'The Last Days of Summer' is part of the series A Year in Scotland. This is the September episode. In this story, we slowly watch the seasons change on an active trip to the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park. We start with a short hike at Loch Katrine - the birthplace of Scottish tourism. We'll hear about Sir Walter Scott, Rob Roy and new ways the national park tries to make this place more accessible. We then follow the waterfall trail at The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre before return...

Who has the power to change what life in the Highlands has to offer? “Highlands Reimagined” is a 3-part documentary series about life in the northern Highlands presented in partnership with Anya Media and Strathnaver Museum. If you haven’t listened to parts 1 and 2 yet, I highly recommend you do that first before returning here for part 3. In this final episode of “Highlands Reimagined”, “From the ground up”, producer Will Sadler weaves a tale of land ownership, community activitism and the d...

What do you do, when you want to live in the village you grew up in, but there are no houses for sale or for rent, and the only jobs available are seasonal or temporary roles? “Highlands Reimagined” is a 3-part documentary series about life in the northern Highlands presented in partnership with Anya Media and Strathnaver Museum. If you haven’t listened to part 1 yet, I highly recommend you do that first before returning here for part 2. In “Home truths”, the second episode of “Highlands Reim...

What makes the far north of the Scottish Highlands a place where young people want to stay? "Highlands Reimagined” is a 3-part documentary series about life in the northern Highlands presented in partnership with Anya Media and Strathnaver Museum. Find out more here. In this first episode, “Not just a pretty place”, producer Will Sadler explores the history of population changes in Mackay country and what makes living here so desirable for young people. I’ll hand it over to Will n...

If you’re an avid listener of Wild for Scotland, I think you’d agree that Scotland is more than just a pretty landscape. I’m thrilled to be partnering with Anya Media and Strathnaver Museum to bring you Highlands Reimagined, a brand-new documentary series produced by Will Sadler. Keep listening to hear the trailer! We will share all three episodes on this podcast feed, and you’ll hear from Will as he centres young people who live in the northern Highlands, their dreams for the future and how ...

'Edged in Stone' is part of the series A Year in Scotland. This is the August episode. In this story, we're heading north to Sutherland. Our journey begins near Culloden Battlefield, leads north past Inverness and the Cromarty Firth, and makes stops in Dornoch and Dunrobin Castle. Along the way, we dive into the history of witch trials in Scotland, we learn more about the Sutherland Clearances of the 19th century, and we explore what modern-day energy policies have to do with the historic Hig...

'Through the Haar' is part of the series A Year in Scotland. This is the July episode. In this story, I take you with me on the ferry from Tingwall to Rousay, the fifth largest island in Orkney! We start with a mystical journey through thick morning fog called haar, before picking up bike and exploring the island. We visit several Neolithic chambered cairns and a Bronze Age broch. Along the way, I tell you about the history of this beautiful island and its neighbours. Visit my website to find...

*** Join the Wild for Scotland Social Club Session with Chris Dyer on 29 June! Chris and I will chat about the archaeology of Shetland, what it’s like to be a crofter and how he got into working with native sheep breeds. The event is free to Club members. Non-members welcome - get your ticket here! *** 'Waiting for the Sun' is part of the series A Year in Scotland. This is the June episode. In this story, I'm taking you with me to Mainland Shetland and two little islands off the east and...

'Frozen in Time' is part of the series A Year in Scotland. This is the May episode. In this story, we travel to the southwest of Scotland and spend a few days exploring the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere at the height of Spring. We wander through one of Scotland's most picturesque bluebell forests and listen to the birds of the woodland. We're staying at a tranquil shepherd's hut on the edge of the Galloway Forest Park, go wild swimming in a loch and a river, and we wander through t...

Let's pour ourselves a dram and follow the Malt Whisky Trail! We'll go on a whisky-infused walking tour around Dufftown and learn what else there is to do in the Speyside - beyond the distilleries. This is a newly remastered version of a Wild for Scotland classic, but even if you have heard to this story before, it's worth listening again! The story features newly done soundscapes, and afterwards, you'll hear brand-new tips for the Malt Whisky Trail in Scotland. *** Remastering stories ...

