What We Do In The Winter

This episode is a conversation with Gail Struthers. Gail hails from the Hillfoots, the villages and towns around the foot of the Ochil Hills, near Stirling. She’s lived on Mull for many years now and has worked principally in catering in hotels and cafes in the North of the Island. She currently works at Bowman Court and our local hospital in Craignure. Our conversation takes us through Gail’s childhood, her working life and travels away from the island, her life here on Mull, including her time running the Glengorm Café, where I first met her, and then into her passion for reading. For links and more please visit whatwedointhewinter.com Thanks for listening!

This episode is a conversation with Eilidh Young. Originally from Penmore in North West Mull, Eilidh lives in Lochdon, where she was the head of Lochdonhead Primary for many years. Our conversation brings the North of Mull to life during the second world war, so much so that we’ll hear what the infamous Lord Haw Haw, Nazi Propogandist on ‘Germany Calling’ had to say to the people of Tobermory one evening. Eilidh has tales of herself and her father, her training in Edinburgh at Moray House, her work as a teacher in St Neots, Murihouse and of course here on Mull. Eilidh and I spoke in December in the midst of a great big storm, which you’ll hear in the background to our chat. Image of Eilidh Young courtesy of Meriel Young, with thanks! Thanks for listening! Episode notes and more can be found on whatwedointhewinter.com

This episode is a talk between Seamas Carey of The Reason Why podcast and me, Alasdair Satchel, of What We Do in the Winter which explores the nature of our podcasting work. Seamas’ podcast The Reason Why was released in the spring of 2022. It consists of 10 themed episodes and two live episodes which round the project off. It explores the social issues, hidden history and culture wars of contemporary Cornwall. What We Do in the Winter is an oral history podcast about the lives of the people of the Isles of Mull, Iona, Ulva, Gometra, Erraid and Little Colonsay. The conversation you’re about to hear took place in An Tobar, Tobermory on the 4th of October 2023 in front of a live audience. It came about thanks to Rhona Dougall and Nina Pope where were at the time of recording the curators of the visual arts programme at An Tobar Mull Theatre. Sound at the event was by Louise Gregory and Tim Olden. Episode links and more can be found on whatwedointhewinter.com Thanks for listening!

A very happy Christmas to you! This episode is a conversation with Banjo and Ro Beale. Banjo and Ro originally hail from Australia but have settled just outside of Tobermory on the Isle of Mull. Ro is one of the masterminds behind the distillery at Isle of Mull Cheese, and Banjo is a celebrated interior designer, whose work you may have seen in Interior Design Masters, his own series Designing the Hebrides and whose book Wild Isle Style is available from all good bookshops. We cover so many topics in this episode as Banjo and Ro talk about their lives and adventures. To donate to Banjo and Ro's work in Nepal, please drop a line to: ahoy@banjobeale.co.uk Photo of Banjo & Ro by Lisa McKenna For more information please see the episode links on whatwedointhewinter.com Thanks for listening! All the best to you for 2024!

This episode is a conversation with Donald Macgillivray of Pennygown. We talk about his childhood, go way back into his family history, talk about drove roads and the last cattle drove off Iona to Falkirk, the changes he’s seen in agricultural practice over his career, his work with Highland cattle, abandoned villages and places long forgotten, his dear friend – the late and much missed Hugh MacPhail and so, so much more. Episode links and more can be found on our website at whatwedointhewinter.com It's this sort of knowledge that passes so swiftly if it’s not passed on and I am deeply indebted to Donald for his time and sincerity in sharing these stories with me. Thanks for listening!

This episode is a chat with Cressida Cowell, author of the How To Train Your Dragon books, the Wizards of Once series and Which Way to Anywhere. Cressida grew up in London where her Dad, Michael Hare, had significant roles in several well known organisations. In the 1970’s Michael bought the island of Little Colonsay, which lies between Ulva and Staffa, which was to become the family’s summer home. The island, it’s history, topography and setting had a profound affect on young Cressida’s imagination and her summers would be spent in a reverie of story making, listening to the tales her Dad would tell her of the people of these islands’ past. These experiences lead to Cressida becoming an author, and not just any author. Her works have been translated into 38 languages and sold tens of millions of copies around the world. There are film and tv adaptations of her work. In our time together we talked about her childhood memories of Little Colonsay and the people who helped her family to build their home there. We talk about her father and his love of nature. We explore the impact that the island had on her imagination, and how that lead to her career. Cressida goes on to talk about her maternal Grandfather, Alan Hare, and his experiences in the 2nd World War in Albania and how that generation of people influenced her writing. We then talk about the importance of the natural world and the nature of climate change. I owe a big thank you to my dear friend Colin Morrison for putting me in contact with Cressida. Colin and his family run Turus Mara, which, departing from Ulva Ferry, to my mind, is the best way to see Staffa, Fingal’s Cave and to meet the puffins on Lunga for some puffin therapy. See the links in the episode notes for more details. Most importantly of all though at the end of this episode Cressida kindly took the time to answer three questions from Lachlan, one of her young readers who lives in Dervaig, who sent me some questions to ask. Thanks for listening! Episode links and more on whatwedointhewinter.com

