PODCAST

Scotland Outdoors

BBC Radio Scotland

A topical guide to life in the Scottish outdoors.

science nature

All Episodes

18:59

Bikepacking with Somhairle Johnstone

Scotland Outdoors ·

2026/02/25

Mark Stephen meets cyclist and content creator Somhairle Johnstone to discuss his new series on BBC Alba 'Somhairle Spins' in which he undertakes five different bikepacking adventures in Scotland

83:21

Tawny Owls, Pearl Mussels and Jelly Ears

Scotland Outdoors ·

2026/02/21

The iconic ash tree on Glasgow’s Argyle street won UK Tree of the Year last year and is now nominated for European Tree of the Year. Mark looks up at the giant ash with arborist David Treanor and discovers why the 170-year-old tree is so cherished.Fresh efforts are underway to save critically endangered fresh water pearl mussels in the Cairngorms National Park. Rachel catches up with Freshwater Restoration Manager Dr Sally Mackenzie on the River Spey to discuss the fascinating life cycle of the

24:54

Women of the Cairngorms

Scotland Outdoors ·

2026/02/18

Rachel Stewart meets storyteller Sarah Hobbs to hear how women have shaped the landscape.

82:41

Here Comes the Sun, Europe's First Feminist Bird Club...

Scotland Outdoors ·

2026/02/14

Mark Stephen and Rachel Stewart with stories from the great outdoors

28:37

Murmurs of Spring

Scotland Outdoors ·

2026/02/11

Mark Stephen visits the Murmurs of Spring art exhibition at the Scottish Ornithologists Club in East Lothian

82:22

Swift Bricks, Palm Houses and Potholes

Scotland Outdoors ·

2026/02/07

The swift population has seen a significant decline in recent years. Now, Scotland has become the first country in the UK to introduce a legal requirement to install swift bricks in all new buildings. Rachel meets Cally Smith of North East Scotland Swifts to discover how the bricks will help to protect the birds.The historic Palm Houses at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh are newly restored and the team are beginning to move the plant specimens inside, starting with the largest. Mark meets

17:08

Master Wood Carver, David Robinson

Scotland Outdoors ·

2026/02/04

Mark Stephen meets master wood carver David Robinson at his studio in East Lothian. David's works mainly feature nature and wildlife

84:05

Harmony in Nature, a Festival of Light and the...

Scotland Outdoors ·

2026/01/31

A topical guide to life in the Scottish outdoors.

22:28

The Role of the Corn Bunting in Scotland's Ecology

Scotland Outdoors ·

2026/01/28

Mark Stephen speaks to Professor Will Cresswell about the welcome rise in corn buntings.

84:18

Seagrass Fairy Circles, Peas and Beans and an...

Scotland Outdoors ·

2026/01/24

Rachel meets Director Robbie Synge to learn about a new film featuring young people at work and play in the landscapes of the Cairngorms. ‘Tha Sinn an Seo’ (We Are Here), made throughout 2025, explores habitat restoration work of Cairngorms Connect.The National Trust for Scotland has purchased new land around the Drum Estate, near Banchory, Aberdeenshire to help expand the ancient tree population. Mark takes a wander with Gardens and Designed Landscape Manager, Chris Wardle.Scientists at Aberdeen

18:21

The Rangers and Volunteers Keeping Gorse at Bay in...

Scotland Outdoors ·

2026/01/21

Mark Stephen meets the countryside rangers and volunteers keeping a large area of land on the outskirts of Aberdeen free of gorse

78:48

Cairngorm Mountain Ski Resort

Scotland Outdoors ·

2026/01/17

This week we’re live from Cairngorm Mountain and joined by a myriad of guests connected by the adventures of the slopes. Snowboarder, mountain biker and climate activist Lauren MacCallum joins Mark and Rachel to talk about Cairngorm 2030, the groundbreaking programme aiming to make the Cairngorms the UK’s first net-zero national park.Rachel takes to the slopes with Cairngorm ski-patrol to hear about how they keep skiers safe on the mountain. Mark catches up with Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team as

27:11

Queer Ecology with Dr Em Merrin May Armstrong

Scotland Outdoors ·

2026/01/14

Helen Needham meets interdisciplinary plant resercher Em Merrin May Armstrong in Glasgow

83:28

Snow, Camping in Winter and a New Air Ambulance

Scotland Outdoors ·

2026/01/10

Some people have found themselves unable to get out and about due to heavy snowfall this week. Rachel meets Cameron Black based in Inverurie in Aberdeenshire who has been voluntarily clearing streets with his own plough.Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance has unveiled the most advanced helicopter air ambulance of its type in the UK, which operates from a base in Aberdeen. The new helicopter offers greater range and night vision technology. Mark heads to Dyce to chat to the crew.Community Off-Road

32:44

Drawing Ancient Trees with Tansy Lee Moir

Scotland Outdoors ·

2026/01/07

Mark Stephen goes out sketching old trees at Haddo with artist Tansy Lee Moir

83:22

A Bucket Mill, Yule Day and Rowing the Atlantic

Scotland Outdoors ·

2026/01/03

he Quadrantid meteor shower will be peaking in the UK around 3rd and 4th January. Elizabeth Tindall shares her experience of observing fireball meteors which are associated with this type of shower.Rachel catches up with Milli Abram as she undertakes a solo rowing adventure across the Atlantic Ocean.The Atlantic Salmon is now classified as an endangered species in the UK. Mark hears about the Save the Spring project being undertaken by the Dee District Salmon Fisheries Board to translocate fish and

40:24

A Walk on the Wild Side with Zeki Basan

Scotland Outdoors ·

2025/12/31

Phil Sime and Morven Livingstone go wild foraging in the Highlands with outdoor survival instructor Zeki Basan. Along the way, Zeki introduces them to essential bushcraft skills, from food preservation and shelter building to the ancient art of fire-lighting using stone.

83:55

A Ryvoan Bothy Special

Scotland Outdoors ·

2025/12/27

Mark and Rachel celebrate 60 Years of the Mountain Bothy Association with a trip to Ryvoan Bothy to get a sense of the very lively bothy culture in Scotland.

30:12

In Search of Bird Song with Neil Ansell

Scotland Outdoors ·

2025/12/24

Helen Needham discusses hearing loss and his search for bird song with writer Neil Ansell

82:14

Alpacas, Robins and a Christmas Treasure Hunt

Scotland Outdoors ·

2025/12/20

Farmer Simon Johnson offers tours and experiences with alpacas. Rachel heads to Bowbridge Alpacas in Fife and begins by taking a look at some alpaca babies sheltering from the cold.It’s National Robin Day on the 21st of December. Mark meets Ian Broadbent in Aberdeenshire to chat about the songbird and its small but mighty reputation.Rachel joins Dr Andrew Hoolachan in Glasgow, the wettest city in the UK. Andrew explains why it’s important to consider how we live with the rain and shares findings

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