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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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+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
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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
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/ .​
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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 .
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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 .
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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 .
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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 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 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 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.
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Recorded in August 2022.
Presented by
Glen Roberts
Special Guests Featured
Angus Rice
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.
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Recorded in August 2022.
Presented by
Glen Roberts
Special Guests Featured
Nasir Udin, CMAL
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 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 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 24
Art on Display - Interactions
30 July 2023
About
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 25
The Ileach is 50 Years Old !
19 October 2023
About
Presented by
Glen Roberts
Special Guests Featured
Brian Palmer and Calum Murray
Episode 26
Mental Health Support for Islay Youth
26 October 2023
About
Presented by
Glen Roberts
Special Guests Featured
Lynn Johnstone, MAYDS and Exchange Counselling
Episode 27
MAYDS at MYCOS
26 January 2024
About
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Note: This is a companion episode to the interview with Lynn Johnstone, also with MAYDS, focussing on Mental Health Support and first released in October 2023.
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More information available at http://www.mycos.org.uk and https://www.mayds.org.uk and by following MYCOS on Facebook at @MYCOS .
​
Presented by
Jolyon Thurgood
Special Guests Featured
Fiona Kalache MBE, MAYDS and MYCOS
Episode 28
Slowing Down on Islay - A Whisky Tourist's Perspective
28 February 2024
About
Presented by
Jolyon Thurgood
Special Guests Featured
Lars Weitbrecht, a not-so-frequent visitor to Islay from (near) Stuttgart, Germany.
Episode 29
The View from Two Wheels
29 February 2024
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).