Scotcast

Episod

• 
  Scientist: ‘We can stop dementia in a generation’ 25.09.2026 23min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Weight-loss jabs and the NHS: a 'national disgrace'?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0nml1lzAround 90,000 people are living with dementia in Scotland – and about 144,000 people care for them. But how close are we to stopping dementia in its tracks, through testing and preventative treatments? The neuroscientist Professor Tara Spires Jones says we’re closer than you think. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: [email protected]
• 
  Independence manoeuvres, council shake-ups and political GIFs – Politics Show 24.09.2026 27min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘Can Michael Marra stick to his indyref2 position?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0031ss7Natalie, Phil and former the Scottish Labour MSP Paul O’Kane talk about John Swinney’s (pictured) Holyrood motion on independence and how the new Scottish Labour leader Michael Marra (pictured) responded – plus the proposed major changes to councils and Rory Stewart’s viral moment. Photo: PA Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode of the Politics Show is hosted by Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: [email protected]
• 
  Sandie Peggie takes on her trade union 23.09.2026 21min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘Is the Sandie Peggie ruling discredited?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002njywSandie Peggie (pictured) is taking legal action against her trade union, the Royal College of Nursing, in a dispute over her gender-critical beliefs. Martin talks to the BBC’s Lorna Gordon, who watched the opening day of evidence at the employment tribunal in Dundee. Photo: PA Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler. Get in touch: [email protected]
• 
  The new killer drugs flooding Scotland 22.09.2026 23min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Our problem with drugs’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0029hchScotland’s drug supply is getting more and more dangerous, according to Dr Lorna Nisbet (pictured) of Dundee University's Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science. That’s because a new type of synthetic opioid, called nitazenes, are flooding the market. Five hundred times more potent than heroin, a single grain can kill. Martin Geissler speaks to the BBC’s James Cook about the criminal gangs making these drugs, and how law enforcement struggles to keep up. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. Get in touch: [email protected]
• 
  Can Michael Marra stick to his indyref2 position? 21.09.2026 25min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘The Scottish Labour leadership interviews’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0030b3dMichael Marra (pictured) overcame fellow MSP Joe Fagan to be elected Scottish Labour’s eleventh leader. As MSPs prepare to vote on the principle of self-determination, we ask the Daily Record’s Chris McCall and ex-Labour spokesperson James Matthewson how Marra will deal with questions about another independence referendum. Photo: PA Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler. Get in touch: [email protected]
• 
  'I had brain surgery to deal with chronic pain' 18.09.2026 26min

