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The Scottish Roadscast

The Scottish Roadscast
Author: Scottish Roads Archive
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Description
Get ready to hit the road with The Scottish Roadscast, the Scottish Roads Archive’s exciting podcast history series! Since 2018, we have been exploring fascinating topics related to Scotland’s post-war roads, bridges, and motorways. With regular insights from industry experts and special guests, it’s the only such podcast in Scotland!
As of 2025, the series has captured the ears of over 100,000 listeners and is available on all your favorite podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and Podbean. Tune in and join us on the journey!
As of 2025, the series has captured the ears of over 100,000 listeners and is available on all your favorite podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and Podbean. Tune in and join us on the journey!
78 Episodes
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In our first episode of 2022, we delve into the 1960s proposals for intermediate and outer ring roads of Glasgow. We take a look at the types of roads proposed and consider why they remain unbuilt over fifty years later. Prepare to be surprised!
With Stuart Baird and John Hassall.
In this edition of the Glasgow Motorway Archive podcast we are talking potholes and carriageway defects!
Join us as we discuss how they form, how they are repaired and what we can do to prevent them! We also answer your pothole related questions.
With Stuart Baird and John Hassall.
In this special edition of the Glasgow Motorway Archive podcast we celebrate 50 years of the Erskine Bridge.
Join us as we consider the history, planning, design and construction of the project. We also consider developments in the last half century and consider why Erskine has become one of Scotland's most iconic structures.
With Stuart Baird and John Hassall.
Music Credit:
“Drawing Mazes”
Podington Bear
From the Free Music Archive
CC BY-NC 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/)
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/
Part 2 of a two part series discussing the A1, one of Scotland's least discussed trunk roads.
Stuart and John are joined by Duncan Macknight, a road history researcher and GMA member as they take a deep dive into Scotland's east coast link to the north of England.
In part 2 we consider the section of the route from Dunbar to Berwick before discussing potential future developments. Prepare to be blown away with many new facts, figures and previously untold tales!
With Stuart Baird, John Hassall and Duncan Macknight
Released June 2021.
Part 1 of a two part series discussing the A1, one of Scotland's least discussed trunk roads.
Stuart and John are joined by Duncan Macknight, a road history researcher and GMA member as they take a deep dive into Scotland's east coast link to the north of England.
In part 1 we consider the history of the route before discussing the dual carriageway section from Edinburgh to Dunbar in more detail. Prepare to be blown away with many new facts, figures and previously untold tales!
With Stuart Baird, John Hassall and Duncan Macknight
Released May 2021.
In this episode Stuart and John take a look at the history behind the M77, the main motorway link between Glasgow and Ayrshire. We also discuss the anti-road protests of the 1990s and consider the safety record of the roads it replaced. A few listener questions are squeezed in at the end.
With Stuart Baird and John Hassall. Published April 2021.
In this episode Stuart and John take a look at the history behind the Monkland Motorway, one of the most important, but lesser loved sections of the M8. We consider how the disused canal provided a unique opportunity and discuss the planning, design and construction stages.
Series 3, Episode 2.
With Stuart Baird and John Hassall.
In this episode we discuss the roads projects being taken forward across Scotland as part of City Deal. We also take a deep dive into some upcoming trunk road improvement projects, including the Sheriffhall Roundabout, A82 and A96.
Series 3, Episode 1. Released January 2021.
With John Hassall and Stuart Baird. Music by Les Willox.
In this episode, John counts down through Scotland's ten least loved junctions as voted for by YOU! There are more than a few surprises on the list!
With John Hassall and Stuart Baird
Released March 2023.
In this lighthearted episode of the Scottish Roadscast, John and Stuart discuss the myths frequently shared about Scotland's roads! Prepare to be shocked as we reveal the truth behind them.
Released March 2023.
In our first podcast of 2023, we're taking a look at "A Highway Plan for Glasgow", the report that laid the groundwork for the road system we know today! Prepared by Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick & Partners for Glasgow Corporation, its recommendations were first made public 60 years ago, way back in 1963.
Want to learn more? Check out scottishroadsarchive.org/highway-plan
With John Hassall and Stuart Baird
Released January 2023.
In this episode of the Scottish Roadscast, John and Duncan provide an overview of the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen. They also consider plans to provide continuous dual carriageway between the cities and whether it offers much benefit. Packed with all-new historic information.
With John Hassall, Duncan Macknight and Stuart Baird
Released October 2022.
In this episode of the Scottish Roadscast, Stuart and John take a look at Scotland's "missing" motorway, the M7!
Officially known as the M6-M8 Fastlink, this unbuilt project was developed by the Scottish Office during the early to mid 1990s. Packed with all new information from the Scottish Roads Archive, this episode is not to be missed!
Released September 2022.
In this special edition of the Scottish Roadscast, Stuart and John are joined by Duncan Macknight to celebrate 40 years of the Kessock Bridge. A key part of the A9, the bridge has become much loved in Inverness and across Scotland. Listen in as we chart its planning, design and construction. We also consider what's instore for the future!
Released August 2022.
In this episode of the Scottish Roadscast we are discussing speed cameras and the types you'll find across Scotland. We consider their effectiveness and why they are deployed. All this and the usual facts and figures from the Roadscast team.
Released June 2022.
In this episode of the Scottish Roadscast we are talking all things M74. We take a journey through the history of the route and consider its development from single track road to multi-lane motorway in less than 80 years! With all new facts and figures, this is the podcast you've been waiting for.
Released April 2022.
The Scottish Roadscast is a new podcast series focussing on Scotland's post-1945 roads, bridges and motorways. In this first episode, Stuart and John discuss the Scottish trunk road network and preview some of the subjects that will be coming up in the show this year.
Released March 2022.
Episode 13 of the Glasgow Motorway Archive, published July 2019. This month we have the first in a new series of discussions on Glasgow's unbuilt roads and motorways, starting with the Maryhill & Lomond Motorways. Our "From the Archive" feature continues the subject, with a look at a justification report from 1975. We also answer your questions and discuss some of our upcoming events.
Presented by Stuart Baird and John Hassall.
In this episode of the Scottish Roadscast, we explore the history of the M9 motorway from Edinburgh to Dunblane. We discuss whether it's truly "Scotland's M40" and share new facts, figures, and answers to your M9 questions. This month's "From the Archive" features the 1968 Polmont and Falkirk Bypass opening booklet, available on scottishroadsarchive.org.
Released September 2025.
In this episode the team explore the history behind the A87 between Invergarry and Uig. Roadscast expert Duncan provides his usual detailed breakdown. Also this month we have a new feature: "From the Archive"! Each month we'll be revealing recent finds from the Scottish Roads Archive. This month we have a Strathclyde Regional Council book from 1996. You can follow along by visiting scottishroadsarchive.org/roadscast. Released August 2025.
A thoroughly enjoyable hr, thanks
Great podcast. Very well researched, and lots of interesting information, we'll done.