Stories From A Scottish Island Stories From A Scottish Island

 Interview With Liz Dale Discussing Suffragette General Flora Drummond

The suffragette movement is rightly remembered as a huge turning point in the way women were both perceived and treated within society. In this interview, Joni Keen interviews islander Liz Dale who discusses many topics including the life of Flora Drummond who was brought up on the isle of Arran and who went on to make a huge contribution to women across the United Kingdom.

Podcast Ep 10 – Table Of Contents

Liz Dale Interview

0.29 Liz Dale talks about her early life on Arran


1.40 Growing up in Pirnmill


3.13 What is a Pirn and it’s importance to Arran industry

6.15 Rob Anderson the blacksmith


6.43 Johnny Anderson – early photography


9.55 Liz introduces Flora Drummond


12.20 Flora’s first experience of discrimination


14.30 Flora moves back to England and marries Joseph Drummond


15.28 Flora discovers the inequality that women faced in the workplace


16.32 In 1905 Flora’s big life turning point


17.13 Hearing Emmeline Pankhurst speak


18.16 Where Flora got the title “general” from and various suffragette activities


23.45 Women get the vote


25.15 Flora’s death, burial and belated headstone raised in her memory

Resources & Links Mentioned In The Podcast

An excellent website outlining the suffragette movement.

The Wikipedia page on General Flora Drummond.

Painting of General Flora Drummond at the National Galleries of Scotland.

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                                                 VisitArran Promotes Arran To The World – Interview With Sheila Gilmore

VisitArran is a vital promotional tool for the island and the organisation’ Executive Director Sheila Gilmore is certainly the best person for the job! In this podcast, Sheila describes her life and love on the island and much more besides. In a world where there is so much choice and competition when it comes to holiday destination choice, VisitArran creates a compelling case to choose Arran.

Podcast Ep 9 – Table Of Contents

Sheila Gilmore Interview

2.00 Growing up at the Ormidale


6.00 Arran Music Festival


8.00 Brodick Beach Huts


11.30 Brodick Golf Club


12.45 Community Spirit


16.00 Met her late Husband Alan Johnston


17.00 Book & Card


18.20 Fire brigade HQ Ormidale Bar?


22.00 New Ferry Glen Sannox


23.00 First Minister


24.50 Work Ethic Arran Teenagers


26.10 Further Education


26.30 Shiskine


26.40 Drama


27.00 Shiskine Hall


28.00 Public Speaking


30.00 Claire & Calum


32.00 Auchrannie


33.00 Tourism


34.00 R.E.T.


36.00 New Terminal


37.00 Public Transport


38.00 Additional Beds


39.00 Environment


41.00 Demographic


42.00 Social Services


44.00 Housing needs


46.00 Blackwaterfoot



Resources & Links Mentioned In The Podcast

We have video of Sheila as well as promotional content from VisitArran in our portfolio section. Make sure you check this extra material out.

The VisitArran website.

The VisitArran Facebook page.

VisitArran on Twitter.

Check out all my other podcasts.

Working For Laurelle in New York & Running A Store On Arran. What’s The Difference?

Many of us think of leaving the rat race and setting up shop in a rural idyll but few actually realise this dream and face up to the reality. Not so when it comes to Claire Reeves. Claire was living and working at Laurelle in New York after emigrating to America in 1998 from London, England in her twenties. Now, she lives on Arran and runs the Bay Kitchen & Stores business with her husband Stuart who although born in Glasgow, was a frequent visitor to Arran in his youth. This is the story of Claire’s journey in her own words as she talks about London, New York, big business and the problems of getting locally produced goat milk and potatoes on Arran!

Podcast Ep 8 – Table Of Contents

Claire Reeves Interview

0.20 Meeting Stuart in New York then married in Arran

2.10 Moving to Arran

3.35 Working in a high powered job for Laurelle in New York

3.50 The difference between working in New York and on Arran

7.56 Running the shop – who it’s aimed at, it’s USP’s and more

18.26 Arran – a great place to bring up children

22.15 Walks and bike riding challenges

28.23 Planning for the future – Arran Gin anyone?

30.30 Flora and fauna learning

33.55 The best bread in the world!

37.40 Arran cheese’s – a must try

40.00 We need goats!

45.12 Looking to recruit new people to Arran



Resources & Links Mentioned In The Podcast

The Bay Kitchen & Stores portfolio includes some beautiful photography from outside and inside the shop as well as gorgeous display of some of their products for sale (and the piano!).

