Scots Whay Hae!

Alistair Braidwood
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Scots Whay Hae! Podcast

Scots Whay Hae! is the place to discuss modern Scottish Culture whatever and wherever that may be.

  1. Grant McPhee - Postcards from Scotland

    4 DAYS AGO

    Grant McPhee - Postcards from Scotland

    For the latest Scots Whay Hae! Podcast Ali spoke to filmmaker and writer Grant McPhee to talk about his book Postcards from Scotland: Scottish Independent Music 1983-1995 which is published by Omnibus Press. Grant talks about how the book came about and why these are the years he wanted to cover, his film Teenage Superstars which inspired it, how the structure is shaped by the interviews, his previous book Hungry Beat (written with Douglas Macintyre) which set the template, the importance of the legendary, and often misunderstood, C86 cassette, and how many of the musicians in the book changed, and continue to change, Scotland's cultural landscape. The two also discuss the importance of place in the story, particularly outside of the cities, as well as talking about some of the lesser known bands who appear on these pages. It's a comprehensive conversation as befits such a book which covers its subject so thoroughly, and it makes for the perfect accompaniment to the text and the music it celebrates. For full details, including all the ways to listen, head to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

    49 min
  2. Bloody Scotland - The McIlvanney Prize Finalists 2024

    12 SEPT

    Bloody Scotland - The McIlvanney Prize Finalists 2024

    The latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast is another collaboration with Bloody Scotland - Scotland's International Crime Writing Festival - where Ali spoke to the five shortlisted authors for this year's McIlvanney Prize which is awarded for the best Scottish crime book of the year. They include D.V. Bishop (A Divine Fury), Chris Brookmyre (The Cracked Mirror), Val McDermid (Past Lying), Abir Mukherjee (Hunted) and Kim Sherwood (A Spy Like Me). All the writers give a brief synopsis of their shortlisted novels before explaining a bit more about why they chose to wrote them, and agree that they once again prove the variety of crime writing at the moment. They also discuss the importance of literary prizes, and the impact not only of winning, but simply being long and/or shortlisted can have in terms of publicising and selling a novel, before setting out just why the crime-writing community is such a supportive and welcoming one. The McIlvanney Prize is one of the most significant literary prizes around, and a great guide as to the best crime fiction on offer, so it was such a pleasure, and a privilege, to be able to talk to these great authors. This is a podcast which will be of interest to readers, writers, and book lovers of all kinds, but especially if crime is your thing. And Bloody Scotland is on between 13th - 15th September. Tickets are on sale now. For full details, including all the ways to listen, head to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

    1h 9m
  3. Jenny Lecoat - Beyond Summerland

    10 SEPT

    Jenny Lecoat - Beyond Summerland

    For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to writer Jenny Lecoat about her new novel Beyond Summerland, which is published on the Polygon Books imprint of Birlinn Ltd. After offering a carefully considered description of the book - which is set on Jersey just after the Second World War - Jenny explained why she wanted to write about this time and place, her personal connections, and how occupation shaped the island and those who live there, something which continues to the modern day. The two also discuss what's interesting when writing about small communities, the joy of research, how the best historical novels speak to the present day, and if there are any comparisons between writing fiction and Jenny's other work, which includes film, TV, radio, and more. It was so interesting to be able to talk to Jenny about Beyond Summerland, a novel which can be read on a number of levels, and hear about her approach to writing. One for book lovers and writers alike. For full details, including all the ways to listen, head over to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

    40 min

  4. 6 SEPT

    Cathie Boyd - Sonica Festival 2024

    For the latest Scots Whay Hae! Podcast Ali spoke to the Founding Artistic Director of Cryptic Cathie Boyd to hear all about this year's Sonica Festival, which runs at 16 venues across Glasgow between 19th-29th September. Cathie talks about the history of both Cryptic and the Sonica Festival before taking us through just some of the extensive programme, the wide variety of what's on offer, the multiple venues where events will take place, before Ali offers his picks of the festival which prompts more detailed discussion. The two also talk about the importance of funding to festivals such as Sonica, and in the Arts and culture more generally, taking into consideration the recent news of the severe cuts to arts funding from the Scottish government leading Creative Scotland to close its Open Fund for Individuals arts grant. It was great to be able to talk to Cathie and get an insight into what is one of the highlights of the cultural year. And watch out for the p.s. at the end of the interview to find out about another festival highlight. For full details, including all the ways to listen, head to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

