TALK ARRAN | Podcast

08 Liz Dale - Suffragette General Flora Drummond

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.

07 Claire Reeves - The Bay Kitchen & Stores

Working for L'Oréal 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 L'Oréal 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!

06 Calmac Skipper Jay Shibel - A Life At Sea

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 Iran and 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.

05 Simon Thorburn - The Potter's Wheel

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.

04 Lindsay Keir - Baking for the World

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 throughout 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.