  If you're interested in this episode, you may also like: 'What it’s really like in A&E right now' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0030yhwCara McKee (pictured) was elected a Scottish Green MSP in May 2026, following decades living with a mysterious chronic pain. She talks to Laura about fighting for a diagnosis for trigeminal neuralgia - and her recovery from brain surgery. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Laura Miller. Get in touch: [email protected]
• 
  Cardiff talks, data centres and Scottish Labour leader – Politics Show 17.09.2026 28min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘Does the Cardiff summit boost indyref2 hopes?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0031h0nDavid, Lynsey and former Deputy First Minister Shona Robison talk about John Swinney's meeting with the leaders of Plaid Cymru and Sinn Féin; the data centre debate at Holyrood; and the Scottish Labour leadership race. Photo: PA Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode of the Politics Show is hosted by David Wallace Lockhart and Lynsey Bews. Get in touch: [email protected]
• 
  Octopus CEO on energy bills, Jackdaw and heavy metal 16.09.2026 27min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘How big is the Jackdaw decision’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00315syGreg Jackson (pictured) is the chief executive of Octopus Energy, the UK’s biggest domestic energy supplier. He talks to us about household bills, AI data centres and Rammstein. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler. Get in touch: [email protected]
• 
  AI and data centres: what now? 15.09.2026 26min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: 'Octopus CEO on energy bills, Jackdaw and heavy metal' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0031hbwJacob Coxon (pictured), who quit AI giant Anthropic, has said people working on artifical intelligence are“genuinely frightened” by its advances. As MSPs prepare to vote on a Scottish Greeen motion to block the construction of new AI data centres, we talk to the the BBC’s Graham Fraser and Joe Tidy. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler. Get in touch: [email protected]
• 
  Does the Cardiff summit boost indyref2 hopes? 14.09.2026 24min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: 'Has Burnham caved on indyref2?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00315w2The first ministers of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have declared "Westminster's time is coming to an end" at a summit in Cardiff.We speak to The Herald’s Rebecca McCurdy and our Westminster correspondent Paris Gourtsoyannis whether the gathering boosts SNP leader John Swinney’s independence strategy. Photo: PAScotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler.Get in touch: [email protected]
• 
  Why are so many young men committing sex crimes? 11.09.2026 26min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘How we convicted killer husband and made legal history’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002tzhlSexual crimes recorded by Police Scotland are at their highest level since 1971. With the Scottish Government preparing to recognise misogyny as a "distinct form of prejudice and abuse" in law, we speak to Karyn McCluskey (pictured left), formerly of the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit, and criminal defence lawyer Tony Lenehan KC (pictured right).Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Laura Miller.Get in touch: [email protected]
• 
  Has Burnham caved on indyref2? – Politics Show 10.09.2026 27min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘Has Swinney had a good (re)start?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0030xdvDavid, Lynsey and former Alba Party adviser Kirk Torrance talk about Andy Burnham’s independence comments; SNP ministers dealing with negative headlines; and Nicola Sturgeon teaming up with Michael Gove to take on Russia.Photo: PAScotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode of the Politics Show is hosted by David Wallace Lockhart and Lynsey Bews.Get in touch: [email protected]
• 
  Is the housing crisis fuelling anti-immigration tension? 09.09.2026 22min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘Is the far-right behind the demos on our streets?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002yw1xPolice are treating a fire at a housing association tenement in Glasgow as deliberate amid social media claims it was being renovated for asylum seekers. We ask the BBC’s Chris Clements and Jen Gracie from the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations who gets priority for social housing in Scotland – and why we’re not building enough homes. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler. Get in touch: [email protected]
• 
  What has happened to Scottish education? 08.09.2026 28min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘What is school for? - The Education Debate’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0ngbw3lThere has been a decline in attainment in maths and reading in Scotland, according to the Pisa international study of education standards in secondary schools. We ask the BBC's Lucy Adams and former headteacher John McGhee (pictured), Glasgow City Council’s director of education, why standards are falling. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler. Get in touch: [email protected]
• 
  How big is the Jackdaw decision? 07.09.2026 24min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘What will Burnham do about North Sea oil and gas?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002yvvyThe UK government is set to approve the Jackdaw gas field off the coast of Aberdeen, the BBC understands. We talk to the BBC’s James Cook and Paris Gourtsyannis about the environmental and political significance of allowing the project to go ahead. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Laura Miller. Get in touch: [email protected]
• 
  Who are the hackers behind the scams that steal your data? 04.09.2026 25min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Who hacked M&S’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002d80dJude McCorry (pictured) is chief executive of the Edinburgh-based Cyber and Fraud Centre Scotland. She talks to us about 'ethical' hacking and the inside story of the cyber attack on car dealership Arnold Clark in 2022. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Laura Miller. Get in touch: [email protected]
• 
  Has Swinney had a good (re)start? – Politics Show 03.09.2026 29min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘Will the NHS shake-up end A&E ‘corridor care’? https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0030yhwDavid, Lynsey and Nicola Sturgeon’s former chief of staff Liz Lloyd talk about the Programme for Government; the SNP’s independence strategy; and why First Minister John Swinney (pictured) was concerned about Stephen Flynn's World Cup plans. Photo: PA Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode of the Politics Show is hosted by David Wallace Lockhart and Lynsey Bews.
• 
  What it’s really like in A&E right now 02.09.2026 25min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘How to fix the NHS – The Health Debate’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0ndvclmIn his Programme for Government, First Minister John Swinney promised 'radical' reform of public services, including cutting the number of health boards. We ask A&E consultant Dr Jayne McLaren, vice-chair of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine in Scotland, whether NHS reform can help hospitals’ beleaguered emergency departments. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by John MacKay and Laura Miller. Get in touch: [email protected]
• 
  Will the SNP’s food price cap happen? 01.09.2026 24min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘How we'll avoid a food shortage’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00300w9Twenty-three organisations have written a joint-letter to John Swinney (pictured), urging the First Minister to scrap plans for a legal cap on some food and drink prices. We ask the BBC’s David Wallace Lockhart and Ewan MacDonald-Russell from the Scottish Retail Consortium whether the policy, a key pledge in the SNP's Holyrood 2026 election manifesto, is likely to be implemented. Photo: PAScotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by John MacKay. Get in touch: [email protected]
• 
  Old Firm sanctions: why football bosses got tough 31.08.2026 25min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘Who’s to blame for Old Firm bedlam?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002sdxpRangers and Celtic will both play a game behind closed doors as punishment for the crowd trouble which marred a Scottish Cup tie between the clubs. The BBC’s Chris McLaughlin explains why the Scottish Football Association (SFA) imposed such a tough penalty. And we talk to former Celtic and Hibernian player Scott Allan about an SFA 'summit' on the future of Scottish football. Photo: PA Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by John MacKay. Get in touch: [email protected]