Join Sarah as she discovers Dirleton Castle’s role in Scotland’s witch trials, cleaves history from legend on the shores of Loch Ness and delves into the rich archaeology of Holyrood Park and Caerlaverock Castle. Listen now and, as a member of Historic Scotland, you’ll get early access to episodes and exclusive behind-the-scenes content. You’ll also be able to access episodes on your favourite podcast platform one week after the members’ launch.
Your episode guide
We are releasing one of eight episodes on Tuesdays each fortnight.
Copy and paste this link to the podcast player of your choice to subscribe:
https://feed.pod.co/historic-scotland-podcast (please note does not work on Spotify)
Episode 4: Inventing the future at Kinneil House
In this episode we're joined by, Monument Manager Paul Rowlands, Deputy Head of Industrial Heritage Mark Watson, and Ian Shearer from Friends of Kinneil. In this episode, we step back to a time of frustration and triumph in the workshop of Scottish inventor and engineer James Watt at Kinneil House. What experiments took place here, what were Watt’s most important innovations at Kinneil and how did they help launch Britain’s Industrial Revolution? This is the story of how one man’s persistence in a corner of Scotland changed the trajectory of the world.
Episode 3: Hunting for Nessie
Sarah heads north to the shores of Loch Ness and the dramatic ruins of Urquhart Castle in Scotland’s Great Glen to discover how legend and history co-exist at one of our most famous heritage sites. As the castle’s guides reveal the castle’s strategic importance and a fierce past filled with clan struggles and warfare, Sarah also ponders the origins and enduring myth of Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster – with help from some Nessie experts at the Loch Ness Centre.
Episode 2: The Archaeology of Holyrood Park
With Senior Cultural Resources Advisor Rachel Pickering, Professor Jon Henderson and Ranger and Visitor Services Manager Martin Gray.
From the heights of Holyrood Park, we explore thousands of years of history in Holyrood Park - from Iron Age hillforts to royal hunting grounds - meet the archaeologists who are reshaping our understanding of the park’s past and reflect on the challenges of managing archaeology in a green space that sits within one of the busiest cities in the world.
HS Members' podcast season 2 episode 2 transcript
Episode 1: Witches of Dirleton Castle
Witches of Dirleton Castle With Properties Historian Dr Morvern French and Professor Julian Goodare In the first episode of series two, Sarah travels to East Lothian to discover a dark chapter in Dirleton Castle’s history. As witch trials in Scotland escalated during the 16th and 17th centuries, Dirleton and the wider region became embroiled in false accusations, interrogations and executions - with women being disproportionately targeted. Sarah brings their stories into the light and reflects on the castle’s changing role, from a site of fear and cruelty to a place of beauty and commemoration.
HS Members' podcast season 2, episode 1 transcript
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