All Episodes - True Scotsman Podcast
A history and current affairs podcast produced by three Edinburgh-based tour guides.
View Podcast Details33 Episodes
Was Douglas Haig a Villain?
Douglas Haig, the Butcher Haig as he's sometimes called, is widely considered to have been a general who callously threw away many soldiers' lives to little effect but is there more to him than this? In this episode, Fraser seeks to understand a few of the facts which drove Haig's decisions.
Halloween: Is It Scottish or Something Else?
Host Fraser Horn (@haggispope) looks into Halloween to look into if it has Scottish origins or if it began elsewhere. The answer will shock you (it's sort of Scottish)
Scotland's Stone of Destiny
This episode is about Scotland's Stone of Destiny, how true it is and why the stories told about it matter
Black Agnes
This episode is about a Scottish woman who organised the defense of a castle against the English.
Rugby
This episode is about Scotland's rugby team and what it means to a country to have a national team made up of players from around the world.
True Scotsman Podcast Relaunch
This episode signals a restarting of the podcast with brand new content.
Scots: Language or Dialect?
In this episode the gang embark on a quest to get to the route of the Scottish language from its history and literature. Presented by Fraser Medvedik-Horn Co-Hosted by Roisin Caird and Johnney Rhodes Music by Adam Logan
Christmas in Scotland
In this episode, the gang discuss Christmas in Scotland, from early celebrations through to banning and the comeback. Featuring Johnney Rhodes Roisin Caird and Fraser Medvedik-Horn Music by Adam Logan
The Plague
Ryan Hume, the silky voiced Canadian, joins Fraser Medvedik-Horn and Johnney Rhodes in an episode about the Black Death Music by Adam Logan Edited by Fraser Medvedik-Horn
Haggis: Scotland's National Dish?
In this episode 'the boys' discuss haggis and whether or not it is a Scottish icon. Presented by Fraser Medvedik-Horn and Johnney Rhodes Music by Adam Logan
The Bovril Episode
A one-man adventure into the wonderful world of Bovril. Presented by Fraser Medvedik-Horn Additional Noises by B. Medvedik-Horn Music by Adam Logan
Irn Bru Gets You Through
In this episode the gang talk about Scotland's other national drink Cast Rosin Caird Johnney Rhodes Fraser Medvedik-Horn Music by Adam Logan
The Edinburgh 7
Roisin tells us all about the Edinburgh 7, the first group of matriculated undergraduate female students at ANY British university. Surely all the male staff, teachers and students at the university would respond to this with dignity and respect? (Narrator: they did not) Listen for more!!
Master and Commander: The Thomas Cochrane Story
This week the gang delves into the fascinating life of Thomas Cochrane, sea captain, adventurer, politician and terrible father, who helped found the Chilean navy and went on to inspire the Russel Crowe film Master and Commander.
Mary Barbour's Army and the Govan Rent Strikes
In our first episode since shifting to our fortnightly schedule, we've got a fascinating episode on Mary Barbour, Scottish political activist, local councillor, bailie and magistrate, perhaps most well known for her role in leading the Glasgow Rent Strikes during WW1. With special guest Trish Caird (Roisin's mum) and featuring the music of Alistair Hullet, "Mrs Barbour's Army. Cast: Fraser Horn, Patricia Caird, Johnny Rhodes, Roisin Caird. Music: Alistair Hullet, Adam Logan.
Rest in Power: the Stuart Christie Story
In this episode the gang talks about Stuart Christie, the Partick-born anarchist who tried to blow up Franco. Cast Roisin Caird Johnney Rhodes Fraser Medvedik-Horn Music by Adam Logan
Alexander Graham Bell's Achievements and Flaws
This week Johnney Rhodes and Fraser Medvedik-Horn look into the complicated life and legacy of Scot, Alexander Graham Bell. Presented by Johnney Rhodes Edited by Fraser Medvedik-Horn Outro by Roisin Caird Music by Adam Logan
Tartan: A Brief History
In this episode, the boys discuss the history of tartan and kilts in Scotland. Cast Fraser Medvedik-Horn Johnney Rhodes Music by Adam Logan
The Adam Smith Deep Dive
In this episode the gang tackles a brief biography of Adam Smith, inventor/discoverer of capitalism, and evaluates his place in Scotland's history. Presented by Johnney Rhodes Roisin Caird Fraser Medvedik-Horn Music by Adam Logan
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe: Past and Future
In this episode the gang tackles the history of Edinburgh's Festival Fringe and discusses ways to fix it. Cast Fraser Medvedik-Horn Johnney Rhodes Roisin Caird Music by Adam Logan
Bonus Material - Gaelic Interviews
Full interviews for the episode Gealic in Modern Scotland.
