136 episodes

From the humble haggis supper to the finest single malt, Scotland's food and drink scene is as unique as the nation itself. Rosalind Erskine, The Scotsman's Food and Drink Editor, is joined by guests and experts to give you an insight into what's cooking in Scotland. If you like a good bit of scran, this is the podcast for you.

Scran Laudable

    • Arts
    • 4.9 • 14 Ratings

From the humble haggis supper to the finest single malt, Scotland's food and drink scene is as unique as the nation itself. Rosalind Erskine, The Scotsman's Food and Drink Editor, is joined by guests and experts to give you an insight into what's cooking in Scotland. If you like a good bit of scran, this is the podcast for you.

    The art of chocolate

    The art of chocolate

    On this episode Rosalind's guest is chocolatier Chloe Oswald of Chocolatia - a business she founded during Covid, in her brother's flat in Forfar and which has gone on to do great things. Chloe has been the recipient of many awards and her chocolate continues to impress many a palate. Chloe talks to me about her time in some of Scotland's most respected kitchens and why ethically-sourced chocolate is so important to her.
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    • 27 min
    Oscar ahoy for two Scottish producers - Fetcha Chocolate and The Gin Bothy

    Oscar ahoy for two Scottish producers - Fetcha Chocolate and The Gin Bothy

    This week we're getting very excited about one of the international cultural events of the year. The Oscars take place this weekend and in an amazing turn of events, two Scottish businesses have reason to celebrate. Fetcha Chocolates and The Gin Bothy will both see their products feature as part of the famous "Everyone Wins" gift bags which the nominees receive. These bags have an approximate value of $125,000 and include such exclusive contents as luxury skincare and a lavish holiday in St Bart's.
    On this episode of Scran Rosalind speaks to Fiona MacArthur from her business Fetcha Chocolates in Campbelltown about this exciting development, as well as how she's got to where she is today. You'll hear about how she has gone all out to capitalise on this opportunity.
    Rosalind also speaks to Kim Cameron, owner of The Gin Bothy about the 'pinch me' moment of being asked to contribute one of her gins to the gift bag. She also tells Rosalind the great story of how she went from jam making to gin making and how both businesses are reaping rewards.
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    • 38 min
    Martin Compston's Norwegian Fling, Favourite Scottish Fare and Desert Island Drams

    Martin Compston's Norwegian Fling, Favourite Scottish Fare and Desert Island Drams

    Rosalind's guests on this Bonus episode of Scran are Martin Compston and Phil MacHugh, stars of Martin Compston's Norwegian Fling which has recently started on BBC Scotland and BBC Two. You may be familiar with Martin Compston from his acting roles in hit TV series' such as Line of Duty and The Rig and Phil MacHugh is a TV personality and owner of Skapa PR which is based in Edinburgh. A couple of years back, Martin and good friend Phil set out to film a Scottish travelogue adventure and its success has seen this second series commissioned. 
    Rosalind chats to Martin and Phil about their time in Norway, the interesting, even challenging food and drink they encountered, Martin's plans to produce a beer and how what they encountered compares to their travels in Scotland. Both Martin and Phil share their tips for eating and drinking in Scotland and Rosalind takes the opportunity to ask about their desert island drams!
    Martin Compston's Norwegian Fling is available on BBC iPlayer now.

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    • 27 min
    Bonus Episode - The Scotch Whisky experience and its career-launching history

    Bonus Episode - The Scotch Whisky experience and its career-launching history

    This is a special partnership episode of Scran with the Scotch Whisky Experience.
    Nestled on Castle Hill, within a stones throw of Edinburgh Castle, the Scotch Whisky Experience has been welcoming visitors from all over the world since the late 80s - a time when the world of whisky was very, very different to what it is now.
    Rosalind went along to experience this popular tour and speak to some of the people in the know about how it came about, what it has to offer and how it has played a not insignificant role in nurturing much of the talent found in the whisky industry today.
    Rosalind chats to Angela Dineen, Operations Director about the history of the experience as well as modern undertakings, including the recent investment of £3.5m into a new tour and how it houses one of the world's largest collections of scotch whisky.
    She also speaks to Michelle Pizzi, Site Director of The North British Distillery and Alex Thomson, Visitor Attraction Manager at The Glenturret Distillery who share their memories of their time working at the Scotch Whisky Experience and how it helped shape their future careers in the industry. They offer some great insight into working in this thriving industry and how the Scotch Whisky Experience has played its part in their careers.
    If you're interested in opportunities with them, check out their website where you can find more information.
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    • 37 min
    Up Helly Aa - an unparalleled experience

    Up Helly Aa - an unparalleled experience

    On this episode of Scran Rosalind takes the long trek north to experience a singular event, Shetland's Up Helly Aa which takes place in Lerwick at the end of January each year. 
    Rosalind spent two days on the island learning about the festival and its long tradition as well as exploring Shetland's world of food and drink, both past and present. You'll hear an array of voices, music and sounds on today's podcast. 
    First up Rosalind meets Ryan Leith of the Up Helly Aa Committee to learn more about the festival and the lengthy planning process it takes to run the event each year.
    Rosalind went along to Lerwick's modern performing arts venue Mareel where a food and drink fair was taking place. There she met with island producers and businesses to find out more about the island's food and drink heritage and what is happening in this vibrant, progressive community.
    She speaks to Martin Watt of Lerwick Distillery, Mary Andreas of Shetland Food and Drink, Nicola Johnston of Island Larder, Mark Turnbull of Shetland Reel Distillery, Johnny Sanderson of Lerwick Brewery and David Parham of the Hand Made Fish Co.
    You'll also hear Rosalind chat to Kerry Redfern, a hostess at Sound Primary School which was preparing for hosting guests and the squads of guizers after the burning of the galley at Up Helly Aa.
    Finally, you'll hear from the Guizer Jarl himself Richard Moar as well as some very important quizers this year - the first females ever to take part as part of the main Jarl squad, Sana and Zara. 
    Thanks to Adam Civico, Robert Geddes, Promote Shetland and all our contributors on the podcast. Thanks too to Jasmine Hendricks who you'll hear singing along beautifully to the Up Helly Aa song at the end of the podcast.
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    • 47 min
    The changing face of the dairy industry

    The changing face of the dairy industry

    On today's episode we are looking at the changing face of the dairy industry. With a rich heritage of dairy farming and production in Scotland, challenges over the last 20 years have meant that dairies have had to diversify or die. Today we talk to three such businesses whose roots in traditional farming are still informing their work today.
    First up Rosalind chats to Bryce Cunningham of Mossgiel farm.  Having experienced a number of devastating blows the business was forced to go back to basics and from there they have grown into a sustainable, modern operation.
    Rosalind also speaks to David and Wilma Finlay of The Ethical Dairy who may be known more widely for their ice-cream business Cream O'Galloway, which they have just sold. As you'll hear, a change of hearts and minds was needed to embrace a new way of working but when they did, a whole world has opened up and one which seems to be reaping rewards for them.
    Finally, Rosalind talks to Robert Graham of Graham's Dairy - one of the best known dairy brands in Scotland and beyond. Grahams have found great recent success in their production of dairy-based protein products alongside the traditional milk production they were famous for.
    By the end of this podcast we think you'll agree there's lots of innovation going on in the dairy industry in Scotland. 
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    • 46 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
14 Ratings

14 Ratings

Dawn Oei ,

Dawn

I really love your podcast and the guests on your show. It is so interesting and informative especially your honest and helpful food recommendations. 🥃🍷

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