This Is Islay

This Is Islay is a community podcast celebrating the people, places, events and connections which shape the Hebridean island communities of Islay and Jura. Our goal is to use podcasting to foster community involvement, education and training, providing resources and facilities to research, produce and promote content for a worldwide audience. We collaborate with Islay High School, and with MYFOS and their programmes in support of local young people. We actively seek volunteers to join our podcasting team. Contact us at e-mail: [email protected]. Follow on Twitter & Facebook @ThisIsIslay .

In this episode, we hear holiday greetings from various members of the This Is Islay team, and we talk to Joanne Hamilton about the Bowmore Christmas Party committee and their special activities for youngsters around Christmas.

We wish all our listeners the very best for Christmas and the other holidays at this time of year.  We also thank all of our guest hosts, our interview guests, and all musicians, artists and authors who have blessed the airwaves through This Is Islay.  We look forward to 2022 and a fresh new year of podcasting on and around Islay and Jura.

This is Episode 11 of This Is Islay, a volunteer-led podcast celebrating the people, places, events and connections which shape the Hebridean island communities of Islay and Jura.

This is a special COP26 episode hosted by Tom O'Farrell and Jolyon Thurgood and features:

· Glen Roberts in conversation with the founders of the Islay Times, a newspaper project based at Islay High School .

· Glen Roberts talking with Islay High School students about their school class project

· Jolyon Thurgood in conversation with Dietmar Finger discussing the recent exhibit at the Gaelic Centre in Bowmore, triggered by the COP26 event in Glasgow and Dietmar's own interest in environmental issues.

The goal of This Is Islay is to use podcasting to foster community involvement, education and training, providing resources and facilities to research, produce and promote content for a worldwide audience. We collaborate with Islay High School through the support of their staff and access to their recording facilities, and are working closely with MYFOS to involve the young people of Islay in digital media and podcasting.

We invite you to provide feedback, ideas, or even join our podcasting team.  Find us at https://www.thisisislay.co.uk .  Let us know what you enjoyed and what you would like to hear next month.  Contact us by e-mail: [email protected] and follow us on Twitter @thisisislay, on Facebook @thisisislay and Instagram @thisisislaypodcast.

Our theme music is '£50 Cashback' from The Fraser Shaw Trust.  Keep up to date on Islay Sessions and the work of the Trust in support of the relief of multiple sclerosis at https://frasershawtrust.com .

This is Episode 10 of This Is Islay, a volunteer-led podcast celebrating the people, places, events and connections which shape the Hebridean island communities of Islay and Jura.

This month’s podcast is hosted by Jasmine Middleton and Jolyon Thurgood and features:

· Glen Roberts in conversation with Georgina Reid, Corporate Affairs Regional Manager for Scottish Water, discussing their major project on Islay which will update and replace water mains in Bowmore over the next 15 months.

· Conversations with the organiser Laura MacInnes and with participants in the Run the Runway event which took place on October 3 2021 at Islay Airport, and which raised funds in support of Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance.

· An update on the official opening of the Lochindaal Way, the dual-use pathway between Port Charlotte and Bruichladdich, and

· Updates on upcoming events on Islay and Jura.

The goal of This Is Islay is to use podcasting to foster community involvement, education and training, providing resources and facilities to research, produce and promote content for a worldwide audience. We collaborate with Islay High School through the support of their staff and access to their recording facilities, and are working closely with MYFOS to involve the young people of Islay in digital media and podcasting.

We invite you to provide feedback, ideas, or even join our podcasting team.  Find us at https://www.thisisislay.co.uk .  Let us know what you enjoyed and what you would like to hear next month.  Contact us by e-mail: [email protected] and follow us on Twitter @thisisislay, on Facebook @thisisislay and Instagram @thisisislaypodcast.

More about this month's podcast:

Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance supports rural communities across Scotland and is well supported by Islay and Jura.  You can find out more SCAA and how to support them at www.scaa.org.uk.

You can learn more about Scottish Water's Bowmore Improvement Project at https://www.scottishwater.co.uk/In-Your-Area/Investments-in-Your-Area/010921-Bowmore-Investment . From this page you can also learn more about their Virtual Platform which gives you access to all updates and information about the project, including how to report a problem.

Sign up for the Virtual Platform directly by visiting https://catalyst.eventsair.com/bowmore-water-mains-improvements/register-your-interest/Site/Register 

Our theme music is '£50 Cashback' from The Fraser Shaw Trust.  Keep up to date on Islay Sessions and the work of the Trust in support of the relief of multiple sclerosis at https://frasershawtrust.com .

This is Episode 9 of This Is Islay, a volunteer-led podcast celebrating the people, places, events and connections which shape the Hebridean island communities of Islay and Jura.

This month’s podcast is hosted by Larah McKay and Jasmine Middleton and features:

· Glen Roberts in conversation with Lord George Robertson of Port Ellen about his new book of photography “Islay – A Personal Portrait of the Island”,

· News of the partnership between This Is Islay and Mactaggart Youth and Families Outreach Services (MYFOS) to involve young people of Islay, and

· A special mini-podcast put together by MYFOS participants, featuring local music and recorded at the Cyber Sounds studio in the Cyber building in Port Ellen.

