Wild for Scotland Podcast

It's International Dark Sky Week! ✨ 🔭 🪐 To celebrate we're revisiting an episode about one of my favourite islands on the Scottish west coast. 'Day and Night' is a story about my first trip to the Isle of Coll. It lasted only 24 hours, giving me a taste of everything Coll has to offer by day and by night. Rugged coastlines, wild waters, beautiful beaches, fascinating history, welcoming locals and of course, dark skies. Coll is a Dark Sky Community, which means the night skies are unspoilt by light pollution. On a clear night, you can bathe in the dazzling light of millions of stars. After the story, we've prepared an updated tips section with my top tips for stargazing in Scotland. Check out my up-to-date Isle of Coll travel guide. Note that IsleGO is sadly no longer operating. A great alternative for boat trips in the area is Tiree Sea Tours - they are based in Tiree but also offer trips with pick up in Arinagour on Coll. Resources: Supermassive PodcastNight Sky PhotographyCairngorms Dark Sky ParkWild Skies ShetlandNorth RonaldsayMoffatFind the full transcript for this episode here. Get my Scotland Travel Journal as your travel companion! Browse my Scotland itineraries for your next trip. Help us spread the word about Wild for Scotland! If you hear something you like in this episode, take a screenshot and share what you like about it on your Instagram stories. And tag us @wildforscotland so we can say thank you! Join our email list for weekly resources and glimpses behind the scenes. Follow us on Instagram @wildforscotland Also check out my Scotland blog Watch Me See!

'Like an Open Book' is a story about an archaeology tour to the Scottish Borders with HARP Archaeology. Your guides are professional archaeologists Michelle Gamble and Ian Hill, joined by a group of experts in Roman history, medieval battles, family research and more. We travel to Kelso and Melrose, uncover the secrets of Roxburgh and Hume Castle, walk in the footsteps of medieval mercenaries and dig for Roman treasures. Book your spot on HARP Archaeology's Romans, Reivers and the Rough Wooing Tour to the Scottish Borders for 2024! Visit our website to find the full show notes incl. the transcript and further reading about the Borders. This episode is commissioned by HARP Archaeology, a social enterprise that aims to promote and enhance public understanding and awareness of archaeology and cultural heritage. Find out how to support our show and unlock bonus content. Get my Scotland Travel Journal as your travel companion! Browse my Scotland itineraries for your next trip. Help us spread the word about Wild for Scotland! If you hear something you like in this episode, take a screenshot and share what you like about it on your Instagram stories. And tag us @wildforscotland so we can say thank you! Join our email list for weekly resources and glimpses behind the scenes. Follow us on Instagram @wildforscotland Also check out my Scotland blog Watch Me See!

How do you deal with the constant rain in Scotland? 🌧️ ☔️ In today's episode, I'm sharing with you a bonus story that I shared with our Patreon community, the Wild for Scotland Social Club, last November. 'An Ode to Rain' is a playful response to one of the most asked questions I get from visitors - how do I deal with the constant rain in Scotland? As a member of our Patreon community, you can expect bonus episodes like this one every month (included for Merry Dancer or Unicorn levels). I also host social sessions and we have a private Facebook group for all our supporters to ask questions and mingle. Consider joining the Wild for Scotland Social Club now! Find the transcript for this episode here. Get my Scotland Travel Journal as your travel companion! Browse my Scotland itineraries for your next trip. Help us spread the word about Wild for Scotland! If you hear something you like in this episode, take a screenshot and share what you like about it on your Instagram stories. And tag us @wildforscotland so we can say thank you! Join our email list for weekly resources and glimpses behind the scenes. Follow us on Instagram @wildforscotland Also check out my Scotland blog Watch Me See!

Wild for Scotland turns 3! 🎉 To celebrate we're revisiting one of our favourite stories from the archive. ‘Flourish’ is a story about Glasgow’s “City of the Dead” - the Necropolis cemetery - and the woman who rest there. We’re joining a group of history detectives from the Glasgow Women’s Library for a guided tour of the Victorian garden cemetery behind Glasgow Cathedral and hear stories about the city's famous daughters. Click here to find the full show notes for this episode on our website - including a transcript of the story. Get my Scotland Travel Journal as your travel companion! Browse my Scotland itineraries for your next trip. Help us spread the word about Wild for Scotland! If you hear something you like in this episode, take a screenshot and share what you like about it on your Instagram stories. And tag us @wildforscotland so we can say thank you! Join our email list for weekly resources and glimpses behind the scenes. Follow us on Instagram @wildforscotland Also check out my Scotland blog Watch Me See!

