Our Story
Our Story is a BBC Radio Scotland series in which communities across Scotland share the stories that matter to them. Hosted by Mark Stephen, it gives local people a platform to tell their own histories, experiences and concerns. Each episode focuses on a different place or community, exploring what shapes life there. The programme is produced by BBC Radio Scotland for listeners in Scotland and beyond.
Episodes
Deans South
When their houses were condemned, homeowners in Deans South, Livingston, fought for a fair deal and ended up living in a ghost town. Mark Stephen speaks with Kerry Macintosh, Phil Cavan and Isabel Baxter, who after twenty years finally found a solution.
The Glasgow Taxi Outing to Troon
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Fife Flyers
Mark Stephen visits the Fife Flyers in Kirkcaldy to meet the players, management and fans of the oldest ice hockey team.With over 60 Scottish and British cups and titles to their name, the Flyers have a storied history of success that’s all the more impressive considering they’re based in a small market town. Despite facing financial challenges compared to their rivals in larger cities like Cardif
The Sollas Beach Fly-In
Mark Stephen takes to the skies as he heads to North Uist in a light aircraft to meet the organisers of the Sollas Beach Fly-In, a special annual event where pilots get to challenge themselves by landing on a public beach.First established in the early 2000s by John Angus Macleod, the fly-in has grown from a few pilots landing on Sollas beach to an event that now attracts light-aircraft enthusiast
Port Edgar Dragons
Mark Stephen takes a paddle on the Union Canal with Scotland’s only cancer survivors' dragon boat group, the Port Edgar Dragons. He also learns about the origins of the Pink Dragon movement in Canada, a dragon boat team formed by cancer survivors. The initiative was founded by Dr Don McKenzie, a professor of sports medicine and exercise physiologist, who sought to challenge the prevailing medical
Barbed Wireless
Barlinnie's prison radio station broadcasts into every cell, offering music request shows and vital information to support rehabilitation. Mark meets Barry Richardson, the prison officer who set up the station and learned how to operate it alongside the prisoners. Inmates including DJ Geo tell Mark how they've learned valuable life skills like teamwork and responsibility. Victoria Byrne from Citiz
The Miners' Strike
Forty years on, Mark Stephen hears why miners Gordon Cossar, Robert Kelly and Frank Bryce fought so hard to defend their communities in the most bitter strike in living memory.
Knockhill
As Knockhill racing circuit in Fife turns 50, Mark Stephen hears how farmer Tom Kinnaird turned his sheep farm into the home of Scottish motorsport. Over the last five decades, Knockhill has been the breeding ground for champions such as Formula 1 driver David Coulthard and superbike rider Niall MacKenzie, but triple British Touring Car champion Gordon ‘Flash’ Shedden gives Mark the full Knockhill
Pigeon Racing
Mark Stephen visits the Borders to speak to some of Scotland’s most dedicated pigeon fanciers. Regarded as ‘feathered athletes’, he discovers a world of friendship, fun and fierce competition. He learns how the sport of pigeon racing fosters incredible bonds within families and how the traditional image of pigeon racing is being challenged by many in the racing community.
Riding for the Disabled
The Riding for the Disabled Association, also known as the RDA, was founded in 1969, and for over 55 years, the charity has been providing therapeutic horse-riding and carriage-driving lessons to thousands of individuals living with a disability, regardless of age or experience.In this week’s Our Story, Mark Stephen hears from the dedicated coaches, volunteers and participants whose lives have bee
Balnakeil Craft Village
A disused Cold War military base near Durness becomes Scotland's first craft village. Mark Stephen meets people from around the world who made it their home.
The Women's Rugby World Cup
When the Scottish Women's Rugby team heard that the 1994 World Cup in the Netherlands was being cancelled, they decided to host it in Scotland instead, with only 90 days' notice!
Aviation Preservation Society of Scotland
Mark Stephen meets a group of retired aviation enthusiasts who have built a World War One biplane in a shed in East Lothian. Now they want to see her fly.
The Badenoch Ladies Shinty Club
Mark Stephen joins the Badenoch Ladies Shinty Club for a training night at the Dell to discover why so many women and girls are attracted to the game.
The Bailies of Bennachie
Mark Stephen meets the people who look after Aberdeenshire's most iconic hill. The Bailies preserve its paths, nature and rich human history out of love for Bennachie.
Nemo Arts
After the loss of her son John, Isabel McCue and her younger son Hugh set up Nemo Arts to support other families dealing with mental illness. Starting with five people on Sunday afternoons, 25 years later they offer classes in the community, hospitals and prisons with everything from drama to drumming, singing and painting. Mark Stephen hears how people are finding joy, friendship and a true sense
The General Store, Selkirk
Mark Stephen visits the General Store, a repair monger in Selkirk in the Scottish Borders where local people can get take their broken items to get fixed rather than throwing them away and buying new ones.With an ethos of 'no fix, no fee', the handy in-house team of men and women will attempt to repair just about anything from electrical items, including laptops and tablets to clothes, toys, lamps
SS Uganda
From the 1960s to the 1980s, the SS Uganda provided thousands of schoolchildren with their first foreign adventures on what were called educational cruises. Hundreds at a time would board for trips around Scandinavia, the Atlantic, and even behind the Iron Curtain in Leningrad. Sadly, the ship no longer exists, but Mark Stephen heads to Dundee Model Boat Club to see a replica of the Uganda, and he
The 'Livi' - Livingston's Skatepark
Mark Stephen hears how Livingston or 'Livi' skatepark was built into the landscape of Scotland's new town and became fundamental to the rise of skateboarding worldwide.
