
The Holyrood Sources podcast analyses Scottish politics through the experiences of those who have lived and breathed it as Special Advisers to the Scottish Government, SNP and opposition parties. Join hosts Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (Chief of Staff to the First Minister, 2007-2014) and Andy Maciver (Former Head of Communications for the Scottish Conservatives) as they take you inside Scottis... more
| Publishes | Twice weekly | Episodes | 251 | Founded | 4 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Category | News | |||

Are the days of the United Kingdom numbered, or was the recent Cardiff summit between First Ministers just political theatre?
Calum Macdonald and Andy Maciver are joined by SNP National Secretary Alex Kerr MSP to discuss the summit and ask whether i... more
On a special hustings episode of the Holyrood Sources podcast, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver are joined by Scottish Labour's leadership candidates: Joe Fagan and Michael Marra.
The two leadership contenders debate their visions fo... more
On the first of our Holyrood Sources energy specials in partnership with Energy Voice, Calum MacDonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver are joined by Energy Voice News Editor Erikka Askeland (live from Stavanger) and Editorial Director of DC Thomson,... more
The Scottish Fiscal Commission just revealed an extra £860 million in the budget for this financial year—but is it actually good news for public spending, or a sign of deeper structural issues caused by devolution?
In this episode of Holyrood Source... more
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Enjoyed this at the beginning of pod but the two commentators are so obviously SNP through and through, they now need someone with a different political point of view. To say that this PMurell issue wouldn’t have had a bearing on the election outcome is unbelievable. Read the room Andy
see above….
I have listened to Graeme McCormick’s AGFR tax proposals on numerous occasions and to me it is revolutionary, the structure is in place, can be implemented almost immediately, lift everyone out of poverty and impact on land ownership because of the work done on land registry, all in the one parcel. I have constantly begged people to tell me why it cannot work. All I can see is that it will anger landowners and the MOD - that’s it. It was passed at last year’s Alba conference and then disappeared... more
The weekly listen - and more often when there’s a party being kicked out of government and an FM resignation! - for the best informed take on politics in Scotland. And Calum, Andy and Geoff all seem to like each other too which is fun! 😉
Guid banter atween i loons! As a quine fae Aiberdeen it’s affa fine tae hae yon loon Geoff gie a voice tae NE Scotland!
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
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Apple Podcasts | #150 |
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The show provides in-depth, insider-style analysis of Scottish politics, with a focus on governance, constitutional questions, taxation, energy policy, and party dynamics. Conversations couple sharp political insight with practical implications for policymakers, businesses, and the media, often featuring former advisers and communications leaders from major parties. Listeners can expect rigorous discourse, candid banter, and cross-party perspectives that illuminate strategy, policy trade-offs, and the daily realities of Scottish public life. A standout trait is the hosts' lived experience inside government and opposition worlds, which lends a practical angle to complex topics like devolution, energy transition, and party leadership debates.... more
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These podcasts share a similar audience with Holyrood Sources:
1. Scotcast
2. The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast
3. Electoral Dysfunction
4. Political Currency
5. The News Agents
Holyrood Sources launched 4 years ago and published 251 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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Recent guests on Holyrood Sources include:
1. Erikka Askeland
2. Dave Lord
3. Laurie Macfarlane
4. Francesca Brennan
5. Paul Sweeney
6. Andy Maciver
7. Jack McConnell
8. Harriet Cross
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