The goal of This Is Islay is to use podcasting to foster community involvement, education and training, providing resources and facilities to research, produce and promote content for a worldwide audience. We collaborate with Islay High School through the support of their staff and access to their recording facilities, and are working closely with MYFOS to involve the young people of Islay in digital media and podcasting.

We invite you to provide feedback, ideas, or even join our podcasting team.  Find us at https://anchor.fm/thisisislay .  Let us know what you enjoyed and what you would like to hear next month.  Contact us by e-mail: [email protected] and follow us on Twitter @thisisislay, on Facebook @thisisislay and Instagram @thisisislaypodcast.

More about this month's podcast:

Lord Robertson’s book “Islay – A Personal Portrait of the Island” featuring landscapes, seascapes and the people of Islay, is available from Roy’s in Bowmore (The Celtic House) and The Blue Letterbox in Port Ellen. All sales proceeds go to the benefit of the Museum of Islay Life in Port Charlotte.

Music featured include

"Mary Had a Little Lamb" performed by Brodie Shakespeare

Music from Steve Martin, and James Edwyn.

Our theme music is '£50 Cashback' from The Fraser Shaw Trust.  Keep up to date on Islay Sessions and the work of the Trust in support of the relief of multiple sclerosis at https://frasershawtrust.com .

This is Episode 8 of This Is Islay, a volunteer-led podcast celebrating the people, places, events and connections of Islay and Jura.

This month’s podcast is hosted by Jolyon Thurgood and features:

· An update from Cantilena – chamber music on Islay – as the 2021 Cantilena Festival goes online,

· A conversation with Les Wilson about his new book “Putting the Tea in Britain”.

The goal of This Is Islay is to use podcasting to foster community involvement, education and training, providing resources and facilities to research, produce and promote content for a worldwide audience. We collaborate with Islay High School through the support of their staff and access to their recording facilities.

We invite you to provide feedback, ideas, or even join our podcasting team.  Find us at https://anchor.fm/thisisislay .  Let us know what you enjoyed and what you would like to hear next month.  Contact us by e-mail: [email protected] and follow us on Twitter @thisisislay, on Facebook @thisisislay and Instagram @thisisislaypodcast.

More about this month's podcast:

Cantilena's virtual concert premieres July 9th 7:30pm at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPz52nJkvOw and will remain there for some time. 

More information on Cantilena and this year’s virtual festival, please visit https://www.cantilenafestival.co.uk or follow them at @CantilenaFestival on Facebook, @on_islay on Twitter.

Les Wilson’s book “Putting the Tea in Britain:” was published by Barlinn in June 2021. Signed copies may be available at Roy’s in Bowmore or rare unsigned editions at booksellers nationally.

Our theme music is '£50 Cashback' from The Fraser Shaw Trust.  Keep up to date on Islay Sessions and the work of the Trust in support of the relief of multiple sclerosis at https://frasershawtrust.com .

This is Episode 7 of This Is Islay, a volunteer-led podcast celebrating the people, places, events and connections of Islay and Jura.

This month’s podcast is hosted by Jolyon Thurgood and features:

· Glen Roberts with Pat McGrann, an update on Islay Community Access Group’s Bruichladdich to Port Charlotte path,

· Russell Pollock interviewing Kathryn MacPherson on all aspects of lambing,

· Dietmar Finger discussing his “Islay Faces” portrait exhibition at the Gaelic Centre in Bowmore.

The goal of This Is Islay is to use podcasting to foster community involvement, education and training, providing resources and facilities to research, produce and promote content for a worldwide audience. We collaborate with Islay High School through the support of their staff and access to their recording facilities.

We invite you to provide feedback, ideas, or even join our podcasting team.  Find us at https://anchor.fm/thisisislay .  Let us know what you enjoyed and what you would like to hear next month.  Contact us by e-mail: [email protected] and follow us on Twitter @thisisislay, on Facebook @thisisislay and Instagram @thisisislaypodcast.

More about this month's podcast:

More information on Dietmar Finger’s work and exhibitions: https://www.fingerpainting.de/

Our theme music is '£50 Cashback' from The Fraser Shaw Trust.  Keep up to date on Islay Sessions and the work of the Trust in support of the relief of multiple sclerosis at https://frasershawtrust.com .

This is Episode 6 of This Is Islay, a volunteer-led podcast celebrating the people, places, events and connections of Islay and Jura.  This month’s podcast is hosted by Gemma MacLean and Jolyon Thurgood and features:

1. Glen Roberts with Larah McKay, Manager at the Mactaggart Youth Community Cybercafe (the "Cyber") together with Orla Campbell and Mara McGillivray of the Youth Forum

2. The Òrain Ìleach Project: Gaelic Songs of Islay by Lynn McDonald and Kenneth Thomson, featuring:

· "Ò Albainn Caoidh" performed by Còisir Ghàidhlig Ìle Islay Gaelic Choir

· Lynn McDonald and Kenneth Thomson in conversation

· "Bheir mi cliu don'eilean mhor" performed by the late Donald MacLeod

3. This month's factoid: National Mòd Gold Medallists

The goal of This Is Islay is to use podcasting to foster community involvement, education and training, providing resources and facilities to research, produce and promote content for a worldwide audience.