View The Bay Kitchen & Stores Facebook page.

Check out all my other podcasts.

Caledonian MacBrayne’s Man From Iran To Arran

It’s fair to say that Caledonian MacBrayne, or Calmac as it’s commonly referred to is a huge part of island life. The ferries that dock in Arran from the mainland of Scotland not only bring visitors which has a huge positive economic impact, but also crucial supplies that most people just take for granted. In this episode, I talk with Jay Shibel who originates from far of Iran but has nothing but pride in the job he does helping keep Arran and many other Scottish island connected to the Scottish mainland. His story and thoughts are a wonderful addition to this podcast as we learn about Jay’s life, Calmac and shipping all on-board the Arran ferry.

Podcast Ep 7 – Table Of Contents

Jay Shibel’s Interview

2.22 CalMac

4.05 Jays Love of the Scottish Islands

8.30 Promotion For Scotland

10.00 Auchrannie

10.30 Love of Community & Friends

12.50 Alex Salmond Visit

14.50 New Ferry

22.00 Joseph Stiglitz

24.00 New Terminal Building

30.00 Island Economy

Resources & Links Mentioned In The Podcast

View the Jay Shibel’s portfolio which has supporting video about the events that are discussed in this podcast as well as further images of Rosemary and Howard.

View the new Caledonian MacBrayne’s ferry at the Ferguson Marine website which includes a 3D model of the vessel.

This is the Calmac MacBrayne website which sails to Arran and many other Scottish islands.

Check out all my other podcasts.

Rosemary and Howard Walker

Can Rosemary and Howard Walker have lived on Arran for a very long time and their stories of life on the island is a history class all in itself. From Rosemary’s recounting of German planes overflying the island after the devastating raids on Clydebank to Howard’s varied life as gamekeeper come conservationist.

Podcast Ep 6 – Table Of Contents

Rosemary’s Interview

1.00 Starting Primary School at Council Office


3.00 Lamlash


5.00 Evacuees Glasgow High School at Altachorvie


7.30 The Wrens


13.00 Photographers studio


17.00 Lilly Pads


18.00 Bombing of Clydebank


22.00 Drama Festival

Howard’s Interview

23.00 Howard’s war time memories


24.30 Corrie primary school


25.00 Gamekeeper to the Duke of Montrose


26.00 Moved to the Kennels Brodick castle


28.00 The cull of Red deer


30.00 The White Stag


32.00 Animal welfare


35.00 Holy Isle


40.00 Fish farm


43.00 The dye mill


45.50 Jewellery from stags, antlers & teeth


53.00 Family


53.00 The Dasher

Resources & Links Mentioned In The Podcast

View the Walker’s portfolio which has supporting video about the events that are discussed in this podcast as well as further images of Rosemary and Howard.

Click The Dasher Association and learn all about the tragedy of HMS Dasher.

Read about the devastation and carnage wrought Clydebank, the fires of which Rosemary could see from Arran.

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Japanese Design & Arran Potter Simon Thorburn

Can there be anything more hypnotic than watching a potter at work at the potter’s wheel? Simon Thorburn has been working as a potter since the 1980’s on Arran. His work is known around the world. Not only due to his incredible artistry, but also the phenomenal interest he has gained through his Youtube video exposure. In this interview Simon discusses his life before Arran and how he got into pottery. He also talks about the process of making his products and his Japanese inspired design ideas for decorating them.

 

Podcast Ep 5 – Table Of Contents

0.10 Difference between potter and ceramicist


1.00 Childhood School – Craw Pottery


9.00 Self Employed


10.30 Self Painting Pottery


15.00 Moving To Home Farm


19.00 Music  life on Arran


23.00 Horsehair


27.00 Teacher memories

Resources & Links Mentioned In The Podcast

Click Simon Thorborn Portfolio to see two amazing videos of Simon at work as well as images of pottery.

The Stories From A Scottish Island online shop includes a range of produce from “Arran Ceramics”, you will absolutely love these.

Find out more about Arran Ceramics and Simon at the Arran Ceramics Facebook page.

Here is the official Arran Ceramics website.



Check out all my other podcasts.