Simply Scottish

For almost 800 years, the only way to cross the Firth of Forth between Edinburgh and Fife was by ferry boat. In 1890, the Forth Rail Bridge opened, a marvel of Victorian era engineering. Learn about this majestic landmark and how it revolutionized transportation between the lowlands and highlands of Scotland. We'll also look at the Forth Road Bridge, an essential transit link for central Scotland, and details of the new Forth crossing, due to be completed in 2016. Enjoy music from Deacon Blue and Capercaillie, as well as songs about the Forth bridge by Radio Big Band and Robin Laing.

Enjoy a short history of Scotland in film on this episode of Simply Scottish. From the earliest depiction of Scotland in 1895 to the cutting-edge animation behind Disney/Pixar’s Brave in 2012, we look at over a century of movies set in Scotland and the actors and filmmakers who brought them to life. Learn about Scotland’s contribution to early cinema and find out how a homegrown film industry developed in Scotland in the 1970s. All this plus music from The Proclaimers, Mark Knopfler, Dean Owens, and Face the West.

Enjoy a short history of Scotland in film on this episode of Simply Scottish. From the earliest depiction of Scotland in 1895 to the cutting-edge animation behind Disney/Pixar’s Brave in 2012, we look at over a century of movies set in Scotland and the actors and filmmakers who brought them to life. Learn about Scotland’s contribution to early cinema and find out how a homegrown film industry developed in Scotland in the 1970s. All this plus music from The Proclaimers, Mark Knopfler, Dean Owens, and Face the West.

Take another trip to Scotland's Borders in the concluding episode of our series exploring this beautiful region of Scotland! Visit border towns like Selkirk, Jedburgh, Kelso, and Eyemouth. Find out where William Wallace was named Guardian of Scotland and learn more about the Battle of Flodden, one of Scotland's bloodiest conflicts. We'll also visit Berwick-Upon-Tweed, whose colorful history is symbolic of its place between two nations. All this plus music from Isla St. Clair, Manran, Rachel Newton, and Deacon Blue!

Take another trip to Scotland's Borders in the concluding episode of our series exploring this beautiful region of Scotland! Visit border towns like Selkirk, Jedburgh, Kelso, and Eyemouth. Find out where William Wallace was named Guardian of Scotland and learn more about the Battle of Flodden, one of Scotland's bloodiest conflicts. We'll also visit Berwick-Upon-Tweed, whose colorful history is symbolic of its place between two nations. All this plus music from Isla St. Clair, Manran, Rachel Newton, and Deacon Blue!

Discover the majesty of Scotland's Borders in part two of our series! On this episode, we pay a visit to Abbotsford House, the inspiring home of Sir Walter Scott. We'll also take a closer look at the beautifully preserved ruins of Melrose Abbey and the charming town of Melrose that lies around it. Then on to Galashiels and the Yarrow Valley, where you'll meet two more of the border region's famous sons, poet and writer James Hogg and explorer Mungo Park. All this plus music from newcomer Panda Su, Gaelic band Daimh, The Proclaimers, and more!

Discover the majesty of Scotland's Borders in part two of our series! On this episode, we pay a visit to Abbotsford House, the inspiring home of Sir Walter Scott. We'll also take a closer look at the beautifully preserved ruins of Melrose Abbey and the charming town of Melrose that lies around it. Then on to Galashiels and the Yarrow Valley, where you'll meet two more of the border region's famous sons, poet and writer James Hogg and explorer Mungo Park. All this plus music from newcomer Panda Su, Gaelic band Daimh, The Proclaimers, and more!

An introduction to Scotland's Borders on this episode of Simply Scottish, the first in a series. From sweeping valleys and heather-clad moorlands to emerald forests and rocky coastline, the Borders is a land of contrasting beauty. Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott loved this part of Scotland and paid homage to it in a number of his poems and novels. Learn more about Scott's life and work and discovery the majesty of the Borders region. Enjoy music by Kilmarnock Edition, Sharon King, Innes Watson, and more!

An introduction to Scotland's Borders on this episode of Simply Scottish, the first in a series. From sweeping valleys and heather-clad moorlands to emerald forests and rocky coastline, the Borders is a land of contrasting beauty. Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott loved this part of Scotland and paid homage to it in a number of his poems and novels. Learn more about Scott's life and work and discovery the majesty of the Borders region. Enjoy music by Kilmarnock Edition, Sharon King, Innes Watson, and more!

What's in a name? On this episode of Simply Scottish, discover the history behind the name Caledonia. Did you know the Romans never conquered Scotland despite numerous attempts? They just couldn't subdue the Caledonii, a fierce Pictish tribe occupying the wild lands of Caledonia. Learn their story and find out the many different ways the name is used today, from football teams to exotic islands. Plus, enjoy a short conversation with my three-year old daughter Caledonia! All this plus some great Caledonia songs - join the celebration!

What's in a name? On this episode of Simply Scottish, discover the history behind the name Caledonia. Did you know the Romans never conquered Scotland despite numerous attempts? They just couldn't subdue the Caledonii, a fierce Pictish tribe occupying the wild lands of Caledonia. Learn their story and find out the many different ways the name is used today, from football teams to exotic islands. Plus, enjoy a short conversation with my three-year old daughter Caledonia! All this plus some great Caledonia songs - join the celebration!

A conversation with the artist and storyteller behind Disney/Pixar's animated film Brave on this episode of Simply Scottish! Discover the inspiration behind Chapman's idea of a Scottish fairytale and how she helped bring the movie to life! With 1998's The Prince of Egypt, Chapman broke new ground in Hollywood as the first female director of a major animated motion picture. She's worked on several Disney films, from The Little Mermaid to The Lion King. She helped establish Dreamworks Animation, and now, she has given Pixar their first female lead character, the fiery Scottish lass Merida! Listen to the interview along with beautiful music from Julie Fowlis, Anna Murray, and more!

A conversation with the artist and storyteller behind Disney/Pixar's animated film Brave on this episode of Simply Scottish! Discover the inspiration behind Chapman's idea of a Scottish fairytale and how she helped bring the movie to life! With 1998's The Prince of Egypt, Chapman broke new ground in Hollywood as the first female director of a major animated motion picture. She's worked on several Disney films, from The Little Mermaid to The Lion King. She helped establish Dreamworks Animation, and now, she has given Pixar their first female lead character, the fiery Scottish lass Merida! Listen to the interview along with beautiful music from Julie Fowlis, Anna Murray, and more!

The Father of America's National Parks is the subject of this episode! Enjoy an intimate look at John Muir, born and raised in Dunbar, whose passion for and undying commitment to the natural world caused millions to look at nature in a new light. Discover one of the animal stories Muir loved as a child in Scotland. Find out about the work accident that changed his life. Learn why he turned down a professorship at Harvard University. And see how you can continue the work of John Muir today. All this plus music from Brother, Dean Owens, the Black Irish Band, and more!

The Father of America's National Parks is the subject of this episode! Enjoy an intimate look at John Muir, born and raised in Dunbar, whose passion for and undying commitment to the natural world caused millions to look at nature in a new light. Discover one of the animal stories Muir loved as a child in Scotland. Find out about the work accident that changed his life. Learn why he turned down a professorship at Harvard University. And see how you can continue the work of John Muir today. All this plus music from Brother, Dean Owens, the Black Irish Band, and more!