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Episode 1

Welcome to This Is Islay Fàilte a chàirdean

10 Aug 2020

About

Glen and Jolyon present the very first episode of This Is Islay when they discuss their plans and thoughts for the coming episodes. Includes interviews with Brendan O'Hara, Iain Gibson and Ella Edgar.

Presented by

Greig Barker, Sharon McHarrie, Glen Roberts and Jolyon Thurgood.

Special Guest Featured

Brendan O'Hara, Iain Gibson and Ella Edgar.

Episode 1

Episode 2

Islay Resilience and A Trip To India

08 Oct 2020

About

Islay Resilience Group discuss their fantastic work supporting the community during lockdown with Glen while Jolyon & Glen chat with former Islay High students about their 2019 trip to India.

Presented by

Greig Barker, Sharon McHarrie, Glen Roberts and Jolyon Thurgood.

Special Guest Featured

Dougie McFadzean & Gill Chasemore - Islay Resilience Group,

Helena, Maisie, Russell and Samantha  - Former students of Islay High School recalling their trip to India in 2019.

Episode 2

Episode 3

Islay Community Access Group and Music from the Fraser Shaw Trust / Islay Sessions

18 Nov 2020

About

Jolyon and latest volunteer, Tom, present this months episode featuring Glen interviewing Dr Pat McGrann from the Islay Community Access Group (ICAG) about connecting Islay's communities via pathways and Jolyon discusses Islay Sessions with Greig Shaw of the Fraser Shaw Trust. Music from David Foley, Jack Smedley, Jenn Butterworth & Maeve Mackinnon.

Presented by

Jolyon Thurgood and Tom O’Farrell. With interviews from Glen Roberts.

Special Guest Featured

Dr Pat McGrann - Islay Community Access Group (ICAG) - islaypathways.com

Greig Shaw - Fraser Shaw Trust & Islay Sessions - www.frasershawtrust.com

Music From

Head East by David Foley, Jack Smedley & Jenn Butterworth

A’ Mhic Doughaill ‘Ic Ruaraidh by Maeve Mackinnon

Episode 3

Episode 4

Christmas 2020 on Islay

23 Dec 2020

About

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.

Presented by

Jolyon Thurgood and special guest host, Frazer Campbell. With interviews from Glen Roberts.

Special Guest Featured

Lynn and Louise - Islay and Jura Virtual (Christmas) Market

Sophie and Davina - Christmas Eve events in Bowmore

Episode 4

Episode 5

Always Heat the Haggis

21 Jan 2021

About

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 Nicholas Bowman and Jenny Featherstone describing their lockdown journey around Islay - on foot and by kayak - to bag all 34 trig points, Glen Roberts in conversation with Iain Gibson discussing Robert Burns, Burns Night, “Address to a Haggis” and much more, Mairi McGillivray’s music, a track from her EP “In My Mind” – ”Tha Fadachd orm Fhìn” , and This month’s factoid: what is a trig point?

Presented by

Jolyon Thurgood and special guest host, Gemma MacLean. With interviews from Glen Roberts.

Special Guest Featured

Nicholas Bowman and Jenny Featherstone - trig points

Iain Gibson - Robert Burns, Burns Night, “Address to a Haggis” and much more

Music From

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

21 Jan 2021
Episode 5

Episode 6

Òran Mór and More Cyber

12 Mar 2021

About

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 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, 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

This month's factoid: National Mòd Gold Medallists

Presented by

Jolyon Thurgood and special guest host, Gemma MacLean. With interviews from Glen Roberts.

Special Guest Featured

Larah McKay - Mactaggart Youth Community Cybercafe

Orla Campbell and Mara McGillivray - Youth Forum

Lynn McDonald - The Òrain Ìleach Project: Gaelic Songs of Islay

Music From

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

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

Episode 6

Episode 7

Spring Arrivals and Islay Faces

04 Jul 2021

About

In this episode, we get an update on the Bruichladdich to Port Charlotte path, learn about lambing and hear from a local artist about his exhibition at the Gaelic Centre.

