Best Alastair R Turnbull Podcasts (2024)

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Burns Banter S2 Ep8 - Touring around Scotland 44:10

4d ago44:10

44:10

Send us a Text Message. It is 1787, Robert Burns has published the second edition of his poems, now known as 'The Edinburgh Edition'. He has sold the rights to all of his poems to William Creech and he needs to write some more.... What does he do? He goes on tour around Scotland to get inspiration for new poems and songs. He also wants to introduce…

1
Burns Banter S2 Ep7 - The Edinburgh Edition 33:35

16d ago33:35

33:35

Send us a Text Message. In this episode I talk about Robert Burns journey to Edinburgh to produce a second volume of his book 'Poems Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect'. I also talk about the reception he received when he arrived in Edinburgh, how he published the book, the people he met and other things he did in his time there. This is Robert at the…

1
Burns Banter S2 Ep6 - Burns Banter Live ! 16th - 25th Aug 2024 Edinburgh Fringe Festival 15:51

1M ago15:51

15:51

Send us a Text Message. In this Episode I talk about my up coming shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Yes, I'm taking Burns Banter to Edinburgh and will be performing upstairs in The Pear Tree. The venue is called The Counting House and the room is called The Attic. I'm on from the 16th to the 25th, (not the 24th), 10.30am till 11.30am each day…

1
Burns Banter S2 Ep5 - Poems Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect - The Kilmarnock Edition 20:30

1M ago20:30

20:30

Send us a Text Message. In this episode we look at how, why and when Robert published his book, Poems Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect. We look at the problems he had to overcome before John Wilson agreed to publish the book. We look at the poems and songs in the book, such as, Twa Dogs, A Tale - The Cotters Saturday Night, To a mouse and Composed i…

1
Burns Banter S2 Ep4 - Mossgiel, Women and a Book 19:15

2M ago19:15

19:15

Send us a Text Message. In this episode we look briefly at Robert's father, William - Then a Farm called Mossgiel - Roberts turbulent private life and a book called 'Poem Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect'. This is a wild and unpredictable time in Roberts life, (roughly 1784 - 1786). His father passes away in 1784, they need to move to a new farm, Mo…

1
Burns Banter S2 Ep3 - Lochlea, Tarbolton & Irvine 24:46

2M ago24:46

24:46

Send us a Text Message. In this episode we see the Burns family move to a new farm, Lochlie. Is it better than Mount Oliphant? How well / badly do they do there? At this point in Roberts life he is in his late teens and is starting to try and move away from farming. He is also spreading his wings socially with country dancing lessons and the format…

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Burns Banter S2 Ep2 - Mount Oliphant & Roberts first poems 18:15

2M ago18:15

18:15

Send us a Text Message. In this episode we look at Robert life from age 7. We look at his education, the schools and tutors he had. We look at the farm that Roberts Father moved the family to, (Mount Oliphant), and whether it was a good decision. We also look at Roberts health during this period of his life, which was affected by the amount of work…

1
Burns Banter S2 Ep1 - Robert Burns birth & early life 12:53

2M ago12:53

12:53

Send us a Text Message. In Series two of Burns Banter I am taking a look at the life of Robert Burns. Each episode will look at one part of Robert's Life - as this is episode one, I am looking at the Birth Of Robert Burns. I also take a look at William Burnes, (Robert's Father), and Agnes Broun, (Robert's Mother). where did they come from, what wer…

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Burns Banter - Ep. 21 - Robert Burns 'The Rights of Women' 8:50

5M ago8:50

8:50

Send us a Text Message. The Rights of Women was written by Robert Burns in 1792. Back in the days of Burns women didn't have many rights. The subject of women's rights was highly unpopular and very rarely talked about. Robert is being a bit of a rebel writing this poem, but he did love women and he was in favour of women's rights. It was written fo…

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Burns Banter Ep. 20 Robert Burns - Address to the Toothache 7:32

6M ago7:32

7:32

Send us a Text Message. Address to the Toothache, written in 1786. In the late 1700's dentistry didn't really exist. If you got the toothache you had to just deal with the pain, there was no pain relief. If things got really bad you would have to find someone willing to pull your teeth out. Probably a barber / surgeon. Robert put all of his pain in…

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Burns Banter - Ep. 19 A Robert Burns Quiz in Sweden 15:58

6M ago15:58

15:58

Send us a Text Message. This week I am working in Stockholm. I managed to get two English colleagues, Jim and Ru, to take part in a Burns quiz. The quiz is made up of two rounds of 10 questions, with the second 10 having a very Swedish twist. This was filmed in the Quality Hotel Globe in Stockholm after an afternoon spent wandering around the old t…

1
Burns Banter - Ep.18 Robert Burns 'My love is like a red red rose' 9:31

6M ago9:31

9:31

Send us a Text Message. My love is like a red red rose is a beautiful love song written by Robert Burns around 1792. Robert said that it was an old Scots song that he had collected in the country. I believe it may well have been old, but Robert must have rewritten it. I believe this as it has very modern language which includes the concept of geolo…

