BBC Radio Scotland revamps schedule

Radio Scotland’s weekday news programmes are getting a new look as the schedule gets a refresh the Beeb have announced.

“Our three daytime news programme will all have a very distinctive feel and style to them, reporting the news that matters to the Radio Scotland audience in a tone that’s warm and accessible.” – Gary Smith, BBC Scotland’s Head of News

The daily flagship programme Good Morning Scotland, which aims to set the news agenda of the day for Scottish listeners, will see long standing anchor Gary Robertson joined by a voice already familiar to Radio Scotland listeners, Laura Maxwell.

Hayley Millar, who has presented the breakfast slot for several years, will now be joined by another voice familiar to the station’s listeners, Mhairi Stuart. The pair will host a brand new daily lunchtime news programme that will focus on events as they are happening both at home and abroad.

Lunchtime Live will keep the Radio Scotland audience up to date by using the BBC’s extensive network of reporters and correspondents.

The current lunchtime host John Beattie will then be giving his very personal take on the news agenda to the drivetime audience for the first time. Drivetime … with John Beattie will be an audience focussed, two-hour programme that will take the big talking points of the day and break them down through comment and opinion.

The Beeb note the revamped output will be eased in over the coming months.

“Each of the three pillars of our schedule – breakfast, lunch and drive – will be hosted by presenters with years of journalism experience behind them. These changes ensure that our station remains at the forefront of delivering agenda-setting content that showcases radio journalism at its finest.” – Gary Smith, BBC Scotland’s Head of News