Presented by

Jolyon Thurgood. With interviews from Glen Roberts and Russell Pollock.

Special Guest Featured

Pat McGrann - Islay Community Access Group

Kathryn MacPherson - Lambing

Dietmar FInger - "Islay Faces" exhibition at the Gaelic College - https://www.fingerpainting.de/

Episode 7

Episode 8

Tea with Cantilena

07 Jul 2021

About

In this episode, we hear from Les Wilson about his new book "Putting the Tea in Britain" and get an update from the Cantilena Festival Players.

Presented by

Jolyon Thurgood. With interviews from Glen Roberts and Russell Pollock.

Special Guest Featured

Les Wilson - "Putting the Tea in Britain"

Cantilena - 2021 Cantilena Festival online

Episode 8

Episode 9

Portraits and Partnerships

04 Sep 2021

About

In this episode, Glen Roberts interviews Lord George Robertson, we announce a new partnership with Mactaggart Youth and Families Outreach Services (MYFOS), and hear local music produced and reorded in Cyber Sounds studio in Port Ellen.

Presented by

Larah McKay and Jasmine Middleton. With interview from Glen Roberts.

Special Guest Featured

Lord George Robertson, discussing "Islay - A Personal Portrait of the Island" a book of Islay landscapes and people.

Music from Brody Shakespeare, Steve Martin and James Edwyn, in a mini-podcast segment recorded and produced at Cyber Sounds studio.

Episode 9

Episode 10

Run the Runway and Bowmore's Running Water

24 Nov 2021

About

In this episode, we re-visit October's Run The Runway event at Islay Airport, which raised funds for Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance, and we hear from Scottish Water about their major project in Bowmore which will replace water mains over the next 15 months.  We also provide an update on the official opening of the Lochindaal Way, running from Bruichladdich to Port Charlotte.

Presented by

Jasmine Middleton and Jolyon Thurgood. With interviews from Glen Roberts.  Production by Tom O'Farrell and team.

Special Guests Featured

Laura MacInnes, organiser of Run The Runway, participants in the 5K event, Katherine Urquhart.

Georgina Reid, Scottish Water's Corporate Affairs Regional Manager

Episode 10

Episode 11

COP26: Islay Perspectives and The Islay Times

14 Dec 2021

About

In this special episode we discuss climate change and all things COP26. Featuring an update from two Islay High School Students about The Islay Times a new newspaper written by some of the students.

Presented by

Jolyon Thurgood & Tom O'Farrell. With interviews from Jolyon Thurgood and Glen Roberts.  Production by Tom O'Farrell and team.

Special Guests Featured

Islay High School Students - The Islay Times & COP26

Dietmar Finger - COP26

Episode 11 (COP26 Special)

Episode 12

Christmas 2021

24 Dec 2021

About

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.

Presented by

Jolyon Thurgood. With festive greetings from the This Is Islay Team.

Special Guests Featured

Joanne Hamilton - Bowmore Christmas Party Committee

Episode 12
Episode 12+1

Episode 12+1

Land of the Ilich - Past and Present

06 Mar 2022

About

In this episode, we discuss the recently published "Land of the Ilich: Journeys into Islay's Past" authored by Steven Mithen, and we hear from Gillian Nelson-Edwards of Sidekick, a newly formed charity created to support local children and young people affected by disability.

Presented by

Tom O'Farrell and Jolyon Thurgood, and interviews by Glen Roberts.

Special Guests Featured

Gillian Nelson-Edwards, Chair of Sidekick, more information at https://www.facebook.com/Sidekick-103566285512458

Dr Steven Mithen, author and Professor of Archaeology at Reading University.  More information about his book "Land of the Ilich" is available at https://birlinn.co.uk/product/land-of-the-ilich/

Episode 14

Episode 14

Fairtrade and Fèis Ìle

15 Apr 2022

About

In this episode we meet Fairtrade advocates Petra Pearce and Gill Chasemore, and Glen has a spirited conversation with Florence Grey about the history of Fèis Ìle and its return May 27th - June 4th.  Islay's Festival of Music and Malt presents the best of Islay's heritage, culture, people and spirit - yes, that means whisky but much, much more besides.

