Scotcast
The BBC's Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins.
Insights from recent episode analysis
On the show
- Karyn McCluskey1 ep
- Tony Lenehan KC1 ep
- Kirk Torrance1 ep
Also: James Cook, Paris Gourtsyannis, Jude McCorry, Liz Lloyd, Dr Jayne McLaren, David Wallace Lockhart, Ewan MacDonald-Russell, Scott Allan
Audience Interest
Podcast Focus
Publishing Consistency
Insights are generated by CastFox AI using publicly available data, episode content, and proprietary models.
Most discussed topics
Brands & references
Total monthly reach
Based on the show's feed history.
Built from
By chart position
- 🇵🇭PH · News#316.9K to 84K
- Per-Episode Audience
Est. listeners per new episode within ~30 days
6.9K to 84K🎙 Daily cadence·373 episodes·Last published 3d ago - Monthly Reach
Unique listeners across all episodes (30 days)
23K to 280K🇬🇧71%🇵🇭29% - Active Followers
Loyal subscribers who consistently listen
13K to 154K
Market Insights
Platform Distribution
Reach across major podcast platforms, updated hourly
Total Followers
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Total Plays
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Total Reviews
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* Data sourced directly from platform APIs and aggregated hourly across all major podcast directories.
| Date | Episode | Topics | Guests | Brands | Places | Keywords | Sponsor | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/19/26 |  Is your council about to be abolished? | If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘Glasgow City Council vs the unions - what next?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00323x5The Scottish Government has proposed major reform of local government, including replacing Scotland’s 32 councils with a two-tier structure. Martin talks to East Renfrewshire Council leader Owen O’Donnell (pictured left) and the SNP's Midlothian Council leader Kelly Parry (pictured right) about John Swinney’s plans. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler. Get in touch: [email protected] | 24m 54s | ||||||
| 10/16/26 |  Should we all be prepping? | The UK Government is set to launch a campaign advising citizens on how to stockpile food and water, amid warnings of economic shocks, wars and extreme weather. Laura talks to self-proclaimed 'prepper' Brian Cranie (pictured) and Jeannie Barr from St Andrew's First Aid about preparing for an emergency. Photo credit: Brian CranieScotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Laura Miller. Get in touch: [email protected] | 26m 13s | ||||||
| 10/15/26 |  Jackdaw decision, Q Manivannan and pensions – Politics Show | If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘Will Brexit-bashing Burnham sway SNP voters?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0032qyyLynsey, Paris and ex-Scottish Conservative adviser Adam Morris talk about Andy Burnham and John Swinney's relationship, as a decision on the Jackdaw gas field approaches; Scottish Green MSP Q Manivannan’s bid to become rector of the University of St Andrews; and Adam's dress-sense. Photo: PA Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode of the Politics Show is hosted by Lynsey Bews and Paris Gourtsoyannis. Get in touch: [email protected] | 26m 28s | ||||||
| 10/14/26 |  What one AI safety tester has seen 'in the basement' | If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘AI and data centres: what now?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0031h7fThe head of MI5, Sir Ken McCallum (pictured), has warned artificial intelligence is 'supercharging' security threats to the UK. Martin talks to AI expert Angus Allan about how he tests the technology for potential dangers. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler. Get in touch: [email protected] | 26m 42s | ||||||
| 10/13/26 |  Will Brexit-bashing Burnham sway SNP voters? | If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘Is Swinney in trouble over pensions claim?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0032by3Prime Minister Andy Burnham (pictured) has told MPs he will push for new post-Brexit deals at an upcoming EU summit. Martin asks the BBC’s Paris Gourtsoyannis and pollster Mark Diffley whether a closer relationship with the EU will make a difference to Scottish politics. Photo: PA Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler. Get in touch: [email protected] | 25m 35s | ||||||
