Episode 1

Someone is looking for a thorn-free zone. Meanwhile Irene Pollok's creativity reaps rewards.

Quirky tales and 'goings on' in Edinburgh's Georgian New Town.

The return of Alexander McCall Smith's much-loved characters from his bestselling series of books.

Bertie Pollok, Edinburgh's most hot housed seven year-old receives a rare respite from his weekly Italian, yoga and psychotherapy sessions. Could it be that his ambitious mother Irene is otherwise engaged?

There's also constitutional trouble brewing at the Association of Scottish Nudists, and café owner, Big Lou's romantic life is in danger of hitting a discordant note.

Angus Lordie ...... Crawford Logan
Domenica ...... Carol Ann Crawford
Big Lou ...... Anita Vettesse
Irene ...... Emma Currie
Bertie ...... Simon Kerr
Secretary ...... Richard Conlon
Torquil Maclean ...... James Bryce

Dramatised by Alexander McCall Smith.

Director: David Ian Neville

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2017.