Love Scotland: Stories of Scotland's History and Nature

Join Jackie on a trip to this 16th century watermill in East Lothian, made famous to modern audiences through its appearance in Outlander. Jackie meets the Trust team responsible for the day-to-day running of the mill and uncovers the layers of its past. Preston Mill was being used commercially as recently as 1959, when it was the last to operate in the region. Its Dutch-style conical roof makes it stand out from other Scottish mills, and as a mill has existed on the site since the 18th century, there’s a deep sense of history here. Find out more about Preston Mill here. To enjoy more episodes of Love Scotland, please follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Even now, artists and creatives take inspiration from the works of Robert Burns some 230 years after his death. Last year, theatremaker James Clements explored the Trust’s Burns collection and brought it to life in a new production at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. His show, The Burns Project, sold out for its entire run and is now touring the US. It uses the bard’s letters, poems and personal items to tell the story of Burns in an intimate setting. Jackie chats to James about his creative process, the enduring legacy of Burns, and what he learned along the way. To enjoy more episodes of Love Scotland, please follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

For many history enthusiasts today, it all began with Horrible Histories. Whether the book series or subsequent TV adaptation – or, indeed, stage shows and films – the huge franchise has sparked many a love of the past through its gruesome, entertaining and, most importantly, accurate storytelling and songs. Today, Jackie sits down with two of the brains behind Horrible Histories to learn more about how they’ve managed to capture the imaginations of several generations of children and young people, the process of bringing book to the stage, and some of their favourite Scottish characters to appear. Horrible Histories – The Concert is touring now, including stops in Edinburgh and Glasgow. To enjoy more episodes of Love Scotland, please follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Can you tell your blackbirds from your blue tits? Do you know the difference between a collared dove and a wood pigeon? This week, Jackie is here to help you improve your understanding of British birdsong. Alongside naturalist and influencer Lucy Lapwing, Jackie explores the sounds of Greenbank Garden in Glasgow. Discover some top tips for memorising which calls come from which bird, and get Lucy’s advice for expanding your knowledge as the dawn chorus ramps up once again. For information on Greenbank Garden, click here. To enjoy more episodes of Love Scotland, please follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. 

The life of Mary, Queen of Scots has long fascinated historians and history-lovers alike. This week, Jackie sits down with studio guest Rosemary Goring to discuss the 19-year period of Mary’s life spent in captivity. Together, they discuss the circumstances surrounding Mary’s imprisonment, the political reasons behind her enduring captivity, and the tragedy of this nearly two-decade-long period. Rosemary Goring is the author of several books, including Exile: The Captive Years of Mary, Queen of Scots. To enjoy more episodes of Love Scotland, please follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Scroll down this feed for previous instalments covering the life of Mary and her son, James VI.

Whether you’ve never been to an former Burns Supper or you’re a long-time aficionado who knows the Address to a Haggis by heart, there’s always something new to learn about Robert Burns and his work. With Burns Night just a few days away, Jackie is joined by two of Scotland’s most prominent Burns experts to dissect the ceremonial aspects of the celebration, the history of its traditions, and the true meaning of his poetry. Professor Gerry Carruthers is the Francis Hutcheson Chair of Scottish Literature at the University of Glsagow, while Chris Waddell is the Learning Manager of the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, which is run by the National Trust for Scotland. You can find out more about the museum here. Or you can explore the Trust’s Burns Collection here. To enjoy more episodes of Love Scotland, please follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

This episode was first released in 2022. As we enter December, we’re revisiting a podcast all about how the National Trust for Scotland creates and installs authentic decorations in its places. Listen in as Jackie meets Dr Jo Riley from Castle Fraser, who led a Trust research project into traditional decorations and how they have changed over time. From garlands to gifts, candles to clementines, Jo has examined exactly how previous residents in homes like Castle Fraser would have celebrated. Jackie and Jo discuss the pagan roots of the festive season, why mistletoe didn’t always mean romance, and who it was that first brough yule logs to Scottish shores. Find out more about Dr Jo Riley’s research by clicking here. You can also get the latest visitor information on Castle Fraser, and all of our properties, on the National Trust for Scotland website. Love Scotland will return in the New Year. Please remember to follow, rate and review the podcast on your podcast platform of choice.

Earlier this year, a coalition of leading Scottish heritage and design organisations – including the National Trust for Scotland – joined together to secure the future of the Bernat Klein Studio. This building was used by textile designer Bernat Klein, who was perhaps best known for his international collections for Chanel and Dior. To understand more about the man behind the studio, and the building’s future, Jackie speaks with Alison Harley, Chair of the Bernat Klein Foundation, and author Shelley Klein, Bernat’s daughter. The full restoration of the Bernat Klein Studio will be carried out by the project coalition, led by Scottish Historic Buildings Trust (SHBT), in partnership with the Bernat Klein Foundation and the National Trust for Scotland. Visit bernatkleinstudio.org.uk to learn more, support the project and receive updates. To enjoy more episodes of Love Scotland, please follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

This week, Jackie is on the trail of spittle-makers, quarrel-pickers, yowlers and the other traditional craftspeople whose skills have vanished from mainstream life. Alongside academic, broadcaster and author James Fox, Jackie unpicks stories of handmade crafts and the social history behind their disappearance. James’s book, Craftland, documents many of these arts and trades right across Britain. It’s available online and in book shops now. You can find more about the places in the National Trust for Scotland’s care with links to industry here. To enjoy more episodes of Love Scotland, please follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

This episode contains descriptions of violence that may not be suitable for all listeners. In this week’s episode, Jackie is joined by historian Steven Veerapen to discuss the role James VI played in Scotland’s witch trials. Between the late 16th and mid-17th centuries, an estimated 4,000 to 6,000 people – most of whom were women – were tried for witchcraft, with around 1,500 executed as a result of the trials. King James VI played a leading role in the trials, writing a detailed dissertation on the subject of witchcraft that encouraged and endorsed the practice of witch hunting. You can read our 2021 study into the connections between Trust places and the witch trials here. To hear more episodes of Love Scotland, please follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.