Tales of the Blackhouse

Legacy in the landscape: our imperial past

With Ian Mchardy, Malcolm Maclean, and Cat Dunn. The ancient standing stone circle of Calanais, a site that inspires reflection, may seem an unlikely place to mention Britain’s imperial legacy. But as Cat Dunn explains, it is one of many heritage sites with connections to slavery and colonial histories revisited by recent research. What links Calanais with the history of Empire, how do these uncomfortable truths help us understand Scotland’s past, and what comes next?  Exploring heritage sites like Calanais Standing Stones allows you to connect with Scotland’s past — and membership with Historic Scotland makes that journey even richer. Membership gives you free entry to many of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks, including castles, abbeys and cathedrals, along with free admission to daytime events and members-only activities. You’ll also enjoy discounts in cafés and shops, a quarterly magazine, a members’ guide to help plan visits, and access to exclusive podcast content and collectibles. By becoming a member, you help support vital conservation work that protects Scotland’s heritage and enables ongoing research that deepens our understanding of the past. To become a member, sign up here: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/membership/ [https://www.historicenvironment.scot/membership/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]

Tales of the Blackhouse

With Ali Davey and Marlene Macleod. Sarah sits by a glowing fire in one of Scotland’s most remote crofts to immerse herself in Hebridean life and hospitality. Within the blackhouse’s thick stone walls and thatched roof, kept wind and watertight though the sharing of traditional skills down the generations, she discovers a story of community, resilience and a Gaelic tradition of storytelling and music that endures. Visit unique Scottish heritage sites like Hebridean by joining Historic Scotland membership. It gives you free entry to many of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks, including castles, abbeys and cathedrals, along with free admission to daytime events and members-only activities. You’ll also enjoy discounts in cafés and shops, a quarterly magazine, a members’ guide to help plan visits, and access to exclusive podcast content and collectibles. By becoming a member, you help support vital conservation work that protects Scotland’s heritage for future generations.  To become a member, sign up here: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/membership/

Caerlaverock Castle: where west meets east

With Lynsey Haworth, Stefan Sagrott, Judith Rowett, and Zoe Samuels-Lyons. Sarah travels to the fairytale castle of Caerlaverock in Dumfries and Galloway. Here, she learns how a series of remarkable archaeological finds – from leather goods and basketry to fragments of Islamic glass – reveal how this seemingly remote medieval castle was once part of a vibrant network of international trade and cultural exchange. If you’re curious to discover historic places like Caerlaverock Castle in person, consider becoming a member of Historic Scotland. Membership gives you free entry to many of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks, including castles, abbeys and cathedrals, along with free admission to daytime events and members-only activities. You’ll also enjoy discounts in cafés and shops, a quarterly magazine, a members’ guide to help plan visits, and access to exclusive podcast content and collectibles. By becoming a member, you help support vital conservation work that protects Scotland’s heritage for future generations. To become a member, sign up here: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/membership/

Ballads, Borders and the tower that inspired Scott

With Regional Collections Manager, Jill van Millingen and volunteer John Simpson. On a rocky craig in the Scottish Borders stands Smailholm Tower, a medieval stronghold in a landscape with a strong tradition of balladry – poems capturing the lives and legends of the area. Collections Manager Jill and volunteer guide John explain how this brooding place fired the imagination of a young Walter Scott, and how his Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border in turn inspired a set of costumed dolls by the late artist Anne Carrick. If you’re inspired to experience places like Smailholm Tower for yourself, consider becoming a member of Historic Scotland. Membership gives you free entry to many of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks, including castles, abbeys and cathedrals, along with free admission to daytime events and members-only activities. You’ll also enjoy discounts in cafés and shops, a quarterly magazine, a members’ guide to help plan visits, and access to exclusive podcast content and collectibles. By becoming a member, you help support vital conservation work that protects Scotland’s heritage and collections for future generations. To become a member, sign up here: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/membership/

Inventing the future at Kinneil House

With Ian Shearer from Friends of Kinneil, Mark Watson Industrial Heritage from Historic Scotland, and Paul Rolands from Roving Manager Lothian & East from Historic Scotland. In this episode, we step back to a time of frustration and triumph in the workshop of Scottish inventor and engineer James Watt at Kinneil House. What experiments took place here, what were Watt’s most important innovations at Kinneil and how did they help launch Britain’s Industrial Revolution? This is the story of how one man’s persistence in a corner of Scotland changed the trajectory of the world. To step inside Scotland’s history and explore sites such as Kinneil House in person, membership with Historic Scotland is your gateway. It gives you free entry to many of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks, including castles, abbeys and cathedrals, along with free admission to daytime events and members-only activities. You’ll also enjoy discounts in cafés and shops, a quarterly magazine, a members’ guide to help plan visits, and access to exclusive podcast content and collectibles. By becoming a member, you help support vital conservation work that protects Scotland’s heritage for future generations. To become a member, sign up here: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/membership/