Simply Scottish

Celebrate our 50th episode with us! History, natural beauty, and adventure all come together in Andrew's Ten Favorite Scottish Destinations. You won't find this list in any guide book! From the gems of the capital to the tranquility of the borders, from the gorgeous Hebridean islands to the snowy peaks of the Cairngorms, this is Scotland at its best, as judged by Scottish writer and Simply Scottish host Andrew McDiarmid. Plus, hear a classic from Deacon Blue and enjoy brand new music from Salsa Celtica and Julie Fowlis!

Join us as we illuminate the history of curling from medieval pastime to modern sport! Just what is curling, and how did it become the popular Olympic event it is today? From the purpose-built ponds of Scotland to the frozen reaches of Canada, from Chamonix to Sochi, celebrate with us this curious mix of athleticism, skill, and strategy on ice. Hear the Curler's Grace, discover the Scottish island where the world's curling stones are made, and enjoy some great Scottish music from Capercaillie, Fiona Mackenzie, Elaine Meyer, and more!

It's electric! In a new series called Six Degrees of Scotland, we explore Scotland's connections to the world. On this episode, learn five different ways to connect Scotland to the history and development of electricity, from the groundbreaking work of James Maxwell and Lord Kelvin to the innovation of James Bowman Lindsay, Thomas Edison, and others. Plus, enjoy highlights from the latest issue of Scottish Memories Magazine! We'll explore the transport issue including trams, buses, trains, and more. Listen to great music from new Gaelic quartet Cruinn, the latest from Blazin' Fiddles, the sound of the pipes, and more!

Roman Empire. British Empire. Scottish Empire? We've all heard of Carnegie, Muir, Lipton, and Connery. Discover all the lesser-known Scots and their lasting contributions to the world in the new book Scotland’s Global Empire. Author Jock Gallagher shares highlights of his book with us and explains his challenge in bringing so many stories together to weave a compelling case for a global Scottish empire. Enjoy music from Rura, Kilmarnock Edition, Eddi Reader, and more!

It's the most wonderful time of the year, and we're celebrating the season Scottish-style! Enjoy a great selection of Scottish Christmas music, including bagpipes, Celtic hymns, and a brand new Christmas single from popular Scottish band Deacon Blue. We'll discuss what the phrase "Simply Scottish" means, and you'll hear from my father Andrew McDiarmid Sr. as he shares memories of a childhood Christmas in Scotland in a clip from our radio archives. All this and more awaits you in A Simply Scottish Christmas!

From 1999-2001, Simply Scottish aired as a weekly radio show on stations in the U.S. and Canada. The program, hosted by Andrew McDiarmid Jr. and Sr., was recorded live at the Classic 88FM Studios in South Texas. On episode #71, we welcomed in the year 2000 with a great selection of Scottish and Celtic music, a look at the Isle of Arran in an ongoing feature called Scotland's Small Wonders, and a discussion of the work and life of author Muriel Spark. Enjoy the banter of the two Andrews and a healthy dose of all things Scottish on this episode from our Simply Scottish Radio Archive!

In part 2 of our profile, we look at Lipton the tea baron and avid yachtsman! By age 40, Lipton had built a grocery empire across Great Britain. In the 1890s, he added tea to his product line, introduced America to his teas, and soon boasted great blends at unbeatable prices, direct from the tea garden to the teapot! We'll also explore Lipton's passion for yachting and his valiant attempts to win the prestigious America's Cup trophy. All this plus great new music from Maeve O'Boyle, Capercaillie, Runrig, and a classic from The Alexander Brothers!

Discover the remarkable story of one of Scotland's most successful businessmen, Sir Thomas Lipton. In part 1, we profile Lipton's rise from assistant in his parents' store in Glasgow to overseer of a grocery market empire with over 300 stores all over Great Britain! We reveal the secrets of his success and the innovative methods he used to make his company a household name. Why did he move to the United States as a teenager? Why did he return to Scotland? What does the world's biggest cheese have to do with his stores? Find out all this and more, plus the personal recollections of Andrew McDiarmid Sr. and a great selection of Scottish music from Sir Harry Lauder, David Francey, Coreen Scott, and more!

This episode features more finalists from our Moment in Scottish History contest, highlighting key events in Scotland's history. Discover how the Scottish Highlands changed forever with a look at the Battle of Culloden and the Highland Clearances. We'll also revisit the moment Skara Brae was discovered, one of the oldest prehistoric settlements in Europe. Other moments include George IV's visit to Edinburgh, a Scottish expedition to the Antarctic, the plight of the Suffragettes, World War II, and the construction of the Forth Road Bridge. Enjoy music from Breabach, Catriona MacDonald, Moira Kerr, and more!

Take a journey through Scotland's history on this episode of Simply Scottish, featuring finalists from our Moment in Scottish History Contest. What happened to Rome's 9th Legion after they marched into the wild lands of Caledonia? Learn about the famed footprint at Dunadd, seat of the ancient kings of Dalriada. Discover the significance of Dun Nechtain and Athelstaneford, two key battles in early Scottish history. Relive important moments in the life of Robert the Bruce, and uncover important truths about the Massacre of Glencoe and the Act of Union with England. All this plus music from Sandy Meldrum, The Paul McKenna Band, The Corries, and more!

