We've talked a lot about pirates over the last few episodes, so in this Unearthed special I chat to Alex Barker from the Be More Pirate movement, about what pirates and the Golden Age of Piracy can mean for you today.

He sailed the seas in search of pirates, but the world that he thought supported him, would turn against him - branding him a pirate instead. This episode examines the trial and aftermath of Scottish born pirate Captain William Kidd. Was he a notorious villain, or victim of a villainous elite? Interviews with: Richard Zacks: Author of Pirate HunterDr David Wilson: Historian at Strathclyde UniversityNoel Young: Journalist and founder of www.pardoncaptainkidd.comAlex Barker: Author and Captain of the Be More Pirate movement. Support the show by joining the Unearthed Club.

Captain William Kidd is a name that permeates pirate lore, but what is less discussed are his Scottish routes. But was this man a terror of the high seas, or patriotic privateer? What's the difference between pirates and privateers anyway? Join me in the first of this two part episode, where I'll investigate the life and crimes of Captain Kidd so you can make your mind up before his trial - is he innocent or shall he hang? Interviews with: Dr David Wilson, historian and authorRichard Zacks, author of Pirate HunterNoel Young, journalist and founder of the Pardon Captain Kidd campaign. Support the show by joining the Unearthed Club.

What led Scottish born Allan Pinkerton to track down one of America's most notorious outlaws? Jesse James is a house hold name to many, but in this episode we unearth the legend of both Pinkerton and James, to find out what brought these two men on a massive collision course, and how that ultimately changed the face of the Pinkerton Agency forever. Interviews with: T.J Stiles - Pulitzer prize winning author of Jesse James: Last Rebel of the Civil WarBob Whitaker - Historian and producer of History Respawned PodcastIan Templeton - ex-police officer from Glasgow

Did you know that the founder of the American secret service was from Glasgow? This week I take a look at the life of Allan Pinkerton, founder of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency, and how he and his crew foiled a plot to assassinate Abraham Lincoln. It's a story of gun-slinging, murder, espionage, and cowboys. So welcome to Allan Pinkerton's Wild West! Unearthed is a Scottish history podcast that dusts off the history books to take you back in time to find out more about lesser-known heroes from Scotland's past. What can we learn from the ghosts of the past? Support the show by joining the Unearthed Club.

Who fired the starter gun for equality? Is there someone out there who pioneered centuries of furious debate for women's rights? This is the story of a Dundee born legend whose legacy resonates with us today - despite her being side-lined by history. How she would grow up to be a leading figure in a movement that would set the world on a new course. This is the story of Frances Wright and her Utopia. Interviews: Dr Kenneth Baxter, Dundee UniversityDr Jane Rendall, University of YorkDr Allison Lange, Wentworth Institute of TechnologyIan Houston, President of the Scottish Business Network Support the show by joining the Unearthed Club on Patreon and get access to my mini series Superstitions as well as full-length interviews and behind the scenes extras,

In 1848, two naval ships went missing in the Arctic ice. The British Navy believed it was on the cusp of discovering the first navigable link in the Northwest Passage, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans by traversing the roof of Canada. But, this was not to be. So how did an Orcadian Scot become the centre of an international scandal? And was he actually the man to discover one of the world's most treacherous yet highly desired passageways? This is the story of why we should all know John Rae. Interviews with: Ken McGoogan, author of Fatal PassageAnne Keenleyside. archaeologist at Trent UniversityDr Douglas Stenton, archaeologist at the University of Waterloo.Andrew Appleby, President of the John Rae society. Join the Unearthed Patreon and support the show!

It's here - the third season of Unearthed! This time, I take a look at prominent Scots who fled the homeland to chase a better life in the New World - the good, the bad, and the mad. Episode one lands Wednesday 11th August, wherever you get your podcasts!

