Épisodes

  • S3E11 Literary traveller Constance Ray (Lewis, Cruden Bay, Slains Castle and Bram Stoker's Dracula, Edinburgh's literary connections)
    Dec 9 2024
    My name is Alison Fraser and I love all things Scotland, the people, the food, the music and the places and my guests are people just like me. In this episode I’m joined by literary travel writer Constance Ray. Constance is from the US but is living in Germany. She did undergraduate studies in English literature and had the opportunity to study in London for a semester. She’s currently based in Europe where she started her literary travel blog. She says she believes literature is one of the best ways to have an authentic cultural experience of places. Literary travel is a trip to places given value by a literary figure or a literary work and events centered around literature. Constance’s links: https://www.awellreadwanderer.com/ https://awellreadwanderer.ck.page/signup Places Constance took us: Isle of Lewis https://www.isle-of-lewis.com/ Hebridean Way https://www.visitouterhebrides.co.uk/hebrideanway Calanais Stones https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/calanais-standing-stones/ Cruden Bay, Aberdeenshire https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/cruden-bay-p2564811 Slains Castle https://www.visitabdn.com/listing/slains-castle Greyfriars Kirkyard https://greyfriarskirk.com/visit/kirkyard/ Arthurs Seat https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/holyrood-park-and-arthurs-seat-p914341 Literary Pub Crawl https://www.edinburghliterarypubtour.co.uk/ Food and drink: Kilmarnock Arms https://www.kilmarnockarms.com/ Afternoon Tea https://everythingedinburgh.com/afternoon-tea-in-edinburgh/ Haggis https://theculturetrip.com/europe/united-kingdom/edinburgh/articles/top-10-places-to-have-haggis-in-edinburgh Books: Bram Stoker’s Dracula Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Sunset Song by Louis Grassic Gibbon Robert Burns poetry Robert Louis Stevenson’s poetry Music: Franz Ferdinand https://franzferdinand.com/ The View https://www.theviewofficial.com/ Skippinish https://www.skipinnish.com/ Paulo Nutini New Shoes https://youtu.be/hmbUNF1Q4R8?si=CeQLC7wnH3KrElPK If you want to share your ideal 24 hours in Scotland with me, or suggest a future guest, please do get in touch. You can email alison@alisonfraser.co or DM me at https://www.instagram.com/ourscotlandpodcast/
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    44 min
  • S3E10 Chemistry professor and musician Colin Campbell (Surgeon's Hall, Loch Rannoch, Wemyss Bay, Isle of Bute, Arisaig, Skye, Harris)
    Dec 2 2024
    Welcome to Our Scotland, the podcast where we take 24 hours in Scotland, add in teleportation, time travel and anything else we please to conjure up the day of our dreams. My name is Alison Fraser and in this episode I’m joined by Professor Colin Campbell. Colin is a professor at the University of Edinburgh where he is head of organic chemistry in the School of Chemistry. Colin is also a musician currently producing an album inspired by one of his favourite places in Scotland, which you will hear more about. Colin’s links: University profile: https://www.ed.ac.uk/profile/professor-colin-campbell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colincampbell63/ Places Colin took us: Surgeons Hall Museums, Edinburgh: https://museum.rcsed.ac.uk/ Loch Oschin Youth Hostel up in the, in the, in the middle of Rannoch Moor. https://www.hostellingscotland.org.uk/hostels/loch-ossian/ Loch Rannoch https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/loch-rannoch-p2569791 Glen Lyon and the Bridge of Balgie https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/perthshire/bridge-of-balgie.shtml Fortingall Yew https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/fortingall-yew-p2568631 Wemyss Bay https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/wemyssbay/wemyssbay/index.html Isle of Bute: https://www.visitbute.com/ Arisaig https://www.arisaiginfo.org.uk/ Five Sisters of Kintail walk https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/kintail/Fivesisters.shtm Loch Bracadale, Isle of Skye: https://scottishseakayaking.co.uk/trips/skye-raasay/loch-bracadale-wiay-island/ Macleod’s Maidens walk https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/skye/macleodsmaidens.shtml Skyeskyns tannery https://www.skyeskyns.co.uk/ Scarasta Beach, Harris