Why is it beyond the wit and imagination of the benighted Archers scriptwriters to come up with a location (even vague) of the castle in > "Scotland" which they keep going on about?I presume it's at least in part deliberate, to stop people Googling it
Scotland is quite a big country. Distance from Birmingham to the border
near Carlisle is about 200 miles. From there to John O'Groats is 360
miles, and from John O'Groats to the north of Shetland a further 200 miles.
I know that knowledge of Scottish geography is poor to non-existent in > England (especially, it would seem, amongst competitors on University
Challenge), but can they not do better than this?
On 2025/11/4 9:1:17, John Armstrong wrote:
Why is it beyond the wit and imagination of the benighted Archers
scriptwriters to come up with a location (even vague) of the castle in
"Scotland" which they keep going on about?
Scotland is quite a big country. Distance from Birmingham to the border
near Carlisle is about 200 miles. From there to John O'Groats is 360
miles, and from John O'Groats to the north of Shetland a further 200 miles. >>
I know that knowledge of Scottish geography is poor to non-existent in
England (especially, it would seem, amongst competitors on University
Challenge), but can they not do better than this?
I presume it's at least in part deliberate, to stop people Googling it
and then picking holes in the script. Even just giving an area would
have people homing in - I don't suppose there are _that_ many castles-for-hire in any given region.
Yes, it would be nice to know what area. Sadly, the internet being what
it now is (including UMRA!), they probably feel they can't.
Why is it beyond the wit and imagination of the benighted Archers scriptwriters to come up with a location (even vague) of the castle in "Scotland" which they keep going on about?
Scotland is quite a big country. Distance from Birmingham to the border
near Carlisle is about 200 miles. From there to John O'Groats is 360
miles, and from John O'Groats to the north of Shetland a further 200 miles.
I know that knowledge of Scottish geography is poor to non-existent in England (especially, it would seem, amongst competitors on University Challenge), but can they not do better than this?
On 04/11/2025 09:01, John Armstrong wrote:
Why is it beyond the wit and imagination of the benighted Archers
scriptwriters to come up with a location (even vague) of the castle in
"Scotland" which they keep going on about?
Scotland is quite a big country. Distance from Birmingham to the
border near Carlisle is about 200 miles. From there to John O'Groats
is 360 miles, and from John O'Groats to the north of Shetland a
further 200 miles.
I know that knowledge of Scottish geography is poor to non-existent in
England (especially, it would seem, amongst competitors on University
Challenge), but can they not do better than this?
I assume you're following the M90 to John O'Groats and not as the crow flies?
In fairness they're equally as vague when discussing any location in Birmingham, Bulgaria or even Ambridge itself (have you ever tried to
draw a map of Ambridge based on the storylines over the past few
decades?). I wouldn't take it as a slight on Scotland. I am about 18
months behind but I wouldn't expect anything more detailed than N/S/E/W Scotland. I am now intrigued about why they're at a Scottish castle
(however vague it may be).
On 04/11/2025 09:01, John Armstrong wrote:
Why is it beyond the wit and imagination of the benighted Archers
scriptwriters to come up with a location (even vague) of the castle in
"Scotland" which they keep going on about?
Scotland is quite a big country. Distance from Birmingham to the
border near Carlisle is about 200 miles. From there to John O'Groats
is 360 miles, and from John O'Groats to the north of Shetland a
further 200 miles.
I know that knowledge of Scottish geography is poor to non-existent in
England (especially, it would seem, amongst competitors on University
Challenge), but can they not do better than this?
I assume you're following the M90 to John O'Groats and not as the crow flies?
In fairness they're equally as vague when discussing any location in Birmingham, Bulgaria or even Ambridge itself (have you ever tried to
draw a map of Ambridge based on the storylines over the past few
decades?).
I wouldn't take it as a slight on Scotland. I am about 18
months behind but I wouldn't expect anything more detailed than N/S/E/
W Scotland. I am now intrigued about why they're at a Scottish castle (however vague it may be).
