📸 - credit Veronica Stewart For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to screenwriter, playwright, actor, and now novelist, Linda Duncan McLaughlin to talk about her debut novel Original Sins , which is published by Into Books . There was so much to talk to Linda about, but the conversation begins with her describing Original Sins , a novel not easily categorised, and the two then manage to discuss the novel without giving spoilers (also a tricky task). Linda then ta

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to writer, and regular guest over the years, Louise Welsh to talk about her latest Rilke novel The Cut Up , which is published with Canongate Books . Louise begins with a brief introduction to the central character of Rilke, before talking about the first novel in which he featured, Louise's celebrated 2002 debut The Cutting Room, a book which has had a notable influence on a new generation of writers. The two then discuss The

For the first Scots Whay Hae! podcast of 2026, Ali spoke to writer and musician Peter May to talk about his new album Towards The Light , but so much more. Peter admits that despite his fame as a writer of crime fiction (31 novels to date), music was always his first love and he goes on to talk about his early years playing in bands, running away to London to make their fame and fortune, and just what the musical landscape was like at the time. He then talks about the new al

This year was another corker in terms of crime fiction, which continues to provide readers with some of the most exciting reads around. We have picked ten of the best published in 2025 to give you just a taste of what's happening in Scottish crime fiction right now. They touch on the historical, the supernatural, whisky, werewolves, Weekenders, familial relations, the corrupting nature of religion, politics, and class, with settings at home and abroad, and so much more. I was

For this, the inaugural Scots Whay Hae! Best Crime Fiction podcast Ali was joined by writer Callum McSorley to talk about some of the best books published this year, and to take a look at what's coming in 2026. Each picking six of their favourites, the chat turns to great debuts, superb sequels, welcome returns, award winners, new voices, whisky, weekenders, even werewolves, and so much more! Callum is always great to talk to ( check out his appearance on the SWH! podcast fro

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to writer Foday Mannah to hear all about his award-winning debut novel The Search for Othella Savage , which is published by Quercus Books , and which was shortlisted for this year's Bloody Scotland Debut Prize. Foday gives a brief synopsis of the novel, spoke about the real-life incident which inspired him to write it, and why it was important to set events in both Scotland and Sierra Leone. He also explains the quote from Mo

The latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast is our latest collaboration with Bloody Scotland - Scotland's International Crime Writing Festival  -...

As we move towards Autumn (and the nights fair draw in), thoughts turn to chestnuts, cardigans, and crime with the Bloody Scotland...

This year's Edinburgh International Book Festival returns to Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI) for the second year, and once again it...

For the first of our Bloody Scotland  podcasts - Scotland's International Crime Writing Festival  - Ali spoke to the five shortlisted...

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali caught up with writer and academic Liam McIlvanney to talk about his superb new novel The...

Dr Marisa Haetzman & Chris Brookmyre - 📸 credit Bob McDevitt For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to Chris Brookmyre and...

📸 - credit Lydia Smith For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to Natalie Jayne Clark to hear all about her debut novel, The...

📸 - credit Colin Mearns - The Herald For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali caught up with writer Callum McSorley to talk about his...

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! Podcast Ali caught up with previous guest, Saltire Prize shortlisted author David F. Ross to hear all...

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to returning guest, the crime writer Denzil Meyrick to hear all about the latest novel...

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to writer Robert J. Harris to hear all about Redfalcon: Richard Hannay Returns -...

The latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast is another collaboration with Bloody Scotland - Scotland's International Crime Writing Festival  -...

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! Podcast Ali spoke to crime writer Christopher Brookmyre to hear all about his intriguing new novel The...

This year sees the Edinburgh International Book Festival (10–25th August) move to its new home, the Edinburgh Futures Institute at the...