Sláinte! Scran travels to the Whisky Drinkers Mecca 🥃
And The Northern Agenda talks about the way we talk up North ⬆️
Scran: Feis Ile - the whisky drinkers mecca
Producer Kelly and Scran host Rosalind were on their travels a few weeks back, venturing to Islay to soak up all that the festival had to offer.
There are two special episodes of Scran - our hit food and drink podcast - dedicated to bringing you an excellent flavour of what being at Feis Ile is like.
Rosalind visits various distilleries, talks to producers from Islay and Jura, and soaks up the wonderful music and entertainment.
You will really get a feel for what it's like to be part of this special island community. Everything you will hear was recorded at the festival.
In episode one, you'll hear from Islay Wines, Islay Oysters, Bruickladdich distillery, the Ella Edgar School of Dancing, Islay Tuk Tuk, Jukebox Gin, Kilchoman Distillery, Islay Whisky Academy, Orsay Sea Salt and others.
In episode 2, Rosalind chats to Master Distiller at Bunnahabhain, Brendan McCarron about his vision for the distillery.
Ben Shakespeare from the Feis Ile organising committee tells us all about how this year has gone and you'll hear from producers such as Islay Ales, Deer Island Distillers, Islay Rum, Dura Brewery, Lussa Gin, The Machrie and The Botanist gin.
There's also a special treat with Gaelic singer Lynn MacDonald and traditional storyteller Kate Coutts also making an appearence. Enjoy!
Also a big shout out to producer Kelly for making the shortlist of The Scottish Press Awards for ‘Podcast of the Year’. Let’s hope we’ll be cracking out the whisky to celebrate soon!
The Northern Agenda: Accents and Lexit
Let's talk about the way we talk. On this week's podcast, The Northern Agenda speaks to Dr Robert M. McKenzie about new analysis on the way we respond to accents.
The associate professor in sociolinguistics, along with a team of academics at Northumbria University, found that there is prejudice against the northern accent - with many believing it is a sign of being less intelligent, educated, and ambitious.
He speaks to Northern Agenda editor Rob Parsons about their research in the British Academy-funded Speaking of Prejudice project.
They are joined by podcast producer and poet Daniel J. McLaughlin, who discusses how his Lancastrian accent impacts his professional life and performances.
And Conservative MP James Grundy chats to Rob about why he believes Leigh should split from the Wigan borough.
He argues that people from Leigh are often treated as 'second class citizens' by their neighbours in Greater Manchester.
The Leigh MP also discusses levelling up, local devolution, and why he is pleased that the government has scrapped HS2’s £3 billion Golborne Link.