On 04/11/2025 09:17, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
On 2025/11/4 9:1:17, John Armstrong wrote:
Why is it beyond the wit and imagination of the benighted Archers
scriptwriters to come up with a location (even vague) of the castle in
"Scotland" which they keep going on about?
Scotland is quite a big country. Distance from Birmingham to the border
near Carlisle is about 200 miles. From there to John O'Groats is 360
miles, and from John O'Groats to the north of Shetland a further 200 miles. >>>
I know that knowledge of Scottish geography is poor to non-existent in
England (especially, it would seem, amongst competitors on University>>> Challenge), but can they not do better than this?
I presume it's at least in part deliberate, to stop people Googling it>> and then picking holes in the script. Even just giving an area would
have people homing in - I don't suppose there are _that_ many
castles-for-hire in any given region.
Yes, it would be nice to know what area. Sadly, the internet being what
it now is (including UMRA!), they probably feel they can't.
There are a LOT of castles available to rent in Scotland, either in bits
or entire. Unless you're a sheik it's one of the only ways you can
ensure adequate income to keep the place up.
M90 doesn't go to John O'Groats. There are no motorways north of Perth, where the M90 ends. But following the main roads, (A74(M), M74, M73,
M80, M9, then A9 from Dunblane) yes.
No spoilers from me, if you're 18 months behind! All will become clear
as you catch up.
On 04/11/2025 12:13, Vela025 wrote:
On 04/11/2025 09:01, John Armstrong wrote:
Why is it beyond the wit and imagination of the benighted Archers
scriptwriters to come up with a location (even vague) of the castle
in "Scotland" which they keep going on about?
Scotland is quite a big country. Distance from Birmingham to the
border near Carlisle is about 200 miles. From there to John O'Groats
is 360 miles, and from John O'Groats to the north of Shetland a
further 200 miles.
I know that knowledge of Scottish geography is poor to non-existent
in England (especially, it would seem, amongst competitors on
University Challenge), but can they not do better than this?
I assume you're following the M90 to John O'Groats and not as the crow
flies?
In fairness they're equally as vague when discussing any location in
Birmingham, Bulgaria or even Ambridge itself (have you ever tried to
draw a map of Ambridge based on the storylines over the past few
decades?). I wouldn't take it as a slight on Scotland. I am about 18
months behind but I wouldn't expect anything more detailed than N/S/E/
W Scotland. I am now intrigued about why they're at a Scottish castle
(however vague it may be).
Hello Vela, are you new ?-a Welcome, or welcome back...
Whatever, you are now an umrat, and can't just sail away.
Thank you for the kind welcome, I'm what would normally be described as
a lurker. I've listened to the Archers for a few decades but I'm a
little behind at the moment. In terms of Usenet, it's very new to me and
I seem only able to reply via a followup rather than a reply in
Thunderbird, which appears to sub-divide the thread so apologies whist I
get to grips with it.
Thank you for the kind welcome, I'm what would normally be described as(Before 1985 in my case, as my .sig line shows.)
a lurker. I've listened to the Archers for a few decades but I'm a
little behind at the moment. In terms of Usenet, it's very new to me andAs Joe Kerr said, nice to hear from someone _joining_ usenet
I seem only able to reply via a followup rather than a reply in
Thunderbird, which appears to sub-divide the thread so apologies whist I
get to grips with it.
On 05/11/2025 08:54, John Armstrong wrote:
M90 doesn't go to John O'Groats. There are no motorways north of
Perth, where the M90 ends. But following the main roads, (A74(M), M74,
M73, M80, M9, then A9 from Dunblane) yes.
Yes, I was just trying to work out if you were using the Queensferry Crossing or going around Glasgow. We normally end up going via the M90
as we will usually pop in to my Aunts in Edinburgh on the 11 hours to
Gills Bay. I was hoping you knew a secret shortcut that only the Scots
know.