https://www.visitouterhebrides.co.uk/see-and-do/traigh-scarista-p523441 Food and drink: Glen Lyon Post Office: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083019656442 The West End Cafe Rothesay https://www.facebook.com/p/The-West-End-Cafe-Rothesay-100083017428207/ Loch Bay https://www.lochbay-restaurant.co.uk/ Colin’s playlist: Inner Meet Me by The Beta Band Movin' On Up by Primal Scream Everything Flows by Teenage Fan Club Angie by Bert Jansch To Sir With Love by Lulu Make My Heart Fly by The Proclaimers Driftwood by Travis Ghosts by Lau Thunderstruck by Gordon Duncan: https://youtu.be/_EwDlUHoDFo?si=9mSpLI7-C7ApOV02 Sea of Okhotsk by Treeacherous Orchestra An Eagle in Your Mind by Boards of Canada Crossing the Minch on bagpipes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjlk7KYdGLA Theid mi dhachaidh 'chrò Chinn t-sàile (I will go home to Kintail) ⁠https://youtu.be/mUZDTQNghTI?si=07B-O1Z7BPU2C0b2⁠ Trainspotting scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCtPBFHKSNg Local Hero: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085859/ If you want to share your ideal 24 hours in Scotland with me, or suggest a future guest, please do get in touch. You can email alison@alisonfraser.co or DM me at https://www.instagram.com/ourscotlandpodcast/
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    1 h
  • S3E9 Exploring the rich history of The Machars - bookshop owner Jayne Baldwin on Wigtown and its surrounds
    Nov 25 2024
    Welcome to Our Scotland, the podcast where we take 24 hours in Scotland, add in teleportation, time travel and anything else we please to conjure up the day of our dreams. My name is Alison Fraser and in this episode I’m joined by Jayne Baldwin, a bookseller, writer and publisher who lives in Dumfries and Galloway. Jayne originally trained and worked as a journalist. She now brings those skills, researching and a nose for a good story, to her non fiction books. She says she’s fascinated by social history and although not an historian, she tries to give a voice to those people that have been overlooked or ignored. Jayne carries that over to this podcast in which you will learn more about the place Jayne calls home. Jayne’s links: https://foggietoddlebooks.co.uk/ https://www.amazon.com/Books-Jayne-Baldwin/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AJayne+Baldwin Places Jayne took us: Torhouse Stone Circle: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/torhouse-stone-circle/ Wigtown: https://www.wigtown-booktown.co.uk/ The Machars: www.themachars.co.uk Bladnoch Distillery: https://uk.bladnoch.com/ Port William: https://portwilliam.com/ Ring of Bright Water statue: https://themachars.co.uk/?Monreith Barhobble Church: https://www.britainexpress.com/scotland/Dumfries-Galloway/churches/barhobble.htm Isle of Whithorn: http://isleofwhithorn.com/ Cruggleton Castle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruggleton_Castle Garlieston: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garlieston Food and drink: ReadingLasses (books by and about women and seriously good cake) https://www.facebook.com/readinglasses17 Five Kingdoms Brewery: https://www.fivekingdomsbrewery.com/ The Harbour Inn, Garlieston: https://the-harbour-inn.co.uk/ The Hive in Garlieston https://www.facebook.com/thehivecoffeeshopgarlieston/ Jura Whisky: https://www.jurawhisky.com/en/ Books: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/1912014696?ref_=mr_referred_us_au_nz Ring of Bright Water by Gavin Maxwell https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/1910065099?ref_=mr_referred_us_au_nz Music: The Proclaimers The Bluebells: Young at Heart Deacon Blue: Dignity The Associates The Bookshop Band https://www.thebookshopband.co.uk/ Our Scotland season 3 playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7eCdQdEKOJbMtNQvScvVc3?si=RtsKCeDBQJy9qkL4_CkmKA Mary Queen of Scots’ visit to St Ninian’s: https://www.whithorn.com/mary-queen-of-scots-visit-to-whithorn/ Mulberry Harbour Project in Garlieston: https://mulberryharbour.info/ If you want to share your ideal 24 hours in Scotland with me, or suggest a future guest, please do get in touch. You can email alison@alisonfraser.co or DM me at https://www.instagram.com/ourscotlandpodcast/
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    51 min
  • S3E8 Crime writer Wendy Jones (Surgeons Hall, Arthur Conan Doyle, Stirling Castle and Dundee)
    Nov 18 2024

