Following the SNP’s by-election defeat to Scottish Labour last week, reports of a challenge to John Swinney have surfaced.

We ask David Wallace Lockhart if that talk should be taken seriously - and what he makes of Rachel Reeves' spending plans.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins.

Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has promised public money for the Acorn carbon capture project in Aberdeenshire in the UK Government's spending review.

The funding has been broadly welcomed by politicians and the energy industry, so why do Friends of the Earth call Acorn a 'greenwashing scam'?

We ask their climate campaigner Alex Lee (pictured) and the BBC’s Kevin Keane. And after the Flamingo Land Loch Lomond U-turn, Laura reveals what it’s like to read the news when a story breaks.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins.

Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

A shortage of legal aid lawyers could lead to industrial action and a bigger court backlog, Scotcast has been told.

Simon Brown, president of the Scottish Solicitors Bar Association, tells us why so many are turning their backs on defending the accused – and why, despite the relatively poor pay, he loves the job.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins.

Marks & Spencer remains unable to take online orders following a ransomware attack in April linked to hacking groups DragonForce and Scattered Spider.

The BBC’s cyber correspondent Joe Tidy tells us about the gangs behind hacks on M&S, Co-op and public bodies – and what the hackers have told him.

And Natalie and Martin discuss why Anas Sarwar said his Sunday morning interview with Martin was "embarrassing".

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Natalie Higgins and Laura Miller.

Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Scottish Labour has taken Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse from the SNP in a closely fought by-election.

As Anas Sarwar celebrates a new colleague at Holyrood, Martin, Natalie and the BBC’s Scotland Editor James Cook discuss whether the vote was the moment Nigel Farage's Reform UK made a breakthrough in Scotland.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins.

Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Scottish Labour’s Davy Russell has edged out the SNP and Reform UK to win the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election.

Martin asks election expert Professor Sir John Curtice (pictured) if the outcome tells us anything about the Scottish Parliament elections in 2026.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins.

Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has promised billions for the UK armed forces after two decades that have seen a massive drop in troop numbers. But it comes as many young people say they’re not willing to fight for their country.

As the world becomes more dangerous how much can really be done to reverse the decline and make sure the country is ready to fight? Martin and Laura hear from former Royal Marine and TV presenter JJ Chalmers.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins.

Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Plans for a controversial Flamingo Land holiday resort ? featuring a water park and monorail ? on the banks of Loch Lomond will not be opposed by ministers.

Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer and John Urquhart from Friends of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs debate the economic and environmental rights and wrongs of the development.

And Laura and Martin discuss a major police intervention over what led to a deadly bar room shooting in Spain.

Scotcast is the BBC?s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins.

Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk