Edinburgh Fringe Preview Podcast 2025 - Part 3 - The Burns Project - When Billy Met Alasdair

Scots Whay Hae!

The latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast is the third of our Edinburgh Fringe Festival Previews, where Ali talks to a few of the artists who will be appearing at the Fringe this year.

First of all actor, writer and theatre maker James Clements' tells us all about The Burns Project where we are promised "An immersive theatrical Burns experience like no other.". Without any spoilers, James talks about the research undertaken, how the show came together, working with director Cora Bissett, the extraordinary setting of The Drawing Room at The Georgian House, collaborating with the National Trust for Scotland, and much more.

Then writer, performer (and regular guest on the SWH! podcast over the years) Alan Bissett talks about his show When Billy Met Alasdair where, using a photo of the occasion as the inspiration, Alan imagines the conversation between Billy Connolly and Alasdair Gray when they met at the launch of Alasdair's novel Lanark at the Third Eye Centre (now the CCA). He talks about creating a script from that initial premise, being in the Scottish Storytelling Centre, and the perilous nature of finally making it to the stage.

These shows take on three Scottish icons with a global reach who have changed the face and very nature of Scottish culture, and it was fascinating to hear about both, which happen to feature in the SWH! Top 10 Picks Of The Edinburgh Fringe 2025.

These podcasts are always a joy to record and get just a taste of what's happening in Edinburgh this August, and we hope these discussions get you in the mood for this year's Fringe.

Full details, including all the ways to listen, are over at scotswhayhae.com