Ö÷²¥´óÐã

Congratulations go to this year's winner, 19 year-old Ruaridh Pattison from Kinross, whose accomplished performances of Little Melonae and Tears Inside on the alto saxophone impressed the judges.

Winner of the 2011 Young Jazz Musician of the Year competition, Ruaridh Pattison.

Here is Ruaridh's winning performance. To hear the performances by the four other finalists, visit the Jazz House page.

The competition, now in its 5th year is a collaborative venture between The and the . The host for the evening was Stephen Duffy and the whole event was broadcast live on Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio Scotland's The Jazz House.

The other four finalists this year were 21 year-old pianist Peter Johnstone from Glasgow, 19 year-old drummer John Lowrie from Dumfries, 20 year-old double bassist Brodie Jarvie from Glasgow and 20 year-old trombonist Kevin Garrity, also from Glasgow.

Young Jazz Musician of the Year 2011 finalists. Top left: Peter Johnstone, top right John Lowrie, centre Kevin Garrity, bottom left Brodie Jarvie, bottom right Ruaridh Pattison.

The prizes on offer for the winner included £1000 for career developent, a Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio Scotland The Jazz House session, gigs at both the Glasgow and London Jazz Festival, professional biography and photographs plus a one-to-one master-class with .

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I've been on holiday these past two weeks, and am delighted to say I visited some of the most beautiful gardens in the world (that's just my humble opinion you understand, as I have to admit I haven't seen every garden on the globe!) Anyway, some of these sights I visited for the first time, others are as familiar as old friends, and are practically on my doorstep. Yip, I had the now very trendy 'stay-cation' and holidayed at home! I'm sure there are those who felt sorry for my lack of wanderlust and desire to explore pastures new. Certainly there's nowt wrong with far flung places, but I just decided it would be nice to explore the little gems that are sitting within a stones throw of my own home (you would need pretty strong arms and a good aim admittedly to throw stones from my doorstep to some of the places, but it's just a figure of speech.)

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Here's a recipe from The Kitchen Cafe to be downloaded, kept and printed.

Download the recipe

The Kitchen Cafe is on Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio Scotland every Wednesday, 1315-1400

is a competition run by Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio Scotland and the . A selection of stories will be published in a Family Legends book. Over the past few weeks, we published one story each week. You can read more of the stories on the .

Bonnet Over The Snow
by Keith Ferguson

'Away next door an' mak' sure your granny's all right. Take the lamp and give her this wee drop of milk.'
The cottage was only a few snowy steps away from Elrick farmhouse, at the south end of the Cabrach, but the girl was shivering from the cold by the time she opened the cottage door. Peering into the dim light she could see her grandmother hunched up in bed, her eyes as bright as ever. She gave the old woman the milk and busied herself stirring the dying embers of the fire with some of the precious remaining logs, then tucking the blankets securely round the frail body.
'Sit by me for a few minutes, lassie,' said her grandmother.
'Now that he's dead and buried I want to speak about your grandpa.'
She paused, looking into the distance amongst the dancing shadows cast by the firelight.
'You've just known him as an auld man. You should have known him in his prime.'
'Tell me how you first met,' said the girl.
From the depths of the bed came a chuckle.
'You won't have heard of our dreadful sins. Nobody speaks about that these days. It was 1843 that John and I were hauled up afore the Kirk Session. We had to confess to the Minister and elders that we'd lain together and promise to behave ourselves in future. We got off wi' a reprimand. And the result of that was your Auntie Jane.'
'Was that when you got married then?'
'Oh, no. The good Lord kens that John and I wanted to. We loved each other. But my father wouldn't have it. He was wild. You've got to mind that he was Lieutenant James Taylor, 'The Offisher' folk called him, well in wi' the big ones in the castle, veteran o' the French Wars. And my mother? She was fair affronted, brought up in Aberdeen to be a real lady. They wouldn't have John Simpson as a son-in-law, no' sure who his father was, no land, just doing odd jobs around the crofts.'
'That still doesn't tell me how you met.' replied the girl.
A log in the fire spluttered and spat sparks over the room. By their light the old lady's eyes gleamed.
'The Cabrach wasn't like it is today. There would be two-thousand folk at the annual fair in my young day. Today there wouldn't be two-hundred. There were ceilidhs and dances and entertainments. Your grandpa and I kept meeting and syne we fell for each other.'
'Did you go on seeing him after Jane was born?'

'I didn't dare to for years. It tore the heart out of me. And then it became too much and we got together again. So in 1848 we were up before the Kirk Session again, your Uncle James was on the way, confessing our sins, swearing repentance and all the rest. Another reprimand. They'd have come down a lot harder on us if we hadn't promised to get married later the same day.'
'So your father gave his consent this time?'
'Aye, well, he saw there was nothing else for it. The scandal of having two children born out o' wedlock would have been too much. Give him his due he used his influence to get John the lease of Elrick and 10 acres.'
'But the farm is much bigger than 10 acres.'
'Aye, and I wish my father had lived to see the sheer grinding toil my John put into making the Elrick what it is today. As the family grew - James, Alexander, William, John and your Dad Peter, forbye Jane our first, he broke in more and more of the hillside every year with his bare hands, tearing out the gorse and heather, heaving rocks to the side to make dykes, draining the land to make pasture for the sheep and ground to grow their feed. Every census he had to work out how much land he had, ten acres at first, then twenty, then forty and so on as the family grew until he was named as 'farmer of eighty acres'. Syne he retired and handed over the reins to your Dad.'
She sighed. 'Aye, he was some man, the auld breed, Nothing would daunt him. That was why he went out these ten days since, the snow falling like a blanket, to get food from Howbog. Eighty! I told him no' to be daft at his age, but he said your Dad was exhausted getting the sheep in by and fed. He'd aye looked after me and the family and he wasn't for stopping now. It was a fearful shock to be told he was lost and worse to be told he was dead. That's all I remember about it. Tell me, lass, how he was found.'
The young girl wiped the tears from her eyes and tried to control her voice.
'We knew something was wrong, Granny, when the dog came back but there was no hope to find him with the snow as deep as it was. When it melted days later the men found him. He hadn't got far on the road to Howbog. He was kneeling as if he was praying. His stick was planted alongside him with his bonnet on top, and that was all they saw at first.'
The old woman grasped the girl's hands.
'Thank you lassie. Now I can picture him. Let me sleep.'
It was 9am the following morning and barely light, as the girl pushed open the cottage door.
She had never seen death before but knew instantly. Her grandmother lay with her eyes closed and arms crossed in a peaceful stillness.

My wife Jean is great-granddaughter of Alexander and Jane Simpson.
Alexander's death is recorded 24/25 January 1895, the basic facts of the legend being included in a copy of report to the procurator fiscal attached to the certificate. Jane's death is recorded as between 9pm and 9am of 3rd/4th February 1895.

is a short story competition run by and Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio Scotland.

Here are the Scottish dancing, ceilidh and traditional music events in Scotland for the next seven days, brought to you by the Take the Floor team.

FRIDAY 24th JUNE

CONCERT
Inverness - Ceol Mor - Dave Arcari - 9pm

FOLK CLUB
Tarland - Aberdeen Arms - The Cromar Folk Club - 8.00pm

SATURDAY 25th JUNE

CONCERT
Kirriemuir - Bank Street Gallery - Dave Arcari - 7pm

Methven Castle - Paul Tierney, Nicola Auchnie and Maureen Rutherford - 7.30pm

Plockton - Plockton High School - The National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music School Tour - 7pm

CLASS
Dundee, Wighton Centre, Dundee Central Library - Fiddle with Karen Hannah - improvers' class - 11am

Dundee, Wighton Centre, Dundee Central Library - Whistle with Helen Forbes - 12:30pm

SCOTISH COUNTRY DANCING
Pitlochry - Pitlochry Town Hall - Colin Dewar

Elgin - Bishopmill Hall - Johnny Duncan - 8pm

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Selkirk Common Riding

The government set out its attitude to this issue early on and put a wedge between public and private sector and that's exactly the ground the unions now seem to be ready to fight on. Are they being manoevered like the miners before them? On the other hand what does say it about you if you don't stand and fight for your pension? That's like fighting for your family's future. We'll debate that with the unions and business.

