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This Is Scotland with The Scots Magazine

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The Scots Magazine 15 episodes Nov 11, 2026

Scottish historian Ally Heather and bestselling cookbook author Coinneach MacLeod, The Hebridean Baker, host This Is Scotland - a weekly podcast exploring the people, places, traditions and ideas that shape modern Scotland. Each episode blends history, culture, geography, humour and personal storytelling to uncover what makes Scotland unique: from island life and folklore to food, heritage and the changing face of the nation today. Produced by The Scots Magazine, the world's oldest magazine still in publication, first launched in 1739, the podcast builds on nearly three centuries of celebrating Scotland's people, places and culture.

Episodes

The Islands Edit: Stories, Legends & Folklore Nov 11, 2026 32:15 What's in an island name? Why are Scotland's waterways full of strange creatures? And what makes island traditions so special? In this episode of This Is Scotland: The Edits, historian Ally Heather and Coinneach MacLeod, the Hebridean Baker, explore the stories, legends and traditions that give Scotland's islands their unique character. Discover the fascinating origins of island names like Eigg, R

The Islands Edit: Planes, Ferries & Adventures Nov 4, 2026 18:53 There's something magical about Scotland's islands – and sometimes getting there is half the adventure! Welcome to This Is Scotland: The Edits, a new collection of bite-sized, 20-minute episodes bringing together some of the very best conversations from Series 1. In our first Islands Edit, join Ally Heather and Coinneach MacLeod, the Hebridean Baker, as they celebrate the journeys, surprises and u

Half Pint Q&A: Campervans, Machair and Our Series Finale Jul 30, 2026 28:47 It's the final Half Pint of Series 1, and Ally Heather and Coinneach MacLeod, the Hebridean Baker, are answering your questions one last time. This week, they debate which Scottish town deserves to be crowned the UK's next City of Culture, champion hidden gems including Leith, Rothesay and Lerwick, and share why some of Scotland's lesser-known places deserve a spot on every travel itinerary. They

Episode 8: The Real Braveheart, Scotland's Greatest Train Journeys and Auld Lang Syne Jul 27, 2026 46:14 What makes Scotland's greatest film? How did Auld Lang Syne become the New Year's eve anthem all over the world? And which train journeys offer the best views in the country? In the final episode of Series 1 of This is Scotland with The Scots Magazine, Ally Heather and Coinneach MacLeod, the Hebridean Baker revisit the films that have shaped Scotland's image around the world, uncover the surprisin

Half Pint Q&A: Where Is the 'Real' Scotland? Jul 23, 2026 26:41 What does the "real" Scotland actually look like? Is it a remote island, a bustling city, a Highland glen... or somewhere else entirely? In this listener Q&A episode of This is Scotland, Ally Heather and Coinneach MacLeod, the Hebridean Baker, share the places they believe capture Scotland at its most authentic before asking listeners where they would send someone to experience the country's t

Episode 7: Outlander, Scotland's Lost Languages and the Hebrides Jul 20, 2026 50:46 How historically accurate is Outlander? Why are Scotland's native languages still so fiercely debated? And what makes the Hebrides one of the country's most extraordinary places? In this episode of This is Scotland with The Scots Magazine, Ally Heather and Coinneach MacLeod, the Hebridean Baker, explore the remarkable legacy of Outlander, revealing how Diana Gabaldon's meticulous research helped c

Half Pint Q&A: Where Do the Highlands Begin? Jul 16, 2026 37:07 The listener Q&A edition of This is Scotland returns as Ally Heather and Coinneach MacLeod, the Hebridean Baker, tackle one of Scotland's biggest debates: where do the Highlands actually begin? This week, they reveal the places in Scotland that inspire them most, uncover the surprising history behind Scotland's native dog breeds, and share their favourite islands to explore without a car. Alon

Episode 6: Beach Landings, Whisky and the Spirit of Scotland Jul 13, 2026 48:28 How do you land a plane on a beach? Why is Scotch whisky so closely tied to Scotland's identity? And what does the word ceilidh really mean? In this episode of This is Scotland, Ally Heather and Coinneach MacLeod, the Hebridean Baker, journey from Barra's extraordinary beach airport to Edinburgh's famous skyline, before uncorking the remarkable history of Scotland's national drink. Along the way,