    Welcome to Our Scotland, the podcast where we take 24 hours in Scotland, add in teleportation, time travel and anything else we please to conjure up the day of our dreams.


    My name is Alison Fraser and I love all things Scotland, the people, the food, the music and the places and my guests are people just like me.


    In this episode I’m joined by crime fiction author Wendy Jones


    As well as being the author of the DI Shona McKenzie mysteries Wendy is the President of the Scottish Association of Writers, and a writing and marketing coach helping writers and authors realise their literary dreams.


    Wendy is going to take us on an adventure around Scotland - and with a bonus side trip.


    Wendy’s links:

    https://www.wendyhjones.com/


    Places Wendy’s took us:

    Surgeons Hall Museums, Edinburgh: https://museum.rcsed.ac.uk/

    Edinburgh’s Royal Mile: https://edinburgh.org/neighbourhoods/the-royal-mile/

    Sir Arthur Conan Doyle collection: http://www.acdfriends.org/

    The Writers’ Museum: https://www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk/venue/writers-museum

    Stirling Museum: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/stirling-castle/

    Dundee: https://www.dundee.com/


    Food and drink:

    Haggis, neeps and tatties.

    Bombay Joes in Broughty Ferry, Dundee: https://bombayjoes.uk/

    Taza in Dundee: https://www.taza.co.uk/


    Books:

    Three Sisters, Three Queens by Philippa Gregory: https://www.philippagregory.com/books/three-sisters-three-queens

    Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

    https://thebookhousebroughtyferry.co.uk/


    If you want to share your ideal 24 hours in Scotland with me, or suggest a future guest, please do get in touch.

    You can email alison@alisonfraser.co or DM me at https://www.instagram.com/ourscotlandpodcast/

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    40 min
  • S3E7 Writer AJ Merron on falling in love with Scotland (Edinburgh, Inverclyde, Loch Fleet, South Rona, Harris)
    Nov 11 2024
    Welcome to Our Scotland, the podcast where we take 24 hours in Scotland, add in teleportation, time travel and anything else we please to conjure up the day of our dreams. My name is Alison Fraser and I love all things Scotland, the people, the food, the music and the places and my guests are people just like me. In this episode I’m joined by writer James Merron, aka AJ Merron. James lives in Edinburgh but is originally from Lancashire. James describes himself as a hopeless romantic at heart who tends to live in a fantasy world of his own making. He writes poetry, has a YouTube channel of video essays delivered like letters of the romantics era, and a podcast where arts, media and philosophy collide. He’s currently working on plans for a creative retreat in a Highlands castle and researching the history of female monsters and demons for a fictionals book. James’s links: Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ajmerron_writes Instagram: instragram.com/ajmerron_writes Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ajmerron_writes Website: ajmerron.co.uk Places James took us: Edinburgh Waverley Station https://www.networkrail.co.uk/who-we-are/our-history/iconic-infrastructure/the-history-of-edinburgh-waverly-station/ Greenock, Gourock, Inverclyde https://discoverinverclyde.com/ Loch Fleet https://www.nature.scot/enjoying-outdoors/visit-our-nature-reserves/loch-fleet-national-nature-reserve South Rona https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Rona Shiant Isles https://www.shiantisles.net/ North Harris Eagle Observatory https://www.visitouterhebrides.co.uk/see-and-do/north-harris-eagle-observatory-p530121 Huisinis https://www.visitouterhebrides.co.uk/see-and-do/huisinis-beach-p523511 Food and drink: The Cove, Gourock https://thecovegourock.co.uk/ Eteaket https://www.eteaket.co.uk Music: Nina Nesbitt: https://ninanesbittmusic.com/ Seals singing: https://youtu.be/WYlLPyIeapg?si=MtFDUinWQOFGMW49 Machair Machair is a Gaelic word meaning fertile low lying grassy plain. This is the name given to one of the rarest habitats in Europe which only occurs on exposed western coasts of Scotland and Ireland. There are Machair habitats on the western shores throughout the islands. Here sand, largely made up of crushed shells, is regularly blown ashore by Atlantic gales. Over time the calcium rich shell sand and traditional Outer Hebrides crofting land practices have led to the development of a mosaic of fertile Scottish grassland habitats renowned for their Outer Hebrides wildflowers, Western Isles birds and insect life. https://www.visitouterhebrides.co.uk/see-and-do/wildlife/machair If you want to share your ideal 24 hours in Scotland with me, or suggest a future guest, please do get in touch. You can email alison@alisonfraser.co or DM me at https://www.instagram.com/ourscotlandpodcast/
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    53 min
  • S3E6 Eoin Smith takes us on a magical tour (Aviemore, John Henry Anderson's grave, Applecross, Kincraig, Fringe Festival, The Tunnels)
    Nov 4 2024

