The Cruelty – A Child Unclaimed

BBC Radio Scotland

Confronting a shocking reality that hits close to home David Donaldson investigates the Unknown Bairn, a boy washed up in Tayport. Can Davie uncover the little boy’s identity?

12 Episodes

Introducing - The Forgotten Dead Series 2
5/13/2024
0:38
'Mary Ellen' was a nickname given by Police. She was found wrapped in a copy of the News of the World and still wearing her jewellery.Her real name remains a mystery.
Introducing..."The Missing Madonna"
8/25/2023
1:40
From a Scottish Castle to a Merseyside boozer, via the FBI’s most-wanted list, this is the incredible story of a missing masterpiece.
Don't miss an episode of “The Cruelty – A Child Unclaimed” and subscribe to it in the GetPodcast app.
9. The Wee Boy
9/28/2022
30:51
In Tayport Cemetery on the 51st anniversary of the discovery of the Unknown Bairn, Davie meets again with the Robertson family.Presenter: Davie Donaldson Producer: Kate Bissell, BBC Scotland Productions. Researchers: Rachael Fulton and Catrina RoseAdditional reporting: Cameron Mackay Story consultants: Jack Kibble White and Kirsty Williams Sound Designer: Julian Corrie Music : Julian Corrie with additional tracks by Barry Jackson Executive Editor: Heather Kane Darling With thanks to Martin Conaghan for developing the initial podcast idea with BBC Scotland Productions.
8. The Mother
9/28/2022
19:01
After receiving a flurry of messages, Davie arrive at the doorstep of someone who might just hold the key to the whole investigation.Presenter: Davie Donaldson Producer: Kate Bissell, BBC Scotland Productions. Researchers: Rachael Fulton and Catrina RoseAdditional reporting: Cameron Mackay Story consultants: Jack Kibble White and Kirsty Williams Sound Designer: Julian Corrie Music : Julian Corrie with additional tracks by Barry Jackson Editor: Heather Kane Darling With thanks to Martin Conaghan for developing the initial podcast idea with BBC Scotland Productions.
7. The Camp
9/28/2022
25:26
Tracking down the camp where the Unknown Bairn may have lived brings Davie even closer to the story and offers up a potential new lead.Presenter: Davie Donaldson Producer: Kate Bissell, BBC Scotland Productions. Researchers: Rachael Fulton and Catrina RoseAdditional reporting: Cameron Mackay Story consultants: Jack Kibble White and Kirsty Williams Sound Designer: Julian Corrie Music : Julian Corrie with additional tracks by Barry Jackson Executive Editor: Heather Kane Darling With thanks to Martin Conaghan for developing the initial podcast idea with BBC Scotland Productions.
6. The Boy on the Bike
9/28/2022
25:55
The case suddenly starts to speed up, as new information is forthcoming. However, these breakthroughs lead Davie to look again at information already received.Presenter: Davie Donaldson Producer: Kate Bissell, BBC Scotland Productions. Researchers: Rachael Fulton and Catrina RoseAdditional reporting: Cameron Mackay Story consultants: Jack Kibble White and Kirsty Williams Sound Designer: Julian Corrie Music : Julian Corrie with additional tracks by Barry Jackson Executive Editor: Heather Kane Darling With thanks to Martin Conaghan for developing the initial podcast idea with BBC Scotland Productions.
5. The Experiments
9/28/2022
45:45
Davie discovers the story of a little girl, possibly murdered in care, and is forced to question whether the Unknown Bairn could have met a similar fate.Presenter: Davie Donaldson Producer: Kate Bissell, BBC Scotland Productions. Researchers: Rachael Fulton and Catrina RoseAdditional reporting: Cameron Mackay Story consultants: Jack Kibble White and Kirsty Williams Sound Designer: Julian Corrie Music : Julian Corrie with additional tracks by Barry Jackson Executive Editor: Heather Kane Darling With thanks to Martin Conaghan for developing the initial podcast idea with BBC Scotland Productions.
4. The Cruelty
9/28/2022
35:15
In trying to work out how a child could remain unclaimed, Davie is forced to consider his father’s childhood and how it could be connected to the case.Presenter: Davie Donaldson Producer: Kate Bissell, BBC Scotland Productions. Researchers: Rachael Fulton and Catrina RoseAdditional reporting: Cameron Mackay Story consultants: Jack Kibble White and Kirsty Williams Sound Designer: Julian Corrie Music : Julian Corrie with additional tracks by Barry Jackson Executive Editor: Heather Kane Darling With thanks to Martin Conaghan for developing the initial podcast idea with BBC Scotland Productions.
3. Lucky Scalp
9/28/2022
25:38
No one knew where The Unknown Bairn washed in from. Did he come from out of the sea, perhaps as far afield as the Netherlands or did he enter the water upstream in the River Tay.Presenter: Davie Donaldson Producer: Kate Bissell, BBC Scotland Productions. Researchers: Rachael Fulton and Catrina RoseAdditional reporting: Cameron Mackay Story consultants: Jack Kibble White and Kirsty Williams Sound Designer: Julian Corrie Music : Julian Corrie with additional tracks by Barry Jackson Executive Editor: Heather Kane Darling With thanks to Martin Conaghan for developing the initial podcast idea with BBC Scotland Productions.
2. The Couple on the Bus
9/28/2022
23:03
Davie meets a former detective who worked on the case, but has since made claims in the press about the identity of the Unknown Bairn.Presenter: Davie Donaldson Producer: Kate Bissell, BBC Scotland Productions. Researchers: Rachael Fulton and Catrina RoseAdditional reporting: Cameron Mackay Story consultants: Jack Kibble White and Kirsty Williams Sound Designer: Julian Corrie Music : Julian Corrie with additional tracks by Barry Jackson Executive Editor: Heather Kane Darling With thanks to Martin Conaghan for developing the initial podcast idea with BBC Scotland Productions.

More Episodes

Get the whole world of podcasts with the free GetPodcast app.

Subscribe to your favorite podcasts, listen to episodes offline and get thrilling recommendations.

The Cruelty – A Child Unclaimed

BBC Radio Scotland

12 Episodes

Introducing - The Forgotten Dead Series 2

Introducing..."The Missing Madonna"

9. The Wee Boy

8. The Mother

7. The Camp

6. The Boy on the Bike

5. The Experiments

4. The Cruelty

3. Lucky Scalp

2. The Couple on the Bus