In this unique episode of the Beyond Borders Scotland Podcast, we bring you a compelling conversation with two former UN envoys, Staffan de Mistura and Stephanie Williams.

Hosted by Duncan Peppe, a student from Peebles High School, this episode marks the first ever youth led podcast recorded at the Beyond Borders International Festival in 2024. From the journey to peace negotiations to the personal toll of conflict resolution, this intergenerational dialogue offers rare insight into the human side of diplomacy, all through the eyes of a young and curious host.

This episode is part of the Beyond Borders Youth Podcast Series, amplifying young voices in dialogue with global leaders and changemakers.

Featuring:

• Staffan de Mistura
• Stephanie Williams

Find out more:

Beyond Borders Scotland: https://www.beyondbordersscotland.com/

Beyond Borders International Festival: https://www.bbintfest.com/

Produced by FoSho STUDIOS

In this compelling episode of the Beyond Borders Scotland Podcast, we revisit an urgent and unflinching discussion recorded live at the Beyond Borders International Festival. Professor Sir Geoff Palmer is joined by historian William Dalrymple and journalist Alex Renton for a wide-ranging conversation that interrogates Scotland’s role in the legacies of slavery and empire, and how their repercussions are still felt today.

The panel unpacks how racial hierarchies were constructed to justify economic exploitation—from the chattel slavery of the Caribbean to the looting of the Indian subcontinent under the East India Company. Geoff Palmer’s perspective, rooted in personal and academic insight, provides a powerful lens on the enduring impact of colonialism and structural racism. Alex Renton shares his journey of discovering his family's links to slavery, as explored in his book Blood Legacy, while William Dalrymple details Scotland’s disproportionate involvement in colonial India and how the infrastructure of corporate imperialism was born.

Together, they call for truth-telling, reparative justice, and radical curriculum reform as vital steps toward healing and equity in a post-imperial society.

Featuring:

• Professor Sir Geoff Palmer - Human rights activist, academic, and historian
• William Dalrymple - Historian and author of The Anarchy
• Alexander Renton - Journalist and author of The Blood Legacy

Find out more:

Beyond Borders Scotland: https://www.beyondbordersscotland.com/

Beyond Borders International Festival: https://www.bbintfest.com/

Produced by FoSho STUDIOS

Step into the heart of ancient civilisations with celebrated historian and bestselling author William Dalrymple CBE, as he explores the remarkable legacy of India in his latest book, The Golden Road. In this thought-provoking lecture recorded live for Beyond Borders Scotland, Dalrymple charts the monumental influence of India’s religious, artistic, and economic power across Asia and beyond.

From the towering stupas of Sri Lanka to the Buddhist cave temples of China, The Golden Road reveals how Indian ideas, aesthetics, and institutions travelled along ancient trade routes, transforming entire cultures. In this episode, Dalrymple examines the origins and expansion of Indian civilisation’s spiritual and material gifts—and why this legacy remains crucial to understanding global history today.

This episode offers listeners an immersive journey through time, illuminating how a once-dominant culture shaped the contours of the modern world.

Featuring:

• William Dalrymple CBE – Historian and Author of The Golden Road

Find out more:

Empire Podcast:

https://www.youtube.com/@EmpirePodUK/featured

Beyond Borders Scotland: https://www.beyondbordersscotland.com/

Beyond Borders International Festival: https://www.bbintfest.com/

Produced by FoSho STUDIOS

Join us on this poignant episode of the Beyond Borders Scotland podcast as we explore stories of survival, justice, and reconciliation in the aftermath of some of the most devastating conflicts of recent times. Hosted by David Hamilton, trustee of the Scottish educational charity Beyond Srebrenica, this episode delves into the horrors of the Srebrenica genocide and the ongoing efforts to address its aftermath through educational initiatives and partnerships.

David introduces Nedzad Avdic, a survivor of the Srebrenica massacre, who shares his harrowing escape from execution and his life thereafter. Nezhad’s testimony not only recalls the tragic events but also embodies the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Additionally, we are joined by Judge Roberto Carlos Vidal Lopez from the Colombian special jurisdiction for peace. Judge Lopez discusses the innovative approaches being used in Colombia, focusing on restorative justice to heal and rebuild communities torn apart by decades of armed conflict.

