Best Scottish Wildlife Trust Podcasts (2024)

1
Hugh Miller: the Victorian David Attenborough 36:45

35m ago36:45

36:45

Meet Hugh Miller: the man regarded as the David Attenborough of his day. Though often overlooked in the history books, this self-taught geologist helped to popularise natural history to his Victorian audience. What did he help to discover about prehistoric Scotland? How were his scientific findings viewed by his peers? And why has he not remained b…

1
Snorkel trails, the mudflats of Montrose and the community that bought an island 49:09

2d ago49:09

49:09

Ed and Rachel head to the beach! In this episode, we hear from the our Living Seas team on the Trust’s marine policy and engagement work. We take a look back at the historical community buyout of the Isle of Eigg and hear how the island is being managed for both people and wildlife. And we head across to the east coast for a walk on the tidal mudfl…

1
Murder and mayhem on Edinburgh's Royal Mile 31:12

4d ago31:12

31:12

As the Edinburgh Festival Fringe gets into full swing, Jackie Bird takes a walk from Gladstone’s Land along the Royal Mile to discover the dark side of this city centre street. Guiding Jackie through the murky past is Eric Melvin, veteran tour guide and author of A Walk Down Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. Expect tales of body-snatching, the exploits of De…

1
Nectar networks, conservation grazing and a walk round Shewalton Wood 42:29

8d ago42:29

42:29

In this episode, Ed and Rachel investigate the Trust’s work with grazing and pollinators. We start with a walk at Shewalton Wood Wildlife Reserve in Ayrshire to discover how the site has been transformed from a landfill to a thriving site for nature. Ed has a chat to our conservation shepherd, Laura MacGregor, to find out more about the role livest…

1
Scottish golf: history and hickory 32:56

11d ago32:56

32:56

Whether you’re out every week hitting the links, or consider golf a good walk spoiled, the sport is undeniably a key ingredient in Scotland’s social tapestry. At Kingarrock Hickory Golf Course, the only remaining course of its kind in the UK, Jackie meets Dave Allan, visitor services assistant at the Hill of Tarvit venue. She also meets Hannah Flem…

1
Peatlands, nature-based solutions and creating a nature network in Edinburgh 38:55

15d ago38:55

38:55

In our third episode, the Trust's Terrestrial Policy Manager, Rebekah Strong, explains how nature can provide solutions to some of our problems. Ed speaks with Leo Charlesworth about the pioneering Edinburgh Nature Network and we hear from Julian Warman on the importance of the Trust's lowland raised bog reserves. Words of the Wild is a podcast fro…

1
James VI: wise man or fool? 46:13

18d ago46:13

46:13

Recorded in Falkland Palace’s chapel royal, host Jackie Bird and her guest Steven Veerapen discuss the adult life and legacy of James VI of Scotland and I of England. During his reign, the king faced a host of challenges, from religious tensions to anti-Scottish sentiment in his London court, not to mention Guy Fawkes’ gunpowder plot. Veerapen’s bo…

1
Riverwoods, beavers and stories from our largest wildlife reserve 39:19

24d ago39:19

39:19

Ed and Rachel head to the woods as we hear from some of the people involved in the Riverwoods project. We take a look back at the Scottish Beaver Trial and some of the impacts it continues to have on conservation today. We then head back north to hear some of the stories of Ben Mor Coigach. Kenny Taylor explores some of the stories of the area and …

1
The Munros: mountain myths and milestones 32:23

27d ago32:23

32:23

How many have you bagged? Mountaineers and hikers from across the UK and beyond have flocked to Scotland to take on the Munros – Scottish peaks more than 3,000 feet high – ever since the list of such mountains was created by Sir Hugh Munro in 1891. The National Trust for Scotland cares for 46 of these Munros, including Ben Lomond, Ben Lawers, Ben M…

1
Origins, ospreys and one of the largest landscape-scale projects in Europe 44:09

29d ago44:09

44:09

In the first episode, we talk to the Chief Executive, Jo Pike, about the past, present and future of the Scottish Wildlife Trust. We also explore the Coigach and Assynt Living Landscape, one of the largest landscape-scale projects in Europe and head to Loch of the Lowes where the Trust’s Chair, Kenny Taylor, chats to some of our volunteers about th…

