Fourth series kicks off with surprising insights on Scottish legend, Flora MacDonald
Love Scotland, the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) podcast presented by NTS President, Jackie Bird, has returned for a fourth season. Each week, the podcast uncovers spellbinding stories from Scotland’s history, starting with the remarkable tale of Scottish heroine, Flora MacDonald.
The inaugural episode of season four sees former BBC Reporting Scotland anchor, Jackie Bird, sit down with author Flora Fraser as they take a deep dive into the life of Flora MacDonald, the 24-year-old unlikely heroine who helped assist the defeated Bonnie Prince Charlie escape from Benbecula to the Isle of Skye in the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden.
While immortalised in the Skye Boat Song, Flora MacDonald’s life beyond that dramatic escape is little understood by most, despite being of great historic interest. In this fascinating first episode, Flora Fraser, author of the forthcoming biography, Pretty Young Rebel: The Life of Flora MacDonald, explores who Flora really was, how she came to help Prince Charles and what happened to her in the years that followed.
As Scotland’s leading independent conservation charity, the Trust cares for over 100 sites across the country, spanning from castles and coastlines, art to architecture and wildlife. Episodes of Love Scotland range from thrilling tales about some of the country’s most iconic landmarks, to exploring Scotland’s history of ghost stories. Guests also discuss issues close to the Trust’s heart including conservation and sustainability.
Jim Whyteside, Interim Director of Customer & Cause at National Trust for Scotland, said: “The Love Scotland podcast is a fantastic way for us to further engage with everyone that is just as fascinated as us by the wealth of stories and heritage Scotland has to offer.
“We are excited to continue to have incredibly interesting guests on each week, having the chance to share our history with those tuning in from across the world and give our heritage the voice it truly deserves.”
Highlighting one of the Trust’s key pillars in driving forward its ten-year-strategy rolled out earlier this year: Nature, Beauty and Heritage for Everyone. The charity aims to engage the public with the vast array of secrets and stories of Scotland ready to be told, and highlights the work constantly being done to conserve our country’s rich history. Keen listeners are in luck this season as the Trust has changed its upload schedule from bi-weekly to weekly with a brand-new episode coming out every Friday.
For more information on the National Trust for Scotland visit: www.nts.org.uk.
Love Scotland can be accessed on Spotify or Apple Podcasts or directly via its website: https://www.nts.org.uk/stories/for-the-love-of-scotland-podcasts