'Icons of the Kingdom' is an episode about the wonders of Fife. From the majestic Forth Bridge in North Queensferry to the picturesque fishing villages on the East Neuk, we peel back layers of medieval and Pictish history, discover what outdoor adventures to enjoy even in winter, and we'll indulge in Fife's tasty side with delicious food and drink Along the way, we hear from locals who share their passion for Fife and tell us more. Use my Fife travel guides to plan your own trip to Fife! Visit our website to find the full show notes incl. the transcript and tips for your own trip to Fife. This episode was commissioned by Welcome to Fife. Find out more about their campaign ‘The Kingdom. Where it all begins.’ here. Find out how to support our show and unlock bonus content. Get my Scotland Travel Journal as your travel companion! Browse my Scotland itineraries for your next trip. Help us spread the word about Wild for Scotland! If you hear something you like in this episode, take a screenshot and share what you like about it on your Instagram stories. And tag us @wildforscotland so we can say thank you! Join our email list for weekly resources and glimpses behind the scenes. Follow us on Instagram @wildforscotland Also check out my Scotland blog Watch Me See!

What are Kathi's plans for Wild for Scotland in 2024? When can you expect the next season to launch? Which episodes are coming up soon? And how can you contribute to making it all happen? All of this and more is revealed in this preview episode. Are you wild for 2024? Unlock bonus content and get access to exclusive member events by joining the Wild for Scotland Patreon community! If you're new to the podcast, here are two episodes you might enjoy: Where it all began - one of our most popular episodes - and Creature of the Sea - we're extremely proud of that one. Get my Scotland Travel Journal as your travel companion! Browse my Scotland itineraries for your next trip. Help us spread the word about Wild for Scotland! If you hear something you like in this episode, take a screenshot and share what you like about it on your Instagram stories. And tag us @wildforscotland so we can say thank you! Join our email list for weekly resources and glimpses behind the scenes. Follow us on Instagram @wildforscotland Also check out my Scotland blog Watch Me See!

Travel has always played a big role in my life and I wouldn’t be the person I am today, had I not had the opportunity to travel abroad. I might have never had the confidence to move abroad to Scotland - oh how, different my life would have been... Travel matters a great deal to me and to lots of other people. That's why I’m introducing you to a podcast that I think you will enjoy. It’s called Travel That Matters and it features conversations about innovative travel experiences, surprising destinations and how to make travel more meaningful to you. It’s hosted by the award-winning journalist and writer Bruce Wallin and his guests are renowned journalists, travel industry leaders and real connoisseurs of adventure. The episode you’ll hear today is from their first season and features Calum Morisson, the founder of the Extraordinary Adventure Club. Calum grew up in the Scottish Highlands and served in the Royal Navy, but today he specialises in organising life-altering trips for his clients, to Scotland and beyond. Enjoy! Get my Scotland Travel Journal as your travel companion! Browse my Scotland itineraries for your next trip. Help us spread the word about Wild for Scotland! If you hear something you like in this episode, take a screenshot and share what you like about it on your Instagram stories. And tag us @wildforscotland so we can say thank you! Join our email list for weekly resources and glimpses behind the scenes. Follow us on Instagram @wildforscotland Also check out my Scotland blog Watch Me See!

What happens when a storm derails your island adventure plans? You follow the advice of locals and go on an unexpected adventure off the beaten path. 'Over the Ratagan Pass' is a story about an unexpected detour to the tiny village of Glenelg. Like most people, had only planned to take the Glenelg ferry to the Isle of Skye. But when a storm put the boat out of action, I had no other choice than to stay put and explore what was right in front of me. Visit our website to find the full show notes incl. the transcript and links to places I visited on this trip. Find out how to support our show and unlock bonus content. Get my Scotland Travel Journal as your travel companion! Browse my Scotland itineraries for your next trip. Help us spread the word about Wild for Scotland! If you hear something you like in this episode, take a screenshot and share what you like about it on your Instagram stories. And tag us @wildforscotland so we can say thank you! Join our email list for weekly resources and glimpses behind the scenes. Follow us on Instagram @wildforscotland Also check out my Scotland blog Watch Me See!

