For Episode 14 of the Scot Goes Popcast I was joined by Ken McDonald, the editor of iScot magazine, which I’ve written a monthly column for since 2017. It’s a unique publication, because it’s a high-quality print magazine in wide circulation that is explicitly pro-independence and run by grass-roots Yes supporters. Many people have probably heard of iScot without having taken a look for themselves yet, and if that describes you, this podcast is a golden opportunity to find out what you’re missing. Ken explains…
* How he started the magazine as an alternative to shouting at the TV when “Jackanory” Jim Murphy was being interviewed.
* The vital importance of having a pro-Yes print publication, given that many older people can’t really be reached by online New Media.
* How iScot‘s readership demographics very closely mirror the demographics of No voters in the 2014 referendum, leaving the magazine ideally placed to reach the people whose minds need to be changed.
* Why only a relatively small proportion of the magazine’s articles are directly about politics and independence, with the others showcasing what a capable country Scotland is.
* Why he’s confident that iScot will still be around in seven or eight years’ time.
* How iScot is a platform for all shades of opinion within the independence movement, including the SNP, Alba and IFS.
* What happened when iScot thought it had arranged an interview with Peter Murrell.
You can listen to the episode as a traditional podcast via the embedded Soundcloud player below, or via the direct Soundcloud link, or you can watch it in video form via the embedded YouTube player. The Popcast is also available on Stitcher and Spotify.