This episode is a conversation with Anne Scott about Java and Craignure from the late 1940's and into the 1950's. Anne grew up in Falkirk, lived in Edinburgh for many years and now resides in Largs. Alexander Maclachlan, Anne's Grandfather, was the head gardener at Java Lodge. Anne offers up insights into the communities around Craignure in the mid part of the last century and the arrival of the folk from Soay to Java. Anne is an academic, who is still teaching to this day, she’s been a broadcaster working with Radio Scotland, featuring on the wonderful Jimmy MacGregor’s programmes and she’s also an author. Her book, 18 Bookshops is an absolute delight. If, like me, you’re a bit of a bibliophile, then this is the book you’ve been waiting for! Many listeners will also know the work of Anne’s son, Mike Scott of the Waterboys, whose music has brought a lot of joy to millions of listeners. Links and more can be found on our website at whatwedointhewinter.com Thank you for listening!

This episode is a conversation with Cameron Fletcher. Born in Fanmore, Torloisk, Cameron tells us tales of his school life on the island and away in Oban. He talks about a wide variety of characters from his youth, then goes on to tell us about his working life here and away in Argyll and Perthshire. Cameron offers up a unique take on life growing up on the island that I know will really connect with many listeners. Episodes links and more can be found on our website at whatwedointhewinter.com Thanks for listening!

This episode is a conversation with Andrew Macfarlane of Glen Aros. Aged 81 he has lived all his life here on the island, starting off at Tiroran, moving to Pennygown, then onto Salen and to Glen Aros. His family hale from the Isles of Gometra and Coll. We cover a great number of subjects in our chat including childhood memories of Coll, the people around him here on Mull as he grew up, his schooling in Gribun, elements of the second sight which, Gaelic language and culture, farming Aberdeen Angus and so much more. We recorded our conversation at the Glen Aros road end, where you can often find Andy sat in his jeep watching the world go by. For links to the topics covered and more info please visit whatwedointhewinter.com Thanks for listening!

This episode is a conversation with Alastair McIsaac Maclean of Tobermory. Alastair is 84 years old and lives at the back of Tobermory main street in a building which used to be a bakery, where he worked as a young boy. Our chat we cover his early years in Tobermory and Bridge of Weir, memories of Aros House and the delights of the walled garden, life on the pier in Oban, being wrecked in the Sound of Islay, bands and comedians of the past who paid a visit to Tob, his national service, the construction of Craignure pier, his work on fishing boats and much, much more. Episode notes and more can be found on whatwedointhewinter.com Thank you for listening!

In this episode I speak with Nick Holmes of Aros Mains. Nick tells us tales of his life and interests, his travels and adventures in the UK, France and America. Thanks for listening! For links and more info, please visit whatwedointhewinter.com

This episode is a conversation with Neil Jardine of Iona, a fisherman who runs Iona Seafood, a fantastic local business providing both the local and international markets. We talk about Neil’s early life on Iona, his adventures away in Australia, the development of his working practice and how he balances his family and work lives. Thanks for listening! For links and more info, please visit whatwedointhewinter.com The HPMA Consultation - Islands Federation Draft Response can be found here: https://www.scottish-islands-federation.co.uk/draft-response-to-hpma-consultation/

This episode is a conversation about the salmon fishing station at Camas in the Ross of Mull. It features Sheena Walker, Mary-Anne MacDonald, Kirsty Lord, Sandy Brunton, Gregor Cameron, and Douglas Canning. All of whom are part of the MacInnes family, who ran the fishing. This podcast was recorded both as a podcast and as research for the film Creel of Stories – Cliabh an t-Seanachais, which tells the story of fishing cultures in the Ross of Mull and Iona. Our conversation was recorded on Zoom, which means that the sound is a bit glitchy here and there, for which I apologise. Episode links and more can be found at https://whatwedointhewinter.com/2022/12/14/66-salmon-fishing-at-camas/ Creel of Stories - Cliabh an t-Seanachais can be found on this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-whCCTBk3QY&t=28s Thanks for listening!

This episode features a conversation between Anne MacGregor, Iain Campbell, Jean MacLean and Mabel Canning, who all grew up near Salen. We talk about so many subjects – where people’s families came from, social activities of the past, village halls gone by, Mabel’s mum – Doctor Flora, the songs of Archie MacLean - also known as Wobbles, the brief presence of a very dark soul, the serial killer, Manuel on the island, superstitions, ghost stories, working lives and so, so much more. For links and more please visit whatwedointhewinter.com Thanks for listening!

