Best Scottish Poetry Library Podcasts (2025)

1
From the Archive: Brian Johnstone. August 2010 44:32

5d ago44:32

44:32

Brian Johnstone (1950 - 2021) was a poet and former director of the StAnza poetry festival. In this archive podcast he discusses the highlights of his StAnza career, what he thinks makes a good poetry festival, his own work and his creative improvisations as part of jazz-poetry combo Trio Verso. Featuring the tracks ‘Storm Chaser’ and ‘The Sound of…

1
The Glasgow Seed Library with Rowan Lear 23:39

2d ago23:39

23:39

Helen Needham meets seed librarian Rowan LearBy BBC Radio Scotland

1
Lewis Grassic Gibbon, Snowdrops and a Beaver MOT 1:23:41

6d ago1:23:41

1:23:41

Auchnerran Farm is run by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust as a demonstration farm to test and trial conservation and land management strategies. Mark visits the farm to hear about their projects and how they manage these alongside a profitable enterprise of sheep farming. It is the 20th anniversary of the opening of Five Sister’s Zoo this …

1
Sunset Song - Exploring The Mearns - Part 2 29:16

9d ago29:16

29:16

The 7th February 2025 marks 90 years since the death of Scottish writer Lewis Grassic Gibbon, author of Sunset Song. In 2016, it was voted Scotland's favourite novel. In this archive programme, Mark Stephen explores the area it was set in, the Mearns.By BBC Radio Scotland

1
From the Archive: Alexander Hutchison. March 2014 35:31

12d ago35:31

35:31

Alexander Hutchison (1942-2015) was a poet and translator in Scots and English. His first book Deep-Tap Tree (University of Massachusetts Press, 1978) is still in print. Other collections include The Moon Calf (Galliard, 1990) and Carbon Atom (Link-Light, 2006). Melodic Cells, an interview with Hutchison conducted by Andrew Duncan appears in Don’t …

1
Water of Leith Otters, Salmon Fishing on the River Tweed and a Famous North East Cow 1:23:33

13d ago1:23:33

1:23:33

The National Farmers Union of Scotland Conference has been underway this week, and Kevin Keane is there, joined by Professor Colin Campbell from the James Hutton Institute, to hear his advice on how farms can become more resilient in the face of climate change. Muiravonside, Falkirk’s only country park, features several attractions, from a sculptur…

1
Nothing But The Poem - Niall Campbell 13:21

15d ago13:21

13:21

Niall Campbell is the subject of this month's Nothing But The Poem podcast. The South Uist poet has had three collections of poetry published, has won many major poetry prizes, and is currently poetry editor of Poetry London. ‘Noctuary is a homage to night-time, to "that midnight thrill of being alive", to the small, stray moments that make up a l…

1
Sunset Song - Exploring the Mearns - Part 1 26:38

16d ago26:38

26:38

The 7th February 2025 marks 90 years since the death of Scottish writer Lewis Grassic Gibbon, author of Sunset Song. In 2016, it was voted Scotland's favourite novel. In this archive programme, Mark and Euan explore the area it was set in, the Mearns.By BBC Radio Scotland

1
From the Archive: Walking With Poets. November 2013 33:10

19d ago33:10

33:10

Walking With Poets was an SPL project that looked at an old subject, nature, using new media. We put four poets – Sue Butler, Mandy Haggith, Jean Atkin and Gerry Loose – into Scotland’s botanic gardens. For this special podcast, we interviewed each of the poets in their garden.By Scottish Poetry Library

1
The Festival of Imbolc, World Wetlands Day and the Big Farmland Bird Count 1:22:15

20d ago1:22:15

1:22:15

Parts of the country are still recovering after last week’s Storm Eowyn including Jupiter Artland. The 100-acre sculpture garden on the outskirts of Edinburgh suffered quite a bit of storm damage as Mark saw when he visited earlier this week. Rachel meets a group of volunteers from a whole variety of backgrounds who have come together to help resto…

1
From the Archive: John Burnside and Allison Funk.November 2012 33:12

22d ago33:12

33:12

Possessing a friendship that spanned the Atlantic, Scotland’s John Burnside (1955-2024) and America’s Allison Funk were captured in conversation, speaking about what they enjoy about each other’s countries, from poetry and music to the mutability of the landscape and people. Allison Funk is the author of four volumes of verse, including The Tumblin…

1
Burns on Birds, Golden Eye and How to Make Haggis 1:23:15

27d ago1:23:15

1:23:15

We celebrate Burns Day on Out of Doors on the 265th anniversary of his birth. Mark chats to Professor Fiona Stafford from University of Oxford who writes about Burns ‘the bard of nature’. They chat about his understanding of ecology and how that comes through in his poetry. Rachel hears the good news story about Goldeneye Ducks in the Cairngorms. G…