It's also related to the EU bail-out of Greece which really hasn't sorted things at all and could merely be delaying a national bankruptcy. But that would threaten other debtor countries like Ireland to whom British banks have lent mind-numbing amounts. If those money-lenders who like to call themselves "the markets" see that countries being bailed out have no EU guarantee after all, they will start upping the interest charged to Ireland and Portugal. Spain may also be dragged in...Don't think this isn't relevant to us. We hear the Greek view and get the feeling in Dublin.

We reprise our discussion of a couple of months ago when (who drops the Sir at weekends) and the independently-minded Labour MP wrestled with their conscience over intervention in Libya. The Gaddafi thugs were on their way and threatening to go room to room for rebels. Ming said on balance we should go in. John, partly with Iraq in mind, opted for No in the full knowledge of what that might mean for innocent citizens. Neither was a happy man. Well, what are they saying weeks later. Have they changed their minds?

With the Edinburgh trams story turning into a parable for our times - hubris, self-aggrandising, too much process not enough common sense and a furious populace - we ask:How did they manage to do it a hundred years ago? The comparisons are a little embarrassing. It was the same generation who build the stone mansions that became hotels of note in the Borders and which, despite all our modern advantages, lie silent today. Lessons from the past, perhaps. Join me tomorrow at 8.

Slugs were the subject of this week's regular Monday morning garden feature on MacAulay & Co. This has seen a novice gardener like me transform an abandoned patch of land behind my garage at the the far end of the garden into a a veritable market garden of organic veggie delights in a matter of months. Well that's the plan anyway, all under the watchful eye of professional gardener Craig Holland.

This week as I prepared to plant an assortment of salad leaves directly into the patch set aside for my failed attempts to grow rhubarb and garlic, Craig warned of the voracious appetites of slugs - every gardeners' (novice or hardy perennials alike) worst nightmare.

Now 'slugs' was also the slang term used to describe flying bullets in American gangster movies of the 30s and 40s, but it turns out that the shooting of the little blighters is definitely not recommended. There is seemingly an endless amount of advice of ridding yourself of the pesky slimy beasts, and they range from the practical - spreading sand or gravel around your plants to create a uncomfortable barrier, to the frankly bizarre. Bringing in a team of Morris dancers to perform a 17th century jig would probably fall into this category and although it may dissuade slugs from taking up residence it would no doubt make one heck of a mess of your veg patch, while simultaneously annoying your neighbours.

Beer Trap

Craig suggested a copper band for salad leaves grown in tubs. This apparently sends a small electrical current through hungry slugs which curbs their enthusiasm for lettuce etc. Fred suggested that in years to come this method may help slugs to evolve an ability to jump! Frankly, that's a world I don't want to live in! Slug pellets are another option, but not for cuddly tree-hugging organic gardeners like me and so we are left with the dreaded BEER TRAP! These can be bought or homemade, see the picture for my own attempt.

You bury a pint glass half-way down in the soil and place a suitable rainproof lid on it, in my case a ceramic teapot stand, and then simply pour in the beer and wait... Stout was recommended by Craig, but I went for cheapo supermarket bitter. Apparently, like students, slugs can't get enough of beer and although they do ultimately drown, they probably die happy and your left with lovely tasty salad intact, as well as a pint pot full of drowned slugs...Make mine a white wine spritzer barman...

Listen to MacAulay and Co. 1030-1200, Monday to Friday on Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio Scotland and for more outdoors gardening tips and advice listen in to Sunday's Beechgrove Potting Shed from 1205.

Have you ever been in someone else's recording session? I haven't done a whole load of hanging around other studios. I have occasionally been in a control room which wasn't my own. Good friends Gary and Al once told me about being invited - yes invited - to attend Joni Mitchell's orchestral sessions at Air for her "Both Sides Now" project. As recording artists themselves they knew when to talk and when to smile , but they were still smiling when they told me the story a few years later.

Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings in the studio, Nashville, 2011

I can't boast anything like that but a few weeks ago my mouth was made to fall open as Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings took command of Audio Productions Studio in Nashville. As I sat in the control room hearing the loveliest sound two humans can make with 2 guitars and voices I turned to the engineer to give him the thumbs up. It was then I saw the face of a man who was beginning to question his own identity. He too was amazed at the sound but trying to figure out how it could be so good around the cheapest microphone in the whole building. You see...sometimes talent wins the day.

Gill and Dave were brilliant and we then talked for ages about the new record, their many collaborations and their live plans which include a tour with Buffalo Springfield. You can hear all of that on Friday as we are devoting our two hours to the music of Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings. And yes......in case you want to know. No hyperbole but I think it was the best session ever.

We will also pause to remember this man.

As I read the news of Clarence Clemons' death here on my laptop on Sunday morning I did feel my whole life passing before me. Hearing his solo on Jungleland was a formative moment in my teenage life. I remember playing it extra loud in the front room on a Saturday to my friend Callum Laird and being embarrassed at my dad doing the thing I would now do too - interrupting the song and telling me to turn it down! We will take time to play you a significant Clarence moment on Friday. Thanks for the music Big Man.

After that..... I'm taking a few weeks off. Deacon Blue are hitting the road over the summer and I start back with the now 2 hour Sunday Morning show in late July. I'll try to play some great music for you all then too. In the meantime do enjoy your summer.

Peculiarly, or perhaps understandably, the Tom Morton Show's little feature on Great Dinner Dropping Incidents seemed to centre on events surrounding the serving up of spaghetti bolognese, a notoriously slippery dish. This was Alan from Johnstone's tale of how he discovered he had tha rare skill: meatball juggling.

Many years ago I discovered a unique talent while seated at the kitchen dining table. There I was, boxed into the corner seat looking forward to my Mum's spaghetti bolognese. The table was set and a little cluttered with the usual meal time bits and bobs. As my mother proffered the stacked to the 'gunnels' plate of aforementioned meal, she was obliged to tilt the plate slightly to negotiate the route to my place setting. Gravity, being the fickle beast that it is, decided "Now is the time!" The ensuing avalanche slithered at great speed with the sole purpose of landing in my lap. Reflexes and self preservation prompted me to develop the previously unheard of art of "Spaghetti Juggling".

I have not heard of anyone else with this special ability. Would this merit an entry in the ?

No permanent damage was done to my person and I did eat the rescued S.B. but I developed a phobia and have never sat in a corner since.

The Tom Morton Show: Mon-Thurs 1430-1600, Fri 1400-1600

MacAulay and Co. events guide features a selection of festivals, competitions and galas happening in Scotland. To search for more events in your area, visit the Ö÷²¥´óÐã Things to Do website.

The Royal Highland Show 2011

23-26 June
Royal highland Show - Ingliston
The premier event of the Scottish rural calendar. Alongside the traditional livestock competitions there are country sports, food and drink demonstrations, children's activities, fashion shows and plenty of shopping opportunities.

24 June

Celebrate 800 years of history in Kirkintilloch with live music, street theatre, dancers, skaters, choirs and much much more...

24-26June

This small but perfectly formed arts festival takes place at Wiston this weekend, with our very own Mary Ann Kennedy performing along with lots of other Scottish musicians.

24-26 June
This music festival is going to take full advantage of the fine weather forecast. After a Friday night supper and ceilidh with some of Scotland's best young musicians , and , there's a Saturday afternoon gala and BBQ with crafts, Gaelic workshops, circus skills and an open mic session.

