Best Ian Forth Podcasts (2025)

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Dendrochronology, Seals and The Salt Path 1:23:34

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3d ago1:23:34

1:23:34

Dendrochronology is a niche field of study, used to work out the age of trees, forests and wooden objects. However, it is not only useful for looking at the past, but also for considering how to manage wooded areas in the future. Mark met with expert dendrochronologist Dr Coralie Mills, and Borders Forest Trust Project Officer, Catriona Patience, t…

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The Whithorn Way - Part 1 - Glasgow 31:05

6d ago31:05

31:05

The Whithorn Way follows an ancient pilgrim route from Glasgow to Whithorn in Dumfries and Galloway. In this episode, Mark and Rachel focus on the start of the journey at Glasgow Cathedral. Mark and Helen cycle down to Glasgow Green and imagine how pilgrims would have crossed the River Clyde. They then follow the River westwards to the new Govan- P…

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A Coast to Coast Backpack Challenge, Beekeeping in Kinross and the Capercaillie of Speyside 1:22:35

10d ago1:22:35

1:22:35

Nature-based solutions are a key tool in solving environmental problems such as flooding. Rachel met with Dr Rebecca Wade from Abertay University, who is a big advocate for these solutions, to find out more about how they are actually implemented, and why they are so important. The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust’s demonstration farm in Auchne…

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SF0185 Guided by Guided By Voices 1:09:10

12d ago1:09:10

1:09:10

30 years after the release of Guided By Voices' classic twin album assault of Bee Thousand and Alien Lanes, here's a tribute. Also features some bands they've influenced.By Ian Deeker Forth

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Nature-based Solutions and the Changing Climate 25:48

13d ago25:48

25:48

Rachel Stewart meets environmental scientist Dr Rebecca Wade from Abertay University.By BBC Radio Scotland

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Willow Weaving, Wild Food and the Isle of Whithon - A Dumfries and Galloway Special 1:21:54

17d ago1:21:54

1:21:54

This week, we are coming to you from the village of Whithorn, in Galloway, broadcasting from the replica Iron Age Roundhouse in the village. Julia Muir Watt from the Whithorn Trust, and Shaun Thomson from Building Futures Galloway feature as live guests, to share the history of the area, and the importance of promoting heritage crafts and building …

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A Wild Food Journey with Mo Wilde 28:26

20d ago28:26

28:26

Mo Wilde is a forager, herbalist and author who is also founder of the Wild Biome Project. In this podcast, Helen Needham meets her at Cambo Estate in Fife where they go foraging and discuss the benefits of a wild food diet.By BBC Radio Scotland

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Vintage Buses, A Chelsea Garden in Glasgow and a Very Lucky Ship 1:23:31

24d ago1:23:31

1:23:31

Mark Stephen and Rachel Stewart with stories from the great outdoorsBy BBC Radio Scotland

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SF0184 RIP Clem Burke, Dave Allen, David Thomas, Rick Buckler 1:09:13

26d ago1:09:13

1:09:13

A tribute to Clem Burke of Blondie; Dave Allen of The Gang of Four; David Thomas of Pere Ubu; and Rick Buckler of The JamBy Ian Deeker Forth

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Professor Lorna Dawson, Forensic Soil Scientist 24:17

27d ago24:17

24:17

Mark Stephen meets head of soil forensics at the James Hutton Institute, Professor Lorna Dawson. Mark meets Lorna at the Institute's research farm, Glensaugh in Aberdeenshire to find out what exactly her job entailsBy BBC Radio Scotland

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Peregrine Falcons in Glasgow, Loch Garten Ospreys and a Spitfire in the Borders 1:21:49

1M ago1:21:49

1:21:49

Peregrine falcons have been in residence at the University of Glasgow’s Gilbert Scott Tower for a number of years now, with a new clutch of chicks being born again this year. Rachel met with Clarke Elsby from the university and John Simpson, from the Scottish Ornithologists Club, to get a glimpse of these magnificent birds of prey. Solsgirth Home F…

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Sixty Years of the Scottish Wildlife Trust 29:54

1M ago29:54

29:54

Rachel Stewart speaks to Dr Kenny Taylor at the Montrose Basin about 60 years of the SWTBy BBC Radio Scotland

