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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
Public Finances
Reform UK
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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes225Founded3 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 dive into the most heated moment of the campaign so far: the Channel 4 leaders' debate. We break down the explosive exchange between Scottish Labour’s Anas Sarwar ... more

YouTube

In this episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein, and Andy Maciver take you inside the 2026 Scottish Parliamentary election. We analyse the newest IPSOS Scottish Political Monitor results with Mark McGeoghegan, exploring why the R... more

YouTube

In this final installment of our Leaders Special, we sit down with the leader of Reform UK in Scotland, Malcolm Offord.

As Reform surges in the polls, Offord addresses the "racist scaremongering" accusations from the Scottish Greens, explains why th... more

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton joins Holyrood Sources: The Interviews in Edinburgh to tackle the "Ferry Fiasco," the NHS crisis, and the future of the Union.

Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver discuss with him:

more

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Recent Guests

Mason Higgins
Journalist providing media perspective
Times (Reporter)
Episode: SNP Leads Labour in 2026 Poll: Is a majority within their reach?
Malcolm Offord
Leader of Reform UK in Scotland
Reform UK in Scotland
Episode: The Interviews: Malcolm Offord
Anas Sarwar
Leader of the Scottish Labour Party
Scottish Labour Party
Episode: The Interviews: Anas Sarwar
John Swinney
Leader of the Scottish National Party, First Minister of Scotland during the interview
Scottish National Party
Episode: The Interviews: John Swinney
Fergus Ewing
Former SNP MSP, long-time ministerial figure
Scottish National Party
Episode: Scunnered or Stable? | The Final Day, Part 2
Jim Fairlie
SNP MSP for Perthshire South and Kinross-shire
Scottish National Party
Episode: Scunnered or Stable? | The Final Day, Part 2
Monica Lennon
Labour MSP for Central Scotland
Labour Party
Episode: Scunnered or Stable? | The Final Day, Part 2
Edward Mountain
Conservative MSP for the Highlands and Islands
Scottish Conservative Party
Episode: Scunnered or Stable? | The Final Day, Part 2
Brian Whittle
Conservative MSP for South Scotland
Conservative Party
Episode: The End of an Era? Live from the Scottish Parliament

Hosts

Calum Macdonald
Host of Holyrood Sources with deep ties to Scottish politics.
Geoff Aberdein
Co-host with credentials as former Chief of Staff to the First Minister; frequent political commentator.
Andy Maciver
Co-host and former Director of Communications for the Scottish Conservatives; experienced political communicator.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 188 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 praise the show for fearless, incisive analysis and balanced debates.
The show is valued for depth over soundbites, though some reviews note a male-dominated tone.
Guests and hosts are often described as knowledgeable with strong insider perspectives.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#216
United Kingdom/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Interviews: Russell Findlay
Q: What is the main line of attack against Reform UK and why is it effective or not?
Findlay argues Reform UK has been ambiguous on independence and has soft stances on the Union, while stressing the need to highlight their policy positions and the risks they pose to the United Kingdom and to Scotland's future.
The Interviews: Ross Greer
Q: Well, we are very grateful you're here. Does it ring in your mind about whether the Greens are tarnished by your previous stint in government with the SNP?
Greer acknowledges the past coalition but frames Greens' current record as a basis to argue delivery and polling strength, emphasizing the need to prove they can deliver on promises rather than dwell on past compromises.
The Interviews: Malcolm Offord
Q: What is your stance on offshore wind subsidies and the energy transition?
Offord contends subsidies distort the energy market, calls for a balanced energy system, and suggests domestic North Sea gas could provide a cheaper transition while supporting a local supply chain.
The Interviews: Malcolm Offord
Q: Why is Reform UK seen as brave in standing for Scotland?
Offord argues the party is disrupting the status quo with fresh ideas and a focus on working people, acknowledging it's a new approach that resonates with voters who feel nothing changes despite traditional voting patterns.
The Interviews: Alex Cole-Hamilton
Q: What is the Lib Dems' stance on coalition or deals to form a government if the SNP loses power?
The Lib Dems would neither rush into coalitions nor support deals with parties like the SNP; they would assess arithmetic after the voters' say and aim to govern in a way that reflects their values of fairness and change, potentially working with others only if it aligns with their core program.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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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?

The show offers in-depth, insider-style analysis of Scottish politics, featuring hosts with roots inside government and party communications. Episodes commonly blend political strategy, policy detail, and electoral dynamics, with guests ranging from party strategists to academics and industry voices who illuminate campaigns, polling, and public policy. A recurring strength is its candid, behind-the-scenes perspective on leadership decisions, constitutional questions, and policy trade-offs, all delivered with a mix of rigor and banter. The format often includes data-driven context, practical campaigning insights, and lively debates, making it a go-to for listeners who want a nuanced view of Scotland's political landscape and the actors shapi... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Holyrood Sources?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Holyrood Sources:

1. Scotcast
2. Electoral Dysfunction
3. Matt Forde's Political Party
4. Politics from the New Statesman
5. The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast

How many episodes of Holyrood Sources are there?

Holyrood Sources launched 3 years ago and published 225 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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What guests have appeared on Holyrood Sources?

Recent guests on Holyrood Sources include:

1. Mason Higgins
2. Malcolm Offord
3. Anas Sarwar
4. John Swinney
5. Fergus Ewing
6. Jim Fairlie
7. Monica Lennon
8. Edward Mountain

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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