The big headline gig on Saturday evening this year features a double header with and Friends followed by . The Sunday sunshine will move the festival to the beach for the Piper's Picnic and an evening session by the sea at the Bistro. There's camping on the island and tickets for Saturday night can still be reserved.

25 June

Held in Annan for the second of a three year "deal" and run by Dumfries and Galloway Council in conjunction with the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association - Lots going on throughout the day, not least of which 134 Pipe bands.

25 June

Celebrate the Grand Opening of the play area in the park, for older kids 8-14 years old and any youngster who can manage a climbing rock, a twenty foot net structure, a communal swing and a rope bridge! The 'cutting of the Ribbon' will be performed by Stuart Murdoch of .

25 June

June sees the newly refurbished front entrance open it's doors to the visitors for the first time. The new Edinburgh zoo reception will have a designated fast track entry system for those with pre-paid tickets and groups.

25-26June

Head Ranger, David Finnis says 'Crafters from all over the region will be attending and displaying a variety of wares for sale. These will include candles & accessories, jewellery, stained glass, artwork, embroidery, handmade cards, textiles, pottery and a whole range of other homemade & handmade articles. In addition, the Tea Room will be providing their usual full range of home cooked refreshments'

Listen to MacAulay and Co. 1030-1200, Monday to Friday on Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio Scotland

Ahead of Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings performing their new material on Another Country, here's a sneak preview from the interview of what to expect.

Another Country is on Fridays from 2005 on Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio Scotland

Here's a recipe from The Kitchen Cafe to be downloaded, kept and printed.

Download the recipe

The Kitchen Cafe is on Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio Scotland every Wednesday, 1315-1400

is a competition run by Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio Scotland and the . A selection of stories will be published in a Family Legends book and we're publishing one each week here from the final selection. You can read more of the stories on the .

Cobra
by Arthur Clark
My father was born in Glasgow, grew up in the Great Depression of the 1930's, endured the Blitz, and after the war would come home on a Friday night from his job in the shipyards, change, get out his Raleigh Bicycle and cycle out of the bomb damaged city to breathe the sweet country air of the Trossachs; or he would pedal across to Campbeltown, spending the weekend in a little tent and cooking his meals on a camp fire.

In the winter time his weekend evenings would be spent playing in his accordion band at dances in the town. This was how he met my mother, who was a keen dancer and had a good singing voice.

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Dr Victoria Martin

This week on the show I spoke to a particle physicist. And guess what? I think I understood! She's and she's one of a number of scientists who're searching for the answers to the universe at , home of the Large Hadron Collider.

Victoria loves particles and is almost lyrical in describing the beauty she sees in them. Her goal in life is to find the , the so-called God particle, though she told me it was actually originally called "the goddamned particle" because it's so elusive. Better listen to Victoria's own explanation about the theory. While I said I understood it, I could tie myself in knots trying to explain it myself!

The man who came up with the Higgs Boson was of Edinburgh University and Victoria was one of his last students before he retired. In fact, Edinburgh Uni is still leading the way in this research with many of its scientists smashing atoms at CERN. Victoria told me she gets a real feeling of excitement every time the plane touches down at Geneva.

She says she doesn't want to die before finding the answer to the Universe. Didn't have the heart to tell her it's .

Ken MacDonald's blog post for Newsweek Scotland:

"Too big to fail." Where have we heard that one before?

The pundits were wrong when they said it about and . But everything's been sorted now - hasn't it? We've had stress tests and re-capitalisations so history can't repeat itself - can it?

Tell that to the people who've been taking to the streets in cities as far apart as Athens and Barcelona to protest against public service cuts and tax increases. It looks like the Arab Spring may be turning into the Mediterranean Summer; Greece could be the first domino to topple in what some are already billing as the Global Financial Crisis 2.0. The credibility of a country's debt depends ultimately on the willingness of its citizens to keep paying for it; many Greeks and Catalans are saying "enough". This crisis is real.

Scaremongering? If so, the International Monetary Fund is guilty of it. It's just has said the risks for the world economic outlook have increased; strong policy moves are needed from both rich and emerging countries to support growth and job creation. And the IMF notes increasing concern about the sustainability of debt in the euro zone.

As I write this there's a to decide what to do about Greece. And we'll also have some expert analysis on what this crisis means for the rest of Europe..

The Sunday Herald's has recently returned from a trip to sub-Saharan Africa where he talked to refugees from the conflict in Ivory Coast. It's been called the silent emergency, largely overlooked because of the Arab Spring. We have an extended report on what he found there.

will be digesting the papers on our behalf, and he'll be joined by another colossus of the commentariat - - to take the temperature of the political week in Scotland. Just why is still so cross with the UK Supreme Court? And how big a pension can expect - and how soon? Only asking...

Join Ken and the Newsweek Scotland team tomorrow morning at 8.

Here are the Scottish dancing, ceilidh and traditional music events in Scotland for the next seven days, brought to you by the Take the Floor team.

FRIDAY 17th JUNE

CONCERT
Portsoy - Folk At The Salmon Bothy - Folk At The Salmon Bothy - 7pm

Glasgow - St Andrew's in the Square - Joy Dunlop - 8pm

FOLK CLUB
The Cromar Folk Club - Tarland - The Aberdeen Arms - 8pm - *Tickets £5*

SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING
Troon - Troon Concert Hall - Kenny Thompson and his band - 7.30

Blairgowrie Town Hall - May 2011

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We are currently experiencing technical difficulties in providing our listen again facility for the local news bulletins.

Our technical teams are currently trying to resolve these issues, in the mean-time the link below will direct you to a list of the latest bulletins and programmes in Windows Media format.

Choose from the list and paste the required programme link into your browser to listen.

We apologise for the inconvenience.

News bulletins and programmes in Windows Media format

MacAulay and Co. events guide featuring a selection of festivals, competitions and galas happening in Scotland. To search for more events in your area, why not visit the Ö÷²¥´óÐã Things to Do website.

Scone Palace

15-26 June
- Born alongside Edinburgh's International Festival in 1947, EIFF is one of the world's first international film festivals, and has helped to define the type of event that has since become so pivotal to film culture in nations all over the world.

17-18 June
- A traditional Highland games day, with pipe bands, displays, trade stands and a funfair.

17-18 June
- Scottish communities granted Royal Burgh status by the monarch guarded the honour jealously and with vigour. And Riding the Marches maintains the tradition of an occasion that was, in it's day, of great importance.

17-22 June
- Orkney's annual celebration of the arts. Founded in 1977 by Orkney's distinguished resident composer Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, the Festival has grown from small beginnings into one of Britain's most highly regarded and adventurous arts events.

18-19 June
- The Circuit is bracing itself for a racing invasion of a record 247 riders from all over the world as it plays hosts to the MCE British Superbikes ADT Fire & Security round this weekend. Ten countries, from as far away as Japan, Australia, South Africa and the USA are represented. Top bike racing stars taking on the best from Scotland and from all corners of the UK.

18-19 June
- In celebration of the International Year of Forests, Scone Palace is hosting a Forest Festival in the magnificent natural amphitheatre of its 19th Century Pinetum. The weekend will see a wide range of activities taking place including demonstrations by the nationally acclaimed willow sculptor Trevor Leat, wildlife trails and ancient tree treasure hunts, living history performances featuring the great plant hunters, demonstrations by wood-turners and craft-workers, a Latvian chainsaw sculptor, archery, plus a BBQ and other 'al fresco' dining options. This is a perfect day out for all the family and a great way to celebrate Father's Day.

19 June
- Up to 800 cheerleaders and dancers from all over Scotland compete to see who will become North of Scotland Champion 2011.

