Scotcast

Peter Cairns, a passionate rewilding campaigner and wildlife photographer, teams up with Justin Rowlatt, the BBC's insightful climate editor. They dive into the intriguing idea of reintroducing lynx and feral pigs to the Scottish Highlands. The duo discusses the benefits of apex predators for ecosystem health while tackling community concerns from local farmers. With humor and expertise, they explore the complexities of rewilding, shedding light on the balance between conservation and agriculture in the picturesque Scottish landscape.

A BBC investigation into Scotland's biggest children's psychiatric hospital, Skye House, has exposed a ‘culture of cruelty’ at the NHS unit in Glasgow. We hear from BBC Disclosure’s Mark Daly and Shelley Jofre about the art of investigative journalism in an era of fake news. They tell us how they made their documentary, Kids on the Psychiatric Ward, which features the testimony of six young women who were patients at the specialist unit for severe depression, eating disorders and other mental health conditions.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

An emergency law to free inmates early is coming in to bring down the prison population.We hear from Barlinnie's governor, Michael Stoney, and a former inmate on what it's like inside Scotland’s biggest and busiest jail.And after Super Bowl LIX, Natalie hears about Martin’s former life as an NFL host.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

As homelessness stats reach record highs in Scotland, the team asks what it’s really like not to have a home. We talk to the editor of The Big Issue, Paul McNamee, and Sylvia Douglas, who experienced homelessness as a child and now supports women in poverty, about how to fix this complicated problem. And Martin and Laura discuss whether they’re sick of looking at their own faces. Get in touch with the Scotcast team by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Donald Trump says America will 'take over' Gaza, resettling most of the native population. His comments have drawn astonishment and anger. Humza Yousaf, former First Minister, has a personal investment. Members of his wife's family are still living in Gaza. In conversation with Martin Geissler, Yousaf reacts to Trump’s overnight press conference, and what it might mean for a two-state solution. Get in touch with the Scotcast team by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

We drink it, wash with it and curse it when it falls from the sky. But how much do we really know about our water supply?The man in charge of it, Scottish Water's Chief Executive Alex Plant, talks to Martin about supply, demand, rising bills and why we need to think seriously about how much water we use.Scotcast is the BBC's Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Natalie Higgins and Laura Miller. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

As Keir Starmer becomes the first UK Prime Minister to join a meeting of EU leaders since Brexit, could the decision to leave the union ever be unpicked by our politicians? We ask the BBC’s Glenn Campbell and Angus Robertson, the member of John Swinney’s cabinet responsible for European relations, who tells us why Brexit should be reversed. And Martin Geissler and Laura Miller debate whether it’s ever okay to drop the C-bomb. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Will a legal win for environmental campaigners stop new North Sea oil and gas? As extreme weather events become more common, the team asks whether climate change is a political priority anymore - with Tessa Khan, founder of climate action organisation Uplift, and Professor Paul de Leeuw from the Energy Transition Institute at Robert Gordon University.And Martin and Natalie discuss the spike in violent shoplifting. Get in touch with the Scotcast team by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

With incidents of fraud soaring, can scammers be stopped in their tracks? Harleen Nottay from BBC’s Scam Interceptors gives us a flavour of the fraud she encounters on a daily basis. Plus, ‘Lisa’ tells us the impact a romance scam has had on her life. And Martin and Laura discuss why Harrison Ford is selling whisky. Get in touch with the Scotcast team by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

After the UK Government ruled out compensation for women affected by an increase to the state pension age, is the Waspi campaign over? On the day MPs debate the issue, Waspi campaigner Anne Potter tells us her story and BBC political correspondent Kirsten Campbell explains why it’s a headache for Scottish Labour. And Martin and Natalie discuss the resignation of Stuart Kettlewell, who quit as manager of Premiership side Motherwell because of abuse from his own fans.Get in touch with the Scotcast team by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk