Episodes

  • The Match: A Golf Story
    Oct 3 2024

    In this episode, we delve into the story of the 1681 match between Scotland and England that solidified golf’s status as a Scottish sport. Discover how the Duke of York and his partner John Paterson defended Scotland's honor on the green, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.

    Follow us on Instagram:
    https://www.instagram.com/thesecretofstandrews1759

    Talk with Hamish, our AI-powered caddie:
    https://www.thesecretofstandrews.com/

    Show more Show less
    2 mins
  • The Mysterious Story of Daft Willie Gunn
    Oct 1 2024

    In this episode, we share the story of Daft Willie Gunn, a beloved yet eccentric caddy from the 19th century whose memory still hangs in the halls of the Royal Burgess Golfing Society of Edinburgh. Join us as we uncover his wit, quirks, and the mystery surrounding his final walk home.

    Follow us on Instagram:
    https://www.instagram.com/thesecretofstandrews1759

    Talk with Hamish, our AI-powered caddie:
    https://www.thesecretofstandrews.com/

    Show more Show less
    3 mins
  • St Giles' Steeple & Arthur's Seat
    Sep 26 2024

    In this special episode of the Secret of St. Andrew's Podcast, we dive into the fascinating history of 18th and 19th-century golfing wagers in Edinburgh. From launching golf balls over St. Giles' Steeple to playing across Arthur's Seat, discover the daring bets that shaped Scotland’s oldest golf traditions.

    Follow us on Instagram:
    https://www.instagram.com/thesecretofstandrews1759

    Talk with Hamish, our AI-powered caddie:
    https://www.thesecretofstandrews.com/

    Show more Show less
    3 mins
  • Stymied on the Green!
    Sep 24 2024

    In this special edition of the Secret of St. Andrews podcast, we explore a forgotten chapter of golf history when a simple rules dispute nearly disbanded the oldest golf club in the world. Tune in as we uncover the 1807 controversy that split the Royal Burgess into two factions, and the mysterious destruction of 21 pages from the club's records.

    Follow us on Instagram:
    https://www.instagram.com/thesecretofstandrews1759

    Talk with Hamish, our AI-powered caddie:
    https://www.thesecretofstandrews.com/

    Show more Show less
    3 mins
  • EP 17: Diplomacy & Silent Partners
    Sep 20 2024

    In this episode, we delve into Benjamin Franklin's covert diplomatic efforts with his Scottish allies during the 1760s. As they navigate trade tensions, debt negotiations, and the advancement of education and technology, Franklin’s secret deals with Scottish tobacco lords set the stage for future colonial ambitions.

    Follow us on Instagram:
    https://www.instagram.com/thesecretofstandrews1759

    Talk with Hamish, our AI-powered caddie:
    https://www.thesecretofstandrews.com/

    Show more Show less
    12 mins
  • EP 16 Part 2: Golfhall & Blackheath
    Sep 12 2024

    In this episode, we uncover how 18th-century Edinburgh's exclusive golf clubs became unlikely hubs for clandestine intelligence. Discover how influential figures like John Rattray and Ben Franklin formed secretive alliances on the fairways, laying the groundwork for a covert network that played a crucial role in shaping the Revolutionary War...

    Follow us on Instagram:
    https://www.instagram.com/thesecretofstandrews1759

    Talk with Hamish, our AI-powered caddie:
    https://www.thesecretofstandrews.com/

    Show more Show less
    6 mins
  • EP 16 Part 1: Clandestine Golf
    Aug 22 2024

    In this episode, we dive into the secretive side of Scottish golf. It’s 1759, and Ben Franklin is forging alliances in St. Andrews. But the real intrigue lies in Edinburgh, the true birthplace of golf. Discover how the city's exclusive golf clubs, steeped in secrecy and founded by Freemasons, played a critical role in clandestine intelligence gathering. Learn why these early golfers were more than just sportsmen—they were spies, using their positions to shape the future of nations.

    Follow us on Instagram:
    https://www.instagram.com/thesecretofstandrews1759

    Talk with Hamish, our AI-powered caddie:
    https://www.thesecretofstandrews.com/

    Show more Show less
    5 mins
  • EP 15 Part 3: The French Connection
    Aug 15 2024

    In this episode of The Secret of St. Andrews, we dive into the pivotal role the Scots played in securing France's support during America's fight for independence. Discover how a former Jacobite rebel turned French military leader used his deep ties with the Scots to assist Ben Franklin in his diplomatic efforts. Tune in to uncover the secrets that connected the green fields of St. Andrews to the birth of a nation.

    Follow us on Instagram:
    https://www.instagram.com/thesecretofstandrews1759

    Talk with Hamish, our AI-powered caddie:
    https://www.thesecretofstandrews.com/

    Show more Show less
    5 mins