After a few videos after relaunching the blog something for the ears only tonight with two slightly older radio programmes previously broadcasted on BBC Radio 4. At least as of today they can still be listened to on BBC iPlayer Radio:
The first one is with Malcolm Ogilvie, well known to many Islay visitors, who has been studying and watching birds and in particular Geese on Islay for decades. The programme is 22 minutes long and called The Living World – Islay Birds.
The second one is by writer Paul Evans and sound recordist Chris Watson who recorded the 30 minutes long programme Nature, The Sounds of Britain, Islay. Among other things Paul talks about the Adders in the airport car park, I remember those signs. Of course Adders don’t make much sound (apart from possibly hissing), so wait for the Corncrakes, Curlews and other birds, just to start with.
Announcing the relaunch of the blog this morning I hinted there might be a second ‘Christmas present’ coming up. Having only finished editing it late in the evening on Christmas Evening I still had to upload it this morning. But it all worked out and I can proudly present my latest Islay video. It’s a bit different from the videos I’ve made previously. To start with it has music. Then it’s monochrome. And it’s quite fast paced. A bit of an experiment, I’m very curious to see what people think. Here it is:
In 4.5 minutes I’m taking you on a quick journey around Islay, taking in as much as possible in such a short period. Admittedly some of the selections were influenced by the availability of footage, in other areas I had to make difficult choices what to show and what to omit. Here is a list of the places you can see in chronological order:
Port Ellen buoy
Port Ellen lighthouse
Port Ellen warehouse
Port Ellen houses with passing Islay Coaches
Port Ellen Maltings
Port Ellen pier/marina and village
Laphroaig approach from loch
Laphroaig smoking pagoda
Laphroaig stills
Dunyvaig castle and Lagavulin
Lagavulin distillery
Bowmore distillery approach from sea
Bowmore Main Street
Round Church
Barnacle Geese in front of Port Charlotte
Barnacle Geese at top of Loch Indaal with Paps of Jura
Bruichladdich approach from sea
Bruichladdich over distillery
Bruichladdich spirit safe (making Port Charlotte spirit)
Past Loch Indaal lighthouse to Port Charlotte
Port Charlotte pier from above
Port Charlotte Main Street towards Port Charlotte Hotel
Loch Indaal lighthouse with breaking waves
Waves breaking over Port Charlotte pier
Saltire flying in Portnahaven
Rhinns of Islay lighthouse and fishing boat
Seal in Portnahaven
Waves breaking near Port Wemyss
Single track road towards Kilchoman
Approaching Kilchoman Church
Ruin of Kilchoman church from the air
View of Machir Bay
Beach view in Machir Bay
Otter in Machir Bay
At the wreck in Machir Bay
Above the wreck in Machir Bay
Breaking waves in Saligo Bay
Waves blown back by wind in Saligo Bay
View towards Sleeping Giant / Opera House Rocks in Saligo Bay
Saligo Bay from the air
Barnacle Geese feeding at Gruinart
Barnacle Geese lifting off at Gruinart
Barnacle Geese over the Gruinart marshes
Barnacle Geese over grazing cows
Approach to Finlaggan from the air
View of the house ruin at Finlaggan from the air
MV Hebridean Isles arriving in Port Askaig
Passing McArthur’s Head lighthouse
I still think that’s quite impressive for 4.5 minutes, also a sign of how much Islay has to offer. It might be too fast and hectic for some, but then it might be exciting and fresh for others. I’m normally not a big fan of music for videos (certainly for my videos) and prefer more natural sounds, but here it felt appropriate so I used some. To avoid any rights issues (not to mention that the lyrics I feel often don’t really fit) I didn’t use any big hit(s) known to many but used some free music offered by Google. No lyrics, so no risk of conflict there either. The style of music will probably not be to everyone’s taste, I like the speed and energy in it.
Now it’s over to you, I hope you enjoy and like the whirlwind tour of Islay. Let me know what you think.
