Scots Whay Hae!

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to writer and podcaster Tom Brogan to learn all about his book 'Scotland 101: An Introduction to the National Team'. Tom gives an overview of 'Scotland 101', his reasons for writing it, the inspirations, sifting through the research, and the publishing process. Ali then picks a dozen chapters to look at in more detail to give a more clear idea of the book as a whole, including some memorable matches, events, and some of the people involved, and Tom shows his breadth and depth of knowledge - a result of the obvious research done. At a time when Scottish international football is in as healthy a state as it has been for some time, this is the perfect publication to take your knowledge to another level. It's a thorough and detailed chat about a national obsession, and a book which is the prefect read for fans old and new. For full details, including all the ways to listen and relevant links, head over to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

Actor and writer Forbes Masson talks about his starring role in a new one-person adaptation of Jekyll and Hyde at the Royal Lyceum Theatre. He discusses collaborating with writer Gary McNair and director Michael Fentiman, the challenges of playing multiple roles, the complexities of Stevenson's text, and why it remains relevant today. Masson also reflects on his work with Alan Cummings and their upcoming book. A fascinating chat with one of the finest stage actors of the last 40 years.

For the latest SWH! podcast, and the last of our Best of 2023 pods, Ali is joined once more by regulars Chris Ward and Wesley Shearer to talk all things film, or at least to talk about their films of the year. Once again picking five each, they share their enthusiasm for the movies you may have missed first time around, and we’re sure you’ll find something to tickle your fancy. Chris and Wes share the same top two, and each has their chance to wax lyrical about what they are and why before each making great cases for their other selections. As usual, Ali's picks have a Scottish bent, including films from this year's Glasgow Film Festival, a miraculous debut feature, and a couple of memorable documentaries. They also look forward to 2024, with a whole lot more. For further details, and all the ways to listen, go to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

For our latest roundup of 2023 we look at the year in music, with Ali joined once again by musician and righteous supporter of Scottish music, Gefahrgeist's Fiona Liddell. They each pick 10 tracks to discuss which have left their mark in the last 12 months. Both admit they could easily have picked many, many, more examples from what was another incredible year for Scottish music, and on another day possibly would, but we hope you enjoy their musical musings, meanderings, and memories. There's a Spotify playlist where you can listen to all the songs Fiona and Ali talk about, and if you like what you hear then please explore further, follow, and support the bands, musicians, artists, and labels involved. What this podcast proves is how much we would all miss them if they were gone. For all the relevant links, including all the ways to listen, and the playlist, go to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

For the last in our Best Books of 2023 podcasts for this year, Ali caught up with poet, writer, singer/songwriter, and previous podcast guest, Marcas Mac an Tuairneir, to learn about his Gaelic books of the year and other aspects of Gaelic writing over the last 12 months. It's a fascinating conversation not only about what the year was like in Gaelic literature, but also further aspects of the culture and the way it is treated and celebrated. Always a SWH! highlight of the year, when taken together, these podcasts reflect, and celebrate, another exceptional 12 months in Scottish writing. For full details, including links to our other Best Books of 2023 podcasts, go to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

For the second of our Best Books of 2023 podcasts, Ali was once again joined by Publishing Scotland's Vikki Reilly, and in this podcast the two talk crime fiction, poetry, memoirs and other non-fiction, what we can look forward to in 2024, and more. Always a SWH! highlight of the year, when taken together these podcasts reflect, and celebrate, another exceptional 12 months in Scottish writing. For further details and relevant links (and to listen to Part I) go to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

As is traditional, the first of our Best of 2023 podcasts are all about books, and there were so many books and book-related things to talk about that once again we have split the podcast into two parts. For both parts, Ali is once again joined by Publishing Scotland's Vikki Reilly, and in this podcast the two talk fiction, themes and trends of the year, notable debuts, and a whole lot more, as well as declaring their own choices for Fiction Book of the Year. In Part II there will be further chat on crime, poetry, memoirs and other non-fiction, and what we can look forward to in 2024. Always a SWH! highlight of the year, when taken together, these podcasts reflect, and celebrate, another exceptional 12 months in Scottish writing. For further detail and relevant links go to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to musician and composer Martin Green about all things brass banding including the audio drama 'Keli', the album 'Split the Air', the Radio 4 documentary 'Banding: Love, Spit and Valve Oil', the forthcoming Celtic Connections gig, and so much more. Martin also explains how his love for brass band music came about and grew, why the music and the communities where it is from remain close despite the decline and loss of industry, the importance of listening to the voices of those involved, the making of 'Keli', the legacy of brass band music and why it should be better known, and making something new from the traditional. He also talks about the importance of Celtic Connections to himself, and to Scottish music more generally, and being a member of legendary folk group Lau. It was such a pleasure to talk to Martin and learn all about his latest body of work which are clearly passion projects, and that passion is infectious. If you thought brass band music isn't for you, Martin Green may just change your mind. For full details, including all the ways to listen and relevant links, go to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to Kevin Mclean, the creative director of I AM LOUD Productions (previously LOUD POETS) which, as well as continuing to host their legendary poetry nights, is now also a multi-disciplinary production and entertainment company. Kevin talks about the evolvement of I AM LOUD as it approaches the tenth anniversary, the challenges faced and overcome, finding new ways of promoting and supporting performers, embracing the opportunities offered by digital technology, and their plans for the future. The two also discuss Spoken Word in Scotland touching upon the history, the healthy state of the current scene, the importance of collaboration, supporting new and diverse voices, and making sure that I AM LOUD's reach is countrywide, and beyond. It's an absorbing and thought-provoking conversation about an area of Scottish culture all too rarely discussed, although I AM LOUD are changing that situation, and it was such a pleasure to talk to someone as enthusiastic and knowledgable as Kevin, whose passion is palpable. For full details, including all the ways to listen and relevant links, go to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to returning guest, the writer Denzil Meyrick. Denzil has a new novel 'Murder at Holly House' out, published on the Bantam Press imprint of Transworld Publishers. It's been described by some as 'cosy crime' (although, as the two discuss, that term is an inadequate description) and is a departure from Denzil's more hard-nosed thrillers, and it was fascinating to talk to him about this change of styles, and The two also talk about the future of DCI Daley (including the move to TV), the various influences on 'Murder at Holly House', creating the central character of Frank Grasby, setting the action in Yorkshire - and in the 1950s - his Kinloch novellas (now collected in paperback with Polygon Books), and the exciting news about what's coming next. It's always a pleasure to catch up with Denzil Meyrick, one of the finest writers around, and we hope you enjoy listening as much as we did talking. And keep listening to the very end as there's a bonus clip from the audiobook of 'Murder at Holly House', which is narrated by Tom Turner - with thanks to publishers Transworld for providing it. For full details, including all the ways to listen and relevant links, go to https://www.scotswhayhae.com