19 June
- Have you been inspired by Andy Murray's win at Queens or have you always thought you might look good in tennis whites. If so then why not make the most of your Sunday afternoon and head on down to your Clarkston Tennis Club on Glasgow's Southside and have a go. Our 'TRY TENNIS' event is open to all young old, Wimbledon champ or complete novice. You don't even need a racket as all equipment will be provided along with some gentle guidance on how to perfect your forehand.

Listen to MacAulay and Co. 1030-1200, Monday to Friday on Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio Scotland

On a summer train back from London. Now which country song am I thinking of? Is it Kenny Rogers' 'The Gambler' or Darden Smith's 'Midnight Train?' You'll have your own train songs too. But I found myself not thinking of songs but of 's Whitsun Weddings...

There we were aimed. And as we raced across
Bright knots of rail
Past standing Pullmans, walls of blackened moss
Came close, and it was nearly done, this frail
Travelling coincidence; and what it held
Stood ready to be loosed with all the power
That being changed can give. We slowed again,
And as the tightened brakes took hold, there swelled
A sense of falling, like an arrow-shower
Sent out of sight, somewhere becoming rain.

And perhaps that's how it feels to break from the AC for a few weeks. All of us bound up in these songs and stories now loosed to enjoy the summer and come back with new memories set to music.

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Paul Bradley is a producer for and he has been working closely with . As part of Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio Scotland's 'Men Like Us' week, he sent us this blog which relates to the programme Who Shrank all the Guys?. Jim Spence presents the show and he joins football fans across Scotland as they attempt to lost weight.

Paul Bradley
Three quarters of Scottish men aged 35-65 are overweight, a third of them obese.

And I am one of them.

My name is Paul Bradley and I'm a producer with the department.

I've been trying to lose weight for some time and have shared the disappointment and frustration felt by many.

I didn't feel comfortable in a gym, or at any of the many weight-loss clubs. That was until I came across the - or FFIT programme for short.

Paul Bradley training with friends on the SPL Trust's 'Football Fans in Training' scheme

Men in the target group, who have a belly size of at least 40 inches or a waist of 38 inches or more, join their football club for advice on healthy eating and exercise. They gain access to training facilities as well as being decked out in club kit.

And that's exactly what I did at the beginning of the year for three months. I recorded a series of as I visited as many of the clubs as possible and managed to lose nine kilos and three inches off the size of my tummy in the process, as well as having huge fun and making many new pals.

My colleague Marion MacNeil has also been compiling a radio documentary lovingly entitled; "Who Shrank all the Guys?"

Presented by Jim Spence, he looks at the project in detail and speaks to the people who came up with the idea as well as from some of the guys that achieved success on the course and who are very candid for the reasons why. I even crop up talking about the success of the programme and success you'll find comes not only in obvious physical benefits but in a mental and domestic sense too.

I've never been happier and my wife and children are fairly chuffed too.

Who Shrank all the Guys? is on Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio Scotland from 1505-1600 on Saturday 18 June.

The FFIT programme are currently recruiting men to take part in the next session which starts in August. If you'd like to take part call 0800 389 2129, Text FFIT to 88802 or Email ffit@sphsu.mrc.ac.uk

Edi Stark writes about her programme Scottish Man Behind the Wheel:

In all the years that I've been broadcasting, I don't believe I've ever asked anyone what car they drive. What profundities of personality could possibly be revealed by whether or not you drive a Honda or a Saab? And yet, when interviewed for an evening newspaper several years ago, the first question I was asked was about my car and the size of its engine. Mind you, when I tell you the article was headlined 'The Ö÷²¥´óÐã Bird', you'll get the picture... and you may have surmised that the journalist was male... or is that equally sexist?

What is undeniable is that men can be dangerously over-confident on the road. Here's some recent research from the AA:

• Men are involved in 70% more reported accidents than women. They're almost one-and-a-half times more likely to have a driving conviction - most for speeding and twice as likely to have a drink-drive conviction
• There are more than twice as many road casualties amongst young men than young women and
• Men are outnumbered nearly six-to-one by women among those who seek to improve their driving through post-test confidence or refresher driver training

And according to Ewan Gillon, professor of Psychology at Glasgow Caledonian University, it's all about being macho:

'The way men are encouraged to be in the western world is to be competitive, to be aggressive, and to be top dog. That's what we are taught that masculinity is about - we have to be the winners. And cars are no different to that. When we are in a driving environment those kind of values come to the fore and therefore we will find ourselves in a driving situation competing with one another to be the top dog, to be the one that's ahead.'

So as part of Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio Scotland's Scottish Men Like Us season, we take a look through the windscreen at Scotland's male drivers and mirror signal and manoeuvre our way around what is to be a Scottish man behind the wheel.

Edi Stark and Mark Stephen with their cars

Join me with fellow presenter Mark Stephen as he drives on the pavement and through an amber light; I meet the taxi driver in Glasgow who's so depressed he's clearly in the wrong job and get an antidote of laughs from who learned to drive in his forties.

And no, although they may have told me, I'm still clueless about what car any of them drive! And my car? It's blue, averages more than fifty miles per gallon and Wallace, the dog, seems very comfortable and happy ...although he has made no comment on the owner's driving ability which is good going for a male!

You can hear Scottish Man Behind the Wheel, at 1405 Thursday 16 June.

There are two recipes from The Kitchen Cafe this week for you to download and keep.

They come from chef Tom Kitchin:

Confit Tomatoes

Tomato Consomme

Author and playwright is a contributor on the Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio Scotland programme The Story of Scottish Men. Read his perspective on masculinity within Scottish culture.

Author and playwright Alan Bissett

These are the same psychological conditions necessary for war. When men bond in these ways, the glue that holds them together is fear of the other, which means that misogyny and homophobia underlie much of the male 'team' mentality. The accusation that another man could be 'woman-like' is a sanction used to bring him into line and keep him acting as part of the herd. In this respect, men have learned almost nothing from feminsim, which they still see as a threat. This is not good for either sex, as the unrealistic drive to be a strong, powerful victor leads men towards insecurity and depression when it cannot be achieved or maintained. Instead of examining these feelings (because that would be weak or womanly) men seek refuge among familiar, compounding fraternities. In such ways are they trapped by the very institutions which they think are empowering them.

Listen to The Story of Scottish Men, part of the Men Like us Season on Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio Scotland.

On Tuesday the Tom Morton Show considered the many good things about Finland, from moose to mobile phones. But this communication was a little unexpected...

Hyvaa Paivaa

I have recently returned from Finland, one of the cleanest countries in the world. Whilst in Helsinki, myself and my wife saw one piece of litter (see picture - it's below the traffic light on the left) It was gone a few minutes later.

We flew up to Ivalo for a few days. As the aircraft was coming to land we realised the music they were playing to stop the passengers screaming was Phil Cunningham. Everyone seemed very calm and contented.

A few years ago I went to Helsinki to learn to fly at night. Owing to the weather and various restrictions it looked as if I would not finish the course in time. The instructor managed to get all the international arrivals re-routed on to a different runway at Helsinki International Airport, so that I could fly some circuits in a light aircraft at a nearby airport. I don't think they would entertain that idea at Heathrow Airport.
〶Ä
Nakemiin

Author Ewan Morrison

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Michael Hardie is a contributor to the Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio Scotland programme The Story of Scottish Men, part of the Men Like Us season.

Sitting in a high tech studio in Brisbane, Australia, alone with a quiet, 'blokey' technician I find myself beginning to wonder how the conversation ahead will unfold. As we try and sort out technical problems I am re-assured by the accents of the Ö÷²¥´óÐã Scotland crew and my old friend . I have not discussed with the Aussie technician the subject of the conversation that is about to unfold.