On 04/11/2025 12:37, BrritSki wrote:
On 04/11/2025 12:13, Vela025 wrote:
On 04/11/2025 09:01, John Armstrong wrote:
Why is it beyond the wit and imagination of the benighted Archers
scriptwriters to come up with a location (even vague) of the castle
in "Scotland" which they keep going on about?
Scotland is quite a big country. Distance from Birmingham to the
border near Carlisle is about 200 miles. From there to John O'Groats
is 360 miles, and from John O'Groats to the north of Shetland a
further 200 miles.
I know that knowledge of Scottish geography is poor to non-existent
in England (especially, it would seem, amongst competitors on
University Challenge), but can they not do better than this?
I assume you're following the M90 to John O'Groats and not as the
crow flies?
In fairness they're equally as vague when discussing any location in
Birmingham, Bulgaria or even Ambridge itself (have you ever tried to
draw a map of Ambridge based on the storylines over the past few
decades?). I wouldn't take it as a slight on Scotland. I am about 18
months behind but I wouldn't expect anything more detailed than N/S/
E/ W Scotland. I am now intrigued about why they're at a Scottish
castle (however vague it may be).
Hello Vela, are you new ?-a Welcome, or welcome back...
Whatever, you are now an umrat, and can't just sail away.
Thank you for the kind welcome, I'm what would normally be described as
a lurker. I've listened to the Archers for a few decades but I'm a
little behind at the moment. In terms of Usenet, it's very new to me and
I seem only able to reply via a followup rather than a reply in
Thunderbird, which appears to sub-divide the thread so apologies whist I
get to grips with it.
On 04/11/2025 12:13, Vela025 wrote:
On 04/11/2025 09:01, John Armstrong wrote:
Why is it beyond the wit and imagination of the benighted Archers
scriptwriters to come up with a location (even vague) of the castle in
"Scotland" which they keep going on about?
Scotland is quite a big country. Distance from Birmingham to the
border near Carlisle is about 200 miles. From there to John O'Groats
is 360 miles, and from John O'Groats to the north of Shetland a
further 200 miles.
I know that knowledge of Scottish geography is poor to non-existent in
England (especially, it would seem, amongst competitors on University
Challenge), but can they not do better than this?
I assume you're following the M90 to John O'Groats and not as the crow
flies?
In fairness they're equally as vague when discussing any location in
Birmingham, Bulgaria or even Ambridge itself (have you ever tried to
draw a map of Ambridge based on the storylines over the past few
decades?). I wouldn't take it as a slight on Scotland. I am about 18
months behind but I wouldn't expect anything more detailed than N/S/E/W
Scotland. I am now intrigued about why they're at a Scottish castle
(however vague it may be).
Hello Vela, are you new ? Welcome, or welcome back...
Whatever, you are now an umrat, and can't just sail away.
BrritSki <rtilbury@gmail.com> wrote:
On 04/11/2025 12:13, Vela025 wrote:Hi Vela. YouAll need to have listened to the plot where Peggy Woolley dies
On 04/11/2025 09:01, John Armstrong wrote:
Why is it beyond the wit and imagination of the benighted Archers
scriptwriters to come up with a location (even vague) of the castle in >>>> "Scotland" which they keep going on about?
Scotland is quite a big country. Distance from Birmingham to the
border near Carlisle is about 200 miles. From there to John O'Groats
is 360 miles, and from John O'Groats to the north of Shetland a
further 200 miles.
I know that knowledge of Scottish geography is poor to non-existent in >>>> England (especially, it would seem, amongst competitors on University >>>> Challenge), but can they not do better than this?
I assume you're following the M90 to John O'Groats and not as the crow
flies?