Action Porty
Mark Stephen hears how Portobello residents decided to buy their local parish church and transform it into Bellfield community hub.
Storm Arwen
Storm Arwen left thousands of people without power for up to week and destroyed millions of trees. Mark Stephen hears how communities in Aberdeenshire responded.
Queens District Nurses
Mark Stephen meets retired Queens District nurses to hear about the life and duties of a district nurse in some of the most remote communities of Scotland. 'The Queen's Nurse didn't go to work, she didn't do a shift, she went on duty and it was a duty of care from the cradle to the grave and everything in between'. Until 1969, the Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland trained district nurses to look
The Love Rally
People with experience of the care system march through the streets of Glasgow to celebrate their community and demand the right to love. Mark Stephen finds out why.
Hallmuir Ukrainian POW Chapel
Mark Stephen is in Dumfries and Galloway near Lockerbie to hear the story of the Hallmuir POW Ukrainian Chapel. In 1947, almost 500 Ukrainian POWs were interned and contracted to work in the local area in farming and forestry. Far from home and unable to return, the men created a chapel in one of the corrugated iron huts, and there have been regular services held there ever since. 75 years on, in
Thunder in the Glens
With the wind in his hair and the biggest smile on his face, Mark Stephen gets the ride of his life when he visits Aviemore to meet the bikers involved in one of Europe’s largest Harley Davidson motorbike conventions, Thunder in the Glens. Mark discovers why bikers travel from all over the world to be part of the famous ride-out, which sees thousands of bikers roar through the hills of the Highlan
The Glasgow Gurdwara
Mark Stephen visits Scotland’s first purpose-built Gurdwara. Located on Albert Drive, Glasgow, this beautiful religious temple opened its doors ten years ago and is very much at the heart of the Sikh community. Mark hears how the Gurdwara is not just a place to worship, but it’s also where people go to study, take part in leisure activities and socialise. Mark is also given a behind-the-scenes tou
The Battle of Prestonpans Tapestry
It took 200 community members 500 hours each to stitch the Battle of Prestonpans Tapestry, in 2010 the longest in the world. Mark meets the people who made it and displayed it.
The Glasgow Gurdwara
Mark Stephen visits Scotland’s first purpose-built Gurdwara
The Grand Match
In 1979, thousands gathered on the frozen Lake of Menteith for an epic curling match between the north and south of Scotland. Mark Stephen hears memories of the last Bonspiel.
The Kessock Bridge Turns 40
Mark Stephen celebrates 40 years of the Kessock Bridge
Glasgow Women's Library
Mark Stephen meets those behind Glasgow Women's Library, the only museum in the UK celebrating women's lives, history and achievements.
Our Story St Andrew's Caddies
Mark Stephen meets the caddies who work on St Andrews Old Course - the Home of Golf
Birds of Paradise
Mark Stephen finds out about Scotland’s first disabled theatre company.
Knoydart
Mark Stephen finds out about life in one of Scotland’s most remote communities.
Our Story: Homes for Ukraine
Mark Stephen hears how a Scottish family have welcomed a Ukrainian family into their home
Scotland's Concorde
Mark Stephen climbs aboard Concorde to hear about its fascinating Scottish history.
Nessie - The Loch Ness Monster
Mark Stephen meets the people who have investigated and sometimes capitalised on Scotland's great myth - the Loch Ness Monster, affectionately known as Nessie.
The Falkirk Wheel
Scotland’s stunning rotating boat lift and the people who love it.
Kenmure Street Protest
Civic defiance that went global; Mark Stephen revisits Glasgow's Kenmure Street protest.
Oban Phoenix Cinema
Mark Stephen hears how Dame Judi Dench and Clive Anderson helped a community in Oban save their local cinema from permanent closure.
Into the Maelstrom: The Scottish Kayak Expedition
Mark Stephen meets Jim Breen and Angus Mathieson who took part in an expedition to the Arctic Circle, traversing the world's largest whirlpool in kayaks.
Aberdeen Zoo
From 1966 to 1977, Aberdeen Zoo housed lions, bears, seals, otters and the zoo favourites Heather and Humphrey the chimpanzees. Mark Stephen meets the keepers who worked there.
Super Caley Go Ballistic
Mark Stephen travels to Inverness to uncover the story behind one of the greatest sporting headlines ever written, 'Super Caley Go Ballistic, Celtic are atrocious'
Hawick Common Riding
Mark Stephen visits Hawick for the Common-Riding. For decades it was males only but now women can take part in all the events. Will it end years of controversy or open old wounds?
