ScottishBlethers

02/01/2024

Wishing all our friends a Happy New Year.

This week’s podcast we talk about our favourite walks. The photos show different views of The Hermitage Walk in Highland Perthshire.

29/12/2023

Paths well travelled

At this time of year what better way to blow the cobwebs away than a good walk. The Blethers are both fond of slipping on our boots and heading out for a wee saunter or a more strenuous hike that will have us peching (panting) with exertion! In this episode we take you on a few of our favourite routes.

You can find our podcast on your favourite podcast platform or just google 'scottish blethers podcast' and there we will be!

18/12/2023

Hell Bunker (or bunker from hell!)

One of golf’s most notorious hazards lies on the long 14th fairway on the Old Course at St Andrews. Hell bunker lies almost unseen some 100 yards short of the green. In 1995 Jack Nicklaus descended into Hell and took four to get out of this 10ft-deep nightmare. Decisions have to made whether to play short to avoid 'hell' or be confident that you can drive over and beyond it!
Fun and games!!

Below Hell in 1897 and Hell in 2016

Photos: Creative Commons

15/12/2023

St Andrews - Home of Golf

Over 600 years since shepherds hit a stone over sandy links with their crooks, St Andrews has been at the heart of the evolution of the game of golf, Rules were developed here, champions created and equipment advanced. Just like the pilgrims before them, today's visitors come searching. To walk the hallowed turf, surround themselves with iconic images and pit their skills against one of the ultimate challenges in the game of golf.

You can find out more about this by listening to our podcast which you can find on your favourite podcast platform. I just google Scottish Blethers Podcast and it pops up on google, Apple, Spotify and others.

Photo: Erik Thörnqvist, CC BY 2.0

04/12/2023

In the week we celebrated the day of Scotland's Patron Saint, St Andrew, we take a look at the seaside town which bears his name. How it became a pilgrimage route, a centre of religious fervour and then home to the first of our universities, we discuss how this seaside town punches above its weight in terms of global recognition - must be the icecream!

If you haven't found our podcast yet, you can find us on your podcast platform of choice including Spotify, Google, Apple and others. I just search for 'Scottish Blethers Podcast' and up it pops!

03/11/2023

The Blethers are Back
The walking shoes and tartan jackets are back in the cupboard till next season and in their place are comfy slippers and auld claes and porridge as we settle in for Series 3 of Scottish Blethers.
The kettles's on, and the teacakes are on the tray and we're ready for a richt guid blether!

Episode 1 of Series 3 is now out - Tourism in Scotland

Find us on your podcast platform of choice including google, spotify, anchor, and many others.

20/08/2023

Realised that we have been silent on this page for a few weeks but we have not be idle! Here are a few photos showing you what we have been up to on our wanders through our fabulous country showing it off to visitors from the US, Canada, South America and many more.

28/06/2023

Exciting News!!
We have been invited to take our Blethers on to national radio BBC2!
In the early hours of Friday 30th June at 12.30am we will be putting OJ Borg to the test in this episode of his quiz Midnight Mastermind. Our topic is Scottish Landmarks and he has the length of one song to do his research before we put our three questions to him. What would you ask? Listen in and see if you know the answers to ours!

27/05/2023

Is Cullen Skink the new Mince and Tatties?
In this episode of Scottish Blethers podcast we reflect on the changing face of Scottish cuisine and get no further than soups! We look back at the traditional favourites from our childhood and consider how tastes have changed today. One thing they all have in common - the best of Scottish ingredients.

You can find our Scottish Blethers podcast on all the usual podcast platforms including Spotify, Google, Apple and many others

Photo: Creative Commons

12/05/2023

Memories of the Coronation

It seems a distant memory now but thankfully we have lots of images to keep it fresh.

Find our podcast on your favourite podcast platform.

Photo: *Katie Chan, CC BY-SA 4.0
*Department for Culture, Media and Sport, PDM-owner, via Wikimedia Commons
*Katie Chan, CC BY-SA 4.0

09/05/2023

Coronation of Charles lll and Queen Camilla
In this episode we continue the theme of coronations and consider whether the traditions associated with the inauguration of ancient Scottish monarchs have percolated down to the coronation of King Charles lll this weekend.

You can find our Scottish Blethers podcast of your podcast platform of choice including Spotify, Google, Apple and others.







Photo: Isle of Man Government, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

29/04/2023

The Stone of Destiny

As the Stone of Destiny/Stone of Scone makes it way to Westminster Abbey to take its place on the Coronation Chair, this is just a wee note to let you know that Scottish Blethers Podcast coming out next week is all about this precious Stone.

Find us on your podcast platform of choice.

Photo by Commons Wikimedia

14/04/2023

Scots in Canada
In this episode we look at the influence Scots have had on the development of Canada as it is today - from politics to education, business to culture. We look at the reasons why they went in such large numbers and why they retained as much of the old country as they could. We reflect on what it is like for a Scot to travel in Canada today.

