This Is Islay

ThisIsIslay

This Is Islay is a community podcast celebrating the people, places, events and connections which shape the Hebridean island communities of Islay and Jura. Our goal is to use podcasting to foster community involvement, education and training, providing resources and facilities to research, produce and promote content for a worldwide audience. We collaborate with Islay High School, and with MYCOS and their programmes in support of local young people. We actively seek volunteers to join our podcasting team. Contact us at e-mail: thisisislay@gmail.com. Follow on Twitter & Facebook @ThisIsIslay .

  1. 1 MAR

    My Early Days on Islay - Margaret Storrie

    This is the second of two episodes based on a conversation with Dr Margaret Storrie recorded in October 2025. In this episode, Margaret reveals how she first discovered Islay as a student, and recalls the path which led her via London back to Islay, and then to the publishing of her first book "Islay: Biography of an Island" in 1981 - currently available in its third edition. Margaret Storrie is a longtime resident of Port Ellen. Featuring Guest: Margaret Storrie Host: Jolyon Thurgood Acknowledgements Many thanks to Margaret. "Islay: Biography of an Island" is available from ⁠The Celtic House⁠ in Bowmore, and other good booksellers. Music :  Kaazoom Pixabay 447800 Production Team: Gordon Bermingham and Jolyon Thurgood

    18 min

  2. 1 FEB

    "Lady Charlotte Bury" by Margaret Storrie

    In this episode, Dr Margaret Storrie talks about her latest book, focussing on the unconventional life of Lady Charlotte Bury Campbell, who was known as a notorious diarist (think Lady Whistledown) in the time of George IV, a popular novelist and mother of 11. Lady Charlotte's oldest son was Walter Frederick Campbell, who became Laird of Islay and named Port Charlotte after his mother. Margaret is a long-time resident of Port Ellen and is the author of "Islay: Biography of an Island". FeaturingGuest: Margaret StorrieHost: Jolyon ThurgoodAcknowledgementsMany thanks to Margaret. and is availableMusic :  Kaazoom Pixabay 447800 Production Team: Jolyon Thurgood and Gordon Bermingham

    33 min

  3. 1 JAN

    Pickups For Peace - Beth Newman

    At the end of November 2025, Beth Newman returned from her second visit to Lviv, Ukraine in support of Pickups For Peace, a charity initially organised by Scottish farmers to support Ukraine's fight against the Russian invasion. Beth, Islay's local vet whose practice is based in Bowmore, tells Glen and Jolyon about her experience driving from Islay to western Ukraine in a used pickup (trip 1) and a used van (trip 2), each packed with vital supplies and heading to provide urgently-needed support to the front lines in eastern Ukraine. She also explains how we can each support this charity. For more information, visit https://pickupsforpeace.co.uk Or contact the Islay Vet Surgery by email at vet.islay@gmail.com Acknowledgements Guest: Beth Newman Many thanks to Beth for sharing her thoughts about her trips to Ukraine with the Pickups 4 Peace network and the support she received from Islay and Jura residents. Hosts: Glen Roberts and Jolyon Thurgood Music :  Carol of the Bells - This version is from White_Records on Pixabay 171731 This song is derived from a traditional folk song celebrating New Year, which kids used to sing while walking around the village from one house to another collecting presents and lollies. The original name of the song is "Shchedryk" - generosity in the Ukraine language. Visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OUJLYLtqSs for a traditional version of this song. Production: Jean MacLellan, Greig Barker, Gordon Bermingham and Jolyon Thurgood

    38 min

  4. 15/12/2025

    Port Ellen Primary School: Neurodiversity

    Continuing our collaboration with primary schools on Islay, this episode features students and staff at Port Ellen Primary School discussing neurodiversity, school houses (Orsay, Texa and Nave) and the Gold: Rights Respecting School Award (RRSA), awarded by UNICEF UK. Acknowledgements: Many thanks to the staff and students of Port Ellen Primary School who contributed to this episode through recordings made at the school. Music :⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠ - 335607-Happy Kids Cartoon For This Is Islay production: Gordon Bermingham, Jolyon Thurgood

    20 min

  5. 10/12/2025

    Catriona Bell - Life on Islay 2

    This episode is released today to mark Catriona Bell's 90th birthday - Happy Birthday from This Is Islay! Catriona is well known on Islay for her various contributions to the community over many years. Continuing our conversation with Catriona, in this episode she describes the long path leading to success getting Islay its first indoor swimming pool, as well as the very early days of the Ileach publication. (See also Episode 37 - 1 July 2025) AcknowledgementsThanks to Catriona for sharing her interesting stories with us.Music : Enchanted by Keys of Moon( https://youtu.be/LUVmaAL5fAk?si=HZclnOIPvh5rgrDU )Production team : Jean MacLellan, Gordon Bermingham and Jolyon Thurgood

    30 min

  6. 01/11/2025

    Housing on Islay - Part 3 - Wakey-wakey Islay !?

    We continue our exploration of local housing issues on Islay and Jura. This time Russell discusses the core issue of land ownership and particularly the role of community buyouts with Lesley Riddoch, the award-winning broadcaster, journalist, author, cyclist, land reform campaigner and lover of all things Nordic. For all our podcasts, visit thisisislay.co.uk Featuring Guest: Lesley Riddoch lesleyriddoch.com Host: Russell Pollock Acknowledgements Production team : Jolyon Thurgood, Gordon Bermingham and the crew. Music by ⁠Ievgen Poltavskyi⁠ from ⁠Pixabay⁠ (333111)

    32 min

  7. 01/10/2025

    Housing on Islay - Part 2 - A Builder's Perspective

    This Is Islay continues the conversation on housing issues on Islay, exploring the unique challenges and issues which face individuals and families seeking a place to live in our island community. In this episode, we share the perspective of local housing builder, MacLeod Construction, who holds multiple contracts with housing associations on Islay as well as elsewhere across Argyll and Bute. Glen Roberts speaks with Mairi MacLeod Coleman. If you have been impacted by housing challenges on Islay or Jura, or would like to join this discussion, please contact us at thisisislay@gmail.com or drop us a DM. Acknowledgements: Host: Glen Roberts Guest: Mairi MacLeod Coleman, Construction Director, MacLeod Construction https://www.mkmacleod.co.uk Music: Fraser Shaw Trust For ⁠This Is Islay⁠: Gordon Bermingham, Tom O'Farrell and Team

    24 min

  8. 23/09/2025

    I'd Be Dressing A Banana

    In a conversation with Jean MacLellan, Kate Skinner tells us about the Coop's history with Fairtrade, and how Fairtrade and buying Fairtrade products makes a difference all over the world. Fairtrade Fortnight in 2025 runs from September 22nd to October 5th, with special promotions in the Coop and online. As Kate says: "I'd be dressing a banana". Find out more by following @Coop Kate and visit https://www.coop.co.uk/our-suppliers/fairtrade . Host: Jean MacLellan Guest: "Coop Kate" Skinner, Port Wemyss Resident This Is Islay Production: Tom O'Farrell and Team

    22 min
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About

This Is Islay is a community podcast celebrating the people, places, events and connections which shape the Hebridean island communities of Islay and Jura. Our goal is to use podcasting to foster community involvement, education and training, providing resources and facilities to research, produce and promote content for a worldwide audience. We collaborate with Islay High School, and with MYCOS and their programmes in support of local young people. We actively seek volunteers to join our podcasting team. Contact us at e-mail: thisisislay@gmail.com. Follow on Twitter & Facebook @ThisIsIslay .

Information

  • Creator
    ThisIsIslay
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    49
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © ThisIsIslay
  • Show Website
    This Is Islay

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