Love Scotland: Stories of Scotland's History and Nature

When we think of a queen of Scots, Mary is very much the first one who comes to mind. But her grandmother, Margaret Tudor, played an equally crucial role in 16th-century Scotland. Here, her story is told. Linda Porter, author of The Thistle and the Rose, which tells the story of this overlooked historical figure, joins Jackie to discuss the life and legacy of Henry VIII’s sister. From a young pawn to a powerful and protective queen, Margaret certainly made her impact on history.  To enjoy more episodes of Love Scotland, please follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.  For more information on Falkland Palace, click here. You might enjoy some of our past episodes on Mary, Queen of Scots. Simply scroll back through the Love Scotland feed to hear about Margaret’s granddaughter.

The idea of Scotland being caught up in the story of the Spanish Armada may seem bizarre, and yet wrecked off Fair Isle is one of the Spanish fleet’s flagship vessels. How did this 650-ton ship come to end up in the North Sea? And how do the activities of the Armada relate to, among others, Mary, Queen of Scots? Jackie Bird is on a mission to find out.  This year marks 70 years since the National Trust for Scotland acquired Fair Isle, the most remote inhabited island in the UK. While now perhaps best known as a seabird paradise and the home to world-renowned knitwear, Fair Isle is also the site of Iron Age settlements, a Second World War German plane, a Stevenson lighthouse… and not far offshore, the remains of El Gran Grifón. Joining Jackie to discuss the Spanish ship and how it came to be so far north is Dr Colin Martin, a marine archaeologist who, with his colleague Sydney Wignall, excavated the wreck in 1970.  To enjoy more episodes of Love Scotland, please follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.  For more information on Fair Isle, click here. You might enjoy some of our past episodes on island history. Simply scroll back through the Love Scotland feed to hear instalments on Canna House’s archive and the evacuation of St Kilda. If you would like to support our work helping others through education, access and outreach activities, please click here. Actor: Scarlett Mack

The Wicker Man is widely regarded as one of the best British horror films of all time. The strange tale of Sergeant Neil Howie’s doomed trip to Summerisle has cemented itself in popular culture since the film’s 1973 release, and with it, immortalised several of the National Trust for Scotland’s places on screen. Joining Jackie Bird to dissect this cult classic’s enduring popularity are film critic Siobhan Synnot and actor Lesley Mackie, who appeared in the original cast as Daisy. Together, they explore the production and legacy of The Wicker Man. To enjoy more episodes of Love Scotland, please follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.  You might enjoy some of our past episodes on Scottish filmmaking. Simply scroll back through the Love Scotland feed to hear instalments about Scotland on Screen, and interviews with Outlander’s Diana Gabaldon and Sam Heughan. If you would like to support the National Trust for Scotland’s work in caring for, protecting and telling the stories of all that is in our care, please click here.

Sculptor Andy Scott, the creator of the iconic Kelpies, joins Jackie Bird to discuss his incredible work, Scotland’s position in the art world, and his aspirations for the future.  Together, they talk about the physical demands of working on such large pieces of metalwork, the catharsis of sculpting, and how his Scottish identity influences his creations and his process. The Glasgow School of Art-graduate also speaks about his long-time affection for Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh, leading figures in Glasgow’s historic art scene. For more information on Mackintosh at the Willow, click here. To enjoy more episodes of Love Scotland, please follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.  You might enjoy some of our past episodes on Mackintosh and Macdonald Mackintosh. Simply scroll back through the Love Scotland feed to hear instalments on Mackintosh at the Willow and the life of Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh. If, like Andy, you are based in the US, you might be interested in the work of the National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA. Click here to read more about what they do.