In this week's episode, Lesley and Fraser reflect on a weekend that saw thousands take to the streets of Edinburgh for the "Believe in Scotland" march. From the fair old "pech" up to Calton Hill to the "tremendously cheery" atmosphere at the front of the pack, we discuss why the energy of the independence movement is far from fading. We also look at the power of "normal" language as Brian Cox takes the stage, and why some politicians still struggle to connect without an iPhone in hand.

We analyse the BBC’s decision to use a massive national event merely as a backdrop for doorstepping politicians and what the appointment of an ex-Google boss as the new Director General means for the future of public service broadcasting. From the vital role of BBC Alba to the international reporting standards of Channel 4, we ask: who is actually telling our stories?.

Plus, we dive into the Ferries as many folk look towards the Easter Weekend. We discuss activists targeting the Guga hunt in Ness, the ongoing and escalating energy crisis caused by Donald Trump's Iran War.

Links
Upcoming film screenings https://lesleyriddoch.com/events

Support the podcast https://lesleyriddoch.com/podcast/subscribe

Former director of Maersk shipping predicting this could get as bad as the 1970s https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c78lj4976lvo

The Parkinsons drugs warnings and excellent R4 progs

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg0xxwn041o

Channel 4 Seconder Kermani moving report on the paramedics kiled by the IDF

https://www.channel4.com/news/funeral-for-two-young-lebanese-paramedics-killed-in-israeli-strike

Danish centrist government gubbed

https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-social-democrats-losing-election/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=alert&utm_campaign=Why%20Europe

Surfing prog BBC Alba

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0021dn7

Talking Up Scotland on ferries and islanders

https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2026/03/30/scotland-subsidises-its-ferries-far-more-than-any-other-country-subsidises-island-life-far-more-than-any-other-part-and-the-mull-service-is-98-reliable-for-half-empty-vehicle-decks/

In this episode, Leslie and Fraser discuss the recent failure of the assisted dying bill in the Holyrood Parliament and the disconnect between parliamentarians and public opinion. They discuss why a Citizen’s Assembly would have been a better way to resolve this issue. They also cover ScotRail’s train procurement, the ethical concerns surrounding Palantir's NHS contracts, Reform’s Scottish rally and the fall out of their candidate selection. Plus the war in Iran and the impact on the global economy.

Support the podcast - https://lesleyriddoch.com/podcast/subscribe

Finland Film Screenings - https://lesleyriddoch.com/events

Portugal train purchasing - https://www.alstom.com/press-releases-news/2026/3/alstom-supply-153-trains-comboios-de-portugal-and-establish-manufacturing-facility-portugal

ROSCOs https://weownit.org.uk/news/riding-rosco-gravy-train/

In this week's episode, Lesley and Fraser digest a whirlwind week that saw Scotland’s rugby players secure another win—but this time, there’s a trophy involved with a very specific history. Fraser reveals his own "tangential" role in the creation of the Old Alliance Trophy and why it’s definitely not a cup.

The mood shifts as we analyse the terrifying escalation in the Middle East following the bombing of a girls' school in Minab, South Iran. We discuss the chilling rhetoric of the US administration, the surge in oil prices, and the stark contrast in European leadership—from Spain’s firm "no" on base access to the "swithering" internal dynamics of the UK Labour Party.

Closer to home, we look at a genuine medical breakthrough: a pioneering study at NHS Grampian showing that AI can increase breast cancer detection by 10%. But it's not all good news for the tech world; we discuss Donald Trump’s targeting of Anthropic (the makers of Claude) and what the future holds for software development jobs.

Plus, Lesley shares how she’s using AI to sift through a decade of Nordic research, and we look ahead to the march on Calton Hill on the 28th.

In this episode:

• The Old Alliance Trophy: The story behind the silverware and Scotland’s continuing rugby streak.
• Iran & The "Short-Term Excursion": Analysing the school bombing in Minab and the global fallout of $120-a-barrel oil.
• Spain vs. The White House: Why Pedro Sanchez stood his ground while the UK government remains internally divided.
• AI—The Life Saver and the Supply Chain Risk: From the NHS Grampian breakthrough to Trump’s "stushie" with Anthropic.
• Gathering Again: March on Calton Hill on the 28th and

Links

Support the podcast with a monthly or annual subscription https://lesleyriddoch.com/podcast/subscribe

Pioneering study finds AI increases cancer detection by more than 10 per cent https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjd9gn4j7dyo

Andrew Redman’s "The March on Calton Hill" print https://andrewrbarr.com/portfolio/march-on-calton-hill/(Fraser highly recommends this one for your wall!)

Lesley Riddoch: Reading Scotland at Newbattle Abbey College 12th March

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lesley-riddoch-reading-scotland-tickets-1982952469215

Finland Film Screenings - see all here https://lesleyriddoch.com/events

Next up

Dunfries - Friday 13 March https://rbcfilmtheatre.co.uk/all-listings/lesleyriddoch

Greenock - Saturday 14 Marchhttps://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/finland-the-happiest-country-that-almost-didnt-exist-tickets-1980199784862?aff=oddtdtcreator

Artists for Independence - Oran Mor 14th March

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/independence-forum-scotland/were-putting-the-band-back-together-supporting-scottish-arts/e-rbjakz

The 28th March And Rally Edinburghhttps://www.believeinscotland.org/march_and_rally_for_independence.

