Scots Radio Special Edition

Wimen an lassies across the UK are being invited tae gaither in the streets on the four capital cities on the 10th June – tae tak pairt in a mass procession, to mark the centenary of the Representation o the People Act – that gave the first British wimen the richt tae vote. Tae fin oot mair aboot ‘Processions’, Frieda Morrison met up wi the Scottish Co-ordinator, Jean Cameron – ootside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.

Launch of the James Robertson Biography about the life of Dundee singer/songwriter Michael Marra.

In the wirds o the wise fowk – ivery mickle maks a muckle. In celebration o David Attenborough’s 100th birthday and his love o the links wi aa oor craturs in the warl, Frieda Morrison spoke tae the Chair o the Torry Heritage Group, John Dunn OBE, aboot the food cycle o the sea.   John is a retired Marine biologist fa wirked oot o the Marine Laboritory in Torry near Aiberdeen. He telt Frieda aboot the importance o wee fishies caad – Copepods. First – fit are they.

Trying to catch up with a legend like Dolina Maclennan is not easy.  Especially when the afore-mentioned actor is busy travelling hundreds of miles with a new stage production that entails a powerful evening of song, music and story with Dolina jointly narrating the story with writer Donald S Murray.  The music is performed by Charlie McKerron on fiddle, Lisa Mulholland on song and piano, Juliette Lemonie on Cello, John Joe McNeil with Gaelic song and Willie Campbell on guitar and song. With Art-work and images by Doug Robertson to set the scene, this is no ordinary stage production - more a stage ceilidh that is taking village halls and theatres by storm, all over Scotland. The production is called Metagama, An Atlantic Odyssey and it is enjoying a sell-out tour.  Frieda Morrison eventually caught up with Dolina before the cast embarked on stage at the Universal Hall in Findhorn, Morayshire. Dolina begins by unfolding the Story behind the production.

In 2018, the much- loved Leanchoil Maternity Hospital near Forres in Morayshire, was closed, due to staffing difficulties. But now a historic community asset transfer, by NHS Grampian, is about to be finalised and will lead to a refurbish and a re-purpose of the Hospital on the nine- acre site, for the community.   Marianne Nicolson, a Consultant Medical Oncologist, is the Chair of the Leanchoil Trust.  She told Frieda Morrison more about the plan and the background of this historic building. 

Norman and Robina Fiddes are twa busy fowk tae say the least. Norman is a fourth generation Aiberdeenshire  fairmer faa breeds pedigree Heilan cattle and Robina rins the Gordon School o Dancin in Montrose – fit his jist celebrated it’s 60th anniversary. Bit that’s nae aa! They hiv a ground-care company and a storage an distribution company an apairt fae that, they are the prood owners o an ivints company.  And that’s foo Frieda Morrison eventually managed tae trak them doon as she jined them for a Burns Supper at Meldrum Hoose near Old Meldrum in Aiberdeenshire.  The incredible story that is aboot tae unfold is a tribute to human endeavour an sheer strength o character.   First Norman tries tae find a job description.

Welcome to this Scots Radio Special Feature. I'm Frieda Morrison and a wee while ago, me an oor very talented soon sorter, fa guides us through the wiggley waves - Richie Werner – were presented wi a gem o a new album.  It's caad the ‘Songs o Robert Burns - bi Andy M.Stewart’.  As a tribute to Andy and in his memory, the album wis remastered and guided through that process, bi Andy's son Donald and Andy's close pal Martin Hadden. Richie an me had the pleasure o their company and first, Martin telt us aboot the first recording.