Presented by

Guest host Florence Grey with Jolyon Thurgood, and interviews by Glen Roberts.

Special Guests Featured

Petra Peace representing Fairtrade Fortnight, together with Coop Council member Gill Chasemore, share the benefits and importance of the Fairtrade programme.  More information at https://www.coop.co.uk/our-suppliers/fairtrade and https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/ .

Florence Grey, Chair of Fèis Ìle, in conversation with Glen Roberts.  Florence discusses her memories of Islay's Festival of Music and Malt from the 1980's to the current day, and announces this year's Fèis.  More information at https://feisile.co.uk .  

Episode 15

Episode 15

Snowball Earth and FilmG

18 Jun 2022

About

In this episode we hear Alasdair Skelton, frequent Islay visitor otherwise at Stockholm University, who tells us about Snowball Earth, his return to Islay and attendance at COP26, in conversation with Glen.  In addition, we hear from Iain Beggs, Gaelic teacher at Islay High School, and his award-winning, film-making students, who tell us about FilmG.

Presented by

Glen Roberts and Jolyon Thurgood, production by Tom O'Farrell.

Special Guests Featured

Alasdair Skelton of Stockholm University.  Click here to learn more about Professor Skelton .

Iain Beggs and Islay High School students.  For more information about the FilmG Gaelic film-makers competition, visit https://www.filmg.co.uk .  To watch Islay High School's winning short film "Easga Bhuidhe na Feidh" click here .

Episode 16

Islay Show Day - Since 1838

5 Aug 2022

About

This episode features David McArthur, the President of the Islay, Jura and Colonsay Agricultural Association.  Their annual Show has since 1838 been THE day of the year in the island calendar, this year taking place on August 11th.

Presented by

Glen Roberts and Jolyon Thurgood, production by Tom O'Farrell.

Special Guests Featured

More information at www.islayshow.co.uk

Episode 16

Episode 17

Music Music Music

21 Sep 2022

About

Introduced by Jolyon Thurgood, this episode highlights the upcoming music events on Islay and Jura.

Presented by

Jolyon Thurgood

Special Guests Featured

Jura Music Festival, September 23-25 2022.     More at juramusicfestival.com

Lagavulin Islay Jazz Festival, October 9-11 2022.  More at islayjazzfestival.co.uk

Islay Sessions, November 11-13 2022.  More at FraserShawTrust.com

Music From

Islay's own Mairi McGillivray, a track from her EP "In My Mind" available on Bandcamp at https://mairimcgillivray.bandcamp.com/album/in-my-mind 

The song "Tàladh na Beinne Guirme" was written for Celtic Colours 2004 by Goiridh Dòmhnallach and Brian OhEadhra, is also known as "The Blue Mountain's Lullaby", and tells a moving story of Gaelic culture in Nova Scotia.

Episode 17

Episode 18

The Ileach (Fortnightly)

29 Sep 2022

About

This Is Islay in conversation with Brian Palmer, a big wheel in the Islay cycling world, a drummer, and also full-time editor of the Ileach, Islay's own award-winning newspaper.  How did he join the Ileach (many years ago) and how does he balance the editorial and commercial sides of running a newspaper. Recorded in June 2022.

Presented by

Jolyon Thurgood

Special Guests Featured

Brian Palmer

With thanks to Islay High School for allowing us to use their recording studio.

Episode 18

Episode 19

What's New at Bruichladdich Hall ?

7 Oct 2022

About

This Is Islay talks with Angus Rice, Chairman of the Hall Committee, about the improvements recently made to the village hall in Bruichladdich.  Ready for many upcoming events, including The Islay Sessions coming up in November 2022.

Recorded in August 2022.

Presented by

Glen Roberts

Special Guests Featured

Angus Rice

Episode 19

Episode 20

The Best Ports Improve with Age

21 Oct 2022

About

This Is Islay talks with Nasir Udin, Senior Civil Engineer with CMAL - Caledonian Maritime Assets - about the improvements to be made to the harbours at Port Ellen and Port Akaig in preparation for the new ferries currently under construction in Turkey, and planned to be in service on the Islay run by 2025.