| 10/12/26 |  What’s happening to the Catholic Church? | If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘Who are Orkney’s rebel monks?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002zg8zRoman Catholic Archbishop of Glasgow William Nolan (pictured) has revealed plans to close 24 churches and halve the number of parishes in his archdiocese. Lynsey asks the Bishop of Galloway, Frank Dougan, why there is a shortage of priests and declining numbers of churchgoers. Photo: Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Glasgow Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Lynsey Bews. Get in touch: [email protected] | 25m 56s | ||||||
| 10/9/26 |  Are our cities built for the future? | If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: 'Housing crisis: the emotional cost' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002h9ztGabriella Bennett (pictured) is a journalist and author of 'How to Build a City'.She talks to Laura about how cities around the world are preparing for the future - and how growing up in Glenrothes shaped how she thinks about the built environment. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Laura Miller. Photo credit: Kimberley GrantGet in touch: [email protected] | 24m 26s | ||||||
| 10/8/26 |  Is Swinney in trouble over pensions claim? – Politics Show | If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: 'Will Burnham’s big sell work in Scotland?' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00324k5Lynsey, Phil and the Daily Record's Chris McCall talk about John Swinney (pictured) defending comments he made about proposed changes to the UK state pension; party conference season; and Alex Cole-Hamilton’s social media videos. Photo: PA Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode of the Politics Show is hosted by Lynsey Bews and Phil Sim. Get in touch: [email protected] | 26m 33s | ||||||
| 10/7/26 |  What should happen to BBC Scotland? | If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘STV boss on costs, cuts and a backlash’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002nkwsThe BBC’s new director general Matt Brittin has said that some channels and radio stations may have to go as the corporation faces a drop in licence fee payers and an audience rapidly moving online. Martin Geissler speaks to TV industry veteran Stuart Cosgrove about whether the BBC Scotland channel could be at risk – and what impact that could have on what programmes are made. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. Get in touch: [email protected] | 25m 58s | ||||||
| 10/6/26 |  Why Scottish Greens waded into the Zionism row | If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘Meet the new Scottish Green leaders’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002j5l7Ross Greer (pictured) has said Zionism is racist, following a controversial motion approved by the Green Party of England and Wales. We dissect Martin’s BBC Radio Scotland interview with the Scottish Green co-leader. Photo: PA Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: [email protected] | 22m 28s | ||||||
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| 10/5/26 |  What on earth is going on at Celtic? | If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘Old Firm sanctions: why football bosses got tough’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0030xb8Celtic’s major shareholder Dermot Desmond (pictured) has been targeted by fans critical of the 76-year-old's stewardship of the club. Martin talks to The Herald’s Stephen McGowan and Tino Callaghan, host of the Celtic Exchange podcast, about the Celtic Fan Collective’s tennis ball protest in St Andrews – and the furious reaction it provoked. Photo: PA Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler. Get in touch: [email protected] | 24m 42s | ||||||
| 10/2/26 |  Humza Yousaf on Gaza and life in Sturgeon’s shadow | If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘Shona Robison on Sturgeon, Murrell and her stalker’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0nz42h1Humza Yousaf was First Minister of Scotland between March 2023 and May 2024. Laura talks to him about his short-lived spell as Nicola Sturgeon's successor - and his new book, ‘Under Fire’, in which he details the four weeks his in-laws were trapped in Gaza. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Laura Miller. Get in touch: [email protected] | 33m 25s | ||||||
| 10/1/26 |  Will Burnham’s big sell work in Scotland? - Politics Show | If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: Independence manoeuvres, council shake-ups and political GIFs – Politics Show https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0031vgqNatalie, Phil and former Labour adviser James Matthewson talk about what the end of the triple lock on pensions could mean in Scotland; Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s (pictured) decision to address the future of the union in his conference speech; and when the next general election will be. Photo: PA Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode of the Politics Show is hosted by Natalie Higgins and Phil Sim. | 27m 08s | ||||||
