Alistair Heather presents ‘poetic travel guide’ to Scotland in new BBC show

BBC Radio 4 is broadcasting Beyond Burns, which welcomes poets from around the country, providing insight into the lives and culture making each place distinct.

The travelogue was created with an aim of introducing people to parts of the country they are less familiar with.

Host Alistair Heather said “Scottish people often don’t get a chance to poke around in our own back garden. Many of us seldom visit Aberdeen or have never been to Dundee. So many folk I meet couldnae find Angus on a map!

“I wanted to introduce people to less familiar parts of their own country in a unique way. Poets have terrific insights into the places they live, so I thought travelling around listening to them would be an enjoyable way to learn about Scotland.

“I’m glad we got to showcase the north east of Scotland’s rich traditions and vibrant Scots present to Radio 4 audiences.

“I love that Dundee is represented by two working-class female voices, Taylor Dyson and Mary Brooksbank. When I think of Dundee, I think of strong working-class women.”

(Image: BBC)The broadcast features Taylor Dyson (above) reading her poem Tae Dundee live from the Keiller Centre which is set to be demolished.

Taylor also reads work by Mary Brooksbank, who wrote poems and songs about the life of the 20th-century city millworkers.

Heather will then take listeners into Angus, exploring the poetry of Violet Jacob, who lived at the House of Dun near Montrose.

The travelogue continues with poets from Aberdeen and Orkney, who give a flavour of their distinctive communities.

Heather is later joined by Fife-based poet Kathleen Jamie, where they reflect on the “vulnerability and vibrancy” of Scotland’s poetic tradition.

“The voices we hear in the programme are fun, interesting and rich in their use of Scots,” Heather added.

“And hopefully it’ll let people know where Angus is on a map!”

In the 2022 census, 1,508,540 people reported they speak Scots, with 2,444,659 reporting they could speak, read, write or understand Scots.

Beyond Burns is available on BBC Sounds.