Audio, Podcast, Radio
The By The Way podcast is for lovers of Scotland. It’s an audio adventure in Truth, fiction, unsolicited opinion and extra information from around the best country in the world.
Over the years since my old mum and her cronies used to get half price chips I’ve known the modern Crofters’ Music Bar Bistro through different incarnations and proprietors. Today’s custodians are father and daughter team Dónal and Ealána Boyle. As Crofters’ Music Bar Bistro has evolved they’ve embraced modern principles caring for their staff, sourcing local and sustainable produce and presenting musicians with personality. They believe they’ve got a winning formula.
Mike Bailey is a guitarist, singer and songwriter. He talks about what it’s like to be a musician and how he feels about Arran – his home.
Graham brought another supercar to Arran. As he says it’s got a proper engine: 5.2 litres, V10 naturally aspirated 631hp. Listen to the story of Graham’s epic road-trip two ways across Canada.
Whatever term we use to describe mental health issues; anxiety, depression, stress, low mood or lack of self esteem, remedies are available. There’s someone who can help.
This is the story of four compassionate and empathetic people working on Arran. They use a variety of techniques from talking therapies and counselling to art therapy and eco-therapy to help clients deal with their issues. One essential of their qualification is to have done the therapy themselves. Counselling helped me overcome some of my issues, which is why the subject piqued my interest.
I spoke to Andrew the farmer recently and it turns out he had a previous career as a qualified mental health nurse. Our conversation turned to the benefits of working outside and Jenny, his wife, spoke passionately about the benefits of community, exercise and good food. My own counsellor contributes and I talked with an art therapist, who helps people of school age and older. This episode takes a sympathetic look at these remedies.
A report says that eating local food, produce from within a radius of 12 miles, is twice as beneficial to the environment as eating organic produce from further afield. You’d be hard pushed to find a more tightly defined, “local” area than an island. You certainly don’t need a SatNav on Arran; in many cases once you’ve gone the 12 miles, you’re coming back again. There’s a growing network of producers and purveyors of local produce on Arran. What are the factors that contribute to their success?
PLAY THIS EPISODE NOW.
Circumstances have changed drastically for some of the contributors so I’m revisiting this episode. Please check back soon.
Back in the 1970s, 80s and 90s Corrie Capers was a week-long summer celebration of exuberant games, mischief, community spirit and committed partying. Corrie is one of Arran’s most picturesque villages and I’m fair chuffed to hear just how much is going on these days.
PLAY THIS EPISODE NOW.