| 9/30/26 |  What has changed in the way rape cases are heard? | If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Why are so many men committing sex crimes?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0p90gzqA High Court ruling last week changed how corroboration can be used in sexual offence cases. Many of Scotland's leading criminal defence lawyers believe this could risk the accused’s right to a fair trial. Edith Forrest KC talks to Martin Geissler about what has changed – and how that is impacting how cases are heard.Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast.Get in touch: [email protected] | 26m 45s | ||||||
| 9/29/26 |  The Promise: a government hamstrung by bureaucracy? | The government is failing to deliver ‘The Promise’ - first made by Nicola Sturgeon in 2016 – to support all the 12,000 kids living in care. That’s the verdict of the oversight board in a new report. Its boss tells us about the level of government bureaucracy he faces – and what needs to change. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler. Get in touch: [email protected] | 24m 45s | ||||||
| 9/28/26 |  Glasgow City Council vs the unions - what next? | Glasgow City Council has agreed to pause plans to fire and rehire more than 23,000 members of staff. Martin is joined by journalists Catriona Stewart from the Scotsman and Beth Templeton from the Glasgow Bell about why this story is decades in the making, and how might it be resolved. Photo: PA Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler. Get in touch: [email protected] | 26m 30s | ||||||
| 9/25/26 |  ‘We can defeat dementia in a generation’ | If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: Weight-loss jabs and the NHS: a 'national disgrace'? https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0nml1lzAround 90,000 people are living with dementia in Scotland – and about 144,000 people care for them. Natalie asks neuroscientist Professor Tara Spires-Jones, author of a new book called Fighting for our Minds, how close we are to defeating the disease. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: [email protected] | 23m 34s | ||||||
| 9/24/26 |  Independence manoeuvres, council shake-ups and political GIFs – Politics Show | If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘Can Michael Marra stick to his indyref2 position?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0031ss7Natalie, Phil and former the Scottish Labour MSP Paul O’Kane talk about John Swinney’s (pictured) Holyrood motion on independence and how the new Scottish Labour leader Michael Marra (pictured) responded – plus the proposed major changes to councils and Rory Stewart’s viral moment. Photo: PA Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode of the Politics Show is hosted by Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: [email protected] | 27m 08s | ||||||
| 9/23/26 |  Sandie Peggie takes on her trade union | If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘Is the Sandie Peggie ruling discredited?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002njywSandie Peggie (pictured) is taking legal action against her trade union, the Royal College of Nursing, in a dispute over her gender-critical beliefs. Martin talks to the BBC’s Lorna Gordon, who watched the opening day of evidence at the employment tribunal in Dundee. Photo: PA Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler. Get in touch: [email protected] | 21m 54s | ||||||
| 9/22/26 |  The new killer drugs flooding Scotland | If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Our problem with drugs’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0029hchScotland’s drug supply is getting more and more dangerous, according to Dr Lorna Nisbet (pictured) of Dundee University's Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science. That’s because a new type of synthetic opioid, called nitazenes, are flooding the market. Five hundred times more potent than heroin, a single grain can kill. Martin Geissler speaks to the BBC’s James Cook about the criminal gangs making these drugs, and how law enforcement struggles to keep up. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. Get in touch: [email protected] | 23m 16s | ||||||