    Welcome to Our Scotland, the podcast where we take 24 hours in Scotland, add in teleportation, time travel and anything else we please to conjure up the day of our dreams.


    My name is Alison Fraser and I love all things Scotland, the people, the food, the music and the places and my guests are people just like me.


    In this episode I’m joined by Eoin Smith. Eoin is a multi-award-winning magician and author based in Aberdeen.


    As a magician, Eoin's performances have taken him across Scotland to five-star hotels, comedy and cabaret clubs, and beyond – including the stage of the 500-seater Tivoli Theatre, Aberdeen.


    As a writer, Eoin has had short stories and humour writing published around the world, including by Popshot, Two Fifty One and SANS. Press. He has also had features published by the likes of The Guardian, Q and Magic Magazine.


    Eoin is also an Explorer Scout Leader, and has been volunteering to provide 14-18 year olds with incredible experiences across Scotland for over 15 years.


    Eoin’s links:

    https://linktr.ee/eoin.smith


    Places Eoin took us:

    Aviemore https://www.alltrails.com/scotland/highlands/aviemore

    St Nicholas Kirkyard, Aberdeen, the grave of magician John Henry Anderson

    http://www.openspacetrust.org.uk/?p=646

    Road to Applecross https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTN46Rv6DVs

    Highland Wildlife Park, Kincraig https://www.highlandwildlifepark.org.uk/

    Edinburgh Fringe Festival https://www.edfringe.com/

    The Tunnels, Aberdeen https://www.facebook.com/tunnelsaberdeen/


    Food and drink:

    Butteries from The Bread Guy https://thebreadguysbakery.co.uk/

    Harry Gow bakery https://www.harrygow.co.uk/

    Restaurant Martin Wishart https://restaurantmartinwishart.co.uk/


    Music:

    Little Kicks https://www.thelittlekicks.co.uk/

    Frightened Rabbit https://www.frightenedrabbit.com/

    Eoin’s playlist:

    https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3bHExnyMo9IigA3ovmQXI4?si=40447c9d72294ebc


    If you want to share your ideal 24 hours in Scotland with me, or suggest a future guest, please do get in touch.

    You can email alison@alisonfraser.co or DM me at https://www.instagram.com/ourscotlandpodcast/

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    57 min
  • S3E5 Lindsay Bruce talks family holidays, thin spaces and a Scottish Cup Final (Millport, Harris, Motherwell)
    Oct 28 2024

    Welcome to Our Scotland, the podcast where we take 24 hours in Scotland, add in teleportation, time travel and anything else we please to conjure up the day of our dreams.