In fairness they're equally as vague when discussing any location in
Birmingham, Bulgaria or even Ambridge itself (have you ever tried to
draw a map of Ambridge based on the storylines over the past few
decades?). I wouldn't take it as a slight on Scotland. I am about 18
months behind but I wouldn't expect anything more detailed than N/S/E/W >>> Scotland. I am now intrigued about why they're at a Scottish castle
(however vague it may be).
Hello Vela, are you new ? Welcome, or welcome back...
Whatever, you are now an umrat, and can't just sail away.
to find out why thereAs a story about a castle in Scotland first. :)
Chris aka Mrs McToodles
On Tue, 11 Nov 2025 21:59:23 -0000 (UTC), Chris
<chris.mcmillan@ntlworld.com> wrote:
BrritSki <rtilbury@gmail.com> wrote:
On 04/11/2025 12:13, Vela025 wrote:Hi Vela. YourCOll need to have listened to the plot where Peggy Woolley
On 04/11/2025 09:01, John Armstrong wrote:
Why is it beyond the wit and imagination of the benighted Archers
scriptwriters to come up with a location (even vague) of the castle in >>>>> "Scotland" which they keep going on about?
Scotland is quite a big country. Distance from Birmingham to the
border near Carlisle is about 200 miles. From there to John O'Groats >>>>> is 360 miles, and from John O'Groats to the north of Shetland a
further 200 miles.
I know that knowledge of Scottish geography is poor to non-existent in >>>>> England (especially, it would seem, amongst competitors on University >>>>> Challenge), but can they not do better than this?
I assume you're following the M90 to John O'Groats and not as the crow >>>> flies?
In fairness they're equally as vague when discussing any location in
Birmingham, Bulgaria or even Ambridge itself (have you ever tried to
draw a map of Ambridge based on the storylines over the past few
decades?). I wouldn't take it as a slight on Scotland. I am about 18
months behind but I wouldn't expect anything more detailed than N/S/E/W >>>> Scotland. I am now intrigued about why they're at a Scottish castle
(however vague it may be).
Hello Vela, are you new ? Welcome, or welcome back...
Whatever, you are now an umrat, and can't just sail away.
REDACTED to find out why thererCOs a story about REDACTED :)
Chris aka Mrs McToodles
I think I must have missed all that too, Chris. Any chance of a quick synopsis? (Hello Vela.)
On Tue, 11 Nov 2025 21:59:23 -0000 (UTC), Chris
<chris.mcmillan@ntlworld.com> wrote:
BrritSki <rtilbury@gmail.com> wrote:
On 04/11/2025 12:13, Vela025 wrote:Hi Vela. You-All need to have listened to the plot where Peggy Woolley dies >> to find out why there-As a story about a castle in Scotland first. :)
On 04/11/2025 09:01, John Armstrong wrote:
Why is it beyond the wit and imagination of the benighted Archers
scriptwriters to come up with a location (even vague) of the castle in >>>>> "Scotland" which they keep going on about?
Scotland is quite a big country. Distance from Birmingham to the
border near Carlisle is about 200 miles. From there to John O'Groats >>>>> is 360 miles, and from John O'Groats to the north of Shetland a
further 200 miles.
I know that knowledge of Scottish geography is poor to non-existent in >>>>> England (especially, it would seem, amongst competitors on University >>>>> Challenge), but can they not do better than this?
I assume you're following the M90 to John O'Groats and not as the crow >>>> flies?
In fairness they're equally as vague when discussing any location in
Birmingham, Bulgaria or even Ambridge itself (have you ever tried to
draw a map of Ambridge based on the storylines over the past few
decades?). I wouldn't take it as a slight on Scotland. I am about 18
months behind but I wouldn't expect anything more detailed than N/S/E/W >>>> Scotland. I am now intrigued about why they're at a Scottish castle
(however vague it may be).
Hello Vela, are you new ? Welcome, or welcome back...
Whatever, you are now an umrat, and can't just sail away.
Chris aka Mrs McToodles
I think I must have missed all that too, Chris. Any chance of a quick synopsis? (Hello Vela.)