In this episode, we speak to Freya Bromley, host of The Tidal Year podcast, Alycia Pirmohamed, a poet shortlisted for the Nan-Sheperd Prize, and Mollie Hughes, world record-holding adventurer extraordinaire, about their latest books. We talk to the three authors about their journeys as writers, how they draw inspiration from water and what we can expect from their books: The Tidal YearAnother Way to Split Water Blue Scotland Shop all water books from my shop on Bookshop.org and support local, independent bookshops with every order. Visit our website to find the full show notes incl. the transcript and links to resources mentioned in our conversation. Find out how to support our show and unlock bonus content. Get my Scotland Travel Journal as your travel companion! Browse my Scotland itineraries for your next trip. Help us spread the word about Wild for Scotland! If you hear something you like in this episode, take a screenshot and share what you like about it on your Instagram stories. And tag us @wildforscotland so we can say thank you! Join our email list for weekly resources and glimpses behind the scenes. Follow us on Instagram @wildforscotland Also check out my Scotland blog Watch Me See!

Join me for a conversation with Caroline Willis from the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust. We discuss the impact marine tourism has on coastal environments and marine species like whales and dolphins, and what we as visitors can do to minimise our impact. Caroline also tells us about the work the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust has been doing since the 1990s, their various citizen science projects and initiatives to encourage responsible marine tourism in Scotland. Visit our website to find the full show notes incl. the transcript and links to resources mentioned in our conversation. Find out how to support our show and unlock bonus content. Get my Scotland Travel Journal as your travel companion! Browse my Scotland itineraries for your next trip. Help us spread the word about Wild for Scotland! If you hear something you like in this episode, take a screenshot and share what you like about it on your Instagram stories. And tag us @wildforscotland so we can say thank you! Join our email list for weekly resources and glimpses behind the scenes. Follow us on Instagram @wildforscotland Also check out my Scotland blog Watch Me See!

Scotland's Snorkel Trails highlight suitable places to snorkel in search of marine wildlife all along the Scottish coast - and they help us fight against the "extinction of experience". We speak with Elouise Cartner from the Scottish Wildlife Trust about her work on the trails and how snorkelling can contribute to stronger relationships between people and the coast. And we hear from Lyle Boyle from local nature conservation charity The Ecology Centre, who helped picking the sites on the new South Fife Snorkel Trail. Sign up for the Living Seas newsletter here and connect with @scottishwildlifetrust and @theecologycentre Visit our website to find the full show notes incl. the transcript and links to resources mentioned in our conversations. Find out how to support our show and unlock bonus content. Get my Scotland Travel Journal as your travel companion! Browse my Scotland itineraries for your next trip. Help us spread the word about Wild for Scotland! If you hear something you like in this episode, take a screenshot and share what you like about it on your Instagram stories. And tag us @wildforscotland so we can say thank you! Join our email list for weekly resources and glimpses behind the scenes. Follow us on Instagram @wildforscotland Also check out my Scotland blog Watch Me See!

'A Long Time Coming' takes you on a journey along the River Tay, from its source to the sea. We hop inside a canoe to follow the footsteps (or paw strokes?) of beavers who live on this river system - and learn about their troubled past. We talk about beaver reintroduction programmes in Britain, learn interesting facts about beavers and head out to hopefully meet them on the river banks. Visit our website to find the full show notes incl. the transcript, tips for a trip to Ardfern and Loch Craignish. Check out my guide to where to find beavers in Scotland. Read the book Bringing Back the Beaver by Derek Gow - find it in my recommended Nature Writing list on bookshop.org Find out how to support our show and unlock bonus content. Get my Scotland Travel Journal as your travel companion! Browse my Scotland itineraries for your next trip. Help us spread the word about Wild for Scotland! If you hear something you like in this episode, take a screenshot and share what you like about it on your Instagram stories. And tag us @wildforscotland so we can say thank you! Join our email list for weekly resources and glimpses behind the scenes. Follow us on Instagram @wildforscotland Also check out my Scotland blog Watch Me See!

