What We Do In The Winter

In this episode I talk with Iain MacKinnon of Tobermory.

If you’re listening to this on its day of release, a very happy Christmas to you!

Iain talks about his family roots here on the island, and connections to Tiree.
We talk about characters from the past, with Iain bringing their memory to life by telling stories that they told him. There are tales of the First World War, Ireland in the 20’s and more passed on from the mouths of MacGochan and others.


We talked together one evening with Ishbel, Iain’s wife joining us for little bits of the conversation. It was so lovely to speak to both of them, I think I may have to chap their virtual door again some day soon to hear Ishbel’s tales, too! 
We caught up again a few days later to chat about Iain’s role in the Fire Brigade. So you’ll hear a bit of a leap as we talk about Gibby towards the end of the episode, which then leads us to talk about Iain’s long standing service in the Fire Brigade. There’s a couple of bits that I’ve not included in the episode, which I’ll put out as a short special at some point in the coming weeks, once the festive season has passed. 

At a couple of points you can hear bits of background noise in the recording, as we were recording over Zoom, due to the current situation. So please excuse this. 



Back in episode 9 of the podcast Iain Performed a pitch invasion while I was talking to Janet MacDonald. I think I said “I’m coming to get you…” Well, 45 episodes later, here we are, at long last.


For links and more information please visit whatwedointhewinter.com

Thanks for listening!

Have a lovely Christmas!

In this episode I talk with Hannah Fisher of Kintra in the Ross of Mull.

Originally from Dunkeld, Hannah is a musician who has toured the world with bands including Idlewild and King Creosote, whilst also having a fantastic solo career as one of the most interesting fiddle players and composers around at this moment in time.

I’m delighted to say that Hannah has let us have two pieces of music to play in this episode! Thank you Hannah!

Our conversation takes us back through her childhood, the roots of her musical adventures, her career adventures to date and how Mull and Kintra in particular has become home.

Check out whatwedointhewinter.com for links and photos/

To take part in the survey please follow this link: https://forms.gle/M9qtS1JE4ZxX8cvD8

Thanks for listening!

This episode is a chat with textile artist Shirley Pinder.

Shirley grew up in Tobermory where her Mother and Father ran Strongarbh House and the Gallery on the Main Street, where they sold various things including materials woven by her father and herself.

Shirley brings her childhood and family clearly to life while also giving us a very fine picture of how her own career developed along with bringing up her family.

Shirley’s given me lots of photos and other bits and bobs for the website so do check them out along with the episode links on whatwedointhewinter.com

We've made a short listener survey to find out how people engage with WWDitW which will also help us to find ways to grow the podcast. If you've got a couple of minutes spare we'd be very grateful to hear from you on the link below. Thank you! https://forms.gle/YThUZhQCb72myJFd6

Thanks for listening!

I’m absolutely delighted to say that this episode is a chat with Judy Gibson of the Isle of Erraid.

Erraid is a tidal island off of the Ross of Mull, with a remarkable and long history.

Judy and I chatted at the start of lockdown over the internet on a fairly poor line, which cut out several times.

Our conversation covers a lot of ground. We talk about how her family first came to holiday on Iona and then onto Erraid, where her mother chose to settle. We talk about Judy’s life and adventures and go into detail about Erraid’s remarkable history.

Thanks for listening!

Episode Links:

https://whatwedointhewinter.com/2020/08/21/52-judy-gibson/

COMING SOON: *WWDitW Live@Home* - Friday 31st July 19.30 on Zoom - follow our social media for a link to the event!


This is a short bonus episode of What We Do in the Winter which features an episode of the American Years Revisited podcast.
At the height of the Cuban missile crisis the USS Proteus left the Holy Loch outside of Dunoon in a great hurry, where it was at the heart of the US nuclear defence system. The seas were so rough that she had to seek refuge in Tobermory Bay. 

In this episode Gerry Pursley shares his experience of working in the engine room at the eye of the storm as problem after problem built on each other, whilst outside the world was facing one of the most critical moments in contemporary history.

I (Alasdair) produce the American Years Revisited podcast, where I work with the brilliant team of Kate Simpson & Ann Campbell along with our amazing reminiscence group to capture memories of life in Dunoon and the surrounds around the time of the American presence in the Holy Loch. It’s a period that’s getting further and further away so the work of the American Years group is trying to capture the human elements of the story before they come to pass. If you’re interested in the area, the subject or that point of time do follow the podcast. It’s also worth checking out Andrene Messersmith’s brilliant book - The American Years: Dunoon & the US Navy


For links and more please visit: https://whatwedointhewinter.com/2020/07/28/wwditw-american-years-crossover-episode-the-cuban-missile-crisis/

See also the American Years Revisited podcast on: https://www.mixcloud.com/AmericanYearsRevisited/

Thanks for listening!