Nick
Nick Odell <nickodell49@yahoo.ca> wrote:
On Tue, 11 Nov 2025 21:59:23 -0000 (UTC), Chris
<chris.mcmillan@ntlworld.com> wrote:
BrritSki <rtilbury@gmail.com> wrote:
On 04/11/2025 12:13, Vela025 wrote:Hi Vela. You?ll need to have listened to the plot where Peggy Woolley dies >>> to find out why there?s a story about a castle in Scotland first. :)
On 04/11/2025 09:01, John Armstrong wrote:
Why is it beyond the wit and imagination of the benighted Archers >>>>>> scriptwriters to come up with a location (even vague) of the castle in >>>>>> "Scotland" which they keep going on about?
Scotland is quite a big country. Distance from Birmingham to the
border near Carlisle is about 200 miles. From there to John O'Groats >>>>>> is 360 miles, and from John O'Groats to the north of Shetland a
further 200 miles.
I know that knowledge of Scottish geography is poor to non-existent in >>>>>> England (especially, it would seem, amongst competitors on University >>>>>> Challenge), but can they not do better than this?
I assume you're following the M90 to John O'Groats and not as the crow >>>>> flies?
In fairness they're equally as vague when discussing any location in >>>>> Birmingham, Bulgaria or even Ambridge itself (have you ever tried to >>>>> draw a map of Ambridge based on the storylines over the past few
decades?). I wouldn't take it as a slight on Scotland. I am about 18 >>>>> months behind but I wouldn't expect anything more detailed than N/S/E/W >>>>> Scotland. I am now intrigued about why they're at a Scottish castle >>>>> (however vague it may be).
Hello Vela, are you new ? Welcome, or welcome back...
Whatever, you are now an umrat, and can't just sail away.
Chris aka Mrs McToodles
I think I must have missed all that too, Chris. Any chance of a quick
synopsis? (Hello Vela.)
Nick
Peggoi left a vast sum in her Will for everyone had to go away together >within a year of her death. And she meant everyone - but those not taking >their children out of school are quite right not to. I canAt recall if it >was also a minimum number of days or what.
BrritSki <rtilbury@gmail.com> wrote:
On 04/11/2025 12:13, Vela025 wrote:Hi Vela. YourCOll need to have listened to the plot where Peggy Woolley dies to find out why thererCOs a story about a castle in Scotland first. :)
On 04/11/2025 09:01, John Armstrong wrote:
Why is it beyond the wit and imagination of the benighted Archers
scriptwriters to come up with a location (even vague) of the castle in >>>> "Scotland" which they keep going on about?
Scotland is quite a big country. Distance from Birmingham to the
border near Carlisle is about 200 miles. From there to John O'Groats
is 360 miles, and from John O'Groats to the north of Shetland a
further 200 miles.
I know that knowledge of Scottish geography is poor to non-existent in >>>> England (especially, it would seem, amongst competitors on University
Challenge), but can they not do better than this?
I assume you're following the M90 to John O'Groats and not as the crow
flies?
In fairness they're equally as vague when discussing any location in
Birmingham, Bulgaria or even Ambridge itself (have you ever tried to
draw a map of Ambridge based on the storylines over the past few
decades?). I wouldn't take it as a slight on Scotland. I am about 18
months behind but I wouldn't expect anything more detailed than N/S/E/W
Scotland. I am now intrigued about why they're at a Scottish castle
(however vague it may be).
Hello Vela, are you new ? Welcome, or welcome back...
Whatever, you are now an umrat, and can't just sail away.
Chris aka Mrs McToodles
On 11/11/2025 21:59, Chris wrote:
BrritSki <rtilbury@gmail.com> wrote:Thanks I'm a fair bit away from there as yet, for me Peggy has just
On 04/11/2025 12:13, Vela025 wrote:Hi Vela. YourCOll need to have listened to the plot where Peggy Woolley dies >> to find out why thererCOs a story about a castle in Scotland first. :)
On 04/11/2025 09:01, John Armstrong wrote:
Why is it beyond the wit and imagination of the benighted Archers
scriptwriters to come up with a location (even vague) of the castle in >>>>> "Scotland" which they keep going on about?
