Simply Scottish

An introduction to Scotland's Borders on this episode of Simply Scottish, the first in a series. From sweeping valleys and heather-clad moorlands to emerald forests and rocky coastline, the Borders is a land of contrasting beauty. Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott loved this part of Scotland and paid homage to it in a number of his poems and novels. Learn more about Scott's life and work and discovery the majesty of the Borders region. Enjoy music by Kilmarnock Edition, Sharon King, Innes Watson, and more!

What's in a name? On this episode of Simply Scottish, discover the history behind the name Caledonia. Did you know the Romans never conquered Scotland despite numerous attempts? They just couldn't subdue the Caledonii, a fierce Pictish tribe occupying the wild lands of Caledonia. Learn their story and find out the many different ways the name is used today, from football teams to exotic islands. Plus, enjoy a short conversation with my three-year old daughter Caledonia! All this plus some great Caledonia songs - join the celebration!

A conversation with the artist and storyteller behind Disney/Pixar's animated film Brave on this episode of Simply Scottish! Discover the inspiration behind Chapman's idea of a Scottish fairytale and how she helped bring the movie to life! With 1998's The Prince of Egypt, Chapman broke new ground in Hollywood as the first female director of a major animated motion picture. She's worked on several Disney films, from The Little Mermaid to The Lion King. She helped establish Dreamworks Animation, and now, she has given Pixar their first female lead character, the fiery Scottish lass Merida! Listen to the interview along with beautiful music from Julie Fowlis, Anna Murray, and more!

The Father of America's National Parks is the subject of this episode! Enjoy an intimate look at John Muir, born and raised in Dunbar, whose passion for and undying commitment to the natural world caused millions to look at nature in a new light. Discover one of the animal stories Muir loved as a child in Scotland. Find out about the work accident that changed his life. Learn why he turned down a professorship at Harvard University. And see how you can continue the work of John Muir today. All this plus music from Brother, Dean Owens, the Black Irish Band, and more!

Learn things you never knew about tartan on this episode of Simply Scottish! Did you know America's FBI has its own tartan? Or that there was once a time when Highlanders were put in prison for wearing their plaid? Find out which tartan has been to the moon and back and discover more of the history, significance, and global appeal of tartan! All this plus great music from Salsa Celtica, Andy Stewart, Giveway, and others!

What's a wulver? Find out in part 3 of our series on Scottish Myths & Legends, in celebration of the Disney/Pixar movie Brave! Learn more about Scotland's famous coronation stone, the Stone of Destiny. Can it be traced all the way back to Biblical times? Was it brought to Scotland by Scoti, an Egyptian princess? We'll also discuss the life of 13th century laird and prophet Thomas the Rhymer, and we'll take a closer look at those ghostly lights known as Will o' the wisps. All this plus new music from The Proclaimers, Wolfstone, Capercaillie, and more!

More of Scotland's myths and legends in part two of our series celebrating the Disney/Pixar animated movie Brave! Did you know a spider may have been responsible for Scotland securing its independence from Edward I of England? Find out how as we explore a famous legend of Robert the Bruce. And was King Arthur and Camelot actually based on Scottish history? We'll look at where the historical evidence points on this week's show. We'll also journey to the Hebrides for a visit to Scotland's Stonehenge - the Callanish Standing Stones. All this plus great music from Fred Morrison, Realtime, Carolyn Currie, and more!

Join us as we celebrate the release of Disney/Pixar's animated movie Brave with a look at Scotland's folklore, myths, and legends. In part one of a series, find out about the mythological creatures that inhabit Scottish lochs and rivers, including the kelpie, the selkie, and loch monsters like Nessie. We'll also look at the translations of Scottish poet James MacPherson, who gathered together fragments of Scotland's ancient folklore in the 18th century. You'll hear the Scottish Gaelic song by Julie Fowlis that's featured in trailers for Brave as well as songs from Ewan Robertson, Wolfstone, and Karan Casey.

Enjoy more verse from Scotland’s poets in part two of our Scottish Poetry & Song series. Hear selections from Scottish National Poet Liz Lochhead, appointed Scots Makar for 2011-2016. We’ll also share work from Alasdair Paterson and Christian Milne. Our poetic journey will take us into that glorious space of learning and inspiration we call the library. We’ll get a teacher’s perspective on kids who are considered troublemakers and we’ll get a glimpse into the difficult but rewarding life of an 18th century Aberdeen mother, wife, and poet. Also, music from the Peatbog Faeries, Manran, Karen Matheson, Phamie Gow, and Deacon Blue.

