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 Craign…

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 C…

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 iss…

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 Inte…

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 …

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 Staf…

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 p…

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 u…

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 …

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, l…

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.comبقلم Alasdair Satchel

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 listen…

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 Cree…

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 pr…

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 a…

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…

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, ple…

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 he…

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 characte…

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…

This episode is a conversation with Carla Lamont of Fionnphort. Carla originally hails from Canada and chose to come and work in Scotland, starting off on Iona, before coming across to Fionnphort where she and her husband John run the remarkable 9th Wave restaurant.As well as running a very successful restaurant, you may know Carla from her recent …

In this episode I talk with Dawn Reade of Tobermory.Dawn comes originally from Belfast in Northern Ireland. We talk about growing up in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, her family, her choice to come and study in Edinburgh, the relative attractiveness of people in rural as opposed to urban settings, the development of the Island Bakery busines…

In this episode I talk with Duncan Brown, formerly of Tobermory.Duncan talks about growing up in Tobermory in the 70’s and 80’s and the role that sports, scouting and more played in his youth. We talk about football, Bogie racing, The Rally and lots more. Duncan gives a great account of what it’s like to be in a Rally car, the sensations and smells…

In this episode I talk with Iain MacKinnon of Tobermory.If you’re listening to this on its day of release, a very happy Christmas to you! Iain talks about his family roots here on the island, and connections to Tiree.We talk about characters from the past, with Iain bringing their memory to life by telling stories that they told him. There are tale…

In this episode I talk with Hannah Fisher of Kintra in the Ross of Mull. Originally from Dunkeld, Hannah is a musician who has toured the world with bands including Idlewild and King Creosote, whilst also having a fantastic solo career as one of the most interesting fiddle players and composers around at this moment in time. I’m delighted to say th…

This episode is a chat with textile artist Shirley Pinder. Shirley grew up in Tobermory where her Mother and Father ran Strongarbh House and the Gallery on the Main Street, where they sold various things including materials woven by her father and herself. Shirley brings her childhood and family clearly to life while also giving us a very fine pict…

I’m absolutely delighted to say that this episode is a chat with Judy Gibson of the Isle of Erraid. Erraid is a tidal island off of the Ross of Mull, with a remarkable and long history. Judy and I chatted at the start of lockdown over the internet on a fairly poor line, which cut out several times. Our conversation covers a lot of ground. We talk a…

COMING SOON: *WWDitW Live@Home* - Friday 31st July 19.30 on Zoom - follow our social media for a link to the event!This is a short bonus episode of What We Do in the Winter which features an episode of the American Years Revisited podcast.At the height of the Cuban missile crisis the USS Proteus left the Holy Loch outside of Dunoon in a great hurry…

Episode 51 - WWDitW Live @Dervaig Village Hall on the 6th of March 2020.This episode is a recording of a live event that we had at Dervaig Village Hall on Saturday the 7th of March 2020.The topics covered in this episode include: Dervaig Village Hall in the Past; a live performance of a play featuring lots of local people at Calgary Bay in 1993, Mo…

This is a brief advert for Islands in Film, which premieres tomorrow evening at 8pm, Friday the 26th of June 2020. For more info please follow this link https://whatwedointhewinter.com/2020/06/18/islands-in-film-premiering-fri-26th-june-8pm-on-youtube/Filmed by 75 people and edited by Alasdair & Georgia Satchel, it features music by Hannah Fisher a…

This episode features a chat with Richard Kellett of Aros Mains.Originally from the Borders Richard is a paramedic here on Mull.He’s lead a remarkable life, having been in the army seeing service in Iraq during the 2nd Iraq war. Many people here on the islands will know him from his work with the ambulance service, his time as manager at Am Birlinn…

This episode is a conversation with Sheena Walker. Brought up in Dervaig, Sheena talks about the lives of her Mother and Father, her various jobs on the island, the social scene of her youth and so much more. Due to the current lockdown situation we recorded our chat over the internet. These days, whilst working in Edinburgh at the Royal Scottish A…

This episode is a conversation with Anja and Mark Jardine of Iona. Due to the current lockdown situation we recorded our chat over the internet. Originally from Germany Anja comes from a town near Leipzig, and grew up during the cold war, when the Berlin Wall divided the country into East and West Germany. Anja was in the East living under communis…