Enjoy a great selection of Scottish poems and songs in part 3 of our series! Learn more about the fiery poet, editor, and political activist Hugh MacDiarmid and how he revived interest and awareness in the Scots language and Scottish literature. Hear MacDiarmid read from "The Kind of Poetry I Want" during a visit to New York in 1969 and enjoy a selection of his work. You'll also meet Robert Service, the Bard of the Yukon. Hear about his adventures in the Canadian and American West and why he was hailed as the people's poet. Also, poems by Andrew McDiarmid and Stewart Conn, plus music from Session A9, Emily Smith, Ewan Robertson & Gary Innes, and more!

Perhaps no country has been influenced by the Scots more than Canada. On this episode, learn the fascinating story of the Scots who helped build early Canada. You'll meet Simon McTavish, founder of the North West Company, who at one time controlled a majority of the fur trade business in the Canadian territories. We'll look at the expeditions of Alexander MacKenzie, the first explorer to blaze a trail from Canada's interior to the mighty Pacific. And you'll learn about two Scots who helped safeguard Canada's bilingual and cultural heritage. Discover how the Scots laid the groundwork for a new nation! All this plus music highlighting Canada's Scottish musical heritage, including Leahy, Mary Jane Lamond, the Chris Norman Ensemble, and more!

To understand the famous highlander Rob Roy, you must first understand the times in which he lived. On this episode of Simply Scottish, we separate the man from the myth. Discover the troubling period of Scottish history into which Rob was born, including the story of the covenanters and the conflict between king and church. Learn more about the clan system and how Rob Roy quickly gained a reputation for himself as a man of courage and conviction. Even amidst the toughest times, Rob remained true to his family and clan, and his story can be an encouragement to us all. All this plus music from David Warrack's Rob Roy: The Musical, Kim Edgar, Alasdair Fraser, and more!

Hailed as the biggest band since The Beatles, the Bay City Rollers became global sensations in the mid-1970s with their bubblegum pop and tartan trousers. Learn more about their journey through stardom on this episode of Simply Scottish, another Scottish Three. Along with rollermania, we'll also look at Scottish mathematician John Napier, whose contributions to mathematics include logarithms and a more efficient system for making calculations. Finally, discover how Scotsman John Broadwood helped invent grand pianos and hear how Ludwig van Beethoven thanked the craftsman after receiving one of his instruments as a gift. All this plus music from Deacon Blue, Rory Butler, Skipinnish, and more!

On this episode of Simply Scottish, teacher, naturalist and writer Jack Nisbet discusses the life and legacy of 19th century Scottish botanist David Douglas. In a short but eventful career, Douglas collected and introduced to Europe over 200 plant species, including the Douglas Fir for which he is named. Nisbet is author of two books on Douglas - 2009's The Collector and 2012's David Douglas: A Naturalist at Work. Nibset's unique insight helps us understand who Douglas was as a Scotsman, a nature lover, and a collector for the Royal Horticultural Society in an age of global discovery and exploration. Enjoy period music by F.P. Hill & John Longman, as well as Alasdair Fraser and a modern-day David Douglas!

Although the origins of golf are widely debated, the game developed and matured in Scotland. On this episode of Simply Scottish, the latest in our Sport in Scotland series, we explore the history of golf. Learn how golf advanced from a short stick and ball pastime to the majestic game it is today. Discover golf's greats with our profiles of past and present players, including Old Tom Morris, Dorothy Campbell, Willie Anderson, and Colin Montgomerie. And join in as we look at Scotland's top golf courses, from the Old Course of St. Andrew to Gleneagles, site of the 2014 Ryder Cup. All this plus music from Sketch, Battlefield Band, Alistair Ogilvy, and Olympic Swimmers.

For almost 800 years, the only way to cross the Firth of Forth between Edinburgh and Fife was by ferry boat. In 1890, the Forth Rail Bridge opened, a marvel of Victorian era engineering. Learn about this majestic landmark and how it revolutionized transportation between the lowlands and highlands of Scotland. We'll also look at the Forth Road Bridge, an essential transit link for central Scotland, and details of the new Forth crossing, due to be completed in 2016. Enjoy music from Deacon Blue and Capercaillie, as well as songs about the Forth bridge by Radio Big Band and Robin Laing.

Enjoy a short history of Scotland in film on this episode of Simply Scottish. From the earliest depiction of Scotland in 1895 to the cutting-edge animation behind Disney/Pixar’s Brave in 2012, we look at over a century of movies set in Scotland and the actors and filmmakers who brought them to life. Learn about Scotland’s contribution to early cinema and find out how a homegrown film industry developed in Scotland in the 1970s. All this plus music from The Proclaimers, Mark Knopfler, Dean Owens, and Face the West.

Take another trip to Scotland's Borders in the concluding episode of our series exploring this beautiful region of Scotland! Visit border towns like Selkirk, Jedburgh, Kelso, and Eyemouth. Find out where William Wallace was named Guardian of Scotland and learn more about the Battle of Flodden, one of Scotland's bloodiest conflicts. We'll also visit Berwick-Upon-Tweed, whose colorful history is symbolic of its place between two nations. All this plus music from Isla St. Clair, Manran, Rachel Newton, and Deacon Blue!

Discover the majesty of Scotland's Borders in part two of our series! On this episode, we pay a visit to Abbotsford House, the inspiring home of Sir Walter Scott. We'll also take a closer look at the beautifully preserved ruins of Melrose Abbey and the charming town of Melrose that lies around it. Then on to Galashiels and the Yarrow Valley, where you'll meet two more of the border region's famous sons, poet and writer James Hogg and explorer Mungo Park. All this plus music from newcomer Panda Su, Gaelic band Daimh, The Proclaimers, and more!