Welcome to the History Sideshow! This week I take a look at Mary Slessor who sailed for Nigeria in 1876 - but should she be revered today in the light of damage caused by white-saviourism and voluntourism? I'll also address something quite personal to me, including the responsibility that comes with broadcasting history programs in the wake of TV historian Neil Oliver's damaging claims, as well as news of the third season of Unearthed - coming next week! - plus, this week in history news! Remember to join the Unearthed club on Patreon to get access to bonus material, my mini-series Superstitions where I look at the darker recesses of our history books, and much more! Join today on www.patreon.com/unearthed

Welcome to the History Sideshow - my weekly podcast that runs in between the main Unearthed seasons. This week Ryan returns to the Covenanters Prison and the infamous Bluidy George Mackenzie, to sift out the poltergeist from the pretence, as well as highlighting a unique individual in Scottish history - a man named Alexander Trocchi whose drug fuelled literary career lay at the heart of the American Beat Generation with another weekly round up of week-in-history news! Support the show by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/unearthed

Welcome to the History Sideshow - my weekly podcast that runs in between the main Unearthed seasons. This week Ryan looks at another theory regarding the burial of Scotland's "worst poet", takes you down the rabbit hole of Scottish Faerie folklore, and delivers the week in Scottish History News! Interview clips from author and historian Charlotte Golledge and Colin Waters from the Scottish Poetry Library.

Unearthed is a great project to work on - but it takes time. To keep you in the loop with all things Scottish History, Unearthed producer and host, Ryan Latto, is launching a brand-new podcast History Sideshow to run along the main series. In between seasons, Ryan will bring you fresh content and perspectives on Scottish History, news, stories, and mad little nuggets he finds as he researches the main show. Join Ryan every Friday for a new episode, and delve a little deeper into the weird, wonderful, and madness of Scottish History.

Recently one of my favourite historical sites in Scotland burnt down in a tragic fire. The Scottish Crannog Centre is a historical charity that has spent decades reconstructing a beautiful Iron Age Crannog to better understand our ancient story. Using interactive workshops, storytelling and performance, the Scottish Crannog Centre helped educate, entertain, and inform visitors from all over the world about the mysterious world of Scotland's earlies ancestors. Help us today by donating to the charity by visiting www.gofundme.com/SaveTheCrannog - all donations will be given to the charity once we hit our target of £2,000 or more. Thank you! www.gofundme.com/savethecrannog

It's a month since season two ended, so I thought I'd relax, kick back, and bring you a full interview with someone very special. To celebrate Robert Burns Night I spoke with internet sensation Len Pennie, a Scots poet currently studying at St Andrews University about all things Robert Burns, mental health, online abuse, creativity, and on the whole, the Scots language.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On Christmas Eve 1950, a daring heist took place inside of Westminster Abbey in London. Four students from Glasgow embarked on an opportunity to return an ancient relic to Scotland. Led by Ian Hamilton, an ambitious law student, the Stone of Scone, also known as the Stone of Destiny, would be returned to Scotland for the first time in 650 years. But what is the stone all about and what where did it come from? In the season two finale, I interview the man behind the plan, Ian Hamilton himself, to get a first hand account of this incredible story of Scottish patriotism and bravery. With Scottish Independence surging in the polls, what does the Stone mean for us today? Interviews with: Ian Hamilton QC, at 95 years old, Ian spent his life as a lawyer in Scotland after stealing the stone back for the Scots in 1950Dr Fiona Watson, historian specialising in medieval ScotlandAlistair Moffat, historian and prolific writer on Scottish history William Stormont, member of the Murray family that owns Scone Palace and the surrounding estate, home of the original Stone of Destiny   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How long have people of African descent been a part of Scottish history? It's a question that brings with it surprising answers, and opens up the discussion of why we still deal with racism in Scotland and the UK today. In this episode I take a look at people of African descent throughout our history, starting with Peter the Moor - a courtier in court of James IV of Scotland...in the early 16th century. Who was Peter the Moor, and what can his story teach us about racism in Scotland today and in our past? Interviews in this episode: Dr Miranda Kaufmann, historian and author of Black Tudors: The Untold StoryLisa Williams, research fellow at Edinburgh University, founder of the Edinburgh Caribbean Association, and Black History tour guide in EdinburghDr Onyeka Nubia, historian, author, and playwright Support the show by becoming a patron for as little as £3 a month! Get access to behind the scenes goodies, including my mini-series Superstitions that looks beyond the darker recesses of the Scottish history books.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's Christmas 1981, and the people of Falkland are flocking to the street. A man has come to town, a man dressed in black baring a wide smile. This man in Johnny Cash and he has come home. Johnny Cash, the globally recognised country folk singer traced his roots to Fife, a stones throw away from where I was raised. So, how much can we own him? Well...rather than speculate, why not just ask the family? In this episode I interview Johnny Cash's daughter, Rosanne, about her and her fathers Scottish roots and why we should be singing it from the rooftops! Interviews with: Rosanne Cash, award winning country singer and daughter of Johnny CashDean Owens, Scottish singer-songwriter from Leith and founder of the Cash Back FestivalBobby Beveridge, retired police detective and owner of the Violin Shop in FalklandDavid Latto, my brother, and professional singer-songwriter from Fife.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