'All That Could Be' is an explorative adventure story set in the waters of Loch Craignish. We go snorkelling and paddleboarding to immerse ourselves in the dazzling underwater world of seagrass, meet its inhabitants and form a relationship with an eco-system that normally goes unseen. We speak with Philip Price of Seawilding about the importance of seagrass meadows for our coast and climate, and meet native oysters that have been reintroduced to the loch. Visit our website to find the full show notes incl. the transcript, tips for a trip to Ardfern and Loch Craignish. Check out my Snorkel in Scotland guide. Listen to my full conversation with Philip Price from Seawilding on the 1,000 Better Stories Podcast. Find out how to support our show and unlock bonus content. Get my Scotland Travel Journal as your travel companion! Browse my Scotland itineraries for your next trip. Help us spread the word about Wild for Scotland! If you hear something you like in this episode, take a screenshot and share what you like about it on your Instagram stories. And tag us @wildforscotland so we can say thank you! Join our email list for weekly resources and glimpses behind the scenes. Follow us on Instagram @wildforscotland Also check out my Scotland blog Watch Me See!

We know you were expecting a brand-new episode of Wild for Scotland today, but life happens sometimes and we fell a little bit behind our production schedule. Listen to our short announcement in your feed today and let Kathi explain what has been going on... Help us spread the word about Wild for Scotland! If you hear something you like in this episode, take a screenshot and share what you like about it on your Instagram stories. And tag us @wildforscotland so we can say thank you! Join our email list for weekly resources and glimpses behind the scenes. Follow us on Instagram @wildforscotland Also check out my Scotland blog Watch Me See!

'Healing Waters' is a deep-dive into my own personal experiences with swimming, grief and depression. The story takes you first into my mind, and then on a journey to the Isle of Coll I undertook in search of healing. Visit our website to find the full show notes incl. the transcript and links to further resources about the topics we cover on the show. This episode contains contextual references of grief, depression and suicidal ideation. I wanted to let you know upfront, so you can take care while listening. If you or someone you know needs help, you can call the Samaritans at 116 123. It's free and you can call anytime if you need to talk. Or email jo@samaritans.org. Find out how to support our show and unlock bonus content. Help us spread the word about Wild for Scotland! If you hear something you like in this episode, take a screenshot and share what you like about it on your Instagram stories. And tag us @wildforscotland so we can say thank you! Join our email list for weekly resources and glimpses behind the scenes. Follow us on Instagram @wildforscotland Also check out my Scotland blog Watch Me See!

'Salt of the Earth' is a story about a landscape of extremes. Twice a day, the salt marshes of Scotland get flooded by the incoming tide and the plants that grow here perform their own secret magic trick - surviving and thriving in both fresh and saltwater! Visit our website to find the full show notes incl. the transcript, tips for a trip to St Andrews and links to further reading about salt marshes. Thank you to Helena Simmons of the Green Shores salt marsh restoration project at the University of St Andrews and volunteer Jess Byers for talking to us for this episode. Find out how to support our show and unlock bonus content. Get my Scotland Travel Journal as your travel companion! Browse my Scotland itineraries for your next trip. Help us spread the word about Wild for Scotland! If you hear something you like in this episode, take a screenshot and share what you like about it on your Instagram stories. And tag us @wildforscotland so we can say thank you! Join our email list for weekly resources and glimpses behind the scenes. Follow us on Instagram @wildforscotland Also check out my Scotland blog Watch Me See!

