The biggest stories of 2025 (Part 1)

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Should Scots pay for uni?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0029q4f Dundee University has been bailed out of financial collapse, Edinburgh University is in the middle of £140m in cuts, and now staff at Aberdeen, Heriot-Watt, Stirling and Strathclyde uni are being balloted on strike action over job cuts. Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, principal of Edinburgh Uni, tells us that the future of Scotland’s universities is in danger without radical change to the way they are funded. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Laura Miller and Martin Geissler. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Is Gen Z ready to fight a war?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002cy9d Donald Trump has discussed using the US military to acquire Greenland while the UK has pledged to send troops to Ukraine if a peace deal is made with Russia. We ask Stewart McDonald, the SNP’s former defence spokesperson, whether the recent flurry of geopolitical twists could trigger a fresh debate about military conscription. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Laura Miller and Martin Geissler. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002c1fk Ahead of Storm Goretti hitting the UK and Aberdeenshire Council declaring a 'major incident' due to snowfall, Martin and Natalie speak to Nick Russell, one of the men who manages much of Scotland's gritter system. They talk about how Nick and the team keep the country moving, what it’s like behind the wheel and their favourite names of Scotland's infamous gritters. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Are Starmer’s Scottish MPs sick of him?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002mz40 Party leaders including John Swinney of the SNP and Scottish Labour’s Anas Sarwar (both pictured) have kicked off 2026 with a pitch to voters ahead of May’s Holyrood election. David Wallace Lockhart explains what their speeches told us about the upcoming campaign. And Martin and Natalie predict what other news stories will be among the biggest of the next 12 months. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted Martin Geissler and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: [email protected]

Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins choose their top five news stories of the year. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. Get in touch: [email protected]

Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins look back on the year’s news and pick their biggest stories of 2025. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. Get in touch: [email protected]

Two Doors Down is back with a Christmas special and live shows. Co-creator Gregor Sharp talks to Laura and Martin about writing them after the death of his friend and colleague Simon Carlyle. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Laura Miller and Martin Geissler. Get in touch: [email protected] Two Doors Down is a BBC Studios Comedy production.

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘What STV cuts tell us about the mainstream media’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002kd3k STV bosses felt the backlash from staff, politicians and the public when plans to axe a bespoke north of Scotland news programme were announced. Martin and Laura ask chief executive Rufus Radcliffe why those plans have been watered down, and if holding an online meeting to tell staff their jobs were at risk was a mistake. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Laura Miller and Martin Geissler. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Do we need a grooming gangs inquiry too?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002mz2z Angela Constance (pictured) has survived a vote of no confidence after being accused of misleading parliament when quoting the views of grooming gangs expert Professor Alexis Jay. The BBC’s Lynsey Bews explains why the justice secretary won the crucial backing of Scottish Green MSPs at Holyrood. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘What the Sandie Peggie ruling means’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002n9bk JK Rowling has said errors in the NHS Fife employment tribunal judgement are “scandalous”. The BBC's David Henderson explains the criticism of judge Sandy Kemp's ruling in the case involving nurse Sandie Peggie (pictured) and Dr Beth Upton. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: [email protected]