Scotcast

Former Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark and ex-BBC Scotland political editor Brian Taylor talk to Martin, Laura and Natalie about their careers, covering tragedies and modern journalism. Recorded in front of a live audience at the Edinburgh Fringe on Wednesday 6th August. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Author Irvine Welsh's new book, Men in Love, is a sequel to his debut novel and cult classic Trainspotting. Irvine talks to Martin about revisiting Renton, Begbie and Sick Boy, the state of politics and what smartphones are doing to us. Recorded in front of a live audience at the Edinburgh Fringe on Wednesday 6th August, this episode contains strong language some listeners might find offensive. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Natalie Higgins and Laura Miller.Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Darren McGarvey (pictured) is an author, documentary maker and rapper whose debut book, Poverty Safari, won the Orwell Prize. He tells us about his latest work, Trauma Industrial Complex, and the pitfalls of sharing personal lived experience. Cover photo courtesy of Jack Cocker. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Sub Club nightclub owner Mike Grieve has been a leading figure in Scotland’s late-night culture for 40 years. As the Night Time Industries Association warn of the death of the night out, he tells us how his industry has changed. And Natalie reveals how Britney Spears brought about a dance floor injury. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Follow this link for free tickets to our live show at the Edinburgh Fringe, featuring Irvine Welsh, on Wednesday 6 August 2025: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/scotcast

Deputy first minister Kate Forbes (pictured) is standing down as an MSP at the 2026 Holyrood elections. Martin and Natalie wonder why someone who was so close to becoming first minister of Scotland in 2023 is chucking politics at the age of 35. And after her successful campaign to ban disposable vapes, Laura Young (aka Less Waste Laura) tells us why she’s now targeting dental floss. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Follow this link for free tickets to our live show at the Edinburgh Fringe, featuring Irvine Welsh, on Wednesday 6 August 2025: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/scotcast Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Two Jewish comedians' Edinburgh Fringe shows have been cancelled over 'staff safety concerns'. It’s the latest in a series of controversies over appears at, and funds, Edinburgh’s festivals. Jenny Niven, who runs the Edinburgh International Book Festival, tells us how she navigates the arts, politics and protest.Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Follow this link for free tickets to our live show at the Edinburgh Fringe, featuring Irvine Welsh, on Wednesday 6 August 2025: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/scotcast Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Scottish scientist Professor David MacMillan won the Nobel Prize in chemistry for work which led to developments in drugs for Alzheimer’s disease and cancer. After being added to the National Portrait Gallery, David talks to Martin and Laura about new-found fame, his friendship with Sir Alex Ferguson and why he’s 'not worried in the slightest' about AI. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Donald Trump has brought the eyes of the world to Scotland this week, but as he heads back to the White House after a meeting with John Swinney, what has he left behind? The BBC’s North America editor, Sarah Smith, tells us how Donald Trump is rewriting the rule book - and Phil Sim reveals how he ruined his trousers in pursuit of the most powerful man in the world. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Follow this link for free tickets to our live show at the Edinburgh Fringe featuring Irvine Welsh on Wednesday 6 August 2025: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/scotcast Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Why has John Swinney updated his strategy for securing a second independence referendum on a day the news is dominated by Donald Trump? We ask David Wallace Lockhart, who’s been talking to the first minister and SNP leader about it. And just how awkward was prime minister Sir Keir Starmer’s trip to Trump Turnberry for talks with the US president? Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Natalie Higgins and Laura Miller. Follow this link for free tickets to our live show at the Edinburgh Fringe, featuring Irvine Welsh, on Wednesday 6 August 2025: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/scotcast Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Is the US president’s trip to his golf resorts at Turnberry in Ayrshire and Menie in Aberdeenshire about business, politics or pleasure? Ahead of Donald Trump’s talks with Sir Keir Starmer and John Swinney, Martin asks Rob Crilly – a member of the White House press pack who travelled here on Air Force One – if it’s a welcome distraction from headlines about Jeffrey Epstein. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Follow this link for tickets to our live show at the Edinburgh Fringe on Wednesday 6th August 2025: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/scotcast Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk