Hear how Scotland’s leading nature conservation charity is protecting and restoring wildlife across Scotland.
For 60 years, the Scottish Wildlife Trust has been taking action to protect wildlife. Join hosts Ed and Rachel to hear about the breadth of work the Trust does, from practical action on its network of over 100 wildlife reserves to engaging with communities and campaigning for better protection of Scotland’s land and sea.
In our final episode of season 2, we focus on things we can all do to help nature. Starting with a chat about the role citizen-science plays in the fight for Scotland's red squirrels, we then head to Ayrshire to hear how wildlife-friendly gardening can bring many benefits. We finish by talking to the wonderful Less Waste Laura, who tells her story of using the power of social media to make a difference for nature.
Words of the Wild is a podcast from the Scottish Wildlife Trust hosted by Ed Turpin and Rachel Faichnie, produced by Ed Turpin and Pete Haskell with editing support from Bespoken Media.
Thanks to Phenotypic Recordings for the music in this podcast, which is taken from James Ross’ work entitled Landscape to Light. This music, as well as the full album by the same name, is available on all major streaming platforms.
4 Dec 2025
Boots on the Ground
Rachel joins Andy Cage to hear about the work of the Fife & Kinross Local Group, Ed catches up with some of our practical volunteers to find out what motivates them, and Habitats Ecologist, John McTague, talks about the importance of his work surveying the Trust's reserves.
Words of the Wild is a podcast from the Scottish Wildlife Trust hosted by Ed Turpin and Rachel Faichnie, produced by Ed Turpin and Pete Haskell with editing support from Bespoken Media.
Thanks to Phenotypic Recordings for the music in this podcast, which is taken from James Ross’ work entitled Landscape to Light. This music, as well as the full album by the same name, is available on all major streaming platforms.
27 Nov 2025
Scotland’s Seas and the World of Politics
In this episode, we dive into the Sea the Connection project to find out about ocean literacy. Ed learns more about the Trust’s advocacy work ahead of the upcoming Scottish Parliamentary Election, and Rachel heads to the beach to chat to one of our Young Leaders.
Words of the Wild is a podcast from the Scottish Wildlife Trust hosted by Ed Turpin and Rachel Faichnie, produced by Ed Turpin and Pete Haskell with editing support from Bespoken Media.
Thanks to Phenotypic Recordings for the music in this podcast, which is taken from James Ross’ work entitled Landscape to Light. This music, as well as the full album by the same name, is available on all major streaming platforms.
20 Nov 2025
Red squirrels and Riverwoods
We explore some of the Trust's major projects that are working for wildlife across Scotland. Ed starts hears from the Riverwoods team and project partners from the Spey Catchment Initiative. Rachel takes a trip to the bonny banks of Loch Lomond to find out how Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels have been working to control grey squirrel populations on the islands there. Finally, we hear from Anne Campbell, Crofting Officer at the Trust, about her work to support local crofters on Ben Mor Coigach and the wider area.
Words of the Wild is a podcast from the Scottish Wildlife Trust hosted by Ed Turpin and Rachel Faichnie, produced by Ed Turpin and Pete Haskell with editing support from Bespoken Media.
Thanks to Phenotypic Recordings for the music in this podcast, which is taken from James Ross’ work entitled Landscape to Light. This music, as well as the full album by the same name, is available on all major streaming platforms.
13 Nov 2025
Action for Nature
In this episode, Ed and Rachel find out about some of the community work happening across Scotland. Rachel chats to Harry Richards, Engagement Officer with the Action for Nature project in Ayrshire. Ed finds out more about the new phase of the Cumbernauld Living Landscape before a rainy visit to Bridge of Earn to chat to one of our fantastic Wildlife Watch leaders.
Words of the Wild is a podcast from the Scottish Wildlife Trust hosted by Ed Turpin and Rachel Faichnie, produced by Ed Turpin and Pete Haskell with editing support from Bespoken Media.
Thanks to Phenotypic Recordings for the music in this podcast, which is taken from James Ross’ work entitled Landscape to Light. This music, as well as the full album by the same name, is available on all major streaming platforms.
6 Nov 2025
Wild Highlands and Islands
Hosts Ed and Rachel are back for a second season of stories from the Scottish Wildlife Trust. In this episode, discover what life is like on Handa Island, hear from Reserves Manager Rab Potter, explore the wilds of Rahoy and hear about a significant acquisition from Trust Chief Executive, Jo Pike.
Words of the Wild is a podcast from the Scottish Wildlife Trust hosted by Ed Turpin and Rachel Faichnie, produced by Ed Turpin and Pete Haskell with editing support from Bespoken Media.
Thanks to Phenotypic Recordings for the music in this podcast, which is taken from James Ross’ work entitled Landscape to Light. This music, as well as the full album by the same name, is available on all major streaming platforms.
12 Sept 2025
Bonus episode 1 : Stories from Montrose Basin
We head to Montrose Basin on a sunny June morning for a walk out to the mudflats.
Words of the Wild is a podcast from the Scottish Wildlife Trust (https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/), hosted by Ed Turpin and Rachel Faichnie, produced by Ed Turpin and Pete Haskell, with editing support from Bespoken Media (https://www.bespoken.media/).
Thanks to Phenotypic Recordings for the music in this podcast, which is taken from James Ross’ work entitled Landscape to Light. This music, as well as the full album by the same name, is available on all major streaming platforms.
12 Sept 2025
Bonus episode 2: Stories from the Falls of Clyde
Talk a walk at the Falls of Clyde as we wander to the waterfall of Corra Linn.
Words of the Wild is a podcast from the Scottish Wildlife Trust (https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/) hosted by Ed Turpin and Rachel Faichnie, produced by Ed Turpin and Pete Haskell with editing support from Bespoken Media (https://www.bespoken.media/).
Thanks to Phenotypic Recordings for the music in this podcast, which is taken from James Ross’ work entitled Landscape to Light. This music, as well as the full album by the same name, is available on all major streaming platforms.
12 Sept 2025
Bonus episode 3: Stories from Carstramon Wood
Join our fantastic volunteers for a closer look at the history and wildlife of Carstramon Wood in Dumfries and Galloway.
Words of the Wild is a podcast from the Scottish Wildlife Trust (https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/) hosted by Ed Turpin and Rachel Faichnie, produced by Ed Turpin and Pete Haskell with editing support from Bespoken Media (https://www.bespoken.media/).
Thanks to Phenotypic Recordings for the music in this podcast, which is taken from James Ross’ work entitled Landscape to Light. This music, as well as the full album by the same name, is available on all major streaming platforms.
26 Aug 2024
Invasive species, red squirrels and stories from Carstramon Wood
In our final episode, we find out more about invasive non-native species (INNS). To start, Ed chats to Hazel Forrest, Species Advocacy Officer at the Trust, to find out more about INNS and the threat the pose to native wildlife. We then hear from some of the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels team about the vital work they are carrying out across Scotland. Finally, we head to our Carstramon Wood wildlife reserve in Dumfries and Galloway to hear from some of the volunteers who are working hard to preserve the ancient woodland and the valuable native wildlife there.
Words of the Wild is a podcast from the Scottish Wildlife Trust hosted by Ed Turpin and Rachel Faichnie, produced by Ed Turpin and Pete Haskell with editing support from Bespoken Media.
Thanks to Phenotypic Recordings for the music in this podcast, which is taken from James Ross’ work entitled Landscape to Light. This music, as well as the full album by the same name, is available on all major streaming platforms.
19 Aug 2024
Conservation in Cumbernauld, the Falls of Clyde and folk tales from Largiebann
In our sixth episode, we explore wellbeing and nature. We start by hearing about the work of the Cumbernauld Living Landscape and how important it is to connect to nature every now and then. We then head to the Falls of Clyde for a walk up to the waterfall of Cora Linn. Finally, we hear from poet, writer and historian, Angus Martin, who recounts some of his wildlife experiences and recites some of his poetry which was inspired by the landscape of our Largiebaan wildlife reserve.
Words of the Wild is a podcast from the Scottish Wildlife Trust hosted by Ed Turpin and Rachel Faichnie, produced by Ed Turpin and Pete Haskell with editing support from Bespoken Media.
Thanks to Phenotypic Recordings for the music in this podcast, which is taken from James Ross’ work entitled Landscape to Light. This music, as well as the full album by the same name, is available on all major streaming platforms.
12 Aug 2024
Snorkel trails, the mudflats of Montrose and the community that bought an island
Ed and Rachel head to the beach! In this episode, we hear from the our Living Seas team on the Trust’s marine policy and engagement work. We take a look back at the historical community buyout of the Isle of Eigg and hear how the island is being managed for both people and wildlife. And we head across to the east coast for a walk on the tidal mudflats of the Trust’s Montrose Basin reserve.
Words of the Wild is a podcast from the Scottish Wildlife Trust hosted by Ed Turpin and Rachel Faichnie, produced by Ed Turpin and Pete Haskell with editing support from Bespoken Media.
Thanks to Phenotypic Recordings for the music in this podcast, which is taken from James Ross’ work entitled Landscape to Light. This music, as well as the full album by the same name, is available on all major streaming platforms.
5 Aug 2024
Nectar networks, conservation grazing and a walk round Shewalton Wood
In this episode, Ed and Rachel investigate the Trust’s work with grazing and pollinators. We start with a walk at Shewalton Wood Wildlife Reserve in Ayrshire to discover how the site has been transformed from a landfill to a thriving site for nature. Ed has a chat to our conservation shepherd, Laura MacGregor, to find out more about the role livestock and grazing play in restoring habitat. And we shine a spotlight on the Trust-led Ayrshire Nectar Network to find out more about this pollinator-boosting project.
Words of the Wild is a podcast from the Scottish Wildlife Trust hosted by Ed Turpin and Rachel Faichnie, produced by Ed Turpin and Pete Haskell with editing support from Bespoken Media.
Thanks to Phenotypic Recordings for the music in this podcast, which is taken from James Ross’ work entitled Landscape to Light. This music, as well as the full album by the same name, is available on all major streaming platforms.
29 Jul 2024
Peatlands, nature-based solutions and creating a nature network in Edinburgh
In our third episode, the Trust's Terrestrial Policy Manager, Rebekah Strong, explains how nature can provide solutions (https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/our-work/our-advocacy/naturebasedsolutions/nbsresources/) to some of our problems. Ed speaks with Leo Charlesworth about the pioneering Edinburgh Nature Network (https://edinburghlivinglandscape.org.uk/project/edinburgh-nature-network/) and we hear from Julian Warman on the importance of the Trust's lowland raised bog reserves (https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/our-work/our-advocacy/naturebasedsolutions/peatlands-soils/).
Words of the Wild is a podcast from the Scottish Wildlife Trust hosted by Ed Turpin and Rachel Faichnie, produced by Ed Turpin and Pete Haskell with editing support from Bespoken Media.
Thanks to Phenotypic Recordings for the music in this podcast, which is taken from James Ross’ work entitled Landscape to Light. This music, as well as the full album by the same name, is available on all major streaming platforms.
22 Jul 2024
Riverwoods, beavers and stories from our largest wildlife reserve
Ed and Rachel head to the woods as we hear from some of the people involved in the Riverwoods project (https://www.riverwoods.org.uk/). We take a look back at the Scottish Beaver Trial and some of the impacts it continues to have on conservation today. We then head back north to hear some of the stories of Ben Mor Coigach (https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/ben-mor-coigach/?_gl=1*fd7l7a*_up*MQ..*_ga*ODQzNzQ4OTcyLjE3MjA2OTQ4ODk.*_ga_5BH0XSGV9M*MTcyMDY5NDg4OC4xLjEuMTcyMDY5NjQ0Mi4wLjAuMA..). Kenny Taylor explores some of the stories of the area and how local people are connected to the land.
Words of the Wild is a podcast from the Scottish Wildlife Trust hosted by Ed Turpin and Rachel Faichnie, produced by Ed Turpin and Pete Haskell with editing support from Bespoken Media.
Thanks to Phenotypic Recordings for the music in this podcast, which is taken from James Ross’ work entitled Landscape to Light. This music, as well as the full album by the same name, is available on all major streaming platforms.
15 Jul 2024
Origins, ospreys and one of the largest landscape-scale projects in Europe
In the first episode, we talk to the Chief Executive, Jo Pike, about the past, present and future of the Scottish Wildlife Trust. We also explore the Coigach and Assynt Living Landscape (https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/our-work/our-projects/living-landscapes/coigach-assynt-living-landscape/), one of the largest landscape-scale projects in Europe and head to Loch of the Lowes (https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/loch-of-the-lowes/) where the Trust’s Chair, Kenny Taylor, chats to some of our volunteers about their work with ospreys, beavers and the other wildlife on the loch.
Words of the Wild is a podcast from the Scottish Wildlife Trust hosted by Ed Turpin and Rachel Faichnie, produced by Ed Turpin and Pete Haskell with editing support from Bespoken Media.
Thanks to Phenotypic Recordings for the music in this podcast, which is taken from James Ross’ work entitled Landscape to Light. This music, as well as the full album by the same name, is available on all major streaming platforms.
4 Mar 2024
SOS Leith: How one community is raising its voice to clean up their river
After fears over the safety of local waterways, a group of residents in Leith banded together to make a change. Listen to the story of SOS Leith and how a group of local people are now working to clean up the Waters of Leith. This episode was recorded as part of the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Nextdoor Nature project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Production by Bespoken Media (https://www.bespoken.media/).
4 Mar 2024
The Isle of Eigg: how a community bought an island
In 1997, the Isle of Eigg was bought by its local community. Listen to the story of how the Isle of Eigg community is managing the space for people and wildlife. This episode was recorded as part of the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Nextdoor Nature project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Production by Bespoken Media (https://www.bespoken.media).
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