The Lesley Riddoch Podcast with Fraser Thompson

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In this episode, we analyse the recent escalation in the Middle East following the attacks on Iran and discuss the potential for regional conflict and the broader impact on global stability. We consider the broader US and Israeli strategies, the prospects for peace, and how these developments affect Europe, Scotland and NATO.

Closer to home, we discuss the ongoing fallout over the Lord Advocate briefing John Swinney on the indictment of Peter Murrell and the conflict inherent in the dual role the Lord Advocate holds and the difficulty in parliamentary scrutiny.

We look at the joint report from Scotonomics and the Scottish Currency Group - Scottish Government Bonds and Investing in Ourselves, highlighting the failure of the Scottish Government to consider independence when planning their bond issue and how the current framework for bonds continues the extractive nature of Scotland’s economy with an over-reliance on foreign direct investment.

Also in this episode, Labour’s one-day conference, Community energy news, data centres, and UK Labour’s problems following the Green win in the Gorton and Denton by-election.

Links
Support the podcast
https://lesleyriddoch.com/podcast/subscribe

Scottish Government Bonds and Investing in Ourselves
https://scotonomics.org/scottish-government-bonds-and-investing-in-ourselves/

Community energy - heat from Polmaise pit at Fallin
https://www.thenational.scot/news/25606042.scottish-village-hopes-use-abandoned-mine-thermal-energy

Film Screenings
https://lesleyriddoch.com/events

How many legal problems can you fall into in the space of a single podcast? This week, Lesley Riddoch and Fraser Thompson navigate a potential minefield of four major legal and political controversies. We dive into the ongoing sagas involving Peter Mandelson and the Trade Ambassador formerly known as Prince Andrew.

Closer to home, we dissect the row over the Lord Advocate and the revelations surrounding the timing of Peter Murrell’s charges being shared with the First Minister. We also look at the shock announcement that the Alba Party are unlikely to contest the Holyrood election, blaming financial and regulatory problems alleged to have been caused by their former General Secretary.

But it’s not all legal drama; we look at the ideas that could truly transform the face of Scotland. From local control to community wealth building, we discuss how empowering communities can shift our mindset and boost the economy.

In this episode:

• The Legal "Big Four": Mandelson, Prince Andrew, the Lord Advocate, and the Alba Party.
• Peter Murrell & The First Minister: the dual role of Scotland’s Lord Advocate.
• Transforming Scotland: Why local control and community wealth building matter more than ever.
• By-election Watch: Can Labour hang one?

Links
Support the podcast with a monthly or annual subscription
https://lesleyriddoch.com/podcast/subscribe

Community Wealth Building
https://www.thenational.scot/politics/25867601.holyrood-act-prove-revolutionary-empowering-communities/

Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@fridayseconomics/video/7594406782802464013

Gordon Brown as Private Investigator article

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/25/why-gordon-brown-delving-deep-into-epstein-files

Excellent Simon Pearson substack

https://simonpearson1.substack.com/p/the-only-politics-on-offer?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=3669870&post_id=188725593&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=1wdpld&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email

Everybody to Kenmure Street film

review https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/feb/24/power-pyjamas-everybody-to-kenmure-street-glasgow-immigration

Search local screemnngs - 'everybody to kenmure street showtimes'

In this week’s episode, we examine the Community Wealth Bill now and Act and discuss how it might pave the way for better local procurement and build wealth locally as a slight antidote to Scotland’s extractive economy.

We discuss Kier Starmer and yet another U-turn as the UK Government continue to spin around. This time on English local elections. We look at the latest revelations about the criminal charges against former SNP CEO Peter Murrel, the detail of the allegations against him and the political fallout about the delay to his trial. We also discuss how this all reflects on the SNP as a party and the scorn that was heaped on folk who tried to flag up problems.

We also discuss Alba, Alliance for Liberation Scotland, Jim Ratcliffe and much else besides.

Links
Finland Film
Glasgow - 18th February - https://www.believeinscotland.org/shop/#!/Screening-of-Lesley-Riddochs-new-film-with-Q&A/p/807936451

Musselburgh - 19th February
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lesley-riddoch-finland-the-happiest-country-that-almost-never-existed-tickets-1980183406875?aff=oddtdtcreator

Community Wealth Building Bill

https://spice-spotlight.scot/2025/11/11/an-introduction-to-the-community-wealth-building-scotland-bill/

Band Back Together at the Òran Mór - Indpendence Gig
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/independence-forum-scotland/were-putting-the-band-back-together-supporting-scottish-arts/e-rbjakz

Morgan McSweeney's gang investigate journalists - National got there first

https://www.thenational.scot/newsletters/bulletin/1898/?nid=1898&ref=eb

How many weeks have started with a ponder that this has been an extraordinary week for the Labour Party? Nothing, so far at least, could eclipse Anas Sarwar’s solo attempt to unseat Prime Minister Kier Starmer this week. In this episdoe, we look at the series of departures, Tim Allan, the press officer who hardly got noticed going in the wake of Morgan McSweeney's departure as Chief of Staff.

We discuss the impact in Scotland and the May elections. We also react to the Scottish conference of Your Party, which voted decisively to be a pro-independence party and their decision to field candidates on the list and in constituencies at the Holyrood election.

There’s a smattering of on the winter Olympics and renewed calls for a proper bank holiday on Saint Andrew’s Day.