A stitch In time: textile treasures and the women who made them

In our final episode of 2024, Jackie Bird heads to Edinburgh to take a look at Stitched: Scotland’s Embroidered Art – a new exhibition that tells the nation’s story through textiles.

The result of a two-year research and conservation programme by the National Trust for Scotland, Stitched puts many delicate pieces of needlework on public display for the first time.

Joining Jackie are Trust curator Emma Inglis and Celia Joicey, director of Dovecot Studios, which is hosting the exhibition. Together, they discuss how such fragile items are cared for, where they come from, and what they tell us about the people who once owned them.

Stitched: Scotland’s Embroidered Art runs at Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh, until 18 January 2025. For more information, and to book tickets, click here. National Trust for Scotland members can enjoy 50% off a full price ticket.

This week, Jackie Bird is in Culloden to join the team of archaeologists hoping to unlock more of the battlefield’s historic secrets. With the National Trust for Scotland’s Head of Archaeology Derek Alexander, Jackie discovers how modern techniques are helping to unearth musket balls, coins and buttons.

Though the battle on 16 April 1746 may have lasted just a short time, it was hugely consequential and new elements of its story continue to be discovered through archaeological digs. Find out how decisions are made on where to excavate, and what inspires people to devote their time to the quest for hidden artefacts.

To enjoy more episodes of Love Scotland, please follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

For more information on Culloden, click here.

You might enjoy some of our past episodes on Culloden. Simply scroll back through the Love Scotland feed to hear about the battle and its aftermath.

To support our work, you can donate to the Culloden Fighting Fund, which helps our collaborative approach to managing the battlefield and protecting the site for future generations. And if you’re a resident of the USA, you can show your support through the National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA.

When we think of a queen of Scots, Mary is very much the first one who comes to mind. But her grandmother, Margaret Tudor, played an equally crucial role in 16th-century Scotland. Here, her story is told.

Linda Porter, author of The Thistle and the Rose, which tells the story of this overlooked historical figure, joins Jackie to discuss the life and legacy of Henry VIII’s sister. From a young pawn to a powerful and protective queen, Margaret certainly made her impact on history.

To enjoy more episodes of Love Scotland, please follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

For more information on Falkland Palace, click here.

You might enjoy some of our past episodes on Mary, Queen of Scots. Simply scroll back through the Love Scotland feed to hear about Margaret’s granddaughter.