Join Helen Houston of Scottish Blethers Podcast in this Guide Colletive Book Club bonus event for our March read, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.

Join Helen Houston of Scottish Blethers Podcast in this Special “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” event.

Join Helen Houston for this private Zoom presentation as she shares the importance of Saint Andrew in the Scottish culture.

Join Liz Lister of Scottish Blethers Podcast in this Special “The Black House” event.

In this member-exclusive Zoom presentation, Liz will introduce you to the island location in which The Black House is set and explore some of the specific places featured in the book. From the acres of white sand on Uig beach to the standing stones of Callanish and Stornoway itself, capital of the island. We’ll explore whether, as Fin suggests, little has changed on the island for generations.

Join Liz Lister of Scottish Blethers Podcast in this Special “The Black House” event.

The Black House revolves around this question. The rock is An Sgeir, lying fifty miles north of the tip of Lewis—three hundred feet of storm-lashed cliffs rising straight out of the sea. For four hundred years, the men of Ness have made a two-week trip every August to harvest gannet chicks, or guga as they are called in Gaelic. What started as a necessity for food has become a tradition – a rite of passage for young men.

In this presentation Liz will take a closer look at what is involved in this annual pilgrimage: how supplies are transported to sustain the men on an island without food, water or power; the black house in which they live; how the guga are culled, preserved, and transported back to the island to be eaten as a delicacy; and the controversy generated by this tradition.

In Chapter 4 of The Black House, Fin and his friends set out to build the biggest bonfire in Ness. Rivalry is fierce, every village wants theirs to be the best, and so when word spreads that the boys of the neighbouring village have got hold of a giant tractor tyre, a plot is hatched to steal it from under their noses.

In this presentation we’ll explore the origins of Bonfire Night in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605—when Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators plotted to blow up the Houses of Parliament with King James inside. The group hoped to end the persecution of Roman Catholics by the Protestant Government, but when the assassination attempt failed there was a wave of national relief and a mood of loyalty and goodwill towards the King that was demonstrated through the building of bonfires. Learn more about the plot and the origins behind some of the fireworks that light up our skies.

Remember, remember the fifth of November, gunpowder treason and plot

I see no reason why gunpowder treason, should ever be forgot

And so, across the UK on 5th November or thereabouts, bonfires will be built and fireworks set off. To commemorate this event in history. To celebrate the tradition. But above all – to have fun.

Glasgow through its street murals!

Helen of Scottish Blethers will introduce us to the story of Glasgow through the work of local artists adorning many of its buildings.

The fortunes of the city have ebbed and flowed like the mighty River Clyde on which it was built. From the story of Saint Mungo, the city’s patron saint, to the technological innovations emerging from its universities, Helen will guide us around the city’s mural trail introducing us to the artists and explaining the relevance of their work.

Join Helen Houston of Scottish Blethers Podcast in this Special “Kidnapped” event.

In this zoom presentation Helen will take us round the route of the adventure and introduce us to the places that feature in the book.

She will explain the facts that happened in history, and which are woven into this fictional adventure.

Join Helen Houston of Scottish Blethers Podcast in this Special “Kidnapped” event.

Kidnapped is set in mid 1700s Scotland, a time of great political unrest and conflict. Although Robert Louis Stevenson was writing some 100 years after the setting of Kidnapped, people in Edinburgh and Scotland were still very aware of their fragile identity. In this presentation Helen will explain some of the events happening in Scotland which give context to the story.

Join Helen Houston and Liz Lister of Scottish Blethers Podcast in a Live Virtual Tour of Scotland.

Ever thought of a trip to Scotland but not sure where to begin? Let Liz and Helen– the Scottish Blethers – give you some suggestions and travel tips to kick-start your planning.

GCBC BONUS!

Edinburgh’s New Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering one and a quarter square mile of stunning Georgian architecture. Tune in to Guide Collective’s FB Live with Helen Houston as she takes you through this beautiful area via a live PowerPoint presentation. Explore the beginnings of the New Town and meet some of the people who have lived there, including the current residents of 44 Scotland Street.

GCBC BONUS!

Join Helen Houston as she walks in the footsteps of the residents of Alexander McCall Smith’s 44 Scotland Street, the July 2021 selection for Guide Collective Book Club . Visit the places these characters frequent: from the art galleries and gardens to the coffee shops and pubs—we will visit them virtually via a live PowerPoint virtual tour and enjoy the experiences of the wonderful characters in Alexander McCall Smith’s book.

Join Helen Houston and Liz Lister of Scottish Blethers Podcast in a Live Virtual Tour of the incredible island of Iona.