We invite you to provide feedback, ideas, or even join our podcasting team.  Find us at https://anchor.fm/thisisislay .  Let us know what you enjoyed and what you would like to hear next month.  Contact us by e-mail: [email protected] and follow us on Twitter @thisisislay, on Facebook @thisisislay and Instagram @thisisislaypodcast.

Music featured this month was:

"Ò Albainn Caoidh" performed by Còisir Ghàidhlig Ìle Islay Gaelic Choir, from the CD “Sruth air a' Charraig" 2014.  Available on Spotify at spotify:album:6G88RcyK3qrQNv5nh1otws or on Amazon Music https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00LZW1QUU/ref=dm_ws_sp_ps_dp

"Bheir mi cliu don'eilean mhor" performed by the late Donald MacLeod, from the CD "An t-Eilean Mor" 2007. Available on Amazon UK at https://www.amazon.co.uk/t-Eilean-Mor-Donald-M-MacLeod/dp/B0040QWZJE/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=donald+macleod+an+t-eilean+mor&qid=1615497981&sr=8-1 

Our theme music is '£50 Cashback' from The Fraser Shaw Trust.  Keep up to date on Islay Sessions and the work of the Trust in support of the relief of multiple sclerosis at https://frasershawtrust.com .

This is Episode 5 of This Is Islay, a volunteer-led podcast celebrating the people, places, events and connections of Islay and Jura.  This month’s podcast is hosted by Gemma MacLean and Jolyon Thurgood and features:

1. Nicholas Bowman and Jenny Featherstone describing their lockdown journey around Islay - on foot and by kayak - to bag all 34 trig points,

2. Glen Roberts in conversation with Iain Gibson discussing Robert Burns, Burns Night, “Address to a Haggis” and much more,

3. Mairi McGillivray’s music, a track from her EP “In My Mind” – ”Tha Fadachd orm Fhìn” , and

4. This month’s factoid: what is a trig point?

The goal of This Is Islay is to use podcasting to foster community involvement, education and training, providing resources and facilities to research, produce and promote content for a worldwide audience. We collaborate with Islay High School through the support of their staff and access to their recording facilities.

We invite you to provide feedback, ideas, or even join our podcasting team.  Find us at https://anchor.fm/thisisislay .  Let us know what you enjoyed and what you would like to hear next month.  Contact us by e-mail: [email protected] and follow us on Twitter @thisisislay, on Facebook @thisisislay and Instagram @thisisislaypodcast.

Music featured this month was:

Tha Fadachd orm Fhìn, from the EP “In My Mind” performed by Mairi McGillivray, and available to purchase/download at https://mairimcgillivray.bandcamp.com/album/in-my-mind

Our theme music is '£50 Cashback' from The Fraser Shaw Trust.  Keep up to date on Islay Sessions and the work of the Trust in support of the relief of multiple sclerosis at https://frasershawtrust.com .

Inspired by Nick and Jenny, we invite you to support #DoddieAid at www.doddieaid.com – encouraging exercise and raising funds to aid research into the causes of Motor Neurone Disease.

This episode features Jolyon Thurgood and guest host Frazer Campbell, from Campbell's of Islay, and a High Street Hero nominated as part of the Scotland Loves Local campaign for their support of the community during challenging times of 2020.

This episode also features:

1. Glen Roberts in conversation with Lynn and Louise of the Islay and Jura Virtual (Christmas) Market,

2. Sophie and Davina organising Christmas Eve events in Bowmore.

This is Episode 3 of This Is Islay, a community podcast celebrating the people, places, events and connections of Islay and Jura, hosted this month by Jolyon Thurgood and Tom O’Farrell, featuring: 

1. Glen Roberts in conversation with Dr Pat McGrann of the Islay Community Access Group,

2. Greig Shaw with the Fraser Shaw Trust, music from the Islay Sessioneers: David Foley, Jack Smedley, Jenn Butterworth, and Maeve Mackinnon, and

3. This month’s factoid.

The goal of This Is Islay is to use podcasting to foster community involvement, education and training, providing resources and facilities to research, produce and promote content for a worldwide audience.

We invite you to provide feedback, ideas, or even join our podcasting team.  Find us at https://anchor.fm/thisisislay .  Let us know what you enjoyed and what you would like to hear next month.  Contact us by e-mail: [email protected] and follow us on Twitter @thisisislay, on Facebook @thisisislay and Instagram @thisisislaypodcast.

More about this month's podcast:

Islay Community Access Group: to provide your feedback on the public consultation, open until 7th December 2020, for the proposed dual-purpose pathway between Bowmore and Bridgend, go to https://islaypathways.com .

Music featured this month was:

Our theme music is '£50 Cashback' from The Fraser Shaw Trust.  Keep up to date on Islay Sessions and the work of the Trust in support of the relief of multiple sclerosis at https://frasershawtrust.com .

 .