Love Scotland: Stories of Scotland's History and Nature

This week, Jackie’s in Edinburgh to find about one of the city’s leading lights of the enlightenment era: Sir Henry Raeburn. His work depicted some of the key figures of that time, creating an overall portrait of how Edinburgh’s top circles would have looked during the 1700s. Now, to mark 200 years since his death, the National Trust for Scotland is holding an exhibition at The Georgian House in Charlotte Square. It’s comprised of artworks from across the Trust’s Raeburn collections, from properties including Craigievar Castle, Fyvie Castle, Alloa Tower, and Hill of Tarvit. Viccy Coltman, professor of 18th century history of arts at Edinburgh University and editor of the book Henry Raeburn: Context, Reception and Reputation, joins Jackie to discuss Raeburn’s life, his artworks, and the Edinburgh he called home. To find out more about the exhibition or for more on The Georgian House, head to nts.org.uk

As a new season of Love Scotland begins, host Jackie Bird is joined by Outlander author Diana Gabaldon to discuss her best-selling books, its TV adaptation, and how the Outlander effect has shaped global perceptions of Scotland. Outlander tells the story of a time-travelling nurse from the 20th century who falls in love with an 18th century Highland warrior. The early books span several places now cared for by the National Trust for Scotland, including Culross, Falkland Palace, and Culloden. In this episode, Diana reveals the origins of the Outlander story, her visceral reactions to visiting Culloden herself, and her first thoughts on the new series of the popular TV adaptation which begins airing on 16 June. Plus, she reveals some secrets from the future of the franchise, including the next book instalment. To find out more about some of the places mentioned in this episode of Love Scotland, click here.

Six places that show Scotland's impact on the world In this week’s episode of Love Scotland – the final one of the current season – Professor Murray Pittock joins Jackie to discuss some of the Scottish places that have had the biggest influence on global history. From Culloden to Robert Burns’s birthplace, the episode charts moments of great cultural, political and military importance. Professor Murray Pittock’s book, Scotland: The Global History: 1603 to the Present, is available now. Click below to find out more about the locations covered in the episode: Culloden Robert Burns Birthplace Museum The Pineapple Staffa National Nature Reserve The Hermitage Mar Lodge Estate National Nature Reserve Broughton House & Garden You may also be interested in previous episodes of the podcast, discussing Robert Burns, wildlife at Mar Lodge Estate, Flora MacDonald, and many more stories of Scotland’s present and past. Just scroll back on your podcast provider of choice.

Join Jonathan Faiers, a fashion professor and curator behind the V&A Dundee’s Tartan exhibition, as he uncovers the captivating history of tartan. Discover how this iconic pattern transcends its Scottish roots, playing a role in military heritage and punk culture alike. Faiers explores tartan's evolution, its emotional significance for Scots, and its surprising prominence in global fashion. From its origins to its modern adaptations, this discussion reveals why tartan remains a beloved symbol of identity and rebellion across generations.

Romans in Scotland: the Antonine wall and ‘Rome’s Afghanistan’ This week, Jackie goes for a walk at the Antonine Wall and is joined by Dr John Reid to discuss Roman-era Scotland. The wall, which stretches from Old Kilpatrick on the west coast to near Bo’ness, was around 37 miles long and marked the furthest reach of the Roman Empire in Britain. Using the nation’s rugged features to bolster its defences, the wall was the final outpost in hostile territory. In their discussion, Jackie and John talk about how Scotland was ‘Rome’s Afghanistan’ – a small, stubbornly resistant nation that saw off a superpower. John also reveals how the brutality of the Romans has been overlooked in recent years, and his theory as to how the Roman invasions impacted the nation of Scotland. 

In this week’s episode, Jackie steps beyond the National Trust for Scotland’s most beautiful stately homes to discover what treasures can be found in the nation’s gardens. Recorded from Greenbank Garden – an 18th-century walled garden just outside Glasgow city centre – Jackie is joined by the National Trust for Scotland’s head of gardens and designed landscapes, Ann Steele.  Together, they discuss what constitutes a heritage garden, why they were so important to the residents of stately homes, and how these outdoor spaces were used. Then, they turn an eye to the future, looking at what must be done to protect the gardens for generations to come. To find out more about Greenbank Garden, click here. You can also discover more on NTS gardens here.

This week’s episode looks at the life of Scipio Kennedy, an enslaved African boy who lived in Culzean in the early 18th century. The events of his early years have been pieced together by Hannah Lawrence from the National Trust for Scotland and affiliate researcher at the University of Oxford, and she joins Jackie to discuss her research into his life. Together, they discuss what is known about Scipio Kennedy’s life in Ayrshire. Hannah also describes what historical records have helped her to uncover the past. Then, Outlander actor Colin McFarlane joins Jackie to discuss his own interest in Scipio Kennedy and the research he did for his role as an enslaved person in the hit TV show.

Doug Allan is a world-renowned wildlife cameraman, with film credits for some of the most influential documentaries ever made and a trophy cabinet full of BAFTAs and Emmys. He’s contributed to David Attenborough’s Blue Planet and Frozen Planet, and has spent more time than nearly anyone else diving into the world’s iciest oceans in search of wildlife. In this week’s episode of Love Scotland, he sits down with Jackie to discuss his eventful career, including a dangerously close encounter with a walrus. He also reveals his eyewitness account of how a changing climate is affecting underwater wildlife, and some of his favourite experiences shooting in Scotland’s wild places. To find out more about some of the sites mentioned in this episode, visit the National Trust for Scotland website. For the latest information on The Hermitage, click here, or for St Kilda, click here. For more information on Wild for Scotland, as mentioned in the episode, click here.

In a captivating discussion, Sir Tom Devine, Professor Emeritus of Scottish History, explores the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden and its transformation of clan culture. He delves into the internal strife and religious tensions that plagued Scottish clans during the Jacobite risings. The conversation highlights the romanticization of Highland culture and how it evolved into a symbol of national pride amid 18th-century changes. Devine also reveals the profound impact of clan identity on Scotland's modern heritage and the global Scottish diaspora.