Scotcast

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Super-hospital ‘scandal’: the story so far’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002q2lk In January this year, at the end of a public inquiry into the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, the health board finally admitted probable links between fatal infections and problems with the building. That was more than one decade after Dr Christine Peters, a microbiologist consultant, first blew the whistle. She tells Laura Miller about the costs of speaking out, the professional and personal repercussions, and what it’s like to still be in the same job. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘In court for Peter Murrell’s guilty plea’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002wsvc Nicola Sturgeon insists she had 'no knowledge or suspicion whatsoever' that her estranged husband Peter Murrell was embezzling £400,000 from the SNP. We ask the BBC’s Glenn Campbell and David Cowan whether the former SNP leader is likely to say more about the former SNP chief executive’s crimes. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like 'Politics Show: Corruption row at Holyrood': https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0n29c7rFormer first minister Nicola Sturgeon says she is “angry” and “hurt” after her estranged husband Peter Murrell (pictured in 2023) admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from the SNP. We talk to the BBC’s David Wallace Lockhart and David Henderson, who was in court to hear the party’s former chief executive plead guilty. Scotcast is the BBC's Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: [email protected].

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like 'Take 2: Weight-loss jabs' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0029yzm Weight-loss injections are not prescribed by the NHS, despite one in three Scots being obese. Dr Mark Strachan (pictured), the new head of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, tells us why he believes this is a ‘national disgrace’. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you're interested in this episode, you may also like 'Will Swinney serve a full term as First Minister?' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002wjg7 Natalie, David and Nicola Sturgeon's ex-chief of staff Liz Lloyd discuss John Swinney’s cabinet appointments, including promotions for Ivan McKee and Jenny Gilruth (pictured), and a trio upcoming Westminster by-elections. And Liz gives us an insider's view on how reshuffles really work. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode of the Politics Show is hosted by Natalie Higgins and David Wallace Lockhart. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Drill, maybe drill? Our North Sea dilemma’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002t181 The UK government has delayed sanctions that would ban imports of Russian oil - because of fears over the price of diesel and jet fuel. The Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch says the decision to buy ‘from Russia instead of drilling in the North Sea’ is ‘insane’. But is she right? Will the oil and gas fields Rosebank and Jackdaw get the go-ahead? And what will really bring our bills down? Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins get some answers from our energy correspondent Kevin Keane. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. Get in touch: [email protected]

Martin Geissler and the team bring you thoughtful conversation and expert analysis covering the most interesting news stories in Scotland.

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘How data-driven Hearts breached the Old Firm’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002w842 First Minister John Swinney says he's open to changing the law around pitch invasions after Celtic fans engulfed the field of play as their side beat Hearts 3-1 to win the Scottish Premiership. We talk to the BBC’s Chris McLaughlin and former top-flight referee Steve Conroy, co-host of The Ref’s View podcast, about fan behaviour and VAR controversies. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like 'Autism: rising rates or overdiagnosis?' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002qrvh Edinburgh GP Dr Gavin Francis (pictured) is the author of ‘The Unfragile Mind: Making Sense of Mental Health’. We ask him whether human unhappiness is being over-medicated. And he tells us his 10-point plan for happiness.Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you're interested in this episode, you may also like 'Can Rayner, Streeting or Burnham win Scots back?' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002w830 Natalie, David and the Daily Record’s Paul Hutcheon talk about Wes Streeting's resignation, Andy Burnham's next move, a row involving Scottish Green MSP Q Manivannanis and ‘Swinney-ism’. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode of the Politics Show is hosted by Natalie Higgins and David Wallace Lockhart. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘What would it take to trigger a World Cup boycott?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002q34v Heart of Midlothian are on the brink of becoming the first club other than Celtic or Rangers to be crowned Scottish league champions since 1985. The BBC’s Chris McLaughlin and football data specialist Lee Mooney, who used to work under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, tell us how investment from Tony Bloom (pictured) and Jamestown Analytics helped the club’s title tilt. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by lifelong Hearts fan Martin Geissler. Get in touch: [email protected]

