It's welcome back to the podcast after our Christmas and New Year break.
We kick off by reflecting on how we both spent Hogmanay in our different ways, Lesley's island sojourn sounds affy braw.
Much criticism has been levelled at BBC Scotland in particular for its pallid Hogmanay programming and Lesley takes the opportunity to compare the "official" media offerings with the work of the late Martyn Bennett and the Grit Orchestra. Suffice to say the authorised ones don't stand the comparison well.....It seems now is the time for a complete rethink on BBC and STV Hogmanay fare.
We also discuss the cancellation of the official Edinburgh celebrations. Is it time for the capital to have a complete rethink ?
Martyn Bennett's music and Danny MacAskill's cycling on the Cuillin - 81 million views!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ_IQS3VKjA
Grit Orchestra gig - just two seats left!!

https://tickets.glasgowlife.org.uk/34209/34210

Lesley talks about her new, self filmed, series of short videos she's filming on her travels around Scotland.
Lesley also reflects on the recent funeral of 'John the Bird' Chester on Eigg.
https://x.com/LesleyRiddoch/status/1876598275693859210
Anas Sarwar in his most recent speech talked about reducing the number of quangos but was somewhat less than comprehensive in how he would do this and even less specific on what a Labour administration would cut other than reducing the number of Health Boards.
However is there a kernel of truth in Sarwar's statement?  Has the growth of quangos led to the creation, as Robin McAlpine said, of " A feudal system of nested fiefdoms each insulated from the transparency and accountability nominally radiating from the one above"?
We also discuss Sarwar's appearance on Good Morning Scotland where Laura Maxwell grilled him on his stances on the 2 Child Benefit Cap, Winter Fuel Allowance, and the WASPI women. 
We also discuss Neil Mackay's recent Herald article analysing the growth in support for Scottish independence as UK Labour tanks in the polls.
Is the SNP in a fit state to profit from this? Is it radical enough to get independence over the line?
Listener Leslie Wilson got in touch after our chat on swimmer Duncan Scott to highlight the  television coverage-lack of- of Bruce Mouat's champion curling rink. We discuss.