Scots Whay Hae!

Scots Whay Hae! made the trip to Summerhall in Edinburgh to talk to writer, poet, playwright and polymath, Ron Butlin about his life and work. The result is just under an hour of informative and entertaining chat that is a must listen for anyone interested in writing. Of course, we would say that, but it doesn’t make it any less true. If you have never listened to a Scots Whay Hae! podcast before then we suggest this is the perfect place to start.

Ian and Ali have been trying to get Lloyd Meredith on the podcast for some time, and this month they get their man. As music blogger Peenko he was one of Scottish music’s greatest champions, and, alongside Halina Rifai, he founded Olive Grove Records, who are home to Jo Mango, Woodenbox, The Son(s), Call To Mind and more. He also manages Randolph’s Leap as well. All of the above are some of Scots Whay Hae!’s favourite bands and musicians, and what unfolds on the pod is basically one fanboy talking to another about Olive Grove and much more.

Back in the early summer Ali went to talk to Alasdair Gray about his love of reading and the importance of being carefully taught from an early age. The conversation formed the basis of an article for the NLS magazine, Discovery, and you can read the longer version at Scots Whay Hae! now. Ian couldn't be there to record, so apologies if the sound is a little erratic.

Ian and Ali made the picturesque trip to Braemar to talk to Alasdair Roberts and Ross Whyte about their collaborative project as musicians in residence. The chat takes place in one of Braemar’s churches where the two have been recording, and which lends a certain atmosphere to matters which you wouldn’t normally get in the Scots Whay Hae! kitchen. After an initial discussion about their time in Braemar, talk turns to the nature of collaboration, how to marry different styles of music, and how to convey a sense of place artistically.

The Scots Whay Hae! Podcast makes a timely return as the latest is all about the forthcoming Empire Café. Ali talks to Louise Welsh and Jude Barber, the driving forces behind the series of events, and matters are rounded off by a reading from one of the many contributors, Glasgow's new Poet Laureate, Jim Carruth.

In the latest podcast, Ian and Ali are joined by journalist Peter Ross to talk abut his life as a writer, and the publication of his collection of articles ‘Daunderlust: Dispatches From Unreported Scotland'. The chat touches upon chippies, pub-life, the shows, Dashing White Sergeants, the strange traditions of some Scottish towns and the suspicious nature of the ‘Doo Men'. It all adds up to one of the most enjoyable hours we have had in some time, as one of Scotland's best journalists takes us on an alternative tour of Scotland.

Ian and Ali took a trip to Bridgeton to talk to Dr Adele Patrick, co-founder of and Lifelong Learning and Creative Development Manager for Glasgow Women's Library. The interview takes place in the old public library on Landressy St, which is the latest home of the GWL, and, having seen their plans, will be for the foreseeable future. Adele talks about the inspiration behind the formation of the library, the difficulties of the early days, and their often nomadic history. She also talks about the terrific 21 Revolutions, the recent publication of new writing, essays and prints inspired by the collection at the library. If you listen to a more interesting and engaging podcast this year, you'll be a very lucky person.

Ali and Ian headed down Leith Walk to talk to broadcaster, writer, journalist and all round gent, Vic Galloway, who talks about his book 'Songs in the Key of Fife' and so much more all recorded for your pleasure.

On the latest podcast Ian, Chris and Ali were joined by Ryan Drever, music journalist and bass player with the mighty PAWS, to talk about the great and good, and not so good, of the last 12 months. WARNING: may contain the views of Ronnie Young

The latest podcast is one we've been promising for some time, but I'll think you'll agree it was worth the wait. We first spoke to Billy Letford about being a guest way back at the Margins Festival in February of 2012, and we have finally worn him down, with Ali, Chris and Ian catching up with him just before he recently departed for India. Right from the off, Billy charms and disarms as he takes us through his life as a poet, before the chat widens out to talk about the role poetry plays in everyone's life.

The Bottle Imp by Robert Louis Stevenson is read by Louise Welsh“The Bottle Imp” is usually found in the short story collection Island Nights' Entertainments, also know as his South Sea Tales.Louise Welsh is a writer based in Glasgow. She is the author of The Cutting Room (Canongate, 2003), Tamburlaine Must Die (Canongate, 2004); The Bullet Trick (Canongate, 2006); Naming the Bones (Canongate, 2010); and The Girl on the Stairs (John Murray, 2012). Her new book, A Lovely Way to Die (John Murray), will be published in March 2014. She wrote the libretto for Ghost Patrol (composer Stuart MacRae), an hour-long opera produced by Scottish Opera and Music Theatre Wales, which won a South Bank Award and was shortlisted for an Olivier Award (2013). Louise was a visiting fellow on the University of Iowa's International Writing Program (2011) and was writer in residence at the University of Glasgow and Glasgow School of Art (2010–2012).Produced by Alistair Braidwoodand Ian Gregson at Scots Whay Hae! on behalf of the Asso