I grew up and was educated in Glasgow. The 'normal' expressions of emotion that I came to expect of men included humour, aggressive outbursts, intolerance and heavily coded love. There were welcome exceptions, several neighbours and a primary teacher had a big impact in challenging the norm. A year in northern Spain in my mid 20's opened up the excitement and freedom of living in a different culture. On my return I found myself comparing Spanish and Scottish cultures; macho behaviour dressed up differently? - but was it the language difference or did Spanish men seem much more expressive?

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Eddie Rice is a contributor to the Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio Scotland programme The Story of Scottish Men, part of the Men Like Us series.

I'm Eddie Rice, a 48 year old construction worker from Helensburgh. A father, grandfather, brother, son and husband. I regard myself as an everyday guy who isn't going to write a bestseller or do anything extraordinary. But I am unusual in that a few years ago I, along with my friend , ran a men's group in Glasgow, which for me became a defining moment in my life.

I was born into a very working class family; both my parents were employed, my father working in construction or sometimes in the shipyards, my mother worked for a time in the Singer sewing machine factory in Clydebank and for a number of years worked as a conductress on the buses. As a result of both parents being in full time employment I became very independent at an early age, being able to follow recipes from Women's Own from about age nine or ten.

So, what does my past say about me and the man I have become, well that's where the men's group came in. Here I was in the company of lecturers, Social Work Managers and the like talking about how it felt to be a man. Not the football stuff but real stuff of what makes us who we are, our emotions and feelings. Even our prejudices and our failings as men. Wow what a journey we went on and I suppose through the things I learnt about myself at the group that journey is on-going and helping me deal with new issues today.
It wasn't a right-on or political correct gathering, we weren't 'new men' or 'anti-sexist men'. We were just men trying to explore, define and take responsibility for what it means to be a man. I suppose this experience was a real turning point for me in my life, as I think it was for the other men. I gained insights into my strengths and weaknesses, my passions and beliefs, how I was no better or no worse than all these middle class men, but how I could sometimes box myself into a corner when I became blinkered or sure I was right.

It changed lots of things in my life. There is my friendship with Gerry. We do lots of boys' things, go to football and engage in bloke-ish discussions, but there is a depth, understanding and honesty missing from most male friendships. Then there is my relationship with my wife Isobel which is nearly 30 years old, and has been through many ups and downs, like most people, but which has been aided by myself knowing more about myself, and also that the world isn't just about me and my needs. This all adds up to a rich experience that I am very grateful to have had the courage to take.

is a writer and presenter, best known for her books Toxic Childhood and 21st Century Boys. She is also one of the UK's most well-established authorities on the teaching of literacy.

Sue is a contributor to the Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio Scotland programme The Story of Scottish Men, part of the Men Like Us series.

It's tricky being a man these days wherever you are - but I reckon it's especially tricky in Scotland.

Sue Palmer

We've reached a point in history when the definition of what it is to be a 'decent man' - strong-minded, brave-hearted, cool-headed (but kind and considerate to those less fortunate than yourself) - have been eroded away by competitive consumerism. Meanwhile, all the horrible aspects of old-fashioned manhood have been talked up by the forces of marketing and media.

So nowadays the choice of male identity seems to be:

(a) narcissistic, soft-focus 'new man' (necessarily enhanced by cosmetic products and/or surgery)
(b) go-getting (and probably nerdy) career-guy, up to his neck in material possessions
(c) macho, muscle-bound misogynist (either in real-life or - more likely - the fantasy land of Grand Theft Auto etc.)
(d) 'funny guy' (either an endearing numbskull who needs women to sort out his problems or a sneering, materialist cynic who'd describe any evidence of human feelings as 'flaky').

Some poor blokes try to combine two or more of these personae, which can't be good for their souls.

Forty years ago when I first came to Scotland I met lots of 'decent Scotsmen' - from all social classes - with names like Tam and Sandy. They tended to be soft-spoken, 'outdoorsy' and well-educated (even if their school careers had been less than glorious). Sadly, there were also lots of Jimmies, Shugs and Torquils, already well on the way to a 21st century Consumerist Heaven.

Returning after twenty years in The Other Place, I'm devastated to find my idealised version of Scottish manhood has been seriously sidelined by contemporary culture. The Tams and Sandies are still around, thank God, but they keep a low profile - or assume a macho disguise, to avoid accusations of 'flakiness'. I earnestly hope that, for the sake of the next generation, they soon get over their crisis of confidence...

And see you, Jimmy et al? It isn't funny, it isn't clever, it isn't 'manly' ... and any female who thinks otherwise is in just as much trouble as you.

Ewan Gillon, Chartered Psychologist and BACP accredited counsellor and psychotherapist writes about the Scottish man:

Ewan was a contributor on the Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio Scotland programme The Story of Scottish Men, part of the Men Like Us Season.

Scotland's men have a reputation for being tough guys; think , , or even . Despite the onset of the '' man (what, you might ask!?), traditional male ideals emphasising competitiveness, aggression, hard living and emotional detachment still hold firm in many parts of Scottish society.

Ewan Gillon

These ideals often have a darker edge, promoting aggression and violence as a means demonstrating status, or enacting control, and are shown in statistics indicating that Scotland has one of the highest rates of male on male homicide in Western Europe as well as appallingly high levels of intimate partner violence (domestic abuse) almost 85% of which is perpetrated by men on women. Yet as well as the horrific statistics relating to male violence, Scotland also has the highest rate of young male suicide in Europe, worryingly high levels of male alcohol-related illness (nearly three-quarters of alcohol-related deaths are men), and a range of problems with male addictions (including workaholism!), risky behaviours and anti-social activities. Generally, it would seem, the Scottish 'man' is in crisis. Although there are many reasons for this, social and economic deprivation included, it is ultimately the beliefs and ideals we have about what it means to be 'male' that structure the choices we make about what to do in any given set of circumstances and hence are at the heart of the problems we face.

In psychology, these beliefs and ideas are seen as part of a 'male gender role' that traps men in a conflict between failing to be 'enough' of a man or behaving in traditional 'male' ways that are ultimately self-defeating, and potentially harmful. Although there are forms of masculinity that enable men to express emotional vulnerability, work collaboratively and supportively with others, we seem stuck in Scotland with a version of 'men' that is just no longer viable. It is clearly time to change, but to whom and with what is the question we need to address.

I'll be honest with you, there's only one thing on my mind at the moment, and that's the weather. But I'm not going to go on about it. As a gardener it's hard not to obsess about it, but even I'm getting sick of my daily rants about how the Great Weather Gods are treating us. Summer will come when it's good and ready... and if that's mid 2014, then there's nowt we can do but keep the thermals on until then. There's a great saying, 'there's no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing' (yes, I'm fully aware that since promising not to speak about the weather I've talked about nothing else.. so I shall move swiftly on!).

Last weekend the Potting Shed team was lucky enough to be at in Ingliston, and what a fabulous weekend we had (weather not included here). It was wonderful getting to meet so many of our regular listeners, and a huge thank you to the wonderful woman who let me wear her cardigan for the duration of the show!

Beechgrove Potting Shed at Gardening Scotland 2011

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Ken MacDonald will be tackling the issues of the day on Newsweek Scotland for the next couple of weeks while Derek's on leave, he's written this post introducing the subjects up for discussion on this week's show.

Ken MacDonald

As a Radio Scotland listener I've always considered Newsweek to be the answer to the question, "what's the opposite of dumbing down?" That makes it a particular intellectual challenge when you're asked to present it. It's always struck me as everything a Scottish current affairs programme should be: intelligent, reflective, non-parochial. (Amazing, then, that they let me anywhere near it.) These are the qualities the Scottish media will need in spades if it's to perform its public duty in this, the most significant period in our politics since 1707.