Highland gatherings with games, piping, and dancing have been a Scottish clan tradition for centuries. On this episode of Simply Scottish, the first part of an ongoing series on Sport in Scotland, learn more about the history of highland games within Scotland and beyond. Discover the connection between highland games and the modern Olympic Games. You'll also enjoy new music from Dean Owens, the Paul McKenna Band, Runrig, and the City of Washington Pipe Band!

From milkman to megastar, Scottish actor Sean Connery is the subject of the latest episode in our series profiling Famous Scots. We discuss some of his best films, as well as the ones he never appeared in! Did you know Connery almost had a career as a professional footballer? Find out how and hear a great selection of music from Julie Fowlis, The Proclaimers, Florie Brown, and more, plus a rare recording of a Sean Connery impersonation that you'll only hear on Simply Scottish!

Visit landmarks of Scotland’s history on this episode of Simply Scottish. Discover the work of Historic Scotland as we journey to two of the top historic attractions in Scotland today – the magnificent ruins of Linlithgow Palace and the breathtaking prehistoric village of Skara Brae, a World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved Neolithic villages in Western Europe. All this plus great music from Blair Douglas, Dougie Maclean, Old Blind Dogs, and more!

Scots have made significant contributions throughout the history of medicine and health. On this episode of Simply Scottish, we look at the achievements of three pioneers in particular – Joseph Lister and his revolutionary use of antiseptic, Elsie Inglis and her dedication to women’s health and war-time medical aid, and Alexander Fleming with his life-changing discovery of penicillin. You’ll also enjoy great Scottish and Celtic music from Runrig, Niamh Parsons, The Clumsy Lovers, and more.This and all future episodes of Simply Scottish are dedicated to my mother Samantha McDiarmid, who passed away on April 18th, 2012. She embodied what it meant to be "simply Scottish" and was the biggest fan of Simply Scottish. I know she's still listening.

Profiles of Scottish-Americans who made significant contributions to a young United States on this episode of Simply Scottish. Learn more about Tam Blake, the first recorded Scot in the New World, Founding Father John Witherspoon, Navy captain John Paul Jones, and naturalist John Muir. We'll also look at the history and significance of National Tartan Day in the U.S. and Canada. Enjoy music from Karen Casey & John Doyle, Capercaillie, Natalie MacMaster, and more.

Enjoy poems from Scotland's writers past and present on this episode of Simply Scottish, with selections from Robert Louis Stevenson, Edwin Morgan, Iain Crichton Smith, Kathleen Jamie, and others. Embark on a journey from the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh to Scotland's highest mountain, Ben Nevis, from a child's bed to a lonely moor. Along the way, listen to music from Alasdair Fraser, Fiona MacKenzie, Runrig, and others.

The story and song of Scottish singer-songwriter Maeve O'Boyle is featured on this episode of Simply Scottish. Born and bred in Glasgow of Irish parents, O'Boyle began singing at an early age, eventually gaining mainstream attention at Celtic Connections in 2006. An acclaimed debut album followed in 2009, and O'Boyle is now working on her follow-up. She spoke to Simply Scottish about her musical roots, creating a first album, and what she likes to do outside of music. You'll also hear some great music from O'Boyle's debut album All My Sins.

Explore the close ties between Ireland and Scotland on the second of a two-part series on the common bonds of these two prominent Celtic nations. Discover the shared Celtic culture of Ireland and Scotland with examples from politics, sport, the arts, food and drink, and more. You'll also enjoy a great selection of Celtic music from Liz Carrol, Niamh Parsons, Jean-Yves Le Pape, and others!

In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, this episode kicks off a two-part series exploring the connections between Ireland and Scotland, two Celtic countries whose histories and cultures are interwoven. Learn about the six Celtic nations and their ancestors from continental Europe. Hear musical examples of Irish and Scottish Gaelic, and discover what is being done today to preserve cultural and linguistic traditions. All this plus great Irish and Scottish music from the Chieftains, Capercaillie, Maeve O’Boyle, Altan, and more!

A castle, a palace, a cathedral, and more! Explore Edinburgh's Royal Mile on this episode of Simply Scottish! The magnificent St. Giles Cathedral has been a focal point of Edinburgh's faithful for hundreds of years. Learn some surprising facts about the High Kirk of the capital city. And what do you get when you combine the vision of a world-class architect with Scotland's landscape, history, and culture? Learn about one of Edinburgh's most distinct buildings, the Scottish Parliament. All this plus music from Heidi Talbot, Old Blind Dogs, Runrig, and more!

"All children, except one, grow up." So begins the classic story of Peter Pan. On this episode of Simply Scottish, discover the story behind the story as we look at the life of 19th century Scottish author James Matthew Barrie. Fact and fiction merge together in a tale of personal tragedy and triumph. Hear a selection from Peter Pan, as well as some great Scottish music from the Trashcan Sinatras, Patrick Street, Emma Christian, Leahy, and more!