The Story of Gaelic in Modern Scotland
NOTE: There is an editing error in the audio here where the interviews are introduced, but an extra bit of what was inserted before them by accident, so for a moment it sounds as though they have been skipped. Apologies for that. This week the gang take on the pretty hefty topic of Scots Gaelic, it's history, rise and fall, and its place today in modern Scotland with testimony from Gaelic speakers from across the country. With special thanks to Kenneth MacKenzie, Liam Crouse, Anne Macauley, James Sinclair and Àdhamh Ó Broin. Music by Adam Logan.
The Abolition of Slavery
In this episode, the gang talk about the Abolition of Slavery, the motives behind it and some of the key people involved. Cast Johnney Rhodes Fraser Medvedik-Horn Roisin Caird Music by Adam Logan
Bonus Episode: Seann William Scott (Mild Swearing)
During a three minute break whilst Roisin uses the bathroom, Johnny and Fraser make some surprising discoveries about actor and comedian Seann William Scott
Glasgow and the Slave Trade
This week the Gang investigates Glasgow's connections to the Slave Trade, the leftover relics within the city today, and what modern day attempts their are to reckon with an uncomfortable truth.
Scots Abroad: Canada
This week the topic is the connection between Scotland and Canada. Guest host: Ryan Hume The regulars: Fraser Medvedik-Horn Roisin Caird Johnney Rhodes Music by Adam Logan
Mischief Managed: How To Do a Factually Correct Harry Potter Tour Of Edinburgh
A few weeks ago JK Rowling shook the tourism industry of Edinburgh with the revelation that she was not inspired by any of the places she wrote or visited in the city, despite writing all of the books here. What are three currently not working Harry Potter Tour Guides to do but record a podcast about it? We ask ourselves, who is the author, who do the stories belong to, and does any of it matter anyway? Also we make fun of the books A LOT. Enjoy! NOTE: This episode was recorded on June 8th 2020. We are of course aware that JK Rowling as tweeted a lot of things during this period. To be clear, the episode was recorded a few days after the "Ickabog Incident" but before JKR's blog post which doubled down on her transphobia. It also was before the vile article in the Sun which gave a front page interview with her abuser. This podcast alludes to some of these events but is *not* about them. We would like to express solidarity with all survivors of abuse, as well as with the trans community.
Scottish Beasts and Where to Find Them
Wolves, beavers, bears, oh my! This week Johnny leads the gang in discussing Scottish animals over the last 2000 years, from species which have been wiped out (thanks, humans) to those which have been introduced (Wallabies??) and asks the question; will wolves ever roam the forests of Scotland again?
The Porteous Riots
In this episode, the gang discuss the Porteous Riots. A dramatic event in Edinburgh's history which started with the Town Guard firing into a crowd and ended in the lynching of Captain John Porteous. CW. Lynching. Cast Fraser Medvedik-Horn Johnney Rhodes Roisin Caird Music by Adam Logan
The Gorbals Vampire
This week, the Gang investigates the Gorbals Vampire, an intriguing tale of mass hysteria, censorship, and a weird old witch who eats babies.
The Battle of Bannockburn
In this episode, the gang look into the Battle of Bannockburn. A high point of the Wars of Scottish Independence and one of the most key battles in the history of the British Isles. Cast: Fraser Medvedik-Horn Roisin Caird Johnney Rhodes Music by Adam Logan
Celt-O-Mania
This week we delve into the Celts, specifically questioning - who were they, and who are they now? Roisin hosts, Fraser and Johnny interact and music, as always, by Adam Logan. Note: The first five minutes of the original recording were lost due to issues with Zoom, so rather than re-record Roisin has added a quick recap at the start of the show. Enjoy!
The Waters of Life
In the first episode of True Scotsman Podcast, the history and current affairs podcast of three Scottish tour guides, the gang delve into Scottish whisky with an eye to understanding who else in the world is like us Scots. Cast Fraser Medvedik-Horn Roisin Caird Johnney Rhodes Music 'Skies of Rain' by Adam Logan