Some Other Scotland - Ep17 - Lunacy Graves

This Week:

• Tania and Erica visit the Merk.
• Calum notices a disturbing pattern.
• Sykes is alerted to more symbols.
• Harald finds what he's searching for.
• A haggis supper leads to trouble.

This week’s news story:

Lunacy Board buried thousands in unmarked graves

changed to the alternative:

Thousands named in Lunacy Board Service

A memorial service has been held for people buried in unmarked "pauper's graves" in Churches around West Lothian. The graves belong to patients of Bangour Village hospital and are located in numerous sites in the local area. The Lunacy Board, who until recently were responsible for all psychiatric hospitals in Scotland, had a similar policy across the country and it is anticpated that many more unmarked graves such as these will come to light in the future.

Further Information

BBC News - Read the original story.

I Should Be Writing

Mur Lafferty, author of "Playing for Keeps" and the "Heaven" podcast series amongst other things, has recently posted an article written by me on her "I Should Be Writing" blog.

The blog is the companion to her regular podcast aimed at new and aspiring writers, one that has provided a great deal of help and inspiration to guide me on my way. The article deals with the particular challenges of writing an ongoing piece of interactive fiction like "Some Other Scotland" and how I keep track of where it is going and ensuring it stays on course.

It is aimed at fellow writers, but if you are interested in a behind-the-scenes look at the SOS podcast, you might well find it interesting even if you're not a writer. Do take the time to check out Mur's own podcasts at the site; they are quite different to SOS, but you're sure to find something of interest.

Some Other Scotland - Ep18 - Submarine

This Week:

• Razer meets his kidnappers.
• A bid for freedom ends in disaster.

This week’s news story:

Radioactive leaks from submarines

changed to the alternative:

Leaking submarine disappears

Following the release of a report on safety issues at the Faslane base, it has emerged that a submarine identified as having leaked radioactive material on three previous occasions, has disappeared. The last known contact with the vessel was as it left the East Coast of the USA on a return trip to Scotland. MPs have called for a full investigation into why a ship with a poor safety record was released for travel in international waters.

Further Information

Promo for The Gearheart.

Please note - episode 17 has been written out of order and will follow later, but this will not affect the flow of the story!

Some Other Scotland - Ep16 - Cancer

This Week:

• Erica works on changing the tunnel.
• Razer seeks a way out of New York.
• Disturbing news rocks the Traigh.

This week’s news story:

Putting the brakes on cancer

changed to the alternative:

Evidence found of cancer brakes

Scientists from the University of Edinburgh believe that a body donated for medical science may hold the key to a cure for cancer. They say that a range of genetic differences in the body may effectively slow the effects of the disease if replicated. The circumstances of the death and identity of the body are kept strictly secret.

Further Information

BBC News - Read the original story.

Promo for "Jack Wakes Up" by Seth Harwood.

Some Other Scotland - SpinOff 02 - Mist and Shelter

The second and third of the spin-off stories to feature at Some Other Scotland are both set in the past.

The events in "Mist" take place in 1919 on a secluded beach in the North of Scotland. This story was originally posted for the 100 Word Stories prompt "Shrouded in mist". It can be found along with others of the same theme at 100 Word Stories #168.

The second short tale, "Shelter", was also written for the 100 Word Stories podcast, but was not recorded in time to be included, so this is its first appearance. It is set in 1940 and has a close link to Episode 15 of 'SOS'.

Further Information

Merkland Street Subway station, the scene of the attack.

Some Other Scotland - Ep15 - Acid

This Week:

• Razer reacts to the damage he has done.
• Erica reaches the Traigh.
• Malcolm recognises unwelcome faces.
• Harald searches for Charles.
• Inside the Traigh.

This week’s news story:

Acid left in Glasgow street

changed to the alternative:

Acid corrodes through Glasgow street

The Fire Brigade were called in to deal with a chemical spillage at Hayburn Street in Partick that has left a hole in the residential area estimated to be over fourty metres deep. A local residents has reported seeing several large canisters being left at the site in the early morning, but by noon the liquid inside, believed to be a highly concentrated acid, had corroded through the containers and into the ground below. The close proximity of the incident to the Glasgow Subway system meant that services on the line were cancelled for most of the day until safety checks could be completed. Police are investigating the incident and are currently gathering footage from CCTV cameras in the area to identify the truck that left the containers. Firefighters are still clearing the area, removing contaminated soil and corroded rocks from the scene for further analysis.

Further Information

BBC News - Read the original story.

Some Other Scotland - Interlude 02

Interlude 02:

• Listener feedback and questions.
• Mapping the story.
• Twittering characters and other extras.
• Podiobooks version of the podcast.
• Promoting SOS - StumbleUpon, iTunes, etc.

Get a reminder of the Podioracket interview/chat.

Great Hites can be found at greathites.blogspot.com.

Follow characters Erica Wallis, Razer and DC Eddie Lake on Twitter.

Google Map of SOS locations.

Promos for Arlene Radasky's "The Fox" and PodioRacket.

View Some Other Scotland in a larger map