'A Vastness of Space' is a story about my trip to the Flow Country, a region of vast peatlands spanning Caithness and Sutherland. We travel through the area by car, by train, by bike and on foot, and learn about the fascinating ecology of a blanket bog. From its complex system of interlinked peat pools to a variety of birds and insects that call these moorlands their home. We also talk to Milly Revill-Hayward from the RSPB who - along with her colleagues - takes care of the Forsinard Flows Nature Reserve at the heart of the Flow Country. Visit our website to find the full show notes incl. the transcript, tips for a trip to the Flow Country and links to further reading about bogs. Check out my detailed travel guide for the Flow Country. Listen to our episode 'The Big Picture' to learn more about peat bog restoration. Find out how to support our show and unlock bonus content. Get my Scotland Travel Journal as your travel companion! Browse my Scotland itineraries for your next trip. Help us spread the word about Wild for Scotland! If you hear something you like in this episode, take a screenshot and share what you like about it on your Instagram stories. And tag us @wildforscotland so we can say thank you! Join our email list for weekly resources and glimpses behind the scenes. Follow us on Instagram @wildforscotland Also check out my Scotland blog Watch Me See!

Dan the Merman is a professional open-water swim coach who lives and works on the west coast of Scotland. From his home in the Heart of Argyll, he takes locals and visitors out into the open waters of Scotland. In-person and digitally he fosters a community of considerate swimmers who want to immerse themselves not just in the deep, dark cold of the sea, but also in the culture and language of the Gaelic people. Connect with Dan the Merman on Instagram: @swim_danthemerman_argyll Visit our website to find the full show notes incl. the transcript and links to resources mentioned in our conversation. Find out how to support our show and unlock bonus content. Get my Scotland Travel Journal as your travel companion! Browse my Scotland itineraries for your next trip. Help us spread the word about Wild for Scotland! If you hear something you like in this episode, take a screenshot and share what you like about it on your Instagram stories. And tag us @wildforscotland so we can say thank you! Join our email list for weekly resources and glimpses behind the scenes. Follow us on Instagram @wildforscotland Also check out my Scotland blog Watch Me See!

'A Taste of Freedom' is a story about changing your perspective and seeing the Scottish coastline from a different angle. We're setting sail aboard the Stravaigin, a 44 ft sail yacht owned by John Ormiston. John takes us on a sailing adventure from Oban to the Isle of Mull, Lismore and Kerrera - but there is a lot more to this trip, than spending time on the water... Visit our website to find the full show notes incl. the transcript and tips for a sailing holiday in Scotland. This episode is sponsored by Stravaigin Sailing, a small family-run business that offers boating holidays and sailing excursions along the west coast of Scotland. For more sailing tips, check out my Sailing in Scotland guide. Check out the Stravaigin's 2024 sailing schedule. Remember Heather Thomas-Smith from season 4? Listen to my interview with her! Find out how to support our show and unlock bonus content. Get my Scotland Travel Journal as your travel companion! Browse my Scotland itineraries for your next trip. Help us spread the word about Wild for Scotland! If you hear something you like in this episode, take a screenshot and share what you like about it on your Instagram stories. And tag us @wildforscotland so we can say thank you! Join our email list for weekly resources and glimpses behind the scenes. Follow us on Instagram @wildforscotland Also check out my Scotland blog Watch Me See!

Wild for Scotland is coming back with a brand-new season diving into the depths of "Uisge - Scottish Waters". Pack your swimsuit, water shoes and drybags, and prepare for a jam-packed season of water-inspired stories and conversations. Our journey will take us from the shallow bays of the rugged west coast to the peat pools of blanket bogs in the northern Highlands. We’ll go sailing, snorkelling and paddleboarding on the sea and in fresh water, and cover topics like the health benefits of swimming, how Gaelic can help us connect with water, and what we can do to experience Scotland’s marine environment without harming it. Along the way, we meet authors, activists, ecologists and locals who’re forging close relationships with the waterways around them. The first episode of Season 5 will drop in your feed on 19 September 2023. Make sure you’re subscribed and share this trailer with a friend so we can all dive into Uisge - Scottish Waters together - and be Wild for Scotland. Want to know more about what inspired this season? Join our Patreon community for a glimpse behind the scenes in our most recent bonus episode. Help us spread the word about Wild for Scotland! If you hear something you like in this episode, take a screenshot and share what you like about it on your Instagram stories. And tag us @wildforscotland so we can say thank you! Join our email list for weekly resources and glimpses behind the scenes. Follow us on Instagram @wildforscotland Also check out my Scotland blog Watch Me See!