This episode contains descriptions of violence that may not be suitable for all listeners.
In this week’s episode, Jackie is joined by historian Steven Veerapen to discuss the role James VI played in Scotland’s witch trials.
Between the late 16th and mid-17th centuries, an estimated 4,000 to 6,000 people – most of whom were women – were tried for witchcraft, with around 1,500 executed as a result of the trials.
King James VI played a leading role in the trials, writing a detailed dissertation on the subject of witchcraft that encouraged and endorsed the practice of witch hunting.
You can read our 2021 study into the connections between Trust places and the witch trials here.
To hear more episodes of Love Scotland, please follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
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Inside the archives
This week, Jackie delves into the National Trust for Scotland’s archives. Along the way, she discovers stories of a past US President, a unlikely connection to the Titanic, and details of how places came to be acquired by the Trust.
Joining Jackie is Trust archivist Ian Riches, who cares from the Trust’s rich collection of important historic material.
You can find more about the National Trust for Scotland’s collections here.
To enjoy more episodes of Love Scotland, please follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
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The road to Bannockburn
In this week’s episode, Jackie is tracing the events that ultimately led to the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.
In essence, that means following the life and legacy of William Wallace – a historical figure whose story is the stuff of legend. Unpicking the facts from the fiction is Professor Dauvit Broun from the University of Glasgow, who charts the rise and fall of Wallace and reveals exactly what role he played in the events of the early 14th century.
You can find more about Bannockburn here.
To enjoy more episodes of Love Scotland, please follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
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The St Kilda diaries
This week, Jackie dives into a biographical account of life on the remote St Kilda in the early 20th century. Using handwritten diaries kept by Alice MacLachlan, a schoolteacher who lived on the archipelago between August 1906 and May 1909, we can get a hugely personal view of the challenges and unique circumstances of life there.
In this special episode, you will hear extracts from the diaries brought to life and original music inspired by the islands.
You can find more about the St Kilda diaries here.
Find out more about St Kilda here.
To enjoy more episodes of Love Scotland, please follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
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A beginner’s guide to the bagpipes
They are the soundtrack to weddings, funerals, Burns night celebrations and more. Bagpipes have earned their places as the national instrument of Scotland and holds a special place in the heart of many Scots and the global diaspora.
Today, Jackie discovers the history and cultural significance of the Great Highland bagpipes, which are one of hundreds of types of bagpipes played around the world. She’s joined by Richard McLauchlan, piper and author of The Bagpipes: A Cultural History.
Together, they discuss the role of bagpipes in Scottish history, what makes the Great Highland bagpipes so special, and the surprising identity of the first person ever described as a bagpiper.
To enjoy more episodes of Love Scotland, please follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
About Love Scotland: Stories of Scotland's History and Nature
Love Scotland is a fortnightly podcast series from the National Trust for Scotland.
Hosted by TV star, expert broadcaster and National Trust for Scotland president Jackie Bird, Love Scotland features big names, experts and enthusiasts from all walks of life. Each episode delves deep into the detail of Scotland’s history, its wildlife and its landscapes.
Listen to Love Scotland: Stories of Scotland's History and Nature, Journey Through Time and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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