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Holyrood Sources

Shortbread Media
Scottish Parliament
SNP
Devolution
Labour Party
Scottish Conservative Party
Scottish Independence Referendum
Independence Referendum
Brexit
Scottish Government
Scottish Conservatives
Erasmus Scheme
VAT Cut
Westminster
Scottish National Party (SNP)
Scotland
Donald Dewar
Reform UK
Public Finances
Scottish Independence
Gaza Conflict

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes208Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Latest Episodes

In this episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver dissect further fallout from Anas Sarwar's dramatic calls for Keir Starmer to resign. Now the dust has settled we break down the political implications and potentia... more

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has called for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to resign — and the political fallout could reshape the Holyrood election.

In this special Holyrood Sources episode, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver break... more

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In this episode of Holyrood Sources, we remember Scotland's first Deputy First Minister, Jim Wallace as Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver are joined by former Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Tavish Scott to discuss Jim's political car... more

In this episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond) and Andy Maciver (former Director of Communications for the Scottish Conservatives) break down the early battle lines of the Scottish parliam... more

YouTube

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Chris Herd
General Manager at Firstbase
Firstbase
Episode: Tactical Boost for the SNP, Is Scotland Bad for Business, and Remembering Jim Wallace
Tavish Scott
Former leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Episode: Tactical Boost for the SNP, Is Scotland Bad for Business, and Remembering Jim Wallace
Luke Tryl
UK director at More In Common
More In Common
Episode: Scottish Voters Focus Group: Swinney, Sarwar, Starmer & Farage Assessed
Rebecca McCurdy
Deputy Political Editor at The Herald
The Herald
Episode: Angela Constance and the Resident Doctors
Michael Matheson
Outgoing SNP MSP, formerly Health Secretary, Justice Secretary, and Transport Secretary.
Scottish National Party
Episode: New Scottish Poll SHOCKS Labour: Reform UK Surges to 2nd
Mark McGeoghegan
Pollster from Ipsos.
Ipsos
Episode: New Scottish Poll SHOCKS Labour: Reform UK Surges to 2nd
Maurice Golden
Scottish Conservative MSP, not seeking re-election in 2026
Scottish Conservatives
Episode: It's Budget Day and the future of the Scottish Conservatives with Maurice Golden MSP
Russell Findlay
Scottish Conservative party leader
Scottish Conservatives
Episode: It's Budget Day and the future of the Scottish Conservatives with Maurice Golden MSP
Pam Duncan-Glancy
Scottish Labour MSP
Scottish Labour
Episode: Scotland’s Win, Exxon’s Exit & Party Support Ceilings... Plus, Pam Duncan-Glancy

Hosts

Calum Macdonald
Host of the podcast with deep expertise in Scottish politics as a former Special Adviser.
Geoff Aberdein
Former Chief of Staff to the First Minister and a co-host, contributing extensive political insight.
Andy Maciver
Former Director of Communications for the Scottish Conservatives and co-host bringing a wealth of media experience.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 186 ratings
  • another all male blokey irrelevant podcast

    see above….

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    scotsnik
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Progressive Taxation

    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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    🔬8
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • The best bar none for Scottish political thought

    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! 😉

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    robbie77
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Making Scottish politics Informative and entertaining

    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!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Michelle Shortt
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Intelligent, compelling analysis of politics in Scotland

    Every week, I find myself wondering how the podcast will handle the latest events in Scottish politics. It’s fearless, incisive and - sometimes- humorous.

    An excellent listen, subscribe now.

    Disclosure- I am not related to any of the presenters. Indeed, never even met them!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Caz Stirling
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the insightful analysis of Scottish political affairs, often highlighting the depth and expertise offered by the hosts.
Many find it informative and a necessary resource for understanding contemporary Scottish politics, although some note a perceived bias towards certain parties.
The podcast is praised for its engaging discussions that manage to balance humor with serious political commentary.
The hosts' experiences within government are frequently mentioned as a key strength of the content, providing a behind-the-scenes look at political dynamics.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#126
United Kingdom/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Anas Sarwar’s Gamble, Your Questions Answered and Remembering Jeane Freeman
Q: Why are Scottish households not benefiting from the surplus of clean energy?
Electrify Britain campaigns to ensure the clean energy dividend is more accessible to the population, advocating for changes to energy pricing and technology access.
Anas Sarwar’s Gamble, Your Questions Answered and Remembering Jeane Freeman
Q: Is there any evidence that people who think the SNP are doing badly would back Labour?
Polling indicates that most Scottish voters do not believe Labour would do a better job than the SNP, despite dissatisfaction with the SNP government.
Anas Sarwar’s Gamble, Your Questions Answered and Remembering Jeane Freeman
Q: So, what does the future hold for Anas Sarwar after his unsuccessful coup?
The hosts explore Sarwar's options, highlighting the implications of his call for Starmer's resignation and its effects on his leadership.
Tactical Boost for the SNP, Is Scotland Bad for Business, and Remembering Jim Wallace
Q: What conditions are required to be able to say Scotland is a good place to start a business?
Chris Herd explains that while starting a business in Scotland can be easy in terms of initial funding, scaling up and attracting institutional investment remains a challenge due to the risk-averse culture.
UK Elections 2026 Preview: Reform UK, Labour, SNP & Plaid Cymru
Q: What kind of impact did the Cofilly by-election have on Labour at Westminster?
Labour's momentum is considered to be reversed due to electoral defeats, leading to concerns about Keir Starmer's leadership and overall Labour strategy.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Professions
Age Range
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Frequently Asked Questions About Holyrood Sources

What is Holyrood Sources about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast provides incisive and informed commentary on the complexities of Scottish politics, guided by hosts with significant experience as political advisers. Analyzing current events, legislative issues, and the overarching climate of Scottish governance, it frequently engages with both major and emerging political figures in the region. Listeners can expect a nuanced exploration of political dynamics, including discussions on party strategies, governance challenges, and public sentiment towards pressing issues such as independence, economic policies, and health services—making it a valuable resource for those looking to grasp the intricacies of Scotland's political landscape.

Where can I find podcast stats for Holyrood Sources?

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How many listeners does Holyrood Sources get?

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What are the audience demographics for Holyrood Sources?

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How many subscribers and views does Holyrood Sources have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Holyrood Sources has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Holyrood Sources?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Holyrood Sources:

1. The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast
2. Matt Forde's Political Party
3. Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government
4. How To Win An Election
5. Political Thinking with Nick Robinson

How many episodes of Holyrood Sources are there?

Holyrood Sources launched 3 years ago and published 208 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 Holyrood Sources?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Holyrood Sources?

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What guests have appeared on Holyrood Sources?

Recent guests on Holyrood Sources include:

1. Chris Herd
2. Tavish Scott
3. Luke Tryl
4. Rebecca McCurdy
5. Michael Matheson
6. Mark McGeoghegan
7. Maurice Golden
8. Russell Findlay

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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