This episode is a chat with Gremlin Napier of Fanmore, in the North West of Mull. Gremlin came to Mull in the late 70’s and has been here since then, with interludes for adventures in Africa. Our conversation covers a lot of ground. We talk about the origin of his name, the incredible work of his parents, his school days, life in the 60’s and 70’s and the people who he met in the area when he moved to the island. There’s a couple of trigger warnings for you with this episode. Our conversation features strong language, in fact some of the finest swearing I’ve heard in a long time, references to dead bodies at about 10 minutes into the episode and references to the smoking of marijuana. I’m so chuffed to share this conversation with you, we recorded it over a year ago and I’ve been only just managed to sit down and edit it to get it to you. Gremlin has one of the most beautiful voices you could wish to hear, it’s been an absolute delight to spend time with his words again. For links and more please visit www.whatwedointhewinter.com Thanks for listening!

This episode is a little bit different from previous episodes. It’s a lecture given by Lachlan (Lachie) MacLean, Lachie Knock, to the Mull Historical Society in the 1980's. The lecture has the loose title of Tales From the Glen. Lachie talks about the origins of the clan MacLean, the struggle to keep the Gaelic language and culture alive, Glen Forsa and Glen Cannel, place names, local story tellers of his youth in Loch Buie and so, so much more. This recording comes from the archive of Donald MacLean, Donald Langamull, which was bequeathed to Mull Museum in Tobermory. I’m releasing this recording on the main stream of What We Do in the Winter as I think it would be of interest to so many of our listeners. The rest of Donald Langamull’s archive will be released over the coming years in partnership with Mull Museum and can be found on both the WWDitW sound cloud and main webpage. Thanks for listening! whatwedointhewinter.com

In this episode I talk with Giuliana Mercorio Ashford of Tobermory. Giuliana’s life started off in the town of Maddaloni, near Naples in Italy, where she grew up during the second world war. After the war her family moved to South Africa. She then moved to Washington DC, London and then to the Isle of Mull. Thank you for listening! For more info, please visit: https://whatwedointhewinter.com/ What We Do in the Archive - epsiode 1: https://whatwedointhewinter.com/2022/06/20/wwdita-01-mary-morrison-education-and-social-life-in-the-19th-century/

In this special Christmas episode I talk with Brigadier John Macfarlane who grew up in Tobermory during WW2, where his family ran Macfarlane’s the shop on the main street. We talk about life in Tobermoryin World War 2, the roots of his family and how they came to live on Mull, the founding of Tobermory Distillery, the characters of his youth, we hear a remarkable tale about life on the Isle of Lunga, and discuss the nature of Gaelic in the Tobermory of his youth. A very merry christmas to you if you're listening as the episode goes out! Episode links and more can be found at whatwedointhewinter.com If you've enjoyed this episode and were able to and wanted to support the podcast, this month could we ask you to consider a donation towards our local foodbank, Mull and Iona Pantry, which can be found here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/mullandionapantry Any support is much appreciated, thank you. Thanks so much for listening! Nollaig Chridheil dhut!

This episode is a conversation with Harry Hickford of Tobermory. Harry comes originally from the Scottish borders where he worked on the land, particularly as a horsieman. He came to Mull to run Erray Farm for Colonel Anderson. We talk about his time growing up in the borders, a little about borders identity, then his move to Mull, who the characters were when he first came here, how he found life on the island, the changes in agricultural practice that he’s seen over the course of his life and much more besides. We also hear a ghost story... This is a conversation that I’ve wanted to have for a very long time, so it was just brilliant to get to spend time with Harry. What We Do in the Winter is sponsored by Island Bakery, and, in particular, their delicious Lemon Melts. For links and more episodes please feel free to visit our website on whatwedointhewinter.com Thanks for listening!

In this episode I talk with Charlotte Mellis of Larach Mhòr, near Treshnish. Charlotte’s family have had a home on Mull since the 1950’s. Her father was in the Navy when she was wee so she grew up between Mull, Malta and Greece. Charlotte is a noted potter who owns the Tin Shed gallery, where you can see both her work and exhibitions by herself and others throughout the course of the year. She hails from a family of renowned artists including her aunties Margaret Mellis and Ann Stokes. Our conversation goes straight in at the deep end with discussions about the nature of privilege and trying to find a niche in life. We then talk about her family, how she developed her skills as a potter, her rock and roll past and how she met Athol, to whom she’s been married for 30 years and then we talk about why she loves life here on Mull. For links and more please visit whatwedointhewinter.com Thanks for listening!