Scottish Island Adventures

• Scottish Island Adventures - Tiree and Coll - with hosts Coinneach Macleod, the Hebridean Baker, singer-songwriter Natalie Galloway, and guest Rob Wainwright

  Tiree and Coll Tiree and Coll are two nearby islands in the Inner Hebrides. Popular for watersports and the Tiree Music Festival, Tiree is also famous for its pristine beaches and traditionally thatched lime-washed houses. Just across the water, the tranquil Isle of Coll has a small community of 171 residents and boasts a rich variety of flora, fauna, and beautiful landscapes of thriving machair. Tiree Tea Local favourite Tiree Tea offers unique blends of tea inspired by the Hebrides for each and every occasion, and is served across the CalMac fleet. Try the strong “crofter” tea to start your day before exploring the island! Wild Diamond Watersports Wild Diamond Watersports offers windsurfing, kitesurfing, paddleboarding, surfing and kayaking on Tiree. The range of beaches on the island offer world class conditions to suit every level from beginner to expert and the strong Atlantic winds of the Hebrides have put Tiree on the map as a watersports destination - just ask surfing champion Ben Larg, who hails from the island. Tiree Music Festival The annual Tiree Music Festival happens in July against the backdrop of the island’s pristine beaches. Drawing in visitors from near and far, the festival contemporary acts with traditional Scottish music. Thank you for listening to the Caledonian MacBrayne podcast. To find out more about Scotland’s west coast islands and all topics discussed on this episode, visit the CalMac website.

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• Scottish Island Adventures - Raasay - and Iona with hosts Coinneach Macleod, the Hebridean Baker, singer-songwriter Natalie Galloway, and guest Ailidh Lennon

  Islands Off Islands (Raasay and Iona) Scottish Island Adventures - Raasay - and Iona with hosts Coinneach Macleod, the Hebridean Baker, singer-songwriter Natalie Galloway, and guest Ailidh Lennon Raasay and Iona Raasay and Iona are islands off islands. Raasay is reachable by a 15 minute ferry from Sconser on Skye. The island is known for its whisky and is dominated by Dun Caan - a distinctive flat-topped mountain. The sacred island of Iona - despite its small size - draws in visitors from across the world because of its historical and spiritual significance. Iona is accessible by a foot passenger ferry from Fionnphort on Mull. Raasay Distillery The Isle of Raasay Distillery emerged from centuries of illicit whisky distilling. It now offers guided tours of the whisky making process, luxury overnight accommodation, and a chance to sample the signature Raasay single malt, while taking in rugged views of Skye across the water. Iona Abbey Iona Abbey is one of Scotland’s most important spiritual sites. Established in AD 563 by St. Columba, the abbey was significant in the spreading of Christianity across the west of Scotland and has been a center for pilgrimage for centuries! Thank you for listening to the Caledonian MacBrayne podcast. To find out more about Scotland’s west coast islands and all topics discussed on this episode, visit the CalMac website.

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• Scottish Island Adventures - Oban - with hosts Coinneach Macleod, the Hebridean Baker, singer-songwriter Natalie Galloway and with guest Peter MacQueen

  Oban Scottish Island Adventures - Oban - with hosts Coinneach Macleod, the Hebridean Baker, singer-songwriter Natalie Galloway and with guest Peter MacQueen Oban Oban - meaning ‘the little bay’ in Scottish Gaelic - is a historic harbour town nestled on Scotland’s west coast and is known as the gateway to the Hebrides. The town is just a three hour journey by train, bus or car from Glasgow and is the starting point for many CalMac island adventures. Dunollie Castle Sitting on a vantage point over the entrance to Oban bay, Dunnollie Castle once guarded the town’s important harbour. The castle is the seat of clan MacDougall and its present day ruins offer a glimpse into the history of the area. It is a landmark easily spotted when sailing into Oban from the islands. Seafood Shack Oban is renowned for its seafood and the seafood shack at the marina is a must-visit. The shacks are situated right beside the CalMac departure lounge. Sample fresh lobster, crab, scallops and more next to the boats that brought them while keeping an eye on your ferry! Thank you for listening to the Caledonian MacBrayne podcast. To find out more about Scotland’s west coast islands and all topics discussed on this episode, visit the CalMac website.

