Get ready to hit the road with The Scottish Roadscast, the Scottish Roads Archive’s exciting podcast history series! Since 2018, we have been exploring fascinating topics related to Scotland’s post-war roads, bridges, and motorways. With regular insights from industry experts and special guests, it’s the only such podcast in Scotland! As of 2025, the series has captured the ears of over 100,000 listeners and is available on all your favorite podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and Podbean. Tune in and join us on the journey!
Get ready to hit the road with The Scottish Roadscast, the Scottish Roads Archive’s exciting podcast history series! Since 2018, we have been exploring fascinating topics related to Scotland’s post-war roads, bridges, and motorways. With regular insights from industry experts and special guests, it’s the only such podcast in Scotland! As of 2025, the series has captured the ears of over 100,000 listeners and is available on all your favorite podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and Podbean. Tune in and join us on the journey!
Episodes
Feb 21, 2025
Feb 21, 2025
43 min
In the first of our new episodes for 2025, John and Stuart revisit the subject of Glasgow's M8 and half finished Inner Ring Road. With some new insights on the matter, they consider it's impact and what the future might hold. Released February 2025.
Jan 31, 2025
Jan 31, 2025
51 min
In this episode we delve deep into the history of the M80 and the M876, key links in Scotland's motorway system. Loved and loathed in equal measure, the routes have a history spanning six decades. We consider what the future might hold and reveal unknown facts about the M80 "Kelvin Valley" option. Hosted by Stuart Baird and John Hassall. Originally recorded in May 2020.
Dec 20, 2024
Dec 20, 2024
1hr 45 min
A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Scottish Roadscast! In our extended Christmas special for 2024 the team looks into the complicated history of the A74, once one of Scotland's most important routes. There's also listener questions, a projects update from John and a host of other surprises!
Released December 2024.
Nov 29, 2024
Nov 29, 2024
46 min
In this episode of the Scottish Roadscast Stuart and Duncan take a deep dive into the history of the M90, Scotland's oldest motorway.
Released November 2024.
Nov 8, 2024
29. The History of the M8 Motorway
Nov 8, 2024
Nov 8, 2024
56 min
In this episode of the Scottish Roadscast Stuart and Duncan take a deep dive into the history of the M8 motorway. They discuss the development of the route in the 1960s, its construction in the 1970s, 80s and 90s and consider some more recent developments.
Released November 2024.
Oct 21, 2024
28. The Science of Surfacing
Oct 21, 2024
Oct 21, 2024
1hr 1 min
In this episode of the Scottish Roadscast, Stuart and John are joined by Kevin Dunn, a Scottish surfacing guru! Kevin provides a fascinating insight into the science behind surfacing and the ways in which its condition is monitored and improved.
Released October 2024.
Sep 12, 2024
27. Sixty Years of the Forth Road Bridge
Sep 12, 2024
Sep 12, 2024
42 min
In this episode of the Scottish Roadscast Stuart (yes, he's back!) and John celebrate sixty years of the Forth Road Bridge!
Released September 2024.
Jul 5, 2024
Jul 5, 2024
40 min
In this episode of the Scottish Roadscast, John and Duncan take a close look at the history of the A92, Scotland easternmost trunk road. Running from Fife to Aberdeen via the Tay Road Bridge, Dundee, Arbroath and Stonehaven, it's on the country's most interesting routes. Packed with all-new historical information and not to be missed.
Released July 2024.
Jun 7, 2024
Jun 7, 2024
55 min
In this episode of the Scottish Roadscast, Duncan and John discuss the history of the A9 between Perth and Inverness, one Scotland's most famous sections of trunk road. Packed with all new historical information, this episode is not to be missed.
Released June 2024.
May 3, 2024
24. Speed Limits - Past, Present and Future!
May 3, 2024
May 3, 2024
55 min
In this episode of the Scottish Roadscast, John and Duncan raise the subject of speed limits. They discuss the history behind them, and how they developed, before considering changes being made today and what the future might hold.
Released May 2024.
Mar 29, 2024
23. Defending Scotland's Two Lane Motorways
Mar 29, 2024
Mar 29, 2024
44 min
In this episode of the Scottish Roadscast, John and Stuart discuss the ins and outs of what makes a motorway a 'Special Road'. They also consider Scotland's network of two lane motorways and explain why they are just as 'Special' as those seen elsewhere in the UK.
Released March 2024.
Feb 23, 2024
22. Roads in Towns - Did We Get It Wrong?
Feb 23, 2024
Feb 23, 2024
58 min
In this episode of the Scottish Roadscast, John considers our relationship with the car, its convenience and the current debate around whether there are too many cars in towns. Did the planners of the 1960s get it wrong? Or are we lucky to have access to such an extensive road network? You decide, and be sure to let us know your thoughts!
Released February 2024.
Jan 19, 2024
21. Secrets of the A90
Jan 19, 2024
Jan 19, 2024
43 min
In this episode of the Scottish Roadscast, John and Stuart are joined by Duncan to discuss the history of the A90. The main route to the north east of Scotland, it has a fascinating story behind it. Packed with all new facts and figures from the Scottish Roads Archive.
Released January 2024.

Dec 20, 2023
Dec 20, 2023
1hr 37 min
Merry Christmas from the Scottish Roadscast! In our festive special for 2023, Duncan takes a deep dive into the history of the northern sections of the M6 motorway in England and John provides an overview of how we go about gritting Scotland's roads. We also take a few listener questions.
Presented by Stuart Baird, John Hassall and Duncan Macknight.
Released December 2023.
Nov 10, 2023
19. Gateway to the Highlands: The A82 (Part 2)
Nov 10, 2023
Nov 10, 2023
40 min
In this episode of the Scottish Roadscast, Stuart and John are joined by Duncan to discuss the history behind the A82, one of Scotland's longest roads. Part 2 covers the stretch from Glencoe to Inverness.
Released November 2023. Part 1 was released in October 2023 and can be found in episode 18.
