Scotcast

BBC Radio Scotland
  • 4.5 (37)
  • NEWS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Scotcast

The BBC's Scottish news podcast, hosted by Martin Geissler. Conversation with trusted journalists and experts about the country's biggest stories.

  1. Abortion buffer zones: is prayer a crime?

    5 HR AGO

    Abortion buffer zones: is prayer a crime?

    The arrest of 74-year-old Rose Docherty outside a Glasgow abortion clinic for breaching the Safe Access Zone Act has put Scotland’s buffer zone law back in the spotlight. As anti-abortion campaigners 40 Days for Life pledge not to break the law during upcoming vigils, we ask Gillian Mackay – the Green MSP who came up with it – and Lois McLatchie Miller from Christian campaign group Alliance Defending Freedom International if US Vice President JD Vance was wrong to say private prayer can be a criminal offence. And after an eye-catching newsroom email, Laura reveals she always sniffs the office milk. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

    31 min
  2. Gender: are politicians pivoting?

    4 DAYS AGO

    Gender: are politicians pivoting?

    The changing room tribunal involving Sandie Peggie, Dr Beth Upton and NHS Fife has dominated headlines. As First Minister’s Questions gets fiery on the gender debate, we ask if the temperature of political opinion is changing. We speak to Mark Diffley, pollster and analyst, and BBC Scotland’s Chief Political Correspondent, Lynsey Bews. And an archaeologist from Galashiels finds a pharaoh’s tomb. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

    28 min
  3. People v. the pylons

    5 DAYS AGO

    People v. the pylons

    What’s the price of climate progress? As another Scottish pylon project is approved, the team hears about the communities in the way of the green energy revolution. Prime Minister Keir Starmer calls them Nimbys (Not in my back yard). But campaigner Kate Matthews tells us how 70m monster pylons will blight the landscape around her home in Aberdeenshire. Kate is from one of the many local groups fighting pylons, substations and battery energy storage systems being built across the country. BBC Scotland Environment Correspondent Kevin Keane joins her in the studio. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast with Martin Geissler and Laura Miller. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

    27 min
  4. Why are energy bills still so high?

    6 DAYS AGO

    Why are energy bills still so high?

    Energy experts Cornwall Insight are predicting a 5% increase to typical household bills when Ofgem announces the latest change to the price cap. We ask David Sheppard from the Financial Times and fuel poverty campaigner Frazer Scott from Energy Action Scotland why prices aren’t coming down. And Laura and Martin have another debate about how to pronounce ‘Scotcast’.

    26 min
  5. What now for Scotland’s Ukrainians?

    17 FEB

    What now for Scotland’s Ukrainians?

    As world powers gather for talks to secure peace in Ukraine (without Ukraine), and Prime Minister Keir Starmer talks of sending British troops there, how do those who have fled the war view their future? Alona and Iryna, who arrived in Scotland after Russia’s invasion, tell us they don't know when (or whether) they can return home. And BBC Ukrainecast presenter Vitaliy Shevchenko reacts to an extraordinary week of news, which included a 90-minute phone call between US President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. And Martin praises David Tennant’s Sprechgesang effort at the Baftas. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

    28 min
  6. Is it time to scrap council tax?

    13 FEB

    Is it time to scrap council tax?

    The big council tax freeze is over. Scotland's local authorities are setting their tax rates, with many considering rises of up to 10 per cent to balance the books. It comes after years of concerns about pressures on local budgets. Roads filled with potholes, cuts to bin collections, schools in disrepair - these are some of the regular complaints. Is it time to rewrite the entire council tax system? We hear from Ross Greer of the Scottish Greens and BBC Political Correspondent Phil Sim. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

    28 min
  7. Who thinks lynx should roam the Highlands?

    12 FEB

    Who thinks lynx should roam the Highlands?

    First, four lynx. Then, a group of feral pigs let loose in the Cairngorms. Do the Highlands need the reintroduction of a permanent predator? We speak to rewilding campaigner Peter Cairns on the virtues of wild cats and wolves, and the BBC’s climate editor, Justin Rowlatt.

    28 min
  8. Uncovering a scandal

    11 FEB

    Uncovering a scandal

    A BBC investigation into Scotland's biggest children's psychiatric hospital, Skye House, has exposed a ‘culture of cruelty’ at the NHS unit in Glasgow. We hear from BBC Disclosure’s Mark Daly and Shelley Jofre about the art of investigative journalism in an era of fake news. They tell us how they made their documentary, Kids on the Psychiatric Ward, which features the testimony of six young women who were patients at the specialist unit for severe depression, eating disorders and other mental health conditions. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

    28 min
See All (26)

4.5
out of 5
37 Ratings

About

The BBC's Scottish news podcast, hosted by Martin Geissler. Conversation with trusted journalists and experts about the country's biggest stories.

Information

  • Creator
    BBC Radio Scotland
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2025
  • Show Website
    Scotcast

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