Scots Whay Hae!

In the latest podcast Ali and Ian are joined by musicians Ross and Alasdair Whyte who, under the moniker WHYTE, have collaborated on the excellent album “Fairich”. What is it like? You'll just have to listen to the podcast, which not only has the explanation from the horses' mouths, but also features an exclusive play of two tracks...at least we're claiming it as such. This was a really enjoyable chat and we hope you get as much from it as we did on the day.

For our latest podcast we go transatlantic with Ali talking to Kevin Brown, producer of, and the driving force behind, Songs For Scotland 2. Even if you are aware of the original Songs For Scotland you'll find the story behind the sequel fascinating. Kevin's passion for the project is infectious and inspiring, and you'll want to know what role Alasdair Gray has to play. Stay with us right to the end as we have an exclusive play of one of the featured songs just for you. Cos we're like that...

For the latest podcast, Ali headed down the Clyde Valley to Biggar to talk to writer and actor Pauline Lynch. Pauline's debut novel, 'Armadillos', is out now, and you can read the Scots Whay Hae! review on the website. It's an unforgettable book and the two discuss it at length, but also tough on writing courses, treading the boards and touring the world, and being part of a cultural phenomenon. Sounds like something that would interest you? Of course it does.

For the latest podcast, we went to Edinburgh to meet writer Rebecca Monks in the very apt Circus Cafe and talk about the forthcoming Fringe play Tyke, which is based on a tragic and true tale. He also speaks to co-directors Madison Maylin and Madeleine Cunningham on the phone to learn about the practicalities of staging the show. You can learn more about Tyke at https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/tyke#/, but not until you've listened to the SWH! podcast.

In our latest podcast Ali talks to Japan based Scottish novelist Iain Maloney - in the pub. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, the chat was a fascinating and illuminating one. Iain was just about to start a whirlwind book tour of the UK to promote his third novel, The Waves Burn Bright, but thankfully took time out to talk to Scots Whay Hae! about that book, his previous work, his life as a writer, and what living abroad has taught him about his homeland.

For the latest podcast Ali caught up with musician and poet Roy Moller to talk about the forthcoming Dunbar CoastWord Festival. You can read the full details of the programme at http://www.coastword.co.uk/, but Roy gives you the insider information you just won't get elsewhere, and talks about the festival's genesis and ethos. If you're not booking your tickets by the time the podcast ends, we will be very surprised - and a little disappointed.

After a short Spring break the Scots Whay Hae! podcast is back for Series 3 with a whole new line-up of guests and themed specials for your pleasure. This first episode sees Ali head down Leith Walk to talk with Sean Ormsby and Stephen McLaren from Edinburgh record label Errant Media. They talk about the pleasure of collaboration, the importance of songs, and why melancholy and euphoria are the perfect musical partners. These two have made some of the best music of the last few years, and continue to do so. If you are interested in the reality of not only writing great songs, but getting them released, then this is a must hear.

After a year off, the Scots Whay Hae! annual Burnscast returns in style with Ali and Ian joined by our very own Ronnie Young to talk all things Rabbie, particularly the Futurelearn on-line course, “Robert Burns: Poets, Songs & Legacy”, which is open to all, and is entirely free. You can hear all about it on the podcast, but further details can be found at https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/robert-burns/1 . They also talk about Burns the Icon, and how this Ayrshire poet became one of the most recognisable faces around the world. It’s the perfect accompaniment to Burns Night – but then, we would say that.

For our “Best of 2015” podcast, Ian and Ali were joined by regular, Chris Ward, and Scottish music man, Wesley Shearer (manager for Campfires In Winter, Michael Cassidy and I Am David Laing) to talk about what floated their collective boats in the last 12 months. Add in the usual festive missive from friend of SWH!, Ronnie Young, and you end up with an epic podcast which approaches the 2 hour mark. But never mind the length, feel the quality.

In the latest podcast, Ali talks to writers Graham Lironi and Graeme Macrae Burnet about their latest novels (Oh Marina Girl and His Bloody Project respectively), both of which have been published on Saraband Books crime imprint, Contraband. They discuss crime fiction and subverting readers’ expectations, genre fiction and the problem with labels, the importance of editing, unreliable narration, the health or otherwise of the Scottish writing community, and what’s really important in the life of a writer. The hour or so just flew by, and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did recording it. We’re calling it "a must listen for anyone interested in writing and books”, and we wouldn’t lie about something like that.