The Tale of Tod Lapraik by Robert Louis Stevenson is read by James Robertson“The Tale of Tod Lapraik” is from Stevenson's novel Catriona, his sequel to Kidnapped, where it is told by the character Black Andie.James Robertson is a novelist and poet who grew up in Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire. He is the author of several short story and poetry collections, and has published five novels to date: The Fanatic (Fourth Estate, 2000); Joseph Knight (Fourth Estate, 2003); The Testament of Gideon Mack (Hamish Hamilton, 2006); And the Land Lay Still (Hamish Hamilton, 2010); and The Professor of Truth (Hamish Hamilton, 2013). He also runs the independent publishing company Kettillonia, and is a co-founder (with Matthew Fitt and Susan Rennie) and general editor of the Scots language imprint Itchy Coo, which produces books in Scots for children and young people.Produced by Alistair Braidwood and Ian Gregson at Scots Whay Hae! on behalf of the Association of Scottish Literary Studies.

The latest podcast is a bit of cross promotion as it is a Robert Louis Stevenson special which has Ali talking to Louise Welsh and Ronnie Young about the great man, as well as a pre-recorded interview with James Robertson. It's all part of our celebration of Stevenson, and you'll be able to hear Louise join James and Alan Bissett reading three of RLS's finest supernatural tales in our special podcasts. If you subscribe, you'll get them all.

Thrawn Janet by Robert Louis Stevenson is read by Alan Bissett.“Thrawn Janet” is usually found in the collection Merry Men and Other Tales and Fables and is one of Stevenson's finest supernatural stories.Alan Bissett is a writer, dramatist and performer, born and raised in Falkirk and now resident in Glasgow. He is the author of the novels Boyracers (Polygon, 2001); The Incredible Adam Spark (Headline, 2005); Death of a Ladies' Man (Hachette, 2009); and Pack Men (Hachette, 2011). His dramatic works include The Ching Room and The Moira Monologues (both 2009). Most recently he enjoyed considerable critical success at the 2013 Edinburgh Festival Fringe with his one-man show, Ban This Filth!Produced by Alistair Braidwoodand Ian Gregson at Scots Whay Hae! on behalf of the Association for Scottish Literary Studies.

The latest Scots Whay Hae! Podcast saw the editors of three of Scotland's finest literary magazines climb the stairs to talk to Ali about the how, whys and what next's, and their hopes and dreams, for the respective publications. They are Helen Sedgwick from Gutter Magazine, Gabriella Bennett from Valve Journal and Samuel Best from Octavius, and the talk ranged from influences, inspirations, themes, writers, readers, design, editorial decisions, live events and the importance of a mutually supportive literary community.

The latest podcast is a fascinating chat with author James Robertson who talks Scott, MacDiarmid and Hogg, the importance of recognising a native language to any culture and learning lessons from history, as well as talking us through all of his own work. May I humbly suggest that if you only listen to one Scots Whay Hae! podcast, this is the one to choose. It's certainly the most interesting afternoon Ali and Ian have spent in some time.

The latest podcast is one of our mildly popular musical themed recordings and it has live music and chat from Jack James, a singer/songwriter who has made one of the albums of the year so far with Is That The Rain On? He plays us three songs in what has come to be known by almost nobody as the Live Lounge, before he joins Ali, Chris and Ian in the kitchen for a chat about the best Scottish albums of last year, and the value or otherwise of the Scottish Album of the Year Awards.

The latest podcast saw writer Karen Campbell pop in to talk about her latest novel This Is Where I Am. It's a great chat about some problems with publishing, why the saying, “you can't judge a book by its cover” holds true, the importance of a writing community, and the balance between using research and your own voice. If you're interested in writing, or reading, then it is a must listen.

Ali and Ian make their now annual pilgrim east to meet novelist Doug Johnstone. As usual the most interesting stuff happens off mike, but there is enough good chat on life, death, family and more death to satisfy the most demanding listener.

In this, the second of our podcasts celebrating Glasgow and film, Ali and Ian are joined by film critic, blogger and editor Nicola Balkind to talk about ‘World Film Locations: Glasgow', which she has edited. The chat is an amiable and informative ramble around that city talking film before Nicola takes us through five of her favourite things. What more can you ask for?