This Is Scotland with The Scots Magazine cover art

This Is Scotland with The Scots Magazine

This Is Scotland with The Scots Magazine

By: The Scots Magazine
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Scottish historian Ally Heather and bestselling cookbook author Coinneach MacLeod, The Hebridean Baker, host This Is Scotland - a weekly podcast exploring the people, places, traditions and ideas that shape modern Scotland.

Each episode blends history, culture, geography, humour and personal storytelling to uncover what makes Scotland unique: from island life and folklore to food, heritage and the changing face of the nation today.

Produced by The Scots Magazine, the world's oldest magazine still in publication, first launched in 1739, the podcast builds on nearly three centuries of celebrating Scotland's people, places and culture, bringing those stories to life in a fresh and engaging way.

Whether you live in Scotland, have Scottish roots, or simply love the country, This Is Scotland is your place to feel connected to the real Scotland.

Join the conversation at podcast@scotsmagazine.com

Find out more:
The Scots Magazine: www.scotsmagazine.com
Gallivant Scotland: www.gallivant.scot
Follow us on Instagram for BTS content: @thisisscotlandpod

Hosted by Ally Heather & Coinneach MacLeod
Produced by Rachel McConachie
Edited by Beth McHugh
Music by Paper Rifles

Copyright 2026 All rights reserved.
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Episodes
  • Half Pint Q&A: Why Are Highland Cows Everywhere?
    Jul 9 2026

    The listener Q&A edition of This is Scotland returns as Ally Heather and Coinneach MacLeod, the Hebridean Baker, answer your questions.

    This week, they share their favourite places to cool off on a summer's day, celebrate one of Scotland's quirkiest competitions, debate whether Highland cows have become the country's unofficial influencers, and reveal whether they'd travel back to the time of the Picts or the Jacobites if given the chance.

    Along the way, expect stories from across Scotland, plenty of laughs, a few surprising historical facts and, as always, lively debate inspired by your questions.

    Whether you live in Scotland, have Scottish roots, or simply love the country, This Is Scotland is your place to feel connected to the real Scotland.

    Join the conversation at podcast@scotsmagazine.com

    Find out more: The Scots Magazine: www.scotsmagazine.com Gallivant Scotland: www.gallivant.scot Follow us on Instagram for BTS content: @thisisscotlandpod

    Hosted by Ally Heather & Coinneach MacLeod Produced by Rachel McConachie Edited by Beth McHugh Music by Paper Rifles

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    30 mins
  • Episode 5: Blackenings, Lost Borders and Hidden Scotland
    Jul 6 2026

    In this episode of This is Scotland, Ally Heather and Coinneach MacLeod, the Hebridean Baker, uncover the fascinating origins of Scotland's most unusual wedding traditions, from handfasting and blackenings to smashing shortbread over the bride's head. They also explore Scotland's ever-changing borders, revealing the surprising stories behind places such as the Isle of Man, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Orkney and Shetland.

    Finally, they share some of their favourite museums, historic sites and hidden gems for summer days out, from the Lewis Chessmen and Pictish treasures to remarkable stories of Scotland's earliest links with North America. Along the way, expect plenty of laughs, island stories, ice cream recommendations and another unforgettable tale from Scottish history.

    Whether you live in Scotland, have Scottish roots, or simply love the country, This Is Scotland is your place to feel connected to the real Scotland.

    Join the conversation at podcast@scotsmagazine.com

    Find out more: The Scots Magazine: www.scotsmagazine.com Gallivant Scotland: www.gallivant.scot Follow us on Instagram for BTS content: @thisisscotlandpod

    Hosted by Ally Heather & Coinneach MacLeod Produced by Rachel McConachie Edited by Beth McHugh Music by Paper Rifles

    Show More Show Less
    40 mins
  • The Half Pint Q&A: Moving to Scotland, Magic Cures and Top Tablet
    Jul 2 2026

    The listener Q&A edition of This is Scotland returns as Ally Heather and Coinneach MacLeod, the Hebridean Baker, answer your questions.

    This week, they share their top tips for making Scotland feel like home, uncover strange old cures involving porridge, potatoes and warts, explore water horses, cave legends and the folklore of the islands, and reveal which famous Scots they would most like to go for a pint with.

    Coinneach also explains what makes good tablet, Ally shares a favourite stop on the NC500, and the pair answer the big question: are they actually related?

    Whether you live in Scotland, have Scottish roots, or simply love the country, This Is Scotland is your place to feel connected to the real Scotland.

    Join the conversation at podcast@scotsmagazine.com

    Find out more: The Scots Magazine: www.scotsmagazine.com Gallivant Scotland: www.gallivant.scot Follow us on Instagram for BTS content: @thisisscotlandpod

    Hosted by Ally Heather & Coinneach MacLeod Produced by Rachel McConachie Edited by Beth McHugh Music by Paper Rifles

    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
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