Best Royal Society Of Edinburghs Podcasts (2024)

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Ep.11 - The Coffin 21:45

8h ago21:45

21:45

In this talk Dr Dan O'Brien discusses the history of funerals and coffins.You can also watch this talk on our website: https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/heritage/talks/after-life-history-death-exhibition-launch-0Twitter: twitter.com/RCPEHeritageInstagram: instagram.com/physiciansgallery/Facebook: facebook.com/PhysiciansGalleryTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@p…

1
Saving St Kilda 24:28

1h ago24:28

24:28

How do you restore a 200-year-old church on one of Scotland’s most remote islands? Jackie Bird sits down with Susan Bain, property manager of St Kilda, to find out. A dual UNESCO World Heritage Site that sits on the edge of the Atlantic, St Kilda is vital to Scottish history but a big challenge for the Trust to care for properly. Once inhabited yea…

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
Ep.10 - Vital Organs 47:54

10d ago47:54

47:54

This lecture explores some famous historical body parts, through the eyes of author Suzie Edge.You can also watch this talk on our website: https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/heritage/talks/vital-organs-history-worlds-most-famous-body-partsTwitter: twitter.com/RCPEHeritageInstagram: instagram.com/physiciansgallery/Facebook: facebook.com/PhysiciansGalleryTikTok…

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

19d 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
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…

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Ep.09 - Death Of Kings 53:20

11d ago53:20

53:20

In this talk Dr Jessica Sharkey considers why Henry VIII is buried in relative obscurity, why Edward VI was cast as a sickly Lord Fauntleroy and why Elizabeth I refused to be married to her winding sheet.You can also watch this talk on our website: https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/heritage/talks/sad-stories-death-kings-end-tudorsTwitter: twitter.com/RCPEHeri…

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James VI: wise man or fool? 46:13

1M 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…

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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
Ep.08 - Historical Reflections On Burn Scars 1:08:28

25d ago1:08:28

1:08:28

In this talk Professor Jonathan Reinarz explores the history of burn scars over the last two centuries.You can also watch this talk on our website: https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/heritage/talks/historical-reflections-burn-scarsTwitter: twitter.com/RCPEHeritageInstagram: instagram.com/physiciansgallery/Facebook: facebook.com/PhysiciansGalleryTikTok: https:/…

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The real story of Whisky Galore 38:04

2M 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
Ep.07 - What Is A Good Death 25:07

1M ago25:07

25:07

In this talk Prof Seamus O'Mahony, a member of the Lancet Commission on The Value of Death, explores the idea of a 'good death' in the 21st century.You can also watch this talk on our website: https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/heritage/talks/after-life-history-death-exhibition-launch-0Twitter: twitter.com/RCPEHeritageInstagram: instagram.com/physiciansgallery…

1
Fashion stories from Georgian Edinburgh 43:52

2M 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
What does art tell us about ourselves? Life, art, and philosophy: Alva Noë, London Annual Lecture 2023 1:29:30

1M ago1:29:30

1:29:30

We make art out of life, but life in turn is remade by art. We are by nature tied to art, and this means, finally, that we can’t really speak of our “nature” at all. We are art’s product. Art is not a late accomplishment of our history, a mere cultural add on. We are entangled with art, and the whole phenomenon of the aesthetic, from the very begin…

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What are the Limits on Free Speech? - The 2023 Annual Symposium 1:30:24

1M ago1:30:24

1:30:24

Where should we draw the line between hate speech and simply saying things other people don’t want to hear? When some social groups can access media much more easily than others, has the idea of free speech as a free contest of ideas had its day? Should governments intervene to restrict the right to express opinions – for example, on climate change…

1
Ep.06 - Roald Dahl's Marvellous Medicine 45:05

2M ago45:05

45:05

This lecture explores Roald Dahl and his interest in medicine through the eyes of his doctor and friend, Professor Tom Solomon.You can also watch this talk on our website: https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/heritage/talks/roald-dahls-marvellous-christmas-medicineTwitter: twitter.com/RCPEHeritageInstagram: instagram.com/physiciansgallery/Facebook: facebook.com/…

