Historic Scotland Members Podcast
Join your host, actor and storyteller Sarah MacGillivray, on a captivating journey through Scotland.
Sarah's season one adventures take her from the poignant tale of Bruce's heart at Melrose Abbey to the resounding boom of the One O'Clock Gun at Edinburgh Castle. She delves into Scotland's industrial heritage and its global connections at Stanley Mills, uncovering fascinating narratives and shedding light on the people who shaped our past.
In season two, Sarah 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.
As a Historic Scotland member, you're invited to explore these engaging and entertaining stories with us. Listen now and unlock the secrets of Scotland's history! Members get to hear the latest episodes first, and get exclusive access to season one and bonus behind-the-scenes content.
How to listen
You can listen to the podcast on this page by using the players for each episode.
Alternatively, copy this link below and paste it into Apple Podcasts or YouTube to listen to it there: https://feed.pod.co/historic-scotland-podcast (this method does not work on Spotify).
You can download detailed listening instructions below.
S2 Episode 7 | Tales of the Blackhouse
With Ali Davey and Marlene Macleod.
Sarah sits by a glowing fire in one of Scotland’s most remote crofts to immerse herself in Hebridean life and hospitality. Within the Blackhouse’s thick stone walls and thatched roof, kept wind and watertight though the sharing of traditional skills down the generations, she discovers a story of community, resilience and a Gaelic tradition of storytelling and music that endures.
S2 Episode 6 | Caerlaverock Castle: Where West Meets East
With Zoe Samuels-Lyons, Castle Steward, Judith Rowett Regional Collections Manager, Lynsey Haworth, Collections Access Manager, and Stefan North-Sagrott, Senior Cultural Resources Advisor
Sarah travel to the fairytale castle of Caerlaverock in Dumfries and Galloway. Here, she learns how a series of remarkable archaeological finds - from leather goods and basketry to fragments of Islamic glass - reveal how this seemingly remote medieval castle was once part of a vibrant network of international trade and cultural exchange.
S2 Episode 5 | Ballads, Borders and the tower that inspired Scott
With Regional Collections Manager, Jill van Millingen and volunteer John Simpson
On a rocky craig in the Scottish Borders stands Smailholm Tower, a medieval stronghold in a landscape with a strong tradition of balladry - poems capturing the lives and legends of the area.
Collections Manager Jill and volunteer guide John explain how this brooding place fired the imagination of a young Walter Scott, and how his Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border in turn inspired a set of costumed dolls by the late artist Anne Carrick.
S2 Episode 4 | Inventing the future at Kinneil House
With 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.
S2 Episode 3 | Hunting for Nessie
With experts from the Loch Ness Centre
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.
S2 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.
S2 Episode 1 | 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.
S1 Episode 8 | The Bruce Family and the Defence of Kildrummy Castle
With Former Head of Cultural Resources Chris Tabraham and Properties Historian Dr Morvern French.
In the final episode of season one, we speak to Chris, who delves into Kildrummy Castle’s impressive architecture and strategic design. Discover what made it such a powerful stronghold. Then, Morvern recounts the legendary defence of Kildrummy by Christina Bruce in 1335, revealing how she ingeniously outmanoeuvred a vastly superior besieging army. Hear the tale of courage that ensured Kildrummy's place in Scottish history.
S1 Episode 7 | Empire and Industry: The Untold Story of Stanley Mills
With Francis (Frankie) Stephen Aird (University of Stirling), Interpretation Officer Hannah Brown and Learning Officer Fiona Davidson.
This week’s episode takes us to the banks of the River Tay. We speak with Hannah Brown from our Interpretation Team and Learning Officer Fiona Davidson about the lives of mill workers, sharing oral histories of more recent workforces that bring their experiences to life. PhD researcher Frankie then reveals the complex ties between Perthshire's cotton industry and the transatlantic slave trade, uncovering a hidden history woven into the fabric of the mill.
S1 Episode 6 | The Heart of Scotland, Melrose Abbey and the Mystery of Bruce's Heart
With former Head of Collections Richard Welander and writer and historian Fiona Watson.
Our next stop is Melrose Abbey, the presumed final resting place of Robert the Bruce's heart. This episode explores the mysteries surrounding the heart’s journey and rediscovery. Sarah interviews our former Head of Collections Richard, who recounts the re-excavation of the lead casket believed to contain Bruce’s heart. Historian Fiona then illuminates Bruce's life, his pivotal role in Scottish independence, and the symbolic importance of his heart. We delve into the legends, facts and enduring fascination with this national treasure. Was the heart truly found? What secrets does it still hold?
S1 Episode 5 | The Tudor Rose: Margaret Tudor’s bower at Linlithgow Palace
With Properties Historian Dr Morvern French and Dr Rachel Delman (University of Oxford)
Meeting in Margaret Tudor’s bower at the top of Linlithgow Palace, Sarah talks to Morvern and Rachel who explore Margaret's life in Scotland, debunking the myth of Margaret being a somewhat romantic and passive figure. Join us as we examine her relationships, including her marriage to James IV, the political turmoil she navigated, and her own ambitions.
S1 Episode 4 | Power Play, Treason and the ‘Undead’ at Huntly Castle
With historian and volunteer Patrick W. Scott and Content Officer Jennifer Farquharson.
We’re heading north to Huntly Castle this week to explore the rise and fall of the powerful Gordon family. Sarah meets volunteer Patrick to discuss the family's ambitions and the eerie tales surrounding George Gordon's death. Later, Sarah talks with Jen from our Cultural Assets Team about conservation efforts at Huntly Castle and the importance of biodiversity her and at other Historic Scotland sites, highlighting the balance between preserving history and nurturing nature.
S1 Episode 3 | The Stirling Heads: A Renaissance Puzzle Saved for Future Gazes
With Woodcarver John Donaldson, Senior Paintings Conservator Aisla Murray, Regional Collections Manager Michelle Atherton and Interpretative Events and Guiding Manager Ross Blevins.
We take a closer look at the enigmatic Stirling Heads at Stirling Castle next. This episode delves into their history, the rediscovery of some of the carved medallions by Jane Ferrier, and their ongoing conservation. We speak with John who carved the replicas that adorn the ceiling of the King's Inner Chamber and to our Collections Team about their meticulous care of the Heads. Guiding Manager Ross then reveals the stories behind these fascinating carvings. Discover the artistry, symbolism, and royal intrigue embodied in these iconic Renaissance masterpieces.
S1 Episode 2 | From Sailors to Scholars: The Hidden Lives of Trinity House
With Emilia Chambers, Interpretation Assistant, Captain Stewart Lee and Storyteller Nicola Wright
Episode two takes us down to Leith in Edinburgh as we explore Trinity House and its rich maritime history. Sarah meets Captain Lee, Emilia and Nicola to uncover the unique lives of seafarers connected to this historic institution. Their stories illuminate Scottish and global maritime history, including the role of women and Scotland's involvement in the transatlantic slave trade. Discover the narratives that shaped maritime Scotland and its connections to the world.
S1 Episode 1 | The One O'Clock Gun Boom
With District Gunner Dave Beveridge and Senior Metal Conservator Reed Hudson
In our first episode, we delve into the story of the iconic Edinburgh Castle One O'Clock Gun. District Gunner Dave Beveridge shares insights into his daily routine and the significance of the gun’s historic tradition, while Senior Metal Conservator Reed Hudson shares the challenges of conserving and protecting these artefacts for future generations while providing access to them.
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