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. Check out all my other podcasts.

                                                 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. Check out all my other podcasts.

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.

Keeping Arran’s Baking Tradition Alive and Kicking Although not originally from Arran, Lindsay Keir has spent decades on the island bringing up a family and building a business that is known not only in Arran and across Scotland, but also in Europe. The company also exports their delicious oatcakes and baking goods to as far afield as America and is now exploring export to China. Joni Keen talks about this and Lindsay’s life on the island with his family and friends.   Podcast Ep 4 – Table Of Contents 0.56 Mud Pies 1.05 Childhood Family History 1.56 Working in mining 3.00 Crawford’s Bakery 4.08 Met his wife Alison 1972 5.00 Holidays on Arran 7.00 Buying Wooleys Bakery 8.30 Jeff Colin’s 9.30 Children 17.00 Brodick Bar 18.00 Captain Golf Club 26.14 Exporting produce 35.00 Oaties 37.00 Wooleys Shop 40.00 Super Markets 4100 Mud Pies Resources & Links Mentioned In The Podcast Click Wooleys of Arran Portfolio to view where all the magic happens and other images. The Stories From A Scottish Island online shop includes a range of produce from “Wooleys” Grab some today! The Wooleys website is both beautiful and comprehensive in highlighting the range of baking products created by the company. Check out all my other podcasts.

Entrepreneurial Spirit With Scotland’s Larder Alastair Dobson is Arran through and through having actually been born on the island he left at aged sixteen only to return and continue the work of his parents building up their milk and dairy business. Alastair was one of the driving forces being the formation of “Taste of Arran”, a brand that he discusses in the following podcast with Joni. Alastair also talks about an area of concern on Arran, that of affordable housing. Alastair is working with various agencies to see how this problem for the island can be addressed.   Podcast Ep 3 – Table Of Contents 4.00 Childhood & Family History 5.48 Farming 8.04 Arran Dairies 15.00 Trade Show 20.00 Zero Packaging 22.00 Met His Wife Susan 23.00 Arran Milk 24.30 Ice Cream 28.00 Taste Of Arran 32.40 Distribution 33.00 Best Sellers 36.00 Housing 39.35 Arran Economic Group 47.00 Island in Denmark Resources & Links Mentioned In The Podcast Click Taste of Arran Portfolio to see images of the company. The Stories From A Scottish Island online shop includes a range of produce from “Taste of Arran”. Taste of Arran is well worth a visit. Check out all my other podcasts.

Business, Human Rights and Suzanne Vega Fred Shortland lives in Lochranza, one of the most beautiful parts of the island of Arran. Having visited the Holy Isle just off Arran, Fred and his wife then looked at Arran as a potential place to retire. Although “retired” Fred is still very busy with his business which he runs from the Arran as well as continuing to work for and with the popular and world famous song smith Suzanne Vega. In this interview, Fred discusses not only moving and living on Arran, but his work in the field of human rights as well as his involvement with the “Justice For Kirsty Campaign”. Full of light and shade, this podcast will have you riveted from the start as Fred tells his at times incredible, but moving story of his life and work.   Podcast Ep 2 – Table Of Contents 1.00 Childhood 2.00 Holy Isle 3.00 First Visit To Arran 3.30 Moving to Arran 6.00 College 8.18 Corporate ( Life Ten Years ) 9.00 Shortland Associates 10.00 Midge Ease 12.00 Street Kids 13.00 Amnesty International 14.00 Casa ( Charity ) 24.00 Kirsty McCall 35.00 Suzanne Vega Resources & Links Mentioned In The Podcast Casa Alianza is part of the Compass Children’s Charity. Visit the Justice For Kirsty Campaign. Check out our online shop to purchase Midge Ease. Check out all my other podcasts.

Interview With Heather MacLeod of Whiting Bay Having known Heather for a long time, interviewing her was just really having a chat with an old friend. Heather is well known on the island for her beautiful artwork which you can view below. As well as keeping busy with her incredible artistic creations, Heather also teaches and performs the Clarsach (a Scottish harp). I love the sound of this so much I asked Heather if I could use a small part of her playing on all my podcasts. I was delighted she said yes. Heather and her husband Les are very talented and industrious people and this will come across in the podcast you are about to hear. As well as Heather’s beautiful Clarsach playing, I’ll be asking her about the various ways she creates art, her gigs and the wonderful candles that Les creates. So, I hope you enjoy listening to my interview with Heather Macleod. Podcast Ep 1 – Table Of Contents 4.30 Candles 6.00 Silks 7.30 Silk Prints 8.00 Picture Framer 8.30 Steam Punk 12.30 Open Studio’s 16.00 teaching Harp 18.00 Gigs & Music 23.00 Walks & winding up 26.00 Final remarks Resources & Links Mentioned In The Podcast Click Heather MacLeod Portfolio to see Heather’s wonderful artwork and husbands Les’s beautiful candle displays. If you are interested in purchasing any of Heather’s art or Les’s candles, come on over to the Stories From A Scottish Island shop for product information, delivery and price (link opens in new window). Check out all my other podcasts.