    34 min
  5. Claire Love Wilson & Peter Lorenz - Morag, You’re a Long Time Deid

    2 SEPT

    Claire Love Wilson & Peter Lorenz - Morag, You’re a Long Time Deid

    For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to creator and performer Claire Love Wilson and director and performance-maker Peter Lorenz to hear all about Morag, You’re a Long Time Deid which has just completed a full run at this year's Edinburgh Fringe, and is about to tour Scotland, Ireland, and England. Claire and Peter explain the inspiration behind the show, how the two met and then came to work together, the music and the influence of Scottish ballads, having to adapt for different venues, the collaborative nature of the piece, and working with An Tobar & Mull Theatre & The frank theatre. It was also fascinating to talk to people at the end of an Edinburgh Fringe run rather than about to begin to hear the reality rather than the expectation, the practicalities involved, and challenges faced. For full details, and all the ways to listen, head to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

    40 min
  6. Rodge Glass - Joshua In The Sky

    30 AUG

    Rodge Glass - Joshua In The Sky

    For the latest podcast Ali caught up with writer and academic Dr Rodge Glass to learn about his extraordinary new book, Joshua In The Sky: A Blood Memoir. It's a slightly different interview as Ali picks certain texts which are referenced throughout, allowing Rodge to talk about the book in a different way. Before that he explains who Joshua is and the reasons for writing Joshua In The Sky, and talks about HHT (Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia) the rare genetic disorder they share. The two then go on to talk about the work of Caroline Bird, Jenny Offill, Tom Leonard, Hassan Blasim, and Grace Paley, among others. They also discuss the life and work of Alasdair Gray and Michel Faber, both of whom Rodge has written biographies of, which raises the subject of memoir, the differing ways to approach the form, and how both these writers, and writing about them, feed into this one. Fittingly for a book which defies easy explanation, this is an insightful and honest conversation which touches upon just some of the themes in Joshua In The Sky and which will hopefully lead to you wanting to know more. For full details, including all the ways to listen, head to https://www.scotswhayhae.com Photos of Rodge Glass - credit Alan Dimmick

    1h 10m
  7. Jenny Colgan - Close Knit

    27 AUG

    Jenny Colgan - Close Knit

    For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to writer Jenny Colgan to hear all about her latest novel Close Knit, published by Hodder & Stoughton. Jenny talks about the personal inspirations behind Close Knit, how and why knitting is integral to the plot, the reasons behind the setting of Carso, and the north of Scotland more generally, why she made the novel contemporary, her approach to writing characters, and she felt it was vital to but community at the centre of events. She also stresses the importance of the romance in romantic comedy, sets out the challenges and rewards of writing dramatic scenes, and explains why she included instructions for knitting a bobble hat (and/or headband), with the hope that readers may find a new favourite hobby. Jenny also talks about her life as a writer, how it began, and how it's changed over the years. One of the most widely read authors to ever guest on the SWH! podcast, it was such a pleasure to be able to talk to Jenny Colgan about this new publication, and so much more. For full details, including all the ways to listen, head to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

    37 min
  8. Chris Brookmyre - The Cracked Mirror

    23 AUG

    Chris Brookmyre - The Cracked Mirror

    For the latest Scots Whay Hae! Podcast Ali spoke to crime writer Christopher Brookmyre to hear all about his intriguing new novel The Cracked Mirror, published on the Abacus imprint of Little, Brown Book Group. In an attempt to avoid all spoilers, Ali asks Chris to take the responsibility of describing the book, before talking about how he approached writing it, the specific inspirations behind it, the importance of respecting genres, creating his central characters, having a quote from Afghan Whig's song 'Debonair' as the epigraph (and the one that got away), the importance of place, and the inspirational tweet that began it all. He also tells us how collaborating with his wife Marisa Haetzman for the Ambrose Parry books changed his approach to writing more generally, the importance of planning, the challenges presented by historical fiction, and writing as a partnership. The two also discuss the impact of his debut novel Quite Ugly One Morning, and how its influence has endured, as well as the changes in the world of Scottish crime writing since its publication and the impact of the Bloody Scotland Festival and the crime community more generally. It's a podcast not only for fans of Chris Brookmyre (or Ambrose Parry), or even crime aficionados, but anyone interested in all things bookish as one of Scotland's most celebrated writers talks at length about his work and much more. For full details, including all the ways to listen, go to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

    47 min
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About

Scots Whay Hae! is the place to discuss modern Scottish Culture whatever and wherever that may be.

Information

  • Creator
    Alistair Braidwood
  • Years Active
    2011 - 2024
  • Episodes
    341
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Alistair Braidwood
  • Show Website
    Scots Whay Hae!

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