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Birch Sap, Sailing and Boggy Marathons 1:22:51

1M ago1:22:51

1:22:51

Tennants of Elgin is a family quarrying business that has been operating out of the North East of Scotland for fifty years. They have had numerous impressive contracts across Europe, but have recently begun some work that’s a little closer to home – providing the granite for Aberdeen’s Union Street works. Mark went along to meet with Director Gavin…

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SF0183 Your full name please 1:06:56

1M ago1:06:56

1:06:56

Not just your name, but tracks with your full name.By Ian Deeker Forth

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The Poetry Path at Corbenic Camphill Community in Perthshire 18:12

1M ago18:12

18:12

Mark Stephen visits the poetry path at Corbenic with its founder Jon PlunkettBy BBC Radio Scotland

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Wildfires, Mounth Roads and East Lothian Hedgehogs 1:22:53

2M ago1:22:53

1:22:53

The Elsick Mounth is an ancient trackway, linking the River Dee to the Mearns, and is one of the routes featured in the new Scotsways guide on hill tracks. Mark and Rachel both met up with Colin Young, a Scotsways volunteer, who guided them along part of the route to point out some of the important historical and archaeological sites that can be se…

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Lorraine McCall - the Trailblazing Adventurer on the Scottish Hills 22:36

2M ago22:36

22:36

Lorraine McCall from the Highlands has overcome cancer three times in recent years. She has previously climbed all of Scotland's 221 Corbetts and 282 Munros.By BBC Radio Scotland

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Inchindown Echo, Edinburgh's Herbarium and the 120 Mile Postie's Path 1:24:03

2M ago1:24:03

1:24:03

The Scottish Crannog Centre on the banks of Loch Tay is a bustling model Iron Age village, filled with various craftspeople to demonstrate ancient crafts and technologies. Mark went along to find out how the site has grown over the past few years, and how the construction of the crannog over the water is coming along. Jenny Graham follows the Posti…

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SF0182 The Carolinas, North and South 1:07:42

2M ago1:07:42

1:07:42

Take a trip to the Appalachians for a selection of tracks from North and South Carolina.By Ian Deeker Forth

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The Dawn Chorus with Ian Broadbent 22:55

2M ago22:55

22:55

Helen Needham meets with bird recorder Ian Broadbent to capture the April dawn chorusBy BBC Radio Scotland

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Tattie Tastic Light Fantastic 1:23:53

2M ago1:23:53

1:23:53

Potato Enthusiast Bob Donald talks to Rachel about a community growing project in Aberdeen which has led to libraries in the north east handing out seeds and seed tatties. Mark speaks with volunteers from a walking group in Govan, who share their personal experiences with homelessness and social hardship. They’re now involved in an innovative proje…

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Walking and Motherhood with Writer Kerri Andrews 26:03

2M ago26:03

26:03

Kerri Andrews is the author of Pathfinding - On Walking, Motherhood and Freedom. She describes her own traumatic experience with pregnancy, birth and motherhood and draws on examples of other female writers and their experiences over the centuries. She also discusses the history of women and walking and her desire for a more communal child rearing …

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A North East Lido, Badger Behaviour and a Coral Beach 1:21:49

2M ago1:21:49

1:21:49

Lambhill, in the North of Glasgow, is home to a thriving community hub, built out of an old stable block on the edge of the Forth and Clyde canal. Mark went along to visit their community garden, and find out more about what goes on there. Rachel is on the banks of Loch Lomond to find out about the issues of litter along the busy stretch of the A82…

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SF0181 Hey! 1:05:54

2M ago1:05:54

1:05:54

Tracks with "Hey!" in their title. A plentiful supply: it's tough to leave so many good ones out.By Ian Deeker Forth

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A Fresh Focus on Adaptive Skiing in Scotland 21:25

2M ago21:25

21:25

A shortage of volunteers means some clubs have struggled to restart following the Covid pandemic in 2020. Campaigners say more needs to be done to raise awareness of the issue.By BBC Radio Scotland

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Biofluorescence Walks, Reindeer in Aviemore, and Glasgow Central Mosque 1:24:22