1
The real story of Whisky Galore 38:04

1M ago38:04

38:04

In 1941, cargo ship the SS Politician ran aground near Eriskay, an island in the Hebrides. On board? Some 22,000 cases of whisky. What followed has been immortalised on page and screen in Whisky Galore, a retelling of how local islanders made the most of the unexpected arrival of so much alcohol, and how the authorities tried to stop them. But what…

1
Fashion stories from Georgian Edinburgh 43:52

1M ago43:52

43:52

Host Jackie Bird is joined by curator Antonia Laurence-Allan and historian Sally Tuckett to discuss all things 18th-century fashion. Recorded inside the Georgian House, just days before the exhibition Ramsay & Edinburgh Fashion opened its doors, the trio talk about the artist Allan Ramsay and the women behind the paintings. What was life like for s…

1
Great Scot Tom Conti: From opening nights to Oppenheimer 36:15

3M ago36:15

36:15

Joining Jackie this week is Tom Conti, the Paisley-born actor best known for his roles on stage and screen, including 1978’s Whose Life Is It Anyway and 2023’s Oppenheimer. The recipient of Tony and Olivier award, Tom was also named the 2024 Great Scot by the National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA earlier this year. In his conversation with Jac…

1
Solving the mystery of the potato sack propeller 27:29

3M ago27:29

27:29

Earlier this year, the National Trust for Scotland revealed that a Second World War plane propeller had been found on Arran. Mysteriously, the propeller was wrapped in an old potato sack and had been discovered deep in a peat bog. How did it get there? The Trust’s Head of Archaeology, Derek Alexander, led an investigation to find out. He joins Jack…

1
Stories of Mackintosh at the Willow 36:35

3M ago36:35

36:35

Earlier this year, Mackintosh at the Willow – a tea room on Glasgow’s Sauchiehall Street that dates back to 1903 – joined the National Trust for Scotland’s portfolio of special places. To better understand the venue and the role it played in Edwardian Glasgow, Jackie sits down for a cup of tea with two expert guests. Celia Sinclair Thornqvist MBE, …

1
Six objects that tell stories of the Trust's women 40:09

4M ago40:09

40:09

This week, Jackie and her guest discuss six objects in the Trust’s collections that help to tell the stories of some of the most fascinating women connected to Trust places. Regional curators Emma Inglis and Antonia Laurence-Allen help to paint a picture of these six women, whose lives and jobs range from being an ale-brewer in 1600s Edinburgh to t…

1
A beginner's guide to Scotland's early monarchs 31:15

4M ago31:15

31:15

So far this series we’ve looked at two of Scotland’s most famous monarchs: Robert the Bruce and Mary, Queen of Scots. Today, we step back further in time to meet the rulers whose names have become more forgotten to time. Helping Jackie to acquaint herself with the earliest kings and queens of Scotland is Richard Oram, a professor of medieval and en…

1
The Afterlife of Mary, Queen of Scots 42:13

4M ago42:13

42:13

Arguably the most famous monarch in Scottish history, Mary, Queen of Scots remains a figure of global intrigue more than 400 years after her death. One question, then: why? In a previous episode of Love Scotland, Jackie explored the life and times of Mary. Today, she’s on a mission to find out why Mary’s story and legacy have been pored over in suc…

1
Robert the Bruce: Battles of a King 30:04

4M ago30:04

30:04

In the second part of a two-episode biography of Robert the Bruce’s life, Jackie returns to the studio with Professor Dauvit Broun of the University of Glasgow. Last week, we looked at the early life of Robert and how his canny abilities, not to mention his tendency to switch allegiance at opportune moments, helped him to secure power. But what cam…