1
Wandering Morven - A Wander up Morven with Artist and Adventurer Morven Stewart 25:06

30d ago25:06

25:06

Helen Needham walks up Morven in Aberdeenshire with Morven StewartBy BBC Radio Scotland

1
Nothing But The Poem - Victoria Chang 14:17

1M ago14:17

14:17

Victoria Chang is the subject of this month's Nothing But The Poem podcast. The Taiwanese-American poet has had seven collections of poetry published, her most recent - With My Back To The World (2024) - winning the Forward Prize for Best Poetry Collection. 'Chang has liberated the Ekphrastic form to new lyric heights and depths. Inventive, medita…

1
Endurance Racing, the Ness Islands of Inverness and a Mini Kilted King 1:19:41

1M ago1:19:41

1:19:41

Rachel is in Lochaber where one of the biggest nature restoration projects in the country is underway. The Nevis Nature Network Project covers 22 thousand acres which includes fragments of Scottish rainforest and rare montane scrub. She met project manager Ellie Corsie for a walk to hear about their restoration vision. Mark is on Calton Hill in Edi…

1
Jean Fullerton, policewoman and district nurse turned novelist on why there is no such thing as an ordinary life. 54:37

1M ago54:37

54:37

Send us a text Former policewoman and district nurse turned novelist, Jean Fullerton has written over 20 novels but recently published something a bit closer to home, her memoir, A Child of the East End. In conversation at the Write Idea Festival, Jean shared eye-watering stories of her childhood in Wapping, the curse of family secrets, bum-stampin…

1
Tam O' Shanter and the Poetry of Robert Burns 15:44

1M ago15:44

15:44

Mark Stephen chooses some Burns favourites including his rendition of Tam O' ShanterBy BBC Radio Scotland

1
Nordic Skiing, Lynx and Mountain Rescue 1:23:20

1M ago1:23:20

1:23:20

The weather has certainly been a big talking point for a lot of us this week. And it’s also the theme of a new exhibition at the McManus Art Gallery and Museum in Dundee. Rachel went to take a look at A Weather Eye along with curator Kirsty Matheson. We hear from Paul Hetherington of charity Buglife about the impact the mild weather before Christma…

1
Author Louisa Treger investigates the audacious woman who tricked her way into a brutal insane asylum to expose the truth 41:35

1M ago41:35

41:35

Send us a text In the 19th century it was surprisingly easy for a woman to be consigned to the misery of an asylum. Many in fact weren't actually mentally ill. Husband tired of his wife? A woman who bore an illegitimate child? A woman who didn't want to marry the man her parents had chosen for her? Or anyone, in short, who didn't conform to the nar…

1
Behind the Lens with Shahbaz Majeed 24:25

1M ago24:25

24:25

Rachel Stewart speaks to photographer and Landward presenter Shahbaz MajeedBy BBC Radio Scotland

1
A Wild and Wonderful Sound Journey with Musician and Composer Cosmo Sheldrake 30:17

2M ago30:17

30:17

Helen Needham meets musician and composer Cosmo SheldrakeBy BBC Radio Scotland

1
Life on the Island of Jura 56:03

2M ago56:03

56:03

Mark Stephen and Rachel Stewart spend a day on the island of Jura to get a sense of life on the Ardlussa Estate where the Fletcher family have lived for five generations. Mark also visits Barnhill, the house where George Orwell wrote 1984 which celebrates its 75th anniversary this yearBy BBC Radio Scotland

1
A History of the Palace of Holyroodhouse 23:41

2M ago23:41

23:41

Mark Stephen gets a tour of the Palace with Curators Deborah Clarke and Emma SteadBy BBC Radio Scotland

1
A Winter Solstice Special 1:26:58

2M ago1:26:58

1:26:58

Mark and Rachel are joined by the Astronomer Royal for Scotland, Professor Catherine Heymans who can tell us what’s actually happening to earth to make the days so short. Mark finds out whether our garden birds are impacted by the short days, and he also visits the Nature Scot Forvie National Nature Reserve where despite the dark and cold, new life…

1
Kidnapped and the Stevenson Way - Part 4 29:06

2M ago29:06

29:06

Mark Stephen follows the route from Balquhidder to Corstorphine in EdinburghBy BBC Radio Scotland