Half Pint Q&A: Why Are Highland Cows Everywhere? Jul 9, 2026 30:26 The listener Q&A edition of This is Scotland returns as Ally Heather and Coinneach MacLeod, the Hebridean Baker, answer your questions. This week, they share their favourite places to cool off on a summer's day, celebrate one of Scotland's quirkiest competitions, debate whether Highland cows have become the country's unofficial influencers, and reveal whether they'd travel back to the time of

Episode 5: Blackenings, Lost Borders and Hidden Scotland Jul 6, 2026 40:24 In this episode of This is Scotland, Ally Heather and Coinneach MacLeod, the Hebridean Baker, uncover the fascinating origins of Scotland's most unusual wedding traditions, from handfasting and blackenings to smashing shortbread over the bride's head. They also explore Scotland's ever-changing borders, revealing the surprising stories behind places such as the Isle of Man, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Orkn

The Half Pint Q&A: Tips on Moving to Scotland Jul 2, 2026 32:26 The listener Q&A edition of This is Scotland returns as Ally Heather and Coinneach MacLeod, the Hebridean Baker, answer your questions. This week, they share their top tips for making Scotland feel like home, uncover strange old cures involving porridge, potatoes and warts, explore water horses, cave legends and the folklore of the islands, and reveal which famous Scots they would most like to

Episode 4: Scotland’s Cloth of Rebellion, Witch Trials and Forgotten Recipes Jun 29, 2026 47:26 Tartan was once banned. People risked punishment for wearing it. Today, it is recognised around the world as one of Scotland’s most powerful symbols. In this episode, Ally Heather and Coinneach MacLeod, the Hebridean Baker, unravel the remarkable story of how a forbidden fabric became the cloth of rebellion, identity and pride. They also explore Scotland's witch trials, the campaign to remember th

The Half Pint Q&A: Does Scotland Have a Northern Soul? Jun 25, 2026 29:02 The listener Q&A edition of This is Scotland returns as Ally Heather and Coinneach MacLeod, the Hebridean Baker, answer your questions on Scotland's links with Norway, the revival of hutting, the Scottish diaspora and the future of Gaelic. This week, they explore whether Scotland shares a northern soul with Norway, why off-grid cabins and hutting have become such an important part of Scottish

Episode 3: Vikings, Scottish Accents and Eurovision Dreams Jun 21, 2026 45:00 Do we romanticise the Vikings too much? Which Scottish accent is the best? And should Scotland have its own Eurovision entry? In this episode of This is Scotland, Ally Heather and Coinneach MacLeod, the Hebridean Baker, debate three big topics. They explore the Viking legacy in Scotland, from Hebridean ancestry to the realities of Viking raids, discuss how geography, identity and culture have shap

The Half Pint Q&A: Scottish Castles, Island Mysteries and Graveyard Tales Jun 18, 2026 36:14 The listener Q&A edition of This is Scotland returns as Ally Heather and Coinneach MacLeod, the Hebridean Baker, tackle your questions on Scotland's most fascinating places, traditions and mysteries. This week, they explore whether ruined castles such as Linlithgow Palace should be restored, uncover the surprising origins of Eigg, Rum and Muck, reveal their favourite Scottish graveyards, and c

Episode 2: Scotland's Anthem, Epic Road Trips and America's Scottish Roots Jun 15, 2026 47:28 Why doesn't Scotland have an official national anthem? In this episode of This is Scotland, Ally Heather and Coinneach MacLeod, the Hebridean Baker, explore the story behind Flower of Scotland, Scotland the Brave and the debate over what song best represents the nation. They also share their favourite Scottish road trips, from island adventures to spectacular Highland routes, before turning their

The Half Pint Q&A: Shortbread, Sea Legends and Island Rivalries Jun 11, 2026 29:53 The listener Q&A edition of This is Scotland sees hosts Ally Heather and Coinneach MacLeod, the Hebridean Baker, tackle your questions on everything from Paisley patterns and shortbread traditions to the Lewis-Harris island rivalry, favourite lochs and Hebridean folklore. Whether you live in Scotland, have Scottish roots, or simply love the country, This Is Scotland is your place to feel conne

Episode 1: World Cup Dreams, The Mystery of Scottish Banknotes and Myth Busting Jun 8, 2026 47:55 Welcome to the first episode of This is Scotland. Join Ally Heather and Coinneach MacLeod, The Hebridean Baker, as they explore the stories, symbols and surprising truths that make Scotland unique. Why was Scotland's worst World Cup performance one of its most memorable? Which off-pitch Scottish football achievement we should be really proud of? Is Scottish money really legal tender? And when shou