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Artwork for Historic Scotland Podcast

Historic Scotland Podcast

Historic Scotland
Dirleton Castle
Loch Ness
Isle Of Lewis
Witchcraft In Scotland
Holyrood Park
Urquhart Castle
Historic Scotland
Sir Walter Scott
Caerlaverock Castle
Arnall Blackhouse
Calanais Standing Stones
East Lothian
James Watt
Smailholm Tower
Border Reivers
Islamic Glass
Industrial Revolution
Parliament Of Scotland
Church Of Scotland
Edinburgh

Welcome to the Historic Scotland Podcast, a journey through some of Scotland's most iconic sites and their enchanting stories. Join your host, Scottish actor and storyteller Sarah MacGillivray as she goes behind-the-scenes to reveal untold histories and intriguing traces of our nation’s past.

Discover Dirleton Castle’s role in Scotland’s witch trials, untangle history from legend on the shores o... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes9Founded6 months ago
Category
History

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Artwork for Historic Scotland Podcast

Latest Episodes

With Ian Mchardy, Malcolm Maclean, and Cat Dunn.

The ancient standing stone circle of Calanais, a site that inspires reflection, may seem an unlikely place to mention Britain’s imperial legacy. But as Cat Dunn explains, it is one of many heritage s... more

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 tho... more

With Lynsey Haworth, Stefan Sagrott, Judith Rowett, and Zoe Samuels-Lyons.

Sarah travels to the fairytale castle of Caerlaverock in Dumfries and Galloway. Here, she learns how a series of remarkable archaeological finds – from leather goods and bas... more

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 ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Ian Mchardy
Local historian and archaeologist
Independent historian/archaeologist
Episode: Legacy in the landscape: our imperial past
Malcolm Maclean
Photographer of Calanais
Photographer
Episode: Legacy in the landscape: our imperial past
Dr Cat Dunn
Independent curator and exhibition designer
Historic Environment Scotland
Episode: Legacy in the landscape: our imperial past
Ali Davey
Project manager in the technical conservation team in cultural assets
Historic Scotland
Episode: Tales of the Blackhouse
Zoe Lyons
Castle steward in charge of crafts and arts projects
Caerlaverock Castle team
Episode: Caerlaverock Castle: where west meets east
Judith Rowett
Regional Collections Manager for the Southwest
Historic Scotland
Episode: Caerlaverock Castle: where west meets east
Lynsey Haworth
Collections Access Manager
Historic Scotland
Episode: Caerlaverock Castle: where west meets east
Stefan North Sagrott
Senior Cultural Resources Advisor, Archaeologist for the South region
Historic Scotland
Episode: Caerlaverock Castle: where west meets east
Jill van Millingen
Regional Collections Manager at Smailholm Tower
Historic Scotland
Episode: Ballads, Borders and the tower that inspired Scott

Host

Sarah MacGillivray
Host of the program, guiding through Scotland's historic sites with a storytelling approach.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 26 ratings
  • Incorrect information

    During the holyrood podcast the man, after mentioning Traprain Law, named the pyramid looking hill as Berwick Law (34 minutes in). This is incorrect. It’s The Law in North Berwick. Berwick is 50 miles further south. Other than that, an interesting podcast

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Farmerclaire
    United Kingdom4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Shows strong site-by-site storytelling with expert insight.
Occasional factual slips noted by listeners; accuracy may hinge on sources.
Guest diversity helps cover a wide range of Scotland's heritage.
Production is informative, with engaging historical interpretation.
Consistently solid on-site tours and preservation perspectives.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#201
United Kingdom/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Legacy in the landscape: our imperial past
Q: Can you describe how the midsummer alignment was discovered and what it revealed about the stones' purpose?
The alignment was uncovered through repeated visits and careful observation by researchers like Margaret Ponting and others, who mapped lines and verified them during different seasons. The moment of clear mist and sunrise exposed a precise line of sight across the stones, confirming that the designers intended a viewing axis for midsummer sunrise which linked the stones to the horizon.
Tales of the Blackhouse
Q: Ali, I was thinking when this first came into Caer, and obviously then the roof thing and the thatching would have been, the whole structure would have been looked at, so how do you keep replicating or adapt it now?
Ali describes evidence-based restoration, with many timbers remaining original and repairs being careful and historically informed, relying on local knowledge and ongoing research to maintain authenticity while allowing access for visitors.
Tales of the Blackhouse
Q: So can you tell us about your connection with the Blackhouse?
Ali explains that the project focuses on thatching materials and how traditional building practices connect communities to the landscape, highlighting the preservation of craft knowledge and access to local materials.
Ballads, Borders and the tower that inspired Scott
Q: How do Anne Carrick's dolls contribute to the storytelling at Smailholm?
Carrick's 3D, theatre-like figures recreate pivotal scenes from Scott's life and Border folklore with fabric, materials, and careful staging, helping visitors visualize stories that were once only spoken aloud.
Ballads, Borders and the tower that inspired Scott
Q: What makes Smailholm Tower a source of inspiration for Walter Scott?
The tower's landscape, its frontier history, and the grandmother's oral tales provided Scott with a vivid backdrop that merged history and folklore, which he later captured in his ballads and Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Historic Scotland Podcast

What is Historic Scotland Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A deep dive into Scotland's historical sites, blending on-site narration with expert commentary from archaeologists, curators, and site managers. Across recent episodes, listeners get engrossed in Neolithic landscapes, medieval castles, and preservation challenges, with episodes often weaving archaeology, local folklore, and museum interpretation into layered histories. Notable strengths include a thoughtful balance of site tours, archival context, and exhibitions that reframe traditional narratives, alongside a consistent emphasis on tangible craft and conservation techniques. The show's appeal lies in its rigorous yet accessible storytelling about heritage, making it a good fit for listeners who crave context, provenance, and a clear link... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Historic Scotland Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Historic Scotland Podcast:

1. Dan Snow's History Hit
2. Not Just the Tudors
3. Historic Royal Palaces Podcast
4. Scotland Outdoors
5. The Rest Is Entertainment

How many episodes of Historic Scotland Podcast are there?

Historic Scotland Podcast launched 6 months ago and published 9 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Historic Scotland Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on Historic Scotland Podcast?

Recent guests on Historic Scotland Podcast include:

1. Ian Mchardy
2. Malcolm Maclean
3. Dr Cat Dunn
4. Ali Davey
5. Zoe Lyons
6. Judith Rowett
7. Lynsey Haworth
8. Stefan North Sagrott

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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