2M ago1:24:22

1:24:22

The Cairngorm Funicular Railway is back up and running after some extensive structural works. Mark took a trip up to the snow-covered peak with the Interim Chief Executive Officer of Cairngorm Mountain Scotland Limited, Tim Hurst, to find out what impact the funicular has for the mountain resort. Farmers and land managers are working together in Mo…

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SF0180 Bonus Ep: Steve Pringle hosts Ian for Mix Tapes podcast 1:06:01

3M ago1:06:01

1:06:01

A bonus episode, essentially the first episode in the podcast Steve's Mix Tapes; Ian is interviewed by Steve Pringle.By Ian Deeker Forth

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Celebrating the Imperfections in Wood with Artist and Maker Duke Christie 19:49

3M ago19:49

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Mark Stephen visits Duke Christie at his studio in MorayBy BBC Radio Scotland

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The March of the Frogs, Heavy Lifting Stones and Boat Building 1:22:42

3M ago1:22:42

1:22:42

Many landowners across Scotland are engaging with large scale restoration projects. One such project, spanning 80 thousand acres, is Wildland, in the Scottish Highlands. They have a 200 year vision to help the land heal, grow and thrive, and Rachel is there to find out more about the project, and perhaps even spot some of birds of prey who are thri…

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SF0179 The Transgender Episode 1:08:32

3M ago1:08:32

1:08:32

In a darkening world, aiming to throw light on transgender musical artists with this episode featuring their work.By Ian Deeker Forth

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Wild Swimming with Greg and Jules 28:40

3M ago28:40

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The actors have become regular wild swimmers in recent years. In their latest BBC Scotland TV series, they visit some of Scotland's islands and try out a whole host of different dipping spots in remote and rugged locations.By BBC Radio Scotland

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Understanding the K Pop Phenomenon 20:36

3M ago20:36

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It would have taken a particularly gifted Nostradamus in the 1990s to predict both the demise of the traditional western rock band and the rise and rise of their South Korean replacements. yet that's what happened? But how did it happen? Join me as we take a medium-sized dive into what K Pop is all about and how come it's been such a runaway succes…

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Bracklinn Falls, Needle Felting and The Cabrach Distillery 1:24:06

3M ago1:24:06

1:24:06

Golf courses are often criticised for their lack of biodiversity, but at The Plock, near Kyle of Lochalsh, a community project is reclaiming the local golf course and giving it back to the wild. Mark met up with the local ranger, Heather Beaton, to find out more about this rewilding initiative. A new award-winning footbridge has been built at Brack…

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Preserving Antarctica's Heritage Buildings with Conservation Carpenter Graham Gillie 21:57

3M ago21:57

21:57

Mark Stephen hears from Graham Gillie about his extraordinary working life in AntarcticaBy BBC Radio Scotland

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Kingfishers, a Gunpowder Mill and a Halifax Bomber Relic 1:25:23

3M ago1:25:23

1:25:23

Mark visits the Montrose Air Station Museum to hear about a new addition to their collection, part of a Halifax Bomber, which crashed in the Angus glens in 1944. Shan Brewis tells us the story behind the plane crash, and how the piece of wreckage came to be discovered exactly 80 years after the tragedy. Red Squirrels in Scotland are often under thr…

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SF0178 The Third Man (and The Third Woman) 1:08:46

3M ago1:08:46

1:08:46

Three-piece bands, sometimes called power trios, in the third part of our Graham Greene inspired trilogy of episodes.By Ian Deeker Forth

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Wildlife on the Water of Leith 24:37

3M ago24:37

24:37

During the Covid lockdown, Tom Kelly decided to stroll along the Water of Leith Walkway every single day and take photographs of the wildlife in the area. The photographer from Edinburgh has always had a keen interest in nature and he wanted to explore what was living in his own neighbourhood. The result is a huge collection of photographs showcasi…

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What is this obsession with ranking records? 19:20

3M ago19:20

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The best and worst double albums ever. The 50 greatest cover versions of all time. The 100 greatest British albums of all time. The greatest indie anthems ever. The 100 greatest albums you've never heard. The 50 darkest albums of all time. The 101 albums to hear before you die. Why must we always rank rank rank these records? Let's have a medium-si…

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A Soutar's Shop, Jigsaws and Gorillas 1:22:05