| 9/21/26 |  Can Michael Marra stick to his indyref2 position? | If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘The Scottish Labour leadership interviews’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0030b3dMichael Marra (pictured) overcame fellow MSP Joe Fagan to be elected Scottish Labour’s eleventh leader. As MSPs prepare to vote on the principle of self-determination, we ask the Daily Record’s Chris McCall and ex-Labour spokesperson James Matthewson how Marra will deal with questions about another independence referendum. Photo: PA Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler. Get in touch: [email protected] | 25m 43s | ||||||
| 9/18/26 |  'I had brain surgery to deal with chronic pain' | If you're interested in this episode, you may also like: 'What it’s really like in A&E right now' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0030yhwCara McKee (pictured) was elected a Scottish Green MSP in May 2026, following decades living with a mysterious chronic pain. She talks to Laura about fighting for a diagnosis for trigeminal neuralgia - and her recovery from brain surgery. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Laura Miller. Get in touch: [email protected] | 26m 43s | ||||||
| 9/17/26 |  Cardiff talks, data centres and Scottish Labour leader – Politics Show | If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘Does the Cardiff summit boost indyref2 hopes?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0031h0nDavid, Lynsey and former Deputy First Minister Shona Robison talk about John Swinney's meeting with the leaders of Plaid Cymru and Sinn Féin; the data centre debate at Holyrood; and the Scottish Labour leadership race. Photo: PA Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode of the Politics Show is hosted by David Wallace Lockhart and Lynsey Bews. Get in touch: [email protected] | 28m 12s | ||||||
| 9/16/26 |  Octopus CEO on energy bills, Jackdaw and heavy metal | If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘How big is the Jackdaw decision’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00315syGreg Jackson (pictured) is the chief executive of Octopus Energy, the UK’s biggest domestic energy supplier. He talks to us about household bills, AI data centres and Rammstein. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler. Get in touch: [email protected] | 27m 46s | ||||||
| 9/15/26 |  AI and data centres: what now? | If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: 'Octopus CEO on energy bills, Jackdaw and heavy metal' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0031hbwJacob Coxon (pictured), who quit AI giant Anthropic, has said people working on artifical intelligence are“genuinely frightened” by its advances. As MSPs prepare to vote on a Scottish Greeen motion to block the construction of new AI data centres, we talk to the the BBC’s Graham Fraser and Joe Tidy. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler. Get in touch: [email protected] | 26m 14s | ||||||
| 9/11/26 | sex crimesyoung men+3 | Karyn McCluskeyTony Lenehan KC | Scottish GovernmentScottish Violence Reduction Unit+1 | — | sexual crimesyoung men+3 | — | 26m 42s | ||
| 9/10/26 | indyrefScottish politics+4 | Kirk Torrance | Alba PartySNP+1 | Russia | Burnhamindyref 2+5 | — | 27m 33s | ||
| 9/9/26 | housing crisisanti-immigration tension+4 | — | Scottish Federation of Housing AssociationsBBC | Glasgow | housing crisisanti-immigration+4 | — | 22m 34s | ||
| 9/7/26 | Jackdaw gas fieldenvironmental significance+3 | James CookParis Gourtsyannis | BBC | UKAberdeen | Jackdawgas field+6 | — | 24m 09s | ||
| 9/4/26 | cybersecurityhacking+4 | Jude McCorry | Cyber and Fraud Centre ScotlandArnold Clark+1 | — | hackersdata scams+5 | — | 25m 56s | ||
| 9/3/26 | Scottish politicsSNP independence strategy+4 | Liz Lloyd | SNPNHS+1 | — | Scottish newspolitics+6 | — | 29m 04s | ||
| 9/2/26 | NHS reformA&E departments+3 | Dr Jayne McLaren | Royal College of Emergency MedicineBBC Radio Scotland+1 | — | A&ENHS+4 | — | 25m 59s | ||
| 9/1/26 | food price capSNP policy+3 | David Wallace LockhartEwan MacDonald-Russell | SNPScottish Retail Consortium+1 | — | SNPfood price cap+6 | — | 24m 23s | ||
| 8/31/26 | Old FirmScottish football+4 | Scott Allan | Scottish Football AssociationCeltic+2 | — | Old FirmScottish football+6 | — | 25m 37s | ||
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Chart history for Scotcast
Peaked at #31 in PH, currently #31 in PH.
| Market | Genre | Peak | Current | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PH | — | #31 | #31 | — |
Chart Positions
1 placement across 1 market.
Chart Positions
1 placement across 1 market.