1
Burns Banter - Ep.17 Robert Burns - To A Louse 8:20

6M ago8:20

8:20

Send us a Text Message. To a Louse is a poem written by Robert Burns in 1786. It is set in the church at Mauchline during a Sunday Service. At first glance the poem is about a head lice, but, it is in fact about perception and the social classes. Robert is Sitting in Church and sees a head lice on a very prim and proper lady. He can't believe the i…

1
Burns Banter - Ep. 16 Holy Willie's Prayer 16:15

6M ago16:15

16:15

Send us a Text Message. Holy Willie's Prayer is a fabulous satirical poem. It's one of the best satirical poems ever written in the Scots tongue. It is all about the hypocrisy of the Church, and one person in particular. Willie Fisher was an elder of the kirk in Mauchline, and spied on people and then told the Church to punish them for their sins. …

1
Burns Banter - Ep. 15 What is a Burns Supper ? 34:56

7M ago34:56

34:56

Send us a Text Message. What is a Burns Supper? I look at the classic Scottish Celebration, The Burns Supper. I ask what is is all about?, when did it start? and why should I go to one? For the answers to these questions listen to this episode! Also, if you like Scotland, interesting food, (Haggis), enjoy a drink, and like a sing along - you will l…

1
Burns Banter Ep.14 - Robert Burns Music with guests 'Garbh Uisge' 30:15

7M ago30:15

30:15

Send us a Text Message. In this episode of Burns Banter we play some of Robert Burns songs and tunes. I have guests! on this weeks show we have the band 'Garbh Uisge'. We chat about songs such as 'A Fond Kiss', 'Auld Lang Syne' and 'Green Grow the Rashes'. Garbh Uisge treat us to some live performances and unfortunately I also sing. We hear some gr…

1
Burns Banter Ep. 13 Robert Burns 'Willie Wastle' 13:20

7M ago13:20

13:20

Send us a Text Message. Willie Wastle, also known as 'Sic a wife Willie had' as a grotesquely funny poem / song about how unbelievably ugly Willie's wife is. Robert Burns wrote this poem in 1792 and he goes into comically hideous detail about this poor woman's appearance. The actual reason, or inspiration behind Robert Burns writing 'Willie Wastle'…

1
Burns Banter - Ep. 12 Robert Burns - Auld Lang Syne 16:27

8M ago16:27

16:27

Send us a Text Message. Auld Lang Syne is Robert Burns most famous song, and the second most sung song in the English language. Yet, most people have no idea what it means, or where it came from. In this episode I tell you where the lyrics for Auld Lang Syne came from, where the famous tune came from, and what the song is actually about! I explain …

1
Burns Banter - Ep. 11. A tour around Burns sites in Ayrshire 21:36

8M ago21:36

21:36

Send us a Text Message. WARNING!!!! This episode is better watched as a video. https://youtu.be/i9RZ_t_JWQU?si=ksa_zMSxzDf44bu3 In this episode I go on a whistle stop tour of Robert Burns sites in Ayrshire. These include: the house Robert was born in, The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, the auld Alloway kirk, the Brig O' Doon, the Tarbolton bachelo…

1
Burns Banter - Ep. 10 A tour around Burns sites in Dumfries 31:43

8M ago31:43

31:43

Send us a Text Message. WARNING !!! - This Episode is probably better watched as a video. https://youtu.be/tXES21N-T9w?si=Lb5yL70GKXPYteFm In this episode I travel to Dumfries and go on a whistle stop tour of the places Robert Burns lived, worked and socialised. Theses places include Robert Burns Grave, Robert Burns House, The Globe Inn and Ellisla…

1
Burns Banter - Ep.9 Robert Burns "The Selkirk Grace' 8:25

9M ago8:25

8:25

Send us a Text Message. The Selkirk Grace is a well known and well used grace. It is used not only at Burns Suppers but at family gatherings, weddings, funerals, birthdays, etc... What is the Selkirk Grace? did Robert Burns write it? Listen to this episode to find out about this grace and its history. You will also hear about a few other grace's th…

1
Burns Banter - Ep. 8 Robert Burns 'Willie Brew'd a Peck O' Maut' 9:26

9M ago9:26

9:26

Send us a Text Message. 'Willie Brew'd a Peck O' Maut' is one of Robert Burns best drinking songs. It was written by Robert Burns in August / September 1789 whilst staying with Willie Nicol at his lodgings just outside Moffat. Allan Masterton was also there and he wrote the music. This all happened over a few days during a 'Lads weekend' together. …

1
Burns Banter - Ep. 7 Robert Burns 'Address to a Haggis' 14:54

9M ago14:54

14:54

Send us a Text Message. The 'Address to a Haggis' is one of the most recited pieces that Robert Burns ever created. It is a major part of every Burns Supper the world over, but sadly, very few people understand what is being said. Thankfully this episode of Burns Banter bursts through the old Scots language and explains whats going on in the Addres…