You can find our Scottish Blethers podcast on your favourite podcast platform including google, spotify, apple and many others.

Photos by Canva and Commons Creative

05/04/2023

In our recent podcast on the Forth Bridge Helen mentions that her Grandfather, David Farmer, worked on the construction of the bridge as a young boy. Although she is not sure of the job he did it, is possible he was a rivet boy tasked with heating the rivets up to the required temperature and then throwing them to the skilled riveters to hammer home. Over 6 million rivets were accurately driven into the steel to secure a strong and safe bridge. The photo is of one of the original rivets which was replaced during the refurbishment of the bridge early this century. You can see clearly the original Forth Bridge red paint on the rivet. The restoration operation was completed in 2011.

30/03/2023

Scottish Blethers Podcast Series 2 Episode 12
THE FORTH BRIDGE
The wonder of its generation according to Gustaf Eiffel. The one immediately and internationally recognised Scottish landmark according to Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland. The Forth Bridge is a UNESCO World Heritage Site enjoying the same status as the Taj Mahal and Great Wall of China. In this episode we look at the challenges of construction and the place it enjoys in Scottish culture.
You can find our Scottish Blethers Podcast on your favourite podcast platform including Apple, Spotify, Google and many others. I just google Scottish Blethers Podcast and there it is! The wonders of technology🙂




Photo Canva
Mike McBey, CC BY 2.0
The gentleman is Helen's Grandfather, David Farmer.

25/03/2023

St Cuthbert's Way
St Cuthbert’s Way is 62 miles long and is named after Cuthbert, a 7th century saint. It links Melrose in the Scottish Borders where Cuthbert began his religious service and Lindisfarne Island just off the Northumberland Coast where he was initially buried. In the late 10th century Cuthbert’s relics were settled in Durham, a safe haven from Viking raids.
The present route takes you past the great Border Abbeys of Melrose, Jedburgh, and Dryburgh before travelling through the Eildon Hills and the Cheviot Hills, along the River Tweed and across the border into England and the Island of Lindisfarne.
This route is part of the E2 European long distance path which runs for over 3000 miles from Galway to Nice
This week Scottish Blethers Podcast considers Pilgrim Routes, you can find our podcast on your favourite podcast platform including Apple, Google, Spotify and many others.







Photos: Melrose Abbey by Walter Baxter, CC BY-SA 2.0
Lindisfarne Priory by Peter McDermott, CC BY-SA 2.0
Waymark for St Cuthbert's Way by Jim Barton, CC BY-SA 2.0

16/03/2023

The Fife Pilgrims Way
St Andrews, in Fife, became as important a pilgrimage destination as Rome (St Peter) and Santiago de Compostela (St James). These were places where pilgrims could be near the relics of disciples who had been with Jesus. This was the next best thing to being in the Holy Land and walking in the footsteps of Jesus himself.
Dunfermline Abbey in Fife had the relics of St Margaret and other saints were represented by churches, chapels and healing wells along the road to St Andrews. These provided perfect places for rest and reflection on the way to St Andrews.
The Fife Pilgrim Way follows one of the routes taken by countless pilgrims to the shrine of St Andrew.

Scottish Blethers Podcast this week looks at Scottish Pilgrim Routes.

14/03/2023

Pilgrim Routes in Scotland
The idea of a sacred journey is a feature of many of the world's religions. In this episode we explore the revival of ancient paths across Scotland which allow you to walk in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims and seek peace and tranquillity to the rhythm of your footfall. We discuss some of the Scottish saints and why they became intercessors for mere mortals on earth.

You can find our Scottish Blethers Podcast on your favourite podcast platform such as google, apple, Spotify and many others.






Image: Canva

06/03/2023

Francie and Josie - Another great Scottish double act!

One of the most famous Scottish double acts is Francie and Josie performed by Scottish comedians Jack Milroy as Francie and Rikki Fulton as Josie, from 1958 until the 1990s. The Francie and Josie act was a brainwave of Stanley Baxter, Stan Mars and Rikki Fulton. Francie and Josie appeared together as lovable Glasgow teddy boys on television, in theatres across Scotland and in pantomime, from 1960 until their final appearance at the King's Theatre in Glasgow in 1996
In 2015, as a measure of the popularity of this double act, ‘Francie & Josie: The Return’ toured Scotland, starring Liam Dolan as Francie (Jack Milroy) and Johnny Mac as Josie (Rikki Fulton).
Jack Milroy died in 2001 and Rikki Fulton in 2004

Find Scottish Blethers Podcast on your favourite podcast platform.





