Scots Whay Hae‪!‬ Alistair Braidwood

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to Jane-Ann Purdy & Douglas Robertson to learn all about this year's Edinburgh Tradfest, which is on between the 3rd - 13th May.

They take us through the amazing line-up for 2024, with some of the finest bands and musicians around, as well as giving some history to the festival, and a run down of the various strands this year, which include film, workshops, talks, ceilidhs, storytelling, art exhibitions, and more.

Douglas and Jane-Ann also explain about the work of the Soundhouse Organisation (which they are both central to) and the importance of working with a variety of partners.

The three also discuss the healthy state of folk and traditional music in this country, as well as the collaborative, often cross-genre, nature of the music made by many of those in attendance.

It's an informative and enthusiastic conversation which we hope will fire your interest in what's happening at Edinburgh Tradfest 2024.

For full details, including all the relevant links and all the ways to listen, head to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to CD Boyland to hear all about The Glasgow Review of Books, and particularly the Live Hip-Hop + Poetry night which will be at Stereo in Glasgow on 26th May.

CD talks about the line-up, which includes Darren McGarvey, Iona Lee, Billy Letford, Imogen Stirling, Texture, and Johnny Cypher, all hosted by Loud Poets' Kevin Mclean.

The two then talk about the work of The Glasgow Review of Books, how it began, CD's role as co-editor, how people can submit and get involved, creating a space for Gaelic and Scots writing, and so much more.

The Glasgow Review Of Books is a wonderful resource for anyone with an interest in literature, taking Glasgow as its starting point, but covering writers and writing on a national, and international, basis. The level of discussion and criticism is informed and accessible, and at a time when the arts are under real threat it's heartwarming to hear about the work CD, his colleagues, and the contributors do.

For full details, including relevant links and all the ways to listen, head to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

The latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast is all about the new experimental work 'Futuristic Folktales', and Ali caught up with Dance-theatre artist and director Charlotte Mclean, writer Nelly Kelly and composer Malin Lewis to learn all about it.

They each break down their individual roles before talking about the collaborative process involved, and how working together was inspirational, and educational, for them all. The talk also turns to the other members of the team, and the joys, and challenges, of making live theatre and going on tour, and how this was not only a new experience for the artists and performers, but how that will translate to audiences as well.

It's a warm and informative conversation about an exciting piece of dance-theatre which promises to inspire and uplift, and we hope it will leave you wanting to experience it for yourself.

For further details, including relevant links and all the ways to listen, head to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast - the second relating to this year's Paisley Book Festival - Ali spoke to writers Alan Bissett and Brian Conaghan, who will be at the festival alongside Graeme Armstrong as part of the Scottish Masculinities event - Sunday 28th April, 5-6pm.

Alan and Brian talk in detail about their latest books; 'Lads' and 'Treacle Town' respectively, and how they relate to the theme of masculinity. They also talk about the project where they have been involved with young people in Renfrewshire and Glasgow schools, the lessons they learned from their own experiences, the generational differences they have noticed, and the importance of conversation.

The three also discuss some of the novels which have helped shaped them, the work of Des Dillon, the impact of Graeme's novel 'The Young Team', and the importance of the culture which originates from towns on the national psyche. It's a cracking conversation which only scratches the surface of the subject, and which will hopefully whet appetites for Alan, Brian, and Graeme's event.

For full details, including the relevant links and all the ways to listen, head over to ⁠https://www.scotswhayhae.com⁠

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to Jess Orr, the Associate Programmer for the Paisley Book Festival, to learn all about this year's programme - and what a programme it is.

Jess explains this year's theme 'Imagine Something Different' as well as breaking down the various strands of the festival which include 'The Beautiful Game', 'Oot and Aboot', and 'Ireland in Focus'.

She also talks about the Family Day and the extensive Schools programme, before the two go into details about just some of the individual events across the festival, as well as where to find all the necessary details.

It's a thorough and enthusiastic conversation which really whets the appetite for what's to come. In its five-year lifespan Paisley Book Festival has quickly become a highlight of Scotland's cultural calendar, and, with events being held in new venues including Paisley Town Hall and Paisley Central Library, this years is set to be the best yet.

For further details, including all the ways to listen, head to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to writer Martin Stewart about his new novel 'Double Proof', a Glasgow-set crime thriller that both embraces and subverts genre stereotypes and expectations.



Martin talks about how he views the novel, the pressures he initially felt in setting it in Glasgow, and the joy of overcoming those, the importance of comedy in his writing, the healthy state, and diverse nature, of Scottish crime fiction, the writers who inspired him, taking the author out of the book, his approach to creating characters, and so much more.

The two also talk about the processes of editing and publicising a novel, writing for different readerships, encouraging and supporting the next generation of writers, and what Martin hopes is next for his protagonist Robbie Gould.

Better known, so far, as a children's and YA author, it was fascinating to talk to Martin about his first foray into the murky world of crime fiction, and to hear an author who clearly thinks deeply about what he writes, and how.

For full details, including all the ways to listen and relevant links, go to https://www.scotswhayhae.com