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We pull back the curtain on the behind the scene workings of This Is Islay – we discuss our favourite episodes, future plans, and the challenges and opportunities that come with our Islay-focused podcast.

Thanks to Islay High School, Russell Pollock and Greig Barker for studio support, and to Tom O’Farrell for production.

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2025 – Episodes: 32 onward
Topics covered this year..
32: Gus Newman
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 sea around Islay. We also include Gus’s mother, Ann Newman

2024 – Episodes: 27 to 31

Topics covered this year..
31: The 2024 Islay Book festival
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 venues and activities which will take place between 29 August and 1 September

30: What Makes Someone an Ileach?
This episode focuses on the people of Islay, and specifically “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.

29: The View from Two Wheels
Sharon Jones, enjoying her island holiday on two wheels along with her husband Mike.

28: 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.

27: MAYDS at MYCOS
In May 2023, Jolyon interviewed Fiona Kalache MBE who manages Mid Argyll Youth Development services, known as MAYDS.  In this role, Fiona provides support and guidance to the programmes offered on Islay by the Mactaggart Youth and Community Outreach Services (MYCOS).

2023 – Episodes: 22 to 26
Topics covered this year..

26: 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 about her work and her role in providing this very valuable support.

25: 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, who reflect on The Ileach’s role in the community.

24: 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 Bowmore until August 11th, 2023

23: The Return of Fèis Ìle – The Islay Festival – 2023
The 2023 Fèis Ìle takes place between Friday May 26 and Saturday June 3.
More information at feisile.co.uk and on social media.

22: 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

2022 – Episodes: 13 to 21
Topics covered this year..

21: 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 – Gold Award winner  Primary School of the Year (UK).

20: The 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 Port Akaig in preparation for the new ferries

19: 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.

18: 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.

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

16: Islay Show Day – Since 1838
This episode features David McArthur, the President of the Islay, Jura and Colonsay Agricultural Association.

15: Snowball Earth and FilmG
In this episode we hear Alasdair Skelton, frequent Islay visitor otherwise at Stockholm University, who tells us about Snowball Earth.

14: 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.

13: 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.

2021 – Episodes: 5 to 12
Topics covered this year..

12: 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 special activities for youngsters around Christmas,

11: 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 some of the students.

10: 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 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.

9: 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 Cyber Sounds studio in Port Ellen.

8: 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 Player.

7: 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.

6: Òran Mór and More Cyber
This month’s podcast 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..

5: 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.

2020 – Episodes: 1 to 4
Topics covered this year..

4: Christmas 2020 on Islay
This episode features Jolyon Thurgood and guest host Frazer Campbell, from Campbell’s of Islay, and a High Street Hero

3: 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

2: Islay Resilience and A Trip To India
Islay Resilience Group discuss their fantastic work supporting the community during lockdown

1: Welcome to This Is Islay Fàilte a chàirdean
Glen and Jolyon present the very first episode of This Is Islay when they discuss their plans and thoughts for the coming episodes.