Micro histories from Scotland's capital. Join me for a walk through time, in a particular neighbourhood or location in beautiful, historic Edinburgh.
I'm avoiding all the history you already know - the castle, Greyfriars Bobby, Burke and Hare... this is a podcast about the real city and how its past has influenced and shaped the present day Edinburgh.
If you're a resident, you'll love these little walking tours that take no more than 25 minutes.
Created by Ruth Gray and produced by David O'Reilly and Gary Milne.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
In this episode we are joined by one of Scotland’s leading food history writers, Peter Gilchrist.
Peter won the Guild of Food Writers’ Best Newcomer for 2024 and is the co-host of the Scottish Food History podcast, and he also runs the Tenement Kitchen instagram account.
Created by Ruth Gray and Peter Gilchrist, produced by Gary Milne.
We met at the lovely Cookbook Shop on Haddington Place for a chat about the Scottish Morning roll and its origins. Bookshop noises can be heard - hopefully they only add to the overall ambience…
The morning roll is a cultural icon in Scottish food - but not one that gets the same disneyland treatment as the likes of haggis or shortbread. We spoke about its roots in working class Scottish history and its evolution over the last 500 years.
Peter’s passion about Scottish Food is so clear in this conversation - not just in terms of history but in modern day place, community and class.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
28 Jul 2026
EP4 Leith: Water, Whisky and Wine
Leith: originally an independent borough, now claimed by Edinburgh despite holding on to a distinct identity.
Leith's role in the whisky trade can't be underplayed - as Britain's second port at one time, only behind London in terms of significance, Leith has shaped the development and reach of Scotland's most famous export, more than you may realise.
But before there was whisky, there was wine. And before that, water.
Created by Ruth Gray
Guest interviewee is Izzy Irvine
Produced by Gary Milne
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
25 Jun 2026
EP3 Victorian innovations at Canonmills
In this episode we take in the area from the bridge at Canonmills over to George V park and the surrounding area.
The Victorians changed this site immeasurably, from draining the loch to burrowing under the new town, and even creating a massive outdoor leisure attraction. It went from being a peaceful semi rural spot to an innovation hotspot at the foot of the New Town.
Join me to explore this area and learn about some of the people and projects that have influenced the area as it is today.
Created by Ruth Gray and produced by David O'Reilly.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
26 May 2026
EP2 Powderhall and St Marks
Another micro-history of the Powderhall and St Marks area in Edinburgh. We stop for a chat with a local business owner with a very interesting property, and we learn about the origins of the name Powderhall. It's an area with a lot of industrial heritage so we'll learn about a few of the more interesting local endeavours too.
Recorded out and about so expect a little background noise here and there!
Created by Ruth Gray
Produced by David O'Reilly
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
7 May 2026
EP1 Warriston Cemetery
Take a walk with me around one of Edinburgh's true hidden gems - Warriston Cemetery.
The city's largest cemetery opened in the 1840s and is a fine example of a Victorian 'garden cemetery'. But its so much more than an old graveyard...
We'll meet some of its residents, both dead and alive, and learn about some of its notable moments in its 180 year history.
Created by Ruth Gray
Produced by David O'Reilly
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
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