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• Scottish Island Adventures - Dunoon and Kilcreggan - with hosts Coinneach Macleod, The Hebridean Baker, singer-songwriter Natalie Galloway, and guest Roo Irvine

  Dunoon and Kilcreggan Scottish Island Adventures - Dunoon and Kilcreggan - with hosts Coinneach Macleod, The Hebridean Baker, singer-songwriter Natalie Galloway, and guest Roo Irvine. Dunoon and Kilcreggan Dunoon and Kilcreggan are two towns on peninsulas that are often better reached by ferry rather than the long road round! Dunoon sits on the Cowal Peninsula while Kilcreggan is on the Roseneath Peninsula. Both sit on the edge of the firth of Clyde and are accessible by CalMac Ferry from Gourock. The Blairmore The Blairmore is a cafe and shop nestled on the edge of Loch Long between Kilcreggan and Dunoon offering locally sourced produce and traditional Scottish breakfasts. The cafe looks out towards the loch and the pier where the world’s last sea-going paddle steamer The Waverley calls in Kilcreggan Antiques Kilcreggan Antiques is an antiques shop run by BBC TV antiques expert Roo Irvine. It originally operated from a shipping container and now operates on the town’s Shore Road Wreckspeditions Wreckspeditions offers boat and dive tours of shipwrecks around the Firth of Clyde from Dunoon. The Clyde was once the centre of one of the world’s biggest shipbuilding industries and there are many submerged and semi-submerged wrecks with stories to tell! Thank you for listening to the Caledonian MacBrayne podcast. To find out more about Scotland’s west coast islands and all topics discussed on this episode, visit the CalMac website.

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• Scottish Island Adventures - Gigha - with hosts Coinneach Macleod, the Hebridean Baker and singer-songwriter Natalie Galloway and guest Katy Beasley

  Gigha Scottish Island Adventures - Gigha - with hosts Coinneach Macleod, the Hebridean Baker and singer-songwriter Natalie Galloway and guest Katy Beasley Gigha The Isle of Gigha lies off the west coast of Kintyre and has been community owned since 2002. It has a population of 163 and the main settlement, Ardminish, serves as a gateway to the island’s attractions. Gigha is less than a three-hour drive from Glasgow and a short CalMac ferry ride from Tayinloan on the Kintyre Peninsula. Visitors can enjoy sandy beaches and beautiful Hebridean views by foot via a well-established path network through the fertile lands of this small island. Ardminish Stores Ardminish Stores is a hotspot of local produce, arts, crafts, treats, and supplies. Scottish Island Passports Visitors to the islands can collect digital stamps for 72 different locations via the Scottish Island Passports app to log their island adventures. Each island has its own stamp designed by a local artist and promotes inclusivity, accessibility and local activities for visitors to engage with. For those who are unsure of where to visit, the Scottish Island Passports app can suggest islands and experiences based on your particular interests, such as nature, arts or music. The Boathouse Sitting on the shores of the Ardminish Bay at the foot of the Mull of Kintyre with views across the water, The Boathouse restaurant boasts some of the freshest seafood around and has been recommended in the Michelin Guide for the last five years. Dark Skies Gigha Dark Skies Gigha is a non-profit community group dedicated to promoting interest in the night sky. With only a few street lights and good air quality on the island, the Isle of Gigha has ‘dark sky’ status. Through regular events for all ages, Dark Skies Gigha provides educational experiences while raising awareness of light pollution’s impact. Whether islanders or visitors, everyone is encouraged to experience the night sky on Gigha! Thank you for listening to the Caledonian MacBrayne podcast. To find out more about Scotland’s west coast islands and all topics discussed on this episode, visit the CalMac website.

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