1
Burns Banter - Ep.6 Robert Burns 'To William Stewart' 10:59

10M ago10:59

10:59

Send us a Text Message. 'To William Stewart' is a poem about a hangover. We have all at one time or another taken too much alcohol during a night out and suffered the inevitable hangover. But unlike us, who just sit there and endure the pain of the hangover, Robert Burns wrote a poem about it and sent it to his friend William Stewart. It was never …

1
Burns Banter - Ep.5 Robert Burns 'My heart is in the Highlands' 4:40

10M ago4:40

4:40

Send us a Text Message. Burns Banter episode 5 is all about the poem / song 'My Heart is in the Highlands'. This poem was written by Robert Burns in 1789 and shows his love of the Highlands of Scotland. Its an easy poem to read and understand, so if you have to recite a poem at a Burns Night then this might be the one for you!…

1
Burns Banter - Ep.4 Robert Burns 'The Birks of Aberfeldy' 11:25

10M ago11:25

11:25

Send us a Text Message. What is a Birk? Where is Aberfeldy? and what was Robert Burns doing there? The answers to all of these questions, and more, is in this episode of Burns Banter. We look at the poem / song The Birks o' Aberfeldy, which was written in 1757 during Robert Burns tour of Scotland. We also look at the lasting effect this poem has ha…

1
Burns Banter - Ep.3 Robert Burns A Fond Kiss 13:00

10M ago13:00

13:00

Send us a Text Message. A fond kiss is one of Robert Burns best known love songs. Why did Robert Burns write this song? who are the people in the song? why are they being forced apart? To find out the answers to these questions check out this episode 3 of Burns Banter, which is all about the story behind the song 'A Fond Kiss'. In this episode I re…

1
Burns Banter - Ep.1 Robert Burns first ever poem 11:38

10M ago11:38

11:38

Send us a Text Message. In this first ever episode of Burns Banter we look at Robert Burns first ever poem. What was it? who or what is it about? and the BIG question, why did he start writing poetry? What inspired him ? The answers to these questions, (and many more), are waiting for you, check it out...…

1
Burns Banter - Ep.2 Robert Burns Rigs o' Barley 11:28

10M ago11:28

11:28

Send us a Text Message. In this second episode of Burns Banter we look at the song Rigs o' Barley. This is a popular song written by Robert Burns and is about two people who meet in the fields at night and spend some intimate time together. I give you information about the people in the song, who are they? why meet at night?.. I will read the origi…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Alastair R Turnbull Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

1
Burns Banter - A fresh look at Robert Burns

Alastair R Turnbull

1
Burns Banter S2 Ep8 - Touring around Scotland 44:10

1
Burns Banter S2 Ep7 - The Edinburgh Edition 33:35

1
Burns Banter S2 Ep6 - Burns Banter Live ! 16th - 25th Aug 2024 Edinburgh Fringe Festival 15:51

1
Burns Banter S2 Ep5 - Poems Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect - The Kilmarnock Edition 20:30

1
Burns Banter S2 Ep4 - Mossgiel, Women and a Book 19:15

1
Burns Banter S2 Ep3 - Lochlea, Tarbolton & Irvine 24:46

1
Burns Banter S2 Ep2 - Mount Oliphant & Roberts first poems 18:15

1
Burns Banter S2 Ep1 - Robert Burns birth & early life 12:53

1
Burns Banter - Ep. 21 - Robert Burns 'The Rights of Women' 8:50

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Burns Banter Ep. 20 Robert Burns - Address to the Toothache 7:32

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Burns Banter - Ep. 19 A Robert Burns Quiz in Sweden 15:58

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Burns Banter - Ep.18 Robert Burns 'My love is like a red red rose' 9:31

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Burns Banter - Ep.17 Robert Burns - To A Louse 8:20

1
Burns Banter - Ep. 16 Holy Willie's Prayer 16:15

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Burns Banter - Ep. 15 What is a Burns Supper ? 34:56

1
Burns Banter Ep.14 - Robert Burns Music with guests 'Garbh Uisge' 30:15

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Burns Banter Ep. 13 Robert Burns 'Willie Wastle' 13:20

1
Burns Banter - Ep. 12 Robert Burns - Auld Lang Syne 16:27

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Burns Banter - Ep. 11. A tour around Burns sites in Ayrshire 21:36

1
Burns Banter - Ep. 10 A tour around Burns sites in Dumfries 31:43

1
Burns Banter - Ep.9 Robert Burns "The Selkirk Grace' 8:25

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Burns Banter - Ep. 8 Robert Burns 'Willie Brew'd a Peck O' Maut' 9:26

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Burns Banter - Ep. 7 Robert Burns 'Address to a Haggis' 14:54

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Burns Banter - Ep.6 Robert Burns 'To William Stewart' 10:59

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Burns Banter - Ep.5 Robert Burns 'My heart is in the Highlands' 4:40

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Burns Banter - Ep.4 Robert Burns 'The Birks of Aberfeldy' 11:25

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Burns Banter - Ep.3 Robert Burns A Fond Kiss 13:00

1
Burns Banter - Ep.1 Robert Burns first ever poem 11:38

1
Burns Banter - Ep.2 Robert Burns Rigs o' Barley 11:28

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