Scotcast
BBC Radio Scotland
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Scotcast is BBC Radio Scotland's news podcast focusing on Scottish current affairs and stories. Hosted by Martin Geissler, Laura Miller, and Natalie Higgins, it offers analysis and discussion of the week's key events in Scotland. Each episode features reporting and conversation on politics, culture, and issues affecting people across the country.
Episodes
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What should happen to BBC Scotland? 07.10.2026 25mIf you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘STV boss on costs, cuts and a backlash’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002nkwsThe BBC’s new director general Matt Brittin has said that some channels and radio stations may have to go as the corporation faces a drop in licence fee payers and an audience rapidly moving online. Martin Geissler speaks to TV industry veteran Stuart Cosgrove about whether the BBC Scotland channel could be at risk – and what impact that could have on what programmes are made. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. Get in touch: [email protected] -
Why Scottish Greens waded into the Zionism row 06.10.2026 22mIf you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘Meet the new Scottish Green leaders’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002j5l7Ross Greer (pictured) has said Zionism is racist, following a controversial motion approved by the Green Party of England and Wales. We dissect Martin’s BBC Radio Scotland interview with the Scottish Green co-leader. Photo: PA Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: [email protected] -
What on earth is going on at Celtic? 05.10.2026 24mIf you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘Old Firm sanctions: why football bosses got tough’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0030xb8Celtic’s major shareholder Dermot Desmond (pictured) has been targeted by fans critical of the 76-year-old's stewardship of the club. Martin talks to The Herald’s Stephen McGowan and Tino Callaghan, host of the Celtic Exchange podcast, about the Celtic Fan Collective’s tennis ball protest in St Andrews – and the furious reaction it provoked. Photo: PA Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler. Get in touch: [email protected] -
Humza Yousaf on Gaza and life as FM in Sturgeon’s shadow 02.10.2026 33mIf you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Shona Robison on Sturgeon, Murrell and her stalker’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0nz42h1Humza Yousaf was the first First Minister to have family stuck in an active war zone while doing the top job. In his new book ‘Under Fire’, he details the four weeks his in-laws were in Gaza, just after the October 7th attack by Hamas on Israel - and the subsequent Israeli bombardment of the territory.Laura Miller talks to him about dealing with a family emergency, being First Minister in Nicola Sturgeon’s shadow and his plans for the future. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. Get in touch: [email protected] -
Will Burnham’s big sell work in Scotland? - Politics Show 01.10.2026 27mIf you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: Independence manoeuvres, council shake-ups and political GIFs – Politics Show https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0031vgqNatalie, Phil and former Labour adviser James Matthewson talk about what the end of the triple lock on pensions could mean in Scotland; Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s (pictured) decision to address the future of the union in his conference speech; and when the next general election will be. Photo: PA Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode of the Politics Show is hosted by Natalie Higgins and Phil Sim. -
What has changed in the way rape cases are heard? 30.09.2026 26mIf you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Why are so many men committing sex crimes?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0p90gzqA High Court ruling last week changed how corroboration can be used in sexual offence cases. Many of Scotland's leading criminal defence lawyers believe this could risk the accused’s right to a fair trial. Edith Forrest KC talks to Martin Geissler about what has changed – and how that is impacting how cases are heard.Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast.Get in touch: [email protected] -
The Promise: a government hamstrung by bureaucracy? 29.09.2026 24mThe government is failing to deliver ‘The Promise’ - first made by Nicola Sturgeon in 2016 – to support all the 12,000 kids living in care. That’s the verdict of the oversight board in a new report. Its boss tells us about the level of government bureaucracy he faces – and what needs to change. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler. Get in touch: [email protected] -
Glasgow City Council vs the unions - what next? 28.09.2026 26mGlasgow City Council has agreed to pause plans to fire and rehire more than 23,000 members of staff. Martin is joined by journalists Catriona Stewart from the Scotsman and Beth Templeton from the Glasgow Bell about why this story is decades in the making, and how might it be resolved. Photo: PA Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler. Get in touch: [email protected] -
Scientist: ‘We can stop dementia in a generation’ 25.09.2026 23mIf 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 27mIf 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 21mIf 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 23mIf 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 25mIf 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 26mIf 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 28mIf 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 27mIf 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 26mIf 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 24mIf 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 26mIf 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 27mIf 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]
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