For centuries people have travelled to this small island off the west coast of Scotland. They came seeking faith or belief, learning or healing, refuge or absolution. Today, they still come to enjoy the natural beauty of the island and to experience the sense of calm and tranquillity that is palpable from the moment you step off the ferry from the mainland.

Join Liz Lister of Scottish Blethers Podcast in a Live Virtual Tour of Skye – Misty Isle.

Travel with Liz as she explores this spectacular island that sits at the top of the bucket-lists of many visitors to Scotalnd. Jaw-dropping scenery, history written in its landscape. Walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs and wonder at medieval castles and abandoned lighthouses.

Your Invitation to Afternoon Tea

Join Helen from Scottish Blethers, in her home, for a traditional Afternoon Tea .

‘At half-past three everything stops for tea!’ as the song goes. This was how it was in the early 1840s when Afternoon Tea was first taken. Today, Afternoon Tea is usually only an occasional luxury, a Mother’s Day treat perhaps, taken in a 5 star hotel.

Helen will talk you through the story behind this extremely enjoyable ritual and help you to create your own traditional Afternoon Tea at home.

Join Helen Houston of Travels with Helen and Scottish Blethers Podcast in a Live Virtual Tour of Culross – the 16th century Scottish burgh that time forgot.

Travel with Helen as she explores the narrow, cobbled streets with their houses of the period, complete with crow-stepped gables and red pantile roofs. From 6th century saints and pregnant princesses to 17th century marvels of engineering and a panic-stricken King – Helen will lead you through the history of this fascinating village right up to the present day and its reincarnation as a location for the filming of Outlander

Liz Lister, one of the Scottish Blethers trio and local Edinburgh Guide, shows us around her home town. This virtual tour of Scotland’s capital city takes us from the closes and wynds of the medieval Old Town, to the magnificent Georgian architecture of the New. Edinburgh is a city of contrasts.

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site for both its culture and natural qualities, learn about Scotland’s St. Kilda and hear about the life of the islanders leading up to evacuation 70 years ago, the unique species that evolved on the islands, the incredible birdlife and what the islands are like today.

Today, Helen Houston, one of the Scottish Blethers trio will show us around on of the most beautiful cities in Scotland, Dunfermline.

Andrew Carnegie was born in Dunfermline in 1835.  His family emigrated to America in 1848.  He founded the Carnegie Steel Company, which later became part of US Steel. He accumulated great wealth becoming one of the world's richest men. In 1901 Andrew Carnegie sold his steel making interests to John Pierpont Morgan for $480 million. He is principally remembered for funding large numbers of libraries and educational establishments across the English-speaking world. 

For Helen, Liz and Susan, the Scottish Blethers podcast has been one of the few good things to come out of 2020!

For Helen, Liz and Susan, the Scottish Blethers podcast has been one of the few good things to come out of 2020!

We’ve had fun producing it and we hope that you’ve enjoyed listening. We’ve made lots of new friends without the opportunity to meet in person but that’s going to change!

On Wednesday 9th we’ll be holding a Christmas Party via Zoom and you’re all invited! You’ve listened to the Blethers now it’s your opportunity to contribute to the conversation.

Put on your party hat, grab a Tooter (we really don’t know what they’re called!) and a refreshment and join us for lots of festive fun.

Charlie Rawson takes you on a virtual guided tour through picturesque Scotland. Learn about Scottish identity, landscapes, historic rivalries, classic Scottish literature, ancient cultures, and modern passageways.

At just after 5am on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, a treaty was signed that would bring the hostilities of WWI to an end at 11.00am that same day. A year later the tradition of a two minute silence to reflect and remember at 11.00am on Armistice Day was introduced.

Join Liz Lister in a emotional walk at 11:00am on the 11th day of the 11th month and conmemorate the end of WWI

Join Scottish tour guide Liz Lister for the story behind Guy Fawkes and why every year across the UK bonfires are lit and the sky lights up with fireworks.

Join us for a Live Stream Event as Trish Feaster chats with Liz Lister about traditional Hallowe’en activities and the history of All Hallows Eve in Scotland.

Join Juliet Romano-Olsen, our amazing and talented intern at Guide Collective, for a lecture and demonstration of her longtime passion and sport of Scottish Highland Dance. It will include a brief history of Highland Dancing and Scottish culture in the US as well as her personal journey as a competitive dancer for 15 years.

Charlie Rawson takes you on a virtual guided tour through picturesque Scotland. Learn about Scottish identity, landscapes, historic rivalries, classic Scottish literature, ancient cultures, and modern passageways.

Charlie Rawson takes you on a virtual guided tour through picturesque Scotland. Learn about Scottish identity, landscapes, historic rivalries, classic Scottish literature, ancient cultures, and modern passageways.