The Holyrood Sources podcast analyses Scottish politics through the experiences of those who have lived and breathed it as Special Advisers to the Scottish Government, SNP and opposition parties. Join hosts Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (Chief of Staff to the First Minister, 2007-2014) and Andy Maciver (Former Head of Communications for the Scottish Conservatives) as they take you inside Scottish politics. Their insight is second to none - they've been there, lived it, and maintain remarkable connections to Scotland's politicians and the world of Scottish politics. Join our mailing list and check out our latest live events: click holyroodsources.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Contact path
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Booking probability
37%
Guest openness
Selective
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Signup to Generate a PitchThe Holyrood Sources podcast analyses Scottish politics through the experiences of those who have lived and breathed it as Special Advisers to the Scottish Government, SNP and opposition parties.
Recent episodes include "The Budget: What Does it Mean for Scotland?" (28 October 2026, 43 minutes), "Jackdaw Approved, BBC Scotland Channel scrapped and John Swinney's Conference Speech." (21 October 2026, 56 minutes), and "Live from the pub at SNP Conference" (17 October 2026, 59 minutes).
Holyrood Sources publishes roughly a few times a week, with episodes averaging 45 minutes across 252 episodes.
Booking probability for Holyrood Sources is 37%, and the host is rated Selective on guests. Holyrood Sources requires a Pod Score of 80 or higher. Holyrood Sources's contact route on record: verified email.
The strongest fits for Holyrood Sources are Government & Politics. Holyrood Sources has a news audience.
Holyrood Sources is a news podcast with 252 episodes published.
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Episode #56
On a special episode of the Holyrood Sources podcast, recorded in the afternoon of Wednesday the 28th October, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver break down John Healey's first ever Budget... what does it...
The UK government has approved extraction from the Jackdaw gas field near Aberdeen What does this mean for Scotland's economy and the future of North Sea oil and gas? In this episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum...
Holyrood Sources
Calum and Geoff are live from the pub at SNP conference. They take the temperature of the party ahead of John Swinney's speech this weekend and are joined by party representatives, pollsters and experts to diagnose the...
This week on Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver preview the SNP conference with The Scotsman's Rachel Amery. For the first time ever, John Swinney leads a conference with a mandate as...
On today's episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver dive into the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham. We are joined by Rachael Hamilton MSP, Deputy Leader of the Scottish...
Episode #51
On this special episode of the Sources Podcasts, we're taking you to Liverpool for 24 hours at Labour Party Conference 2026. Hear the secrets of Political Christmas with Politico's Megan McElroy, More In Common's Louis...
Welcome to another energy special episode of the Holyrood Sources podcast in partnership with Energy Voice. Calum, Geoff and Andy are joined by Ryan Duff and Floyd March: Aberdeen Features Lead and North West...
Episode #49
Is Andy Burnham’s vision for the UK realistic, or is he setting Labour up for a major fall ahead of the upcoming budget? On this episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein, and Andy Maciver review...
In this episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver unpack the Scottish Government's local government proposal that could see Scotland's 32 councils reduced to just 6... Professor...
Are the days of the United Kingdom numbered, or was the recent Cardiff summit between First Ministers just political theatre? Calum Macdonald and Andy Maciver are joined by SNP National Secretary Alex Kerr MSP to...
On a special hustings episode of the Holyrood Sources podcast, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver are joined by Scottish Labour's leadership candidates: Joe Fagan and Michael Marra. The two leadership...
On the first of our Holyrood Sources energy specials in partnership with Energy Voice, Calum MacDonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver are joined by Energy Voice News Editor Erikka Askeland (live from Stavanger) and...
The Scottish Fiscal Commission just revealed an extra £860 million in the budget for this financial year—but is it actually good news for public spending, or a sign of deeper structural issues caused by devolution? In...
In this episode of Holyrood Sources , Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver unpack another week Scottish politics. The team reacts to the official Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) figures...
Calum MacDonald, Geoff Aberdein, and Andy Maciver break down Scotland's latest GERS figures, examining revenue vs. public spending, the Barnett Formula, and Scotland's fiscal deficit. Plus, the Holyrood Sources...
Nicola Sturgeon faces fierce backlash from her own former cabinet colleagues after criticising the SNP's election strategy in a new book foreword. Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver break down the response...
Why did Scotland’s new 48p top rate of income tax actually backfire and lose £22 million in revenue? On this episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum McDonald, Geoff Aberdein, and Andy Maciver analyse the fallout from...
Andy Burnham has officially become the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, marking the country’s 7th PM since 2016. Join host Calum Macdonald live from Downing Street on this special episode of The Sources...
Episode #37
Andy Burnham is preparing to become Prime Minister—but what does that mean for Scotland, Labour and the future of UK politics? In this episode of Holyrood Sources , Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver to...
On a summer special of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver are joined by the 2026 Scottish Labour candidate for Galloway and West Dumfries, Jack McConnel (the other one). Jack is one of...
Recent guests on Holyrood Sources. Study who booked and why before you pitch.
professor of geoscience and energy transition, University of Aberdeen
CEO, Managing General Agents' Association
tax expert, Tax Policy Associates
director of the Fraser of Allander Institute, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde
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