1
Celebrating 30 years of Dream State with its editor Donny O'Rourke 1:08:18

2M ago1:08:18

1:08:18

In this extended version of Nothing But The Poem Kevin Williamson interviews Donny O'Rourke, editor of Dream State - The New Scottish Poets which was published in 1994 and remains the gold standard of poetry anthologies, and, arguably, the most visionary poetry anthology ever published in Scotland. Dream State's contributors were all aged under 40 …

1
Firth of Forth Oysters, Soil Cubes and Dolphin Communication 1:20:50

2M ago1:20:50

1:20:50

Mark meets builder and artist Becky Little whose work is being displayed as part of an exhibition called A Fragile Correspondence at the V&A in Dundee. Her work involves using soil from different areas in Orkney made into cubes. A WWF Scotland scheme which is aiming to create seagrass meadows and restore oysters to the Forth has reached a major mil…

1
An Orkney Hurricane, Sightings of the Loch Ness Monster in the 1930's and Terrifying Sounds from the Hamilton Mausoleum 22:10

2M ago22:10

22:10

Helen Needham presents some audio gems from BBC Scotland's archiveBy BBC Radio Scotland

1
Queen Victoria's Picnic Cottage, Thick Trunk Tuesday and Swimming in the Clyde 1:22:50

3M ago1:22:50

1:22:50

Last week Rachel was in Aberfoyle where the Scottish Countryside Rangers Association was celebrating their 50th anniversary. The organisation brings rangers together to share ideas and highlight potential challenges facing the sector. She chatted to some of those who’ve recently retired, and those who are still working, about the history of the ass…

1
British booksellers in the Blitz 1:07:59

3M ago1:07:59

1:07:59

Send us a text Historical fiction author Kristy Cambron wears a lot of hats. She's a Christy Award-winning author of historical fiction, including her bestselling novels, THE BUTTERFLY AND THE VIOLIN and THE PARIS DRESSMAKER, as well as nonfiction titles. She also serves as Vice President and literary agent with Gardner Literary, where she was name…

1
Kidnapped and the Stevenson Way - Part 3 25:18

3M ago25:18

25:18

Mark follows the route through Glencoe, Kinlochleven and Rannoch Moor.By BBC Radio Scotland

1
St Andrew's Day, Central Belt Badgers and Temperature Blankets 1:24:05

3M ago1:24:05

1:24:05

Rachel is in Fife to meet a woman who is leading the charge on making the outdoors accessible to all. Jan Kerr set up a rambling group for those who rely on wheels, particularly mobility scooters. She tells Rachel how it came about. Over the past few years, a group of badger enthusiasts has been surveying the Central Belt to track the number of set…

1
The Hidden Histories of Scottish Wood with Woodworker Callum Robinson 24:59

3M ago24:59

24:59

Helen Needham meets woodworker and author Callum RobinsonBy BBC Radio Scotland

1
Ealing Beavers, Cosaig Growers and a Wonderful Steam Ship 1:23:13

3M ago1:23:13

1:23:13

The Forth Bridges Trail is a five-mile circular route which brings together various points of interest in North and South Queensferry and crosses the Forth Road Bridge. New stops were added onto the route earlier this year, so Mark took a wander along part of it to hear about the area’s fascinating history. When you think of Beaver reintroduction s…

1
What it's like to be a prison librarian? Neil Barclay invites us into HMP Thameside library in London. 43:56

3M ago43:56

43:56

Send us a text Neil Barclay is an award-winning civilian librarian at HMP Thameside. Nominated by prisoners, and described by his colleagues as “our library superstar”, Neil has been praised for the outstanding dedication, skill and creativity he has shown in transforming the prison’s library into a dynamic learning and resource centre, much valued…

1
The mysterious photo that inspired a tale of secrets, loss and betrayal in wartime Cornwall. 55:15

3M ago55:15

55:15

Send us a text Rachel Hore is the multi-million selling Sunday Times author of thirteen novels with her fourteenth, Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge, coming out next year. Rachel is an avid reader. 'My reading addiction got properly under way when I was five and our family moved from Surrey, England, where I was born, to live in Hong Kong because of my f…

1
Kidnapped and the Stevenson Way - Part 2 23:20

3M ago23:20

23:20

In this section, Mark leaves Mull and crosses over to Morven before heading to the site of the famous Appin Murder and the monument to mark this bloody event near Ballachulish Bridge.By BBC Radio Scotland

1
Stranraer Oysters, Moray Firth Seagrass and a Moonlit Dip 1:20:24

3M ago1:20:24

1:20:24

Moray Ocean Community is a group of citizen scientists aiming to raise awareness of the importance of marine habitats and species. A couple of weeks ago, Mark joined members as they conducted seagrass surveys in Findhorn Bay and learned all about the range of work they carry out. Rachel is in Leven in Fife where a multi-million pound project is und…