Recorded in August 2022.

Presented by

Glen Roberts

Special Guests Featured

Nasir Udin, CMAL

Episode 20
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Episode 21

Christmas In The (Islay) Air

21 Dec 2022

About

It's the end of the year, Christmas is coming very soon, and we present our last episode of 2022.  Glen talks with Maureen MacDonald, Headteacher of Port Ellen Primary School - Gold Award winner  Primary School of the Year (UK) from Pearson National Teaching Awards, and recently featured on BBC One's ONE Show.  Glen and Jolyon spread a little good cheer for the season, with a festive greeting from Marion McGregor at the Gaelic Centre.

Presented by

Glen Roberts & Jolyon Thurgood

Special Guests Featured

Maureen MacDonald & Marion McGregor

Episode 21
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Episode 22

2022 - The Year in Review

16 Jan 2023

About

Glen and Tom look back over This Is Islay's activities and podcasts during 2022, a year of transition after restrictions imposed by COVID.  We published 9 episodes and expanded our reach to 17 countries.  In addition, we continue to spread the word around Islay and Jura.  We thank you our listeners as well as the various guests and supporters who have made the podcasting journey so enjoyable over the past 3 years.

Presented by

Glen Roberts & Tom O'Farrell

Special Guests Featured

Tom and Glen !

Episode 22

Episode 23

The Return of Fèis Ìle - The Islay Festival - 2023

19 May 2023

About

We speak with Lesley McCall, Secretary of the Fèis Ìle Committee, about the Festival, which takes place across Islay and Jura over 10 days at the end of May, and celebrates whisky, music, Gaelic culture and the local community spirit.  The 2023 Fèis Ìle takes place between Friday May 26 and Saturday June 3.  More information at feisile.co.uk and on social media. 

Presented by

Glen Roberts & Jolyon Thurgood

Special Guests Featured

Lesley McCall and the Fèis Ìle Committee

Episode 23

Episode 24

Art on Display - Interactions

30 July 2023

About

Interactions
00:00 / 24:48

Three Scottish Artists - Cathy Wilson, Anne Campbell and Pauline McGee - discuss their art and inspiration to put on their Exhibition "Interactions" taking place at the Gaelic Centre near Bowmore until August 11th, 2023.

Presented by

Jolyon Thurgood

Special Guests Featured

Anne Campbell, Pauline McGee and Cathy Wilson

Episode 24
Episode 25

Episode 26

Mental Health Support for Islay Youth

26 October 2023
Counselling at Islay High School
00:00 / 31:39

About

Presented by

Glen Roberts

Special Guests Featured

Lynn Johnstone, MAYDS and Exchange Counselling

Episode 26

Episode 27

MAYDS at MYCOS

26 January 2024
MAYDS at MYCOS
00:00 / 17:20

About

Presented by

Jolyon Thurgood

Special Guests Featured

Fiona Kalache MBE, MAYDS and MYCOS

Episode 27
Episode 28

Episode 28

Slowing Down on Islay - A Whisky Tourist's Perspective

28 February 2024
Slowing Down on Islay - A Whisky Tourist's Perspective
00:00 / 14:55

About

Presented by

Jolyon Thurgood

Special Guests Featured

Lars - Singing Sands - IMG-20230719-WA0004_edited.jpg

Lars Weitbrecht, a not-so-frequent visitor to Islay from (near) Stuttgart, Germany.

Episode 29

Episode 29

The View from Two Wheels

29 February 2024
The View From Two Wheels
00:00 / 07:22

About

Sharon Jones, enjoying her island holiday, took to two wheels along with her husband Mike, and recorded this contribution to our podcast series as they cycled the highways and byways of Islay.

Introduced by

Glen Roberts

Special Guests Featured

Sharon Jones, a regular visitor to Islay from her home in Liverpool (and who just happens to be Glen's cousin).

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