There is a story in Scotland of a woman who was buried alive. The legend of Mary Elphinstone is repeated across every village, town, and city in the country, but where does it come from? Did it really happen? And, perhaps more worryingly, was it common for people to actually be buried alive? This episode of Superstitions is usually only for Patreons but as a special treat, and to tide you over under season two continues next week, I've popped it online for everyone to enjoy. So let's explore the story of Mary Elphinstone, who lived once, but was buried twice.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In 1994, a group of activists tried to blow up a statue on Ben Bhraggie, overlooking the town of Golspie in Sutherland. In November 2011, some more activists tried to bring it down with chains. Neither attempt was successful, but each represented the deep rooted hurt that highland communities feel due to the brutality of the Highland Clearances. Last week I examined the Clearance story and picked apart the misconceptions, and discovered what the age of Clearance was really about. But this week I delve deeper, discovering how the British Empire and its horrific trade in slaves has connections to the Clearances, how our culture was made illegal by that same Empire, and how those ideologies may still exist today - forcing us perhaps into a new era of Clearance. Interviews in this episode: Dr Nicola Martin, historian from the University of the Highlands and Islands, specialising on British imperialism and highland culture.Dr Domhnall Uilleam Stiubhart, senior lecturer at Sabhal Mór Ostaig at the University of the Highland and Islands about Gaelic culture and highland history.Dr David Alston, historian and author with a research interest in highland history and Scotland's involvement in the slave trade.Dr Iain MacKinnon, historian and researcher for the centre of governance and land reform at Coventry UniversityMeg Bishop, National Secretary for Living Rent, Scotland's tenants unionAndy Whightman, Green MSP for Lothian and land reform activistRaoul Curtis-Machin, Operations Manager at Culloden Battlefield   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In 1746, thousands of Jacobite soldiers were killed during a battle against the British at Culloden. One hundred years later, the clans are virtually gone, towns and villages have disappeared, and the highlands are owned by a handful of monied gentry. Today, only a pitiful few people own the millions of acres of land in Scotland, so what happened, and why? In the first of this two-part special, let's examine the Highland Clearances to find out the history of this extremely emotive part of Scottish history, what it means, and who, if anyone, is to blame. Interviews with: Dr Nicola Martin, historian from the University of the Highlands and Islands, specialising on British imperialism and highland culture.Dr Jim Hunter, historian from the University of the Highlands and Islands, and author of fourteen books on highland history and clearance.Dr Domhnall Uilleam Stiubhart, senior lecturer at Sabhal Mór Ostaig at the University of the Highland and Islands about Gaelic culture and highland history.Dr David Alston, historian and author with a research interest in highland history and Scotland's involvement in the slave trade.Dr Iain MacKinnon, historian and researcher for the centre of governance and land reform at Coventry University   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.