Phot: pinterest

02/03/2023

Our 100th episode of Scottish Blether Podcast looks at Scottish Double Acts
Scottish Double Act - Fran and Anna
Frances Watt and Anna May Watt were two Scottish sisters from Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, who formed a singing duo, Fran and Anna. They came to prominence with their music-hall singing and dancing act in the 1950s, but it was not until the 1960s that they achieved real success. They toured the international cabaret and supper club circuits and counted among their friends Gracie Fields and Princess Grace of Monaco. They became household names in the early 1970s with the STV show, "Thingummyjig".
Fran and Anna were known for their jabot-fronted tartan mini dresses, with matching tartan hats, each decorated with a large feather, rouged cheeks and fishnet stockings. They are reported to have worn their trademark style daily whether they were working on not.
Fran and Anna performed many times at the Pavilion Theatre in Glasgow, giving their last performance there in 2002.
Fran died in 2003 and Anna in 2009. The sisters are buried alongside one another in Old Monkland Cemetery, Coatbridge.
You can find them on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1nHnQ3P9Ro

Photo: Wikipedia

28/02/2023

100 today

Scottish Blethers have made it to 100 episodes and to mark the occasion we look back at other double acts to have come out of Scotland. From Fran and Anna to The Krankies, the Alexander Brothers to Jack and Victor. A walk back in time

You can find our Scottish Blethers Podcast on your favourite podcast platform. We are on Spotify, Apple, Google and many others. Pop Scottish Blethers Podcast into google and you will find us!





Image: Canva

25/02/2023

Love is relaxing at Stobo Castle - Scotland's only destination Spa.

Thank you to Alasdair, Karen and family for this lovely Christmas Day and Mother's Day treat for the two 'grannies'!

19/02/2023

Snowdrops in Valleyfield Woods heralding that Spring is not too far away.

"In the Spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love" (Alfred, Lord Tennyson)

Find our Scottish Blethers Podcast on your favourite podcast platform.

15/02/2023

Love is in the Air

It's Valentine's Day and love is in the air. We gauge the temperature of romance in Scotland by taking a look at some statistics and surveys and come to the conclusion that a lot has changed since our 'winchin' days!





Image: Canva

09/02/2023

Who were the Celts?
Following up on our episode on Celtic Connections we give some thought to this question and explore how their influence extends well beyond music. Where did they come from? Why is their influence still so strong today on the western extremities of Europe? Described by the Romans as unwashed barbarians, these enigmatic and creative people left a legacy of art and culture that influences so much of our contemporary life. We even answer the question - Seltic or Keltic?

You can find our Scottish Blethers Podcast on many of the podcast platforms including Spotify, Anchor, Apple, Google and others. Or just do as we do google - Scottish Blethers podcast - and miraculously there it is!☺️

Photos:
F Lamiot, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Otter, CC BY-SA 3.0
PaulT (Gunther Tschuch), CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Canva

24/01/2023

In this week's episode of Scottish Blethers Podcast we talk about Celtic Connections - the music festival taking place in Glasgow this week. Below is the link to the opening concert. You can find more information of the Celtics Connections website.

A one hour programme of music from the 2023 Celtic Connections 30th Anniversary Concert that took place on Thursday 19 January at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. This event is available to watch from 2pm on Tuesday 24 January until 8am on Saturday 28 January. All times are GMT. We have set a minimum pri...

06/01/2023

Goodbye 2022, Hello 2023!

Series 2 Episode 6 of Scottish Blethers is out today. In this first episode of 2023 we discuss our plans for the new year and give our listeners some reasons why Scotland is the place to be in 2023!

You can find our podcast, Scottish Blethers Podcast on all popular platforms. I just google Scottish Blethers Podcast and it appears!!






Photo: [[File:Whiskyhogmanay2010.jpg|Whiskyhogmanay2010]]

04/01/2023

Thoughts from one of our favourite authors.

Written on New Year’s Day

This is the loch in front of our house. In the distance, behind the cloud, is Ben Hiant, a holy mountain here in the Western Highlands of Scotland. The waters of the loch are dark and still, providing a perfect mirror for the land encircling them. Everything is doubled: two forests, two promontories, two skies.

I like New Year’s Day to be still, as I have always felt that this time of year is a time for reflection. A fevered year, and a difficult one for so many, has come to an end. Now we may put our feet up for a few days, contemplate what has happened, and order our thoughts about what lies ahead.

Last night we had a small firework display in this very spot – a few rockets that soared up obediently and released clusters of crackling starlets. The bursts of light were reflected in the water of the loch, which were as still last night as it is today. To the north, the Plough looked on with approval, as did Cassiopeia, further to the east. Lesser constellations gave modest support.

Who among us does not occasionally yearn for time to slow down – just a little – so that we may savour moments of quietness, friendship, and simple affection for this lovely little planet on which we have made our home?

Happy New Year to all the readers of the books. Thank you and I hope that the new year will be a peaceful one.

Alexander McCall Smith

01/01/2023

Wishing all our friends a very Good New Year.
May 2023 be full of fun and adventure.
Liz and Helen xx

31/12/2022

A walk on the beach at Pettycur Bay on the last afternoon of 2022. An enjoyable Twixmas activity.