'Sleep Came Early' is part of the series A Year in Scotland. This is the April episode. Join me for a journey to Helensburgh on the Firth of Clyde and let's explore Scotland in April, the month of "hanami" and a sleepy Cailleach. In this story, we travel to the Victorian seaside resort of Helensburgh, we'll dive into the backstory of this coastal town and its illustrious inhabitants. We indulge in "hanami" (the Japanese art of flower viewing), visit Hill House, and round off our day out at se...

Let's go on a Highland Safari in the Cairngorms National Park and spend time exploring the Snow Roads! ‘The Birds and the Trees’ is a story about a scenic road trip through the Cairngorms, Scottish "wilderness" and what’s left of it... This is a newly remastered version of a Wild for Scotland classic, but even if you have heard to this story before, it's worth listening again! The story featured newly done soundscapes, and afterwards, you'll hear brand-new tips for wildlife watching in ...

'The Land Awakens' is part of the series A Year in Scotland. This is the March episode. Join me for a journey to Stonehaven on the Aberdeenshire Coast and let's explore Scotland in March, a season of change and awakening. In this story, we'll explore Stonehaven and its surroundings. We'll wander along the coast to discover a historic harbour, moving stories and haunting ruins. We follow paths deep into a magical woodland, learn about the local history and pay close attention to nature awakeni...

This is Wild for Scotland, a show with immersive travel stories from Scotland. Wild for Scotland helps you connect with Scotland, its people, wildlife, landscapes and histories. In each episode, I take you on a journey to a different place in Scotland. I either whisk you away on an inspiring adventure, or introduce you to passionate locals and their stories. Apart from stories and interviews, I also share my top tips for your own Scotland trip, and how to follow in my footsteps. If this is yo...

In the past, I have featured countless women's stories on Wild for Scotland, from women sharing their own stories and expertise, to important figures from Scottish history I encountered on my travels. Many of my episodes would not have been possible without their input and stories. This episode aims to celebrate their contributions to my show, but also to Scottish history, culture and society as a whole. I have selected three stories from previous episodes, which highlight different asp...

'Paradise' is a story about a tiny island off the west coast of Scotland, along a famous road trip route: the North Coast 500. Join me for a boat trip to the bird island Handa, a paradise for nesting seabirds and nature lovers alike. I wrote this story a few years ago - several months before I started this podcast. It was during the pandemic, and I longed for those days when I could simply jump in the car, hop on a ferry and visit a small uninhabited island off the shore. I finally recorded a...

Let's go to the pub and listen to some music! Join me for two conversations with Irish tin whistle player Maggie Wallace and Trad music session host Callum Forsyth about all things traditional music in Glasgow. In these conversations, we cover: The commonalities & differences between Irish and Scottish Trad music scenesWhat it's like to learn an instrument as an adultWhy Glasgow is such a hotspot for traditional musicHow pub sessions in Glasgow are usually structuredand more!Visit our we...

'A Coorie Winter' is a story about getting cosy (or 'coorie') in the great outdoors during the Scottish winter months. We're heading to the Cairngorms National Park and the Moray Coast for stops in Aviemore, Tomintoul and Findhorn. In each location, we're trying another coorie winter activity, from hiking with reindeer on the Cairngorm plateau to sweating in a wood-fired sauna with sea views and star gazing at the Cairngorms Dark Sky Park. Things don't always go as planned, but that's part of...

Join me for a conversation about Gaelic Songs and the role of singing in oral tradition with Gaelic singer Ali Coyle (Alison Mhic Giolla Chomhgaill). As a Gaelic learner in Argyll, she has taken on the role of a tradition bearer, learning Gaelic songs and their stories. In this conversation, Ali shares how she got started with singing in Gaelic and how songs shape her relationship with Gaelic culture and history. We talk about the role of singing in Gaelic oral tradition, the sheer vari...

'Good for Crofting' is a story about living with and off the land. Crofting is an integral part of Scottish culture in the Highlands and Islands, and on a crofting tour with DJ Cameron in South Uist, you can learn more about it. We learn what distinguishes crofting from farming, talk about sustainable crofting techniques and get a glimpse of the unique relationship between a crofter and his land and animals. DJ takes us to the machair to meet his sheep and cattle, shares about the challenges ...