Scotcast

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has ruled out a second independence referendum while he is in Downing Street. We ask Stuart Nicolson, a former adviser to the SNP in government, if there is a plan to get another vote. And the BBC’s David Wallace Lockhart tells us why first minister John Swinney isn’t demanding one right now. 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

Ross Monaghan and Eddie Lyons Jnr - high-profile members of the Lyons crime gang - have been shot dead at Monaghans Bar in Fuengirola, Andalucia. Livvy Haydock, who hosted the BBC podcast Gangster: The Story of the Daniels and the Lyons, tells us how a decades-old grudge may have led to their brutal killing. And Natalie’s been on the trail of Nigel Farage as campaigning heats up ahead of the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election. 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.ukPicture credit: Spindrift

Professor Devi Sridhar (pictured) became a household name in Scotland as a key health advisor to Nicola Sturgeon during the Coronavirus pandemic. She tells Martin Geissler about the death threats she received, her experience on an NHS waiting list, and why Scots aren’t living long enough. Devi Sridhar is a professor of global public health at the University of Edinburgh, and author of a new book, How Not to Die (Too Soon). 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

Stuart Ralston (pictured) is the latest Scottish chef to be awarded a Michelin star. He tells Martin about his journey - from being stabbed twice in school to working under Gordon Ramsay in New York - and running four Edinburgh restaurants, including the award-winning Lyla. And from bugs to camel's milk: Laura and Martin share their weirdest food moments. 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

Nigel Farage has defended a controversial Reform UK advert about Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar. We ask the BBC’s David Wallace Lockhart why Mr Farage is doubling down over the social media post, described as 'blatantly racist' by first minister John Swinney. 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

Three teenagers have died due to knife crime in Scotland in a year, while police and politicians are concerned about a rise in violence in and around schools. We ask Scotland’s former violence reduction tzar, Karyn McClusky (pictured), how bad the problem is. And Martin tells Laura a tale of meeting a young explorer in war-torn Baghdad.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

The Climate Change Committee (CCC) has proposed new net zero goals to the Scottish Government after it scrapped annual targets. CCC member Professor Keith Bell (pictured) tells us why switching to electric vehicles and heat pumps should be priorities. And we ask the BBC’s Kevin Keane if the financial rewards are enticing enough for people to do so. 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

Alba MSP Ash Regan’s (pictured) Prostitution Bill could make it illegal to pay for sexual services. Martin asks the former SNP leadership candidate how her suggested law change, which has been criticised by some who work in the industry, will protect women. And Natalie and Martin discuss your reaction to our interview with Rose Docherty: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002c1j8 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

Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of 'capitulating' to the European Union by some sections of Scotland's fishing industry. Business correspondent David Henderson explains why the prime minister prioritised other sectors following the first UK-EU summit since Brexit. And we ask political editor Glenn Campbell whether the UK will eventually rejoin the EU. 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

Rose Docherty was the first person charged with allegedly breaking Scotland’s buffer zone law, banning protests near abortion clinics. In an exclusive interview, Martin asks the 74-year-old if she was deliberately testing the new legislation before she was handcuffed by police in February 2025. And Rose tells us why she is refusing to accept a formal warning from the authorities. You can listen to our previous episode about Rose’s arrest, featuring Green MSP Gillian Mackay, who campaigned for restrictions on anti-abortion vigils, on BBC Sounds: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0028905. 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