A pity, then, that the once-mighty and has chosen this week to begin . More content will be provided from the Daily Mirror in London. Is this is a further step in the Britishing of the Scottish media - and if so, does it matter? That's one of the questions we'll be asking this week.

As the slides into summer, we'll be questioning whether the to some of these emerging democracies is doing more harm than good.

The US presidential election is well over a year away, which means the campaign is already approaching full throttle. It's the American way. We'll be assessing the Republican runners and riders to oppose : ? ? ?

We'll also be hearing about . He's accused of failing to regulate the banks - and failing to cope with the inevitable collapse of a costly (to the taxpayer, naturally) experiment in casino capitalism. Theoretically he could be jailed for his negligence. But don't get your hopes up, Blair-haters: we'll be on the line to Reykjavik.

Join Ken and the Newsweek Scotland team tomorrow morning at 8.

Here is this week's Take the Floor events guide featuruing ceildhs, scottish dances, concerts and classes.

Saturday 11th June

CLASS
Dundee, Wighton Centre, Dundee Central Library - Fiddle with Karen Hannah - improvers' class - 11am

Dundee, Wighton Centre, Dundee Central Library - Whistle with Helen Forbes - 12:30pm

CONCERT
Edinburgh - Usher Hall - The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra

SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING
Edinburgh - St Paul's and St George's church, York Place - Luke Brady and his Band

Pitlochry - Pitlochry Town Hall - Glencraig

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Next week on Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio Scotland there are a few programmes which take a closer look at what it is to be a Scottish male, in 2011. The week is called Men Like Us.

The theme will be picked up throughout the week on MacAulay and Co, as well on Call Kaye and The Kitchen Cafe. There's also a number of more specific programmes during the week, and I've listed them here to try and help bring them to your attention:

Monday 13 June: 1405-1430 - The Story of Scottish Men (1/2)
Tuesday 14 June: 1405-1430 - The Story of Scottish Men (2/2)
Tuesday 14 June: 1810-2000 - Get It On
Wednesday 15 June: 1315-1400 - The Kitchen Cafe
Wednesday 15 June: 1315-1400 - What Woman Want
Thursday 16 June: 1405-1430 - Scottish Man Behind the Wheel
Saturday 18 June: 1505-1600 - Who Shrunk All the Guys?
Sunday 19 June: 1505-1600 - Life In the Boy Zone

This week's MacAulay and Co. events guide features a selection of events happening in and around Scotland. For a more indepth look at what's happening in your area why not visit the Ö÷²¥´óÐã Things to Do website.

Rockness Festival.

Join Ö÷²¥´óÐã Scotland for this year's festival by the Loch. We'll be capturing all the action with two live TV shows on Ö÷²¥´óÐã ALBA and coverage on Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio 1 and Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio Scotland. For live video footage of main stage headliners visit our Ö÷²¥´óÐã Scotland Rockness 2011 Website.

A community arts festival that encompasses all art forms which comes together in a fantastic 10 day programme from June 10th to 19th. There are over 100 events in 50 venues within a 1 mile radius from the heart of Leith.

Gordonstoun School, Elgin plays host to this charity event with proceeds going to Dogs for the Disabled and Moray Step by Step. Open to the public, from 11-5.

Free: Head down to Port Seton for a day of rowing, seafood barbecues and fun. Kicks off 9am Port Seton Harbour.

A week-long festival of bike-riding and good times in the cycle-friendly Tweed Valley - an area with hundreds of miles of the country's best trails, tracks and roads.

Starting off the event will be the Celebrate Aberdeen Mile from the Music Hall up to Holburn Junction and then down Union Street to the Castlegate. 50 runners have signed up battling to be the winner of this inaugural race.

Charity event - organised by Crieff Round Table and Crieff Rugby/Strathearn Club
Raising funds for Anthony Nolan (leukaemia trust) and Crieff/Strathearn Rugby Football Development. Live music from local band the Bald Eagles.

Learn how to plan, implement and maintain an allotment area from scratch. Learn more about maximising your soil through crop rotation and making the best usage of land available.

A couple of weeks ago I had a mountain of CDs on my desk, another assorted pile on my passenger seat and various others scattered about the house. I needed to listen. How often had I sent tapes and CDs and MP3s off and expected people to listen and respond? How often had I darkly muttered that people should listen respectively to records. For whatever reason, Mr Murdoch and I are now receiving even more CDs than ever before and for that we thank you.

They come from major record labels, independent labels, wannabe labels and people just sending out records. Feeling slightly intimidated by the volume I found myself saying that perhaps record companies should be trusted...I know.....but it was a weak moment. I'd begun to think that if record companies had passed on all this material then perhaps it would save us the bother. Then it happened. I picked up the unlikeliest CD of them all.

Wrapped in a plain plastic sleeve with hand written notes and a pile (thick pile) of, what at first appeared to be biog notes. But no - these were not biog notes, these were lyric sheets and...chords and capo positions. And yet - perhaps remembering how sympathetic I hoped the recipient of my mumblings might have been - I carried on. To my surprise and joy it was not only better than I had expected but good enough for Richard and I to include it on Friday. Don't miss the moment when I play 'Beautiful Morning' on this week's show.

But allow me to cut to the chase. The event of the week here in Wild West of Glasgow has been the visit of kd lang to the best looking but most ill-designed of concert venues in the city. (It's a real trip externally but slightly dull inside and plain awkward backstage)

We caught up with her in her dressing room before the sound check and I managed to get back to see the show later in the evening. It was a real pleasure to chat to kd and her concert was a total triumph. We talk about the great 'Sing It Loud', we find out why she now co-credits her work with the Sis Boom Bang and what her next high profile collaboration will celebrate.

Ricky with kd lang

In other news: More from the great Hayes Carll, a wonderful sonic treat from friends from Sweden including Ane Brun and First Aid Kit and we will reflect on the sad passing of Andrew Gold.

Finally we remember the moment when Bob Dylan first got religion in a big way as we move into the seventies with 'Slow Train Coming.' It's all going to be good and it starts at five past eight on Friday evening.

Another Country with Ricky Ross, Friday 2005, repeated Sunday 2205.

Friday sees the full interview with Ricky Ross and kd lang which was recorded earlier in the week, backstage at the SECC in Glasgow.

Have a listen to a sneak preview of the interview now!

Another Country with Ricky Ross is every Friday, 2005-2200

Here's another recipe from The Kitchen Cafe to be downloaded, kept and printed.

Download the recipe

The Kitchen Cafe is on Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio Scotland every Wednesday, 1315-1400

is a competition run by Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio Scotland and the . A selection of stories will be published in a Family Legends book. Over the next five weeks, we'll publish one story each week from the final selection. You can read more of the stories on the .

Elaine Renton

Gran took me to The Baths early every Sunday. Sitting on the bus up to Falkirk, I would be sick with anticipation, and when I finally smelt the chlorine filtering out of the ugly red building, I was sure that it was possible to die of excitement.

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This week's show very nearly got an X rating. There were some pretty heavy topics up for discussion and some pretty close to the edge stuff too.

My guests this week were , , and . It seems they couldn't agree on anything. I had thought the story about the SNP's row with the Supreme Court might be a bit dry and was thinking I'd wind it up quickly and move on. Chance would be a fine thing. Jane and Iain were at each other's throats and neither would back down.

Sparks flew again later when the discussion turned to the government's plans to tackle the early sexualisation of young girls. I never thought I'd hear Iain MacWhirter quoting word for word from but as the father of a twelve year old he was outraged that his daughter is singing along to such explicit imagery. At nine am on a Sunday morning I was getting a bit nervous about explicit imagery too. Martin was more relaxed about it all. You can tell his kids are grown.

It was one of those programmes where every story had us sailing pretty close to the wind, from a joke about the (always risky on a live show), to Rhianna's lyrics, to an caught on Twitter in his underpants. Oh, and I forgot, . A minefield.