Scotland is quite a big country. Distance from Birmingham to the
border near Carlisle is about 200 miles. From there to John O'Groats >>>>> is 360 miles, and from John O'Groats to the north of Shetland a
further 200 miles.
I know that knowledge of Scottish geography is poor to non-existent in >>>>> England (especially, it would seem, amongst competitors on University >>>>> Challenge), but can they not do better than this?
I assume you're following the M90 to John O'Groats and not as the crow >>>> flies?
In fairness they're equally as vague when discussing any location in
Birmingham, Bulgaria or even Ambridge itself (have you ever tried to
draw a map of Ambridge based on the storylines over the past few
decades?). I wouldn't take it as a slight on Scotland. I am about 18
months behind but I wouldn't expect anything more detailed than N/S/E/W >>>> Scotland. I am now intrigued about why they're at a Scottish castle
(however vague it may be).
Hello Vela, are you new ? Welcome, or welcome back...
Whatever, you are now an umrat, and can't just sail away.
Chris aka Mrs McToodles
moved in to The Laurels.
Vela025 <vela025@sdf.org> wrote:
On 11/11/2025 21:59, Chris wrote:
BrritSki <rtilbury@gmail.com> wrote:Thanks I'm a fair bit away from there as yet, for me Peggy has just
On 04/11/2025 12:13, Vela025 wrote:Hi Vela. YourCOll need to have listened to the plot where Peggy Woolley dies
On 04/11/2025 09:01, John Armstrong wrote:
Why is it beyond the wit and imagination of the benighted Archers
scriptwriters to come up with a location (even vague) of the castle in >>>>>> "Scotland" which they keep going on about?
Scotland is quite a big country. Distance from Birmingham to the
border near Carlisle is about 200 miles. From there to John O'Groats >>>>>> is 360 miles, and from John O'Groats to the north of Shetland a
further 200 miles.
I know that knowledge of Scottish geography is poor to non-existent in >>>>>> England (especially, it would seem, amongst competitors on University >>>>>> Challenge), but can they not do better than this?
I assume you're following the M90 to John O'Groats and not as the crow >>>>> flies?
In fairness they're equally as vague when discussing any location in >>>>> Birmingham, Bulgaria or even Ambridge itself (have you ever tried to >>>>> draw a map of Ambridge based on the storylines over the past few
decades?). I wouldn't take it as a slight on Scotland. I am about 18 >>>>> months behind but I wouldn't expect anything more detailed than N/S/E/W >>>>> Scotland. I am now intrigued about why they're at a Scottish castle
(however vague it may be).
Hello Vela, are you new ? Welcome, or welcome back...
Whatever, you are now an umrat, and can't just sail away.
to find out why thererCOs a story about a castle in Scotland first. :)
Chris aka Mrs McToodles
moved in to The Laurels.
CanrCOt even remember when that was! Pre covid I think.
Mrs McT
haha no I'm not that far behind! Just checked the date of the last
omnibus I listened to it was 21/01/24.
About haw rapidly are you catching up - assuming it's omnibi, how many a week? Just wondering when you'll get caught up. When you do, do you
think you'll be an omnivore (only listen to the omnibus), or a daily? I
used to be mainly an omnivore - not sure what triggered my change.
(Possibly retirement/redundancy.)
I'm a gardener, so consumption changes depending on the weather or how > many appointments I have. It fits in the mix with quite a few other
podcasts and catalogue of radio dramas/plays. I would estimate around
2-3 omnibus a week so with regards to The Archers I'm an omnivore. Years
ago I used to be a daily on the drive back from work but those days are behind me...thankfully!
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