In the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast, Ali talks to broadcaster, journalist and TV executive Stuart Cosgrove about his terrific new book Detroit 67: The Year That Changed Soul. As Stuart explains, it's so much more than a book on music, and what follows is a fascinating chat about how Detroit in 1967 influenced and reflected America and the times.

Ali was in Edinburgh for some Festival shenanigans but took time out to talk to SWH! favourite Doug Johnstone to talk about his new novel 'The Jump'. A difficult novel to discuss in terms of plot, the chat concentrates on the themes in the novel, family dramas, domestic noir, the best use of research and the importance of being honest. As a sort of bonus extra, Doug also gives his advice to all those who want to write, which alone makes this a must listen.

Scots Whay Hae! recently made the trip to the World Heritage Site that is New Lanark for their inaugural Live At New Lanark music festival to listen to the tunes and talk to the musicians. This podcast is the result of our day, and features M.E.G, Steven Telfer, Light Arrows, Patersani, Fingerhalo Kelvin, The Begbies and more. The festival was a celebration of the best Scottish music, and it was a pleasure to be able to share in what was a hugely successful event.

In the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast, Ian and Ali are joined by Stuart and Karn David. It's a timely chat as we discuss Stuart's recent book In The All-Night Cafe about the early days of Belle and Sebastian, as well as Looper's handsome 5 CD box-set, These Things, which has just been released. However, as usual we stray from topics to talk about such diverse things as the art of letter writing, musical influences and the problems that face the introverted artist. It’s 40 mins well spent in excellent company.

For the latest podcast Ian and Ali headed east to talk to The Corries’ Ronnie Browne about his recently published autobiography. What unfolds is one of the most entertaining podcasts yet as Ronnie talks about his young life in Edinburgh, his career as an artist, the strength he gained from his family life, and, of course, his time as one of Scotland’s most iconic musicians. But, as Ronnie makes clear, this is his life story, not The Corries, and the resulting interview is moving, funny and informative. We hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we did recording it.

For the latest podcast, Ali talks to writer Andrew Raymond Drennan about his new novel, ‘The Limits Of The World’. They talk about the reason for setting the book in North Korea, the influences on Andrew’s writing, the role of art in society as well as its importance on an individual level, and why, in the end, perhaps all you need is love and courage. Both men are in their element as they get to talk about things which mean a lot to them, and we hope you enjoy listening to it as much as they clearly did recording it.

In the latest podcast, Ali talks to historian Dr Stephen Mullen about the inspiration behind his work, his seminal book It Wisnae Us: The Truth About Glasow and Slavery, the importance of last year’s Empire Café, and his plans for future research. We’ve been trying to get Stephen on for some time, and we hope you’ll agree it was worth the wait.

The latest podcast is one of two halves. In the first, Ali talks to writer Zoe Strachan, who is wearing her editor’s hat as she talks about all things ‘Out There’, the anthology of LGBT writing which was published late last year, and which Scots Whay Hae! reviewed on the 18/01/15. Zoe goes into the influences and inspirations behind the book’s conception, and talks about the process of bringing so many writers together. The second half is made up of some terrific readings from ‘Out There’, which were recorded at the launch of LGBT history month at the Tron Theatre. Put the two together, and you have a podcast which informs as well as entertains, which is what we ideally aim for in these recordings.

It’s time for the best of 2014 podcast, and it is a whopper, coming in around 1hr 40mins long. With that in mind we’ve split into three more manageable sections with the usual SWH! guitar sting to signal a break. The reason for this length? Well, Ian, Chris and Ali hadn’t been together for a while, and had a lot of films, music and books to talk about. Add in the yearly Falkirk missive from Ronnie Young to kick things off, and what you end up with is a fairly comprehensive round up of the best things from 2014.

Scots Whay Hae! made the trip to Summerhall in Edinburgh to talk to writer, poet, playwright and polymath, Ron Butlin about his life and work. The result is just under an hour of informative and entertaining chat that is a must listen for anyone interested in writing. Of course, we would say that, but it doesn’t make it any less true. If you have never listened to a Scots Whay Hae! podcast before then we suggest this is the perfect place to start.