This week's special guest was a young Canadian journalist called who decided to make a name for himself by taking off to Somalia and entering the dangerous world of Somali pirates. It's a fascinating insider's account, not bad for his first journalistic assignment. My first assignment was a local council meeting. Maybe that's where I went wrong.

The annual event took place at Ingliston (nr Edinburgh) from 3-5 June.

Ö÷²¥´óÐã Scotland were there with both and our very own Beechgrove Potting Shed with Theresa Talbot. I took advantage of the fact to go along too, on a very cold and blustery Saturday (it's June for crying out loud!!) to take some photographs at the recording of next Sunday's edition of Beechgrove Potting Shed, featuring Frances Pringle, Donald MacBean and Carol Baxter on the panel. There was a capacity audience ready to ask the panel about all their gardening problems many of which had resulted from the poor, and mixed weather, we've experienced over the past six months.

Top left: Frances Pringle, Donald MacBean and Carol Baxter Top right: the audience Bottom left: Theresa Talbot Bottom right: Maurice Wilkins, head gardener at Arduaine Gardens

I did of course spend some time exploring the show. I've recently taken up gardening myself, and was completely gob-smacked when I entered the Floral Hall and was confronted by the most beautiful flower displays and scents - it was flower porn! The show gardens were stunning, so many flowers packed into small spaces. The irises, dahlias, aquilegia, meconopsis to name but a few, were gorgeous. And yes, against all my best intentions, I did leave the show clutching a number of accidental plant purchases which I then had to spend a couple of hours finding homes for!

Top left: Aquilegia Top right: Orchid, Lady Slipper Bottom left: Meconopsis Bottom right: Iris Golden Forest

You can see more photographs from the show in our gallery, and listen to this edition of Beechgrove Potting Shed on Sunday 12 June at 12pm.

In the meantime, this week's show, which broadcast live from Gardening Scotland is now available, as is the Scotland's Gardens audio download.

Peter McManus, senior producer religion and ethics has sent us this blog about Sunday Morning with Sally Magnusson:

There's no shying away from difficult subjects on this week's edition of Sunday Morning with Sally Magnusson. Her guest for the first hour is controversial American whose radical thinking on the nature of God and religion has meant he's recieved death threats. But for a man whose earliest memory is being rebuked for calling an elderly black man 'sir' in America's deep South his life is one where he's stuck to his guns regardless of what others have thought.

Sally Magnusson with Bishop Jack Spong

In a more hopeful vein she'll also be talking to Roseanne Breckenridge from the charity about their work bringing relief and joy to dementia sufferers.

On Friday we were talking about banks and the many evil - and good - things they do...Jason from the Borders had this to say:

... as a student, I took a break in the Netherlands, taking the train to Hull, ferry to Rotterdam and onwards by train to Utrecht...

At time there was heavy advertising " - don't leave home without it"... so I didn't - planned to stick it in a cash machine and get some guilders... even switched and got a MasterCard from them because it was more widely accepted at the time.

Except unbeknown to me there was a batch of MasterCards that were faulty and thus unusable electronically abroad. Neatly left me in the Netherlands with zero cash and no way of getting any. So in desperation I called the helpline number on the back (reversed charges) and spoke to a helpful lady... about 2 hours later a chap arrived on a motorcycle, checked my card & passport and gave me 300 guilders (about £90) in cash (debited from my account - I assumed).

Next morning the same chap was waiting for me at my accommodation with a new working card. I was a happy chappy.

Got back home and there was a snivelling letter of apology from and a cheque in consideration of my inconvenience that covered the cost of the travel.

Never ever saw the 300 guilders appear anywhere on any of my statements. Still dropped them though - the charlatans attempted to take a direct debit with the decimal point misplaced some time later.

Jason in the Borders

There followed a list of previous stories from the same paper for your delectation. Among them... Salmond and MacAskill ... Queen concerned that ... Sir Mike Jackson tells Alex Salmond: ...and... Salmond is ...Are you getting the picture?

Every government requires scrutiny and with an overall majority in parliament, the SNP sure does. But even avid Unionists might balk at the thunderous tone of relentlessly critical articles which usually end with a one paragraph comment from a government spokesman. It is up to the government to make its own case but given that it will be the Scottish voters who will ultimately decide - I think - are we getting enough of the right kind of information on which to base decisions? We will discuss information and disinformation with and and recall a time when those pesky Nats were spied on by British security and infiltrated. Could Connery be playing a double game!?

We'll look for parallels between the and the Scotland of today. Is the refurbishment of those fabulous apartments of James V some kind of metaphor for our attempts to present ourselves in the modern world. is one of those infectious enthusiasts you'll enjoy listening to.

We're looking into events in Libya. Our reporter Gillian is on the case and we're chasing the latest from Syria. And returns to review the papers. Not to be missed. Join me at 8.

MacAulay and Co. events guide features useful suggestions of how to make the most of the weekend and hopefully, sunny weather. Visit the Ö÷²¥´óÐã Things to Do website for more activities happening around Scotland and the UK.

Stirling Castle

A Palace fit for a Queen! The official opening of the royal palace takes place this weekend.

Over 600 events ranging from classical and choral music, folk, rock, jazz, theatre, dance, children's authors, guided walks to local gala days.

The fifth annual Science Festival is back - something for all ages. Free and ticketed events.

The annual gardening and outdoor living show is back from Ingliston - stalls, displays and fun for all the family.

The world's top riders will be gathering in Fort William for one of the most successful mountain bike events in the world.

Scottish Native Woods Conservation Volunteers will be pulling out or cutting down this very pretty pink plant which is rapidly taking over British watercourses, and having a serious effect on wildlife.

Taste of Grampian, a one day food and drink festival featuring celebrity chefs and . A great day out for all the family. Free event.

Dolphin watching, rock pooling, bird watching with the RSPB, There will also be face painting, food, craft and games and the highlight of the day will be the divers feeding the fish.

Listen again to the show to hear more from the organisers or if you know of any other events happening around Scotland, why not share the details in the comments box.

This week's Bob Backwards feature lands on a big year for me. 1980.

In a weird way we pass like ships in the night. Bob found Evangelical fundamentalism just as I was losing it. I remember the atmosphere at that time. I had graduated in June of 1980 and spent that summer commencing work for the first time. Except that it wasn't really like work at all. I had decided not to take the teaching post offered to me and work as a volunteer for a city centre church in Dundee. It was a brilliant summer spent getting involved in various pieces of youth work, renovating a flat where I would be based along with a couple of pals and falling in and out of love with a girl. Oh yes, and there would be some time spent in an odd band I had become involved in who were mainly based in Edinburgh. (I know!)

The reason I probably never bought a copy of by Bob Dylan was that I probably couldn't afford it. I was on a volunteer wage and many of the records I did have were stolen or scratched to bits by various folk who came calling around our place at that time. I also (half- heartedly) joined in with my cousin Laura's post punk year zero approach and started flogging off anything pre 1977....but that's another story.

I bought more than I ever sold here

However there is another reason that I've never listened to 'Saved' until this week. Bob was going where I'd been and, if I'm honest, I've never really wanted to go back to that place. I'm not a good fundamentalist at anything. I think, however, it doesn't agree with many of us when it snakes its way into religion. I was enjoying uncertainty for the first time in a long time. Living where I was and meeting the people I met meant the answers I'd trotted out for years came over as a little glib. Bob was singing about 'salvation' and having found it. What does it mean to be saved and still live below the bread-line, what does it matter to be told Jesus loves you if the reality you experience is that no one loves you enough to give you a job? I'm guessing I never listened to the album as I found the triumphalism of the sleeve too off-putting. It would be 9 years before I found myself enjoying a Dylan album, a lot of things happened in those 9 years and I felt happier when he started asking questions again and allowing the answers to blow in the wind a little.

