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 Geissler, Natalie Higgins and the BBC’s Scotland editor James discuss if the vote was the moment that 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

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has ruled out a second independence referendum while he is in Downing Street.

We ask Stuart Nicolson, a former adviser to the SNP in government, if there is a plan to get another vote. And the BBC’s David Wallace Lockhart tells us why first minister John Swinney isn’t demanding one right now.

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

Ross Monaghan and Eddie Lyons Jnr - high-profile members of the Lyons crime gang - have been shot dead at Monaghans Bar in Fuengirola, Andalucia.

Livvy Haydock, who hosted the BBC podcast Gangster: The Story of the Daniels and the Lyons, tells us how a decades-old grudge may have led to their brutal killing.

And Natalie’s been on the trail of Nigel Farage as campaigning heats up ahead of the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election.

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

Picture credit: Spindrift

Professor Devi Sridhar (pictured) became a household name in Scotland as a key health advisor to Nicola Sturgeon during the Coronavirus pandemic.

She tells Martin Geissler about the death threats she received, her experience on an NHS waiting list, and why Scots aren’t living long enough.

Devi Sridhar is a professor of global public health at the University of Edinburgh, and author of a new book, How Not to Die (Too Soon).

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

Stuart Ralston (pictured) is the latest Scottish chef to be awarded a Michelin star.

He tells Martin about his journey - from being stabbed twice in school to working under Gordon Ramsay in New York - and running four Edinburgh restaurants, including the award-winning Lyla.

And from bugs to camel's milk: Laura and Martin share their weirdest food moments.

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