3M ago1:22:05

1:22:05

Winchburgh in West Lothian is expanding rapidly, with several new housing developments underway. At the heart of these new developments is the 85 acre Authcaldie Park, where Mark visits a group of volunteers who are building a new centre piece for the area – a model cathedral made entirely out of willow. RSPB Loch Leven has recently hosted the Conv…

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The Glasgow Seed Library with Rowan Lear 23:39

3M ago23:39

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Helen Needham meets seed librarian Rowan LearBy BBC Radio Scotland

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Lewis Grassic Gibbon, Snowdrops and a Beaver MOT 1:23:41

4M ago1:23:41

1:23:41

Auchnerran Farm is run by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust as a demonstration farm to test and trial conservation and land management strategies. Mark visits the farm to hear about their projects and how they manage these alongside a profitable enterprise of sheep farming. It is the 20th anniversary of the opening of Five Sister’s Zoo this …

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SF0177 The End of the Affair 1:06:47

4M ago1:06:47

1:06:47

Valentine's Day is upon us once more. But the flowers of romance can fade and die - as these tracks tell us, all too sadly.By Ian Deeker Forth

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Sunset Song - Exploring The Mearns - Part 2 29:16

4M ago29:16

29:16

The 7th February 2025 marks 90 years since the death of Scottish writer Lewis Grassic Gibbon, author of Sunset Song. In 2016, it was voted Scotland's favourite novel. In this archive programme, Mark Stephen explores the area it was set in, the Mearns.By BBC Radio Scotland

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Why did everyone watch Top of the Pops? 20:11

4M ago20:11

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The terminally uncool "pop" programme from the terminally uncool state TV station, BBC1. A recipe for failure, surely. And yet, everyone watched Top of the Pops. Why was that? Take a trip back in time to the culturally hegemonic imperial phase of the programme; to a time when it was great act of subversion to play air guitar as you mimed to your hi…

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Water of Leith Otters, Salmon Fishing on the River Tweed and a Famous North East Cow 1:23:33

4M ago1:23:33

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The National Farmers Union of Scotland Conference has been underway this week, and Kevin Keane is there, joined by Professor Colin Campbell from the James Hutton Institute, to hear his advice on how farms can become more resilient in the face of climate change. Muiravonside, Falkirk’s only country park, features several attractions, from a sculptur…

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Sunset Song - Exploring the Mearns - Part 1 26:38

4M ago26:38

26:38

The 7th February 2025 marks 90 years since the death of Scottish writer Lewis Grassic Gibbon, author of Sunset Song. In 2016, it was voted Scotland's favourite novel. In this archive programme, Mark and Euan explore the area it was set in, the Mearns.By BBC Radio Scotland

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The Festival of Imbolc, World Wetlands Day and the Big Farmland Bird Count 1:22:15

4M ago1:22:15

1:22:15

Parts of the country are still recovering after last week’s Storm Eowyn including Jupiter Artland. The 100-acre sculpture garden on the outskirts of Edinburgh suffered quite a bit of storm damage as Mark saw when he visited earlier this week. Rachel meets a group of volunteers from a whole variety of backgrounds who have come together to help resto…

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SF0176 Brighton Rock 1:05:51

4M ago1:05:51

1:05:51

Brighton Rock was a novel by Graham Greene. But there's also plenty of great (alternative) Brighton rock music (and post-punk and other genres) - as this episode demonstrates.By Ian Deeker Forth

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"Disco Sucks!" Could a "Disco Demolition Night" now happen again? 18:55

4M ago18:55

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In July 1979 Steve Dahl organised a Disco Demolition Night at a baseball game in Comiskey Park, Chicago. Infuriated by disco music and its chart dominance it was the latest in a growing nationwide "Disco Sucks!" campaign. That night ended in a riot. But some have argued it also ended disco as a genre. But now, is the distrust between a liberal elit…

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Burns on Birds, Golden Eye and How to Make Haggis 1:23:15

4M ago1:23:15

1:23:15

We celebrate Burns Day on Out of Doors on the 265th anniversary of his birth. Mark chats to Professor Fiona Stafford from University of Oxford who writes about Burns ‘the bard of nature’. They chat about his understanding of ecology and how that comes through in his poetry. Rachel hears the good news story about Goldeneye Ducks in the Cairngorms. G…