I listened to the record for the first time from beginning to end today finally. I'll tell you my full thoughts on the record tomorrow - not that it matters a jot what I think - safe to say there are some great things to play.

We have no guest artist tomorrow and it's a good thing. I have a pile of records I want to play and gigs I want to tell you about. Look out for some fine old things from Emmylou Harris, Diana Jones and Neil Young. New things from Gregory Alan Isakov, Nathaniel Rateliff and the great Matraca Berg and some lovely new music from Scotland in the shape of .

And .......I'm going to tell you about the night I didn't have and the one I did have in this great building...

It all starts at five past eight on Friday evening. Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio Scotland.

Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio Scotland's Take The Floor events guide. Your weekly list of music and ceilidh events taking place around Scotland.

Take the Floor: Troon Concert Hall, 20th Feb 2011

FRIDAY 3rd JUNE
ACCORDION AND FIDDLE CLUBS
Dunblane - Victoria Hall - Annual Dance - 7.15pm

CONCERT
Johnstone, Johnstone Town Hall - Brian Laurie Accordion Showband Concert - 7pm

Plcokton - Sundowner Cruise - The Budapest Café Orchestra

SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING
Stanley - Stanley Village Hall - Gallivanters - 7.30pm

SATURDAY 4th JUNE
CLASS
Dundee, Wighton Centre, Dundee Central Library - Fiddle with Karen Hannah - improvers' class - 11am

Dundee, Wighton Centre, Dundee Central Library - Whistle with Helen Forbes - 12:30pm

CONCERT
Fife - Largo Ward Village Hall - Live Music - 8-11pm - *Tickets £5*

Glenuig - Glenuig Hall - The Budapest Café Orchestra

Glenkinchie Distillery - Ailie Robertson's Traditional Spirits - 7pm

SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING
Dundee - St Salvador's Church, Carnegie Street - Tayside's Premier Strathspey and Reel Orchestra and Graeme Adamson

Elgin - Bishopmill Hall - Social Dancing with Johnny Duncan - 8pm

SUNDAY 5th JUNE
CONCERT
Kilbarchan - The Old Library - New Rope Stringband

Lancs - Arnside Hall - The Budapest Café Orchestra

SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING
East Kilbride - Girl Guide Hall - Ceilidh, Old Time & Social Dance Club - 7:30-10pm - *Tickets £2*

Fife - Old Parish Church Hall - Kirk Wynd - Ceilidh, Old Time & Social Dance Club - 2-5pm - *Tickets £3*

MONDAY 6th JUNE
CLASS
St Andrews, SCD Club - live music from Dierdre Adamson on Accordion (learners welcome) - 7:30pm

HIGHLAND NIGHT
Pitlochry - Pitlochry Recreation Ground - Vale of Atholl Pipe Band - 7.15pm

SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING
Dumbarton - St Patrick's Hall - Strathleven Place - Ceilidh & Social Dance Club - 7:30-10pm

TUESDAY 7th JUNE
ACCORDION AND FIDDLE CLUBS
Keith - Royal British Legion Hall - AGM

CLASS
Dundee, Wighton Centre, Dundee Central Library - Scots Song - suitable for beginners - 2pm

SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING
Humbie - Village Hall - Ceilidh, Old Time Club & Social Dance Club - 7:30-10pm - *Tickets £3*

Westerton Summer Dancing - Bearsden, Westerton Village Hall, Maxwell Avenue, Westerton - Musicians John Renton and Rickie Francie - 7:30-10:30pm

WEDNESDAY 8th JUNE
CLASS
Fife - Kenoway Community School - Accordion Class - George Lawrie - 7-9pm - *Tickets £5.60/half price first lesson*

Midlem - Village Hall - Live Music - Old Time Class (GB Scott) - 8-10pm - *Tickets £2*

CONCERT
Edinburgh - Pleasance Cabret Bar - Bob Hall and Hilary Blyth

Peebles - Eastgate Theatre - The Rachel Hair Trio - 7.30pm

SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING
RSCDS - Aberdeen -The Boys Brigade Hall, Crimon Place - 7.30pm

Carnoustie Scottish Country Dance Club - Carnoustie, Beach Hall, Links Parade - Various Bands - 8-11pm

Glasgow - St Andrews In The Square - Live Music - Ceilidh & Old Time Club - 8-9:30pm - *Tickets £5*

Newtongrange - Dean Tavern - Live Music - Ceilidh & Old Time Club - 7:30-10pm - *Tickets £3*

THURSDAY 9th JUNE
ACCORDION AND FIDDLE CLUB
Windygates, Fife - Windygates Institute - The Jack Delaney Band

CLASS
Penicuick - Town Hall - Ceilidh Class - 8-9:30pm - *Tickets £2.90/£1.50*

SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING
RSCDS - Alva, Summer Dance, Cochrane Hall, West Stirling Street - various musicians - 7:30-10:30pm

3rd June - 5th June: Northern Roots Festival
Bogbain Farm, Inverness - Acts include The New Rope String Band, The Bonfire Band and Edwina Hayes

Join Robbie Shepherd for Take The Floor on Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio Scotland every Saturday 1905-2100, repeated Sunday 1305-1500.

Out of Doors presenter Euan McIlwraith featured on today's special fish edition of the Kitchen Café to chat about his journey to the Thames aboard the Trawler Amity II. He's joined an expedition to put Scottish seafood back on the British culinary map and writes about it below.

Crew of the trawler, Amity Left to right Nikolajs Afanasenko (Motor man), Kevin O"Donnell (Mate), Skipper Jim Buchan, Viktor and Douglas Cruickshank (Cook)

It's day one of our quest to convert England to the joys of Scottish seafood. Britain's best known trawler, skippered by the country's best known skipper are heading from Peterhead to the River Thames, to deliver the message that Scottish is best.

, the stars of the trawlermen series are just off Eyemouth and I've joined up as crew, for a voyage South.

Together with Ö÷²¥´óÐã camera man, David Williams, we've been given the fantastic opportunity to document the trip. We've both got tiny cots deep in the bowels of the ship and are mucking in with the crew. We set off from Peterhead with a blessing from the and were waved good bye by the entire congregation.

This trip is all about seafood: so that's what we are eating. After a bouncy but comfortable night we woke to fresh smoked haddock for breakfast, freshly prepared prawns for lunch and a dinner of fish. Very special fish.

One of the other members of the crew on this trip is a fellow boat owner and we have just rendezvoused off Newcastle. A big basket of cod, haddock, crab, turbot, and monk fish has just been transferred between boats and is being prepared for dinner by a Peterhead fishmonger as we speak.

This is all about a community pulling together to show the best that Scotland has to offer to an English audience. It's also a chance for Jimmy to sign copies of his, about to be published, book .

I'm up on the bridge with Jimmy now. He's relaxed and delighting in the whole experience. I'm looking at the chart awash with lights, gas rigs, sand banks and am a wee bit apprehensive about tonight. and Amity II is a pretty wee boat on the scale of things ... But with three highly experienced skippers on board I should be able to sleep easy... and fresh halibut beckons...

Catch up with Euan McIlwraith on Out of Doors and listen in to tomorrow's MacAulay and Co. (02.06.11) where Fred will be joined by .

Here's another recipe from The Kitchen Cafe to be downloaded, kept and printed.

Download the recipe

The Kitchen Cafe is on Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio Scotland every Wednesday, 1315-1400

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Vic Galloway's alt-folk special this week has inspired us to trawl the bristling Ö÷²¥´óÐã archive seeking a choice selection of indie-folk titbits for your enjoyment:

King Creosote and Emma Pollock debut a new song at Celtic Connections back in January

Admiral Fallow at T in The Park

Meursault at Glastonbury