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Ep.05 - From Spots To Pox 20:34

3M ago20:34

20:34

In this talk Dr Katie Aske discusses the history of skincare.You can also watch this talk on our website: https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/heritage/talks/skin-layered-history-exhibition-launchTwitter: twitter.com/RCPEHeritageInstagram: instagram.com/physiciansgallery/Facebook: facebook.com/PhysiciansGalleryTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@physiciansgallery…

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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…

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Ep.04 - Health And Disability In Convict Sydney 44:30

3M ago44:30

44:30

In this talk Dr Emily Cock uses some of the immense volume of colonial administrative paperwork to illuminate experiences of individual prisoners with variable health and permanent disabilities. You can also watch this talk on our website: https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/heritage/talks/health-and-disability-convict-sydneyTwitter: twitter.com/RCPEHeritageIns…

1
Presidential Address 2024 1:13:25

3M ago1:13:25

1:13:25

Jo Wolff is a Fellow of the British Academy and the Alfred Landecker Professor of Values and Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government at Oxford University. He was named the new President of The Royal Institute of Philosophy in October 2023, and in May 2024 he gave his inaugural Presidential Address. A political philosopher, he has worked…

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
Ep.03 - Food, Drink And The Maintenance Of Health 58:09

3M ago58:09

58:09

How did people in the past decide what to eat and what not to? What factors shaped their decisions? How did they obtain the information necessary to shape these decisions? And how did this information evolve over the course of the ‘early modern’ period (1500-1800)?In this talk Professor David Gentilcore explores the changing nature of the genre of …

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
Ep.02 - The History Of Condoms 44:48

4M ago44:48

44:48

In this talk Dr Kate Stephenson explores the strange and fascinating history of condoms. You can also watch this talk on our website: https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/heritage/talks/history-condomsTwitter: twitter.com/RCPEHeritageInstagram: instagram.com/physiciansgallery/Facebook: facebook.com/PhysiciansGalleryTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@physiciansgalle…

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
Ep.01 - An Untold History Of Tattooing 48:28

4M ago48:28

48:28

In this talk Dr Matt Lodder presents an overview of his new book ‘Painted People’, and argues that through the history of tattooing, we can glean unique insights into forgotten areas of human history.You can also watch this talk on our website: https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/heritage/talks/painted-people-untold-history-tattooingTwitter: twitter.com/RCPEHer…

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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
Trailer 1:33

5M ago1:33

1:33

We're off on a new journey into the muddy marshes of medical history!Website: www.rcpe.ac.uk/heritageTwitter: twitter.com/RCPEHeritageInstagram: instagram.com/physiciansgallery/Facebook: facebook.com/PhysiciansGalleryTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@physiciansgalleryBy Physicians' Gallery at RCPE

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
Ep.27 - Head To Toe - Feet 22:56

5M ago22:56

22:56

This is the last episode in our Head to Toe series finishing, of course, with the feet! We set off on the right foot, put our best feet forward and jump in with both feet. We explore why ancient Egyptians had two left feet, why witches had flat feet, why ancient Greeks had one foot longer than the other and what you’d do with a ‘foot bag’. We also …

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
Ep.26 - Head To Toe - Throat 22:28

5M ago22:28

22:28

In this episode we explore the history of the throat – including lump in your throat, frog in your throat and, if you’re French, a cat in the throat. We delve into the art of changing your voice and Margaret Thatcher’s baritone. We also explore the longest case of hiccups on record. And, finally, we uncover the tale of the funeral mute – a Victoria…

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
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…

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Ep.25 - Head To Toe - Liver 23:38

6M ago23:38

23:38

In this episode we’re scooping fish liver oil out of a bucket of offal in the name of health. We’re also exploring the myth of Prometheus and some votive offerings and exploring just what they can tell us about the regeneration of the liver. And we’re going to dig into some old country offal in the form of haggis – and what it can tell us about ant…

