Episodes
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E35 – Islay Primary Schools Collab
In September 2024, we recorded a conversation with Islay primary school teachers Amy Hannett (Port Ellen Primary) and Morvern Scott (Gaelic Medium, Bowmore Primery) about plans to work with This […]
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E34 – Cancer Support Group Islay
In May 2025, This is Islay chatted with Cancer Support Group Islay (CSGI), shortly after its first birthday. Three founding members: Jennifer Gillies, Jo O’Farrell and Agnes McEachern, discuss why […]
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E33 – Behind The Scenes
A conversation with the This Is Islay team gathered in the Islay High School studio, including: Gordon Bermingham, Jean MacLellan, Tom O’Farrell, Glen Roberts, and Jolyon Thurgood. We pull back […]
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E32 – Gus Newman – A Port Ellen Lad
In May 2024, we joined Gus Newman in his corner office in Lagavulin. In this first conversation with Gus, he tells us about his life, ventures / adventures in the […]
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E31 – Islay Book Festival 2024
This episode features a conversation between our own Jean MacLellan and Charlène Busali, chair of the Islay Book Festival committee. They discuss this year’s festival, programmes and activities for different […]
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E30 – What makes someone an Ileach?
Greig Barker interviews Islay High School students, Russell Pollock speaks to Samantha MacArthur and the podcast team gathers various views on the subject. We would like to thank Islay High […]
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E29 – The view from 2 wheels
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 […]
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E28 – Slowing Down on Islay – A Whisky Tourist’s Perspective
In this episode, Lars Weitbrecht, a traveller from Germany, shares his introduction to Islay whisky from his father, then his own discovery of more Islay whisky, the Islay landscape and […]
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E27 – MAYDS ay MYCOS
In May 2023, Jolyon interviewed Fiona Kalache MBE who manages Mid Argyll Youth Development servies, known as MAYDS. In this role, Fiona provides support and guidance to the programmes offered […]
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E26 – Mental Health Support for Islay Youth
Mid Argyll Youth Development Services (MAYDS) work with Exchange Counselling to provide mental health support for young people at Islay High School. In this episode, Glen speaks to Lynn Johnstone […]
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E25 – The Ileach is 50 Years Old!
The Independent Newspaper for Islay and Jura, The Ileach, was launched in 1973. In this episode, Glen Roberts talks with Brian Palmer, the current editor, and Calum Murray, past editor, […]
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E24 – Art on Display – Interactions
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 […]
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E23 – Return of Feis-Ile 2023
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 […]
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E22 – 2022 – The Year in Review
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 […]
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E21 – Christmas In The (Islay) Air
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 […]
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E20 – Best Ports Improve with Age
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 […]
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E19 – What’s new at Bruichladdich Hall
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 […]
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E18 – The Ileach (Fortnightly)
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 […]
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E17 – Music Music Music
Introduced by Jolyon Thurgood, this episode highlights the upcoming music events on Islay and Jura. Presented by Jolyon Thurgood. Special Guest Featured Jura Music Festival, September 23-25 2022. […]
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E16 – Islay Show Day – Since 1838
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 […]
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E15 – Snowball Earth and FilmG
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 […]
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E14 – Fairtrade and Fèis Ìle
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 […]
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E12+1 – Land of the Ilich – Past and Present
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 […]
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E12 – Christmas 2021
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 […]
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E11 – COP26: Islay Perspectives and The Islay Times
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 […]
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E10 – Run the Runway and Bowmore’s Running Water
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 […]
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E09 – Portraits and Partnerships
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 […]
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E08 – Tea with Cantilena
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. […]
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E07 – Spring Arrivals and Islay Faces
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. […]
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E06 – Òran Mór and More Cyber
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 […]
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E05 – Always Heat the Haggis
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 […]
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E04 – Christmas 2020 on Islay
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 […]
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E03 – Islay Community Access Group
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 […]
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E02 – Islay Resilience and Trip to India
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. […]
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E01 – Welcome to This is Islay
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 […]
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