1
Robert the Bruce: Fact and Fiction 26:53

4M ago26:53

26:53

Welcome to a new series of Love Scotland. In this week’s episode, Jackie is joined by Professor Dauvit Broun of the University of Glasgow to discuss the life of Robert the Bruce. Robert, King of Scots from 1306-1329, led a fascinating life full of changing allegiances, shifting power and military victories. How much of our common understanding of t…

1
Season 8 Trailer 0:42

5M ago0:42

0:42

Jackie gives a brief introduction to brand-new season of the Love Scotland podcast. We're going across the centuries to delve into the stories of Mary Queen of Scots and Robert the Bruce, then skipping ahead to the tales of the Georgian Tea Room. Jackie also hears from the Trust's archaeology team about wartime relics beind unearthed across the cou…

1
TOP FIVE: Sam Heughan 32:42

5M ago32:42

32:42

We finish our pick of episodes from the archives with this conversation between Jackie and actor Sam Heughan, first released in 2022. The Dumfries and Galloway-born Outlander star, who has also launched his own whisky brand and became a New York Times bestselling author in 2020, joined Jackie to discuss his on-screen adventures at some of Scotland’…

1
TOP FIVE: Scotland on Screen 33:39

5M ago33:39

33:39

We’re rolling out the red carpet for this episode from the archives, first released in 2022. With Hollywood’s eyes on this weekend’s Academy Awards, take a dive into this cinematic history of Scotland’s relationship with the silver screen. What was the first film to earn Scotland a place on the movie-making map? Which horror cult classic was shot i…

1
Community stories: SOS Leith – How one community is raising its voice to clean up their river 18:44

6M ago18:44

18:44

After fears over the safety of local waterways, a group of residents in Leith banded together to make a change. Listen to the story of SOS Leith and how a group of local people are now working to clean up the Waters of Leith. This episode was recorded as part of the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Nextdoor Nature project, funded by the National Lottery H…

1
Community stories: The Isle of Eigg – How a community bought an island 30:24

5M ago30:24

30:24

In 1997, the Isle of Eigg was bought by its local community. Listen to the story of how the Isle of Eigg community is managing the space for people and wildlife. This episode was recorded as part of the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Nextdoor Nature project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Production by Bespoken Media.…

1
TOP FIVE: Romans in Scotland 41:51

6M ago41:51

41:51

This week, we’re going all the way back to Roman times – an an episode first released in 2023 – to find out about the Antonine wall and why Scotland was ‘Rome’s Afghanistan’. What led to the speedy evacuation of the Antonine wall, which was once garrisoned by thousands of Roman soldiers? What was Rome’s relationship with the lands beyond the wall r…

1
TOP FIVE: The real history of Scotland’s witches 33:47

6M ago33:47

33:47

This week, we’re returning to one of our most popular episodes, which was first released in May 2022. Jackie was joined by Dr Ciaran Jones, the lead researcher and author of a report on the links between NTS properties and the witch trials of the 16th-18th centuries. Why did Scotland try to execute five times as many so-called witches as the rest o…

1
TOP FIVE: Massacre at Glencoe 36:15

6M ago36:15

36:15

Production is underway on the next full series of Love Scotland, but in the meantime, we’re diving into the archives to highlight five of the top episodes of all time. This week, we’re returning to two episodes that – when combined – offer a full look at the Massacre of Glencoe. Some 332 years ago this week, around 30 members of Clan MacDonald were…

1
For Auld Lang Syne: how a song of friendship became a global anthem 39:27

8M ago39:27

39:27

As another series of Love Scotland draws to a close, Jackie gathers two companions to discuss the “song that everybody sings”: Auld Lang Syne. With lyrics penned by Robert Burns in 1788, but origins dating back further, it is now a global anthem of friendship, celebration, yearning and nostalgia. Mairi Campbell, a Scottish musician whose version of…

1
Winter wildlife at St Abb's Head: Scottish Borders seal pups recover after Storm Arwen 29:05

8M ago29:05

29:05

Seals and other winter wildlife at St Abb’s Head This week, Jackie makes a return to St Abb’s Head in the Scottish Borders, just months after she last visited to investigate the summer’s avian flu outbreak. In the winter, many of the seabirds may have disappeared – but there are still a lot to be found. Joined once again by Head Ranger Ciaran Hatse…