Angela Rayner, Wes Streeting and Andy Burnham (pictured left to right) are mooted as possible contenders to replace Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister. Former Scottish Labour director of communications Alan Roden and the BBC’s David Wallace Lockhart tell us which of the favourites would be best placed to win back Scottish voters. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Where it went wrong for Anas Sarwar’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0nkg6y2 Sir Keir Starmer says he will prove his doubters wrong amid growing calls from within Labour for the prime minister to resign. We talk to Daily Record political editor Paul Hutcheon, ex-Labour adviser James Matthewson and the BBC’s Paris Gourtsoyannis about Starmer’s latest effort to win over his MPs, and the future of Scottish Labour and its leader, Anas Sarwar. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Anas Sarwar: the election interview’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002t1cw Anas Sarwar (pictured) insists he is “absolutely” staying in post despite leading Scottish Labour to its worst ever Scottish Parliament election results. We ask Paul Sweeney, one of the party’s 17 elected MSPs, whether its crushing Holyrood defeat is down to Sarwar or Sir Keir Starmer. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Natalie Higgins and David Wallace Lockhart. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like 'How the SNP won the Scottish election' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0nk7107 Victorious SNP leader John Swinney (pictured) says he will talk to all opposition parties except Reform UK in the coming days. We ask the BBC's Lynsey Bews how the SNP will govern after falling short of a majority in the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections. And Martin Geissler reflects on hosting a marathon BBC results show. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Natalie Higgins.Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘John Swinney: the election interview’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002sqyp John Swinney’s SNP has come out on top in the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections. The BBC’s Phil Sim, former Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont and ex-SNP MP Stewart McDonald tell us what the outcome means for Anas Sarwar’s future and for the debate about another independence referendum. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Natalie Higgins.Get in touch: [email protected]

Voting is over in the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections. The BBC's Phil Sim and Dr Fraser McMillan from the University of Edinburgh tell us what to watch out for as the results come in. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also be interested in ‘Why are kids carrying knives?’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002cbd8 A teenager has admitted murdering 22-year-old John McNab (pictured) with a hunting knife in Edinburgh. Laura Miller speaks to Jimmy Paul, the head of the Scottish Violent Reduction Unit, about the societal changes fuelling youth violence. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Laura Miller. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘How to fix the NHS - The Health Debate’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0ndvclm There has been a 28% increase in Scottish shops selling vapes in Scotland since 2020. We ask Richard Begg (pictured) from major vape retailer VPZ why he wants stricter regulation of his own industry. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Natalie Higgins and David Wallace Lockhart. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like 'Do we need a minister for disco?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002gqdh Pubs are closing at a rate of one a week, according to the Scottish Beer and Pub Association. We ask Louise Maclean of Signature Pubs and workers including 23-year-old bartender Edward (pictured) whether Gen Z are partly responsible for the decline. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Natalie Higgins, with reporting by Rebecca Tierney. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like 'Getting to know Sally Magnusson' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0029hhzJohn MacKay (pictured) has retired as STV's News at Six anchorman after almost three decades. He talks to Laura Miller and Martin Geissler about the stories that have stayed with him, the strikes threatening to disrupt STV's election coverage and the future of broadcasting. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. Get in touch: [email protected]

Only one week remains of the 2026 Holyrood Election campaign. David, Natalie and Phil discuss what the story of this campaign has been, and what they will be looking out for on results day. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode of the Politics Show is hosted by David Wallace Lockhart, Natalie Higgins and Phil Sim. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘He’s a liar - Sarwar's latest spat with Reform’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002tzwb Reform UK's leader in Scotland Malcolm Offord (pictured right) has revealed he owns “six houses, six boats and five cars” in an exchange with Scottish Green co-leader Ross Greer (pictured left) during the STV leaders’ debate. We ask how Offord’s revelation about his wealth will go down with voters ahead of the Holyrood election. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: [email protected]