In this episode I talk with Elizabeth and Donald Kirsop of Lochdon.Elizabeth’s recalls coming to the island, her teenage years, the Craignure Inn and much more. Donald talks about his family trade, growing up in Tobermory, and there’s some great stories about the music scene on the island in the past. It was just great to spend time with both Donal…

In this episode I talk with Charlie Hogg of Tobermory. Charlie and I have been trying to get a time to catch up together since the start of the project, so I’m absolutely delighted to have finally got around to spending time with him and to have the opportunity to share this with you. Charlie’s memories take in life in Tobermory, visits to Haunn an…

بقلم Alasdair Satchel

بقلم Alasdair Satchel

بقلم Alasdair Satchel

بقلم Alasdair Satchel

In this episode I talk with Joanie and John Mackay of Tobermory.Joanie comes originally from Tobermory and John from Dervaig.Our conversation goes all over the place. We talk about when Joanie worked at the telephone exchange in Tob, when John’s folks ran the Bellachroy in Dervaig, the career of Joanie’s Dad, Pibroch, the renowned fiddler, John’s t…

Howard Pitman hails from Dervaig and now lives in Glasgow.Howie and I chat about his memories of growing up in the village and what the nature of the island means to him. He identifies lots of characters from the past and talks very touchingly about the first time he met his wife to be.His father, David, ran Coffee in Books in the village.There’s s…

In this episode I talk with Chris Reade of Sgriobruadh Farm, Tobermory.Chris and her late husband Jeff founded Isle of Mull Cheese.We talk about her life in England as a child and how she and Jeff bought a farm in Somerset and then, through seeing an advert in an English paper, noticed some land on the Isle of Mull for sale. We explore her working …

This episode takes a trip to Shetland to talk with Tim Matthew.Born down South, Tim first came to live on Mull at Tavool, past Tiroran on the way to the Burgh Peninsula in the South of the Isle of Mull.Tim talks about the nature of life in such a remote location and how he went to school in Pennyghael School, under the tutelage of Mamie Brunton.We …

In this episode Catherine Evans talk about her life in Tobermory as a child, the shops along the main street and the many characters of the town. She then goes on to talk about student life in Belfast at the dawn of the troubles, and where her adventures took her later in life, leading to coming back home to Mull. At the end of the episode we retur…

This is a special episode in this series of podcasts which normally comes from the Isles of Mull, Iona, Ulva, Gometra. In this episode you’re going to hear from some of the people who attended the Bunessan Show on the 2nd of August 2019. The Bunessan Show is an agricultural and cultural show which is held in the fields around Bunessan Primary in th…

In this episode I talk with Netta Titterton of Colonsay.I’ve known Netta since I was a wee boy, as she’s a relation, so it’s an absolute delight to have gotten a chance to speak with her.We talk about Netta's family, and how her Dad's work with the Strathcona family, who have owned Colonsay for over 100 years, brought the family to Colonsay. The st…

In this episode I talk with Carol and Donald (Peedie) MacNeill of Drumclach, on the Western Side of Colonsay. As you’ll hear, Carol is originally from Edinburgh and came to Colonsay as a young woman to work at the hotel for a summer job. It was there that she met Donald, who was born and raised on the island at Garvard, opposite Oransay.Our convers…

In this episode I talk with Gordon Connell, originally from Blairmore near Dunoon, Gordon moved to Tiree to teach History in 1962. Gordon is an accordion player and one of the most significant teachers of accordion, the list of his pupils is rather impressive. We talk about growing up in Blairmore, going to school in Dunoon, university life in Glas…

This episode takes you away from Mull and over to Tiree where I talk with John Holliday. John was the doctor on the island for 30 years and is often known as 'Doc'. Originally from the England, John lived in Australia before settling on Tiree. We talk about his work in Australia with the Pintupi people, the choice of coming to live and work on Tire…

This episode features a return to Iona, where I chat with Joanne MacInnes. A proud Dundonian, Joanne has lived on Iona for many years now, where she and her husband John are raising their family. We talk about Dundonian cultural identity, college life, work life and what it is like to move into a small community and make your life there. We also me…