Episode 51 - WWDitW Live @Dervaig Village Hall on the 6th of March 2020.

This episode is a recording of a live event that we had at Dervaig Village Hall on Saturday the 7th of March 2020.

The topics covered in this episode include: Dervaig Village Hall in the Past; a live performance of a play featuring lots of local people at Calgary Bay in 1993, Movies Made on Mull and Delivery vans.
At the start I go over the rationale for the project, which if you’ve listened to the end of episode 50 you’ll have heard fairly recently, so I apologise for double handing this bit, but I thought it worth keeping in for context.


The sound in this episode is not the best, for which I apologise. The weather was so bad outside that you can hear the hall’s fan flapping in the background quite often. 
The hall is somewhat echoey as well, so the sound can at times be a bit distant. 
Where the sound is really good though is where Gus Stewart picked people out with his boom mic. 
I’m so thankful to Gus for his time and effort on the evening, he managed to capture some really great moments.

There was a fantastic moment where someone broke wind very loudly near one of the stationary mics, but I’ve cut this out for your peace of mind. And bowel.

The videos that accompany this episode can be found on this link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmUODPpzD_oxT_s9yzjdhvA1FIbB1CH8c

More info can be found at whatwedointhewinter.com

Thank you for listening!

This is a brief advert for Islands in Film, which premieres tomorrow evening at 8pm, Friday the 26th of June 2020. For more info please follow this link https://whatwedointhewinter.com/2020/06/18/islands-in-film-premiering-fri-26th-june-8pm-on-youtube/

Filmed by 75 people and edited by Alasdair & Georgia Satchel, it features music by Hannah Fisher and Sorren Maclean.

The aim of the film is to make connections and bring us all together a bit. Another aim is to raise funds for Mull and Iona Pantry, our local foodbank. https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/mullandionapantry

Thanks for listening.

(The special rockier theme at the end is the one I'm never allowed to put on the episodes as my wife thinks it's too self indulgent. Just because I want to be Mike Oldfield.)

This episode features a chat with Richard Kellett of Aros Mains.

Originally from the Borders Richard is a paramedic here on Mull.

He’s lead a remarkable life, having been in the army seeing service in Iraq during the 2nd Iraq war. Many people here on the islands will know him from his work with the ambulance service, his time as manager at Am Birlinn and many other incarnations.

It was a real honour to spend this time with Richard and I thought it important to make his episode the 50th as he and the team that he’s a part of does so much to make our lives here better and safer, at this time more than ever.

This episode delves a bit deeper into personal areas than other episodes so far.

I’ve put some links to some supporting information on the website if you find that you need it.

Thanks for listening!

Links and more info on whatwedointhewinter.com

This episode is a conversation with Sheena Walker.

Brought up in Dervaig, Sheena talks about the lives of her Mother and Father, her various jobs on the island, the social scene of her youth and so much more.

Due to the current lockdown situation we recorded our chat over the internet.

These days, whilst working in Edinburgh at the Royal Scottish Academy on the mound, where she’s in charge of private views, visits to artist’s studios and runs the RSA friends, Sheena keeps her home in Tobermory.

I hope this chat gives you an hour away from the world.

If you're on Mull, Iona, Ulva or Gometra and are listening to this before midnight on Sunday 24th you may be interested in our Islands in Film project, more information about which can be found on our website.

More info and links can be found on whatwedointhewinter.com

Thanks for listening!

This episode is a conversation with Anja and Mark Jardine of Iona.

Due to the current lockdown situation we recorded our chat over the internet.

Originally from Germany Anja comes from a town near Leipzig, and grew up during the cold war, when the Berlin Wall divided the country into East and West Germany. Anja was in the East living under communism. We talk about the experience of growing up in this environment, and the moment when it all changed with the fall of the wall.

Mark was brought up in Glasgow at a time of great change for the city. We talk about the diversity of Scots language in the city, his time at Art School and how his path lead him westwards to Iona.

Mark, Anja and Mark’s sons Stewart and Neil run Alternative Boat Hire, Iona. If you’ve been to Iona and have seen a stunning boat with red sails sailing by, that’s likely to be the Birthe Marie, their boat.

The story of the Birthe Marie and her refurbishment is in itself quite a tale and well worth investigating. You can find out more about it on boattripsiona.com It’s well worth your time!

Links and more can be found on whatwedointhewinter.com

Thanks for listening!