Some Other Scotland - Ep24 - Water Supply

This Week:

• Sykes visits the Merk.
• Charles climbs the Wallace Monument.
• Razer is put to work.

This week’s news story:

Strange-tasting water is still safe

changed to the alternative:

Tap water ban announced

People in certain areas of Dundee and the Carse of Gowrie have been advised to stop drinking their tap water for a period of at least a week, following an investigation into an unusual taste that was reported coming from the Clatto Water Treatment Works. A spokeswoman from the plant has confirmed that they have evidence of raw sewerage having being dumped into the reservoir at Linthrathen Loch, though they have assured residents that it was a small amount and steps have been taken to disinfect all affected supplies.

Further Information

BBC News - Read the original story.

Some Other Scotland - Ep21 - Bees

This Week:

• Charles finds music and a lift.
• Razer picks a side.
• Erica and Tania find a clue to Sengar's whereabouts.

This week’s news story:

Human race could perish without bees

changed to the alternative:

Bee disappearances a growing threat to Human Race

A debate in the Scottish Parliament has raised concerns about the rapidly declining bee population in the UK and beyond. A number of reasons, including the increase in the population of the Varroa mite ongoing use of pesticides in farming and even the prevalence of mobile phone masts, have been attributed to the fall in numbers, but scientists have yet to identify a means of reversing the trend. Agricultural experts have highlighted the impact on crops that is already being seen, due to the lack of cross-pollination by bees.

Further Information

BBC News - Read the original story.

Some Other Scotland - SpinOff 03 - The Three Coos

The next spin-off story to feature at Some Other Scotland is a little different.

This is a variation on the popular fairytale 'The Three Billy Goats Gruff', but this is as told by Razer, so it has a little more local flavour.

It was inspired by odin1eye from the View From Valhalla blog. That is a good source of reviews of other podiobooks you might want to investigate if you are enjoying SOS.

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.

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 - Ep14 - Tartan Week

This Week:

• Razer chooses his hideaway.
• Malcolm receives an unwanted visitor.
• Razer settles in the USA.
• The destructive force of the 'torch' is demonstrated fully.

This week’s news story:

New York parade sets Scotland Week in motion

changed to the alternative:

Tartan Week parade ends in disaster

On a day when New York should have been celebrating its ties with Scotland as part of the traditional parade along 6th Avenue, it has instead been reeling from the attack on the famous Empire State Building. The top five floors of the building were demolished in what is believed to be a terrorist attack, though no evidence of an explosion has yet been found. The estimated death toll currently stands at over two hundred people, including several killed by falling debris. The building, opened in 1931, was for many years the world's tallest skyscraper. It became New York's tallest building once again following the destruction of the World Trade Centre in 2001.

Further information

With special guest, Philip 'NorvalJoe' Carroll as Kyle. His website can be found at norvalsoutlook.blogspot.com or follow him on twitter as @PhilipCarroll.

BBC News - read the original story.

Promo for Great Hites, soon to feature on podiobooks.com in a new anthology called 'Greatest Hites'.

Some Other Scotland - Ep12 - UFO

This Week:

• Erica keeps attention away from the village.
• Razer comes to a decision about his future.
• Tania takes Erica on an unusual trip.

This week’s news story:

Pitlochry's UFO taken seriously by MOD

changed to the alternative:

Harrier pilots didn't see UFO

Documents about UFO sightings, recently released by the Ministry of Defence, include details of photographs showing a large diamond-shaped UFO hovering above a harrier jet. Commenting on the released information, the MOD clarified their earlier statement by saying that although jets were operating in the area, the pilots saw nothing and flight records showed no unusual activity was encountered.

Further information

The Kitchener Memorial on Orkney.

Read the copies of the UFO reports released by the MOD (see p157 for the Pitlochry incident).

Find the short story spin-off from SOS about Sarah Fullarton (from episode 2) at Great Hites #58.

Some Other Scotland - Ep10 - Underground

This Week:

• Tania lets Erica in on some ancient secrets.
• Malcolm has to clear the tracks for his train .
• Razer comes across an unusual item in the tunnel.

This week’s news story:

Cracks in the underground

changed to the alternative:

Disrupted subway service resumes

Normal service has been resumed on the Glasgow subway system following the discovery of a body in the tunnel between the West Street and Bridge Street stations. Damage to the tunnel wall has now been repaired and clearance of rubble from the tracks completed. Police have not yet identified the dead man.

Follow our new character, Razer, on Twitter.

Short promo for 'Heaven' season 5: WAR by Mur Lafferty.