    My name is Alison Fraser and I love all things Scotland, the people, the food, the music and the places and my guests are people just like me.


    In this episode I’m joined by Lindsay Bruce, a features and obituaries writer for the Press and Journal, one of Scotland's oldest newspapers.


    Lindsay is a mum of two and describes herself as an avid Irn-bru drinker and crazy dog lady.


    During the pandemic Lindsay was treated for cancer and it was after that she and her family moved to Scotland, it had been 20 years since she had last lived there.


    Lindsay’s links:

    Press & Journal author profile: https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/author/lindsaybruce/


    Just Such A Time https://www.amazon.co.uk/Just-Such-Time-Reconnecting-God-given/dp/1908393750


    Lindsay’s story about her Papa’s letter to her Gran after the birth of her father

    https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/opinion/6495817/aberdeen-fathers-day-letter-makes-me-love-my-papa-more/


    Places Lindsay took us:

    Isle of Cumbrae: https://millport.org/

    Harris: https://www.visitscotland.com/places-to-go/islands/lewis-harris

    Motherwell https://www.visitscotland.com/info/towns-villages/motherwell-p237201

    Motherwell FC https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/


    Food and drink:

    Chapman’s Pies: http://jameschapmanbutchers.co.uk/shops-hours/


    Music:

    The Proclaimers - Sunshine on Leith soundtrack https://open.spotify.com/album/7sfXW3fw4RHGldmx0HeLP8

    Deacon Blue - Real Gone Kid https://open.spotify.com/track/1kBTjMOQcmrI5tW94GpdYG

    Celtic Christian music: https://open.spotify.com/album/6IRrCtHJN0Wf7Amb0WjS6N


    Scunnered: https://www.scotslanguage.com/articles/view/id/5115/type


    If you want to share your ideal 24 hours in Scotland with me, or suggest a future guest, please do get in touch.

    You can email alison@alisonfraser.co or DM me at https://www.instagram.com/ourscotlandpodcast/

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    48 min
  • S3E4 Writer Patti Callahan takes us timehopping (Edinburgh, Inverness)
    Oct 21 2024

    Welcome to Our Scotland, the podcast where we take 24 hours in Scotland, add in teleportation, time travel and anything else we please to conjure up the day of our dreams.


    My name is Alison Fraser and I love all things Scotland, the people, the food, the music and the places and my guests are people just like me.


    In this episode I’m joined by Seattle-based writer Patti Callahan.


    Patti has been a student, hairstylist, cocktail waitress, corporate professional, and small business owner. She’s also an expert multitasker who has pursued a lifelong love of travel, completed her MBA, and raised two sons. Patti maintains a blog on Medium - @novelsandtravels - and lives in the Pacific Northwest with dreams of an apartment in Europe to use as a home base for wandering the world.


    You’re going to hear a tale of two cities where Patti would love to spend her perfect Scottish day.


    Patti’s links:

    Blog: https://novelsandtravels.medium.com/

    Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Patti-Callahan/author/B006QB1ZXI?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

    Linktree: https://linktr.ee/novelsandtravels

    Places Patti took us:

    Edinburgh: https://everythingedinburgh.com/

    Writers Museum: https://www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk/venue/writers-museum

    Grassmarket: https://edinburgh.org/neighbourhoods/grassmarket/

    Inverness: https://www.visitinvernesslochness.com/

    Culloden House: https://www.cullodenhouse.co.uk/

    Culloden Battlefield: https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/culloden/

    Music:

    Loreena McKennitt: https://loreenamckennitt.com/

    Our Scotland Season 3 playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7eCdQdEKOJbMtNQvScvVc3?si=k9r6TsvkQsmiVgfmwaD-qw


    If you want to share your ideal 24 hours in Scotland with me, or suggest a future guest, please do get in touch.

    You can email alison@alisonfraser.co or DM me at https://www.instagram.com/ourscotlandpodcast/

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    43 min