Scottish Island Adventures

In part two of our special, Tony Kearney meets the people who make every trip on Caledonian MacBrayne special. Demzy Salazar will be familiar to you from the BBC's lovely Island Crossings documentary, as the steward's genuine warmth and commitment to making the day of his passenger made him a stand-out subject. Demzy takes us behind the scenes for a more in-depth chat about his life, his ethos, and how his upbringing in the Philippines changed the way he views a life at sea.

Thank you for listening to the Caledonian MacBrayne podcast. To find out more about Scotland’s west coast islands and all of the topics covered in this series, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CalMac.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Tony Kearney meets the people who make every trip on Caledonian MacBrayne special. Apprentice rating Xanthe Thompson, Chief Officer Harvey Finney, and Customer Information Specialist Holly McFarlane take us behind the scenes of CalMac.

Thank you for listening to the Caledonian MacBrayne podcast. To find out more about Scotland’s west coast islands and all of the topics covered in this series, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CalMac.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Tony Kearney welcomes Ally Heather, known to thousands of Scots as Historic Ally, to Scottish Island Adventures. The two history buffs chat about how a trip to the islands can be an incredible opportunity to step back in time and experience the majestic history of the Scottish Western Isles. Join them to find out how to make the most out of your next adventure to the Western Isles.

Thank you for listening to the Caledonian MacBrayne podcast. To find out more about Scotland’s west coast islands and all of the topics covered in this series, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CalMac.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Tony Kearney welcomes Moa Reynolds, better known to her thousands of social media followers as the Swedish Whisky Girl, to Scottish Island Adventures. They chat about how a trip to the islands comes with a plethora of whisky treats with incredible distilleries and opportunities to sample the flavours of the islands. Join them to find out how to make the most out of your next adventure to the Western Isles.

Thank you for listening to the Caledonian MacBrayne podcast. To find out more about Scotland’s west coast islands and all of the topics covered in this series, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠CalMac.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Tony Kearney welcomes Finlay Wilson, better known to his thousands of social media followers as The Kilted Yogi, to Scottish Island Adventures. They chat about how a trip to the islands can benefit your health and wellness, and how to make the most out of your next adventure to the Western Isles.

Thank you for listening to the Caledonian MacBrayne podcast. To find out more about Scotland’s west coast islands and all of the topics covered in this series, visit ⁠⁠⁠CalMac.co.uk⁠⁠⁠.

Tony Kearney welcomes David Dinsley, wildlife photographer extraordinaire and ranger at The Oa Nature Reserve on Islay, to Scottish Island Adventures. They chat about all things wildlife spotting, and how you can make the most out of your next adventure to the Western Isles.

Thank you for listening to the Caledonian MacBrayne podcast. To find out more about Scotland’s west coast islands and all of the topics covered in this series, visit ⁠⁠CalMac.co.uk⁠⁠.

Tony Kearney sits down with The Hillwalking Hijabi, Zahrah Mahmood MBE, the outgoing President of Ramblers Scotland, to find out about all of the amazing ways you can get outdoors on Scotland's western islands on your next island adventure!

Thank you for listening to the Caledonian MacBrayne podcast. To find out more about Scotland’s west coast islands and all of the topics covered in this series, visit ⁠CalMac.co.uk⁠.

Scottish Island Adventures returns with new voices, new perspectives, and a new presenter! Tony Kearney takes us on a journey into the history of Scotland’s west coast ferries in this very special episode to celebrate 175 years of the David MacBrayne, Hutcheson and Caledonian MacBrayne fleets.

Find out about the TS King Edward, a pioneering turbine vessel, the SS Lochgarry, a workhorse lost on a stormy night, and the MV Columba, the most unlikely refuge in the face of nuclear war.

Thank you for listening to the Caledonian MacBrayne podcast. To find out more about Scotland’s west coast islands and all of the topics covered in this series, visit CalMac.co.uk.

Tiree and Coll

Tiree and Coll are two nearby islands in the Inner Hebrides. Popular for watersports and the Tiree Music Festival, Tiree is also famous for its pristine beaches and traditionally thatched lime-washed houses. Just across the water, the tranquil Isle of Coll has a small community of 171 residents and boasts a rich variety of flora, fauna, and beautiful landscapes of thriving machair.

Tiree Tea

Local favourite Tiree Tea offers unique blends of tea inspired by the Hebrides for each and every occasion, and is served across the CalMac fleet. Try the strong “crofter” tea to start your day before exploring the island!

Wild Diamond Watersports

Wild Diamond Watersports offers windsurfing, kitesurfing, paddleboarding, surfing and kayaking on Tiree. The range of beaches on the island offer world class conditions to suit every level from beginner to expert and the strong Atlantic winds of the Hebrides have put Tiree on the map as a watersports destination - just ask surfing champion Ben Larg, who hails from the island.

Tiree Music Festival

The annual Tiree Music Festival happens in July against the backdrop of the island’s pristine beaches. Drawing in visitors from near and far, the festival contemporary acts with traditional Scottish music.

Thank you for listening to the Caledonian MacBrayne podcast. To find out more about Scotland’s west coast islands and all topics discussed on this episode, visit the CalMac website.

Islands Off Islands (Raasay and Iona)

Scottish Island Adventures - Raasay - and Iona with hosts Coinneach Macleod, the Hebridean Baker, singer-songwriter Natalie Galloway, and guest Ailidh Lennon

Raasay and Iona

Raasay and Iona are islands off islands. Raasay is reachable by a 15 minute ferry from Sconser on Skye. The island is known for its whisky and is dominated by Dun Caan - a distinctive flat-topped mountain. The sacred island of Iona - despite its small size - draws in visitors from across the world because of its historical and spiritual significance. Iona is accessible by a foot passenger ferry from Fionnphort on Mull.

Raasay Distillery

The Isle of Raasay Distillery emerged from centuries of illicit whisky distilling. It now offers guided tours of the whisky making process, luxury overnight accommodation, and a chance to sample the signature Raasay single malt, while taking in rugged views of Skye across the water.

Iona Abbey

Iona Abbey is one of Scotland’s most important spiritual sites. Established in AD 563 by St. Columba, the abbey was significant in the spreading of Christianity across the west of Scotland and has been a center for pilgrimage for centuries!

Thank you for listening to the Caledonian MacBrayne podcast. To find out more about Scotland’s west coast islands and all topics discussed on this episode, visit the CalMac website.