1
Finding Hope in a Crisis with Climate Activist Matt Sowerby 21:38

3M ago21:38

21:38

Helen Needham speaks with climate activist and writer Matt SowerbyBy BBC Radio Scotland

1
The Skipinnish Oak, Laggan Wolftrax and Fair Isle 1:22:37

3M ago1:22:37

1:22:37

Mark Stephen and Rachel Stewart with stories from the great outdoorsBy BBC Radio Scotland

1
Kidnapped and the Stevenson Way - Part 1 32:39

4M ago32:39

32:39

We've dug into our archive to bring you a programme originally broadcast in 2012 when Mark Stephen followed the route taken by protagonist David Balfour in Robert Louis Stevenson's novel, 'Kidnapped'. In this first section, it's a brief visit to the Hawes Inn in South Queensferry before taking a boat to the Island of Erraid - which sits off Mull - …

1
Caledonian Pines, Cider and the North Coast 500 1:22:59

4M ago1:22:59

1:22:59

A recent report showed that almost a quarter of all ancient pinewoods are at risk of disappearing altogether. Earlier this week, Mark attended Scotland’s Pinewood Conference in Fort William to find out what’s being done to preserve these woodlands It’s prime cider making time. Rachel visits Digby Lamotte at his cider making business in Perth to fol…

1
Nothing But The Poem - Gboyega Odubanjo 13:50

4M ago13:50

13:50

The poetry community was shocked and saddened when the much-loved young poet Gboyega Odubanjo died last year. Since then a full length collection of his poetry titled Adam has been published posthumously by Faber; and the Gboyega Odubanjo Foundation for low-income Black writers has been established to honour his legacy. His poetry hit many raw nerv…

1
Montrose Mosquitoes, the Grey Lady of Glamis Castle and Life as a Lighthouse Keeper 1:23:30

4M ago1:23:30

1:23:30

Mark is back at the Scottish Wildlife Trust's Montrose Basin site, but this time it isn’t geese he’s looking for, it’s mosquitos. Mark hears about the monitoring programme that the Basin is part of and why it’s important to track mosquitos for human health and also bird health. Back in 2021 Storm Arwen wreaked havoc on the North East causing lots o…

1
Into Poetry - a conversation between David Cameron and Samuel Tongue 31:04

4M ago31:04

31:04

Into Poetry is an exciting new outlet for poetry in both print and online based in Scotland. In the run up to its launch its editor, David Cameron, dropped into the Scottish Poetry Library to chat with Samuel Tongue about the ideas behind the project, its origins and remit, its international reach, including how to submit work and what to expect. I…

1
Dr Roisin Campbell-Palmer, Head of Restoration at the Beaver Trust 30:43

4M ago30:43

30:43

Mark Stephen meets Dr Roisin Campbell-Palmer, Head of Restoration at the Beaver Trust. They meet at the Argaty Beaver Project near Doune in Perthshire to discuss her love of the mammal and how the reintroduction of the species is progressingBy BBC Radio Scotland

1
Islay Part Two 56:06

4M ago56:06

56:06

Mark and Rachel with the second part of their visit the island of Islay, the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides. The RSPB has two reserves on the island, one at Loch Gruinart and one at The Oa, which is where Mark and Rachel met warden David Dinsley to try and spot one of the bird species Islay is known for, the chough. Artist Heather Dewar …

1
Islay Part One 29:59

4M ago29:59

29:59

Mark and Rachel visit the island of Islay, the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides. They take a walk with gamekeeper turned outdoor guide, DJ MacPhee, to get an overview of the island which has a diverse range of landscapes and habitats. They then head to Loch Finlaggan, the seat of the Lord of the Isles, a site of huge significance for hundr…

1
Nothing But The Poem - Kathryn Bevis 13:20

4M ago13:20

13:20

“To make art out of something painful, uncertain or damaging is an act of real empowerment” wrote Kathryn Bevis, who died in May 2024. Her first full-length poetry collection, The Butterfly House, was published two months earlier and tells the story of a life before and after a late-stage cancer diagnosis. The poems examine both life and death, enc…

1
Slugs, Surfing and Tattie Picking 1:21:30

4M ago1:21:30

1:21:30

Slugs are sometimes regarded as a garden pest, but they are more important than people might think. Rachel meets with retired teacher and slug expert Chris Du Feu after one of his workshops in Rosyth run by the Fife Nature Records Centre to ask whether he had noticed more slugs than usual this year. It’s rare these days to see a mature elm tree be …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Scottish Poetry Library Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide

zproxy.org