Pollok Free State
Mark Stephen profiles the protest camp against the M77 motorway in Glasgow's Pollok Park.
Faslane
Mark Stephen visits the peace camp and naval base at Faslane.
Axmed Abuukar Sheekh
Mark Stephen recalls the 1989 murder of a young Somali man in Edinburgh's Cowgate.
Inverness Victorian Market
Mark Stephen meets the stall holders and customers at the Victorian Market in Inverness.
The Horn
Mark Stephen explores the history of the iconic Scottish roadside cafe, The Horn.
The Tinker's Heart
Mark Stephen hears about the campaign to save the Tinker's Heart in Argyll.
Carbeth Hutters
Mark Stephen explores the history and culture of the Carbeth Hutters community.
Glasgow Garden Festival
Mark Stephen and guests remember the excitement of the Glasgow Garden Festival
Butlins
Mark Stephen takes a trip down memory lane with former Butlin's Redcoats in Ayr.
Caterpillar Factory
Mark Stephen is in Tannochside to meet some of the men and women who campaigned for 103 days against the closure of the Caterpillar factory.
Edinburgh Speedway
Mark Stephen speaks to the dedicated followers of the Edinburgh Monarchs to discover the appeal of the action packed family sport of motorcycling speedway.
Foot and Mouth
Mark Stephen visits Dumfries and Galloway to hear about the 2001 Foot and Mouth outbreak from the farming community affected.
Lee Jeans Factory Sit-In
Mark Stephen meets women who worked at the former Lee Jeans factory in Greenock and hears about their dramatic 7 month sit-in.
Govanhill Baths
Mark Stephen finds out about the Govanhill Baths anti-closure campaign and how the baths survived.
Craigmillar Festival Society
Mark Stephen tells the story of the Craigmillar Festival Society and the group of young mothers who, in the 1960's used the arts as the catalyst to transform their community.
The Caithness Broch Project
Mark Stephen meets the determined people attempting to build a replica Iron Age broch.
The Bus Behind the Iron Curtain
Mark Stephen meets the St Andrews students who took a double decker road trip in 1968.
Scottish Women's Football
Mark Stephen meets the pioneering female players who changed Scottish football forever.
The River Man
Mark Stephen is on the River Clyde with George Parsonage of the Glasgow Humane Society.
The Digger
The Digger reports on Glasgow's criminal underworld. Publishing each weekly edition is a risk that owner James Cruickshank is willing to take, despite his safety being threatened on a number of occasions. Narrator Neil MacKay takes us deep inside the world of The Digger in this episode of Our Scotland.
Quarantine
Having returned from a humanitarian trip abroad, Andy finds himself being taken into quarantine for 10 days. Stuck in his hotel room he reflects on the mundane routine and how this contrasts with his work in war zones. With time on is hands he looks back on his life and looks forward to returning to his family in Inverness. Narrated by Nalini Chetty.
The Embalmers
Death is a daily occurrence for Kelly and Jen, embalmers in one of Glasgow's busiest funeral services. Since the pandemic hit, they've been working non-stop, but the enthusiasm and passion for their job has never once wavered. Narrated by Nalini Chetty, 'The Embalmers' takes a peek into the oft hidden world of embalming bodies with no holds barred. From straightforward open-casket cases to comp
Perfume
Nalini Chetty dives into the heady world of perfume making, guided by Scots perfumer Euan McCall and co-director of Jorum Studios, Chloe Mullen. With readings by Sarah McCardie from As a Perfume by Arthur Symons and Perfume, by Patrick Suskind.
Magnet Fishing
Below the surface of Scotland's urban waterways, enthusiasts are plunging magnets into the dark depths, unearthing metallic detritus discarded decades ago, or yesterday. Nalini Chetty follows magnet fishers Calum Black, Graeme McShane, John Robertson and James Pearson of Edinburgh Magnet Fishing on a day out down the canal, wondering why they do it and what they might find. Will it be treasure, or
Finding Yir Tongue
Ally Heather, presenter o BBC Scotland’s documentary on Scots ‘The Rebel Tongue’ has flitted back to Dundee in lockdoon and kicked aff a hail series o online sessions on Dundee Scots whaur folk frae the city can get mair confident wi their ain brand o Scots. Horror tales o the language being banned frae the hoose as ‘oary’ or ‘orrae’ abound (oary is Dundonian Scots for common, coarse or vulgar, lo
The Rat Catchers
Edinburgh's rat population has exploded during lockdown. Husband and wife team Brian and Vikki are on the battlefront between humans and nature in this episode of 'Our Scotland', narrated by Nalini Chetty.
Welcome to Our Scotland
Lifting the veil on hidden aspects of contemporary Scottish life. Vibrant and diverse, it will provide a peek through the window into the country’s lesser-known parallel worlds, guided each week by an expert insider and narrated by Nalini Chetty.
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