This session is expertly chaired by Oscar Guardiola Rivera, professor of human rights and political philosophy at Birkbeck Law School in London, who guides the conversation with insightful questions and reflections on the themes of justice and human rights.

Featuring:

• David Hamilton - Host and Trustee, Beyond Srebrenica
• Nezhad Davdish - Survivor of the Srebrenica Genocide
• Judge Roberto Carlos Vidal Lopez - Colombian Special Jurisdiction for Peace
• Oscar Guardiola Rivera - Chair, Professor of Human Rights and Political Philosophy

Find out more:

Beyond Srebrenica:

https://srebrenica.scot/

Beyond Borders Scotland: https://www.beyondbordersscotland.com/

Beyond Borders International Festival: https://www.bbintfest.com/

Produced by FoSho STUDIOS

Join veteran BBC broadcaster Jim Naughtie as he converses with the ever-entertaining Miriam Margolyes in an unfiltered dialogue about her illustrious career and vibrant personal anecdotes. This episode offers listeners a unique opportunity to hear Miriam’s candid reflections and humorous tales from her diverse experiences both on and off the screen.

Miriam, known for her roles across stage and screen and her one-woman show, "Dickens’ Women," discusses the nuances of her performances and the stories behind her most beloved characters. Jim probes into the depth and breadth of Miriam's career, revealing the passion and perseverance that have defined her life's work.

Featuring:

• Jim Naughtie - Veteran BBC Correspondent and Broadcaster
• Miriam Margolyes OBE - Actress and Performer

Find out more:

Dickens' Women: https://miriammargolyes.com/dickens_women/

Beyond Borders Scotland: https://www.beyondbordersscotland.com/

Beyond Borders International Festival: https://www.bbintfest.com/

Produced by FoSho STUDIOS

In this compelling episode, Allan Little, an esteemed journalist, engages in a profound discussion with Humza Yousaf, Scotland's former First Minister, about his pivotal year in office. This conversation provides a unique personal insight into the challenges and triumphs faced by Humza Yousaf, including his management of national and personal issues against the backdrop of an increasingly complex global landscape.

From his experience following Nicola Sturgeon to navigating the impacts of global crises such as the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which affects his family personally, Humza offers an insider’s view on leadership in turbulent times. This episode not only reflects on political leadership but also delves into how global events like the rise of far-right movements in Europe can shape a nation’s direction and the life of its leaders.

Featuring:

• Allan Little - Renowned Journalist and Broadcaster
• Humza Yousaf - MSP and Former First Minister of Scotland

Find out more:

Beyond Borders Scotland: https://www.beyondbordersscotland.com/

Beyond Borders International Festival: https://www.bbintfest.com/

Produced by FoSho STUDIOS

In this compelling episode, BBC correspondent Kirsty Lang engages with Aminatta Forna OBE in a profound discussion about identity and belonging in today's global landscape. They delve into what shapes us as "global souls" - is it a choice, or are we moulded by forces such as mass migration, rising nationalism, and the surge of populism? This conversation explores the intricate dance between personal identity and global citizenship in an increasingly interconnected world.

Featuring:

• Kirsty Lang - BBC Correspondent
• Aminatta Forna OBE - Author and Thinker

Find out more:

Beyond Borders Scotland: https://www.beyondbordersscotland.com/

Beyond Borders International Festival: https://www.bbintfest.com/

Produced by FoSho STUDIOS

In this episode, introduced by Catherine Maxwell Stuart, join Ben Cowell OBE, Director-General of the Historic Houses Association, as he discusses his book, "The British Country House Revival." Historians Geoffrey Baskerville and Wessley Edmonds also explore captivating stories, including a revealing letter from the Traquair House archives that uncovers the life of an enslaved boy. Discover the enduring allure and complex histories of Britain's stately homes.

Featuring:

Ben Cowell OBE - Director General of the Historic Houses Association

Geoffrey Baskerville - Historian

Wessley Edmonds - Historian

Find out more:

Traquair House https://www.traquair.co.uk/

The Rise and Fall of the Stately Home

https://boydellandbrewer.com/9781837650583/the-british-country-house-revival/

Beyond Borders Scotland: https://www.beyondbordersscotland.com/

Beyond Borders International Festival: https://www.bbintfest.com/

Produced by FoSho STUDIOS