For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to writer Colin Burnett to talk about his new novel Family Man, which is also The Third Book of Aldo, and it's published with Tippermuir Books. Colin talks about all things Aldo, including the first two books A Working Class State of Mind and Who's Aldo?, before telling us where the man finds himself at the beginning of this book, and gives an overview of the plot, carefully avoiding spoilers. The two then discuss Aldo's 'famil

Scots Whay Hae! has once again joined forces with our good friends at Into Creative to present you with another Scots Whay Hae! & Into Creative x Conversations, filmed in Glasgow's legendary bookshop Caledonia Books, which is situated on Great Western Road (and is well worth a visit). This episode is with writer, actor, and playwright Linda Duncan McLaughlin to discuss her debut novel Original Sins (right - published by Into Books), which has rightly been described as a psych

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali caught up with writer Chris Brookmyre to talk about Quite Ugly One Evening, the latest Jack Parlabane mystery which is published 30 years after his celebrated debut Quite Ugly One Morning, the novel which introduced us to both the writer and his notable creation. Chris talks about his fondness for Parlabane, why he keeps returning to him, and how Jack has changed over the years. He also considers how he himself has changed as a write

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to writer Frances Crawford to talk all about her debut novel A Bad, Bad Place, which is published on the Bantam imprint of Penguin Books. Frances gives a brief description of the book (avoiding spoilers), before talking about why this was the story for her first novel, and the long and winding road to publication. The two then discuss the two central characters of 12-year-old schoolgirl Janey and her Nana Maggie and how the nat

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke once again to Jess Orr, the Associate Programmer for the Paisley Book Festival, to learn all about this year's programme - and what a programme it is! Jess explains this year's theme 'Everyday Heroes, Everlasting Icons' as well as breaking down the various strands of the festival which include Reclaiming History's Heroines and What Nature Does For Us before the two go into details about just some of the individual events across

📸 - 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...