

Scotcast
BBC Radio Scotland
The BBC's Scottish news podcast, hosted by Martin Geissler. Conversation with trusted journalists and experts about the country's biggest stories.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 30, 2026 • 27min
Politics Show: Polanski pact, QEUH ‘pressure’ and SNP messaging
If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Meet the new Scottish Green leaders’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002j5l7 David, Natalie and Phil talk about a change in the relationship between the Scottish Greens and Zack Polanski (pictured), fresh claims about political ‘pressure’ over the opening of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) and the SNP’s election messaging. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode of the Politics Show is hosted by David Wallace Lockhart, Natalie Higgins and Phil Sim. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Jan 29, 2026 • 26min
Could Scotland tap into the AI goldrush?
If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Is AI coming for your job?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002dl6nNorth Lanarkshire is to become home to a vast data centre – with the aim of turning the area into one of the world’s most advanced AI sites.But what actually is a data centre, why is Big Tech looking to Scotland and will their massive energy demands push our bills up? We hear from former Google executive and industry insider Michael Hunter.Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Laura Miller and Martin Geissler.Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Jan 28, 2026 • 24min
Unpacking Deacon Blue’s row with Reform
If you’re interested in this episode, you may also be interested in Martin’s extended interview with Malcolm Offord: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002n9d4 Martin and Laura talk about the significance of a row between Reform UK’s Scottish leader Malcolm Offord and Deacon Blue (pictured) over the meaning of the band's hit song Dignity. And the BBC’s Kirsten Campbell explains how the Scottish Child Payment is in Conservative leader Russell Findlay’s sights as he urges restraint on benefits spending. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Laura Miller and Martin Geissler. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Jan 27, 2026 • 28min
Could Gordon McQueen's death change football?
If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘What would it take to trigger a World Cup boycott?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002q34v An inquest has found repeatedly heading a football is 'likely' to have contributed to the brain disease which was a factor in the death of former Scotland international Gordon McQueen (pictured). Ex-Dundee defender Jim Duffy and the BBC’s Chris McLaughlin debate whether the laws of football could change to protect players. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Jan 26, 2026 • 29min
Will the Burnham saga sway the Holyrood election?
If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Are Starmer’s Scottish MPs sick of him?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002mz40 Sir Keir Starmer has defended Labour’s decision to block Andy Burnham (pictured) from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election. We ask the BBC’s David Wallace Lockhart and Iain Watson what impact the National Executive Committee (NEC) ruling will have on Anas Sarwar’s Holyrood election campaign and the prime minister’s future. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Jan 23, 2026 • 29min
Politics Show: Sarwar’s QEUH claims, assisted dying and ‘Salmond files’
David, Natalie and Lynsey discuss Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar’s (pictured) calls for a criminal investigation into failures at an NHS hospital, how MSPs are shifting on Liam McArthur’s (also pictured) assisted dying proposals and the so-called ‘Alex Salmond files’.Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode of the Politics Show, recorded on Thursday 22 January, is hosted by David Wallace Lockhart, Lynsey Bews and Natalie Higgins.Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Jan 22, 2026 • 26min
What would it take to trigger a World Cup boycott?
If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Priced out? The cost of the World Cup’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002n03lHas Donald Trump’s promise not to use force in Greenland removed the threat of a World Cup boycott?Former footballer Pat Nevin gives us his take on politics and the beautiful game - and sets the bar for when fans should protest.Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Laura Miller and Martin Geissler.Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Jan 21, 2026 • 25min
Super hospital ‘scandal’: the story so far
If you’re interested in this episode, you may also be interested in ‘The NHS surgeon who butchered his patients’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002j6zd Labour’s Anas Sarwar has branded failures at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) as “the biggest scandal in the history of the Scottish Parliament”. Lisa Summers (pictured), who investigated design flaws at the hospital for a BBC documentary, explains what we’ve learned from the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry as it hears closing arguments. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Laura Miller and Martin Geissler. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Jan 20, 2026 • 26min
How dangerous are our roads?
If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002pdx6 Last month, the Scottish Government dropped plans to reduce the national speed limit on single carriageway roads after an external consultation demonstrated it was unpopular. The BBC’s David Henderson, Martin and Natalie discuss whether we take speeding seriously enough and how safe Scotland’s roads are. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Jan 19, 2026 • 24min
Is Swinney respecting the Supreme Court on gender?
If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Is the Sandie Peggie ruling discredited?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002njyw Campaigners For Women Scotland (pictured) are taking the Scottish Government to the Court of Session over where transgender prisoners are housed. We ask legal expert Dr Nick McKerrell from Glasgow Caledonian University whether John Swinney’s government is respecting the Supreme Court ruling on women and sex. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk


