Interview with Liz Dale discussing Suffragette General Flora Drummond

The suffragette movement is rightly remembered as a huge turning point in the way women were both perceived and treated within society. In this interview, Joni Keen interviews islander Liz Dale who discusses many topics including the life of Flora Drummond who was brought up on the isle of Arran and who went on to make a huge contribution to women across the United Kingdom.

Working for L'Oréal in New York & Running A Store On Arran. What’s The Difference?

Many of us think of leaving the rat race and setting up shop in a rural idyll but few actually realise this dream and face up to the reality. Not so when it comes to Claire Reeves. Claire was living and working at L'Oréal in New York after emigrating to America in 1998 from London, England in her twenties. Now, she lives on Arran and runs the Bay Kitchen & Stores business with her husband Stuart who although born in Glasgow, was a frequent visitor to Arran in his youth. This is the story of Claire’s journey in her own words as she talks about London, New York, big business and the problems of getting locally produced goat milk and potatoes on Arran!

Caledonian MacBrayne’s Man From Iran To Arran

It’s fair to say that Caledonian MacBrayne, or Calmac as it’s commonly referred to is a huge part of island life. The ferries that dock in Arran from the mainland of Scotland not only bring visitors which has a huge positive economic impact, but also crucial supplies that most people just take for granted. In this episode, I talk with Jay Shibel who originates from Iran and has nothing but pride in the job he does helping keep Arran and many other Scottish island connected to the Scottish mainland. His story and thoughts are a wonderful addition to this podcast as we learn about Jay’s life, Calmac and shipping all on-board the Arran ferry.

Japanese Design & Arran Potter Simon Thorburn

Can there be anything more hypnotic than watching a potter at work at the potter’s wheel? Simon Thorburn has been working as a potter since the 1980’s on Arran. His work is known around the world. Not only due to his incredible artistry, but also the phenomenal interest he has gained through his Youtube video exposure. In this interview Simon discusses his life before Arran and how he got into pottery. He also talks about the process of making his products and his Japanese inspired design ideas for decorating them.

Keeping Arran’s Baking Tradition Alive and Kicking

Although not originally from Arran, Lindsay Keir has spent decades on the island bringing up a family and building a business that is known not only in Arran and across Scotland, but throughout Europe. The company also exports their delicious oatcakes and baking goods to as far afield as America and is now exploring export to China. Joni Keen talks about this and Lindsay’s life on the island with his family and friends.

Entrepreneurial Spirit With Scotland’s Larder

Alastair Dobson is Arran through and through having actually been born on the island, he left at aged sixteen only to return and continue the work of his parents building up their milk and dairy business. Alastair was one of the driving forces being the formation of 'A Taste of Arran', a brand that he discusses in the following podcast with Joni. Alastair also talks about an area of concern on Arran, that of affordable housing. Alastair is working with various agencies to see how this problem for the island can be addressed.

Business, Human Rights and Suzanne Vega

Fred Shortland lives in Lochranza, one of the most beautiful parts of the island of Arran. Having visited the Holy Isle just off Arran, Fred and his wife then looked at Arran as a potential place to retire. Although 'retired' Fred is still very busy with his business which he runs from Arran as well as continuing to work for and with the popular and world famous song smith Suzanne Vega. In this interview, Fred discusses not only moving and living on Arran, but his work in the field of human rights as well as his involvement with the 'Justice For Kirsty Campaign'. Full of light and shade, this podcast will have you riveted from the start as Fred tells his at times incredible, but moving story of his life and work.

Casa Alianza is part of the Compass Children’s Charity.

Visit the Justice For Kirsty Campaign.

Having known Heather for a long time, interviewing her was just really having a chat with an old friend. Heather is well known on the island for her beautiful artwork and music. As well as keeping busy with her incredible artistic creations, Heather also teaches and performs the Clarsach (a Scottish harp). I love the sound of this so much I asked Heather if I could use a small part of her playing on all my podcasts. I was delighted she said yes.

Heather and her husband Les are very talented and industrious people and this will come across in the podcast you are about to hear. As well as Heather’s beautiful Clarsach playing, I’ll be asking her about the various ways she creates art, her gigs and the wonderful candles that Les creates. So, I hope you enjoy listening to my interview with Heather Macleod.

“My art has a light and a dark side to it.

I love to paint landscapes on silk. The vibrancy of the colours in the dyes are like nothing else I can create with other mediums. Inspired by the views of Arran, mountains, forest, seascape and machair, the inspiration is endless.

My darker Steampunk Creations, which mostly involve musical instruments and clock pieces or engine parts, is a very 3D style with interesting shapes and textures. It’s exciting to interlace wood, copper, brass and slate into a collage of colours and density.”