THEY don’t always get the best publicity but Hebridean Baker Coinneach Macleod loves a CalMac ferry.
“I am 49 now and have been going on CalMac ferries since I was four years old, so for me, going over the water is when you know you are going on an adventure,” he told the Sunday National.
“Even if there are slip-ups along the way, when you get on the ferry and you get your mac and cheese you know everything is going to be all right!”
Macleod also loves the Scottish islands which is why he is hoping his new podcast will encourage more people – especially Scots – to explore them.
“We are trying to get people to fall in love with their own country and see bits they haven’t seen before,” he said. “We want Scottish people to try different islands and different experiences and not all go to the same places. There is space for everyone.”
The new podcast, which launches tomorrow, will transport listeners to Scotland’s west coast in a series of 10 episodes, which will each focus on a different island. Macleod will be joined by various guests as he uncovers “Scotland in miniature” in the Isle of Arran, visits Islay and Jura to learn about the islands’ world-famous distilleries and witnesses Skye’s incredible natural attractions.
“It was so much fun doing this,” he said. “In each island, I met up with three people who are doing amazing things – it could be something to do with adventure, food, history or experiences that people can go and do when they visit.”
The activities and places highlighted in the podcast are not always the obvious ones, such as the Callanish Stones in Macleod’s home island of Lewis.
In Uist, he visits crofter DJ (Donald John) who offers crofting experiences like walking the Highland cows out to the machair or a spot of sheep shearing.
“The podcast is about creating adventures that make you want to meet the people because the characters are brilliant,” said Macleod. “They share their stories in such a lovely way that you want to go and stay there.”
He added: “As much as I would love to lie on the beach for a week, I think people are looking for a wee bit more from their holidays these days, as those are the things you can come home and tell your friends about.”
One of the surprises for Macleod was his trip to Arran, a place he had never visited before as it is “so far south”.
“Arran is so different,” he said. “One of the things I loved when I went there is that if you bring an empty bottle there are Arran Dairies dispensing machines around the island so you can buy a beautiful pint of milk that been milked from a cow that morning – and of course, I had to try every flavour of Arran ice cream for research purposes!”
Other examples of innovation include Uist Unearthed, an award-winning free Augmented Reality archaeology app which lets visitors see historic sites as they would have been hundreds and even thousands of years ago.
“If you download the app you can walk into a Viking longhouse and see what it would have been like – it’s amazing,” said Macleod. “It’s kind of obvious that the fire is not real but I still walked around it!”
Along with meeting people in the islands, Macleod also shares his love of the places he visits with other aficionados such as Kirsty Wark, who has set her novels in Arran.
Another episode includes Gaelic radio and television presenter Cathy Macdonald, whose voice will be familiar to CalMac’s passengers as the reader of safety messages aboard the company’s fleet of ferries.
“It was lovely they shared their passion for the islands and to hear their perspectives,” said Macleod.
The Scottish Island Adventures podcast is being launched by ferry operators CalMac.
Chief executive Robbie Drummond said: “Each of the 22 islands we serve has its own identity, character and history, and we’re very excited to help broadcast this to new audiences through the Scottish Island Adventures podcast.
“While CalMac provides crucial services connecting islander communities with the mainland, we hope that this podcast will also help connect listeners with the heart and soul of the islands we serve.
“Scottish Island Adventures is set to highlight the innovative businesses, striking scenery, close-knit communities and individual islanders that make this region so unique”.