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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…

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Lilias Addie: Unveiling Torryburn's Witchcraft Chronicles 28:17

6M ago28:17

28:17

In a time when fear and hysteria gripped Scotland, Lilias Addie stood out amidst over 4,000 accused witches. Escaping the fiery fate of many, her story takes a sinister turn within the walls of Torryburn, where accusations fueled by delusion and drunkenness set the stage for tragedy. But the intrigue doesn't end there. Explore the twisted corridors…

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Ep.24 - Head To Toe - Spleen 20:55

6M ago20:55

20:55

In this episode we’ll explore perhaps the most confusing organ – the spleen. It’s a body part, a disease and a state of mind all in one. According to some it purified the blood, others thought it acted as a back-up liver. Romans thought the spleen stopped you from running fast and suggested burning it with a hot iron to speed up. Others argued that…

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TOP FIVE: Massacre at Glencoe 36:15

7M 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…

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Pittenweem's Mob Murders: Teenage Accusations, Witchcraft, and Dark Secrets 31:24

7M ago31:24

31:24

Join hosts Rebekah and Ru on a mystical journey from "Salem to Scotland: From Magic to Murder." Brace yourselves, dear listeners, as our charming hosts delve into the bewitching tale of the Pittenweem witches. In this enchanting episode, they weave a narrative blending history, mystery, and Scottish charm. From the picturesque town of Pittenweem in…

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Ep.23 - Head To Toe - Brain 25:26

7M ago25:26

25:26

In this episode we explore the history of the brain. Brains in jars, brains in slices, brains under the microscope - more brains than you can shake a wet slice of human brain at. From Einstein’s brain chopped into 240 pieces to Charles Babbage, who at least only had his sliced in two. We also explore the history of emotions – with a bit of good old…

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Do You Love Outlander? – Unveiling The Dark True Tale Of Outlander’s Witch, Geillis Duncan 30:51

7M ago30:51

30:51

🔮 Join us on a journey into the dark annals of history as we delve into the tragic tale of Geillis Duncan, a key figure in the North Berwick witch trials of 1591. 📖 Geillis Duncan: Beyond the Snitch Tag Discover the untold story of Geillis Duncan, not merely as a snitch but as a victim of a cruel time in Scotland's past. Rebekah and Ru explore the …

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Alexander Hamilton's Mysterious Saga Explored: Peel Back the Shadows Of This Murderous True Crime Tale 27:46

7M ago27:46

27:46

Greetings, mysterious souls! Join Rebekah and Ru on a captivating journey into the cryptic corridors of history in our latest episode. Titled "Alexander Hamilton's Mysterious Saga Explored: Peel Back the Shadows Of This Murderous True Crime Tale," we unravel the dark tale of Alexander Hamilton, a Scottish vagabond whose life is a roller coaster of …

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Ep.22 - Head To Toe - Legs 24:35

7M ago24:35

24:35

In this episode we explore the history of the leg. There’s a lot of fashion in this episode, from the use of flannel shirts to cure gout to the erotically charged nature of the pale calfskin trousers of Tudor men. We even delve into how one man’s leg injury caused a black velvet slipper craze. We also explore the history of amputation – from the pr…

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Ep.21 - Head To Toe - Armpit 25:45

8M ago25:45

25:45

To sweat or not to sweat? Was sweating good or bad? Was it a treatment or a symptom? Was it something to be encouraged or prevented? The answer to all these questions is a resounding ‘Yes’. In this episode we explore the strange history of sweating sickness, what arsenic can do to your armpits and the creation of a market for underarm shaving. We a…

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Ep.20 - Head To Toe - Heart 27:14

8M ago27:14

27:14

In this episode we explore the history of the heart and heart-based symbolism – including the origins of the association of the heart with love and romance. Would you gift a romantic partner your heart symbolically? How about literally? You could always be buried with the heart of a lover, or arrange to have your husband’s heart sent to you, if he …

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

9M 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…

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Royal Society Of Edinburghs Podcasts

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