1
The story of Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh, and why the wife of architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh deserves equal recognition 36:20

9M ago36:20

36:20

While Charles Rennie Mackintosh has become a singular icon in Scottish art, his legacy is so almighty that in many accounts, the achievements and contributions of his wife, Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh, are often overlooked. Described by Charles as being “more than half – she is three quarters – of all I’ve done”, Margaret’s artwork, and her place…

1
Scottish castles: a complete history of iconic historic buildings and their role in Scotland's story 30:28

9M ago30:28

30:28

The National Trust for Scotland cares for a dozen Scottish castles, all of which have unique histories and origins. In this week’s episode, Jackie sits down with author Janet Brennan-Inglis, who also chairs the Trust’s Galloway group, to discuss some of these buildings and their influence on Scotland’s story. Janet also guides Jackie through the ta…

1
The colourful case of Osgood Mackenzie, plant pioneer and creator of Inverewe garden 30:17

9M ago30:17

30:17

The Case of Osgood Mackenzie This week, Jackie’s turning her attention to Inverewe Garden in the northwest highlands. A tropical oasis bolstered by the nearby gulfstream, it is a true jewel for lovers of all things floral. However, its creator Osgood Mackenzie, the author of A Hundred Years in the Highlands, was left in the shade by a family court …

1
Life with the Lorimers: the family of artists and architects who made Kellie Castle home 31:55

9M ago31:55

31:55

This week, Jackie is at Kellie Castle and Garden to find out about the Lorimers – a family of artists and creatives who once called the castle home. Led by James Lorimer, who first rented Kellie Castle in 1878, the family also included Sir Robert Lorimer, the architect behind many iconic structures including the Scottish National War Memorial, pain…

1
Tragedy at Hill of Tarvit: The Edwardian mansion that housed a family drama 27:02

10M ago27:02

27:02

Tragedy at Hill of Tarvit Surrounded by the beauty of Edwardian Britain, a family was devastated by tragedy. In this week’s episode, Jackie steps into the gilded surrounds of Hill of Tarvit to discover the story of the Sharp family, who once called the mansion home. Set just outside Cupar and designed by Robert Lorimer, the house is a true 20th-cen…

1
Stories and songs of Scottish battles: A live recording with Alistair Moffat, Derek Alexander and singer Iona Fyfe 49:00

10M ago49:00

49:00

Stories and songs of Scottish battles Earlier this year, to launch a new series of Love Scotland, Jackie recorded an episode in front of a live audience of National Trust for Scotland members in Aberdeen. Two of the nation’s foremost experts on battles joined Jackie on stage to discuss some of the most significant historic conflicts as well as the …

1
Scotland’s plague: 300 years of disease 40:02

1y ago40:02

40:02

In 2020, as the Covid-19 pandemic began, many people looked back to the influenza epidemic of 1918 for historical context. However, going further back in time reveals centuries of viral diseases – and a bizarre list of supposed medical concoctions that would protect you from them. Scotland’s “plague man” Richard Oram, a professor of history at Stir…

1
A beginner’s guide to Scottish hillwalking 31:47

1y ago31:47

31:47

On a drizzly summer’s day, Jackie heads out to Ben Lomond to meet two people who feel at home in the hills. First, Jackie, president of the National Trust for Scotland, goes for a stroll with Zahrah Mahmood, president of Ramblers Scotland and an online influencer known as the Hillwalking Hijabi. As they stretch their legs, they discuss the joys wai…

1
Avian flu: a report from the front line 20:26

1y ago20:26

20:26

Following last year’s episode investigating the 2022 outbreak of avian flu among Scottish seabird colonies, Jackie returns to St Abb’s Head National Nature Reserve in the wake of new cases being reported. Joined by ranger Ciaran Hatsell, Jackie learns how this year’s cases have been identified and exactly how the disease is impacting kittiwakes at …

