland.  We will be posting photos of our regular trips to Leault Farm on our Scottish Blethers social media during the week, make sure to check out our facebook and instagram pages, details below. If you would like to join our FREE online Christmas Party via Zoom on Wednesday 9th December, which is limited to 30 people, sign up via Eventbrite. If you this enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on your podcast platform of choice and please leave us a review to help others find us ! Drop us a message on instagram or facebook  if you have any comments or topic suggestions. Thanks for listening! Liz, Susan & Helen Apple podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/scottish-blethers/id1530635686) Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3IlZkSBwK2DJt4GCYzJNyE) Google podcasts (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8yYmU1Zjg1MC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==) RSS Feed (https://anchor.fm/s/2be5f850/podcast/rss) Also available on Amazon Music, Anchor, RadioPublic, Breaker, PocketCasts and Overcast

This is the first episode of December and so it’s time for a “My Favourite” edition. This time we take a look at lochs. 2020 has been Visit Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters and the theme is set to be rolled forward into 2021 as the nation continues to celebrate our vast array of lochs, waterways, islands and coastlines. With over 30,000 freshwater lochs - not to mention the fjords or sea lochs that fringe our coastline - there’s certainly plenty to discuss. Our blethers range across the blockbusters such as Lomond, Ness and Tay to the hidden gems. Monsters, myths and legends to world-renowned produce such as our oysters, mussels and scallops. We’ll even throw in a lake! Dive in - the water’s lovely! As always, we finish our 30-minute blether with our Scots words of the episode. Connect with us on Facebook! (https://www.facebook.com/scottishblethers) Follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/scottishblethers ) Help us spread the (Scots) word and share us with your friends. If you this enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on your podcast platform of choice and please leave us a review to help others find us ! Apple podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/scottish-blethers/id1530635686) Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3IlZkSBwK2DJt4GCYzJNyE) Google podcasts (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8yYmU1Zjg1MC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==) RSS Feed (https://anchor.fm/s/2be5f850/podcast/rss) Also available on Amazon Music, Anchor, RadioPublic, Breaker, PocketCasts and Overcast Thanks for listening! Liz, Susan & Helen Scottish Blethers Live Virtual Christmas Party - Wed Dec 9th 2020 Christmas is just around the corner and we have a special event for your diary - the Scottish Blethers Live Virtual Christmas Party. You’ve all been such an important part of our venture and we’ve loved sharing it with you. Now we have the opportunity to get to know each other better.  You’ve listened to the Blethers, now it’s your turn to join the conversation as we share Christmas trivia, games and quizzes - all with a Scottish theme of course.  The event is free, but we'd like you to snap up a free ticket via Eventbrite as we are limiting it to 30 people https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/scottish-blethers-christmas-party-tickets-130450056631 Save the date - Wednesday December 9th at 8.30pm GMT  / 3.30pm EST / 12.30pm PST This will be a live virtual event on Zoom.

As this episode airs we are approaching St Andrew’s Day on the 30th of November - Scotland’s official national day. We explore the story behind the man and what led to him being adopted as the patron saint of Scotland - amongst other things including gout! This leads in turn to the Saltire and how it came to be the official flag of Scotland and a visible symbol of our identity. We conclude with a wide ranging  and light-hearted discussion on what it is that makes someone Scottish. The traits, the stereotypes, the psyche - “here’s tae us; wha’s like us? Damn few, and they’re a’ deid!” Connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/scottishblethers) Follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/scottishblethers ) Help us spread the (Scots) word and share us with your friends. If you this enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on your podcast platform of choice and please leave us a review to help others find us ! Apple podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/scottish-blethers/id1530635686) Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3IlZkSBwK2DJt4GCYzJNyE) Google podcasts (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8yYmU1Zjg1MC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==) RSS Feed (https://anchor.fm/s/2be5f850/podcast/rss) Also available on Amazon Music, Anchor, RadioPublic, Breaker, PocketCasts and Overcast Thanks for listening! Liz, Susan & Helen P.S. I know we are still in November, but we have put a date in the diary for a virtual Christmas Party with you, our listeners and followers.  We have loved all your likes and comments and it would be lovely to have a blether with you – bring your party hats and be ready for some Christmas games !  The date is Wednesday December 9th at 8.30pm GMT (London) / 9.30PM Paris / 3.30pm EST (New York).  Full details will be in an event on our facebook page nearer the time. We’ll also post details to our Instagram page.

In this episode we look at the island archipelago of St Kilda that was evacuated 90 years ago.  We blether about sheep, of which there are over six million in Scotland and lastly, we discuss one of the first heroes of Scottish engineering and infrastructure, Thomas Telford.  As always, we finish our 30-minute blether with our Scots words of the episode. Drop us a message on instagram on facebook on @scottishblethers if you have any comments or topic suggestions. Thanks for listening! Liz, Susan & Helen P.S. I know we are still in November, but we have put a date in the diary for a virtual Christmas Party with our listeners and followers.  We have loved all your likes and comments and it would be lovely to have a blether with you.  The date is Wednesday December 9th at 8.30pm GMT (London) / 3.30pm EST (New York).  Full details will be on our facebook page nearer the time.

We wanted to do a couple of special interviews to mark Book Week Scotland from 16-22 November 2020. In this second bonus interview, Helen talks to Shona who is the Glasgow Book Fairy - one of a network across the world.  What does a Book Fairy do ?  You'll have to listen to find out more !

It is Scottish Book Week 16-22 November 2020 and Susan talks to author Mark Bridgeman, who resides in Highland Perthshire, about his books, blog and other projects he is working on. Mark's first book ‘The River Runs Red’ was published in September 2019. A history of true crime in Highland Perthshire, the book proved an immediate success. Following on from ‘The River Runs Red’ came ‘Blood Beneath Ben Nevis’ and ‘Surviving in the Shadows’, both released in March 2020.  To read Mark's blog posts, go to https://markbridgeman.wixsite.com/author For more information on Book Week Scotland, go to https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/book-week-scotland/events/

In this episode we reflect on those who fell in two World Wars and subsequent conflicts. We revisit the ancient people of Scotland and the buildings they left on the landscape. We rediscover one of our most loved of indigenous species - the Highland Cow. Join Liz, Helen and Susan, all Blue Badge qualified Scottish Tourist Guides, in our weekly Scottish Blethers podcast as we discuss 3 different topics  and bring out 3 great Scots words at the end of the episode. Follow and interact with us on facebook and instagram via @Scottishblethers - we post numerous photos through the week that support the topics under discussion.  We'd love to hear from you, please let us know your thoughts or requests for topics to be covered in future episodes.

Who would have thunk it  - we have made it to 10 episodes of Scottish Blethers ! We have decided to change the format for the first episode of each month and pick our favourite... from a theme.  For November, we have chosen contemporary Scottish authors. Liz kicks off with children's authors, Susan moves into Tartan Noir and Helen focuses on female crime writers and people from abroad who have made Scotland the star in their writing - and yes, we couldn't do this without mentioning Diana Gabaldon and Outlander ! We hope you enjoy listening to us.  Please leave a review on your podcast platform of choice or on our facebook page @scottishblethers . Take care and happy November.