1
What really killed Robert Burns? 33:31

1y ago33:31

33:31

An icon of Scottish culture, Robert Burns is best known for his beautiful, moving, and humorous poetry. Born in 1759, he died just 37 years later – an early passing attributed to alcoholism. However, recent advances in medical knowledge have raised questions about the accuracy of this diagnosis. Professor David Purdie, co-author of The Burns Encycl…

1
My life as a ranger on Scotland’s remote isles 27:23

1y ago27:23

27:23

Jackie is joined by Jonathan Grant, who after 13 years is about to retire as a ranger on three Hebridean islands. Earlier this year, when news of his resignation was announced, it was headline news around the world. Now, he has time for a proper discussion about his experiences on Mingulay, Pabay and Berneray. He reveals why he feels he became part…

1
Riches to rags: The legacy of Lady Aberdeen 35:27

1y ago35:27

35:27

In this week’s episode, Jackie follows the story of Lady Aberdeen – a woman born into wealth who became a lifelong social reformer, healthcare advocate, and champion of the underdog. By the time she died in the 1930s, the riches were gone – but a legacy remained. Joining Jackie is Simon Welfare, the author of Fortune’s Many Houses: A Victorian Visi…

1
James VI: the childhood years 36:34

1y ago36:34

36:34

This week, Jackie is at Falkland Palace to learn more about the early years of James VI, one of the most influential monarchs in British history. Crowned at an early age, and separated from his mother, Mary, Queen of Scots, James would go on to be the first king of the whole British Isles. But focusing on his later achievements misses out on many r…

1
Sir Henry Raeburn: the story behind Scotland's most famous painter 34:41

1y ago34:41

34:41

This week, Jackie’s in Edinburgh to find about one of the city’s leading lights of the enlightenment era: Sir Henry Raeburn. His work depicted some of the key figures of that time, creating an overall portrait of how Edinburgh’s top circles would have looked during the 1700s. Now, to mark 200 years since his death, the National Trust for Scotland i…

1
Diana Gabaldon: Inside the story of Outlander 41:50

1y ago41:50

41:50

As a new season of Love Scotland begins, host Jackie Bird is joined by Outlander author Diana Gabaldon to discuss her best-selling books, its TV adaptation, and how the Outlander effect has shaped global perceptions of Scotland. Outlander tells the story of a time-travelling nurse from the 20th century who falls in love with an 18th century Highlan…

1
Season 6 trailer 1:08

1y ago1:08

1:08

By National Trust for Scotland

1
Six places that show Scotland's global impact 32:00

1+ y ago32:00

32:00

Six places that show Scotland's impact on the world In this week’s episode of Love Scotland – the final one of the current season – Professor Murray Pittock joins Jackie to discuss some of the Scottish places that have had the biggest influence on global history. From Culloden to Robert Burns’s birthplace, the episode charts moments of great cultur…

1
A rich history of tartan 31:13

1+ y ago31:13

31:13

The rich history of tartan In this week’s episode, to mark the opening of the V&A Dundee’s new Tartan exhibition, Jackie meets its co-curator Jonathan Faiers to discuss the fascinating tale of the pattern’s past. If you took a random sample of people around the world and asked them to depict Scotland, tartan would likely make an appearance. It conn…

1
Romans in Scotland: the Antonine Wall 41:34

1+ y ago41:34

41:34

Romans in Scotland: the Antonine wall and ‘Rome’s Afghanistan’ This week, Jackie goes for a walk at the Antonine Wall and is joined by Dr John Reid to discuss Roman-era Scotland. The wall, which stretches from Old Kilpatrick on the west coast to near Bo’ness, was around 37 miles long and marked the furthest reach of the Roman Empire in Britain. Usi…

1
The past and future of stately gardens 32:16

1+ y ago32:16

32:16

In this week’s episode, Jackie steps beyond the National Trust for Scotland’s most beautiful stately homes to discover what treasures can be found in the nation’s gardens. Recorded from Greenbank Garden – an 18th-century walled garden just outside Glasgow city centre – Jackie is joined by the National Trust for Scotland’s head of gardens and design…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Scottish Wildlife Trust Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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